Ryan Slattery

Why is everyone vacationing in the same place? I often wonder this during travel spikes, scrolling social media to see people with nothing in common having the same experiences. Are we all spring skiers now? Is everyone actually having fun, or are we just yielding to a trend? It’s time we all dig a little deeper, skip the cookie-cutter trip and set off somewhere different. Forget what everyone else is doing! Let’s explore our own interests—and while we’re at it, do it where it’s not so crowded. To help you find the perfect underrated summer travel destination, we tapped our network of writers with plenty of experience discovering cool places. We’re showing new sides to cities and regions you already know and sharing choice spots that might be new to you. From wine tasting your way through Boise, Idaho, and encountering wildlife in Oakland, California, to ferry hopping in Southeast Alaska, these aren’t your typical summer escapes. A little less popular and still very exciting, these underrated U.S. destinations are calling your name this summer.

Las Vegas is like no other place on earth, full of wild spectacles, world-famous sporting events, 24/7 casinos and unparalleled nightlife, immersive experiences, and even natural wonders. With so much activity packed into a considerably small area, finding the best things to do in Las Vegas can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. What follows is a nifty guide to The Strip and beyond, including the must-see restaurants and can't-miss shows to check out, plus some off-the-beaten-path favorites to get you outdoors. Below are our picks of the best things to do in Vegas. This guide was updated by Vegas-based writer Ryan Slattery. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Las Vegas right now🏞️ Hidden gems in Las Vegas you need to know about🍷 The best bars in Las Vegas🏩 The best hotels in Las Vegas🏰 The best Airbnb mansions in Las Vegas⛲ The best attractions in Las Vegas

In every respect, Vegas goes big. Its restaurants are known for their huge, splurge-worthy buffets; its clubs are some of the biggest around; its casinos go all night long. So it’s hardly surprising that bigger-is-better dominates the dispensary scene here too. The city boasts the largest dispensary in the whole world, Planet 13, which takes the top spot on our list (obviously), but there are a ton of great dispensaries all over the city. Just be careful where you light up; smoking or using in public can carry a hefty fine (or even jail time). Got it? Good. Here are the best dispensaries in Vegas.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Las Vegas🍴 The best restaurants in Las Vegas🏞️ The best hidden gems in Las Vegas🏩 The best hotels in Las Vegas This guide was updated by Vegas-based writer Ryan Slattery. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Once Las Vegas mastered nightlife they dove into the dayclub scene giving the bachelorette and bachelor party crowd a place to play during the day. The resort pool is now one of the coolest places to spend an afternoon. What Las Vegas lacks in sand and surf it makes up tenfold in scene and vibe. While plenty of dayclubs with big name DJs make this list, there are also some more relaxing scenes where you can chill with a cocktail, read a book, get a poolside massage, or play a little swim-up blackjack. There are also wave pools, water slides, and a couple of family-friendly spots. Here are the best places to beat the heat in Las Vegas. This guide was updated by Las Vegas-based writer Ryan Slattery. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: 🍹 The best bars in Las Vegas🍴 The best restaurants in Las Vegas🎰 The best things to do in Las Vegas🏨 The best hotels in Las Vegas

Is there anything better than brunch in Las Vegas? Many consider it to be the most important meal of the day–a weekend tradition that rivals seeing a show or making a trip to the nightclub. If taking part in the latter, it’s one thing you’ll definitely need and deserve after an epic night on the town. What the top brunches all have in common are great food, a fun atmosphere and a bit of booze–perhaps some bottomless champagne to go with your meal. So grab a mimosa or hail down the Bloody Mary cart and kick that hangover to the curb. We’re breaking down the best brunches in the city. Are you ready? This guide was updated by Las Vegas-based writer Ryan Slattery. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: 🍽️ The best restaurants in Las Vegas🍤 The best buffets in Vegas🥑 The best brunches in Las Vegas📍 The best things to do in Vegas🍷 The best bars in Vegas🏨 The best Las Vegas hotels 

Las Vegas has been synonymous with buffets really since the concept was first introduced to keep hungry gamblers from leaving the casino. Everyone had one. A number of buffets have transformed into upscale food halls over the years. Still, a few all-you-can-eat emporiums remain, providing a dining experience where variety and quantity are at the forefront. Looking to feast? The best buffets in Las Vegas satisfy all cravings and palates. This guide was updated by Vegas-based writer Ryan Slattery. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: 🍴 The best restaurants in Las Vegas🥃 The best bars in Las Vegas

  Las Vegas has become a culinary destination, but it wasn’t always that way. Not long ago, buffets and burger joints made up a majority of resort restaurants but that’s certainly not the case anymore. Buffets have been replaced with more sophisticated food halls and those cheap shrimp cocktails have morphed into elegant seafood towers. Even the chefs who once worked in the restaurants on The Strip have branched out and opened remarkable restaurants—without the inflated prices—in neighborhoods all across the valley. You'll find chefs hailing from Michelin-starred establishments and stunning brasseries, plus some plant-based surprises, all worth discovering. Here’s a look at some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas right now. RECOMMENDED:🍤 The best buffets in Vegas🥑 The best brunches in Las Vegas📍 The best things to do in Vegas🍷 The best bars in Vegas🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Vegas

