Las Vegas Is The Fifth Most Romantic City In America, Study Finds
In case you needed another reason to plan a trip to Las Vegas, a new study from Travel Lens has found that Las Vegas is the fifth most romantic city…
In case you needed another reason to plan a trip to Las Vegas, a new study from Travel Lens has found that Las Vegas is the fifth most romantic city in America.
The study looked at several factors, including the number of fine dining restaurants, couples activities, romantic hotels, and searches for date ideas. So whether you're planning a weekend getaway with your significant other or looking for a place to pop the question, you might want to consider Sin City.
What Exactly Makes Vegas So Romantic?
Of course, one of the main reasons why Las Vegas is such a popular destination for couples is because of the myriad of things to do. Whether you want to see a Cirque du Soleil show on the strip, gamble your heart out at one of the numerous casinos in town, or take a luxurious gondola ride through The Venetian, there's truly something for everyone and every couple. The dating game is never boring here, even for locals who have "done it all." There's always a new sight or attraction to explore here.
And let's not forget about the food! With world-renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Wolfgang Puck calling Las Vegas home, you can be sure that you'll find some amazing fine dining options. From delicious breakfast and brunch eateries to a plethora of unique dessert spots, Vegas offers the perfect variety of options for all meals, ensuring that each couple experiences their absolute favorites. As they say... The way to their heart is through their stomach!
There are also plenty of romantic hotels to choose from if you're looking for a place to stay. If you want something with a view, the Eiffel Tower Suite at Paris Las Vegas overlooks the entire city. Or if you're looking for something a little more low-key (but no less luxurious), try Caesars Palace's Garden of Gods Pool Oasis, where you can lounge in one of seven different pools surrounded by Roman sculptures. No matter what your taste, there's sure to be a hotel in Las Vegas that's perfect for you and your special someone.
Curious which U.S. cities ranked higher than Las Vegas?
Scroll to see the top 5 most romantic cities in America!
5) Las Vegas, NV
With the explanation above, not much more can be said about the endless romantic potential that lives in Las Vegas. If you've never visited Sin City, book tickets with your partner and explore the romance of the city for yourself!
4) Portland, OR
Having visited the beautiful city of Portland myself, I can speak to it's undoubted appeal to lovers. Romance is naturally in the air, as Portland received a very high score when it comes to available "couples activities." No matter your and your partners likes and interests, there is definitely an activity for you and your special someone to enjoy together.
3) Minneapolis, MN
The stunning city of Minneapolis actually tied for second place when it comes to romantic US cities. According to Travel Lens, "Famed for its tall buildings and cityscape skyline, the city is abundant with water with 13 lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls, making it the perfect couple’s vacation spot. Minneapolis also scored highly for its romantic, fine dining restaurants!
2) Miami, FL
The city of Miami is home to romantic beaches and incredible nightlife. Tied for second with Minneapolis, Miami is one of the top tourist destinations in Florida, and the city scored the highest of the U.S. cities in its number of romantic hotels and its fine dining establishments.
1) New York City, NY
Taking home the first place trophy is the fabulous New York City. Home to an endless number of attractions for couples, this city is perfect in every romantic way. New York City ranked highly in every category, from couples attractions and fine dining, to romantic hotels and the highest number of Google searches for date ideas.
Least Romantic: Virginia Beach, VA
The BONUS you didn't know you were getting, but it's seriously too good not to share. The least romantic U.S. city in America is Virginia Beach, and I have no words. This is so ironic considering Virginia's state slogan is "Virginia is for lovers!"
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7 Cheap Date Ideas In Las Vegas
Dating can be hard enough, but add crippling inflation to the pre-existing pressures, and the thought of paying for dates can have you feeling pretty discouraged.
According to a new survey by Plenty of Fish, 48% of singles are going on budget-friendly dates because of inflation and the poor economy. Who can actually afford expensive, extra classy dates in this day and age? Not many.
With gas prices souring into a new millennium, the cost of eating out blasting through the roof, and inflation causing brutal up hikes on nearly everything, one might find the thought of playing the dating game a bit stressful. Because, yeah. I think the topic of "money" has all of us at peak stress levels right now.
