{"id":10913,"date":"2011-01-05T06:00:17","date_gmt":"2011-01-05T12:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=10913"},"modified":"2016-12-15T13:49:06","modified_gmt":"2016-12-15T19:49:06","slug":"las-vegas-vacations-5-vegas-date-nights-to-rev-up-romance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2011\/01\/las-vegas-vacations-5-vegas-date-nights-to-rev-up-romance\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Vegas date nights to rev up romance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nosh on some of the best sushi in Las Vegas at Bellagio’s Yellowtail.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Joe Ward<\/em><\/p>\n

When it comes to date nights, I’ll be the first to admit: My past M.O. involved a movie and dinner at TGIF. (Maybe you can relate.) But being a resident of the ever-twinkling and bustling Las Vegas<\/a>, it recently dawned on me that it was time to shake things up.\u00a0That’s when I decided to surprise \u00a0my girlfriend with something more fantastic — date nights dressed up as Las Vegas vacations<\/a>. \u00a0After all, what’s more exciting than being a tourist in the Entertainment Capital of the World?<\/p>\n

If your ready for a more exceptional kind of date night, it doesn’t get any betterthan Vegas.\u00a0Behold five tried-and-true Las Vegas date nights that will have your sweetheart saying, “You had me at hotel.”<\/p>\n

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Date 1: Bellagio<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Looking to \u201cfancy\u201d up date night, I made reservations at Yellowtail <\/strong>at Bellagio — probably one of the most unique sushi restaurants in Las Vegas.\u00a0 You can’t beat the view of Lake Como or the patio area with views of the water show.\u00a0 Start with the Big Eye Tuna Pizza appetizer, which is dressed in truffle oil and bursts with huge flavor, then order the show stopper: the Popping Spicy Crab roll, a delightful throwback to a favorite childhood candy.<\/p>\n

After dinner, I pulled out the big guns: tickets to “O” by Cirque Du Soleil<\/a>, a sensory explosion with some fantastic water scenes. Saying any more would give the show away, but you and your beloved will definitely be amazed by the stage and acrobats.\u00a0We wrapped up the night with a stroll through the Botanical Garden<\/strong> in the hotel lobby, where elaborate designs blossom with each season.<\/p>\n

Travel tip:<\/strong> Bellagio is still one of the most popular hotels in Las Vegas so definitely make reservations<\/a>.\u00a0 If you own an iPhone or iPad, download the Cirque du Soleil app for access to ticket promotions!<\/p>\n

Date 2: The Mirage Hotel and Casino<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Riding on the theatrical highs of “O,” this time I decided to take my girlfriend to see “LOVE”\u00a0 by Cirque Du Soleil,<\/strong> a tribute to the Beatles. My lady is a huge Beatles fan so it was the perfect fit. From the opening act to the finale, the show immerses the audience in a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. If John, Paul, George and Ringo feel like they’re actually singing in your ears, that’s by no mistake. Each seat has built-in speakers.<\/p>\n

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See “LOVE” by Cirque Du Soleil at’ Mirage Hotel and Casino.<\/p><\/div>\n

For a romantic meal, we stopped by Stack<\/strong>, which specializes in date-friendly small plates that are meant to be shared. Definitely try the adult tater tots, a gussied-up version of the classic with bacon and brie.\u00a0Dessert beckoned us to Carnegie Deli<\/strong>,\u00a0 where a slice of cheesecake was the size of our heads. What a sweet nightcap to the perfect date.<\/p>\n

Travel tip: <\/strong> Stack offers a Prix Fixe tasting menu for $39.99 (USD) that includes an appetizer, entree and dessert.\u00a0 My favorite combo is the Lobster Taco appetizer, Penne Pasta, and for dessert the JellyDonut Munchkin holes.\u00a0 Looking for discount Cirque Tickets?\u00a0 Become a member of the Cirque Fan Club (it\u2019s free) and you’ll score discount tickets to all of your favorite shows.<\/p>\n

Date 3: Luxor Hotel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Because every relationship needs a heavy dose of comedy, we made a bee line for Luxor, which hosts nightly performances of Carrot Top<\/strong>. He kept us laughing during the entire performance with his outrageous props,\u00a0 social commentary and a finale — not to give too much away — that left the whole audience wondering how this scrawny guy from the 1-800-Call ATT commercials became such a beefcake.<\/p>\n

