An art-loving, non-gambler’s guide to Vegas – DAY 1
Ahhhh Vegas. Sin City itself, home to the $9.99 All-You-Can-Eat Prime Rib Buffet, one-armed bandits and showgirls.
But what’s in it for you, the non-gambler?
PLENTY!
Let us regale you with our recent experience during New Years weekend, 2018. We decided kind of spur of the moment to join 300,00 other revelers in shutting down The Strip and taking in one of N America’s largest fireworks displays, coordinated launches from 6 different casinos… err, I mean resorts.
Meanwhile, we determined to take in as much art and adventure as we could, excluding the casino floors.
We arrived around 5pm, and since we couldn’t really check in yet, our first order of business was a bite and drink after a long drive. But where to go?
Let’s Eat!
Who knew Vegas had a CHINATOWN? It’s well off the strip – like a 15-minute drive off the strip, and it’s really (as far as we discovered) a collection of strip malls, but there are many delicious dining options. We settled on Chada Thai and Wine, sliding in at 6pm without a reservation, which you’ll likely need, even if you’re not hitting it on a holiday weekend Friday night. Did I mention you should make a reservation? Cuz, yeah. It’s good, and it’s going to be packed after 630pm.
Once checked in, we reconnoitered Caesars Palace, where we had show tix for the next night, as well as scoped out potential restaurants. Read DAY 2 for more. We took in the cheesy-but-ever-so-popular Fall of Atlantis animatronic show, and wandered the Forum Shops, where we were pleased to get a couple art fixes. Martin Lawrence Galleries had a museum-sized space with some desirable works by famous artists… at premium casino prices.
Art, and MORE Art !
A more interesting surprise was the MODERNIST CUISINE GALLERY. A vanity space for artist Nathan Myhrvold, there were a number of interesting works, along with lush companion cookbooks I salivated over.
But, how to fill our daylight hours?
We staggered out of the LINQ (which is pretty sweet) and decided to hoof it, enjoying clear blue skies and mid-50’s weather. While in the end our destination, WINCHESTER CULTURAL CENTER was cool, it’s a long-ass walk, and in retrospect, we should have driven. Anyway, got to see a Burning Man-themed show of photographs by local artist Nancy Good as well as take in some public art and steal some creative placemaking ideas for projects back home.
We headed down to the UNLV campus. Again, too long a walk to recommend, with -0- non-chain fastfood choices along the way (seriously).
Hungry, and most definitely parched, we were happy to *finally* find salvation in RESTAURANTE GUATEMALTE (4632 S Maryland Pkwy) and popped in for a remedy. And oh my. Strip-mall location notwithstanding, we stepped into an immaculate, cute little space with an interesting menu and super-friendly staff. You can read all about it HERE, but if you’re down by UNLV, it’s just across the street and hundreds of college kids can’t be wrong. Delicious eats with decidedly non-Strip pricing.
After lunch, we hit the MARJORIE BARRICK MUSEUM of ART (4505 S Maryland Pkwy). We actually had a friend with work in the environmentally-themed show ‘Preservation’ which was up through January. The Barrick is a nice-sized space, with beautiful xeriscaping, on a pretty nice campus. Definitely worth a stop.
Sadly, UNLV’s DONNA BEAM GALLERY was closed, presumably due to the holiday weekend, so we were bummed to miss what looked (through the windows) like a pretty interesting show. There’s also some public sculpture on the quad between the two buildings, so if you go for art, you’re in for a three-fer treat.
Back to the hotel to pick up our NYE Party Pack, have a drink, and clean up for dinner before a show. We had tickets to Absinthe over at Caesar’s, so we’d made reservations at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill so we’d be close to the theater and not have to fight Las Vegas Boulevard traffic – which can be nightmare-ish. (In fact, I seriously doubt all the stuff in The Hangover COULD have happened in one night, you can’t get from here to there that fast. But I digress).
We like watching Chopped, Hells’ Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay and the rest, but if I’m honest, I am reluctant to actually eat at “celebrity” restaurants, cuz, you know, it’s not like THEY’RE in the kitchen. The lambchops at MESA GRILL changed my mind, and may have spoiled me forever. You can read a complete review HERE, but suffice to say this was a fantastic experience, and surprisingly affordable, given it’s smack in the center of Caesars.
Then on to the show: ABSINTHE. Quite possibly the wrongest, raunchiest, and funniest show we’ve seen. It’s dirty, graphic, and a hell of a lot of fun, if you don’t easily get your undergarments in a twist. If you don’t wear undergarments, chances are you’re their ideal audience member. You might even wind up onstage. We laughed, cried, gasped and were really sad when it was over. Just writing this, I want to go again.