A Super Bowl in Las Vegas is comparable to a child going to Disney World. Well, not that good but enjoyable! Las Vegas on a regular weekend is quite the experience for someone visiting for the first time. If you are going for Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, you have two marquee teams with winning traditions. But before or after the game you should make time to take in the town. I have been to Vegas over 75 times for business and pleasure. Here are 5 things to do.
In & Out Burger: A great hamburger place! There is always a line so be prepared to wait. Once you place your order you wait 8-10 minutes for your food. The location is right near the LINQ Casino Hotel and close to the Monorail, right off the Las Vegas Strip.
The Las Vegas Strip: The Strip is an experience. All this neon and glitz is coming at you so have your camera or your phone charged and ready! Nothing like it at night! Do not let the view from your hotel room fool you. Nothing is as close as it seems visually in Vegas, but driving or renting a car is not recommended. Take an Uber or the Monorail for transportation. Stay on the main drag and you will be safe. There is a police presence at every other corner of the Strip.
Circa Stadium Swim: Stadium Swim is the 9th wonder of the world. The concept of a huge outdoor swimming pool with a massive television screen, multiple bars, blackjack tables and cabanas are the ingredients for the ultimate party. It is located downtown off Fremont Street. Once you leave, you can go to the Fremont Experience and be entertained by live entertainment and amusements. The Circa Las Vegas Resorts & Casino Hotel Sports Book is one of the best places you will ever go to view a sporting event. There is a cost to go to Stadium Swim that is based on demand. Expect the demand to be high during Super Bowl Week.
The NFL Experience: At every Super Bowl, the NFL sets up an area where they sell merchandise, have former NFL players sign autographs and some of the top college prospects make an appearance. Don’t expect to see any player that is participating in the game. Do expect an immersive experience where you can actively participate. The events include a 40-yard dash, two-minute drills and Extra Point Kicks. The AFC and NFC Championship Trophies will be on site along with the Lombardi Trophy. Kids under 12 get in free when accompanied by a paying adult. The Super Bowl Experience will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. It starts on Wednesday February 7 and ends on Saturday February 10.
The Tropicana Hotel- This would not have made my list on a normal weekend but this iconic landmark is scheduled for implosion on April 2 and likely become the stadium site for the new home of MLB's Athletics. The Trop opened in 1957 and is one of the last remaining original Las Vegas casinos, and was featured in the James Bond Movie “Diamonds are Forever” in 1971 and “The Godfather” in 1972. If you are big on history, visit the Tropicana.