Money 20/20 Survival Guide: Top Things to Do in Las Vegas for FinTech Execs
Las Vegas has a reputation for flashy casinos, themed hotels, and endless fees that drain your wallet faster than a security breach drains customer trust, often leaving you with a headache before you've even had your first drink.
But Vegas is more than the clichés. There are countless hidden gems and smart choices for professionals seeking quality experiences during conference season.
This guide is a curated selection of elevated experiences. We're not covering convention center food courts - if that's what you’re looking for some buffets, look over here.
Below, you'll discover over a dozen handpicked recommendations plus 11 additional options worth exploring.
The Vegas Institution: Steakhouse Excellence
If you're seeking a taste of vintage Vegas, its legendary steakhouses deliver. Many servers have been there for decades and have fascinating stories to share.
Classic / Heritage Steakhouses (vintage-era)
The Steakhouse (Circus Circus) - an under-the-radar treasure that stays true to old-Vegas steakhouse heritage.
Golden Steer - one of the last standing classic steakhouses from the Rat Pack days. The Caesar Salad is essential.
Oscars Steakhouse - This newer establishment honors Oscar Goodman, former Las Vegas Mayor who previously served as counsel for numerous (alleged) organized crime figures and their associates.
Contemporary & Premium Steakhouse Options
SW Steakhouse at Wynn - lakefront setting, synchronized fountains, contemporary elegance, signature Wynn style.
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés - innovative, bold, dramatic.
Jean Georges Steakhouse at ARIA - sophisticated, polished, modern.
STK - fashionable, energetic, with genuine social atmosphere.
For Those Fascinated by History: The Mob Museum
The Mob Museum offers a riveting and engaging exploration of organized crime history in America (and Las Vegas specifically). From actual bullet holes from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre to a faithful recreation of the count rooms where millions were skimmed from casinos, this comprehensive exhibition covers organized crime across centuries and continents.
Admission: ~$30
VIP Options: Enhanced packages include speakeasy entry and whiskey sampling
Duration: ~2 hours
It's cultural enrichment with attitude - compelling, sophisticated, and rooted in the type of ambition that built Vegas.
For Entertainment Seekers
If you want to experience a "Vegas production" but aren't sure which one, we've vetted the options.
For something enduring, Mystère at Treasure Island stands as one of the Strip's most cherished and legendary shows. Quintessential Cirque, dreamlike, entertaining and unconventional.
At Wynn, Awakening merges innovative stage technology with Cirque-style narrative. It's an immersive blend of acrobatics, sound, and illumination that only Vegas could deliver.
Tickets: $75–$200
Duration: ~90 minutes
These shows consistently deliver.
If you're in the mood for comedy:
Carrot Top - exceptionally funny with countless props, each performance is unique yet reliably excellent.
Blue Man Group - absurdist humor, visual gags, and percussion - consistently entertaining at the Luxor.
Mad Apple - another Cirque production, located at New York New York, this mature comedy features acrobatics and live performance.
A Groundbreaking Experience: The Sphere
The latest landmark on the Strip, The Sphere transforms what entertainment means. The LED exterior is captivating on its own, but inside, immersive presentations redefine the big-screen experience. Environmental concerns aside, feedback about the Sphere has been overwhelmingly positive.
Tickets: $79–$249
VIP Options: Private accommodations and catering services available
Duration: ~90–120 minutes
The Billion Dollar View: Maverick Helicopters
Want to view the city from a different vantage point? Maverick Helicopters operates 15-minute evening flights above Las Vegas, gliding past the Bellagio fountains, the Eiffel Tower replica, Allegiant Stadium, and the Sphere.
Price: from $149 per person
Private Options: $1,500+ based on itinerary
Duration: ~30–60 minutes complete experience
For an escape from the city, Maverick's Grand Canyon excursions are truly unforgettable.
300 Million Dollar Views: Spearmint Rhino Las Vegas
What's Sin City without indulgence? For years, Spearmint Rhino Las Vegas has represented the pinnacle of upscale gentlemen's clubs. With more than 35,000 square feet, this sophisticated establishment balances exclusivity with exceptional talent while serving premium cocktails, outstanding cuisine and memorable companionship.
Cover: $20–$50
Bottle Service: Options begin around $500
Hours: 24/7
Insider tip: Register for complimentary VIP access and a free drink.
Important note: bring cash when visiting (or any similar venue) because those ATM charges are brutal.
Seeking something more adventurous and unrestrained? Chicas Bonitas could be your destination.
On the Course: Golf at Shadow Creek or Wynn Golf Club
Vegas golf is an elevated experience, not just an outing.
Shadow Creek - formerly limited to VIP players - is now available exclusively to MGM Resorts guests. Reservations include limousine transportation and a dedicated caddie.
Rate: ~$1,000 per round
Duration: ~4–5 hours
Wynn Golf Club provides championship-quality fairways just behind the Strip.
Rate: ~$600 per golfer
If you're a serious golf enthusiast, you'll want comprehensive guidance on Vegas courses.
Finding the Greens: Dispensaries Worth Visiting
If you're seeking relaxation without the drunken chaos Vegas embraces, these establishments deliver quality experiences.
Curaleaf - established brand, extensive inventory, reliable reputation, excellent variety, welcoming team
NuLeaf Las Vegas - intimate atmosphere, carefully selected flower & concentrates
The Grove - premium environment, sophisticated shopping experience
Cookies Las Vegas - popular brand, top-shelf strains, distinctive location aesthetic
Rise Las Vegas - exceptional customer care, quality products and convenient to the Strip.
Critical warning - NEVER PURCHASE CANNABIS on Fremont Street or on the Strip directly. These are fraudulent operations and you're spending money for serious disappointment. Cannabis is licensed in Las Vegas and prohibited from being sold near casinos.
