Matador Network's Blog, page 434
July 21, 2022
How To Make the Most of Your Visit To the WNDR Museum in Chicago
You’ve been to the standard art museums — the Louvre, the British Museum, New York City’s MoMA. The ones that keep you at a distance from the artwork and are, sorry to say, a bit stodgy. Well, the WNDR Museum (short for “Wonder”) in Chicago is nothing like that. This museum blends art and technology in a way that’s available and interactive for everyone. The museum in Chicago’s West Loop opened in 2018 as a pop-up but has morphed into a permanent art experience.
“We really want to convey that we are all artists,” says Ryan Kunkel, president of WNDR Global. “Every person is an artist in their own way and I think that’s what makes our experience so unique. Our art and our experience is incomplete without you interacting, participating, and becoming part of the art that we deliver. We want you to come explore, touch, interact, engage, and really ignite your curiosity.”
To help you get the best experience at the WNDR museum, we took a tour and compiled the best tips for your visit — along with input from Kunkel. Just remember to come back often, because the exhibits are all semi-permanent — There are ten new ones throughout every year.
The #1 piece of advice for visiting the WNDR MuseumWNDR Museum hours of operation and ticketsThe best times to visit the WNDR Museum ChicagoHow to get to the WNDR Museum and where to parkHow long you should budget to visit the WNDR Museum ChicagoWhere to start your visit at the WNDR MuseumSpecial events at Chicago’s WNDR MuseumThe WNDR Museum gift shopThe 5 best exhibits at the WNDR Museum ChicagoWhat you can skip at Chicago’s WNDR MuseumA warning for those with sensory sensitivitiesThe #1 piece of advice for visiting the WNDR MuseumPlan to spend some time inspecting the museum’s nooks and crannies. There’s a prescribed path to get through it, but you’ll want to be sure you give yourself enough time at each stop to find what you might not see at first glance.
“Find the surprises,” Kunkel says. “There are lots of little hidden easter eggs throughout the space. There are lots of small touches that could be easily overlooked if you’re not on the lookout for them.”
Watch out for things like hidden doors, unique door handles, and even a secret handprint from the Blue Man Group.
WNDR Museum hours of operation and tickets
Photo: WNDR Museum
WNDR Museum hoursThe WNDR Museum is open every day, but hours vary. On Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, it’s open from 10 AM to 8 PM. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s open from 12 noon to 8 PM. And on Saturday, it’s open from 10 AM to 9 PM.
WNDR tickets and discountsFor WNDR Museum tickets, you have two options:
General Admission: $32 ($38 during peak hours). Kids from three to 12 are $22 ($28 during peak hours), and children two and under get in for free. There is no student discount at the WNDR Museum.VIP Experience: $50. This option lets you get in quicker and allows a second lap through the exhibits (general admission gets one walkthrough only). You’ll also get a limited edition collector’s pin, a photo, and a 10 percent discount at the gift shop.You can also choose to add on a Collector’s Pack for $15 when you order your tickets online. You’ll get a pin, a water bottle, a holographic sticker, and a keychain. You’ll pick them up at the gift shop when you’re done in the museum.The best times to visit the WNDR Museum ChicagoIf you want to avoid the biggest crowds and the highest prices, go during the off hours. Peak hours are 12 noon to 4 PM on Monday through Thursday; 12 noon to 8:30 PM on Friday; and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Keep in mind that even with small visitor numbers during off-peak hours, lines can form for some of the exhibits.
How to get to the WNDR Museum and where to parkThe WNDR Museum is in Chicago’s West Loop, a part of the city notoriously known for limited parking options. Your best bet is to take public transportation. The Green, Pink, and Blue lines stop nearby, as do several buses. Use the Chicago Transit Authority’s trip planning site to plan your route. If you absolutely must drive, WNDR Museum parking by valet is available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2 PM to 8 PM for $15 per car. Or, you can reserve a parking spot through the museum’s dedicated SpotHero parking page.
