Sightseeing in Las Vegas, Nevada…read more.. While browsing through my Yelp app under "Local Flavor", I remembered seeing "The Wishing Tree", but didn't pay attention to the location because I didn't think we would be in the vicinity. Lo and behold... My friends and I happened to be walking through the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian when I spotted The Wishing Tree! I was so shocked... I forgot about trying to scan the QR code and making a wish. Shucks!!! I guess we'll need to return and try it out!

No one knows exactly why this is called The Wishing Tree. You'll find it on the second floor in The…read moreShoppes at The Palazzo, near Sushisamba. They have cushioned seats around the tree and four charging outlets which is nice! Personally, I think this tree is more like a time-saving compass. From the elevator, I can see the tree. If I go right, the path leads to Sushisamba. If I go left, the path leads to The Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes. But if I keep going straight, that pathway goes through all the designer boutiques and accessories, and I end up shopping!

This is near the center at Crystals. They have different size water vortexes that fill with water…read moreand change colors. It's interesting to watch.

In Las Vegas, amongst the glitz, lights, night life, booze, gambling and shopping (don't get me…read morewrong, these are all pretty fantastic in this 2 mile block of Southern Nevada along the world famous Vegas Strip!), art can often be an after thought. A moment in which in your burry eyed, foggy state of boarding your return flight home, you might vaguely remember a giant thing with tumbling numbers or a giant tree house looking thing you thought was a restaurant. But make no mistake, those items (which are indeed public art) have been placed there for you to see, experience, be mesmerized by and enjoy....whether you actually knew it or not. Crystals and the City Center area that surrounds it, is a treasure trove of some of the city's greatest contemporary, cool art installations. From the cool Mihajima Marks U.S debuted piece that went in to Crystals last year, to the funky cool tree house that houses Maestros designed by David Rockwell or James Turrell's Akhob located inside Louis Vuitton (appointments required, so call well in advance)...great art is everywhere at Crystals! Look up City Center Art Collection before you visit, for if art is your thing, this is a fun scavenger hunt around City Center, in addition to Crystals (the shopping entity at City Center). Most of the pieces are large and can make you travel around the entire site to discover. The art at Crystals can rotate from time to time, so keep your eyes peeled for new stuff during each visit.

Capo's is a true gem in Las Vegas! Among the many Italian restaurants, it stands out for its…read moreexceptional atmosphere and service. From the moment you enter, everyone focuses on you. The decor adds a unique charm to the delicious food, and the live singer amazing addition. Also photographers capture beautiful moments, ensuring you have lovely photos to remember your evening. Capo's is definitely a must-visit!

We discovered this restaurant through yelp and were intrigued by the reviews. Initially, we were…read moreuncertain if we had arrived at the right place when we drove up, but as soon as we stepped inside, we knew it's the one. The ambiance, food, and service were all outstanding. Additionally, we tried out their photo service and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the photos and frames. We got the best family photo from our trip, and we truly appreciated it. We would definitely return and bring friends along!

It's been a few years since I last stopped by the Caesars Forum Shops. I had an event at Carmine's…read moreon a Wednesday evening and had a chance to look at the Fountain of the Gods. The Forum Shops is like a gigantic Roman fantasy world. But with the Fountain of the Gods, it certainly elevates the experience and brings it to an entirely new level! Looking at those massive statues, and the water flowing from them was amazing! It's as if there is marble everywhere you look, and then on top of it, this magnificent painted sky ceiling over head! This type of atmosphere is something that only exists here in Las Vegas! What I like most about this place is that you don't have to spend money to go there. Just walk around, take pictures, enjoy the area! I was surprised how much detail the statues had, especially if your interested in either Greek or Roman Mythology! I love the whole area around the statue as well! With all of the shopping, great dining options, it's such a fantastic experience! I thought the Fountain of the Gods was worth stopping for, even if it's just for a few minutes while walking through Caesars Palace. It's one of those iconic Vegas details in the Forum Shops. Great photo op area too!

Fountain of the Gods is an enormous sculpture located in The Forum Shops at Caesars…read more The fountain is inspired by Roman mythology of abundance and vitality, featuring sculptures of Roman gods, mystical creatures, and a cascading fountain where water is symbolic of life and renewal. It's amazing to see the sculpture in person and is great for memorable photo ops!

