With more than 37 million visitors traveling to Las Vegas annually, Sin City continues to be one of the most desirable getaways in the country. While uncovering the latest trendsetting spots can be easily accomplished, finding the true hidden gems can be hard to come by. From tucked-away lounges to complimentary experiences to brag about, below are some little-known treasures discerning guests will be glad they discovered.
Pianist to the Presidents at Bellagio
Indulge in a splendid evening at
Bellagio’s Petrossian Bar with live music from the pianist to Presidents of the United States. David Osborn has performed at the White House for many politicians including Presidents Carter, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama. Guests at Petrossian Bar can relax on one of the velvet couches overlooking the casino while enjoying beautiful music played by Osborn on the one-of-a-kind Steinway Grand. Osborn plays evenings Thursday-Sunday at the elegant lounge that gently sets the mood for sophisticated tastes and discerning palates. Talk about a hidden gem.
Wind Down at the Cigar & Cognac Lounge
Upstairs from Andre's Restaurant inside Monte Carlo is the warm and welcoming
Cigar & Cognac Lounge, a world of intimacy where guests can settle in by the fire with a drink and enjoy the seductive aroma of fine cigars. For the ultimate experience, let experts recommend a professional cognac and cigar pairing. It's the perfect way to cap off a dinner at Andre's, a show in the Monte Carlo Theatre or to simply wind down before turning in for the evening.
Complimentary Art Tours at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
Las Vegas' premier fine art exhibition venue, the
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, offers daily docent tours beginning promptly at 2 p.m. Each tour is complimentary with the purchase of admission. The 45-minute tour takes guests through exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and works on paper by the world's most influential artists. These museum-caliber displays offer visitors a rare opportunity to view legendary works of art carefully selected from prestigious international collections.
Wine Tasting on the House at Onda
Onda Wine Lounge at The Mirage is an Italian-inspired lounge where guests can enjoy a selection of wines available to taste by purchasing a tasting flight or individually. Every Friday afternoon, the lounge offers free wine tastings to guests. A selection of artisan cheeses and meats is also offered. All wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle and also by the case which can be shipped to an address of choice.
Gaming in Style on the Beach
Directly on the sand and just feet from the crashing waves, the three-story, climate-controlled, glass-fronted
Beachside Casino at Mandalay Bay offers fabulous amenities for guests. At the top sits the Villas Soleil with spectacular views of the entire Mandalay Bay Beach. Ranging in size from 250 to 500 square feet, these five villas are unlike any standard cabana in Las Vegas. Each of the contemporarily designed villas accommodates up to 16 guests and comes with cabana service and access to the private third-level pool. Each features cozy modular seating and day beds in crisp colors, a restroom, wet bar, 50-inch flat-screen television, MP3 player, safe, ceiling fan and a private deck overlooking The Beach.
Swan-side Dining at Swan Court at Aureole
The exclusive
Swan Court at Aureole offers private outdoor dining next to a lagoon where beautiful white swans glide gracefully. Guests can enjoy a menu of seasonal dishes including artisan dry-aged beef and fresh seafood that reflect Chef Charlie Palmer’s signature progressive American cuisine. Along with dinner, rare wines from around the world can be sampled. Aureole’s visual trademark is a four-story wine tower with its very own Wine Angel Stewards, who stylishly ascend the tower to retrieve bottles.
Nevada Magazine’s May/June 2011 issue — the Cowboy Country Territory Special Edition — is now available on newsstands throughout Nevada. In it is a feature on Nevada’s western culture and a roundup of Northern Nevada towns. Also highlighted are Northern Nevada’s parks and recreation areas, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and noteworthy events and a history story titled “The Sheepmen,” which is an excerpt from Robert Laxalt’s book, Nevada: A History.