How long you should budget to visit the WNDR Museum ChicagoGive yourself two hours to visit the museum. Pay attention to the larger exhibits, being sure to read all the signs because some of them have instructions for interactivity. And remember on your way through to look for the smaller hidden treasures. Which of Kunkel’s easter eggs can you find?
Where to start your visit at the WNDR MuseumIt’s easy to know where to start your visit at the WNDR Museum — because the entrance leads you right to the beginning of the path. Follow the arrows on the floor, but do take the time to enjoy each stop fully.
“We want to create different types of sensory experiences as you traverse the space,” Kunkel says. “There is a general path and flow that we think effectively ignites your curiosity and your senses as you move through the space, but we also want you to have enough flexibility to pause and dabble as you see fit.”
Special events at Chicago’s WNDR MuseumEvery month, the museum hosts special events called WNDR After Dark. The series is held after opening hours of the museum and pulls in a live DJ for entertainment as you walk through the exhibits. If you’re 21 and over, you can buy alcohol, too. WNDR also has “a lot of seasonal transformations such as turning the entire space into Winter Wonderland from Thanksgiving to New Years, or Trick or Treat programming around Halloween,” Kunkel says. The calendar of special events is on the website—be sure to buy tickets in advance.
The WNDR Museum gift shopIf you’re in the market for some unique gifts — either to treat yourself or someone else — don’t miss the gift shop. The products are just as interactive as the museum itself. Some of the highlights include an art oracle, Chicago neighborhood puzzles, a kit to make flipbooks, and Miracle Berries, a snack that alters your sense of taste.
The five best exhibits at the WNDR Museum ChicagoYayoi Kusama’s Infinity RoomPhoto: WNDR Museum
Get a sense of infinity in this room, the first and only infinity room in the Midwest. You’ll be surrounded by mirrors on the walls and on spheres hanging from the ceiling. Be sure to look into the center column for an even more intense experience.
Try to Get Higher
Photo: Hannah Shanker
This is Kunkel’s favorite exhibit. You enter a large room with a keypad in the center made with arcade buttons. Every button you push triggers a different sound and a different projection on the screen in front of you.
“What’s most impressive about this piece is that there’s no combination that sounds poorly,” Kunkel says. “Essentially it allows everyone to create a beautiful track.”
WNDR Light Floor
Photo: New Pixel Films
On the WNDR Light Floor, every move you make that touches the floor triggers a colorful and flowing LED light display. Try standing, stopping, running, and jumping to see how the floor changes with each move. Limit your time at this exhibit if you have severe motion sickness.
The Wisdom Project
Photo: Bryan Colindres
According to Kunkel, this is the most underrated exhibit in the entire museum. It’s a full wall that visitors create by answering the question, “What do you know for sure?” You write the answer down on a slip of paper and add it to the wall.
“To take the time and read the messages from other guests is truly profound,” Kunkel says. “It’s a personal favorite experience of mine, to pause and reflect on what’s on our guests’ minds. To understand the underlying sentiments left there is powerful.
Other things you shouldn’t miss at the WNDR MuseumDon’t skip a chance to peek your head both down the hallway to the first bathroom and into the first bathroom itself, or to reach for the door handle at the second bathroom. If you see a sequined wall, take the time to touch it and flip the sequins around to be part of the art yourself. Watch out for work by Keith Haring, and grab a selfie in the photobooths. Pro-tip: Some of these things are more fun with two people, so bring a friend along on your visit.
What you can skip at Chicago’s WNDR MuseumBecause every exhibit at the WNDR Museum is on your path, it’s easy to see and experience all of them. That being said, some of the exhibits just don’t have the same wow factor. If you’ve been to a lot of the immersive art exhibits popping up around the country, you can probably skip the Flux room, which pairs art video with music. The Secret Chord exhibit, based on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” lost some of its appeal because music from other parts of the museum was leaking in. You may also choose to skip the Projection Dome, which displays a cloudscape into a dome. The main issue with this exhibit is that it’s high up in the corner, so you have to crane your neck a bit to see it, and there’s not much else to it other than clouds.