However, the good news is... we're all experiencing these massive price increases together. We're all in the same boat, and we're all feeling the same pain.
Las Vegas is also home to some pretty spectacular opportunity for adventure and fun. Sure, there's all of the fun, expensive touristy stuff to do. But Vegas is so much ore than that.
It's important to remember that lavish dinners and grand outings are not the only way to a potential lover's heart. After all, it's not necessarily about what you're doing - it's about who you're doing it with, right?
Low-budget dates might not be your typical bread and butter, but for those of us that are feeling the stress and burden of the ridiculous cost-of-living nowadays, a night out with good company and an inexpensive price tag couldn't sound more appealing.
For Las Vegas locals that feel like they've done it all... think again. The keys are creativity, an open mind, and a willingness to branch out and maybe try something new. What adventures can be had in the beautiful city of Las Vegas that wont break the bank?
Check out these 7 Cheap Date Ideas In Las Vegas:
7) Stargazing
A date that you can pull off with solely the cost of driving to and from your decided destination, stargazing is the perfect outing for you and that special someone. Choose a location just outside of the valley, like Mt. Charleston or Red Rock Canyon, and you're sure to see some pretty amazing stars and pretty spectacular views.
It's the perfect date for chatting and truly getting to know the one by your side, and this date is fully customizable in some pretty fun ways. Grab some blankets, pack a few snacks, and you're golden!
6) Pickleball
If you and your date are feeling a little sporty, why not try out a fun sport like pickleball? You don't have to be a pro to play this game, and trust me... It's a ton of fun!
Pick up a cheap set of pickleball paddles and balls, and head out to a free, public pickleball court. Several pickleball courts have popped up around town, and if you live within the Vegas Valley, there shouldn't be one too far from you.
5) "The $20 Date"
This one is definitely one of my favorite low-budget dates, and there's several ways to go about it.
Head to a store like Dollar Tree or Five Below, where items are guaranteed to be pretty inexpensive. Give your partner a designated amount to spend in the store, and give youself a designated amount to spend as well. Then, set some fun criteria for the allotted cash.
For a date that you might not know much about yet, you could say "Spend this $10 on your favorite must-haves for a movie night, and I'll pick out my favorites with my $10." They might pick out a cheap blanket, their favorite snack, and a couple boxes of candy, and you'll have your goodies too. This is a good date idea to learn some fun facts about each other, and the process of deciding how to spend your $10 is a blast!
For partners that know each other pretty well, you could say, "Spend this $10 on things you think I'd like, and I'll do the same with the other $10." The results are sure to end in a great time and some good laughs. Stores with guaranteed low-price items always seem to have some funky inventory sitting on their shelves, and the element of surprise adds to the fun and giggles that are sure to come.
4) Explore A Local Park
Vegas has a TON of parks, and each one has their unique offerings.
You never know what you might find or get into at one of our many fabulous parks! Visit the ducks at Sunset Park, or take a couple of fishing poles and some bait to the pond at Lorenzi Park.
If you and your date both have dogs, you could even bring your pooches along for the outing and stop by the dog park (many local parks have them)! No matter what side of town you're on, our local Las Vegas parks offer some beautiful scenery, fun activities, and, at the very least, a great path for walkin' and talkin'.
3) Drive-In Movie
There's just something that hits different about seeing a movie at the drive in... Oh wait! Maybe it's that fat wad of cash you save by not seeing it at a movie theater. Yeah, that might be it.
For the perfect, old school date night, head to the West Wind Las Vegas Drive-In. It's located on the north west side of town and features all of the latest movies. General admission tickets are typically $8.50 for ages 12 and up, and if you're trying to go on a date on a weeknight, Tuesdays are only $6.00 per person for "Family Fun Night." Cha-Ching!
2) Bingo
Listen. If you've gone and played bingo in the company of someone you're fond of, you know this is a dang good time. And if you haven't... give this date idea a shot. Just trust me. You're missing out.
Choose the budget-friendly options as far as the bingo cards and packages you choose, and daub away! One of you might even walk away a big BINGO winner with some extra cash in your pocket!
