Its “always-on” atmosphere.

Its high-flying, high-energy shows.

Its classic casinos that never go out of style.

This is from The WeekEnder series: local insider guides for new destinations throughout Southern California, delivered to your inbox twice a month. Sign up here!

The buzzing streets, the ever-present hum of neon lights, and the magnetic pull of the nightly shows were all Jimmie Cervera needed to fall in love with every inch of Las Vegas. He just happened to fall in love with it well before reaching legal gambling age.

As a kid, Cervera spent his school holidays and weekend vacations in Las Vegas alongside his parents. While the adults rolled the dice, he’d take in the sights, mesmerized by everything around him including the towering buildings, sequin-clad showgirls, and street buskers hoping to be discovered as the next big thing. And he knew he had to be a part of it all.

“Vegas is awesome because you can do and be whatever you want,” Cervera says. As an adult, he returned to Las Vegas to stay. And this time, he got in on the action, landing the major role of Dr. Robert at the famed “The Beatles LOVE by Cirque Du Soleil” show.

In fact, Cervera has played a part in the show since the early 2000s, and he stuck it out through its nearly 17-month pandemic hiatus. The idea of leaving never crossed his mind. Cervera continued to believe the lights of Las Vegas may have temporarily dimmed, but they’d never go dark.

“I have all this pent-up entertainment that I want to share. I think I have another 20 years left in me,” he says. “I can't see myself stopping because I love this town and I love entertaining so much.”

In this edition of the Weekender, we take you through all the must-see spots in this much-beloved destination, all of which are just waiting to dazzle you once again.

—Stacey Leasca, SoCal’s Senior WeekEnder Guide

Editor’s Note: Your safety is our primary concern. We encourage you only to travel when it feels safe for you. While we’ve vetted businesses featured here to ensure they are adhering to the state’s current COVID requirements, the situation is fluid. If you’re not comfortable traveling just yet, save this guide for a later date, as all these activities will be as amazing in the future as they are today.

For more California state-specific information, visit the official California COVID-19 Information Page.

1. Fountains at the Bellagio

2. High Roller Observation Wheel

3. Resorts World Las Vegas

4. Cirque Du Soleil at The Mirage

5. Bardot Brasserie

6. Bazaar Meat by José Andrés

7. The Mayfair Supper Club

8. Delilah

9. Harrah's Las Vegas

10. Wynn Las Vegas

11. NoMad Las Vegas

12. The Cosmopolitan

13. Vdara Hotel & Spa

Take in Vegas at night at the Fountains of Bellagio

Consult any “top things to do in Vegas” list and you’ll see the Fountains of Bellagio show on there. Why? Simply put, it’s awesome. Where else can you see massive columns of water rocketing hundreds of feet in the air, twirling and dancing to their own soundtrack like a high-kicking chorus line. Best of all, the water show rotates through a 21-track song list, meaning you can come back over and over again to experience something new.

Go for a joyride on the Observation Wheel

Las Vegas is famous for its shimmering neon lights. And while you can certainly get a glimpse of that glowing magic at street level, it’s best viewed from above. Get that height on the High Roller Observation Wheel at Caesars—the largest observation wheel in North America. This ferris wheel takes guests 550 feet above the center of the Strip. From the top, the 360-degree views will leave you stunned. But don’t worry, the ride is a full 30 minutes, so gawk as long as you want. You’ll still have time left over to snap a million selfies.

Set out on a hike at Red Rocks

After a night or two of Vegas madness, resurface for fresh air at Red Rocks Canyon. This conservation area, just a short drive away, has plenty of hiking, biking, and even driving trails to explore, making it the perfect spot to clear your mind before hitting the poker tables again.

Explore a locals-only side to Vegas in the Arts District

Meet the antithesis of The Strip. The 18-block Arts District has no skyscrapers, no casinos, and no over-the-top water shows. Instead, this neighborhood is filled with independent art galleries, local performance spaces, shops, and restaurants, all beloved by the people who live in Las Vegas year-round. Hit up these local businesses and get a feel for the part of the city that isn’t under the spotlight.

See a concert unlike any other with Whitney Houston

Get beamed back to Whitney Houston’s glory days, thanks to some high-tech embellishments courtesy of the singer’s estate. This show at Harrah’s features an incredibly lifelike hologram of the songstress. Watch as “Whitney” belts out all your favorite tunes with a little help from a live band, backup singers and dancers, and a few surprise visual effects that will make you want to go out and “dance with somebody.”

Be awed by the acrobatics at The Beatles Love by Cirque Du Soleil

Since 2006, Cervera and friends have put on a mesmerizing circus performance to the tune of the Beatles greatest hits. The show covers the band’s journey from their rise to their psychedelic-fueled days to their breakup, rushing toward a show-stopping finale that’s well worth the ticket price. It’s all told through body-bending acrobatics, vibrant costumes and makeup, larger-than-life choreography, and stunts that will leave you gasping.

