VisitLasVegas Blog

If you've ever caught yourself at home watching cooking shows, mouth watering as celebrity chefs prepare their signature dishes, wishing that you could taste those delicious creations, look no further than Las Vegas! Vegas is host to several celebrity chefs including Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Todd English, Bobby Flay and more!

Known for the best of restaurant hospitality, Wolfgang Puck opened his first Las Vegas restaurant, Spago, in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in 1992. His restaurant thrived, so he opened five more Las Vegas-based restaurants including Chinois in The Forum Shops, Postrio at The Venetian, Lupo in Mandalay Bay, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at MGM Grand and CUT at The Palazzo.

Emeril Lagasse is widely known for his jovial personality and Cajun and creole-influenced cuisine on his show Emeril Live. For a taste of his delicious New Orleans-style dishes, visit Emeril's New Orleans Fish House at MGM Grand, try Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian or dine at The Palazzo's Table 10 or Lagasse's Stadium as you watch the big game.

Todd English is a renowned chef, restaurateur, author, entrepreneur and television star. For a delicious Mediterranean meal, check out the beautiful and romantic Olives at Bellagio for a view of the Bellagio fountains every half-hour or grab a bite from the Todd English P.U.B. at Crystals for traditional East Coast grub.

Known for his expertise in barbecue grilling, Bobby Flay's dishes are bold, zesty and fun. Check out his restaurant Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace for southwestern flare. His Mexican spice-rubbed pork tenderloin and mango-spiced crusted tuna are sure to impress.

Visit http://www.visitlasvegas.com/restaurants/celebrity-chefs/ for a list of more celebrity chef restaurants to try out on your next visit to the culinary capital of the world!

      Only in Las Vegas can you see dancing water fountains, a roller coaster, a volcano, a free show featuring sexy sirens, and more - all without ever setting foot indoors.

     Take a stroll down one of the world's most famous stretches of road, Las Vegas Boulevard, and take in a variety of sights as you walk.

     The roller coaster at New York-New York soars overhead across the Manhattan skyline, and just up the road, you can enjoy outdoor dining with breathtaking views at Cabo Wabo Cantina and PBR Rock Bar & Grill outside Planet Hollywood, Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas and Margaritaville at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

     Of course, the Fountains of Bellagio and erupting Volcano at The Mirage are always marvelous to see, but continue down the Strip, safely past the pirates and sirens of Treasure Island, and enjoy the view of the Venetian Plaza and the Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas.

     A world of excitement on one block - only in Las Vegas!

This holiday weekend is all about big-name music stars and DJs along with nonstop beat-thumping hits in the clubs.

To kick things off right on Friday night, R&B star Mya hosts Clash Fridays at Rain Nightclub at The Palms, Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine performs live at 1 OAK at The Mirage, Planet Hollywood's Gallery Nightclub is rockin' with a special DJ set by Samantha Ronson, Chuckie spins at Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan and Chateau Nightclub at Paris Hotel plays the hits with DJ Dave Aude. Join exquisite international models from the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency during Wilhelmina Weekend at The Bank at Bellagio and catch Z Trip at Venetian's TAO. Join Steve Aoki for Aoki's House at Encore's Surrender and get down with Mark Knight and D. Ramirez at HAZE Nightclub at ARIA for In The House Fridays.

Celebrate Dancing with the Stars Karina Smirnoff's birthday on Saturday at Planet Hollywood's Gallery Nightclub and wish DJ and singer-songwriter Calvin Harris a very happy birthday at Encore's Surrender. Grab friends and head out to TAO at The Venetian for DJ Wale; The Cosmopolitan's Marquee for Kaskade; HAZE Nightclub at ARIA for Travis Barker & Mix Master Mike; Chateau Nightclub at Paris Hotel for Dave Aude; and Rain at The Palms for tyDi. Party it up with I Love NY Saturdays, featuring DJ Jus Ske at 1 OAK at The Mirage.

On Sunday, catch Adele's official DVD release party at Revolution Lounge at The Mirage and hit up Dave Fogg at The Palms' Ghostbar.  Have a great three-day weekend!

     They all come from different states, but this week, the contestants in the 2012 Miss America Pageant have one thing in common -- Las Vegas.

