The Urban Girls’ Getaway to Las Vegas
As an unmarried woman in my late 20s living the yuppie city life, my core group of girlfriends means the world to me. These are the ladies that I not only dance on the bar with until the wee hours of the morning, but also the chicks that I know will be there for me through thick and thin. Therefore, I couldn’t think of any better way to kickoff summer (and take shelter from the still-unbearably chilly East Coast weather) than to pack our bags for a weekend trip to Sin City.
And what did we think? Well, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but we got a taste of the goodies a city in the middle of the desert can offer to the twentysomething woman. Highlights of our trip are as follows…
Stay
Mandarin Oriental
When choosing a hotel for the weekend, we knew we wanted an unforgettably luxurious and posh experience (we all work hard – we deserve a treat once in a while!). So naturally we gravitated to the obvious choice – the Mandarin Oriental.
Located smack-dab in the center of the Strip, the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is a sophisticated luxury hotel and residence prominently located at the entrance of City Center. Awarded the esteemed AAA Five Diamond Award, the property offers fine dining (Twist by Michelin-star chef Pierre Gagnaire), a massively relaxing spa (which I visited during my last trip), and spectacular accommodations (rooms feature state-of-the-art remotely controlled light and curtain adjustments as well as a cutting-edge Phillips digital entertainment system), all steps away from some of the city’s most renowned casinos, shopping, and entertainment.
I’ve stayed at many a hotel during my Las Vegas visits, and hands down I’d have to say the Mandarin Oriental stands out for their amazing service and attention to detail (every employee I encountered addressed me by name during my stay). Furthermore, since the Mandarin is one of the only free-standing non-gaming luxury properties, it definitely provides a relaxing zen-like sanctuary from the rest of the “hustle and bustle” that defines the Strip.
Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas
3752 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
1-702-590-8888
Play
Machine Gun Vegas
Since all us grew up in Texas (where having a gun rack on your pickup truck is standard), we were all super-pumped to check the recently opened Machine Gun Las Vegas. MGV recently opened minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, providing the plush, high-energy ambiance of a Las Vegas ultra lounge with the thrill and excitement of a high-tech firearms experience. Machine Guns Vegas is well-equipped to offer travelers the opportunity to shoot a variety of firearms – from modern machine guns and assault rifles to some of the most famous firearms from World War II — in a safe, contemporary atmosphere where customer service and technology take center stage (all groups are assigned a personal “firearms coach” to make sure guns are being fired correctly).
For gun enthusiasts who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Machine Guns Vegas also offers a private VIP lounge, where patrons, celebrities, and high rollers can slip in the back entrance unnoticed and shoot their personal or favorite firearm of choice in their own private firing lanes. The VIP lounge offers accoutrements that include two completely private firing lanes, a private waiting lounge with plush furniture, large plasma TVs, iMac, and complimentary refreshments.
Machine Guns Vegas
3501 Aldebaran Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89102
1-702-476-9228
See
Blue Man Group
I must admit, I was a bit skeptical of the Blue Man Group when they first arrived on the scene. I mean, who were these clownish alien creatures and why were they so popular? However, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to see what the buzz was about and check out this blue trio’s show during this trip.
Thoughts post show? Let’s just say the Blue Man Group defies simple description. A musical feast? Yes. A roller-coaster of comedy? Absolutely. A stunning mix of technology and raw imagination? You bet. It’s all that and so much more. This explosion of color, humor, music, and technology that comes to life every night in The Venetian Theater is engaging and thrilling for adults and kids alike. It’s intense, exciting, interactive and above all – a must-see. I don’t want to give away too many details, but the interactive surprise at the end was my favorite part of the show – that alone was worth the price of admission!
Blue Man Theatre at The Venetian
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
1-800-BLUEMAN
…and (of course) Party!
Marquee Las Vegas
Having visited Marquee in New York many a time back in its heyday, I was pretty excited to check out the Las Vegas extension of this painfully hip nightspot. Marquee LV at the Cosmopolitan is the newest destination for top international acts and DJs. The monumental, 60,000-square-foot venue creates an unforgettable experience. The music continuously flows, transitioning partygoers through seven bars and three distinct atmospheres. A 40-foot LED DJ booth and projection stage demands attention in the Main Room, surrounded by luxurious coliseum-style banquette seating and two dance floors.
Overlooking the spectacular main floor is a plush, library-style room offering an intimate lounge experience accentuated by a fireplace, a billiard table, and vintage books. Venturing further into the venue, club-goers will encounter the lower-level Boom Box Room, an intimate boite with a separate DJ and views of the Strip.
A word of advice, especially when celebrity DJs are spinning – get on a guest list or buy a table – or else you might be spending the night waiting in line instead of chatting up that hottie fist-pumping to your left!
Marquee Nightclub and Dayclub
3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
1-702-333-9000