Have your mind totally blown by magician Shin Lim

Las Vegas and magic go together like rabbits and top hats. And there’s no one better on the Strip right now than magician Shin Lim. Lim, who’s appeared on Penn & Teller’s "Fool Us" and "America's Got Talent," is a master at card tricks and illusions. (One signature move? Pulling a smoking ace from his mouth mid-shuffle.) His show at the Mirage will leave you asking, “How the heck did he do that!?” long after you’ve gone home.

Brunch at Bardot Brasserie

Located inside the Aria resort, Michael Mina’s French bistro does brunch the Las Vegas way—with big, audacious, only-in-Vegas dishes. The menu includes delicacies like escargot en croute, which comes with absinthe butter, Paris mushrooms, and puff pastry. But more traditional bites are on hand, too, like omelets filled with gruyere cheese and a towering stack of french toast.

Lunch at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés

José Andrés, arguably one of the most famous chefs in the world, has set up shop at Sahara Las Vegas. And yes, as the name suggests, this place is a tribute to meat, meat, and more meat. But it’s Andrés’ creative detours from the steakhouse standards that have earned him rave reviews. Start a meal with a caviar cone to set the mood, then move on to items from the meat bar, which includes a whole roasted suckling pig, Kobe beef, and a cotton candy foie gras that feels like a magic trick.

Dinner and a show at The Mayfair Supper Club

At The Mayfair Supper Club it’s not just dinner—though that’s delicious too—it’s a choreographed presentation of dishes, spirits, and Vegas-level live entertainment. Expect outstanding food like a Wagyu hand roll with caviar and horseradish cream or prime rib that’s been slow-roasted for seven hours. But know that the Club’s cabaret dancers, sultry singers, and multimedia shows will often steal the spotlight from your plate.

Dessert at Delilah

Yes, Delilah at Wynn Las Vegas serves more than just desserts, but its strawberry shortcake baked Alaska, a Delilah specialty, is worth its own designated visit. After all, what could be more Vegas than toasted meringue, Harry’s Berries strawberries, pound cake, vanilla bean, and strawberry ice creams that’s lit on fire right at your table? It’s the big closing number to any epic meal. Heads up, this dessert is meant to serve between four to six people, so bring some friends.

For the ultimate Strip experience, Wynn Las Vegas

If this is your first trip to Vegas, there’s no better spot than the Wynn to get the essence of the Strip. This five-star mega-resort is home to everything that’s quintessentially Vegas. That includes a world-class spa, an avalanche of dining venues, and a casino so humongous there’s no way you could experience it all in one day. As a bonus, the hotel even offers poolside gaming, so you can tan and gamble at the same time.

For refined luxury, NoMad Las Vegas

Can a hotel be a hidden gem in Vegas? It can if it’s the NoMad. That’s because this property is actually a hotel within a hotel, located inside the larger Park MGM property. In contrast to the ritzy, mammoth MGM, this mini-hotel is filled with small luxurious details, including moody guest rooms with rich leather furnishings, secret hideaway piano areas, and a library-meets-billiards rooms perfect for a moment of solitude in the middle of the Vegas mayhem.

For a young and sexy vibe, The Cosmopolitan

With poolside cabanas galore, bottle service at Marquee Nightclub, and a buzzy high-end restaurant scene, the Cosmopolitan is a hub for the young and hip. Each room comes with deep gray and dark blue hues giving a vampy, ultra-chic backdrop to selfies. Those in the know head to The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails bar, which can only be found behind a hidden janitor’s door.

For a spa getaway unlike any other, Vdara Hotel & Spa

Balance out the always-on energy of a Vegas casino with the tranquil pace of a spa getaway at the ultra-modern Vdara. Indulge in a treatment at their five-star spa, including facials, body treatments, massages, and more. Afterward, explore the 16,000-square-foot spa complex that’s spread across two floors for as long as you like before returning to reality—or as close to reality as Vegas gets.

Driving to Las Vegas is relatively straightforward. Just hop on the 1-10 East for about four hours until you see the lights of Las Vegas come into view. There are a few other ways to get to Vegas, including flying commercial on several airlines, such as Spirit, Alaska, United, and American, all of which offer direct flights from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in about an hour. For anyone looking to live like a high roller, there’s one more option: Flying private or semi-private. Several companies give the option to book a seat on a private jet, including Blade, XO, Aero, and more. These options can help reduce travel time thanks to avoiding both major airports and security lines. And they can actually be an affordable option, depending on the timing of your trip and the number of passengers joining you.

Listen to

Come on, this is a trip to Vegas, so of course, we’re going to recommend listening to the audiobook of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas—considered a defining portrait of Vegas, as well as Hunter S. Thompson’s most well-known work. Listen to it on your way to Vegas to get you hyped, and listen to it on your way back so you can feel better about your own debauchery.