Spring really is one of the best times to visit Sin City.
Vegas is actually the perfect destination for an active weekend—and we’re not talking about the arm workout you get from playing the slots. Nature lovers can hike and mountain bike just half an hour from the strip; yogis will find unique classes a short stroll from their hotel; and adventure-seekers can soar on a zip line or swing from a trapeze. And spring is one of the best times to plan to visit, so you can partake in many of these activities without having to worry about the sweltering heat that engulfs Sin City in the summer months. Follow our itinerary for an unforgettable weekend in Las Vegas.
Where to Stay
In a sea of aroma-pumped air and the 24/7 clink-clink of casinos, the Four Seasons is an oasis. The hotel occupies the top five floors of Mandalay Bay tower, giving you access to Mandalay Bay’s shops, restaurants, casino, and nightclub—while sparing you the crazy crowds. Each of the 343 rooms and 81 suites has breathtaking views of Las Vegas Boulevard and the surrounding desert, and the hotel offers a private pool, a spa, a nail bar, a fitness center, and three eateries of its own. For true luxury, book one of the 2,225-square-foot Presidential Suites, which offer panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows, complimentary unpacking when you arrive, and daily in-room breakfast for two.
Day 1
Have an early breakfast at the Four Seasons’ Veranda restaurant. A smart choice is the antioxidant healthy start, which includes quinoa muesli, a carrot-blueberry muffin, yogurt, and a glass of carrot-orange juice. Eat fast, because Las Vegas Summit Adventures will pick you up at your hotel between 6 and 7am and whisk you away to the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area (just a 30-minute drive) for a guided half-day hike. The park is known for its stellar views of the La Madre Mountains and its breathtaking red-rock landscape.
You’ll be back at your hotel around noon, leaving you the afternoon to rejuvenate. Use the time for an Oriental Harmony treatment at the nearby Mandarin Oriental’s spa. Following a soothing footbath, two therapists (yes, that means four hands) will apply a warm scrub to your entire body, and then massage you from head to toe. After the nearly two-hour treatment, head back to your room and book a bike rental for early the next morning via BikeBlast Las Vegas—the company delivers the rides directly to any hotel. Take a cab to Aria Resort & Casino for dinner at Carbone, one of the newest (and hottest) restaurants in town. Remember all those calories you burned on the trail? You’re about to replenish them big-time, with the best veal Parmesan and lobster fra diavolo on the strip.
Day 2
Stop by the hotel’s bell desk to pick up your bike, and then ride about two miles down the strip to the Mirage. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:30am, the resort offers a one-hour yoga class in the underwater viewing area of Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat, allowing you to get your ohm on as dolphins swim around you. The session includes a mat, a post-session smoothie, and access to the resort’s spa facilities. Take advantage of that last perk with a soak, steam, and shower, and then bike about five miles farther down the strip to Fremont Street—the original hub of Vegas’ action. Stroll through the Neon Museum or take a turn on one of SlotZilla’s zip lines, which send you flying up to 114-feet above the action. When hunger hits, pop into Therapy for the signature charred kale salad or “big sexy” burger.
Spend the rest of the afternoon lounging by the Four Seasons’ private pool or—if you’re up for one more workout—head to Shine Alternative Fitness. The boutique studio offers an average of ten classes a day, including boxing, antigravity yoga, and aerial arts. Finish your weekend at the Bellagio, beginning with an early dinner at Harvest, one of the few sustainable, farm-to-table eateries on the strip. The menu has options from land and sea, including a spinach and smoked trout salad (with ingredients sourced from nearby Blue Lizard Farm); a roasted half chicken (from a California farm); and Alaskan halibut. After dinner, head to the Bellagio’s theatre for the 9:30pm show ofOby Cirque du Soleil, which features jaw-dropping acrobatics performed in and out of water.