Las Vegas Strip : TRAVEL/FOOD

With everything from new celebrity chef restaurants and poolside attractions to remodeled suites and A-list concerts, here’s a look at what’s happening in Las Vegas this spring and summer.

New Places to Eat

Retro by Voltaggio: May 3, Mandalay Bay will open Retro by Voltaggio, the first Las Vegas restaurant from TV stars, judges and renowned chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio. Conceptualized by the famed chef duo, the one-year culinary residency experience will celebrate the best of the 80s and 90s with the brothers’ modernized take on classic American dishes served in an environment with playful and nostalgic nods to the era.

Cathedrale: TAO Group’s heralded French-Mediterranean concept will debut in Las Vegas at ARIA Resort & Casino May 1. The artful cuisine inspired by the flavors of Southern France will complement the dramatic scenery setting the stage to be a go-to destination. Cathédrale’s elemental, ingredient-driven menu features coastal cuisine influenced by the regions of France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

LAGO by Julian Serrano: Chef Julian Serrano, the Michelin-starred trailblazer for Bellagio’s acclaimed lakeside dining, is delivering a new vision for his beloved LAGO by Julian Serrano overlooking the resort’s famous Fountains. Inspired by centuries of colorful culinary traditions, the a la carte menu allows a reimagined dinner, lunch or brunch experience that celebrates Italians’ passion for scratch-made pastas, slow-aged steaks and fresh seafood within the larger-than-life style that fuels Las Vegas.

New Ways to Make a Splash

Sunset Cocktail Hour: Every Thursday and Friday night, the North Bar at The Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool will transform into a one-of-a-kind cocktail lounge with incredible views of the city skyline. A festive soiree under the stars, Sunset Cocktail Hour gives guests a chance to indulge in some of the resort’s iconic signature drinks alongside exclusive specialty cocktails. New this year, an interactive, create-your-own daiquiri cart presented by Mount Gay Rum for guests to sip, savor and sway to live DJ sets while enjoying refreshing summer libations.

Temptation Sundays: The pool season will get hotter, bolder and brighter as Temptation Sundays returns to Luxor better than ever for its 13th sizzling season. Beginning May 14, Las Vegas’ longest-running LGBTQ+ pool party will take place at Luxor’s North Pool every Sunday through September 18.

Beachside Bungalow: The ultimate beach experience at Mandalay Bay is now available. The Grand Bungalow, a 425-square-foot cabana that accommodates up to 20 guests, is fully air conditioned and features two TVs, VIP service from a designated host and direct access to the 11-acre beach paradise.

Poolside Yoga: Guests at The Cosmopolitan can catch the sunrise and soak up the summer rays with a rejuvenating sunrise yoga session, sure to provide a revitalizing, yet relaxing experience for yogis of all levels. Situated atop the Boulevard Pool deck, each 60-minute class is $25 per person and includes a yoga mat.

New Places to Stay

Bellagio Spa Tower: Bellagio recently revealed details surrounding the $110 million transformation of all rooms and suites within its luxurious Spa Tower. Beginning this July, guests will be able to book the new accommodations delivering contemporary accommodations inspired by the beauty and tranquility of Italy’s Lake Como.

Stay Well™ Collection: Now available at all 13 MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas properties, Stay Well accommodations feature elevated wellness amenities including air purification, aromatherapy, dawn simulation and Vitamin C-infused showers that reduce chlorine to keep hair and skin soft and smooth.

New Entertainment to Enjoy

Usher: Due to popular demand, global megastar and eight-time GRAMMY Award-winner Usher expanded his Las Vegas residency for new show dates throughout the summer. Usher, Live Nation Las Vegas and MGM Resorts are donating $1 of every ticket purchased to Usher’s Las Vegas residency dates in 2023 to Usher’s New Look, Inc. Founded in 1999 by Usher as a young man barely out of his teens, UNL is on a mission to transform the lives of underserved youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion-driven, global leaders. Check your calendar and check out the dates: June 2023: 28 and July 2023: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15

Maroon 5: Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning multi-platinum band Maroon 5 debuted their new Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Every aspect of the show’s immersive design caters to the Dolby Live theater, from the panoramic, multi-layered video box to the Dolby Atmos sound design ensuring every seat in the room experiences the band’s performance in an intimate way only possible in a Las Vegas residency.

