If you told us a year ago that we’d spend (and enjoy) a month in a Las Vegas campground, we’d say you didn’t know us particularly well. After all, we don’t gamble, and there are only so many circus shows one can see (and by that we mean…afford). It turns out, however, that we loved our time in Vegas! You know why? Because at the end of the day, Vegas is about creating experiences, and we are personally and professionally fascinated by what makes a great experience. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Best food experience: Best Friend

The Levy’s were NOT leaving Las Vegas without enjoying this restaurant that looks like a bodega from the outside and feels like your most fun neighborhood party ever once you’re inside. Chef/creator Roy Choi explains that, “I want Best Friend to energize the minds of people looking to experience the best in life. Whether they are from Hollywood or Hong Kong, D.C. or Down Under, I hope all guests are licking their fingers with their mouths full saying ‘holy sh!t’ as they reach across the table for another bite.” We were, Roy…we absolutely were!

Best entertainment experience: MeowWolf/Omega Mart (Cirque du Soleil’s KA was a close second for its technical virtuosity)

There is a Meow Wolf in Denver, and we’re now really sad that we didn’t explore at the time (Denver, we’ll be back in the fall!). These brilliant, creative folks have brought together artists of all sorts to craft what they describe as “immersive art experiences.” Each site (Las Vegas, Denver, Santa Fe) has a different theme—the concept in Vegas is a state of the art grocery store called Omega Mart (and to say more than that would be a huge spoiler). We spent over two hours exploring Omega Mart, and one of us (guess who?!) went back to explore a second time! We loved the creativity and audacity of this experience…we also loved that it brought together so many artists to collaborate at large scale across a variety of media. 

Best museum experience: Neon Museum

OK, if we had all the money and space in the world, we’d probably start collecting old signs. We just love them, especially neon and other lit signs. Thankfully, the Neon Museum is doing it for us! ”Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment.” This place was fascinating… and a wonderful example of how artifacts of any kind, displayed and interpreted well, can draw folks into the history of a region and/or era. 

By the way, we also loved the various speakeasies and “secret” restaurants tucked into hotels and casinos along the strip! At The Lock, we filled out brief questionnaires about likes and dislikes, which the bartender then used to create drinks just for us…so fun to sit at the bar and chat with him while he worked his cocktail magic!