SPOTLIGHT

MGM Grand, 866.740.7111

World of Wonder

He’s arguably the most famous magician in the world—he was awarded a Hall of Fame honor in Las Vegas Magazine’s inaugural class in 2020—and he’s back on the Las Vegas Strip to astound, entertain, and connect with audiences from across the globe. David Copperfield is truly one of a kind.

If you’ve never seen Copperfield at work, very little can prepare you for the emotions you’re about to experience. As he makes things small and massive disappear seemingly at will, all you can do is gape and ask your plus-one, “How did he do that?” (Expect that to happen multiple times during the show.) But as spectacular as Copperfield’s illusions are, what really puts his shows over the top is the way he personalizes his illusions—they almost feel organic to the story he is telling, whether it’s a memory of his father or a touching story from his childhood (Yes, you may tear up a bit). –Ken Miller

Belly (Laugh) Up to the Bar

Atomic Saloon Show’s setting—looking like a Wild West saloon, with audience members both at floor level and in the balconies—just immediately puts you in a mood to have a great time. And when the singing cowboy comes out, belting out one of the raunchiest tunes you’ve ever heard, you are all in.

The show follows the slimmest of plot threads—a love story, yawn!—but it’s completely unimportant to the proceedings. It’s more a framework upon which various performers strut their talents, from naughty nuns to hand-balancing studs to super-sexy acrobats. Tying these all together is host Boozy Skunkton, the foul-mouthed, hilarious proprietor.

Those who have been to Spiegelworld’s other Strip production, Absinthe, have a good idea of what to expect at Atomic: An anything-goes, un-politically correct good time. And make sure to grab a drink at the bar before taking your seat: Alcohol is practically mandatory here! –Ken Miller

Watching the Wheels

Whether you’ve raced an elite machine countless times or you’re a complete beginner, you’ll find an experience to give you an adrenaline rush at Exotics Racing.

You get to choose from a fleet of more than 40 of the finest cars in the world— Lamborghinis, Porsches, Ferraris, McLarens—and take to the track to try them out (after receiving some basic training information, of course).

Want something more down to earth? Exotics also has an extensive array of go-karts—here called SuperKarts. You can race away on Exotics’ new track, knowing you’re completely safe, which allows you to focus on one thing: fun. If you’d rather be a spectator, no problem! Try a ride-along with a driving professional in a Dodge Charger Hellcat for the ride of your life. –KM

7605 Speedway Blvd., 702.405.7223

The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and The Palazzo, 18+, 702.414.9000

Mission Possible

Have you ever fantasized about being a government operative or an action hero? Well, put on your spy shoes and jump on FLY LINQ Zipline for an adventure. Start near Las Vegas Boulevard from a tower that’s 12 stories up. You’ll reach speeds that approach 35 mph. Zoom over the heads of crowds of people, departing as silently as you arrived. There are height and weight requirements, of course. Be sure to obey safety rules—after all, you wouldn’t want to hit a laser, set off the alarm and have to abort the mission (should you choose to accept it). –Nina King

The Linq Promenade, 702.777.2782

Reality Bites Get the Gordon Ramsay experience here

Entertainment meets flavor at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, one of the most popular restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip. Named for Ramsay’s hit reality series, the dining room will be instantly recognizable to fans with its now-iconic red and blue kitchens. And the cuisine fans see being served on the show is all here, from the pan-seared scallops and lobster risotto to filet mignon—although, unlike the show, all are cooked to perfection each and every time, of course.

Take a seat in the high-energy dining room and get ready for a real adventure. The signature cocktail list has a bit of everything, from the Meet Your Maker, made with Maker’s Mark, of course, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, mint, apple, strawberry and cinnamon, to the Peat’s Dragon, featuring Ardbeg Scotch, Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur, lemon and egg white. But fans of Ramsay will love the Notes From Gordon, a cocktail featuring Plymouth dry gin, green tea, lemongrass, peach and lemon. In addition to a delicious sip, you’ll get a note with the drink containing a bon mot Ramsay has said on his show. (“This crab is so undercooked, it just told me its name is Sebastian!”)

Most know about Ramsay’s beef Wellington, a juicy cut of meat surrounded by a pastry shell in a red wine demi-glace, but explore the rest of the menu and you’ll find other delights. Jidori chicken scallopini is pure decadence, served with roasted pee wee potatoes, artichokes and lacinato kale, while crispy skin salmon is perfectly complemented by warm white beans, sea bean salad, Iberico chorizo, all in a citrus beurre blanc.

