Month: September 2018

Best Bars in Vegas with a View

You are headed to Las Vegas and you are looking for that perfect place with a great view to enjoy a drink. This review of the best bars in Vegas with a view should help you. There is nothing like having a cocktail and getting looking over the Las Vegas Strip. Surprisingly there aren’t as many places to get a good strip view as you would think. For a town with as many sights and lights as Las Vegas you would think you would have dozens of options but that’s not the case. Still there are some real solid options to get a drink and enjoy the Vegas skyline. We were going to set a price range for each place but just count on expensive. A view isn’t cheap in Vegas, or is anything else.

Updated 2018/09/03 – The Mandarin Oriental has been purchased by The Waldorf Astoria.

Best Bars in Vegas with a View

Many people ask what is the best time to witness the Vegas skyline and that really is a matter of preference. During the day you really get an idea on how massive the buildings and attractions are. It’s something that at night is almost hidden or obscured by the lights. At night obviously the lights are an amazing sight to see and a must do when in Vegas. A third great time is at sundown itself. There is something really special about watching the strip lights come on as the sun dips behind the horizon. We will show you a few photos of each prospective.

Skyfall Lounge at The Delano

The Skyfall Lounge sits atop of the 64th floor at The Delano at the south end of the Vegas strip.  The lounge gives you an amazing 180 degree of Vegas from the south.  The video above is not ours but it gives you a great shot of the view.

  • Location: 3940 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89119
  • Hours: Daily 5 pm – 12:00 am
  • Dress: Smart Casual
  • Cover: No
  • Website: Skyfall Lounge

Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay

foundation room vegas photo
Photo by fictures

The Foundation Room sits on the 63rd Floor of Mandalay Bay at the south end of the strip. Not exactly a club or a bar it’s described as more of a high end lounge. The photo above is a typical view that you will expect to see from the balcony view. Your view is looking down towards MGM and up the strip towards the bend at The Paris. There is a cover charge which you reportedly do not have to pay if you dine there.

  • Location: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
  • Hours: Daily 5 pm – Close
  • Dress: Smart Casual which means no shorts, sandals, hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sports apparel, tank tops, sneakers and athletic shoes.
  • Cover: $30, Reported free access if you dine at the restaurant.
  • Website: Foundation Room

Sky Bar at The Waldorf Astoria

The Mandarin Bar has been renamed to The SkyBar as the property has been purchased by The Waldorf Astoria. The SkyBar is located on the 23rd floor of the The Waldorf Astoria hotel which sits just in front of the Aria Hotel and Casino. While it may not sit as high as the two bars to the south the view is stunning. The glass to ceiling walls give an impressive view. There is also a tea room located next door if you are looking for a different experience with a view. Not our video we found this gem on YouTube.

  • Location: 3752 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158
  • Hours: Sun – Thurs (4:00 – 1:00 am), Friday – Sat (4:00 – 2:00 am)
  • Dress: Casual but not set. People report that you don’t want to be undressed as in flip flops and a tank top.
  • Cover: No
  • Website: The Waldorf Astoria

107 SkyLounge at The Stratosphere

Does a 360 degree view from the 107th floor of the Stratosphere have you interested? You won’t catch another view of Vegas like this. The Strat is located fairly north of the strip and not a good idea to walk to at night. It’s a short Uber or Lyft. Admission is free and it’s highly recommended to visit at happy hour and see the sun set over Vegas.

  • Location: 2000 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
  • Hours: Daily from 4pm – 3am
  • Dress: Casual dress.
  • Cover: No
  • Website:  107 SkyLounge

VooDoo Lounge at The Rio

bar view voodoo lounge the rio

The VooDoo Lounge is located off the strip at The Rio Hotel and Casino.  The photo above is from our 2015 trip. We did VooDoo Zipline package from Groupon and had free entry to the bar. You get a great view of the strip from the rear.

  • Location: 3700 W. Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89103
  • Hours: Sun.-Thurs. (8 PM – 2 AM) – Fri.-Sat. (8 PM – 3 AM)
  • Dress: Casual dress.
  • Cover:
    • Sun – Thurs –  $10 Women/$20 Men
    • Fri – Sat – $20 Women/$30 Men
  • Website: VooDoo Lounge

High Roller at The LINQ

high roller view las vegas

High Roller is a 550-foot tall Ferris wheel located at the back of the LINQ Promenade. We are including it because you can do the Happy Half Hour all you can drink package or from views buy a drink in the bar and take it with you. It takes a half an hour to rotate and you get a 360 degree view of Vegas from the west side of the strip. We have done the ride during the day, dusk and night. We enjoyed them all.

view from the high roller

  • Location: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
  • Hours: 
    • Daytime Pass – 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Anytime / Night Pass – until 2:00 a.m.
  • Dress: None
  • Cover: See website as there are different packages for day/night and drinking package. See Groupon or Travel Zoo for deals.
  • Website: High Roller

These are probably your best go to lounges, clubs and attractions for getting a great view of Las Vegas while enjoying a cocktail. There are many other places along the strip where you can get a lower view. Check out places such as The Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris and The Giada at The Cromwell and the Beer Park.  Please let us know if we should add any more places.

