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NDTV
16 hours ago
- NDTV
First Time In Las Vegas? Keep These 5 Local Travel Tips In Mind For A Smooth Trip
There are cities, and then there is Las Vegas - a place that feels like someone handed a theme park the keys to a country. It does not just wake you up; it shakes you by the shoulders and hands you a glittery cocktail. Think of a skyline where the Eiffel Tower and a pyramid compete for your attention, fountains that dance better than most wedding guests, and streets that look exactly like what Bollywood would shoot its climax scene on. If you are an Indian visiting for the first time, Las Vegas can feel like a giant film set with extra drama and extra dazzle. But beneath all the shine is a city that needs you to be a little prepared. Whether it is your dream trip or a spontaneous holiday, these are the things you need to keep in mind for your first Las Vegas visit. Here Are 5 Local Travel Tips To Keep In Mind While Visiting Las Vegas For The First Time 1. Do Not Underestimate The Las Vegas Strip It might look like a fun walk when you check the map, but the Las Vegas Strip is longer and sneakier than it seems. The resorts are massive, and the distance between two points is not your regular five-minute stroll. Add desert heat to the mix, and you might be dragging yourself by the end of it. Bring your best walking shoes - not your cutest ones - and let public transport like buses and the monorail give your feet the break they deserve. Trust this, your future self will thank you. 2. Yes, It Is Hot. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Las Vegas does not believe in chill weather. The desert air will have you sweating before your second selfie. Yes, the cocktails are calling your name, but ignoring water can make your holiday feel like a punishment. Keep a refillable water bottle on hand. It saves money, saves plastic and most importantly, saves your energy. Dehydration will make your whole trip go to waste, so drink plenty of water throughout your stroll. 3. Decide Your Budget Before The First Bell Rings Las Vegas is built to tempt. Between casinos, shows, restaurants, and shops, your credit card might get more exercise than you. Set a daily budget for everything from food to fun. Having a number in mind helps when you are standing in front of a luxury buffet or deciding whether to catch a big-name concert. You can bring some cash to manage your spending more clearly. You are here to enjoy, and not to chase credit card alerts. 4. Las Vegas Is More Than Just Casinos Sure, the slot machines are iconic, but if you stop there, you will miss what makes the city layered and memorable. Walk into the Neon Museum and get a taste of the city's retro heart. Visit the Arts District for a mix of local creativity and cafes that serve more than just Instagram likes. If you are into nature, you can plan day trips to nearby places like Red Rock Canyon or the Grand Canyon. Spread your plans out - Vegas is not a non-stop casino party. 5. Tipping Is Not Optional, It Is Part Of The System In Las Vegas, tipping is not a polite suggestion - it is the rule of the game. Hotel staff, bartenders, cab drivers, even the dealers at the casino - they all expect tips as part of their earnings. Usually, the norm is to pay a 15-20 per cent tip to restaurants and at least $1 per drink at bars. Set aside a tipping budget, so you are not left doing mental math after every drink. It keeps things smooth and saves you from awkward side-eye. Las Vegas Travel Tips For First-Timers: What Else Should You Know Before You Go Now that you know the one essential thing to remember while visiting Las Vegas, here are some more questions first-time travellers often ask that could be genuinely useful. 1. What Is The Best Time To Visit Las Vegas? Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are your golden windows. These months offer pleasant weather, less sweat, and easier walks. Summer is for brave hearts and extra sunscreen. 2. What Should You Pack For Las Vegas? Las Vegas is hot, literally. Pack breathable clothes for the day and a light jacket for chilly evenings or icy air conditioning. Do not forget comfortable shoes - heels are great, but pain is not. Sunscreen is your invisible armour. 3. Is Renting A Car Worth It In Las Vegas? If you plan to stay within the Strip, taxis and public transport are more than enough. But if you want to escape the city for a road trip or visit national parks, renting a car could work in your favour. 4. Are There Free Things To Do In Las Vegas? You bet. Las Vegas offers several free attractions, including the Bellagio Fountains, the Mirage Volcano, and the Fremont Street Experience. It is not all about swiping cards. The city has plenty to offer, even if your wallet takes the night off.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
New Las Vegas Exhibit Displays Five Cirque Du Soleil Shows' Costumes
A first-of-its-kind exhibition, 'Stories from Backstage: Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas' is on display at Las Vegas City Hall's Grand Gallery through July 17. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 07: Cirque du Soleil performers attend The Neon Museum's 'Stories from Backstage: Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas' exhibit at Las Vegas City Hall on February 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo byfor The Neon Museum) Global entertainment producer Cirque du Soleil and the Neon Museum, the museum dedicated to collecting and preserving Las Vegas' history, have jointly created the exhibition. The presenters said 'Stories from Backstage: Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas' 'offers an inside look at one of the world's most iconic entertainment brands, showcasing the creativity, innovation and craftsmanship that power productions by Cirque du Soleil. Visitors can discover how athletes become artists, how characters are brought to life and how technology continues to evolve costume design. With an array of fabrics, costumes, masks, and more on display, the exhibition unveils the behind-the-scenes artistry that has made Cirque du Soleil a defining part of the Las Vegas experience since the 1990s.' The exhibition includes iconic costumes, makeup, measurement sheets, shoes, 3D-printed fabrics and much more from the five current Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas shows, including Mystère, 'O,' Mad Apple, KÀ and Michael Jackson ONE. Also on display here are the Spearmen shoes from KÀ; wigs worn by the the synchronized swimmers in 'O'; the Red Bird costume from Mystère; and the Bateau from 'O' Sarah Hulme, the exhibition's chief curator who is also the deputy director of The Neon Museum, said, 'Cirque du Soleil is a pillar of our city's cultural identity, and this collaboration has resonated deeply with our visitors, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary artistry and innovation that happens behind the curtain. