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City Cast Las Vegas

Find the best that Las Vegas has to offer.

Rob Kachelriess

 by Las Vegas Weekly readers in the annual Best of Vegas awards. We’re incredibly grateful for this honor and thank everyone who took the time to cast a vote. Seriously, thank you! 🙏

We also want to shine a spotlight on some of the other winners who’ve been featured in our podcast or newsletter.

 … who generously offered tickets for a special 

 … and general manager Kip Kelly who always brings the fun when 

Best Art Gallery: Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum

 … which hosted a live recording of City Cast Las Vegas to 

Best New Strip Bite: Maroon by Kwame Onwuachi

 … which wasn’t far behind, and had been 

 … another repeat winner! And where City Cast Las Vegas hosted a 

 for Neighbors in our membership program 🎄

, who opened SMKD BBQ and Hayworth within months of each other. Read about both on our running list of 

Best Arts District Lounge: Cornish Pasty Co.

 … a dive bar with great burgers that’s 

musician, author, and jack of all trades P Moss

Best Antique Shop: Charleston Antique Mall

 … which saw lots of changes over the past year, and 

Best Passport to Free Fun: The Las Vegas-Clark County Library Card

For the second year in a row, City Cast Las Vegas was named "Best Vegas Podcast" by Las Vegas Weekly readers.

City Cast Las Vegas Wins "Best Vegas Podcast" for the Second Straight Year

City Cast Las Vegas Repeats as 'Best Vegas Podcast' in Las Vegas Weekly’s Best of Vegas Awards

Find the best of everything that Las Vegas has to offer.

Las Vegas’s Best

Las Vegas' Best

 is a stage production about how Canadians and Americans can rely on each other in difficult times. So yes, it’s a story we can all use right now — and it happens to close out the latest season of 

 at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park with 10 performances this month. You can also take a day trip to Boulder City for the Nevada Shakespeare Festival's free presentation of 

Julius Caesar: Welcome to Rome on the Edge

, which runs from Sept. 4 to Jan. 4. The pieces include anything that’s vintage and made by hand, including toys and clothes. Meanwhile, it’s last call for 

Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt

 earlier this year and was fascinated by the collection. The run ends Sept. 13.

) brings together the Filipino dishes of Justin Barnes and the Mexican recipes of Mariana Alvarado Garcia for 

, a cross-cultural, multi-course meal at Winnie & Ethel’s. You have three dates to choose from: Sept. 11, 18, and 25. The price is just $78 per person.

 returns with its first full season under the direction of new conductor and music director Rei Hotoda, who was hired after an 

. The first shows fall on Sept. 12-13 with a 

tribute to Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli

. In the months ahead, the Philharmonic will perform the music of Beethoven, Handel, Brahms, and more, including John Willliams with a live score to match a screening of the original “Star Wars.” (No, I’m not calling it “A New Hope.”)

Food festivals are few and far between during the hottest days of summer, so we’re excited to see big culinary events back on the calendar this month. 

 returns to the Wynn Sept. 18-20 — a series of dinners and tastings headlined by 

 dine-around on the pavilion lawn and the all-you-can-eat 

, featuring food by your favorite celebrity chefs. 

 follows Sept. 24-27 with dinners, tastings, cocktails, panels, and seminars at the Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, and Park MGM. The poolside 

 begin at $175. But we have more food and fun this month:

The Big Jiggly Cookout Labor Day Celebration

 at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

🇲🇽 Mexican Independence Day Celebrations

Las Vegas likes to celebrate Mexican Independence Day weekend with a bigtime boxing match — although the megafight rematch between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao at the Sphere 

 for reasons I still don’t understand. You can still catch a welterweight showdown between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn at the T-Mobile Arena, plus a 

, who’s more than happy to keep the Sphere occupied.

Discover the best things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2026! From vibrant fall festivals to concerts, plan your perfect autumn getaway with our ultimate local guide.

Your Guide to Las Vegas in September 2026

Catch it while you can. Cirque du Soleil’s newest, but four-year-old Las Vegas production, 

, performs for the last time on Sept. 5. How does it rank among other resident shows on the Strip by the French-Canadian entertainment company?

When in doubt, go with O, the one Cirque show we all agree to love. The short "oh" sound in the name is inspired by "eau,” which is French for water — and 1.5 million gallons of it is used on stage at the Bellagio for splash-filled dives and other stunts.

The only live show ever officially licensed and approved by the Beatles parent company ran at the Mirage from 2006 until the resort closed in 2024. You couldn’t go wrong with the music alone, remixed from the master tapes for a custom sound system, but the vintage London imagery was a trip back to the 1960s.

Launched in 1993 at Treasure Island, Mystère is the oldest Cirque production in Vegas, but never feels stale. It’s almost like a greatest hits of what Cirque is about — no theme necessary — and just trippy enough to not weird out the masses.

