Las Vegas is gearing up for the biggest Super Bowl party ever
All about the food, festivals, music, and more.
You can get your kicks a few different ways in Las Vegas. For some, it's about the thrill of a big jackpot. For others, it's the roar of the crowd when the home team scores against a heated rival. I've lived in Vegas for more than 12 years now. Over that time, I've seen this city built on sin turn into a bona fide sports town, where the action on the field, court or ice is just as exciting as placing a winning bet at a casino sports book.
Suddenly, Vegas has major-league champions–the Golden Knights in the NHL and the Aces in the WNBA–and now the Strip is gearing back up for an even bigger sports event. Super Bowl LVIII arrives at Allegiant Stadium on February 11. Scoring a ticket to the Super Bowl isn't easy (or cheap), but whether you have one or not, Las Vegas is still a great place to be as the top teams in football square off for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. So here's a rundown of what to see and do during that week.
Hit up events, beyond the game
Las Vegas loves to party and the Strip will be loaded with events leading up to the big game. For the first time ever, the general public is invited to attend the LVIII Opening Night festivities (with tickets priced at an all-inclusive $30) at Allegiant Stadium. The LVIII Experience runs throughout the week (February 7-10) at the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center with autograph sessions, exhibits, interactive experiences and lots more. It's also your best place to buy official Super Bowl swag.
The Taste of the NFL brings high-profile celebrity chefs together for tasting menus to benefit GENYOUth at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center in Downtown Vegas 3-7 p.m. on February 10. Vegas native Guy Fieri hosts Flavortown Tailgate on the day of the Super Bowl with food from more than 20 local restaurants and music by DJ Diplo and country star Dustin Lynch. The festival is free to attend and takes place near the High Roller wheel outside the LINQ 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. That's just the tip of the iceberg with parties and other events in the days and weeks leading up to the big game. Download the NFL OnePass app to stay up to date with the latest Super Bowl happenings around town. You may also find a few ticket packages still available.
Stay on the Strip to be close to the action
Allegiant Stadium is just west of the Strip and a short walk from Mandalay Bay, accessible via Hacienda Drive which closes to traffic during Raiders home games and other stadium events. The walk always has a party atmosphere, which should be bigger and better than ever for the Super Bowl.
While Mandalay Bay has the closest proximity to the game, any hotel on the south end of the Strip is also convenient—either by foot or a free tram that runs between the Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Newer luxury hotels like Resorts World or Fontainebleau, which just opened in mid-December, are redefining the north end of the Strip.
Check out some up-and-coming neighborhoods
Despite its growth in recent years, Las Vegas is still a small town that's easy to navigate, whether driving on your own or taking a taxi/rideshare. Book a night at the brand-new Durango in the Southwest Valley, a fast-growing residential corner of Las Vegas or the casino-free English Hotel in the ultra-hip Downtown Arts District, home to great restaurants like Esther's Kitchen and SoulBelly BBQ as well as lounges like Garagiste Wine Bar and Velveteen Rabbit for cocktails. Circa is the newest and tallest hotel on the Fremont Street Experience, the heart of Downtown (or "Old Vegas"), where you can see iconic sights like Vegas Vic (the smoking neon cowboy), take a ride on the SlotZilla zipline or watch video shows on Viva Vision, an overhead LED canopy screen that's the largest of its kind in the world. It's just a short walk from Fremont East, a popular hangout for nightlife and shopping.
See a big show
Some of the most famous entertainers in the world will be in town for Super Bowl Weekend—and you can catch a few of 'em on stage. U2 are the hottest act on the Strip right now, mixing music and technology inside the Sphere during Super Bowl Week on February 7, 9-10. I lucked out and got to check out the show opening night and watching the band perform in front of a 160,000-square-foot, shape-shifting video wall was an unprecedented concert experience. You can also catch Adele at Caesars Palace, Kelly Clarkson at Planet Hollywood, The Black Crowes at the Palms or Kool & The Gang at the Westgate February 9-10. Zach Bryan plays one night at the Cosmopolitan February 9. If you're looking to laugh, Shaquille O'Neal presents All Star Comedy Jam–featuring D.L. Hughley, Earthquake, Desi Banks, Aida Rodriguez and host Deon Cole – at Resorts World, Sebastian Maniscalco performs at the Wynn, and podcast co-hosts Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer team up at the MGM Grand Garden Arena February 9-10.
Cross a few big Vegas attractions off your bucket list
You're in Vegas. Do a few things you can tell your friends about – in addition to the Super Bowl, of course. Take in a show at the iconic Fountains of Bellagio. It's free along with a visit to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in the resort's lobby. The exhibit pays tribute to Lunar New Year in mid-February. You can also soak in the sights from the 550-foot-tall High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ or the 108th floor viewing deck at The Strat (formerly known as the Stratosphere) tower. Spend the day learning about the history of Las Vegas at the Mob Museum (inside a historic courthouse) or Neon Museum, where vintage signs and marquees are preserved and displayed in an outdoor yard. Postcard from Earth is a must-see cinematic presentation that runs at the Sphere on days when U2 is not performing. You'll be blown away by different environments that come to life on screen in crystal-clear 16K resolution.
Cheer on your favorite team… from anywhere
Okay, so you might not have a ticket to the Super Bowl — those don't come cheap — but you can still enjoy the atmosphere of the event while attending viewing parties throughout Las Vegas. Flanker at Mandalay Bay is my favorite sports bar in Vegas right now. It's got a great food menu, including an incredible Wagyu smash burger, and is within a short walk of Allegiant Stadium, making it the ultimate pre-game and post-game party spot. The George at Durango has a fun backyard party area for watching games on a high-def video wall and The Tavern at Fontainebleau is a sportsbook with a restaurant built around it. The Downtown scene is dominated by Circa, whether you're placing a bet at the world's largest sportsbook or soaking in the action at Stadium Swim, a heated rooftop pool deck with a foot video wall to watch football's greatest game. The Westgate SuperBook is a local favorite with its own dedicated parking, making it easy to place a wager and watch the game. No matter where you end up, you can't say Vegas doesn't give you plenty of options.