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Guests are all fascinated by the artistry and behind-the-scenes magic that defines Cirque du Soleil.' Aaron Berger, executive director of the Neon Museum—which was founded in 1996 and features a 'neon boneyard,' an outdoor exhibition space that displays historic Las Vegas neon signs thar are no longer in use—called the exhibition 'a powerful reflection of our expanded mission to celebrate the creative forces that shape Las Vegas and we are proud to continue telling the many untold stories of Cirque du Soleil.' Also on display at the Neon Museum are Brilliant! Jackpot, an immersive audiovisual experience that reilluminates more than 50 non-operational neon signs using advanced technology, and a neon boneyard park, a green space that enables visitors to learn more about las Vegas' history. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group said it is 'a world leader in live entertainment. Building on four decades of pushing the boundaries of the imagination, the artistic entertainment company brings its creative approach to a large variety of artistic forms such as live shows, multimedia productions, long-from content, music, immersive experiences, and special events. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group celebrates 40 years of defying reality, defining entertainment, and illuminating the world through art and creativity. Since its creation in 1984, more than 400 million people have been inspired on 6 continents and 86 countries. The Canadian company now employs more than 4000 employees, including 1200 artists from more than 80 different nationalities.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chasing the Ghosts of Old Las Vegas
It has been nearly 85 years since the first resort opened on the Las Vegas Strip but absolutely no trace of it remains. El Rancho Vegas burned down in 1960 and its scorched earth remains barren to this day, hidden under a slab of concrete. The city is so good at destroying history that chasing remnants of vintage Vegas is like ghost hunting, but with better lodging and delicious food. No EMF Meter is needed to feel the spirits at the Neon Museum after dark. The giant neon signs in the boneyard once entertained millions with light and color and movement, but have moldered into rusting steel and broken glass. A high-tech light show called Brilliant! Jackpot simulates animation through projection, and for a moment gives the illusion of life with music and energy, before the behemoths fade back to black. Other fragments of the lost city live on at the Mob Museum downtown, where you can ogle Meyer Lansky's art deco cigarette case and Bugsy Siegel's aviator sunglasses. The ghost of gangster Siegel looms over the El Cortez Hotel. The newly renovated Downtown landmark has the onetime owner/mob boss' mug plastered everywhere from the ice machine to the men's room. The entrance to casino restaurant Siegel's 1941 is framed by a neon signature that matches not only the high-backed banquettes but the classic chicken parm that I scarfed down before heading to a concert at the hotel's new ShowBar. I learned the term 'table touching' from an old maître d' who explained the importance of a personal connection to each patron. Owner Kitty Heck at Hot Noodz, the hotel's new Chinese fusion restaurant is a master of it, sharing stories about her family, including Michelin-starred dad in the kitchen, as she checked on her devoted customers. El Cortez is drenched in enough vintage neon to fill you with the spirit of old Las Vegas yet just far enough from the madness of the Fremont Street Experience that it's practically genteel. Book a room in the 'Original 47' wing or for a taste of Dynasty-era opulence, check out the original suite of onetime owner Jackie Gaughan on the top floor. Gaughan once owned much of downtown including the Plaza and a piece of the Golden Nugget. In 1979, he and his son Michael built the Barbary Coast next door to the Flamingo, where he opened his opulent Michael's Gourmet Room restaurant. No place else captures the Casino-era like the outrageously decadent dining room, which was carefully taken apart and moved to the South Point casino when the original hotel closed. This palace of Continental cuisine was inspired by the Flamingo's Candlelight Room and is filled with stained glass, tuxedoed waiters, and flaming tableside preparations. I enjoyed the most lavish meal of my life amidst all of this magnificence in a plush, dim room that was so magical I expected the candelabras to break into song. No ghosts required. LAS VEGAS LOUNGES At the height of Las Vegas cool in the 1950s and 60s, the big names playing the showrooms would sneak in to see the late-night shows in the hotel lounges. The town was awash in live entertainment and the tradition lives on in a few rooms. These are our favorite lounges, some with music, all with cocktails, and each one worth it for the vibe alone. BOOTLEGGER Before she built her dream Italian restaurant fifty years ago, Bootlegger owner Lorraine Hunt-Bono was herself a Las Vegas singer. Today, her sprawling complex features nightly live entertainment into the wee hours. We loved sultry Rita Lim who channeled everyone from Peggy Lee to Karen Carpenter on our visit. GOLDEN STEER This iconic wood-paneled steakhouse has been rolling out the beef since 1958, but with Saturday reservations already full for the entire summer your best bet is to belly up to the bar. Their lounge menu features cocktails inspired by Frank, Dean and Sammy and the people watching is top notch. ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB Outside, the 65-year old private club is stone and statuary and fountains, inside there's a mosaic of celebrity headshots leading to the stage where this summer you'll see tributes to Luther Vandross and Barbra Streisand. Non-Italians can join the club and anyone can purchase a '30 Day Social Membership' for $1. PEPPERMILL Is it day or night or 1972? Deep inside this dark lounge tucked into a coffee shop is a sunken circular pink marble conversation pit with hot tub water gurgling and flames shooting out of the center. That's where you want to be when your Pink Squirrel cocktail arrives, lounging on gold velour and about to set sail.
