by Mark Smiley
Mystère: Acrobats soar through the air during a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère, a longtime Las Vegas production known for its colorful staging, athleticism, and spectacular aerial acts.
Oscar’s Steakhouse: The menu at Oscar’s Steakhouse reflects the restaurant’s classic old-Vegas character. Located at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, the steakhouse is named for former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.
Oscar’s Prime Rib: A generous cut of prime rib is served with traditional accompaniments at Oscar’s Steakhouse, where classic steakhouse fare and downtown Las Vegas atmosphere come together.
Las Vegas continues to reinvent itself. While gaming remains a major draw, today’s visitors will find world class entertainment, award winning restaurants, and immersive attractions that can easily fill a long weekend without spending much time in a casino.
Our family recently spent three days exploring many of the Strip’s most popular experiences, and several stood out as must-do attractions for anyone planning a visit.
For live entertainment, Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère at Treasure Island remains one of the defining Las Vegas productions. Premiering in 1993 as Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Las Vegas, Mystère helped transform the Strip into the entertainment destination it is today. More than three decades later, the production continues to fill its custom-built theater with a dazzling combination of world-class acrobatics, aerial performances, powerful percussion, comedy, and imaginative costumes. Unlike a traditional Broadway-style musical, Mystère tells its story through movement, music, and visual artistry, creating an experience that appeals to audiences of all ages.
The intimate theater allows every seat to feel close to the action, with performers frequently engaging the audience before the show and throughout the performance. Whether it’s gravity-defying trapeze artists, synchronized aerial acts, or seemingly impossible feats of strength and balance, Mystère remains one of the very best values among Las Vegas shows and is an excellent choice for families experiencing Cirque du Soleil for the first time.
One of the city’s newest attractions is Flyover Las Vegas, an immersive flying theater that lifts guests into the air for breathtaking virtual journeys over some of America’s most spectacular landscapes. Combining motion seats, wind, mist, and scents with an enormous, curved screen, the attraction creates the sensation of soaring above mountains, deserts, and iconic landmarks. It is a surprisingly realistic experience and one well worth adding to any itinerary.
The High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ offers a completely different perspective. The 30-minute rotation provides spectacular
ICEBAR: A bartender welcomes guests at Minus5 Ice Experience inside Mandalay Bay, where the frozen surroundings, ice sculptures, and specialty cocktails provide a cool escape from the Nevada heat.
daytime views, but visitors who ride after sunset are rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the Strip’s famous lights stretching for miles.
History buffs should make time for The Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. The interactive exhibits explore both organized crime and the law enforcement officers who fought it, creating one of the city’s most fascinating museums. Plan on spending at least three hours because there is far more to see than most visitors expect.
While in downtown Las Vegas, consider Oscar’s Steakhouse inside the Plaza Hotel. Overlooking the historic Fremont Street Experience, the restaurant has become one of the city’s premier dining destinations, serving expertly prepared steaks, seafood, and classic cocktails in an elegant setting. Named after former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, the restaurant combines old Vegas charm with outstanding service.
Oscar’s is particularly appealing for visitors who want a taste of the Las Vegas of another era. Located beneath the Plaza’s distinctive glass dome, the restaurant provides impressive views of the lights and activity along Fremont Street while offering a more relaxed escape from the crowds below. The atmosphere recalls the days when a great steakhouse, a well-made cocktail, and attentive service were essential ingredients of a night out in Las Vegas.
The restaurant’s namesake adds considerably to its personality. Goodman served as mayor of Las Vegas from 1999 to 2011 after building a high-profile career as a criminal defense attorney. Known for his colorful personality and enthusiasm for downtown Las Vegas, Goodman became closely associated with the revitalization of the city’s historic core. Oscar’s embraces that connection to Las Vegas history, giving the restaurant a character that goes beyond its menu.
Steaks are naturally the centerpiece of the dining experience, with classic cuts prepared in the traditional steakhouse style. Seafood selections, appetizers, salads, and familiar steakhouse accompaniments round out the menu, making Oscar’s a good choice even for diners who aren’t looking for a large steak. The bar is also an important part of the experience, with classic cocktails fitting comfortably into the
Coca-Cola Store Drinks: Colorful specialty beverages offer visitors a refreshing break where they can sample flavors inspired by Coca-Cola products from around the world.
restaurant’s old-school Las Vegas atmosphere.
There are plenty of excellent steakhouses throughout Las Vegas, particularly along the Strip, but Oscar’s offers something a little different. Its combination of food, history, location, and personality makes the restaurant feel distinctly connected to the city rather than simply located in it. For visitors spending an evening downtown, dinner at Oscar’s can be as much a part of the Las Vegas experience as the neon lights and casinos outside its windows.
Families looking for lighter entertainment will e
Coca-Cola Store: The distinctive giant Coca-Cola bottle marks the Coca-Cola Store on the Las Vegas Strip, a popular stop for branded merchandise, beverages, and unique Coca-Cola experiences.
njoy Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, where remarkably lifelike celebrity wax figures provide endless photo opportunities.
Across the Strip, the Coca-Cola Store Las Vegas is much more than a souvenir shop. The four-story flagship attraction celebrates one of the world’s most recognizable brands, whose products are sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Interactive displays showcase the history of Coca-Cola, while the expansive retail space features exclusive merchandise that can’t be found in most stores. The highlight for many visitors is the popular “Taste Around the World” experience, where guests sample an assortment of Coca-Cola beverages from countries across the globe. Some flavors quickly become favorites, while others surprise visitors with unique regional tastes that are rarely available in the United States. The rooftop offers additional shopping, photo opportunities, and views overlooking one of the busiest intersections on the Las Vegas Strip, making the Coca-Cola Store a fun stop for families and anyone looking for a break from the casinos.
For those seeking a unique experience, Minus5 Ice Experience inside Mandalay Bay lets guests enjoy drinks in a bar constructed almost entirely of ice while wearing provided parkas and gloves. Even in the middle of a 110-degree Las Vegas afternoon, temperatures inside remain well below freezing.
Another standout option for dining is McCall’s Heartland Grill at The STRAT. Premium steaks, seafood, and attentive service make it an excellent destination, especially when paired with a visit to the Observation Deck afterward.
McCall’s offers the comfortable atmosphere of a traditional steakhouse while providing a welcome retreat from the activity of the casino floor. The menu emphasizes hearty American favorites, with steaks taking center stage alongside seafood and familiar steakhouse accompaniments. It is an appealing choice for diners looking for a quality meal without some of the formality associated with Las Vegas’ more elaborate fine-dining restaurants.
The restaurant’s location at The STRAT also makes dinner particularly easy to turn into a complete evening. After the meal, head upward to the resort’s famous Observation Deck, where sweeping views stretch across the Las Vegas Valley. Seeing the city from high above is impressive at any hour, but after dark the seemingly endless expanse of neon and illuminated resorts makes the experience especially memorable.
Las Vegas has no shortage of steakhouses, but sometimes the setting surrounding the meal is what makes an evening stand out. At McCall’s, a satisfying steak or seafood dinner followed by a trip to the top of The STRAT offers exactly that combination, good food followed by one of the best perspectives of Las Vegas anywhere in the city.
Getting around the Strip is easier than many first-time visitors realize. Combining the Las Vegas Monorail with the free trams connecting Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur, along with the Park MGM and Bellagio tram, saves both time and money while avoiding traffic.
For families, couples, or first-time visitors, many of these attractions can comfortably fit into a three-day itinerary. With a little planning, it’s possible to experience world class entertainment, exceptional dining, and unforgettable attractions without feeling rushed.