It wouldn’t be a Gordon Ramsay experience without the sticky toffee pudding for dessert, but if you want a change of pace, there’s also salted peanut decadence, a carmelized peanut crisp and peanut butter crémeux, served with salted peanut ice cream. –Ken Miller

Caesars Palace, 702.731.7373

Bigger and Better

How big a hit has Tape Face been in Las Vegas? Big enough that his original venue at Harrah’s, The House of Tape, is no longer big enough to meet demand. Starting immediately, the inimitable mime who performs with a piece of tape over his mouth will move into Harrah’s Cabaret.

“We are beyond excited to have outgrown the 180-seat House of Tape venue,” said Sam Wills, the creator of the Tape Face character, adding that the Harrah’s Cabaret has a 300-seat capacity.

For those who have not yet seen a Tape Face show, know this: There’s a very real possibility you will be asked onstage to be part of his act. Tape Face delights in turning everyday household items into comedic props—oven mitts, table tennis paddles and staple guns—and the audience is a big part of that. For example, don’t be surprised to see your loved one onstage dancing to the Jacksons’ “Blame It On the Boogie.” And don’t be surprised to find yourself doubled over with laughter. –Ken Miller

Harrah’s, 702.777.2782

All-Terrain Fun

It might be hot out, but who cares when you’re whipping through the desert on a wickedly fun ATV? Vegas ATV Adventures puts you behind the controls of your very own Can-Am ATV or Polaris ATV. Book the Yellow Pine one-hour ATV tour, where you’ll go on an off-road adventure through the historic (and haunted?) mining town of Goodsprings. The rugged, natural beauty of the desert, Joshua trees and canyons provide the perfect backdrop for your ride, during which you might also encounter desert creatures like jackrabbits, roadrunners, wild mustangs and quail.

Professional tour guides will be on every ride to assist all skill levels. All guests must wear masks and closed-toe shoes. And a bonus: Enjoy cooler weather on your adventure as Goodsprings, which is 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, tends to be 10 or more degrees cooler! –Kiko Miyasato

For reservations, call 702.254.0770

Flowers Through Fall

One of the neatest experiences in Vegas, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at Area15, recently announced that it was extending its exhibition through the fall. This hybrid of museum display and digital animation takes one through a truncated version of Van Gogh’s life using his famous art. And special this month is Sunflowers & Rosé: A Guided Painting Experience that goes hand-in-hand with the show. From 11 a.m-12:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 and 26, enjoy a painting class and create your own masterpiece while enjoying a rose or mimosa (age 21-plus), then take in a showing of the exhibition. –Nina King

Area15, area15.com

Class Is in Session

Get ready to learn about human anatomy like never before

You can view it as a learning experience. You can view it as entertainment. Either way you choose to view Bodies … The Exhibition at Luxor, you’ll walk away from the attraction with a better understanding and appreciation for that body that actually just carried you through said exhibit.

Bodies...The Exhibition is human anatomy come to life in a unique, curious and teachable way. Put through a method known as polymer preservation, 13 real, whole-body specimens and more than 250 actual organs and body parts are on display (as well as skeletal structures). The self-guided experience is also chock-full of facts you can read throughout the exhibit. Every drop of blood in the body passes through the heart once per minute. The tongue is made up of 16 individual muscles. The kidneys filter impurities from the blood at a rate of 15 gallons per hour.

See what a lung looks like after years of smoking (guests that do smoke have the chance to toss their packs of cigarettes into a clear plastic box as a sign of a commitment to quit); what a liver looks like from cirrhosis damage; what the brain looks like after suffering a stroke; what organs look like from overeating or lack of exercise. The exhibit is also divided into sections so guests can explore the body’s muscular, skeletal, circulatory and respiratory systems. A highly sensitive exhibit explains and shows fetal development (this is a room you can choose to skip entirely). For an extremely timely exploration, Bodies...The Exhibition recently added a few displays that explore the effects that COVID-19 has on the body. Read about what the virus does to the circulatory system, the reproductive system, the respiratory system, the digestive system and more.