Las Vegas is always lit, but the city shines a bit brighter during the holiday season. Long-running Christmas celebrations such as Ethel M’s Holiday Cactus Garden, where you’ll find cacti draped in colorful lights, and Glittering Lights, a 2.5-mile drive-through light display at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, have been around for three decades. But just like the slew of attractions, shows and parties that sweep through Vegas year-round, there's so much more to do each holiday season as other whimsical displays and pop-ups start new traditions. Below, our favorite Christmas events in Las Vegas making the end of the year feel extra festive. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Las Vegas

Coffee culture has arrived in Las Vegas in a big way. Over the past few years, independent coffee shops have popped up all across the city to offer locals and visitors alike a much-needed escape from the national chains. These hip coffee houses are roasting beans, making specialty coffee concoctions and creating unique spaces (hello, Harry Potter), giving coffee lovers a perfect place to meet and relax with a cup o’ joe. Whether it’s for the caffeine fix or the ambiance or as a WFH alternative, the best coffee shops in Las Vegas provide plenty of buzz-worthy options. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Las Vegas This guide was updated by Las Vegas-based writer Ryan Slattery. At Time Out, all our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Halloween is approaching and all you’ve got is a vague idea of what you’ll be, an oversized bag of candy in your pantry, tempting you, and a half-baked plan on where you’ll go for the spookiest night of the year. Your first order of business: nail down the outfit. Rather than go the Amazon route, we suggest starting your search for something to wear at America’s coolest costume stores. Not only will you find a ton of inspo from years of curation and creativity but you’ll also be supporting local as many of these spots have been staples in the communities they’ve serviced for decades. Below, we highlight independent costume shops nationwide, from Los Angeles and New York to Miami and Asheville, ready to help with all your Halloween needs.

This 55,000-square-foot pool oasis has palm trees, shower go-go platforms, and a party crowd that packs the place to dance to hear top DJs such as David Guetta, Afrojack, Marshmello, and The Chainsmokers. There is also a gaming pit for those feeling lucky, daybeds perched in the water, VIP cabanas, and exclusive bungalows with private plunge pools.

Las Vegas’ original dayclub at MGM Grand is a wild party full of hot revelers splashing in saltwater pools to the beats of some of the world’s most famous deejays. Loungers and daybeds can be modestly rented or guests can go all-in and reserve one of the ultra-exclusive bungalows with a private dipping pool, personal safe, and teak furniture.

What is Caesars Palace? Evel Knievel made the fountains famous. Celine Dion made residencies cool, and The Forum Shops brought luxury shopping to the city before anyone else. Today, Adele and Garth Brooks croon in the 4,300-seat Colosseum; ABSINTHE shocks audiences with its adults-only show and restaurant rule. Is Caesars Palace worth visiting? Absolutely. Its 85-acre center Strip location is ideal. The resort has 3,980 guest rooms, including the 182-room, Japanese-inspired boutique Nobu Hotel (and one of Nobu Matsuhisa’s largest restaurants). Guests beat the heat at the five-acre Garden of the Gods pool complex, relax at the luxurious Qua Baths & Spa, and party at OMNIA Nightclub with some of the world’s top DJs. What’s the best way to see Caesars Palace? Book a room to stay on the property, or just walk over and check it out. Where is it good to eat around Caesars Palace? Bacchanal Buffet is widely considered to be the city’s best buffet but the property has more than a dozen restaurants to experience. Guy Savoy serves elegant French cuisine, NY steakhouse Peter Luger just opened, and celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Fieri, Lisa Vanderpump and pastry chef Dominique Ansel of cronut fame, all have restaurants or fast-casual eateries here. Check out more things to do in Las Vegas.

What is the Neon Museum? It’s the place where the neon signs that once graced the historic marquees of the past live on, many in all their illuminated glory on a plot of dirt in downtown Las Vegas. Visitors enter the museum through the shell-shaped La Concha lobby (built in 1961), which, like all the signs here, was saved from demolition and moved to the site. Is the Neon Museum worth visiting? It’s great for social media. Founded in 1996, the forward-thinking minds behind the Neon Museum helped salvage hundreds of historic signs, keeping them from hitting the real boneyard–never to be seen again. From the original Hard Rock guitar to illuminated signs like the Fitzgerald, Riviera, The Flame, and Ugly Duckling, it’s picture-perfect. The Boneyard contains more than 250 unrestored signs, illuminated at sunset with ground lighting, while numerous restored signs are lit all the time. What’s the best way to see the Neon Museum? Take a tour and learn the history. The stories are as legendary as the signs themselves. Where is good to eat around the Neon Museum? While you’re downtown, check out the Fremont Street Experience. There are dozens of restaurants at the many casinos and nearby neighborhood. Check out more things to do in Las Vegas.

