Las Vegas trip: How to get the most out of the strip

Las Vegas is often described as being glitzy and crass. But there’s so much more to discover, once you venture away from the Strip.

Las Vegas

IF YOU’RE looking for 24/7 entertainment, there are few surer bets than Las Vegas. Most guides begin with the lavish casinos, where every day is a weekend, and the tables are open around the clock. Maybe it's also your destination for embracing man-made spectacles like the Fountains of Bellagio or a gondola ride in the air-conditioned canals of the Venetian. Others are drawn to the ever-growing restaurant scene, where celebrity chef flagships like Joël Robuchon and é by José Andrés share the spotlight with buffet after buffet. For the outdoorsy types, there's everything from lush golf courses to dune buggy racing in the desert.

But Las Vegas is really a music town at heart. Only in Vegas will you find of-the-moment pop acts like Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga signing residency deals. Vegas also hosts music festivals including Life Is Beautiful, headlined this September by The Weeknd and Arcade Fire, and May's dance music behemoth Electric Daisy Carnival. The latter reflects the city's cachet with big-name DJs who play the Strip’s nightclubs week in, week out. Then there are the shows that pair beloved songs with extravagant Vegas budgets, like Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE and The Beatles LOVE.

Marilyn! The New Musical is the latest flashy arrival on the Strip. Opening on June 1, 2018, at Paris Las Vegas, the show follows Marilyn Monroe's life from her troubled early years in Hollywood stardom. The story is told with 20 original music numbers and reimagined classics like Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend and My Heart Belongs to Daddy. With Ruby Lewis in the title role, Marilyn! also features Brittney Bertier as Monroe's pre-transformation self, Norma Jeane. "Our musical is different because it shows both Norma Jeane and Marilyn, and Norma Jeane isn't forgotten," Bertier explains. "I come in frequently throughout the piece and embody the insecurities that haunted her all her life."

Marilyn Monroe's arrival as a 1950s bombshell coincided with the early days of Las Vegas glamour. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. brought Rat Pack charm to the Sands Hotel and Casino, while a 21-year-old crooner called Elvis Presley made his Sin City debut in 1956. Memories of historic downtown mostly now live on Fremont Street, the kitschy downtown alternative to the Strip. There you can tip a glass to Sinatra at Bar Prohibition! or pose with the King against an all-neon backdrop.    

For a unique musical experience, Bertier recommends the Composers Showcase of Las Vegas at the Smith Centre. As the name suggests, local composers are invited to present original material in the Centre’s intimate space Myron's Cabaret Jazz. "I've seen several artists perform their new work," Bertier says. "It's so inspiring and wonderful." While all-day rehearsals don't allow much time for shows, Bertier is building her own wish-list. Her picks include Cher's residency at the Monte Carlo's Park Theater, "Our choreographer Ferly Prado is one of her dancers, so I would love to see that", the Baz Luhrmann musical mash-up BAZ and the aquatic show O by Cirque du Soleil.  

To get the most out of Vegas, Bertier suggests roaming beyond its main drag. "The Strip does have the best food and shopping, but it's like being in Times Square all the time," she says. While many performers live close to the action, Bertier found a nice little condo 15 minutes from Paris Las Vegas. From there, she can escape the bright lights with a drive to Red Rock Canyon or the Valley of Fire. "I hiked Mount Charleston the other day," she says. "That was amazing — you're one hour outside of the Strip, and all of a sudden it's pine trees and snow."

Brittney Bertier’s Picks for Eating and Drinking Like a Vegas Local

Secret Pizza

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Third Floor

3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89109

“This is a little secret nook with really good pizza that feels almost like New York to me. It’s in a corner, it’s not easily found, and there’s nothing sparkly about it — even though you’re near the Cosmo’s huge chandelier!”

Neighbors Cafe

5910 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 103, Las Vegas, NV 89148

“Neighbors is so far my favourite cafe. It has a really cool, LA vibe - all white and wood — and they have lavender lattes. It’s my go-to.”

PublicUs

1126 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

“A cool spot in downtown Las Vegas with a lot of vegan options. They also make an espresso martini that’s really good.”

Tacos & Beer

3900 Paradise Rd Ste A, Las Vegas, NV 89169

“Tacos and Beer is a super chill spot with inventive tacos right off strip — I had one with mashed potatoes the other day — and they put pomegranate seeds in the guac, which is divine.”

House Of Alchemy

4245 S. Grand Canyon Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89147

“I thought this was a coffee shop, but it’s also a really cool juice bar. Even though I live in LA, I haven’t really got into juices, but they let me sample everything here.”

Originally published as Las Vegas trip: How to get the most out of the strip