Planning a guys getaway weekend? Sin City’s entertainment complexes, superb restaurants for the foodies in your crew, adrenaline-pumping adventures and over-the-top (it is Vegas, after all) art installations, mean you and your buddies could spend an ultimate boys weekend here without spending much time in the casinos—and your bank account might thank you for that. And while they say “what happens here stays here,” you’ll all probably want to brag about this epic thrill ride of a trip.
Here’s how to fill your time in Vegas so that your stories for years to come will start with, “Remember that time in Vegas when—?”
Where to stay
The new W Hotel Las Vegas adjoins the SLS and while you can take advantage of their pools, the W pool deck is adults-only and exclusive to W guests. And if the Mad Men aesthetic is your ultimate bachelor pad design goal, the lobby of the hotel will feel right at home to you. Inspired by retro Vegas details that also seamlessly integrates modern elements such as chunky tables carved out of rock and a graphic art installation created out of poker chips, this desert oasis-themed space is high on Vegas style but without veering towards a tacky level of showiness.
What to eat
Catch the game or play some yourself (grab a board game or a spot at the foosball table) at the new Beerhaus. Comfort food dominates the menu here: get your Frito pie fix, try the French fries (their perfectly crispy texture is the culmination of 18 different recipe revisions) and get a flight to taste test some of the local craft brews. For a meal that’ll have you relishing the best sort of meat sweats, hit up Carnevino. At this Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich Italian steakhouse, the service is impeccable, but you’ll likely be too taken with the dishes in front of you to take note of the servers. The octopus is braised with a wine cork, making it deliciously tender, and those in the know order a plate of the decadent beef cheek ravioli (which is not on the menu) before their 90-day dry-aged steak.
Where to sweat
Whether you’re on the greens regularly or never swung a club in your life, everyone in your crew will get into the game at Topgolf. Making it more like a game of bowling or darts except with golf, make your swing and earn points that are automatically calculated thanks to RFID-golf balls.With plenty of screens to watch the game, pools to cool off in and a plentiful menu of beers of cocktails and grub, you’ll see why stars like Justin Timberlake and Drake have hung out here. For a more traditional workout but in less than a traditional setting, book your group an art hike at Aria. Think of it as a boot camp (you’ll be doing tricep dips, burpees, running, and jump squats, for example) but in various spots around the hotel property so you get to take in the art installations (including the 40-foot tall Dance Bliss by artist Marco Cochrane, which was originally at Burning Man).
Where to fly
If YOLO is the motto of the weekend, make sure to add flying a jet while you’re in Vegas to the itinerary. That’s no typo, you get a turn at controlling the plane during the Top Gun experience at Sky Combat Ace. Go with a light meal beforehand as you’ll be doing lots of rolls and dives, and if you dare, the pilot will bring the jet to 7 or 8Gs, which may make you pass out briefly. If your squad is more the competitive type, book the dogfighting experience instead. With that adrenaline rush ticked off the list, you’ll surely want to feed your souls next with exhilarating sightlines of the Grand Canyon while sitting above it in a helicopter. The stunning bird’s eye view of the Canyon, Colorado River, and the Hoover Dam aboard a Papillon heli is a welcome break from the bright flashing lights of the Strip.
What to do
Cigar fans will find their happy place at Montecristo Cigar Bar. This luxe cigar lounge features a bar space, a handsome library-inspired space (decked out with big screen TVs), a courtyard that makes you feel like you’re outdoors and the 10-seat Vault space, which you can book for a private meeting or bachelor party. Stock up on the Casa de Montecristo cigars available exclusively in their stores while here. For an actual breath of fresh air and daylight instead of casino air and the very effective but faux natural light in the resort casinos, make the 30-minute drive to the Ivanpah Valley to see the Seven Magic Mountains while you can (it’s on display until May 2018). The installation of seven towers of colourful boulders by artist Ugo Rondinone stand tall—up to 35 feet high—in the Nevada desert, and represent this intersection of natural (the desert and mountain setting) and artificial.(the highway and traffic whizzing by).