A warning for those with sensory sensitivities
Photo: WNDR Museum
The WNDR Museum is a sensory experience, so by nature, there’s going to be a lot of light and sound. If you or someone you’re going with has sensory sensitivities, budget in some extra time to take breaks and get out of the artwork before continuing. The best place to do that is in the Secret Chord exhibit, where you sit in a dark room listening to a virtual choir perform Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” The other cool thing about this exhibit, aside from the calming break, is that the choir you hear changes based on how many people around the world are currently listening to the song. You can see a count of listeners on the ceiling. 
July 20, 2022
This New Art Installation Shows What It’s Like To Be Inside an Icelandic Volcano
Volcano eruptions are unpredictable. While you definitely don’t want to get caught near one, if you’re fascinated by the thought of what it would be like to hear, smell, and feel what happens when a volcano erupts, you’re not alone. Icelander and multi-disciplinary artist Jón Þór “Jónsi” Birgisson’s 2021 art installation Hrafntinna (Obsidian) has made its way to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Canada. And while there are plenty of volcanoes you can see up close, for those uninterested in hiking, Jónsi’s installation is meant to simulate the real thing.
Jónsi created Obsidian to pair with his 2021 album release of the same name. When the artist couldn’t see the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland due to the pandemic, he reimagined what it would be like to be inside one, according to a press release. Guests will find themselves in an immersive “dark ring” that uses the senses to make the experience come alive.
Inside the art installation, viewers are surrounded by 195 speakers that grumble and sing through a 16-channel composition inspired by Icelandic choral music mixed with the natural sounds of lava flowing and rocks crumbling. You’ll even hear Jónsi’s voice. Guests will also get a whiff of the sweet and smoky scent of fossilized amber. And above, a circular light represents the volcano’s summit, where guests will experience light that breaks up the dark.
The exhibit at AGO opens on July 22, and is located on Level two in the Signy Eaton Gallery. Admission is free for AGO Members, AGO Annual Pass Holders and visitors ages 25 and under. Otherwise, general admission tickets are $25, and for $10 more, you can become an annual pass holder. The exhibit will be on display through 2023.
10 of the Quirkiest Hotels You Can Stay at in California
California has always been America’s capital of quirk. Sometimes it manifests itself as bizarre roadside attractions in the desert. Sometimes it’s spending a weekend learning tantric sex. Whatever the reason, the creative spirit of California runs deep, and that extends to the world of hotels too. Whether it’s airstream trailers set out in the desert or a wine country retreat with classic cars in your room, the state has some altogether unusual places to stay. Here’s a look at 10 California hotels with the most personality.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
The Victorian Mansion in Los Alamos
Photo: Booking.com
Themed suites aren’t anything new in the world of wine country bed and breakfasts. But themed suites with classic cars for an ensuite drive-in movie? That’s only at “The Vick,” which has 1950s-themed rooms that offer said drive-in, plus old diner tables, a snack bar mural, and a bathroom with 1950s-style graffiti. Other suite themes include the captain’s quarters of a pirate ship, a weekend in Paris, and a Roman empire room where your bed is a chariot. The hotel also offers wine tasting packages through Santa Barbara, and in-room massages should the need strike.
Hicksville Trailer Palace in Joshua TreeTrailer parks get kind of a bad rap, what with all the tornadoes and exploding meth labs. This one deep in the California desert, however, makes the trailer park cool with a family of airstreams surrounding a shuffleboard court, swimming pool, and plenty of Astroturf. The cozy trailers range in theme from space alien to horror movie, some with kitchens, some with no bathrooms. The setting is so unusual it’s rented out for photo shoots almost as much as for overnight lodging. Need more convincing? Lana del Rey thought enough of the place to shoot her video for “White Dress” there.
