JOIN US IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CARESA LAMERS FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA!
Caresa is a minimalist, traveler, blogger and owner of This Spontaneous Life. She recently sold all her belongings to be able to travel the world without any materialistic limitations. She thrives on helping people follow their travel dreams and motivating them to get out there and see the world. She firmly believes that we need to make the most of our time while we are on this earth so follow her on her journey and let her help us live our best life.
LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas is an internationally renowned resort city in Nevada’s Mojave Desert. Mojave desert is North America’s driest desert hence summers are sweltering hot in Vegas.
With casinos all around Las Vegas is also known as the entertainment capital of the world and is a true getaway for adults all around the world to let loose, forget their responsibilities and party themselves into next week. The city also hosts one of the biggest New Year’s Eve party in the world which everyone should experience at least once in their life.
Which is the best time to visit Las Vegas?
The best time to visit Las Vegas : I would have to say would be from March-September.
The reason being at that time the weather is just starting to get warmer. Which in turn means, start throwing on your bathing suits as the day clubs and pool parties are starting to open. Las Vegas is famous for its insane pool parties which last all the way until the end of summer. Throughout the summer months is also when all the hottest DJ’s come from all over the world to perform as well as all the awesome summer festivities Vegas offers it’s visitors.
If you’re planning to visit in the month of May, you will also find that Las Vegas hosts EDC around that time, also known as one of the biggest festivals in the world. During the winter months, I would consider that more the off season as the temperatures tend to get pretty cold and the city in general is quieter during the wintertime. Unless you are planning a trip to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas.
Which is the most convenient and favoured transport of Las Vegas? What are the different modes of transport available from the airport to city?
The most convenient and favored transport in Las Vegas would have to be walking, Uber/Lyft or taxis. To begin with the strip (Las Vegas Blvd) is only 3 miles in length and is fairly easy to walk from one end to another. But on the other hand, the traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard can be a total nightmare. As most people tend to drink themselves into oblivion when visiting Vegas, driving has never been a preferred method of transportation.
If you’re staying more on the outskirts of the Vegas strip, only then would I recommend driving a car. The actual town of Las Vegas actually kind of requires a car and it would be the easiest way to get around.
As far as coming from McCarran Airport, they have a variety of transportations to the major hotels in the city. Those transportation means include taxis, Lyft and Uber (The obvious) and McCarran Airport also offers shuttles from and to the strip, which makes it very convenient for guests to make their way to the city from the airport.
Which are the top 3 must visit places in Las Vegas?
Mhm, that’s a tough one – There are so many different places to visit in Las Vegas. If I had to pick only three for a normal, party weekend in Vegas I would have to say…
The Strip – This one is pretty obvious but when I say the strip I mean, the whole strip. Each hotel is so unique and different from the next but are all equally amazing with different things to do in each. The Bellagio for instance has its own water fountain show as well as an amazing botanical garden inside whereas the Treasure Island has a fire, pirate show. Each hotel has it’s own magnificent touch to it which is what makes Las Vegas one of the greatest cities on earth.
Fremont Street Experience – Also known as Old Las Vegas, Fremont is where everything got started. All the oldest hotels in Vegas lie on this street and over the years Fremont has turned into a mini Las Vegas Strip. One of the good things about Fremont is that everything down there is cheaper than the Strip. It also offers an extravagant light show made up of over 12.5 million LED lights, which are conveniently hanging over your head. It is quite the experience and I would encourage anyone visiting Vegas to check out Fremont Street. Oh, and did I mention that they also offer an awesome zip line?
The High Roller – The High Roller is actually pretty new to the city of Las Vegas. Standing tall at about 550 feet, it is currently the tallest ferris wheel in the world. It is a great observation deck as you can buy tickets to access one of their pods, it takes about 30 minutes to go around one full time. You will get to see views of the strip like never before and the best part of it you ask? You can also choose a pod with an open bar to enjoy drinks as you take in the breathtaking sights of Sin City.
What are the best day trips for nature, culture and history from Las Vegas ?
This one is a toughie too. There are a few pretty amazing day trips to take in Las Vegas during your visit, I will narrow it down to my favorite three.
The Grand Canyon – Also known as one of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is surprisingly only a short 4 hour drive from Las Vegas. If you are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, I would suggest to leave early in the morning and if possible, catch the sunrise as it rises over the vast peaks and valleys of the canyon. I made it a point to watch the sunrise when I went and let me tell you, it is a sight that can only be explained with experience. It truly took my breath away.
Red Rock National Park – Now Red Rock is a little bit of an easier commute as it lies only about 45 minutes away from the Las Vegas strip. Red Rock got its famous name from the formations of rocks in the park that all tend to have one thing in common – A reddish tint. RRNP offers some amazing scenic hikes to enjoy a gorgeous day surrounded by nature. You can also book a horse riding tour through Red Rock as well.
Mt Charleston – Located about an hour outside of Vegas, Mt Charleston is the perfect place to feel as if you have left the desert. With trees and a green scenery, it is absolutely gorgeous and offers some pretty awesome hikes as well as gives a nice dose of refreshing, non-polluted air.
Which are the best casinos in Vegas?
With over 100 casinos in Las Vegas, this is another tough question. I would have to narrow it down to the Wynn, Encore, Ceasars Palace and City Center. All the hotels are amazing in their own way but these 8 really take the cake.
The Wynn and the Encore are both owned by Steve Wynn and they have actually won awards for being the best hotels in Las Vegas. Both the hotels are very upscale and are known for where the high rollers play.