     The participants in this year's pageant got a chance to experience Vegas this week before a new Miss America is crowned this Saturday night at Planet Hollywood. We asked some of them about the host city:

   MISS CALIFORNIA, NOELLE FREEMAN

   Q: Where do you love to shop in Vegas?

   A: The Forum Shops at Caesars are always the first stop when shopping in Las Vegas!
   There is so much to see and buy, I could spend an entire day there! Love the huge staircase too!

MISS CONNECTICUT, MORGAN AMARONE

Q: What's your favorite Las Vegas restaurant, or the one you want to try the most?

A: You can't beat any of the restaurants in Las Vegas, but Nobu (at the Hard Rock Hotel) takes the cake!

   MISS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASHLEY BOALCH 

   Q: What luxury spa would you like to spend a day enjoying in Vegas?

   A: I have read that the Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas has one of the most amazing spa 
   treatments in the world. Experiencing the Luminescence Massage and Body Treatment,
   which entails a Swedish massage, revitalizing body scrub and Pearl Powder, is definitely on my must-do list!

MISS HAWAII, LAUREN CHEAPE

Q: What's your favorite Las Vegas restaurant, or the one you want to try the most?

A: Hash House A Go-Go (Imperial Palace, Plaza, M Resort). After seeing it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, I just had to try it. It has a unique combination of foods and huge portion sizes.

   MISS KANSAS, CARISSA KELLEY

   Q: What luxury spa would you like to spend a day enjoying in
   Las Vegas?

   A: Canyon Ranch Spa at The Venetian.

MISS LOUISIANA, HOPE ANDERSON

Q: If you could live at any resort in Las Vegas, which would you choose?

A: The ARIA at CityCenter. It's smack dab in the center of everything and the architecture and open layout make it a perfect place to relax and people-watch. The restaurants are incredible, it has a fabulous mall and you're minutes from everywhere else.

   MISS MISSISSIPPI, MARY MARGARET ROARK

   Q: What would you do if your talent led to a headlining show in Las Vegas on the first
   night your name appeared on the marquee?

   A: Faint! Then take a picture. Then rock it out on stage!

MISS MONTANA, VERONIKA OHLINGER

Q: What is the best advice you can give to a first-timer in Vegas?

A: Take in as much as you possibly can! There are tons of shows, shopping areas, restaurants, and even more activities to experience. Do some research online and figure out which of these attractions appeal the most to you and make sure you put them on the top of your list!

   MISS NEVADA, ALANA LEE

   Q: What's the one thing in Las Vegas you can't miss?

   A: No trip to Las Vegas is complete without seeing the spectacular Fountains of Bellagio.
   They have become a Las Vegas staple through exposure on television and in
   numerous films. It's a wholesome activity that's sure to impress!

MISS OKLAHOMA, BETTY THOMPSON

Q: What would you do if your talent led to a headlining show in Las Vegas on the first night your name appeared on the marquee?

A: If I was on the marquee for a headlining show in Las Vegas, I would definitely want a picture in front of it with as many of my friends and family as possible!

   MISS SOUTH CAROLINA, BREE BOYCE

   Q: What Vegas performer do you think you are most like and why?

   A: Terry Fator! I love his impersonations and comedic style. I definitely feel that with my
   celebrity impersonations and humor, we are most alike! I love to make people laugh and it
   is evident he does as well.

MISS VERMONT, KATIE LEVASSEUR

Q: If you could only bring three things on a trip to Vegas, what would they be and why?

A: My Burt's Bees lip balm for the desert air, my camera to document the incredible experience and my best friend to share the experience with!

   MISS VIRGINIA, ELIZABETH CROT

   Q: What Vegas performer do you think you are most like and why?

   A: I'd like to think Elton John (at Caesars Palace), because I can sing in multiple
   genres.

MISS WASHINGTON, BRITTNEY HENRY

Q: What luxury spa would you like to spend a day enjoying in Vegas?

A: Green Valley Ranch spa. I've been before and it was a great experience!

Have you ever wondered how Cirque du Soleil artists are chosen and train for a particular show, or how state-of-the-art technology is used to enhance a performance? These questions and many more were answered for hundreds of Cirque fans during behind-the-scenes special events held Dec. 1-10 as part of Cirque Week in Las Vegas.