Relight Historic Bunk House and Speakeasy in Truckee
Photo: Booking.com
It’s one thing to take an old brothel and rehab it into a boutique hostel. It’s quite another to take original windows, doors, and other fixtures and recreate the experience as legally as possible. That’s the gist of the Redlight, which has a ground floor bordello-themed cocktail lounge that feels like a trip back to California’s rough and tumble mining days. The rooms are hostel-style, which means shared bunk rooms and privates all adorned in crimson curtains to keep with the theme. The lone studio apartment is covered in a local, nature-inspired mural with dark wood furniture and red floors. Downstairs, the bar includes red velvet wallpaper, the same style discovered on the wall during renovations.
Treebones Resort in Big SurLuxury yurt living with stunning views of mountains and water isn’t reserved for the depths of Patagonia. You’ll also find it in Big Sur at this cliffside glamping resort. Each yurt offers an ocean view, and though they don’t have private bathrooms everything is a pretty short walk away. The biggest draw, however, isn’t the yurts but the “human nest” campsite — a perch crafted from spiraling tree branches by a local artist. The food isn’t simple camping food, either, with a full-service sushi bar onsite and gourmet restaurant serving three course dinner nightly.
Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo
Photo: Booking.com
The inside of this palace along the California coast brings to mind the video for “Material Girl.” But despite its abundance of pink, the hotel isn’t named for the pop star or the Virgin Mary. It gets its name from founders Alex and Phyllis Madonna who built the place in the 1950s. The outside brings to mind storied gilded age hotels, like the Claremont in Berkeley or the Grand in Mackinac Island. But the interior is a strange journey into mid-century kitsch and creativity, with 110 themed rooms and rock waterfalls, spiral staircases, and impeccable design. They’re an appetizer for the main course at the Gold Rush Steakhouse, a posh meat palace done up in oversized pink booths and gold trim. You’ll also find a bakery making over-the-top cakes onsite, and a beach-entry cool complete with its own waterfall. As anyone who has been before knows, you should be sure to check out the world-famous bathrooms.
Kate’s Lazy Desert in LandersThe West Coast outpost of the Kate’s Lazy Meadow in the Catskills is a collection of artist-designed airstreams just outside Joshua Tree National Park. Each one feels like setting up a trailer in your own private corner of the desert, with themes ranging from tiki to Alaskan. The most recognizable, however, is the “Hairstream” trailer, a trippy tribute to the tour bus days of the B52s. This might seem a little superfan creepy, until you realize Kate of Kate’s Lazy Desert is Kate Pierson, who you may remember from her atomic hairdo and the vocals for “Love Shack.”
The Saguaro in Palm Springs
Photo: Booking.com
If you’ve seen pictures of Palm Springs pool parties, or unique photo shoots with colorful hotel doorways against a towering desert mountain backdrop, then you’ve seen the Saguaro. The hotel has become a symbol of the city, a mid-century gem done up in rainbow hues that match the desert sunset. Rooms are awash in bright colors too, evoking a sort of cartoonish Roger Waters version of the 1950s. Its unusual style has made the Saguaro a destination for pool parties, and if you’re in town for the weekend you’ll likely end up here at some point sipping cocktails.
Featherbed Railroad B&B in Clear LakeRows of red cabooses sit neatly inside a grove of oak and pine trees, almost as if an abandoned train had been left in the middle of the forest. But these vintage Santa Fe railroad cars aren’t relics of a long-forgotten derailment. They’re themed trains that transport you from Casablanca to a Caribbean beach house without ever getting on a track. The nine cabooses are each experiences of their own, some with private hot tubs and individual bars. The signature feature – aside from the whole “being inside a caboose” thing – are the goose down featherbeds that make for a legendary night’s sleep. The property also has its own boat ramp and beach, and is only a short drive to the heart of Lake County wine country.
Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino
Photo: Booking.com
During the dawn of the American road trip, few symbolized the Route 66 experience like the chain of roadside Wigwam motels. One of the three that remain sits just inside San Bernardino, where 19 individually appointed wigwams welcome road-weary travelers. Inside, they’re basically motel rooms, with some western touches like wagon wheels and Native American-inspired décor. The Wigwam is also the rare Route 66 motel with a swimming pool, where you can lay out in the sun surrounded by tee-pee relics of a bygone era.
