Las Vegas, Nevada a perfect day in the City of Sin!
A Must Do List for the City of Sin
Words and photography by Alexandra Mona

The following tips for your trip to Las Vegas are purely based on my own experience. Living in Las Vegas since 2009, with a few breaks here and there, I have worked mainly as a Photographer but also as a Model, a Tour Guide, a Graphic Designer and most of all a Table Games Dealer oh did I mention I was a Go-Go dancer too?
I have had the time of my life living in Las Vegas and I wouldn’t miss it for the life of me. I never thought I could ever live there before I moved there. The amazing experiences and the memories made will last a lifetime. The interesting stories of people that have met Sinatra, Elvis and worked with many other stars. The stories inside the Casino’s and the history behind the neon glow. Many people might find it challenging to live in a city where you drink for free as long as you gamble, where shady people hide in a sunny place and tourists are looking for the one-night stand.
As dark as it can be, if you set your priorities straight, you can make the best living here and come out on top!
So, let me guide you through a perfect day in this Oasis of the desert!

The day starts with a good breakfast...
The best breakfast Buffet in my opinion is the one at the Wynn/Encore. If you are willing to spend round about $20 for the most important meal of the day. I think it’s well spent, make sure you bring your appetite to this exclusive Buffet with live cooking stations! This is the place to be, an all you can eat firework for the taste buds! Open from 8am on, the Buffet is also open for lunch and dinner.
www.wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/CasualDining/ TheBuffet

To ensure that you walk those calories right off, you are just about in the right place. How about a stroll through the Casino towards Las Vegas Blvd, make sure you stop by the luscious landscaped waterfall in the front of the property (which is also a great photo opportunity).
If you take the pedestrian bridge over to the Palazzo and the Venetian you find plenty more great opportunities to take pictures.

As many might have said before, if you want to travel the world in a day, there is almost nothing comparable to Las Vegas. The Venetian - Venice (Italy), Paris with the Eiffel Tower and it’s charm and many more like New York New York and the Pyramid of the Luxor of course.

Among many splendored things
After exploring the sights of these great resorts, I would suggest to head towards Town Square, which is a shopping mall indeed. It has much more to offer than the Fashion Show mall on the Strip.
Before you get to Town Square though, I suggest you stop at the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign and take your photo opportunity before you miss it!
The sign is located between the Mandalay Bay and Town Square on Las Vegas Blvd.

Town Square is an outdoor mall with many little side streets which adds some European flair to your shopping experience.
Lunch anyone?
Depending on what you feel like, Town Square offers many eateries and restaurants. One of my favorites is Brio Tuscan Grill. Their interior design is overwhelming and the attached patio with fireplaces makes it a great lounge towards the colder evenings.
(www.brioitalian.com)
Take a seat on their patio and enjoy a wonderful cup of Cappuccino with their Tiramisu. It’s delicious and will give you the right kick to move on.
Depending on what you feel like, Town Square offers many eateries and restaurants.
Sushi anyone? How about Kabuki? You can be selective from many other styles of cuisine as well.

“While some of my suggestions might appear pricey,you will have a priceless day with seeing Vegas in a way you never experienced it before.”
So close but yet so far in the Mojave Desert

Red Rock Canyon
After all these man made architectures, I suggest to go / drive the extra mile out towards Summerlin and visit Red Rock Canyon. The charge is per vehicle ($5), if you don’t hold the annual pass, well worth spent for the one-way 13-mile scenic drive.

The drive offers many great photo opportunities and is very relaxing. If you come across one of the rest stops on the way, which are point of interests... I suggest you stop. Get out of the vehicle and take a look around. Red Rock Canyon is also great for hiking.
www.redrockcanyonlv.org
Red Rock Canyon shows many different colors of rock and stone. This also depends on the season and the lighting by the rays of the sun. Yet depending on the season of the year. In springtime, the Mojave is showing it’s prettiest face with beautiful little flowers born in this harsh desert environment. Any season regardless is a good one to visit. The Canyon offers habitat to wildlife as well, so be careful and watch the road!

Downtown
Las Vegas and Fremont Street
Where it all began...
1 Fremont Street, Golden Gate Casino & Hotel built in 1906, it is one of the oldest, if not the oldest in Las Vegas. There is so much history to this joint, that I suggest you visit it yourself and find out. It is worth it! If you feel
lucky and like gambling get one of my lucky chips at any table or at the cashier cage and try it! Tell Curly at the bar hello for me. http://goldengatecasino.com/history/

There are many more attractions to Fremont Street and exploring the Golden Nugget’s shark tank is just one more.

There are free shows every night starting at 8pm under the big canopy which is stretched from Main Street to almost Las Vegas Blvd.
The artsy Fremont East District is great to visit, you will pass through here on your way to the El Cortez, another historic building downtown. If only the walls could speak.
Insert Coins, brings you straight back to your childhood. You can play Arcade games such as PacMan,Frogger, TRON and many more. They also offer VIP sections with your own gaming devices.
http://www.insertcoinslv.com/

In the MIX
Between the Spanish and the French cuisine
Dinner is served
Depending on how far your budget goes, there are plenty of options of course. One of my favorite places is Firefly http://www.fireflylv.com/ the best Tapas and Sangria in Las Vegas! The complimentary platter can almost fill you up itself with those delicious olives marinated in a secret house recipe, the baguette served with the sweet onion butter! Delicious!!! On the menu my top picks are stuffed dates, the artichoke toast and the tuna tartare. The prices are reasonable and instead of ordering a glass of Sangria get a pitcher! Just make sure you tried the red and the white. I love them both!
To make it a little more extravagant, and if your wallet is stuffed, I suggest you try MIX the restaurant located on the top of the Mandalay Bay.
http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/mix/
The view is amazing and if you are looking for a gourmet experience, hallelujah! I can’t even find the words to define the experience of this fantastic restaurant.The palette of French - American fusion is magnifique! I suggest you make reservations and if the weather allows, try to get a cozy table outside. The view is spectacular.

Do you care for a Show? You came to the right place!
Amongst many free shows, like the Fountains at the Bellagio or the Sirens Show at Treasure Island, Las Vegas has to offer great entertainment.

Le Reve at the Wynn is amazing and if your budget cannot handle the big productions, see Vegas the Show at Planet Hollywood or The Rat Pack Show at the Rio, the prices for these tickets are more affordable.
On a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night... or one of the Cirque du Soleil Show which amazed me the most was KA at the MGM Grand.

... I suggest you stop by Dino’s a neighborhood bar on Las Vegas Blvd between the Strip and Downtown.
http://dinoslv.com/new/
Dino’s is the best place to watch people and Danny G’s Karaoke is FUN!

You have to finish the night off with a stop at the Peppermill / Fireside Lounge and order their Bruschetta or their cheese platter.
http://www.peppermilllasvegas.com/#lounge I hope you enjoyed this day and some of my tips were helpful.
I bet you are tired now and let me tell you that you deserve a good night sleep.
As you might research some of my suggestions here, you might come to find that some have been rated BEST in Las Vegas. My recommendations are absolutely based on personal experience!

And keep me in mind for your photography needs, when you visit contact me at [email protected]