Top 10 Things To Do In Las Vegas - The Party List That Takes Two Days of Recovery

This weekend my daughter celebrated her 15th birthday.   She requested, as she has the past two years, that we go on a "Vegas Vacation," and stay at Mandalay Bay to celebrate.

One of the greatest things about living in our amazing city is that you can spend a weekend 20 minutes from home and feel like you are 3,000 miles away at one of the best hotels in the world.

I mindlessly floated around the lazy river in the massive pool area of Mandalay Bay. 

I was in a zen-like state of relaxation, on an underinflated tube.  Next to me was a group of three couples.  One of them looked over at me, in my relaxed state, and said, "Vegas sure is great, isn't in?"  I agreed and we chatted some more.

Once the group discovered I was a local, and have lived here for most of my 42 years, they peppered me for my list of "things they should do while they are here."

Now, as you can imagine, as a lifelong native, I get at least 8-10 calls each year from friends and friends of friends who want me to tell them what they should do when they come to Vegas for a weekend.

So, here is that list.   A few disclaimers to warn you about. 

For one, this is strictly my opinion.  I am not an outdoorsman.  I am not going to mention the mountains and lake, although they are certainly beautiful and worth a visit on another trip longer than a weekend.  If you are into that for your Vegas trip, this list isn't for you.

Next, this isn't the "family vacation" list.  In my opinion, if you are coming to Vegas with the kids, you have done yourself and your kids a disservice.   Leave the kids at home when you come to Vegas.   Take them on the next trip somewhere else.

Although once a year I do my "Vegas Vacation" with my kids, its only because I live 20 minutes away.  If I lived anywhere else, I would never bring them here.  My wife and I do "Vegas Vacation" alone at least four times a year.

When I go on vacation without my kids, I go with my wife or a group of guys and we look to have FUN!  So that's what this list is about.  Coming to Vegas and having fun with your signficant other or a group of guys or girls. 

This list will get you little to no sleep but you will see the uniqueness and the greatness of Vegas and have the time of your life!! 

If you are coming to Vegas on a Thursday - Sunday, make sure you take Monday and Tuesday off as well.  For one, you will need your sleep in your own bed and you will be completely useless those two days even if you did try and work.

Finally, I am 42 years old.  This list is for the 28 - 50 set.  If you are younger, I am not sure what you like.  If you are older, you may feel out of place at some of the places on the list.  Pick and choose.

This list also requires you spend money.  This list is not for the overly budget-conscious.  If you have to watch your money, go cheaper on the room.  You won't be there much anyway. 

Enough of the warnings. 

Here is the list of the Top 10 Things To Do In Las Vegas (in no particular order):

Make sure you go to a daytime pool party.     The Palms Hotel has one on Friday.  The Hard Rock Hotel has one on Sunday.  These are a real spectacle and you will not believe your eyes.    2,000 - 3,000 pool side with great music.  Don't over-do it as you have the whole night ahead of you.

Make sure you hit at least one of the mega-clubs.  There is Pure at Caesars, Jet at the Mirage, Tao at The Venetian.   These are the top nightclubs in the world and you are bound to see someone famous in each.  They don't really get going until around midnight.  If you come with your significant other, waiting in line is OK.  If you come with a group of guys, plan on getting bottle service to have fun or else you will wait in line forever.  If you come with a group of girls, don't worry, you won't be waiting long anyway. 

Dine at any one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants.  There are a bunch of them all over the city.  They are all fantastic.  The food is light and the atmosphere lively.

Have lunch at Mon Ami Gabi.  This is an outdoor cafe at the Paris Hotel that sits right on the Strip across from the Bellagio directly in front of the amazing fountains.  It doesn't get any better than that.

See "Love" at the Mirage.  Cirque Du Soleil meets the Beatles.  In my 42 years of life, I have only seen one show that was better and that was Elvis.

See a concert at The Pearl at the Palms or The Joint in the Hard Rock.  These two venues are small but the closeness to the stage and the intimacy of the crowd will blow you away.  You will never want to see a stadium show again.

Check out the view of the city of lights.  The best views of the city at night are found at The Voodoo Lounge at the top of the Rio, the Ghost Bar at top of the Palms, and Mix at the top of Mandalay Bay.  They all happen to be great fun places as well.  The views are breathtaking.  You will not believe your eyes.

Impersonator's show.  C'mon!  You are in Vegas.  Elvis may or may not be dead but go check out Trent Carlini as the King at the Sahara.  That's the guy that won "America's Next Best Thing."  Cheesy, but all Vegas and you will be telling all of your friends!!

The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.  You have never seen a shopping mall like this one. 

Time for a little R & R.  Guys: Golf at Cascada.  Ranked one of the top 100 you can play according to Golf Magazine and unbelievable.  Girls:  Spa at Bellagio.   You won't be disappointed.

That's it!!   I am worn out just writing it!!  If you think I missed something, please feel free to add to it, but remember the rules of this list.  FUN!! FUN!! FUN!!

P.S.  By the way, there are few better pools on the mainland of the United States than you will find at Mandalay Bay.