If you've ever seen the posters on the tube, then you'll know Las Vegas isn't touted as a romantic destination. Unless, that is, your idea of romance consists of pulling on a dance floor and a kebab at 3am.
"Where your wild side has a wild side", the posters scream; "Where your accent is an aphrodisiac", they cry. I mean, it's not exactly catering for couples.
So when I embarked on a trip to the City of Sin (not through choice, long story) with my boyfriend, it was with some trepidation.
However steering clear of the "debauched" side of Vegas meant I explored a lesser-known personality of the desert city. And I found, underneath all the gambling, booze and one-night stands, it does have a certain charm, and there is a life outside the strip.
How To Do Las Vegas As A Couple
Pimp your ride(01 of08)
Ok, it may be flashy, and crass, and totally over the top, but when in Rome...
Believe it or not, but it's not actually that expensive to hire one of these in Vegas. And it won't only save you from being stung by ridiculous taxi fares from the airport, but it also means you can take time out to explore the desert.
And besides, nothing says romance like a bright yellow convertible. Right? (credit:Romin Mehdizadeh)
Believe it or not, but it's not actually that expensive to hire one of these in Vegas. And it won't only save you from being stung by ridiculous taxi fares from the airport, but it also means you can take time out to explore the desert.
And besides, nothing says romance like a bright yellow convertible. Right? (credit:Romin Mehdizadeh)
Exploring Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area(02 of08)
Located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, this unique desert land, encompassing nearly 200,000 acres and offering biking, hiking and spectacular photographic opportunities, is an easy side trip for millions of tourists each year.
And it's time to test out that Mustang, too. (credit:George Rose via Getty Images)
And it's time to test out that Mustang, too. (credit:George Rose via Getty Images)
Lake Mead(03 of08)
Lake Mead is your go to area in Vegas if you're a watersports junkie.
You name it, they've got it. And it's a pretty welcome cool down from the desert heat, too. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
You name it, they've got it. And it's a pretty welcome cool down from the desert heat, too. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Travel Trip Hoover Dam Lake Mead(04 of08)
The dam is considered a civil engineering wonder. It's located about 30 minutes from Las Vegas and is one of the top destinations in the region.
Not surprising as it's pretty dam spectacular. (See what I did there?) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Not surprising as it's pretty dam spectacular. (See what I did there?) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Eat at the Top of the World. Literally.(05 of08)
This restaurant is so romantic it even has a marriage proposal section on its website. Yes, really.
The restaurant is 800ft above the strip, so it's not one if you're scared of heights. Oh, and it also revolves while you're eating. The cuisine is "international", but has the typical American fare - steaks and big portions. But to be honest, even though the food is pretty good, it's the setting that's spectacular.
If you manage to time it right, you can see the sun setting over the dramatic mountains, casting a brilliant orange glow over the strip. Nighttime is definitely the best, when the casinos and clubs turn into a twinkling, shimmering lights display. And what's even better, is thanks to the rotating restaurant, there's not a bad seat in the house.
Oh, and watch out for the random people falling past your window while you eat. They run skydiving trips off the top of the building, so you'll occasionally have some upside-down company. (credit:Getty)
The restaurant is 800ft above the strip, so it's not one if you're scared of heights. Oh, and it also revolves while you're eating. The cuisine is "international", but has the typical American fare - steaks and big portions. But to be honest, even though the food is pretty good, it's the setting that's spectacular.
If you manage to time it right, you can see the sun setting over the dramatic mountains, casting a brilliant orange glow over the strip. Nighttime is definitely the best, when the casinos and clubs turn into a twinkling, shimmering lights display. And what's even better, is thanks to the rotating restaurant, there's not a bad seat in the house.
Oh, and watch out for the random people falling past your window while you eat. They run skydiving trips off the top of the building, so you'll occasionally have some upside-down company. (credit:Getty)
Take to the skies(06 of08)
In an aerobatic aeroplane. Set up by an ex-Ar Force pilot, Sky Combat Ace will fly you up in a teeny tiny plane, sit you at the front, and somersault until your stomach falls out of your mouth.
Yep, it's really that crazy.If you go up as a pair, then you get a plane each, and your pilots will flip your planes over each other, so you can wave, scream, be sick whilst looking at your partner upside down.
Even on its most basic package, an SCA trip will see you flying up vertically while the pilot cuts the engine (truly terrifying), fly heart-stoppingly close to the mountains, fly upside down (hold onto your stomach here), and everything else in between.
It's without a doubt the craziest, most extreme thing you can do in Vegas, so ditch the standard helicopter tour, and jump on one of these planes for the ride of your life. The cheapest package only lasts about 10 minutes but honestly, that is more than enough G-force for any normal person to take.
