Planning your first trip to “Sin City”, also known as Las Vegas? How exciting. Buckle up because you’re certainly in for a wild ride. This corner of the Nevada desert is jam-packed with world-renowned resorts and attractions, each offering a unique slice of Vegas stardust.
The Strip is alive 24/7 with street performers and tourists, with Las Vegas Boulevard awash with first-class casino resorts to stay, play, have fun, and even consider renewing your wedding vows. With so many resorts to choose from, it can be hard to know which venue to pick for the ultimate first-timer experience in Las Vegas. Using our own personal experience, we’ve put together a list of three potential Strip resorts perfect for Vegas virgins.
Horseshoe Las Vegas
If accessibility and being in the thick of the action is important to you, Horseshoe Las Vegas, formerly known as Bally’s, is the ideal place to start. It’s slap bang in the middle of the Strip and its rooms are some of the most reasonable in the vicinity. As a first-timer, we implore you not to go overboard with your accommodation budget. You won’t be spending much time in your room, after all!
Horseshoe Las Vegas gives you a front-row seat to everything Vegas has to offer, positioned almost directly opposite the Bellagio and its iconic fountains.
One of the biggest draws to the Horseshoe is that it’s the home of the World Series of Poker (WSOP), having moved its base in recent years from the Rio to the Horseshoe.
Poker is a huge part of Las Vegas’ gaming culture. The WSOP lasts for several months through the summer, so the Horseshoe is one of the best places to soak up the atmosphere or even try your hand at a game. Don’t worry if you’re a complete poker novice. It’s easier than it looks to master the rules of poker, with the basics like hand rankings and betting dynamics quick to pick up on the fly. Plus, you’ll find heaps of friendly regulars and fellow tourists who are just as eager to play and have fun.
Beyond the Horseshoe’s poker tables, the resort offers easy access to other must-see Vegas attractions including the High Roller observation wheel, which affords a magnificent aerial perspective of the Strip from The Linq Promenade.
If you like your action big and bold, be sure to put the MGM Grand on your hit-list. Positioned at the south end of the Strip, the MGM Grand is one of the biggest casino resorts in Las Vegas. It’s crammed with everything you could possibly need for your first Vegas stay.
For starters, it’s home to some of the biggest live shows in town. There’s Cirque du Soleil’s jaw-dropping production, KA. If you’re night owls, the MGM Grand also boasts one of Vegas’ top-tier nightclubs in the shape of the Asian-inspired Hakkasan. The MGM Grand has also long been a venue for huge live sporting events like heavyweight boxing cards, so it’s also a haven for sports fanatics.
One of the best things about the MGM Grand is its variety of dining options. It caters to all tastes – and budgets too. Whether it’s a gourmet steak at Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak or a quick but delicious burger at Shake Shack, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.
The Venetian
For a more upscale experience without fully breaking the bank, The Venetian is a classy alternative. Inspired by the romantic Italian city of Venice, it has a quirky indoor canal that you can enjoy by hopping on board a gondola—but be warned, the rides aren’t cheap!
The Venetian is also famed for having some of the most spacious hotel rooms on the Strip. It does offer the perfect blend of elegance and entertainment. Its casino floor is one of the biggest on the Strip, but away from slots, poker, and other table games, there’s also an array of world-class dining options and high-end retail therapy at the Grand Canal Shoppes.
This place is also renowned for having one of the best pools on the Strip, which could be much-needed for relaxation after a night on the tiles.
You’re in an enviable position to be preparing to experience Las Vegas for the first time. It’s a playground like no other, with many describing it as “Disney World for adults”. Pick any of these three resorts, and you’re sure to get the perfect base from which to get your feet under the table.