I have a soft spot for this MGM Grand production and its levitating stage, even though I once wrote a story about its habit of 

Running for more than 13 years at Mandalay Bay, this dance-heavy production has some resilient staying power to match the enduring (or perhaps … 

) appeal of Michael Jackson. The plotline is meh 👎 But the hologram finale ends the show on a high note.

Cirque’s only adults-only show on the Strip wasn’t afraid to get topless, have a drag queen host, and play around with sexuality. Despite its risque nature, it lasted seven years until the pandemic shut everything down in 2020. It never reopened.

Mad Apple took over Zumanity’s old New York-New York theater in 2022 with a theme to match the casino itself. The show represented a new era for Cirque, toning down pricey production spectacle in favor of New Yawker energy and attitude, adding up to a Spiegelword-esque variety show with breakdancing, basketball dunking, and standup comedy.

I know I’ve seen this show. I remember nothing about it. Zarkana lasted four years before its theater was demolished in 2016 to expand the Aria’s trade show space — revealing where the real money is generated in Vegas.

Somehow, Cirque couldn’t make Elvis work in Vegas, perhaps reflecting the waning appeal of the King with younger generations. After debuting at the Aria in 2009, the show was scrapped in 2012 for Zarkana.

Cirque’s biggest dud tried to model itself after a moody action flick at the Luxor, but was underwhelming and violated the cardinal sin of giving us too much story. It was cancelled after just a year in 2020 … 

 the pandemic was even an excuse to do so.

An un-Cirque-like collaboration with Criss Angel (Believe) and Blue Man Group, which the company bought in 2017.

Mad Apple performs its final show on Sept. 5. See where the production ranks among the Strip's Cirque du Soleil history. 

The Best Cirque du Soleil Shows in Vegas History

Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas Legacy: Ranked

Las Vegas has never shied away from weird and wacky tourist attractions, but as we continue to 

📷 The Palms just turned the exterior video wall on the 423-foot-long Ivory Tower into the world’s tallest photo booth. (We think. I haven’t checked with the record keepers at Guinness to confirm it.) It’s called 

 — and will allow you to become a part of the Vegas skyline during special activations and entertainment events.

 to send in their (used? 😬) baseball caps for consideration in a “larger than life” hat wall at 

, the country star’s upcoming honky tonk at the Flamingo. My thoughts and prayers to the intern assigned to sort through the donations.

, increasing the capacity from just 175 people to nearly 1,200. Now renamed the Meta Apex (thanks for the sponsorship, Mr. Zuckerburg), the venue is part of the same Southwest Valley campus that’s home to UFC headquarters — and a nice 

 to bigger cage fights at the T-Mobile Arena.

🎰 Don’t discount the power of a casino rewards club promotion, but this one is unusually good. 

 with barely a string attached. New and current loyalty club members can claim the promotion Mondays through Wednesdays until Sept. 7.

🎄 Celebrate Christmas … with Creed 🎸 Relive the late ‘90s and the early aughts as the rock band takes the Mariah Carey route and performs 

🤔 A lie in the sky? As previewed in our guide to August, the 

 is now open atop the Mandalay Bay hotel. Booze, views, and DJs are nothing new in Vegas, but as our friend Corey Levitan at casino.org 

, the venue isn’t really on the 63rd floor 

. The number is completely made up. If you want to be accurate, the Vinyl Room is on the 43rd floor.

Want your photo to be a part of the skyline? Vegas is full of weird new things to do these days. 

New Tourist Attractions in Las Vegas

What Vegas Needs Now: Offbeat Tourist Attractions

Summer is winding down and Las Vegas remains busy as we avoid the heat and look ahead to booze, food, sports, shopping, culture, and a big celebration for an iconic Strip resort.

🥃 Mix Drinks and Music at Two New Bars

Goodbye Foundation Room. Say hello to the 

, which takes over the 63rd-floor perch at Mandalay Bay. The lounge opens Aug. 8 with food, drinks, music on high-fidelity vinyl sound systems, and an atmosphere inspired by Japan’s jazz kissa listening rooms. Yes, you still get the awesome views. Country fans will be more interested in 

, which brings the beer-soaked line dancing of 

 at Santa Fe Station to Sunset Station in Henderson on Aug. 15.

🎂 Wish a Happy Birthday to Caesars Palace

August 5 marks 60 years since Caesars Palace opened on the Las Vegas Strip. To celebrate, the resort is rolling out special 

 at bars and restaurants throughout the property all month long. The Bacchanal Buffet is even offering some throwback dishes like Duck à l'Orange, Clams Casino, and Oysters Rockefeller. (Sorry, no throwback prices.) For a deeper dive into the history of the place, the Mob Museum presents 

Not Built in a Day: The Epic Story of Caesars Palace

, a discussion free to attend with paid admission on Aug. 6.