Slight word of warning: make sure you haven't got anything planned afterwards (ie, like dinner at the top of a revolving restaurant - very bad idea - as your stomach won't be in its normal place.
Luckily, a kind member of staff took pity on me and plied me with ginger ale to settle mine afterwards.Find out more at SkyCombatAce.com (credit:SCA)
Yep, it's really that crazy.If you go up as a pair, then you get a plane each, and your pilots will flip your planes over each other, so you can wave, scream, be sick whilst looking at your partner upside down.
Even on its most basic package, an SCA trip will see you flying up vertically while the pilot cuts the engine (truly terrifying), fly heart-stoppingly close to the mountains, fly upside down (hold onto your stomach here), and everything else in between.
It's without a doubt the craziest, most extreme thing you can do in Vegas, so ditch the standard helicopter tour, and jump on one of these planes for the ride of your life. The cheapest package only lasts about 10 minutes but honestly, that is more than enough G-force for any normal person to take.
Slight word of warning: make sure you haven't got anything planned afterwards (ie, like dinner at the top of a revolving restaurant - very bad idea - as your stomach won't be in its normal place.
Luckily, a kind member of staff took pity on me and plied me with ginger ale to settle mine afterwards.Find out more at SkyCombatAce.com (credit:SCA)
Shop til you drop(07 of08)
Ok, I don't care what anyone says, no matter how much money you might have, no British person turns their nose up at a bargain.
So Las Vegas' South and North Premium Outlets are a mecca for bargain hunters.
You can nab a pair of Nike flyknits for the princely sum of $60. I repeat, $60. That's compared to about £120 in the UK. (All hail the exchange rate.) Not only that, there's a shedload of designer stores to boot, and it's only a couple miles off the strip. (credit:YouTube)
So Las Vegas' South and North Premium Outlets are a mecca for bargain hunters.
You can nab a pair of Nike flyknits for the princely sum of $60. I repeat, $60. That's compared to about £120 in the UK. (All hail the exchange rate.) Not only that, there's a shedload of designer stores to boot, and it's only a couple miles off the strip. (credit:YouTube)
Sleep off-strip (08 of08)
Firstly, step away from Caesar's Palace - where rooms with decor last seen at my gran's house (sorry gran) rule the roost. And you can tick the Venetians, Palazzos (and yes, even the Bellagio) of this world off your list too. You'll end up paying through the nose for what will probably be an average room in a hotel so big you'll spend half an hour trying to get out of it.
Enter the off-strip resorts. Namely the Trump International (owned by Trump, enough said), and the Palms Place (not owned by Trump, so we'll opt for this one).
For around £60 a night, you can live it large in a one bedroom suite. And when they say suite in Vegas, they really mean it. Faux fireplaces, almost panoramic views of the strip and surrounding mountains, huge table top bar in the kitchen, free-standing jacuzzi bath overlooking one of the windows, and of course monster-sized bed - again, with a pretty impressive view. This isn't counting the vanity table booth, the bathroom that's bigger than my bedroom, and the wardrobes so big I could sleep a family in them. Yes, it may be about a mile from the strip. But, it's walkable, and it also means it's a mile from the strip. So you can escape whenever you want and retreat to your peaceful, safe haven where it's just you and your significant other.
And if you really, really want to gamble, then you can pop over to one of the sister hotels at the Palms Resort where there's slot machines aplenty. Just a note of caution - don't get too excited by the balconies, they don't actually open. But the view is damn good nevertheless.
Visit Palms.com for more information. (credit:Palms Place)
Enter the off-strip resorts. Namely the Trump International (owned by Trump, enough said), and the Palms Place (not owned by Trump, so we'll opt for this one).
For around £60 a night, you can live it large in a one bedroom suite. And when they say suite in Vegas, they really mean it. Faux fireplaces, almost panoramic views of the strip and surrounding mountains, huge table top bar in the kitchen, free-standing jacuzzi bath overlooking one of the windows, and of course monster-sized bed - again, with a pretty impressive view. This isn't counting the vanity table booth, the bathroom that's bigger than my bedroom, and the wardrobes so big I could sleep a family in them. Yes, it may be about a mile from the strip. But, it's walkable, and it also means it's a mile from the strip. So you can escape whenever you want and retreat to your peaceful, safe haven where it's just you and your significant other.
And if you really, really want to gamble, then you can pop over to one of the sister hotels at the Palms Resort where there's slot machines aplenty. Just a note of caution - don't get too excited by the balconies, they don't actually open. But the view is damn good nevertheless.
Visit Palms.com for more information. (credit:Palms Place)