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Las Vegas is the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World with its want-for-nothing hotels, incredible dining scene and A-list headliners, but Nevada offers far more than bright lights and huge arenas. There’s nature just beyond the neon signs and loads of small town charm and Wild West history to discover on a road trip on one of America’s desert highways.
So, buckle up and read on for the perfect five-day itinerary that combines the very best of both worlds.
See more about Las Vegas and Nevada on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing every Thursday on Foxtel at 8.30pm AEDT. Find out more here.
Day 1: Las Vegas
Check in to Fontainebleau Las Vegas. True to its name, the Grand Panorama Suite has 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip, from the north end to the main drag and the mountains in the distance. Marble finishes, chandeliers, sculptures and artworks adorn the space and from the windows you can glimpse the Sphere lit up by night.
Explore the fine art collection at the Urs Fischer Gallery in the hotel’s South Lobby. Contemporary art, paintings, photography and installations are also sprinkled throughout the property.
Have lunch at upscale Cantonese restaurant, Chyna Club. In this elegant restaurant you can dine under the skylight, in a library or in one of the other aesthetic dining rooms. Order the tableside-carved Peking duck or choose live seafood from the tanks. Mixologists are on hand to serve exquisite clarified cocktails.
Indulge in a treatment at Lapis Spa & Wellness, recently named the World’s Best Casino Hotel Spa at the 2024 World Spa Awards, where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge technology. You can choose from options like IV drip therapy, hot and cold contrast therapy or an anti-aging facial performed with jade stone.
For a bird’s-eye view of the razzle dazzle of the Strip, a helicopter tour with Maverick Helicopters at night is the perfect way to end the day.
Day 2: Las Vegas
Eat breakfast at Vida then head out to see the Sphere by day. The multi-sensory, immersive entertainment experience is unparalleled. Afterwards, head to the Fountains of Bellagio to see the mesmerising, synchronised water, music and light show.
Make reservations for an extravagant lunch at Papi Steak. You can request menu items like the Beef Case, a 55oz Australian Wagyu Tomahawk steak presented in a rhinestone-studded briefcase. More than a steak, this is a high energy performance – the table is lit by a spotlight, music blares out, and a collection of waitstaff chants as the dish is served. Live life to the fullest and order ‘It’s Not a Bag, It’s a Cocktail’ to go with it. This vodka-based delight is delivered in a bright orange Birkin bag with a side of caviar.
Discover the hotel’s Oceans installation in the west entrance. This hypnotic kinetic sculpture mimics the surface of the ocean’s movements. This piece is informed by global up-to-the-minute tidal data and responds to the audience’s movements, to simulate movement through the water.
For genuine water time, the hotel’s Oasis Pool area is spread across six acres and contains four bars, two restaurants, a private beach and an enormous gaming area.
Head to the Neon Museum at sunset to explore some of Las Vegas’ iconic history. A guided tour is the way to go here – learn about the history of the town and, in particular, its glittering, iconic movie backdrops and landscapes.
Day 3: Las Vegas, Beatty, Goldwell, Tonopah
Enjoy a nourishing breakfast at the hotel’s La Fontaine then collect a rental car and set off on the Free-Range Art Highway (Route 95).
Visit the Goldwell Open Air Museum, a sculpture park with surreal artworks rising up from the desert floor. It’s well worth exploring nearby Rhyolite, too, one of the West’s so-called ‘ghost towns’ scattered with Gold-Rush-era ruins.
Stop for a lunch of Happy Burro Chili & Beer‘s award-winning chilli or BBQ and sides at Smokin J’s Barbecue in Beatty, the gateway to Death Valley National Park. If you’re lucky, you’ll be welcomed by the wild donkeys who roam around town.
See the International Car Forest of the Last Church, where more than 40 vehicles are buried nose first into the sand, and a colourful assortment of murals and sculptures along the way. Next on your list of things to do should be the ghost tour of the Mizpah Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in America. Beware of the ghost children on the 4th floor, spooky miners in the basement and the infamous Lady in Red.
For the evening, check into the historic Belvada Hotel Tonopah. Dine on Southern BBQ at Tonopah Brewing Company and indulge in a craft brew in the Taproom.
Day 4: Reno, Lake Tahoe
Grab a strong coffee and breakfast in the lobby of the hotel at Belvada Coffee Shop then it’s time for a few hours of road tripping. From Tonopah to Reno is almost four hours’ drive. An optional stop is Fallon; the ‘oasis of Nevada’ is a farm-to-fork hotspot with a distillery that grows its own ingredients (Frey Ranch Farmers + Distillers).
Explore Reno on a Pineapple Pedi Cab tour. Pass beneath Reno’s famed arches, see murals and artworks from local artists, scuttle down secret alleyways and visit the riverwalk district.
Drive about an hour out of town to Lake Tahoe which has a plethora of outdoor activities like cycling, fishing, hunting or mountain climbing to choose from.
Check into Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino, a short walk from the lakeside, and have lunch at one of the bars, grills or coffee shops on the property.
For a bit of action, try MasterCraft Wakesurfing on the scenic lake. Make sure to stop and appreciate the beauty of the snow-covered mountains that ring the destination.
Head to the nearby Edgewood Tahoe Resort to dine at The Edge Restaurant and Lounge on a tasting menu of cuisine inspired by the surrounding alpine environment. With a wine collection showcasing more than 1,000 global labels, you can request wine pairings – it’s a great way to unwind after a fun day.
Day 5: Lake Tahoe
Pick up a sweet breakfast to go from Cinnabon at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino, or take your time by dining in at Cleo’s Coffee and Cocktails.
Next, hit the road to create some magical mountain memories on the Lake Tahoe Loop Drive. Follow Highway 89 and enjoy views of the water and surrounding mountains. You’ll find everything from old west history to hot springs as you travel. Stop to swim in superb blue water, hike waterfall trails and wander along sandy beaches.
When you depart for your onward journey you’ll have a list of things to do next time you’re in the Lake Tahoe area.
See more about Las Vegas and Nevada on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing every Thursday on Foxtel at 8.30pm AEDT. Find out more here.
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Feature image: Lake Tahoe. Source: Travel Nevada. Images: Supplied & Shutterstock