Caesars Palace is smack dab in the middle of the strip and this hotel has everything from a shopping center with over 160 stores, delicious cuisine and some amazing nightlife.
Now, City Center is made up of a few different high-end hotels, these hotels include Aria, the Mandarin, the Veer Towers, Cosmopolitan and Vdara. All of which are extremely high-end. They all have their own unique touch and each hotel is guaranteed to take your breath away.
What is the most celebrated holiday of the year in Las Vegas?
Hands down, New Year’s Eve. Over 400,000 people come from all over the world to celebrate NYE in Las Vegas. As the world prepares to ring in the New Year, Las Vegas makes sure to throw the party of a lifetime. A party so big, you can be sure you will never forget it (Unless you drink to much that night, you might forget it then.) On New Year’s Eve at around 6 PM, the city shuts down the Las Vegas strip so no cars are able to come in and out. At that time, the public is able to run amuck up and down Las Vegas Boulevard as they celebrate the upcoming New Year. Although, keep in mind, that most hotels deny entry to anyone without a room key as the night goes on. NYE in Las Vegas should be experienced at least once as it is not only a New Year celebration but a celebration of life.
What is the most loved local food, savory and sweet of Las Vegas? Is it vegetarian friendly?
This question is very difficult to answer, the reason being, Las Vegas focuses on all different styles of food so there is technically not a most loved food. Every restaurant is different with their own unique style of food. But, Las Vegas is indeed a vegetarian friendly city. You can find vegetarian options in almost any restaurants in the city. Although Las Vegas does not have a most loved food, I can assure you that the food scene in this city is to die for! The restaurants really go above and beyond to make sure the guest has an awesome dining experience and that their taste buds leave the restaurant happier than before. Also, Las Vegas is known for their buffets, when visiting make sure to check out at least one buffet. You will not regret it.
Pro-Tip: My favorite restaurant on the strip is the French steakhouse Mon Ami Gabi. Located in the Paris Casino, if you’re a steak lover I would recommend the bernaise steak and frites. Seriously, it’s amazing.
Where to head for shopping in Las Vegas? Are there any popular weekend/night/flea markets which tourists must visit?
The Fashion Show Mall, which is right across the street from the Wynn hotel, is the most popular shopping mall in Las Vegas. This three story mall is home to over 200 shopping boutiques and some pretty amazing restaurants. It’s perfect if you’re looking to buy a new outfit for the night or if you’re just looking into spending your day shopping.
Another popular place to shop is the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet, located on Decatur and Charleston. This swap meet is only opened Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but it has some great deals and has some really nice things for sell.
Which are the best streets of Las Vegas worthy of taking a stroll on?
The two best streets in Las Vegas to take a stroll on are Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard. Those two streets is where all the magic and action happens. You will find all the best hotels and casinos, the best shows, events, parties and so much more. The whole town of Las Vegas revolves around those two streets. Every year they invest millions upon millions of dollars on these streets, that way they are constantly improving them and making them that much better for the visitors. Vegas really prides themselves on giving the best experience for their visitors and they really are doing a great job.
Can you suggest a place from where one can get the best view of the city?
I would have to go with the High Roller or the Eiffel Tower for this question.
As I mentioned above the High Roller will give you an incredible, 360º degree view of the Las Vegas strip from 550 feet up in the air. It doesn’t get much better than that.
The Eiffel Tower of the Paris Hotel also offers an incredible view of the strip as it is located right in the middle of the strip and stands at about 540 feet above the floor – Almost as tall as the high roller. You will get to witness the whole strip as well as beyond. You will get a glimpse of what it is like living on the outskirts of Las Vegas as you will start seeing all the houses the town has.
Would you suggest any shows in Las Vegas to drama, music, comedy or art lovers? Where can one spot street art in the city?
Another thing Las Vegas is known for is its insane shows. From Cirque du Soleil to Blue Man Group to concerts and more! In this city you can find a show for pretty much anything your heart desires. The biggest company for shows is definitely Cirque du Soleil, they have a variety of different shows to choose from and each of them is extravagant. Vegas puts millions of dollars in their productions so each and everyone of them are uniquely amazing. If i had to suggest a show to anyone, it would have to be the Blue Man Group, it has everything from music, performances and it will leave you in full laughter mode. I went to see the show a while back and it was phenomenal. At the end you are also able to take pictures with the actors of the show. It was a blast and I would recommend it to anyone.
As far as street art, there actually is a great place in downtown Las Vegas called the Art District. A part of DTLV is dedicated to the Art District where you will find some incredible murals, street art and sculptures. Artists from everywhere come there to let their imagination free. It is pretty awesome. Another great place to check out for art is the Neon Museum. The Neon Museum isn’t necessarily paintings and street art but it has all the signs from hotels that have been demolished. You can take pictures with signs from some of Las Vegas’s first hotel, pretty neat huh?
Would you recommend any local apps for food, transport or hidden gems in Las Vegas?
For transportation I would highly recommend Uber or Lyft. You can call one at anytime of the night but beware of surge prices. When it’s extremely busy in Vegas, the prices can triple for an Uber or Lyft. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend an app for food in Vegas but after living in this city for 20 years, I have come to find out that some of the best food you’ll find will be in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. But really, there are not many places you can go wrong when finding food in Vegas.
A nice hidden gem would have to be this secret drink at the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan. This drink is called the Verbena and it is garnished with a Sichuan flower. You are supposed to eat the flower before drinking the drink and then wait to see what the flower has in store for you.
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