1) DIY Romantic Dinner
For those looking for something with a little extra flavor of romance, planning your own romantic dinner in is the perfect option.
Pour a couple glasses of wine, light some candles, and cook your date a spectacular meal (or even better, cook it together)! You can really do it up, or you can keep it more casual if you prefer. There's no better restaurant in town, and probably not a cheaper one either. Bon appétit!
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16 Best Bites In The Las Vegas Valley You May Not Have Tried
Last night at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, it was the preview opening of the third location of Lotus Of Siam. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous (see for yourself) and lives up to the incredible food that put them on the map.
That map started on East Sahara in an inward facing strip mall that, if you didn't know what you were looking for, you'd miss it. Ambiance wasn't necessarily on the menu, but the food was absolutely incredible. Their location being jam packed almost made the food more impressive!
Another former hole in the wall is Nora's Italian Cuisine on West Flamingo. Before it inhabited it's absolutely beautiful building, they were just down the road tucked behind an 1970's era Arby's. But somehow the word got out and the locals got in to try their delicious food!
The Las Vegas valley is filled with restaurants that are amazing, but are trapped in a strip mall. Call them whatever you want: "hole in the wall", "hidden gems" or more... but they are culinary experiences you've just got to try.
Today on the show, we talked about some of our favorite restaurants in town that might not be as popular as they deserve to be. Listeners poured in to offer up their own suggestions as well! From Asian to Italian, great subs to food that is authentically Australian, the list covers a wide gamut! We collected all of the suggestions we received or mentioned and lined them all up right here for you to check out and potentially try!
We all get stuck in a culinary rut and don't know where to start on trying new restaurants. So, take a look at some suggestions and if we missed any, drop us a line and tell us where else to try!
Kabuto-edomae Sushi
Address: 5040 W Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas
Website: kabutolv.com
When you walk into the restaurant - if you're even able to find it - you'll be greeted by a handful of seats. That explains the days long wait for a reservation. You'll sit at the sushi bar, tell them how hungry you are, and the chefs will prepare some incredible dishes that you may not have ordered on your own, but will delightfully challenge you. You'll leave the place changed! It's not cheap, but it's an amazing special occasion and date night spot.
Chicago Joe's
Address: 829 S 4th Street, Las Vegas
Website: chicagojoesrestaurant.com
Blink and you might miss it. The hole in the wall brick building in downtown used to be a house. Now it's home to delicious Italian and Chicago-Style comfort food. The prices are very reasonable, the venue is cozy, and you'll experience something you may have driven past a thousand times.
Munch-A-Sub
Address: 5320 Cameron Street, Las Vegas
Website: munchasublasvegas.com
Subs that will absolutely bust your gut. Opened by an old-school east coast uncle, his nieces run the joint now and the subs are no frills but spectacular. Their #29 "Munch Philly Hot Sub" features roast beef, provolone, mushrooms, onions and special seasoning and will have you sufficiently full for days, potentially.
The Hush Puppy
Address: 7185 W Charleston Blvd & 1820 N Nellis Blvd
Website: thehushpuppy.com
The restaurant has been in town since 1975 and brings delicious "down south" dining that will make your mouth water. Crab legs, shrimp, ribs and even their namesake: hush puppies. Our listener Darleen says "they have really good alligator tail". Oh, my.
Piero's Italian Cuisine
Address: 355 Convention Center Dr, Las Vegas
Website: pieroscuisine.com
If you don't head towards the convention center often, you may have never crossed paths with it. But Piero's, directly across the street from the LVCC, is old school class personified. Waiters and ushers that have been there for decades, delicious dishes like Ossobuco that will blow you away, and incredible people watching. Shawn has eaten here many times, and you'll always find a big name breaking bread here.
Jessie Rae's BBQ
Address: 5611 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas & 308 N Boulder Hwy, Henderson
Website: jessieraesbbq.com
The place isn't much to look at from the outside, but inside you'll find some of the best barbecue that you'll ever sink your teeth into. Sandwiches, platters, sauces and more... amazing reviews for a sneaky hidden gem.