Perhaps the most meaningful quote on display says, “Why all this interest in the human body? The answer seems quite clear: your body is the only thing you can carry with you from the moment you are born until your very last breath.” So why wouldn’t you want to learn as much as you can about your body, right? And that makes Bodies … The Exhibition a must-see. –Kiko Miyasato

Luxor, 702.262.4400

Comedy, Laughs and a Dog

The first thing you’ll probably notice about John van der Put is his costume—I mean, how could you possibly miss it? Bedecked head to toe in green and wearing a knowing smirk, he looks like a disgruntled member of the Muppets. Of course, once you actually hear Piff the Magic Dragon speak, it becomes a whole different story. You’re not listening to a guy in a strange suit; you’re enjoying a magician who makes nonstop jokes about how much he loves gold and fair maidens, all with the most deadpan lilt. Within a few seconds, you are under his spell. Whether it’s magic, comedy or a combination of both, you’re more than happy to spend an hour with this medieval, mercurial madman.

He’s back performing with Mr. Piffles, his tiny dog that’s ever-present in everything Piff does onstage, whether it’s interacting with the audience or performing an illusion. It’s a welcome return for one of the Strip’s most unique and memorable performers, who now famously refers to himself as “The Loser of America’s Got Talent.” If you know anything about Piff, you’ll know that’s a title he’s extremely proud of. –Ken Miller

Oh, Those Wings

Yes, you can get the wings, and most certainly you can get the beer, but that’s only part of what Hooters serves up. You’ll find monster portions of dishes like Tex Mex nachos with chili guac and chipotle sauce, fried pickles, chicken Caesar salad, and Baja fish tacos (either grilled or crispy), with an optional upgrade to blackened mahi-mahi. Get grilled fish, Philly cheesesteaks and blackened mahi-mahi sandwiches, or several types of half-pound burgers, from a patty melt to a double-decker. A favorite appetizer here, the Lots-A-Tots, is a huge mound of tots with cheese, sour cream, green onions and bacon.

If the wings are what you’re here for, Hooters offer five varieties, plus eight different types of sauces. You can find those wing sauces all over the menu, too, in sandwiches, salads and other items. Plus, Hooters surrounds you with TV screens, making it perfect for watching sports. –Nina King

OYO Hotel & Casino, 866.584.6687

Flamingo, 13+, 702.777.2782 Ticketmaster

Choice Voice

For years, Gordie Brown has been making audiences laugh with uncanny impersonations of some of the world’s most famous people. But Brown is far more than just an impersonator; he’s also a versatile comedian who puts his various voices into some strange situations—it’s one thing to impersonate Jack Nicholson, but when you have him talking about a golf swing, that’s taking serious talent to the next level. –KM

Golden Nugget, 866.946.5336

The Venetian, 702.414.1270

Location, Location, Location Beloved Greek restaurant moves to The Venetian

When Estiatorio Milos closed in the fall at The Cosmopolitan, a deep sigh surely was issued from all the fans of Costas Spiliadis’ Vegas restaurant, where countless dishes and dinners were served up through the years. That sigh undoubtedly transformed into one of relief when they found out Estiatorio Milos was reopening in spring at The Venetian in a lovely new space in its restaurant row.

The Vegas outpost of the global brand entirely remodeled the space at The Venetian with wood and marble, creating a light peaceful environment that nonetheless buzzes with happy diners. Past an inviting bar, there are two beautiful market areas displaying both the incredible array of fruit, veg and herbs, and the fresh fish used in Estiatorio’s dishes, all in front of a bustling open kitchen. In addition, you’ll find a room dedicated to making the restaurant’s yogurt.

What should you be on the lookout for when ordering? A new raw bar offering such things as big eye tuna sashimi and tartare, plus ceviche. And the Milos Special piles thinly sliced and lightly fried zucchini and eggplant with accompanying kefalograviera cheese and tzatziki. It’s just superb.

A Greek salad has all the classic ingredients, plus barrel-aged feta. Grilled octopus and mushrooms, Holland pepper and fried calamari are all sure to whet your appetite for grilled whole fish or fish encased in salt and oven-baked.

For the red-meat lover, ribeye, filet mignon and Colorado lamb chops all come with Greek fried potatoes, all available with sides such as a Santorini fava purée, asparagus and broccoli.

For dessert, traditional baklava comes with ice cream and pistachios. The Greek yogurt with Kythirian thyme honey is delicious without being overwhelmingly sweet. –Nina King