🛍️ Hit the Markets for Local Shopping

 is back with a Night Market at UnCommons on Aug. 1, plus a series of smaller Sunday Neighborhood Market events at Akin Cooperative in the Arts District. You can also shop for items by local vendors at the 

 inside the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet Aug. 21-23, 

 at Santa Fe Station Aug. 27, and a UFO-themed 

🎉 Feel the Fireworks (and Super Bingo 👀) at the Plaza

The Plaza Hotel & Casino seems to be especially busy in August. It’s the final full month of Friday night Welcome to the Weekend fireworks, the Latin-themed 

 extended its run with additional performances, and 

 before) is one of the most exciting ways to cash in on the classic casino game.

It's no surprise to see two restaurants with Michelin recognition show up in Vegas during the same week the influential dining guide announces its new Southwest lineup. Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of Chicago’s Michelin-starred Kasama join Serigne Mbaye of Dakar NOLA and Casa Playa chef Sarah Thompson for a multi-course 

 dinner at the Wynn on Aug. 25, blending Filipino, Senegalese and Mexican influences. The menu includes Kasama’s short rib kare-kare, Thompson’s uni infladita with bone marrow and Mbaye’s take on Senegalese dibi with grilled prawns and mushrooms. Reservations are available 6-8 p.m.

The season is beginning to wind down as the Aces look to capture another WNBA championship. Head to the Palms for 

 to watch the team dominate the rest of the league: the pool Aug. 9, the sportsbook Aug. 23, and Ghostbar (on the 55th floor of the hotel tower) Sept. 24. (Consider that last one a preview of 

month.) Drink specials will be available at all three.

🇯🇵 Immerse Yourself in Japanese Culture

Taiko & Traditions: A Day of Japanese Arts

, free with admission on Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with family-friendly performances and activity stations. The 

 comes to the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA on Aug.15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a day of food trucks, culture, memorial lanterns, and more — all in the independent Okinawan spirit of Japan’s Ryukyu Islands.

Las Vegas has new bars, cultural festivals, shopping, parties, and more this month. 

Things to Do in Las Vegas August 2026

Your Guide to Las Vegas in August 2026

Sure, you can go with sake, but some of our favorite Asian restaurants take pride in offering exceptional wine lists. It’s just one of the reasons we're excited to see the original 

 location reopen last month at Historic Commercial Center.

“Many of these wines have been carefully preserved in temperature-controlled storage since the original Sahara location closed in 2017, allowing them to continue aging under ideal conditions,” according to co-owner and operating partner Penny Chutima, daughter of James Beard Award-winning chef Saipin Chutima, whose recipes made Lotus of Siam a bucket-list dining experience.

“Many of our most prized bottles remained with the collection,” Chutima says, noting the restaurant has 2,000 to 5,000 bottles, representing a wide variety of producers, regions, and vintages. “Guests will find several vintages of Pétrus, verticals of J.J. Prüm, and an exceptional selection of older French and German wines, many dating back to before the 2000s. We also have a rare Scarecrow flight, along with a few highly sought-after bottles from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.”

Another Lotus of Siam location, near Flamingo and Paradise, has a smaller wine list, described by Chutima as “more approachable and fun.” Both restaurants, however, take pride in variety, while making a point to showcase Rieslings, which are typically lighter and sweeter, cutting and balancing the bold flavors of traditional Thai cuisine.

Bank Atcharawan, a former sommelier at Lotus of Siam, followed a similar approach while venturing out with his own concepts. After putting his stamp on 

 (with locations in Chinatown and Henderson), he’s moved on to 

, which occupies an intimate space off Spring Mountain Road. Like the restaurant itself, the wine list feels like a well-kept secret, featuring unfamiliar, but exceptional labels that often hover in an affordable $30 to $50 price range. Atcharawan also has a soft spot for 

 and usually carries at least one orange wine on the list.

When it comes to the Strip, you can’t go wrong with deep, indulgent wine programs at 

 is a Korean steakhouse that makes an especially strong point to showcase a thoughtful 1,200-label wine list. Ask nicely, and you can even take a sommelier-led tour of the wine “cellar” — a temperature controlled room that glows in red light near the main entrance. COTE isn’t afraid to stock up on jumbo-sized bottles like magnums and jeroboams for large parties, but the real finds are in the Old World varietals, especially the Burgundy and Bordeaux options, that pair well with Korean marinades and a multi-course selection of meats grilled by your server at the table.

The original Lotus of Siam is back — and leading a wave of Asian restaurants in Las Vegas that make it a priority to offer great wine.