Those who purchased an event package were invited to enjoy behind-the-scenes Q&As, meet and greet opportunities with performers, technology demonstrations, exclusive dress rehearsal viewings and more. For those interested in learning more about the Cirque du Soleil lifestyle, the company hosted a "business side of Cirque" seminar, to teach fans how performers are recruited and train for various shows.

The week started off with an "O" workshop at Bellagio Hotel, where participants learned how to mime and clown their way across the stage by an "O" performer. Did you know that the onstage pool at "O" holds 1.5 million gallons, takes eight hours to drain and is set at 88 degrees? That's one big hot tub! Cirque fans were also invited to sit in on a live rehearsal for Zumanity at New York New York Hotel, and had the opportunity to meet Criss Angel after his performance at the Luxor Hotel.

For fans interested in the acrobatic side of Cirque du Soleil, many had the opportunity to learn how artists perform upside down in the VIVA Elvis show at ARIA Resort, and how artists are constantly changing up the famous battle scene in MGM Grand's resident Cirque du Soleil show "KA."  Did you know that the "sand" in KA's beach scene is made of granulated cork?

Next, attendees were treated with an up-close demonstration of the most technically advanced Cirque du Soleil stage in Las Vegas, the Beatles LOVE stage at the Mirage Resort. The 130 Beatles songs in the LOVE soundtrack are played through hundreds of speakers embedded in theater seats and walls. Plus, attendees could watch a bungee demo and see the one-of-a-kind costumes up close and personal during the Mystére Q&A at Treasure Island.

The week of events wrapped up with a tribute to the late King of Pop with the Las Vegas debut of Michael Jackson - The Immortal World Tour at Mandalay Bay Resort.  This new tribute production plays through Tuesday, December 27.

     We've turned the calendar to December, and in Las Vegas, that means it's time to celebrate the Holly-Day -- as in Peepshow star Holly Madison's birthday bash!

     As always, top DJs and musicians will be all over Las Vegas for this Dec. 2-4 weekend, and the fun begins on Friday night with British sensation Luciana performing live at The Bank inside Bellagio.

     In fact, you'll find great club music from A (Steve Aoki spinning at Surrender at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas) to Z (Zedd at Haze Nightclub at ARIA Resort). Catch UFC's official DJ, AL3, along with Dave Fogg at Rain inside the Palms, DJ Spider at Tryst inside Wynn Las Vegas or Porter Robinson at Marquee inside the Cosmopolitan.

     Saturday night is your chance to watch Peepshow star Holly Madison blow out the candles for her birthday celebration at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas! You can get warmed up at Ghostbar Dayclub at the Palms, where Ian Carey spins. Carey will also perform at Rain on Saturday night and you can also catch Erick Morillo on the 1s and 2s at Marquee.

     Kick off your December with a weekend of celebrity spotting and nightlife that only Vegas can deliver!

     The weekend is here, and it's time to enjoy the sizzling nightlife that only Vegas can deliver. Check out who's in town Nov. 18-20:

     Start things up Friday night at Chateau Nightclub and Gardens at Paris Las Vegas and help Tyga blow out the candles for his birthday celebration. Pure resident DJ Eric DLux also is hosting a birthday bash at the Caesars Palace hotspot. For more all-night excitement, try Hard Rock Sofa at Haze inside ARIA, Garb Saporta of Cobra Starship at The Bank at Bellagio, while Rain inside the Palms hosts Clash Fridays, with DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning.

     On Saturday, get caught in a Maustrap as Deadmau5 and Sander Kleinenberg perform at XS inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. NBA star and former UNLV standout Marcus Banks celebrates his birthday at Chateau, Wale performs at Haze, and Zen Freeman is on the 1s and 2s at Rain. 

     Close out your weekend on Sunday with the Vegas Rated December Issue release party at The Bank.

     Thanksgiving isn't until next week, so stuff yourself with a weekend filled with unparalleled Vegas nightlife!

      You probably have a digital camera -- either one specifically made for taking pictures, or attached to your smart phone. When you're in Las Vegas, there are plenty of places to put it to good use, with its neon lights and famous boulevard.  Book your trip and stroll the Strip, because there's a photo op around just about every corner.

