Insider Tips: Discover the Hidden Gems of Las Vegas

While uncovering the latest trendsetting spots can be easily accomplished, finding the true hidden gems can be hard to come by. From tucked-away lounges to complimentary experiences to brag about, below are some little known treasures discerning guests will be glad they discovered.

Pianist to the Presidents at Bellagio

Indulge in a splendid evening at Bellagio’s Petrossian Bar with live music from the pianist to Presidents of the United States. David Osborn has performed at the White House for many politicians including Presidents Carter, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama. Guests at Petrossian Bar can relax on one of the velvet couches overlooking the casino while enjoying beautiful music played by Osborn on the one-of-a-kind Steinway Grand. Osborn plays evenings Thursday-Sunday at the elegant lounge that gently sets the mood for sophisticated tastes and discerning palates. Talk about a hidden gem.

Wind Down at the Cigar & Cognac Lounge

Upstairs from Andre's Restaurant inside Monte Carlo is the warm and welcoming Cigar & Cognac Lounge, a world of intimacy where guests can settle in by the fire with a drink and enjoy the seductive aroma of fine cigars. For the ultimate experience, let experts recommend a professional cognac and cigar pairing. It's the perfect way to cap off a dinner at Andre's, a show in the Monte Carlo Theatre or to simply wind down before turning in for the evening.

Complimentary Art Tours at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

Las Vegas' premier fine art exhibition venue, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, offers daily docent tours beginning promptly at 2 p.m. Each tour is complimentary with the purchase of admission. The 45-minute tour takes guests through exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and works on paper by the world's most influential artists. These museum-caliber displays offer visitors a rare opportunity to view legendary works of art carefully selected from prestigious international collections.

Wine Tasting on the House at Onda

Onda Wine Lounge at The Mirage is an Italian-inspired lounge where guests can enjoy a selection of wines available to taste by purchasing a tasting flight or individually. Every Friday afternoon, the lounge offers free wine tastings to guests. A selection of artisan cheeses and meats is also offered. All wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle and also by the case which can be shipped to an address of choice.

Gaming in Style on the Beach

Directly on the sand and just feet from the crashing waves, the three-story, climate-controlled, glass-fronted Beachside Casino at Mandalay Bay offers fabulous amenities for guests. At the top sits the Villas Soleil with spectacular views of the entire Mandalay Bay Beach. Ranging in size from 250 to 500 square feet, these five villas are unlike any standard cabana in Las Vegas. Each of the contemporarily designed villas accommodates up to 16 guests and comes with cabana service and access to the private third-level pool. Each features cozy modular seating and day beds in crisp colors, a restroom, wet bar, 50-inch flat-screen television, MP3 player, safe, ceiling fan and a private deck overlooking The Beach.

Swan-side Dining at Swan Court at Aureole

The exclusive Swan Court at Aureole offers private outdoor dining next to a lagoon where beautiful white swans glide gracefully. Guests can enjoy a menu of seasonal dishes including artisan dry-aged beef and fresh seafood that reflect Chef Charlie Palmer’s signature progressive American cuisine. Along with dinner, rare wines from around the world can be sampled. Aureole’s visual trademark is a four-story wine tower with its very own Wine Angel Stewards, who stylishly ascend the tower to retrieve bottles.

This is just the beginning of the amazing treasures available on The Strip. Here's more...

Sophisticated Happy Hour at West Wing Bar

The West Wing Bar at MGM Grand not only provides a secluded place to escape, but also offers an unbeatable happy hour daily from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. when guests can enjoy half-price drinks. The drink menu changes seasonally and guests can always indulge in an eclectic mix of wines, champagnes and beers. At West Wing Bar, guests are encouraged to mix and mingle with artisanal cocktails while listening to “urban lounge music” in the intimate, non-smoking atmosphere.

Drink with Flair at Rock & Rita's

The world's top flair bartenders and All-American signature dishes take center stage at Rock & Rita’s at Circus Circus. The sprawling 14,000-square-foot party spot features Team Circus Circus, a group of elite flair bartenders. The internationally known bartenders prepare drinks while flipping, juggling, spinning, balancing and pouring in amazing ways. Each bartending station is equipped with stage controls for both impromptu and scheduled shows.

Get Your Irish Jig On

Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York offers the very best of Irish traditional entertainment every night at 10 p.m. with a spectacular show called 'Routes to Roots.' The musicians play an exciting mix of Irish music to inspire and entertain new generations. On Sunday and Monday nights, guests can enjoy the sounds of Las Vegas’ rousing Irish Band, Celtic Rockers, who play a mix of Celtic and Irish rock. The remaining nights, get up and jig along to the house band, Sin É Rí-Ra, with Championship Irish Dancer Tara Reid.

Brush Up on Your Casino Games

If you find yourself struggling at the tables, come on over to Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino to learn the tricks of the trade. Monte Carlo offers guests complimentary crap lessons held daily in the casino, Thursday through Monday at 11am. If you are in need of an improved poker face, the hotel also offers free poker lessons held daily in the poker room. Stop by for your chance to get the edge you’ve been waiting for!

The Art of Cooking

Interested in learning culinary secrets from Bellagio’s award-winning restaurants and chefs? Book a reservation at the Tuscany Kitchen to experience this one of a kind exhibition kitchen in Las Vegas. Designed with meeting and convention groups in mind, flexible packages have been created to offer attendees a customized experience. The 1,170-square-foot Tuscany Kitchen offers a variety of cooking demonstrations that are coupled with a reception, a formal dinner or a tasting of food, wine or spirits. Enjoy the kitchen with team-building activities, spouse activities, unique cocktail receptions and much more!

Stellar Sake Selection

Shibuya, a modern Japanese restaurant located inside MGM Grand, presents a sake program sure to shake up the Las Vegas cocktail scene. The restaurant is best known for its signature drinks made up of sake, Japanese ingredients and American bar stock, and its vast array of sake selections – the majority of which have never before been seen in Las Vegas. Shibuya’s cocktail program is sure to please every palette!

Relax by the Fire

From Sicily to Milan, Fiamma Trattoria & Bar at MGM Grand presents traditional Italian cuisine in sleek, sexy surroundings. In addition to the authentic food selections and fresh pastas that are hand-crafted daily, guests can enjoy a fireside cocktail in the intimate lounge before or after dining. If a glass of wine sounds more appealing to the palate, Fiamma features an award-winning wine list showcasing more than 700 selections from around the world.

Best Views in Town at miX Lounge

Enjoy the best view of the Las Vegas Strip from miX Lounge soaring high atop at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. The perfect combination of culinary art, cutting-edge interior design and astounding vistas, miX offers contemporary and classic French and American dishes with global accents. Every night turns into an event at the miX Lounge with a seductive blend of music spun by savvy DJs on the pulsating dance floor. The lounge is the perfect place to spark up the night or simply relax with one of the best views of the city all for the price of one drink; though we can’t guarantee you will only want to have one.