Las Vegas Blog

When you go to Vegas, everyone knows that you need go to the Strip - that's simple. You go to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, you hop on the roller coaster at New York New York, take in the beautiful Bellagio Fountains, and walk around with a giant margarita before hitting a Vegas nightclub. Typical Vegas. But you know what ...

There is a lot you're missing here!

Sin City is more than the tourist traps and the casinos! (Seriously!) Lucky for you, we're here to help. Below, you'll find a list of hidden gems and unturned corners in Las Vegas. 

These are not your typical Vegas Strip nightclubs and restaurants, so you don't have to wait in line to get in, nor will you be trapped between tourists wielding cameras and kids, blocking every entrance and exit in sight. Also, the food and drinks at these Vegas bars and eateries are much better, and the prices far more reasonable, too!

Obviously, some of the tourist-y things are worth seeing at least once. That being said, there are a lot of things to do in Las Vegas that don't get nearly the recognition they deserve - especially if this is your second, third or 10th time in Las Vegas! We've got a few of the overlooked Las Vegas attractions that you really need to check out below. After all, we are experts... Just sayin'.

Watering Holes: 

• Freakin' Frog: An award winning beer selection, fully stocked whiskey attic, live music and near-college location makes this spot seriously underrated in our book. Hello! Does 1,000 beers mean NOTHING to you?! Come on, guys!
• McMullan's Irish Pub: This 24 hour spot boasts good grub and a lively (and heavily Irish) atmosphere. It's pretty fun at all times of the day, but who doesn't love a good happy hour the most? It's like St. Patrick's Day, but 24/7/365. (Plus, it's RARELY amateur hour here, which can't be said for the rest of Las Vegas.)
• Hofbrauhaus: Okay, well we gave the Irish pub their shout out, here's one for the Germans. A beer hall and live German music isn't what we expect when we come to Vegas, but it makes for an interesting night.
• Frankie's Tiki Room: If you haven't been drinking in Downtown Vegas, this is a good place to start. It's lively, it's fun and it's cheap. Yes, they have happy hour. And yes, they have a Fink bomb! It's not nearly as ominous as it sounds...
• Places on the Strip that you may or may not have been to like the Parasol Up & Down and the Foundation Room are good options for cocktails that aren't completely overrated when you're not nightclubbing your virginity away.

Grabbin' Grub: 

• Secret Pizza, at the Cosmopolitan. You go for a slice, and they're all a little different, delicious and each one has a personality all its own. It's open until 4 or 5 am most nights, and it's becoming not-so-secret; naturally, there's a reason for that. There are a lot of things that we really like about the Cosmopolitan lately, and this is just icing on the cake!
• Oyster Bar, at Palace Station. Open until midnight, this Vegas seafood spot has a taste of New Orleans unlike any other in town. It's restaurants like this that give us the best of both worlds!
• The Barrymore: It's right on the Vegas Strip, and a little pricey, but they have a great wine list and lobster mac and cheese that makes you question how Fleur is the top spot known for this dish in Vegas.
• KoMex Fusion Express: Mexican and Asian Fusion in Vegas that's actually good, and it's cheap the way these foods should be! Why haven't you tried it or ever even heard of it? Well, it's on Decatur Blvd for one. Plus - no alcohol. Bummer! That's why you get it to go and travel on to the tequila.
• Thinking the vegans have no place to call their own in Sin City? Think again. Komol Restaurant in Downtown Vegas has tons of vegan, vegetarian and Thai options. Finally, even the do-gooders can 'sin' a little bit.
• Pretty sure we mentioned Holsteins Shakes and Buns in our last blog, but seriously. Have you been there yet?
• The Peppermill, right between the Wynn Las Vegas and Riviera Hotel. The huge portions here are great, but the atmosphere that the fire pits and neon lights inspires is way better. They like to brag about all the movies this place has "starred" in. Seriously though - it's Vegas. That's not why we're impressed.

Hello, Get off the Strip! And other activities you may not have tried yet. There is a whole other city once you leave the Vegas Strip, and it has just as much to offer as the popular Vegas attractions do!

• Fremont Street Experience: Yeah, you've probably heard of it, but have you ever actually been? Have you sang along in the piano bars, eaten deep fried Twinkies and seen Elvis on a zip-line? There's always free music to hear and interesting people to watch, whether they are working or just visiting like you are.
• Pinball Hall of Fame: It's probably better than a day at (the seriously overrated) Adventuredome.
• As for museums, all of the museums on the Strip are pretty cool, but are we forgetting the Neon Museum? A bone yard of neon signs? Are we just going to forget all about this? We are... aren't we? 
• Red Rock Canyon. It's better than the Grand Canyon, in our opinion. (Sorry GC! We like you too, but this is a secret we could keep from you no longer!) It's not the most secret place in the world, obviously, it's an entire canyon! 
• A trail you say? Oh, you don't say? Well, for those of you who do want a little escape from the chaotic city of sin, there's Wetlands Park. Trails, nature, peace of mind. It's pretty cool if you're into that kind of thing.

If you haven't tried a few of these places, you should. Don't stay on the Strip, in your hotel, gambling the entire time and tell us how much you love Vegas, because you haven't seen it and experienced it the way that it needs to be lived. Let us know what you're favorite hidden gems and secret Vegas spots are. Don't be greedy with your favorite treasures! Let us know in the comments section below, on our Facebook page, or even Tweet us the deets' on your favorite treats!