Road Tripping through the U.S.A? Stop in Las Vegas.
Buckle up, Australia! According to TripAdvisor forums, Aussies are always on the hunt for the best adventures to add to their all-American road trip itineraries. With private villas fit for a king and international chart-topping artists performing almost every night of the week, Las Vegas is never short of Instagrammable moments and brag-worthy experiences to write home about.
While many proclaim there’s no place in the world quite like Las Vegas, the magic of this diamond in the desert only can be found by experiencing it firsthand. Here are some insider tips to get the adventure started:
 

1. Re: Soak in Nevada’s Culture ?

On this leg of the journey, travelers can experience several amazing local treasures:

• Seven Magic Mountains is a new land art installation by internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, located just off the I-15 approaching Las Vegas. Comprised of seven towers of colorful, stacked boulders standing more than 30 feet high, Seven Magic Mountains decorates the Mojave with a poetic burst of form and color. Stop to capture photos of the iconic and vibrant boulder installation that stands out in the serene desert landscape.
•  As the first outdoor park on the Las Vegas Strip, The Park celebrates the natural history, ecology and beauty of the Nevada desert. When driving up Las Vegas Boulevard, tourists must stop at this outdoor destination. They’ll immerse themselves in the natural art of Nevada’s locally derived stone as well as the iconic Burning Man art installation, Bliss Dance.  

2. Re: Dining like Royalty

Road trips are guaranteed to be filled with ho-hum rest-stop snacks and fast-food chains, but the country’s top dining destination will dispel American drive-thru nightmares. From celebrity chefs to Michelin-starred restaurants and innovative dining concepts, Australian travelers can find these hotspots only on Las Vegas Boulevard:  

• Created by internationally renowned Chef Alain Ducasse, Rivea’s sole location in the United States. The restaurant’s tasting menu takes diners on a journey to the French and Italian Rivieras with lobster risotto, wild halibut and roasted duck breast, complemented with cocktail pairings for each course.
• Bellagio is the only resort in the world to boast not one but two Forbes Five-Star restaurants. Picasso has the renowned artist’s paintings on the walls, while the prix fixe menu from Chef Julian Serrano is art in itself with options such as poached oysters, sautéed filet of Chilean sea bass and medallions of fallow deer. With a breathtaking view of The Fountains of Bellagio, Le Cirque serves timeless French cuisine such as La Caille made of gold-crusted quail farci au foie gras.

3. Re: The Suite Life of the High Roller

While logging hundreds of miles each day, a road trip can be exhausting. Visitors must build in time to stay in Las Vegas’ most luxurious accommodations. After driving into town, skip the lines by enjoying mobile check-in, offered at many MGM Resorts properties.

• The views are better up top. SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand, located on the top two floors of the hotel, boasts jaw-dropping overlooks of The Strip with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows in each LOFT. With 24-hour butler service, personal concierge offerings and an infinity-edge spa tub, SKYLOFTS make Vegas dreams come true.
• It’s hard to leave The Villas at The Mirage once stepping into this VIP oasis. Featuring a private backyard pool, putting greens and a 24-hour staff of chefs, butlers and concierges, road trippers might want to move in permanently. Guests also can take advantage of complimentary access to Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat and the resort’s nightlife scene at 1 OAK Nightclub.
• ARIA’s Sky Villas, which has received both AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star status, are a swanky retreat high above The Strip. Visitors can switch up their look in the private salon space, play a game of pool on the private billiards table and cleanse the travel toxins by steaming in the master bathroom’s spacious sauna. To complete the experience, exclusive access to ARIA’s Sky Pool and the Sky Suites Lounge will have guests feeling like they are on top of the world.

4. Re: Prepare to be Entertained

Who’s ready to get their adrenaline pumping? Thrills in Las Vegas range from superstars’ world tours to exhilarating roller coasters.

• Anyone bummed their favorite singer didn’t book a tour in Australia this year? Among the international tours hitting Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena are Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” world tour (July 15) and Lady Gaga’s “Joanna” tour (August 11 and December 16). When Las Vegas’ long-awaited National Hockey League team, Vegas Golden Knights, arrives at T-Mobile Arena this fall, Australian tourists can be some of the first sitting rink-side to welcome North America’s favorite winter sport to the city.
  • If they dare, travelers can hop on El Loco at Circus Circus’ Adventuredome. This high-speed coaster ascends 90 feet before dropping over and under to experience 1.5 Gs of vertical force. Next on the list is the 55-mile-per-hour Canyon Blaster, the world’s only indoor, double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster, which will excite even the bravest riders.
  • These aren’t your typical cats – The Mirage’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat houses lions, tigers and leopards raised by iconic duo Siegfried and Roy. At the adjoining Dolphin Habitat, visitors can practice yoga while watching the dolphins swim and play in an underwater viewing area. Then, yogis can transition from tourist to teacher with the “Trainer for a Day” program. Slip into a wetsuit and work alongside dolphin care specialists to experience a one-on-one training session with these beautiful creatures.   

5. Re: Need Some R&R?

Vegas visitors can recover from post-drive cramps with an indulgent spa experience to soothe all the aches from a long journey. They’ve reached a desert oasis known for its ultra-luxe spa treatments!

• The best spa rituals from around the world can be found at Delano’s BATHHOUSE Spa through its signature Global Journeys treatments. The four journeys incorporate elements from various cultures, such as detoxification and rebalancing jade treatments inspired by Asian practices and an equilibrium mud bath and chakra-balancing body treatment from India. For a tropical getaway, experience the islands with a Balinese bath and massage and Tahitian facial. The fourth journey features European touches including a gold dust massage, golden veil facial and royal pedicure.  
• Traveling with a significant other? The Spa at ARIA’s Couples Romance Package tucks lovebirds away in a secluded Spa Suite. They’ll both experience a hot stone massage or the Spa’s signature revitalizing massage, a couples’ face and body experience and a coconut milk bath, all complemented with champagne and chocolate ganache. To top off the session, each couple receives a commemorative, personalized gift.