     No visit to Vegas would be complete without a stop at the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.  Located on the south end of the Strip, it's one of the most recognizable signs in the world and also one of the most copied. The original designer, Betty Willis, created the sign in 1959 and never copyrighted it. It's the reason why you'll find this sign, or a version of it, everywhere from T-shirts to mugs to beach towels. So when you're here, get your picture with the real thing.

Romance is in the air when you arrive at Paris Las Vegas.  The hotel's focal point is a 1/2 size replica of the Eiffel Tower, with its 11^th floor restaurant with stunning view of the lights below.  Of course, don't miss the elevator ride to the top - at 460 feet, you'll experience a perfect panoramic 360-degree view of Las Vegas. For more great photo ops, don't miss The Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, The Paris Opera House, and the Alexander III Bridge-all reproduced to the smallest detail.

Those seeking vintage Vegas will enjoy the downtown area known as Fremont Street.  Although there are plenty of classic Vegas hotels here, you can't miss modern technology at its best with the world's largest LED canopy of light.  With more than 12 million lights, the overhead canopy displays music videos and special light shows nightly.  Make your trip to Fremont Street's Viva Vision show at night and you'll be amazed that it's as bright as day when the lights are on!

The Mirage Volcano has been erupting for more than 20 years, and now produces flames that are hotter and larger than ever, with a new fire lagoon feature.  The creators have installed dozens of fire cannons under water that will explode on command.  The effect is a choreographed fountain of fire and scored to the vibrant music of Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart.

Just take a stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard and you'll get a glimpse of the world.  It's the most recognizable street in the world and you'll see first hand Bellagio's fountains, New York's famed skyline, Luxor's great pyramid, Venetian waterways and squares and secluded lakeside shows at Wynn Las Vegas.

For more scenic shots, take a quick trip to Lake Mead where you can see the famous Hoover Dam.  A quick 30-minute drive from the heart of Vegas, the Hoover Dam will amaze you with its size and commanding presence. 

     Bushwacker. Bones. I'm a Gangster. Code Blue.

     Those probably sound like the names of prime time TV dramas to some people, but to PBR fans, there is no mistaking what they refer to -- some of the sport's biggest, baddest stars -- the bulls.

     The 2011 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals features the top bull riders in the world competing for more than $1 million in the ultimate man-vs.-beast showdown. This year's signature event takes place at Thomas & Mack Center Oct. 26-30.

     The event concludes with the PBR World Finals Awards Show on Oct. 30 at MGM Grand, where you can watch the sport's top stars receive their year-end awards at this special presentation ceremony.

     While you're in Vegas, be sure to swing by the PBR Rock Bar & Grill at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. It's a great place to grab a bite and enjoy  spectacular views of CityCenter, Bellagio and the Las Vegas Strip.

     So saddle up and make your plans now to catch the PBR's season finale in Vegas!

     You never know who you'll see in Vegas, and this weekend, we're kickin' it old school -- with former "Saved By the Bell" principal Mr. Belding hosting two parties Friday night at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas and at Gallery at Planet Hollywood.

     But make no mistake, these campuses are strictly for adults, with prizes for the sexiest schoolgirl outfits and more. Dennis Haskins is scheduled to appear at Chateau around 10 and Gallery about 1 a.m. Come see who's at the head of the class!

      Get warmed up Friday at Palms Pool with Clinton Sparks, and catch other top DJs in the evening, including DJ R.O.B at Artisan Hotel, Chuckie at Marquee at the Cosmopolitan, Bart B. More at Surrender inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Iyaz at The Bank at Bellagio and Serge Devant at Haze inside ARIA Resort.

     On Saturday, we've got a beer festival on tap -- Green Valley Ranch Resort hosts the Desert Hops Beer Festival. Check out 150 beers from around the world, including Anderson Valley, Anchor, Firestone, Full Sail, Hobgoblin, Kasteel, Murphy's, Nectar Ales, Pyramid, Shipyard, and many more! Food is also provided by some of Green Valley's popular restaurants including Terra Verde, Hank's, Tides, Sushi Lake, and Feast.

     More sultans of spin can be found on Saturday night, including Calvin Harris at Surrender, Felix da Housecat at Rain inside the Palms, Arty & Kryder at Marquee and Doug E. Fresh celebrates his birthday at LAX inside the Luxor.

     On Sunday, Harris spins at Encore Beach Club to close out the weekend, so visit Las Vegas for excitement you won't find anywhere else!