By Bill Bradley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Sports Editor
So you’re in Vegas for the APSE Summer Convention. You made it through the last session of the day. You want to explore…. But just a little.
Never fear. You don’t have to see all of the Strip. Just leave the hotel on the north side and you’re suddenly on the LINQ Promenade.
The Promenade is a fraction of what’s on the Strip, but it gives a lot of Las Vegas flavor in a short walk.
From a tremendous array of beer to two unique attractions, the Promenade next door will allow you to tell your friends you saw the Strip with minimal effort.
Here’s the best of the Promenade from someone who has walked it too many times.
FOOD
In-N-Out Burger: Everyone east of the Mississippi River will wait in line, groan about it, look up the secret menu (“double-double animal style”) and with one bite admit they just tasted the best fast-food burger.
Sprinkles cupcakes: Want to bring home a well-known treat for the family? Right before you leave for the airport, stop by Sprinkles cupcakes. Sprinkles started in Los Angeles and has won all of those Food Network baking competitions. Pro tip: You can’t go wrong with a box of dark chocolate, red velvet, salty caramel and black & white.
Speaking of the Food Network, the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives star has just opened Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen and Bar. Don’t believe the 3.5-star rating on Yelp; the former Las Vegas resident (he went to UNLV) has a hit on his hands – at least via worth of mouth. In fact, if you’re stuck in your hotel room reading football preview copy, get takeout from here. It’s fast and really good.
Speaking of food celebrities, check out Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips for a quick bite to eat. You won’t find him berating the cooks, but you will love the batter on the fresh cod.
Hash House A Go Go: A Las Vegas breakfast staple that is known for huge portions. The go-to side here is the griddled mashed potatoes. They’re so good you’ll want to recreate them when you get home.
JaBurritos: Who knew that the ingredients in a poke bowl (that’s Hawaiian goodness to you) could be so good in a seaweed or tortilla burrito. This is truly addictive.
DRINK
Yard House: Yes, it’s a chain. But it’s hard to go wrong with 160 taps when you don’t have to drive back to the hotel. The beer menu is packaged well, like your favorite sports section. If you like wheat beers, Mexican lagers or IPAs, there are lots of them on the menu.
American Beer and Cocktails: Speaking of beer, this establishment has canned beer from every state…. EVERY STATE. It’s just the place if you’re feeling homesick for your favorite malted hops and grains or want to prepare for that Super Bowl menu.
O’Shea’s Irish Pub: This is not your average Irish pub. Yes, there’s Guinness on tap (if you wait for the foam to go down). There’s table games like black jack and roulette besides the darts for those who think they’re Ted Lasso.
ENTERTAINMENT
Brooklyn Bowl: There’s a good chance this venue will be open by mid-August. If so, some of the best small bands (and sometimes big bands) play in this intimate music arena. The acoustics are pretty darn good and the atmosphere is fun.
Fly LINQ Zipline: This is the newest zipline in Las Vegas (we have a few of them). But it’s the only one that takes you right to the Strip with 10 lanes of flying. And it’s always fun for people watching from ground level.
High Roller Observation Wheel: We saved the best for last. If you do one thing outside the hotel, do the High Roller, which quickly has become an icon on the Strip since opening seven years ago. It is currently the world’s tallest Ferris Wheel. The pods are big enough for a party – and some have bars. Pro tip: Go at dusk and watch a beautiful sunset.
Here’s the link to register: https://apsportseditors.com/apse-summer-conference-registration-hotel-reservations-are-now-open/
Next up: What to do on the Strip near the hotel.
