Romance with your beloved might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a 5-day getaway to Las Vegas, but, somehow, a place dubbed Sin City was made for couples. A place of modern, swanky hotels, five-star spas, world class dining, and hey – even drive-thru weddings – Vegas really is made for lovers.
Day 1
Morning: Wake up in your room at the Mandarin Oriental (rates start at $229/night) and head down to breakfast at MoZen Bistro for an Asian-inspired start to your day. Take a break from the classic American breakfast, and opt instead for the Japanese Bento Box, which has Teriyaki glazed salmon, silken tofu, spinach omelet with shiitake mushrooms, miso soup, pickles, and sushi rice ($35).
Afternoon: You could easily spend a couple of hours checking out the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. With high-end retailers like Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Guess, your beau will likely try dragging you into the other direction. Nonetheless, you’ll both be enjoying every minute of ducking in and out of tried and true favorites like Victoria’s Secret and Nike.
Evening: Head to the Mirage for an intimate meal at Stack for your American steakhouse fix. The modern décor and dim lighting lend themselves to a romantic dinner. Start with the Mini Maine lobster rolls, and go all out with the 24 oz. Tomahawk Ribeye.
A performance of “The Beatles LOVE” (starting at $79 per ticket) is one of the better ways to follow up dinner with your partner. This mystical acrobatic performance based on the band is performed by Cirque du Soleil.
Day 2
Morning: Head to Eat in Downtown Vegas for their homey, American-style breakfast. The truffled egg sandwich is served on ciabatta and topped with mushrooms, green onions, feta, and bacon ($12), and it tastes incredible.
Afternoon: Enter the Fremont Street Experience: a truly over-zealous, yet impossible-to-look-away-from, 24-hour outdoor mall. First on your list of things to do is what any respectable couple visiting Vegas should do: gamble.
Check out El Cortez Hotel and Casino for an old-meets-new take on the casino experience. They have the basics like slots and blackjack, and this spot was voted Best Keno from 2008-2015.
Evening: After letting your meals settle, there’s one way you have to see Fremont Street, and that’s from above. Buy your tickets ($45) for SlotZilla, a zipline experience inspired by Vegas’ slots. The Zoomline is the way to go: You’ll fly Superman-style at 40 miles per hour through a kaleidoscope of brilliant light displays.
Day 3
Morning: Since you survived the first two days in Vegas together, what’s more fitting than bringing home the proof? Drive out to the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” sign at the strip, just south of Russell Road, for your photo opp.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at The Stratosphere and head up to the observation tower. It’s the tallest freestanding observation deck in the U.S. at nearly 1,150 feet tall, and on a visit you’ll get 360-degree views of the city.
If you want to cool down afterward, their 25th floor rooftop pool is a great way to experience some luxe and sip on handmade cocktails ($14 pool admission for non-hotel guests).
Evening: If the magic hasn’t ignited by now, it will when you see Penn & Teller live at the Rio. Grab seats for the 9 p.m. magic and comedy show (tickets start at $82.50). The duo’s eclectic sense of humor and sources of trickery makes for a first-class act.
Day 4
Morning: After breakfast, you’re off to the Venetian for a relaxing gondola ride ($21 per person, semi-private; $84 for two, private). The gondoliers will serenade you in both English and Italian as you cruise through the Venetian streets in an experience so romantic you’d swear you were in Italy.
Afternoon: Head back to Fremont Street and pop into Mermaids Casino. Go straight to the back for two things — fried Oreos ($.99) and fried Twinkies ($.99).
Evening: How could you possibly come back from Vegas without eating at a buffet? Get in line and grab a plate at the Golden Nugget in Old Vegas, whose buffet is stock-full of over 100 choices and reasonably priced (starting at $22.99 weekend nights). After dinner, check out the shark tank in the lobby’s foyer and watch, or even join, brave swimmers water slide through the tank’s confines.
Late night is spent back on the Strip at Paris’ Napoleon’s Dueling Pianos, a lively lounge where you’ll get your night cap with a side of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.”
Day 5
Morning: Safe back on the Strip, it’s best to start the morning with a little rest and relaxation at the spa. You won’t travel far from the Mandarin Oriental, as one of the best spa experiences awaits you in your own hotel. If you’re willing to splurge, there’s a package called The Art of Romance which promises a sumptuous spa journey with your beloved (starting at $510 per person). This package includes a full body exfoliation treatment, a soak in a hydrotherapy tub, and a personalized aromatherapy massage. If you decide to scale it back a notch or two, there’s a vast array of services and massages for every mood and budget.
Afternoon: It’s night time to get your blood pumping again after all that pampering. Get a one-of-a-kind view of the Las Vegas Strip on New York-New York’s rollercoaster. You’ll zoom at speeds of nearly 70 miles an hour through a replica of New York City’s Manhattan in a taxicab lookalike car. Tickets are $14.
Grab lunch at the New York pizzeria for an unpretentious slice, or head to Nathan’s hot dog for a signature taste of the Big Apple.
Evening: Once evening falls, gear up for a more-than-nice dinner at the Palms Resort and Casinos’ Ivory Tower at Alize, possibly the most fitting table in town for couples. Rated a top 100 most romantic restaurant by OpenTable, it’s easy to see why. This French restaurant’s backdrop is an expansive view of the entire glittering Strip. The sky’s the limit at Alize, but for the best bang for your buck, sample the tasting menu ($155 per person) and try dishes like Angus Beef Carpaccio, Colorado Lamb, and Veal Wellington.
Finish the night, and your Vegas foray, at the Fountains of Bellagio. The water, light, and music display is the biggest, and most intricate, ever conceived. The stunning show plays on 15-minute increments to classical, opera, and Broadway music. You’re going to love it.
Jill Kozak
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