One day in Vegas

Let’s face it: If you’re a city with a laser beam-topped pyramid and a scale model of the Eiffel Tower that looks over a mashup of Venice’s Piazza San Marco, you don’t take yourself too seriously. And that's what I love about my hometown of Vegas—it's got a sense of humor. Having lived here for more than twenty years, I can tell you: there's tons to do beyond the show-stopping spectacle of the Strip. But any day in Sin City should start with a walk along the main drag (because, really you've just got to see it).

You’d think I’d be jaded by now, but I still get a natural high from the Strip insanity: the Eiffel Tower replica, the Egyptian Pyramid, the OTT Venetian. Start with a morning walk to take it all in, stopping to check out the first editions at Bauman Rare Books and the curvy canalside streets of "Venice" (not quite as amazing as the real thing, but still highly entertaining). And don't miss the nearby Palazzo Waterfall Atrium, which is always decorated for the season and has an eye-popping two-story waterfall.

After all that eye candy, hit up the retro-style Spiegel's Bagelmania on Convention Center Drive for lunch. It's got all the bagel and schmear combos you can imagine, a novella-length menu of sandwiches, and a guy in a tux singing Sinatra in a corner.

Go off-the-beaten path. If you've done the Strip a gazillion times, head for a hike in the Red Rock Canyon about a thirty minute drive west. Or check out the city's vintage shops—there are tons of cute boutiques accross the city inluding Assistance League, Broadacres MarketPlace, Moving Avenue, and Goodwill Deja Blue.

Make your way south along to Bellagio to stroll through the verdigris, Art Nouveau-style conservatory. Every season, 120 horticulturists, engineers, and designers get together to create sky-high displays using more than 10,000 flowers—and they've never done the same thing twice.

After all this walking, you'll want to unwind with a treatment at the Waldorf-Astoria Spa—and Vegas does the spa thing right. The soothing interiors recollect 1920s-era Shanghai and I can't say enough about the Essential Stress Release treatment (with CBD enhancement). Seek out a quiet pocket in the chaos of the Strip post massage, preferably at the Petrossian Bar. It doesn't get better than munching on Hamachi tacos while listening to live piano.

Vegas is big on food, and there's always a new restaurant to try. My current go-to: the just opened Casa Playa at Encore. The dining room completely transports you to coastal Baja California—there’s even a monumental Olmec head that greets you at the front door. And the food is top-notch (order the Yucatan chicken pibil).

Don't expect to head home after dinner (there's way too much nighttime stimuli for that.) Make your way to Delilah supper club to hang out at the Little Bubble Bar and to catch whatever surprise act is on stage that night. I’ve been here when Jim Gaffigan did a surprise late-night set, and I’ve seen Justin Bieber here, too (again, total surprise). And since eating twice is always allowed in Vegas, order the bar's “Grandma’s Gooey Butter Cake” while you take in the show. It's really as good as it sounds.

When you come to Vegas, you've got to embrace the wild and wackiness of the city. Because it gets weird. These are ten only-in-Vegas experiences to check out.

You're spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels here. But my favorite sleep is the just revamped Wynn Las Vegas, with its huge casino, twenty restaurants (yes twenty), and eleven bars. Below are three other stays I love, from the affordable to the over-the-top.