Viva Las Vegas
Depending on who you talk to, there seem to be only two opinions about Las Vegas: you either love it or hate it. We’re honestly somewhere in the middle. We love going to Vegas and always have a great time—but once you get outside the tourist zones, the city can be a bit of a shithole. Does that stop us from going? No. Does it keep us confined to the Strip and Fremont? Absolutely not.
We’ve explored the Strip, wandered Fremont, driven all over town, and poked around the desert. Yet somehow, we still haven’t made it to the Valley of Fire. That’s a must-do for our next trip. We planned on going last time, but a little extra time in Lake Havasu killed the schedule. In 20+ years of visiting Vegas, I don’t think we’ve ever stayed in the same hotel twice. We love checking out new places. Most have been great, and plenty are worth returning to… but Vegas has too many options, and it’s always changing.
A question I get a lot is, “Do you prefer the Strip or Fremont?”
Honestly—both.
The Strip is unbeatable for shows, food, and the full-on party atmosphere. If you want nonstop entertainment, that’s the place. But it has definitely shifted from being a fairly affordable playground to a much pricier scene over the years.
Fremont, on the other hand, is a different kind of fun. Plenty of entertainment, endless people-watching, and a more laid-back vibe. We stayed at the Four Queens once, with a room facing the walkway where the zipline runs. Watching people fly past the window while crowds surged below was hilariously entertaining. Free concerts, the lit canopy at night, and the daytime shade all make Fremont its own experience.
These days, we tend to stay on Fremont, play there, and then grab the bus to the Strip for a night or two. But if a smoking deal pops up on a Strip hotel, we’ll still jump on it. If you drive to Vegas, I highly recommend getting off the tourist path entirely. Check out where the locals actually eat—it’s usually cheaper, and honestly, the food is often better than what you find in the high-traffic zones.
Our most recent trip was more of a pass-through on the way to Lake Havasu, but we stayed a night and played a bit. We used to love the Peppermill on the Strip, but the food hasn’t been as good lately—still great service and vibe, though. This time, the wait was two hours, so we bailed. After discovering the shop I wanted to visit was closed, we went hunting for food and accidentally found our new favorite Vegas restaurant just down the road: Lazy Dog.
The candied bacon? Incredible.
The service? Fantastic.
The burger? The best I’ve ever had.
As I write this, my mouth is watering, and I’m half tempted to hop on the bike and ride back to Vegas just for that burger.
Moral of the story: explore Vegas beyond the obvious. There are some absolute gems hiding out there.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Las Vegas?