We often attend workshops and glass blowing demonstrations at their studio on Highland. We have…read moremade plates, bowls, Christmas ornaments and glass hearts. Larry and Barbara are friendly and good instructors. The studio is beautiful and inviting. I highly recommend visiting!!!

I am so glad that I discovered this business. I have always been interested in learning about how…read moreblown glass is fused and created. I reached out to this business and sadly learned that there are no places in town that teach this skill. This business does offer other classes working with fused glass so I decided to sign up for one. The cost for my class was only $40 which I thought was very reasonable. Although I am not in this part of town often, the studio was easy to find parking was plentiful in their lot. This business is broken into two areas. When you enter, you are in the gallery and there are various artists featured along with their pieces. Very impressive. In the back of the studio is where all the glass art is created. There are kilns, tools, workbenches etc. My friend and I signed up to create a colorful heart this past Saturday morning. We were warmly greeted by Don who checked us in and then we patiently waited for the class to begin. Barbara and Larry (owners) took us back into the working part of the studio and we all found our places around two tables. Since we were handling glass, we had to wear gloves for safety. The purpose of the class was to create a mosaic style heart/paperweight. There were two large trays at each table filled with colorful, fused glass. After trying various sizes of the glass, I was finally able to finish creating my design and considered my heart masterpiece completed. Larry was extremely informative and helpful throughout the class as was Barbara. I learned from Larry about their extensive involvement with our community. They had just recently held an event for the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation. I love a small business that gives back and it makes me want to support them even more. Both Barbara and Larry display a real passion for what they do and enjoy sharing it with others. Larry expressed to me how addicting creating this kind of art an be and I totally believe him. After our hearts were created, they would now be placed in the kiln for firing. Barbara advised all of us that as soon as our hearts were ready, we would be notified and able to pick them up. I have been looking for a creative outlet and I believe I will be back taking more classes and learning more about working with fused glass.

It's a...Giant Typewriter Eraser…read more So interesting to see a Giant Typewriter Eraser in several museums and gardens throughout the US. Interesting to also see one on a walkway in Las Vegas. Back in the day, the pink eraser wheel would erase typewriter mistakes. Then the blue brush would sweep away the pink crumbs. So interesting.

I love all the random public art in vegas. The streets are filled with all these status and unique…read morethings. This is the Giant Typewriter Eraser. I have no idea why it is here and no idea why this is a thing but it is there and it is cool to see.

We went to Las Vegas' Chinatown every day for shopping, sightseeing, and dining!…read more There's so much to see, do, and eat in Chinatown! It's cleaner and larger than Honolulu's Chinatown! Plus, there are many cultures represented here! Bonus: free parking lots everywhere! We always go to Chinatown in Las Vegas... it's a must do, must see, must go place!

Although "Revolutionary" Rotisserie Chicken may not work in Chinatown, you'd be hard-pressed to…read morefind a better stretch of good eating anywhere in Vegas for such good prices. From Shanghai Taste to Mr. BBQ and Mama Chai's to Co Anh recent visits have all been excellent while oldschool favorites like Raku and Sora Ramen still hold their own.

Bliss Dance located in front of T-Mobile Arena was on my to-see list while I was on my Las Vegas…read morestrip getaway. I knew I had to come check out the gigantic 40 foot tall sculpture of a dancing woman. It's entire body is traced with twinkling lights. Quite breathtaking up close and from a far! So cool. When I look at her, I see a woman who is strong and present. She knows who she is. She's an inspiration to all of us. Very admirable! Just a little background about Bliss Dance. Per Google, "The structure and scale of Bliss Dance was inspired by artist Marco Cochrane's first experience at Burning Man, an annual arts and culture event in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, where Bliss Dance later debuted. Most recently, Bliss Dance resided on San Francisco's Treasure Island as a public display before being refurbished and returned to the desert as a centerpiece of The Park's natural landscaping and Nevada-inspired design." Definitely a must see attraction for anyone who loves public art!