Asian Restaurants with Amazing Wine in Las Vegas

Asian Restaurants with Amazing Wine Lists

City Cast Las Vegas wants to wish all the dads out there — hello Wayne! 👋 — a fantastic Father’s Day this weekend. You can score a few freebies on Sunday too 👀

 at Green Valley Ranch is giving dads a free Old Fashioned. It pairs well with the 14 oz. prime Ribeye, which is $58.

 at the Red Rock Resort is giving dads a free draft beer with the purchase of a meal. Go with the special (baby back ribs, cornbread, and baked beans for $32) and a $13 peanut butter cup cigar for dessert.

 at noon on Saturday, June 20. The price is $50, but you can enter a contest to win a complimentary spot by sending the direct message #pitmaster to 

 on Instagram by midnight tonight (June 18).

 is welcoming all dads with a complimentary barrel-aged Old Fashioned on Father’s Day.

 steakhouse is giving dads a dram of Glenlivet 18 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky on the house, 5-10 p.m. at the Fontainebleau (which also has free parking for locals right now).

 water park in Henderson with the purchase of at least one other regular day ticket at the gate.

 at the Venetian is giving dads a free Harajuku cocktail (which is kinda like a Manhattan and Negroni in one) and some of the restaurant’s steak seasoning to take home. If you want to splurge, a six-ounce A4 Japanese Wagyu tenderloin is $150 for Father’s Day.

🍣 This isn’t specifically a Father’s Day deal, but it happens to fall on the holiday: 

 is giving everyone a free signature roll with the purchase of an entree on every Sunday in June.

Dads, step-dads, and granddads get to enjoy a few free perks for Father's Day on June 21.

Where Dads Get Free Stuff on Father’s Day 2026

Father's Day Freebies in Las Vegas

Have you seen those airline flights lately? Gas isn’t cheap, but a road trip could be a great excuse to get away from Las Vegas over summer. So fill up the tank, check those tires, and hit the highway for a few not-so-obvious vacation destinations in the Southwest.

Don’t let the size of Arizona intimidate you. After passing through Phoenix and Tucson (which has one of the most underrated dining scenes in the country), you’ll hit 

 right before the Mexico border. The town was founded as a Spanish military site in 1752 and evolved into a walkable art community with more than a hundred galleries. Restaurants like 

 offer a mix of Sonoran and Mexican cuisine, while the 

 showcases the history of Spanish colonial life and Native American culture. Yes, summers are hot, but generally cooler than Phoenix and other parts of the state.

Las Vegans love a good road trip to the California coast (hello Santa Monica 👋), but head a few extra miles south to 

, an oceanside community between L.A. and San Diego that hasn’t been completely overrun by tourism. Parking is generally free and there’s only one hotel on the beach (

, renovated from an apartment complex). The village has its share of historic Victorian architecture and art murals with barely a chain in sight. Two restaurants, 

Beyond Zion and Bryce Canyon is Escalante, a quiet community that values the great outdoors along Utah Scenic Byway 12. Spend the night at 

 that has its own outdoor movie theater) and explore the rugged terrain of the 

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

. A drive on Hell’s Backbone is a tense, white-knuckle route that towers above winding canyons, but your reward is a meal in Boulder at 

, an arts-centric restaurant with menus based on local meats and produce.

There’s a lot to love about Williams, Arizona — even beyond the free 

museum dedicated to fossilized dinosaur poop

. One of the last active routes on Route 66, the small town celebrates the Old West and mid-century road trip culture in equal doses with small businesses, bars, and dining spots in locations where saloons and brothels used to operate. It’s also home to the 

, a train that takes a direct route to the gates of the 

Fill up the tank, check those tires, and hit the highway for a few not-so-obvious vacation destinations in the Southwest.

Summer Road Trips From Las Vegas 2026

Off-Beat Summer Road Trips From Las Vegas

Layla Muhammad

From dining to entertainment and more, City Cast Las Vegas has some ideas for making the most of June. 

🍽️ The Best Excuse to Eat Out This Month

 runs June 1 through 12 and it is one of the tastiest times of year in Las Vegas. Dining spots throughout the valley are offering special prix fixe menus, with proceeds supporting Three Square Food Bank's mission to fight hunger in Southern Nevada. It’s a great opportunity to check out what’s new at a neighborhood restaurant like Bar Boheme or get a deal at pricer Strip destinations like Cote. Make your reservations now before the good ones fill up.

, but June is still Pride Month and the city knows how to show up. The Las Vegas Aviators are hosting 

 on Thursday, June 4, with a pregame party starting at 6 p.m., $2 beer specials, and first pitch at 7:05 p.m. against the Reno Aces. Five dollars from every ticket sold benefits Las Vegas Pride.

🖼️ Three Museums Worth Leaving the House For

Las Vegas museums are having a moment. The Mob Museum kicks off its 

 on June 1, blending craft brews with organized crime history. The 

 takes over the Punk Rock Museum June 20 and 21 with ink, live music, and chaos. And on June 27, the 

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