As a travel destination, Las Vegas is to be treated delicately. So the strategy is to fly in, capture that unforgettable, over-the-top experience that only Sin City can offer — and then get the hell out.
Noon: Check in and Hit the Pool
Pick a centrally located casino on the Las Vegas strip, so you’ll have limited time in transit. Stay at a place like Aria, just a couple of miles from McCarran airport and right in the middle of MGM’s City Center complex.
3 P.M.: Get Pampered
You’re about to wreck your body (more on that later), so prepare by treating it well. The spa at the Mandarin Oriental is among the most divine urban spas in the world: It’s packed with high-end luxuries like digital so-called “experience showers”, plus pools and illuminated loungers that overlook the Las Vegas strip.
8 P.M.: Get Your Grub On
Try the impeccable cuisine at Harvest by Roy Ellamar within the Bellagio. In addition to hearty menu items, you’ll also fill up on precious little sides — in the style of dim sum — served from a so-called “snack wagon.”
10 P.M.: Pre Party
The club doesn’t get started until after 11, so grab a drink at a lounge like Alibi Ultra Lounge to keep your evening — on a continuous flow. Or use the time to step onto the casino floor and let it ride on your favorite number on the roulette wheel — or try your luck at the craps table. Let’s see that point, shooter!
11:30 P.M.: Get Your Club On
You’re in Vegas. You need to go to a nightclub. It’s a law of nature. Hit the new Jewel Nightclub at Aria — just steps from Alibi, by the way — where the illuminated backdrop behind the DJ booth makes for beyond gorgeous Instagram opps. Leave it all on the dance floor.
4 A.M.: Catch a Cat Nap
Now would be a good time to catch some rest so you can feel a little less rough for the remainder of your short stay.
9 A.M.: Find Adventure
You’re in Vegas to party, of course. Let Maverick Helicopters pick you up at the hotel and whisk you to the terminal to depart for your tour over the Grand Canyon. When you land, you’ll catch epic selfies over the Colorado River (don’t get too close to the edge), and your pilot will lay out a picnic including champagne. Hair of the dog, after all.
Noon: Wrap it Up and Get the Heck out of Dodge
By noon, you’ll be back at the hotel and wrapping up your epic 24 hours in time to get out of town — and even rest up before Monday. Before you go, buy something fabulous and seriously splurgy from the shops at Crystals… a tangible memory of your epic trip.