What is the Hoover Dam? Located 30 miles from Las Vegas on the Nevada-Arizona border, Hoover Dam—completed in 1936—created the country’s largest reservoir. The dam was built to hold back the flow of the Colorado River to provide water and electricity to cities across the Southwest. The dam created Lake Mead, a recreational area covering 248 square miles popular for boaters and hikers. Is the Hoover Dam worth visiting? Okay, I know what you’re thinking. It’s a dam. What is there to see? Well, honestly, a lot. Not only can you see the dam from the roadway but you can also go behind the scenes and see its inner workings on a tunnel tour of the hydroelectric power plant. An engineering marvel, the impressive 726-foot-tall concrete structure was once the world’s tallest dam and is an incredible structure to see and tour. What’s the best way to see the Hoover Dam? Take a dam tour. Hoover Dam has a couple of options for seeing the history and exploring the tunnels and power plant. Where is good to eat near the Hoover Dam? While you’re out that way, be sure to visit Boulder City. The small main street is packed with vintage shops, diners, and brew pubs, as well as bighorn sheep who come to graze in Hemenway Park. They’re so famous they even have their own ram cam. Check out more things to do in Las Vegas.

What is the Fremont Street Experience? The city’s original downtown was down on its luck until it received a remodel and got its light canopy in 2004. The incredible LED light display, called Viva Vision, not only rejuvenated this casino quarter but also made it a must-visit on any trip to Las Vegas. On the hour shows projected on the 1,375-foot-long, 90-foot-wide screen currently feature songs and accompanying graphics from artists like Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Shakira, and Tiesto. Is the Fremont Street Experience worth visiting? There’s a reason 24 million people visit the Fremont Street Experience, so why shouldn’t you? Tucked under the 90-foot tall canopy is a six-block pedestrian corridor and entertainment district. On weekends, live bands play on three stages and there are eight casinos, hundreds of restaurants of bars, and lots to take in. It’s also home to SlotZila, an 850-foot Zipline, and 1,750-foot Zoomline, where you can take in the action from above. What’s the best way to see the Fremont Street Experience? Head down and take it all in. It’s free. Where is good to eat around the Fremont Street Experience? There are plenty of restaurants inside the many casinos lining the pedestrian mall and the city’s Arts District is just blocks away. For steak, check out Vic & Anthony's inside the Golden Nugget or visit Circa for a deli sandwich at Saginaw's or Asian cuisine from 8 East. Check out more things to do in Las Vegas.

What is OMNIA Nightclub? The 75,000-square-foot club has three distinct rooms. The main room is where the action is. Here, you’ll see big name DJs and a ton of celebrities as you party among the stars. With 96 VIP tables, there will be plenty. If you need to escape to catch your breath there is a smaller ultra-lounge just around the corner and an upstairs patio with an outdoor terrace if you want some air and views of the Strip. Is OMNIA Nightclub worth visiting? For the music. Steve Aoki, Tiesto and Zedd are all resident DJs at a spot where nights turn to morning in the blink of an eye. The club is also popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties, and don’t sleep on it on Tuesdays–it’s industry night and the crowd comes out. What’s the best way to see OMNIA Nightclub? For bottle service and a bit of real estate, reserve a VIP table. Otherwise, pay the entry fee (it varies on the day and who’s performing), and dance the night away. What is a good place to eat near OMNIA Nightclub? Caesars Palace has plenty of places to eat. For a quick bite, hit up the food court or go next door to Stanton Social Prime for more casual yet upscale food. Check out more things to do in Las Vegas.

Where do you start? Tackling Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace is like running a marathon. With more than 250 individual-sized dishes, this is definitely a place where you need to pace yourself and choose wisely. There is no way you’ll be able to taste everything and you absolutely must save room for dessert–which, in my opinion, is the best part of the Bacchanal experience. Even before I ordered my sweet tea, I took a long lap past all 10 kitchens and action stations to scout the seemingly endless options. It’s a necessary move just to orient yourself and to plan an efficient attack through what is widely considered the city’s top buffet, and with a hefty price (dinner starts at $79.99), you want to be sure to get your money’s worth. The first buffet in Las Vegas opened at the El Rancho resort in 1941. The whole premise was to quickly feed hungry gamblers in chuck-wagon-style and keep them on property. Others caught on and it became a Vegas signature. When Bacchanal Buffet opened in 2012 to eye-popping success, it upped the ante, forcing competitors to tweak, or completely overhaul, their own operations. Photograph: Courtesy Caesars Palace The reason Bacchanal stands out is that, despite its overwhelming number of offerings, it’s still approachable. You don’t feel engulfed by the experience. Bacchanal also changed the game with open, chef-run kitchens and by serving individual portions on small plates. In doing so, they eliminated food waste and the need to scoop out spoo