Driving with Distinction: Royalty Exotics
Vegas appreciates status, and few things command attention like a Lamborghini or Ferrari roaring down the Strip like thunder.
Royalty Exotic Cars offers an impressive fleet - Aventadors, McLarens, even Bugattis - for hourly or daily rentals.
Price: $400–$500 per day (and beyond)
Duration: half-day to full-day options
Refined Retreats: The Cigar Lounge
If you're looking to unwind (or make connections?), perhaps catch portions of the game with a cigar and savor something strong over ice - we have just the thing.
Montecristo Cigar Bar at Caesars Palace - leather seating, an impressive whiskey collection, and environment for genuine dialogue.
Davidoff of Geneva Cigar Bar - a combination lounge/retail venue at the Fashion Show Mall, featuring a walk-in humidor, complete bar, indoor/outdoor space, and lounge promotions.
Eight Lounge at Resorts World - a comprehensive cigar lounge offering over 150 premium cigars available, a sleek ambiance, and cocktail selections to complement.
Exceptional Dining
The challenge with Vegas is the abundance of outstanding dining. It's difficult to make a wrong choice. From incredible smash burgers to Nashville hot chicken sandwiches to unlimited sushi, you could create an entire platform dedicated to the gastronomic experiences available in this remarkable city.
For clarity and ease we're providing select options. But wherever you dine, mistakes are rare. Just verify the ratings.
Delilah at Wynn - supper-club energy, classic Hollywood sophistication.
Carbone at ARIA - Italian traditions with confidence and flair.
Wally's at Resorts World - part wine destination, part fine-dining venue.
Private rooms and expert pairings make each perfect for business dinners. Budget $250–$500 per person for the complete experience.
Executive Lunches
Cipriani: Venetian dishes, Bellinis served tableside, fresh and contemporary.
Spago: Terrace dining with Bellagio fountain panoramas, flawless service.
Main courses average $30–$50.
For the Risk-Takers:
Poker:
Poker in Las Vegas is as much about psychology as it is about probability.
The Bellagio Poker Room remains legendary - a destination for professionals and executives. The ARIA Poker Room, more recent and sophisticated, runs tournaments beginning around $140 and provides accessible buy-ins for recreational play.
Several hands at a $2/$5 table can reveal as much about calculated risk as portions of an MBA program.
For dedicated players seeking engagement with both locals and visitors, South Point (away from the Strip) is essential.
Blackjack
El Cortez - regularly recognized as one of the premier low-limit blackjack locations in town. Authentic single-deck options, advantageous rules, and a throwback atmosphere that's genuine old Vegas.
Ellis Island Casino & Brewery - community favorite with player-favorable rules, minimal limits, and some of the most generous drink rewards near the Strip. Perfect for those who appreciate their blackjack with authentic Vegas character.
Treasure Island - reasonable odds, positive atmosphere, and dealers that maintain entertaining pace rather than stressful tempo.
Slots
Paris Las Vegas - Featuring over 1,700 slot machines positioned in a recreated Parisian boulevard setting, Paris Las Vegas delivers an engaging gaming atmosphere. Its prime location makes it a practical launching point for an exciting evening.
Circus Circus - Best Return Rates: Older properties like Circus Circus typically offer higher Return to Player (RTP) percentages. It's believed to feature some of the most generous slots in Vegas, attracting players prioritizing better odds. If you crave the old-school clanking of coins skipping during a jackpot, swing by their Slots of Fun.
Bellagio: Featuring over 2,300 slot machines, Bellagio provides an extensive range for players. While certain machines have reduced RTPs, numerous older machines deliver superior returns. A remarkable win involved a Florida visitor who claimed $1 million on the Wheel of Fortune machine there.
Firearms & Ammunition
If you prefer the aroma of gunpowder in the desert, Vegas accommodates.
Machine Guns Vegas and Battlefield Vegas provide private VIP experiences that include transport, personal instructors, and opportunities to shoot everything from preferred handguns to automatic weapons.
Packages: $100–$1,000+
Duration: 1–2 hours
If you desire something more destructive, packages exist allowing you to demolish cars with tanks, fire a 50cal from a helicopter and even detonate targets. One of the numerous benefits of operating in the desert.
Beyond the Strip & Into Nature
If you're seeking refuge from intoxicated tourists and neon illumination - you don't need to travel far to discover a completely different environment.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - 13-mile scenic route, numerous trailheads, striking sandstone landscapes
La Madre Spring Trail - water feature, commonly visited by bighorn sheep
Valley of Fire State Park - brilliant red rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, desert terrain, and desert bighorn sheep
Emerald Cove / Emerald Cave Kayak Tour - half- to full-day adventures, typically with wildlife encounters along the Colorado River
Mount Charleston - mountain retreat, refreshing climate, forested pathways
Lake Mead / Willow Beach Marina - launching point for aquatic activities, boating, kayaking
Nevada Bighorn Sheep locations - discover where to observe wildlife throughout Red Rock and Valley of Fire
Additional Attractions & Discoveries
If you're still seeking options, here's a collection of compelling attractions that'll deliver value - all representing the spirit of Las Vegas.
Neon Museum
Atomic Testing Museum
Meow Wolf Omega Mart
Fremont Street Experience
The Golden Tiki Bar
Punk Rock Museum
High Roller Observation Wheel
Perception Las Vegas
Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix
Navigate Las Vegas - Executive Style
The secret to Las Vegas isn't attempting everything. It's about enjoying yourself authentically.
For conference attendees, that means selecting experiences that enhance your time rather than consume it. A luxury vehicle instead of a rideshare. Perfectly prepared steaks instead of battling endless queues at buffets. Premium drinks and companionship at the Rhino instead of navigating malfunctioning escalators on the Strip.