Boston Globe
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Japanese prints, Cirque du Soleil, and must-see spots around the Bay State
See more than 35 Japanese prints — many on public view for the first time — at a new exhibition opening at the Worcester Art Museum called 'Reflections of a Changing Japan: The Evolution of Shin Hanga.' The show, running March 29 through June 29, focuses on Shin Hanga, a Japanese printmaking movement from the early 1900s, and the cultural shifts happening as this style emerged. Shin Hanga (or 'new prints') developed as a revival of the traditional ukiyo-e style of printmaking from Japan's Edo period, yet it reflected more modern-day subject matter and techniques that appealed to international tastes — particularly American and European interests. The exhibition is organized into four sections: Early Prints focuses on traditional ukiyo-e subjects such as landscapes, women, and kabuki actors; Contemporary Inspiration looks at how artists incorporated 'western' techniques, such as perspective, shading, and naturalism; New Horizons includes works created by Shin Hanga artists during their travels abroad, particularly depictions of foreign landscapes such as the Rockies and Grand Canyon; and Shin Hanga: Decline and Reinterpretations examines the waning interest in printmaking after World War II and how artists started incorporating contemporary themes and abstract elements. Admission: free for 17 and under to $18 for 18 and older. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Neon Museum and Cirque du Soleil have teamed up to present 'Stories from Backstage: Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas,' a free exhibition on view through May 1 at the city hall's Grand Gallery. Handout/Getty Images for The Neon Museum Advertisement THERE What makes Cirque du Soleil shine Get a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and artistry that drives Las Vegas' Cirque du Soleil productions. The Neon Museum and Cirque du Soleil have teamed up to present 'Stories from Backstage: Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas,' a free exhibition on view through May 1 at the city hall's Grand Gallery. The exhibition includes iconic costumes, makeup designs, acrobatic shoes, 3-D-printed fabrics, and other artifacts from its five current Vegas shows: 'Mystère,' 'O,' 'Mad Apple,' 'KÀ,' and 'Michael Jackson ONE.' See the Red Bird costume from 'Mystère,' the Moonhead headpiece from 'O,' the acrobatic shoes used in the Wheel of Death act from 'Mad Apple,' for instance. Discover how athletes transform into artists, performers embody characters, and cutting-edge technology shapes costume evolution — and learn about backstage secrets that help make these show dazzle. The exhibition is open Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Also, don't miss the museum's Duck Duck Shed event, April 24-27, which includes behind-the-scene tours and discussions of the city's architecture and design. Advertisement Kim Foley MacKinnon's new book '100 Things to Do in Massachusetts Before You Die' offers 100 must-do places to see or experience organized into five categories: food and drink, music and entertainment, sports and recreation, culture and history, shopping and fashion. Handout EVERYWHERE New book highlights must-see spots around the Bay State Whether you're a local or visitor, you'll appreciate the lineup in '100 Things to Do in Massachusetts Before You Die,' a new book by Boston resident Kim Foley MacKinnon that offers fun facts and top picks across the Bay State. MacKinnon's admittedly subjective selections hit the highlights across the state, offering 100 must-do places to see or experience that are organized into five categories: food and drink, music and entertainment, sports and recreation, culture and history, shopping and fashion. Each item includes a one-page writeup full of history, background, or tantalizing facts from the well-known to the obscure. (Dorchester, for example, was home to America's first chocolate mill, which provided the chocolate for the original Boston cream pie.) Helpful call-out boxes throughout the book offer mini roundups and interesting tips — for instance, you can get into the Isabella Stewart Museum for free if you're name is Isabella (who knew?). The book still leans toward Eastern Mass. — less than 20 percent of the to-do items take you outside of Cape Cod and the Route 495 bubble — but you'll find worthwhile music and cultural offerings that will draw you to Worcester, Sturbridge, Lenox, and beyond. Each entry typically includes contact and website info. $22.50. KARI BODNARCHUK Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at