Check your calendar and check out the dates: July 2023: 28 & 29 and August 2023: 2, 4, 5, 9, 11 & 12

America’s Got Talent Presents SUPERSTARS Live: Following an successful first year entertaining America’s Got Talent fans inside Luxor Theater at Luxor Hotel and Casino, the newly christened America’s Got Talent Presents SUPERSTARS Live will usher in 2023 with jaw-dropping new talent joining a selection of current headliners when it returns. America’s Got Talent Presents SUPERSTARS Live pairs current showstoppers such as Kodi Lee, Deadly Games, Light Balance and The Silhouettes with new cast members including Celia Munoz, Pack Drumline and more.

New Ways to Relax

Poolside Facials: Visitors can have the spa delivered directly to them with poolside facials and massages available at several resorts, including Park MGM, ARIA and Bellagio. Talented therapists bring their services straight to guests’ lounge chair or daybed, providing a new meaning to “cozy oasis.”

CBD Spas: This April, 11 spas in Las Vegas introduced a CBD wellness program across celebrated destinations such as The Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, ARIA, Delano and more. Specialized CBD wraps, massages and mani-pedis across The Strip offer a new way to unwind at the spa.

Dive–In Movies: On Monday evenings this summer, the marquee at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ Boulevard Pool will transform into a colossal movie screen, showing favorite films high above the Las Vegas Strip. While watching classic films and modern blockbusters, guests can take a dip or lounge poolside sipping on movie-themed cocktails and enjoying creative movie snacks under the stars.

Mark Wahlberg and Paul Wahlberg Recently Hosted a Wahlburgers Grand Opening Party at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place

Brothers presented with Key to the Las Vegas Strip for their contributions to the vitality of the Las Vegas Strip

Mark Wahlberg, who recently set down roots in Las Vegas with his family, and his brother, Paul Wahlberg, who is the chef behind Wahlburgers’ award-winning menu, were presented with the Key to the Las Vegas Strip. The brothers were honored at the grand opening of their newest Wahlburgers at Mandalay Bay within The Shoppes at Mandalay Place.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside of the new Wahlburgers, the second in Las Vegas, joining their burger restaurant in the Grand Bazaar Shops at Horseshoe, which opened in 2016.

While doing interviews on the red carpet, Mark joked with Paul that he should be next to move to Las Vegas, pointing out the desirability of the city’s schools, churches and homes. The brothers then went inside, where Mark posed in countless selfies before stepping behind the bar to pour shots of his Flecha Azul Tequila. He stopped and took photos with all the Wahlburgers’ employees, even going back to the kitchen where he spent more than 30 minutes getting to know the cooks.

The brothers were welcomed by Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, whose district includes the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, who presented the brothers with the key, which also honored their brother and other Wahlburgers partner, Donnie Wahlberg. The key honors the expansion of the franchise and the brothers’ contributions to the vitality of the Las Vegas Strip. Other notables whose contributions have been honored with a Key to the Las Vegas Strip include Katy Perry, Tiësto and Jimmy Kimmel.

Fellow Bostonian and globally renowned chef, Todd English, and DJ and podcast superstar, Whoo Kid, were among the more than 150 VIP guests who came out to celebrate the grand opening.

At 5,000 square feet, the new Wahlburgers has a capacity of 150 guests, including an oversized bar ideal for grabbing a beer, adult shake or “Wahlcoction,” and watching the game. HDTVs are located throughout the restaurant, so you’ll never miss a minute of the game whether you’re seated in the dining room or at the bar.

Founded in Hingham, Massachusetts in 2011, Wahlburgers now has more than 90 locations across the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

More information about Wahlburgers can be found on the website at https://wahlburgers.com/, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wahlburgers/, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wahlburgers/.

About Wahlburgers

Wahlburgers is a casual dining restaurant & bar founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg, which wrapped 10 successful seasons of A&E Network’s Emmy-nominated reality show in 2019 (which is now airing on AXS TV). While its interior decor is filled with photos and memories celebrating the brothers’ life journeys from Dorchester neighborhood kids to rising chef and international superstars, Wahlburgers makes food, beverages and its guests the real stars. With menu items like delicious fresh ground beef burgers, entrée salads and sandwiches, loaded tots and frothy shakes, Chef Paul and team are obsessed with making guests happy and feeling like family. Wahlburgers currently has 90+ locations and is dedicated to giving back to every community it serves. Wahlburgers At Home, the brands’ line of proprietary blended Certified Angus Beef, signature Wahl Sauce, bacon, hot dogs, pickles and BBQ sauce, is available in thousands of retail stores throughout the US. Learn more at www.wahlburgers.com and follow along @Wahlburgers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Mandalay Bay Resort

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll-free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.