If you hang out in Toshiba Plaza or head to an event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, you may…read moresuddenly find yourself face-to-face with a giant, sparkling, half-naked lady. That's the really unique public art installation official known as Bliss Dance, but known by most of us locals as "The Statue with the Big Booty." Apparently what Vegas needed is an enormous sculpture of a woman dancing with her butt cheeks out in full glory. Anything goes here, as they say. This isn't just any ordinary piece of art, but is more like a stop-in-your-tracks awkwardly hilarious masterpiece. It is especially fun to watch wide-eyed tourists gawk and stare, especially preteen boys who seem to have a proclivity to point and giggle. It's not just the boys who get caught in an awkward trance. There are countless opportunities for classic and unintentionally raunchy photo ops. With a little strategic positioning (especially by "pointing" in the right direction) you can make this statue look like it's up to all kinds of silly, R-rated shenanigans. It's prime real estate for setting the backdrop for the kind of photos you'll show your friends later and then immediately regret posting (but you didn't hear it from me). I think the Bliss Dance is the gift that keeps on giving, with her glistening metallic skin and ample features. It's the perfect blend of high art and Vegas weirdness. Free and open 24/7.

Every time I go to the Bellagio, I like to look straight up and admire the Fiori di Como by Dale…read moreChihuly. The Bellagio's lobby has an amazing glass flower sculpture with over a thousand hand blown glass flowers of every color imaginable. In all of my visits to the Bellagio, I am still constantly amazed at the attention to detail, beauty, and craftsmanship of this piece of art. Every time I visit the Bellagio Conservatory, I have to stop by the Fiori di Como by Dale Chihuly as well! Many people who pass through the lobby see the Bellagio's impressive fountain display outside. There is a equally impressive display above them! If you look up while visiting the Bellagio, Fiori di Como will be well worth the visit to the Bellagio Hotel entrance! The great thing about seeing Fiori di Como is that it is completely free when you visit the Bellagio! No matter where you come from, whether this is your first trip to Las Vegas or your tenth trip to Las Vegas, it would be nice to take a little time to view this world class piece of artwork! It is a beautiful work of art and one of my top hidden gems located inside the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas! Parking for the first 3 hours is free for Nevada Locals!

The Fiori di Como sculpture in the Bellagio lobby is absolutely stunning. It's one of my favorite…read morepieces of free to view art in the city, and anyone who loves bright colors and flowers will want to check this out! This is a large and breathtaking glass installation created by artist Dale Chihuly. His piece features hundreds of vibrant, hand-blown glass flowers suspended from the ceiling of the hotel lobby at the Bellagio. The colors are so rich and bright, it feels like you've stepped into a living rainbow. I'd say this is one of the most beloved and pretty public art displays in town, and it's the perfect companion piece to the adjacent Bellagio Conservatory. It's located right in the hotel lobby which is adjacent to the parking garage (and the Conservatory), making is super easy to park and pop in to take a peek.   This is a Las Vegas spot that's perfect for photos, as the colors are super photogenic. Even if you don't know a thing about art, you can't help but look up and admire the intricate details and burst of color overhead.  I think this is one of the prettiest works of art in all of Las Vegas. Totally worth a stop if you're near the hotel.

Let me start off by saying, Rob's Rhythm kitchen is truly back with a bang. After a 3 year hiatus,…read moreBTS and I decided to attend the grand re-opening. This eatery/bodega/jazz club/gourmet restaurant has it all for the patron who's looking for a night out. Owner, chef, and overall nice guy, Rob, was truly the showman who no one can match. Gordon Ramsey would even have a tough time critiquing his swath of abilities. This was a life changing experience that could only be rivaled by the second coming of the dinosaurs - in fact, I somehow heard the theme to Jurassic Park as I crossed the line from outside...to dare I say the divine? People who say the birth of their children or their wedding days are the best days of their lives. Well, to quote our current president: "Wrong." From now on, I'll be classifying my life in two parts: before and after visiting Rob's Rhythm kitchen. Everything before this day was a mistake. 5 stars.

Rob just made the greatest lasagna of his life! We have commemorated the event by burying a time…read morecapsule filled with all of Rob's favorite dishes.