Pacific Diner
Address: 18 W Pacific Ave, Henderson
Website: pacificdinernv.com
Our listener RJ suggested this one. He brings his kid by for breakfast regularly and raves about it. The menu is a no-frills breakfast stop. Not a chain, just an old school ham and egger. Which is the way we like it.
Golden Steer Steakhouse
Address: 308 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas
Website: goldensteerlasvegas.com
If you've driven past this location just off the strip and didn't give it a second look, you're making a huge mistake. Golden Steer may look a little dated on the outside, and it may look old school on the inside, but the food has held up for generations. It opened back in 1958 and all the "greats" like Sinatra and Elvis ate there. The mob ate there AND the sheriff. It is that good. Polish off your meal with their signature Bananas Foster and you'll leave happy. You'll want to dress up though, no beach bums allowed.
Los Olivos Ristorante
Address: 3759 E Desert Inn Rd, Las Vegas
Website: losolivosristorante.business.site
Right off DI & Sandhill, you'll find one of the highest rated Italian restaurants in the city. Los Olivos Ristorante sports a 4.8 out of 5 on Google Reviews and a 5 star rating on Yelp. Just click on the link, look at the dishes, and tell us you're not hungry. We haven't tried this one, but one of our listeners dropped us a text saying it is great. It's now on our radar for dinner soon!
Panna Thai Restaurant
Address: 6015 S Fort Apache Rd #100, Las Vegas
Website: pannathai.com
If you're looking for unintimidating Thai food (sometimes you walk into an amazing, authentic restaurant but don't understand anything on the menu), this is your place. They have a massive menu of, essentially, Thai tapas. Their Crab Wontons are absolutely delicious. Pictures of dishes all over. You'll love this place for dine in or take out.
The Steak House at Circus Circus
Address: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas
Website: circuscircus.com
When you first hear "the Circus Circus has one of the best steak houses in the city," your eyes may roll. But trust the thousands who can attest - it is not a clown show. The Steak House at Circus Circus has the big red leather seats, the exposed wood and the ambiance that prepare you for a steak-cation. The menu is simple and stupendous, with a mesquite charcoal broiler cooking up some delicious cuts of beef... and their seafood is nothing to shake a stick at!
Aussie Project Pies
Online Ordering Only
Website: theaussieproject.com
Ask anyone from Australia what one of their national favorite foods are, you're sure to hear "sausage rolls". You don't have to hop on a several hours long flight to try one. "The Aussie Project" serves up delicious eats from down under right here in the valley. You can find select products at "Pedal & Pour" and "Mothership Coffee" locations, but their bread and butter is home delivery. Free delivery every Friday... we've always wanted to try one, and we just might.
Piezanos Pizza & More
Address: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas
Website: piezanospizzaandmore.com
When in doubt, pizza. It's almost certainly going to be something agrees on. Our listener Keith is a big fan, he suggested it! With 4.5 stars on both Google and Yelp, it looks like a safe bet! Plus the "& More" seems to not be a throwaway line. Several in the reviews swear by the subs and wings.
Spaghetty Western
Address: 10690 Southern Highlands Pkwy #100, Las Vegas
Website: spaghettywestern.com
Shawn is guilty of not stopping in despite being in the neighborhood. That's going to change. Our listener Brandi says she loves it, and the reviews check out! Italian food, pizza, sandwiches and even a full bar. It's a bit hidden from the main road, but you'll find it on the south end of the shopping center.
North End Pizza
Address: 6440 N Durango Dr, Las Vegas
Website: northendpizzanv.com
Shawn swears by this one. Up in the northwest is a pizza joint that is straight outta Boston. The original owner was from Boston and believed in her heart that there was something about the water in Las Vegas that made doing the dough "right" impossible. So she rang up her family back in Boston and they get the dough shipped from the east coast several times a year. The result is an authentic Boston/New York style pie.
David Wong's Pan Asian
Address: 2980 S Durango Dr #101, Las Vegas
Website: orderdavidspanasian.com
This one is right next to the 102.7 VGS studios, and if you drive down Durango fast enough, you're sure to miss it. But the food is fantastic and the reviews match. It's relatively casual on the inside, but the food is packed with flavor! Just take it easy on the heat. Whatever you think your "spicy" number is, you may want to cut it in half.