Date 4: Mandalay Place<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Thankfully my girlfriend doesn’t require champagne and caviar to be wooed. That’s where the mall between Luxor and Mandalay Bay<\/a> known as “Mandalay Place”\u00a0comes in. Both Burger Bar <\/strong>and Hussong’s<\/strong> offer great casual dining options that are easy on the pocket book. At Burger Bar, you can create your own customized burger for about $9.\u00a0 If you go to Hussong\u2019s, win her over with Plazero Grilled Corn appetizer, a grilled white corn on the cob that can be brushed with mayo-butter and covered with cotija cheese and chili flakes. \u00a0(You may want to avoid smooching directly afterward.)<\/p>\n

Travel tip:<\/strong> If you’re driving, park at the valet at Mandalay Place — perhaps the quickest and easiest to valet to get out of. \u00a0This valet is also the closest to the show room.\u00a0 Luxor has a special deal running right now: $75 (USD) for two shows.\u00a0 You can see any show at either Luxor or Excalibur<\/a> for $75 per person; call the box office directly to book.\u00a0 Active military and civil service employees (fire\/police) can receive a discount as well.<\/p>\n

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Views of Aria and CityCenter.<\/p><\/div>\n

Date 5:\u00a0Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Probably one of our best dates even with all of the exercise from walking everywhere.\u00a0\u00a0 We decided to check out CityCenter to experience the \u201cBig City” — CityCenter’s city-within-a-city experience, overflowing with hotels, shops, restaurants and art.<\/p>\n

The architecture is a feast for the eyes. Glass, steel, leaning buildings — it has it all. One of our most memorable experiences was strolling the art galleries at the entrance of Aria. Our first stop was Richard MacDonald<\/strong>, famous for his bronze sculptures depicting the human form.\u00a0 The gallery pays tribute to Cirque du Soleil performers with pieces that hearken to a flying gymnast caught in mid-air and then frozen into bronze. Pretty cool — kind of like the scene from Star Wars where Han Solo gets frozen into Carbonite.<\/p>\n

Next door to Richard MacDonald, the Rodney Lough Jr. Wilderness Collections Gallery<\/a> was our next stop, followed by the gallery featuring the works of Dale Chihuly<\/a> whose signature piece is the glass flower ceiling at Bellagio. Don’t bring a clumsy date here because the glass artwork starts at around $1,000.<\/p>\n

After we had our fill of art, we decided to check out Aria Hotel.\u00a0 Just walking into the hotel is spectacular!\u00a0 From the Focus water wall at the entrance to the largest bust of Elvis we’ve ever seen, the hotel\u00a0 mesmerizes. Our whirlwind visit was nothing short of spectacular, starting with Deuce Lounge<\/strong>, a VIP club without the pretense, plus kitschy photos of Christopher Walken and blackjack tables. Next up: Crystals<\/strong>, a mall with high-end designers like Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Hermes, Louis Vitton, and Tiffany\u2019s. Fearing for my credit card to be maxed out, I dragged my girlfriend back to the casino.<\/p>\n

And because no date in Sin City would be complete without an Elvis sighting, we hit Viva Elvis<\/strong>, a compilation of the King’s music and Cirque Du Soleil. The performance is definitely more old-school than typical Cirque, with booths and long couches lending a retro feel.<\/p>\n

Finally, we finished off the night at\u00a0 Jean Phillipe Patisserie<\/strong>.\u00a0 This world renowned pastry chef is known for the World\u2019s Largest Chocolate fountain at Bellagio.\u00a0 A coupleof pieces of chocolate for my girl and a scoop of pistachio gelato for me and the night was done.\u00a0 We were tired but it was well worth it.<\/p>\n

Travel tip:<\/strong> Plan your dates and Las Vegas vacations when the weather is comfortable (March to May or September to early November), so you can walk outside with our freezing or sweating. \u00a0The great thing about CityCenter is that you can walk around and see all the art and architecture for FREE.\u00a0 Just wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. Check out the gallery websites for special events — you might be able to catch the artist at the gallery and get something autographed.\u00a0A tram also connects City Center to Bellagio and Monte Carlo.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t want to park at Aria, you can park at one of these properties and take the tram.<\/p>\n

Related resources<\/strong><\/p>\n