13 Hotels With the Best Shows in Las Vegas
It’s called the “Entertainment Capital of the World” for a reason. From grand production shows to late-night lounge acts to the hottest celebrity residencies, Las Vegas offers a stage for every audience. Unlike Broadway, where tourists must leave their hotels to hit the theater, Las Vegas resorts have it all in house. Here’s the best hotels for entertainment lovers.
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
Why it made the list
As most casinos abandon their themes, Excalibur keeps their King Arthur theme going strong. Get a free dinner with your show with Tournament of Kings, a bawdy, Vegas version of Medieval Times.
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
Why it made the list
Two reliably fantastic shows anchor this off-strip resort: magicians Penn & Teller and the saucy male revue Chippendales. New addition WOW (short for World of Wonder or World of Water) is a splashy production show full of acrobatic fun.
Bally's Las Vegas
Why it made the list
This relatively small hotel offers worthy shows that bigger venues might overlook. Enjoy classic Las Vegas entertaining with Wayne Newton: Up Close & Personal and Masters of Illusion. Or go in for racy comedy with The Miss Behave Gameshow and stand-up comic Tom Green.
Mandalay Bay
Why it made the list
Another entertainment giant, Mandalay Bay holds mega concerts in its Event Center and hosts a Santana residency as well as smaller touring acts at its House of Blues location (don’t miss the musically delicious Gospel Brunch on Sundays). In warm weather, our favorite is the Mandalay Bay Beach Concert Series, which takes place at the wave pool.
Mirage Las Vegas
Why it made the list
Because what other hotel on the Strip counts a volcano as its amenity? Enjoy the explosive free show and then spring for one of the great ticketed shows at the Mirage: Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil (check out the free backstage tour), Terry Fator, Boyz II Men, Aces of Comedy stand-up comedy series and more.
Paris Las Vegas
Why it made the list
Paris Las Vegas will make you say “Oh La La” with its edgy shows. Don’t miss naughty hypnotist Anthony Cools, Inferno: The Fire Spectacular or the liberating play Sex Tips For Straight Women From a Gay Man.
Bellagio Las Vegas
Why it made the list
Stay at the Bellagio to enjoy special views of its famous fountains and easy access to one of the best shows in town: Cirque du Soleil’s O (it’s the one that includes water). While not “technically” a show, the Bellagio’s Conservatory and Gallery of Fine Art are ever-changing feasts for the eyes.
The Venetian Las Vegas
Why it made the list
Director Baz Luhrmann’s sexy, self-titled musical mash-up Baz is reason enough to stay at the Italian-themed resort. But the hotel also offers Human Nature: Jukebox and mini-residencies of bands such as ZZ Top and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino
Why it made the list
Step outside the hotel to enjoy free live music, street performers and a prime view of the nightly Viva Vision Light Show on the canopy roof of the Fremont Street Experience. Inside, the resort offers live performances by the likes of Gin Blossoms and Grand Funk Railroad. The Downtown location also offer convenient access to the orchestras, ballets and Broadway musicals happening at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Why it made the list
For “entertainment on a grand scale,” check out MGM Grand Garden Arena, a perennial favorite that hosts touring concerts and event such as the Academy of Country Music Awards. Cirque du Soleil’s Ka, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, Jabbawockeez dance crew and magician David Copperfield all reside at MGM Grand. The hotel also offers interactive entertainment with CSI: The Experience, TopGolf and the Level Up lounge, which includes virtual reality games.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Why it made the list
Why It Made the List: Right off the casino floor, the Zappos Theater (formerly known as Axis) hosts A-lists residencies by Jennifer Lopez, Backstreet Boys, Pitbull and Lionel Richie. But this sprawling resort really excels with its variety of smaller and more affordable showrooms offering fun options such as Zombies Burlesque, Vegas the Show, Ilusión Mental (a Spanish-language mentalist show), variety shows, magic shows, Elvis, Beatles and Motown tribute shows, pet comedy, an Australian male revue and more.
Caesars Palace
Why it made the list
This classic resort offers all types of entertainment: The 4,300 seat Colosseum is home to superstars Celine Dion, Elton John, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Jerry Seinfeld, Rod Stewart and more. Cleopatra’s Barge--a floating lounge venue that looks like a boat--sets sail with regular live music and a new show called Cocktail Cabaret. Outside in the casino’s Roman Plaza, the sexy and acrobatic cabaret Absinthe wows audiences.
Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
Why it made the list
This hotel is undergoing major renovations to be reborn as Park MGM in Spring 2018. But it’s already emerged as the go-to hotel for access to the brand new T-Mobile Arena (home to major touring concerts and the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team) and the more intimate but no less spectacular Park Theater (watch out for the Lady Gaga residency in December 2018). Monte Carlo/Park MGM nabs the top spot for its innovation and newness.
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