Metro Hotel & Café in Petaluma
Photo: Booking.com
When the Metro Hotel tells you it’s “a little trip to Paris in Sonoma County,” it’s not an exaggeration. Most of the objects that occupy the rooms and common areas, from the trademark goose lamps to the eclectic collection of gnomes, came from flea markets the owner frequents in France. Walls in the rooms are adorned in vintage French school posters, and the café-style dining room indeed evokes a Parisian vibe. You’ll find quizzical objects everywhere at the Metro, whether it’s a doll in a French maid’s outfit or a plastic flamingo outside one of the hotel’s airstream trailers. There’s also a full crepe breakfast every morning, to put the finishing touches on your Californian trip to the continent.
More like thisArt + ArchitectureThis Chic California Hotel Has a MET-Worthy Art CollectionThere’s a Tiny Portion of Yellowstone National Park Where You Can Literally Get Away With Murder
It might sound a little like The Purge, but a slight discrepancy in the law might make you think differently about Yellowstone National Park. In 2005, Michigan State law professor Brian Kalt discovered a loophole in the United States Constitution that made it impossible to prosecute any crimes in a small section of the park. He named it the Zone of Death.
The Zone of Death is a 50-mile area of Yellowstone National Park, where the park spills over from Wyoming into Idaho. In Kalt’s 2005 Georgetown Law Journal article, The Perfect Crime, he explains that the sixth amendment says that federal crimes must be prosecuted under the state and district that the crime was committed in. However, in the case of Yellowstone, the federal district of Wyoming has full jurisdiction over the entirety of the park. So, if you committed a crime in the Zone of Death, you’d only be able to prosecute that person using the population of people who live in that 50 miles. The number of people who live there is zero.
Since Kalt discovered the loophole, he’s set out to get Congress to fix it by creating legal framework that either makes Idaho’s portions of Yellowstone inside the District of Idaho or for residents of Wyoming who live in the federal district to be able to prosecute. But Kalt was told this was not high on Congress’ priority list, according to Vox.
In 2007, the courts had the opportunity to address this issue head on, but they left the loophole unfilled. There’s a similar portion of land that’s in Montana, but the difference is people do live in the area, making it difficult but not impossible to host a trial with a jury of your peers. Michael Belderrain illegally killed an elk inside the Park’s jurisdiction and used Kalt’s article as his defense. Prosecutors decided to offer a plea deal that gave Kalt a lesser sentence under the condition that he wouldn’t be able to appeal.
The hypothetical situation seems pretty unlikely since no one has been arrested for crimes committed in the Zone of Death at this time. However, even if you thought you could get away with the perfect crime, it’s likely you’d be charged with crimes they could prosecute you on somewhere else like conspiracy or gun related charges. I wouldn’t recommend finding out anytime soon.
Where To Find the Best Korean Hot Dogs in Houston
Over the years, Americans have perfected carnival food. Options are usually fried, often on a stick, and typically can be eaten on the go. And of all the carnival foods that fit this description, perhaps none are as well-known as the corn dog. A hot dog fried in cornmeal batter, it might seem like an American food through and through. And yet Americans have not mastered the corn dog: The Korean hot dog is actually the peak version of this portable meat-on-a-stick snack.
What are Korean hot dogs?In Seoul, you’ll likely see Korean hot dogs referred to as K-dogs or gamja hot dogs. Americans will probably recognize that a Korean hot dog is closer to what we think of as a corn dog than a traditional hot dog, and most shops stateside will label them as such.
What is a Korean hot dog made of?
Photo: Theerawan/Shutterstock
Korean hot dogs are a popular street food in Seoul night markets. A Korean hot dog consists of a sausage dipped in batter and deep fried, however there are crucial differences: First of all, it’s sometimes filled with mozzarella cheese instead of a sausage or hot dog frank (or some combination of both), and the batter is a sweet flour-based batter. In South Korea you might also see fillings like squid ink or spam.
