The world-famous party city that can make anyone feel like a champion – from average Joes to F1 champs and music legends
THE weekend Max Verstappen won his fourth F1 world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix is one many sporting fans will remember.
But the Red Bull driver, who celebrated underneath fireworks outside the famous Bellagio hotel, wasn’t the only one marking the victory in style in Nevada’s most famous city.
As I watched the Saturday-night race — with my seat overlooking turn one — the roar of 20 cars squeezing into the first bend below was nothing short of thrilling.
The 3.8-mile street track makes for exciting racing and fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to viewing the action.
If you really want to push the boat out, a grandstand ticket (from $875/£668 for 2025) will give you great views at various turns.
From turn one, I could also see the LED-covered Vegas Sphere, which would flip from a countdown clock to a driver’s helmet then a huge smiley face as the cars zoomed past.
When Boyz II Men sang The Star-Spangled Banner, it even turned into a giant US flag.
“Watch parties”, like those from the rooftop of The Cosmopolitan, are another great way to enjoy the thrills and spills — along with cocktails and music.
Even without a ticket, it was possible to get a glimpse, but views were highly restricted and anyone lingering on a pedestrian bridge over the track was quickly moved on.
When I visited, Las Vegas was one giant party dedicated to all things F1.
But in this city of excess, it wasn’t the only sport on offer — and if you are splashing the cash on a holiday here, you will want to explore. Before the big race, I headed to the Allegiant Stadium to see the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team play.
As I walked into the £1.5billion, 65,000-seater venue, Top Gun music blared over the speakers. Later, an orchestra played the theme to Jaws to ramp up the atmosphere.
At every opportunity, grown men covered in face paint would yell Raaaiiiddd-errrsss. Some even turned up in fancy dress, including a robot with three heads.
With plentiful food options and every seat equipped with a cup holder for mega-size beers, this is a fantastic American experience.
On my first day, I saw a man being placed in handcuffs by two ladies in glittery hotpants, an older gentleman doing a superb Barry White impression, and a woman walking along holding a parrot.
In search of my inner Lewis Hamilton, I later headed to Dream Racing, which is a purpose-built race track a short drive into the desert. Thrill-seekers can take supercars for a spin at unimaginable speeds.
Having been presented with a menu of car options (Ferraris, Porsches and Aston Martins) I opted for a Lamborghini Huracan, a monster of a machine capable of reaching 202mph, and 0-60 in 3.4 seconds.
Although I was nervous, superb and clear directions from my instructor Neil in the passenger seat made every lap exhilarating. I felt I could take on Lando Norris!
When you are not getting stuck into sports, going to the famous Strip in Sin City is entertainment in itself.
On my first day, I saw a man being placed in handcuffs by two ladies in glittery hotpants, an older gentleman doing a superb Barry White impression, and a woman walking along holding a parrot.
And it was only 9.30am.
Catching a show is a must. So off I went to see O, a Cirque du Soleil production at The Bellagio. Acrobats, divers and artistic swimmers on a stage formed of water and fire created an imaginative spectacle.
Fountain of youth
With so much going on, it can feel hard to take everything in.
But one way to try is with a helicopter tour, and a 15-minute night trip ($175/£134pp) showed Las Vegas in all its splendour. The wrap-around glass in the eight-seater chopper ensured a clear view of the pulsating city below.
You will need to fuel all that adrenaline one way or another, of course. An egg and bacon breakfast sandwich made with dripping-fried bread at Sadelle’s, inside The Bellagio, is one of them.
Lunch at Chica, between the canals inside The Venetian, included a flaming skull made of chocolate.
Not only is Las Vegas a place where world champions are crowned, it’s somewhere anyone can feel like one too.
Meanwhile, dinner at The Mayfair Supper Club at The Bellagio — with views of the fountains through the windows and a roster of talented singers taking to the stage — was perfect for a special night.
Much like a bet at the smoke-filled casinos, I found it tough to resist the temptation of a cocktail.
I’d recommend a Verbena in The Chandelier bar at The Cosmopolitan.
This is a drink so famous they don’t bother to list it on the menu.
Drinkers are encouraged to take a sip, then bite into the little flower that comes with it. The taste explosion that follows is something else.
This much fun can be exhausting, so Awana Spa at Resorts World is an idyllic place to rest and recuperate.
It was an oasis of calm, featuring a steam room, sauna and a “fountain of youth” network of pools framed by a projection screen displaying beautiful landscapes.
I could have happily missed my flight home to remain just a little longer in the heated chairs.
Not only is Las Vegas a place where world champions are crowned, it’s somewhere anyone can feel like one too.
GO: LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
GETTING THERE: Virgin Atlantic flies from Heathrow to Las Vegas from £544pp return. See virginatlantic.com.
STAYING THERE: Aria Resort & Casino has rooms from £92 per night (excluding resort fees and taxes). See aria.mgmresorts.com.
RACING THERE: Single-day tickets for the Grand Prix start at £38 while three-day tickets start at £310 for General Admission to the Flamingo Zone by Caesars Rewards. Turn 3 Grandstand tickets cost from £873. See f1lasvegasgp.com.
OUT & ABOUT: Watch O by Cirque du Soleil, tickets start at £61pp. See cirquedusoleil.com/o.
Dream Racing experience starts from £152. See dreamracing.com. A three-hour spa pass to Awana Spa at Resorts World costs from £92. See rwlasvegas.com/health-wellness/awana-spa.
For more information, see visitlasvegas.com.