My Real Vegas

Town Center, Rave Theatre, Yard House, Las Vegas

I love shopping with my wife and watching her try on cool clothes but for most guys shopping can be a bore. Vegas has a great solution to this with the opening of the Town Square. A massive outdoor walk the street style complex with nearly everything from bookstores and grocery stores to clothes, kids fair, movie theatres, huge restauants and bars. From February to October are my favorite times to go based on great weather and outdoor temperatures. Blue Martini and The Yard House are both good for food and drinks and atmosphere. I cover where to eat in greater detail on MyRealVegas restaurants. The Rave theatres are fantastic. If you are seeing a big movie, one that MUST be seen on a big screen with massive sound, good seats and a lose yourself in the movie atmosphere: Rave Theatres is it.

Las Vegas Shopping

Las Vegas Shopping – Few places on the planet can even compare to the variety, choice, and pure style of the retail shopping venues here in Las Vegas. Go to Vegas Shopping to find an accurate overview of all important retail shopping destinations listed alphabetically courtesy of your local contacts on the ground here in Las Vegas.

Locals shouldn’t avoid The Strip

A gigantic pet peeve of mine is when I hear locals saying how they never drive on the Strip. Listen, I’m not asking you to cruise The Boulevard on weekends but I would like it if you knew where you were going since you do live here. Locals drive just like tourists on The Strip, like idiots. Sorry, but it’s true. How many times have you changed lanes between lights cause you didn’t know the logistics of The Boulevard?

I know you are embarrased to be holding one of those tourist magazines in your hand but sometimes you just have to do it and get over it. Grab one, hunch over a garbage can, and then quickly rip out the yellow map inside the What’s On magazine and shove it into your back pocket or purse. We Keep one in our car so that we can verify which back road leads to which hotel/casino and this makes for a very pleasant day on the roads. I have given friends these maps to keep in their car so they can find their way on and around The Strip. Then I get this phone call desperately needing directions and instructions on which exit to take and what side of the road somethings on.  They are wasting time and gas, and getting into arguments in the car because they didn’t have the map I gave them. Are you embarrassed to have a map in your car?

One of the perks I like about The Strip and this 24/7 city is the fact that Miracle Mile Shops and The Forum Shops and The Grand Canal Shoppes are open until 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. And, who doesn’t like eating at nice restaurants (not necessarily pricey) at any hour of the night; the Grand Lux at Venetian is open 24 hours a day.

There will be times when you need to drive on The Strip amongst the tourist. I too avoid driving on The Strip during peak times, however, I know my way around the Las Vegas Blvd. If you are going to call yourself a local, be a smart local. I was born and raised in a city that is a tourist destination. Tourist can barely comprehend that people actually live there. Duh!!! I understand how a local wouldn’t be caught dead on The Strip or International Drive. But please drive The Strip a few times a year, even if it’s at 6:00 a.m., so that when the time comes and you have to drive your Las Vegas Strip you can do it with confidence.

China Town in Las Vegas

Only one mile west from the Las Vegas Boulevard on Spring Mountain is our China Town. It’s not like San Francisco’s by any measure but it’s all ours and I am happy as heck about it. The Plaza is marked by a traditional Chinese arch and the Tong Dynasty architecture. My favorite is the 99 Ranch Market because they have exotic produce (Jack Fruit, Jujube) fresh seafood, and all the noodles, spices and sauces you can imagine. I love to stop and get a Boba tea too, so much fun. You really have to get out and walk the plaza, both levels, to see all of the unique stores and restaurants. We like to eat at a different restaurant each time. Jason has a hard time with food hanging in the windows so I have to rush him through the front door at a couple of restaurants. That’s authenticity for you.

Las Vegas Shopping

Kelly wrote about the Las Vegas shopping scene complete with overviews, reviews, personal experiences, locations, prices, on all major retail outlets from malls to mega specialty stores in the valley. Click Las Vegas shopping for more.