Christmas in Las Vegas Guide

We have been visiting Las Vegas during the Christmas season for the past four years. We have put together this guide to show you what type of weather to expect, attractions and Christmas displays to visit and what to expect in general from crowds.

Christmas Weather in Las Vegas

The average temperatures for Vegas in December is a high of 58° F (14° C) and a low of 34° F (1° C).  We have found that the temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit from day to day. There have been days where we have been able to wear shorts and a t shirt by day and a long sleeve and pants at night. Probably more often than not you will require long pants by day and night, a short or long sleeve shirt by day and a light jacket at night. When the sun goes down and the winds pick up at night it can fairly chilly.

Las Vegas Crowd Levels at Christmas

There seems to be differing opinions about crowd levels in Las Vegas over the Christmas Holidays and December in general. By the first week of December Christmas decorations will appear in hotels and along the strip.

The first two weeks of December has The National Finals Rodeo in town for 10 days. This is the time period that we generally are in town for. It is  considered by many to be a busy time in Vegas but it’s a bit relative. Any of the casinos like The Mirage, MGM or Orleans that host nightly concerts or events will be busier than others that don’t. The NFR Experience website has a list of after dark events.

The following week and right up to Christmas Eve or a couple days before is generally fairly dead or empty in terms of crowd. This is because Christmas itself leading to New Years can be quite busy.

Vegas Shows Go Dark

Before you plan your big Vegas Christmas Vacation you should know that some shows go dark in December. This is especially true leading up to Christmas itself. It’s always best to check schedules in case you get your hopes up about seeing a show. For example, we never get a chance to see Brad Garret at his comedy club as he takes a few weeks off before Christmas and New Years.

Christmas Decorations and Attractions

One thing we have noticed over the past 5 years is that Vegas seems to be getting into the Christmas spirit more each year. There are lots of amazing Christmas Tree Displays. The Christmas music is hit or miss but you will find it in the lobbies, shopping areas and around the buffets. Lets take a look at some of the main displays and attractions.

Holiday Menus and Buffet Lines

Vegas is open on Christmas like any other day. It would be impossible to list where to dine for Christmas dinner. Your best bet would be to search out where you want to dine and look at their website or call to see if there are any Christmas dinners planned. Buffet lines can be fairly busy especially during NFR in early December and closer to Christmas. Plan accordingly.

The Bellagio Conservatory Christmas Display

You can expect crowds as The Bellagio Conservatory is the Cadillac of Christmas displays in Las Vegas. This is probably one of the most stunning Christmas displays you will ever see.  There is moving train, moving polar bears and a small area where it snows.

Bellagio Christmas Display Vegas

Las Vegas Christmas

Christmas displays in Vegas

Aria and Crystals Mall

Our next top spot is to a less degree Aria lobby and more importantly the Christmas Tree at Crystals Mall. This first photos is the display at Aria and then the tree at Crystals.

Aria in Las Vegas

Crystals Las Vegas Christmas Tree

The Wynn

Last year was our first visit to The Wynn. We went to see the Christmas display and we were not disappointed. Not as grand as The Bellagio it was still a site to behold.

The Park and T-Mobile Arena

The Park area is relatively new but that doesn’t mean that they don’t celebrate Christmas. You will another large Christmas tree as well as decorations, lights and music. It is especially lively if there is a sports event or concert in the area. Visit at night to get the full effect of the lights. Last year in 2017 they had a skating rink but it was not real ice. It was plastic surface and it was very small.

This view is from the the open outdoor bar inside the t-mobile arena.

Golden Knights Vegas

Fremont Street Experience

I wouldn’t say that Fremont St goes overboard with the Christmas spirit but they do have a tree. They also have a number of filthy Santa’s but they might have those on any other given day.

The Best of the Rest Christmas in Las Vegas

Many of the casinos will also decorate their main lobbies or their shopping malls with Christmas cheer. For example, The Mirage, Caesars Palace and Harrah’s put up miscellaneous decorations. The Venetian also does up the area where the waterfall is located (photo below).

Christmas Activities in Las Vegas

There are a few Christmas themed activities to visit which we have not taken part in but are recommended. This would be The Ethel M. Chocolates Cactus Garden holiday display which is free to visit. There is also The Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where you can drive the track or take a tram which is lite up Christmas lights and decorations. There are generally Groupon deals for both of these activities.

Ice Skating in Las Vegas at Christmas

Our first trip back in 2014 there was ice skating located at Caesars Palace and we have heard that there was also skating at The Venetian. For the past couple of years there is only ice skating at The Cosmo. They have a real ice surface on top of their pool and you can rent skates.  You can also reserve a fire pit area and do the whole smores experience. There is also a Groupon for this event. We tried it one time and had a great time.

This is a stock photos as ours did not turn out well.