The best part of the Korean hot dog experience might be the toppings though. This type of corn dog is all about the crunch, so it’s often fried in a layer or breadcrumbs, or rolled in crunchy corn flakes or dried ramen noodles. Cubes of potato are another popular topping. After it’s been fried, the outside of the corn is often coated in granulated sugar. Then it’s drizzled with ketchup and mayonnaise.
Where to eat a Korean hot dog in HoustonHouston (and the suburbs just outside of Houston) is one of the best places in the country to try a Korean hot dog. The city has been shaped by immigration, and today many different cultures influence the diverse cuisine available there. The Korean population in Houston is small but mighty (around 14,000 people) but there’s no doubt that Houstonians have come to embrace Korean food and culture.
Here’s where you can find the best Korean hot dogs in and around Houston.
Oh K-DogView this post on InstagramA post shared by Oh K-Dog (@ohkdog_houston)
At Ok K-Dog the speciality is deep fried K-dogs and egg toast. Options include a deep fried stick of mozzarella or rice cake, the classic beef hot dog, and a beef hot dog wrapped in a slime of cheese. In one especially interesting version of the Oh K-Dog, the batter is dyed with black squid ink.
Where: 1302 Blalock Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Two Hands Corn DogsThis chain has locations all over the United States, including four in Texas. At Two Hands, you can experience the classic K-dog. The shop sells versions fried in crispy rice puffs or potato cubes, which can be drizzled with ranch dressing. The spicy dog is rolled in Hot Cheeto powder.
Where: 9393 Bellaire Blvd Suite F, Houston, TX 77036
KrazydogView this post on InstagramA post shared by KRAZYDOG (@krazydog_cypress)
Krazydog gets creative with its toppings: Here you’ll find condensed milk and basil pesto drizzles, soybean powder, and cubed sweet potato. This spot also features a spicy option dusted with Cheetos. For dessert, you can try another Korean street food street, called the croiffle – croissant dough cooked in a waffle maker and topped with treats like cream cheese or maple syrup.
Where: 7160 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77433
Ugly Donuts and Corn DogsThis Korean street food shop specializes in kkwabaegi (twisted donuts), bubble tea, and corn dogs. The corn dogs are loaded with toppings – the Classic American topped with relish, fried onion flakes, onion powder while the pizza version is filled with mozzarella and topped with tomato sauce, basil pesto, garlic powder, and parsley.
Where: 11200 Broadway St suite 1210, Pearland, TX 77584
Sul Bing SuView this post on InstagramA post shared by BingSu + Mochinut (@bingsukaty)
At Sul Bing Su, visitors can pick up boxes of mochi donuts and glass jars of bubble tea. The restaurant also whips up Korean hot dogs from Chung Chun, a Canadian chain, rolled in classic and more innovative toppings ranging from layers of crushed Cheetos, blue Takis, and dried ramen noodles. The shop also specializes in Korean shaved ice, piled high with fruit and whipped cream.
Where: 9798 Bellaire Blvd Ste E Houston, TX 77036
The 7 Best Beach Bars in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Beach was the birthplace of spring break, and despite the city’s efforts to shoo it elsewhere, it still lives on. On any given day, you can saunter into any one of the many Fort Lauderdale beach bars and find yourself next to someone who came on spring break in 1981 and never left. And they’ve got the football-colored skin to prove it.
People like that are part of why drinking on the beach in Fort Lauderdale is as much about the colorful characters as it is the tropical drinks. You’ll find everyone from old-timey locals to live performing mermaids in bars that run the gamut from dives to upscale cocktail lounges in the Ritz Carlton. No matter your style, there’s a Fort Lauderdale bar with views of the Atlantic Ocean for you.
Elbo RoomView this post on InstagramA post shared by Elbo Room FT. Lauderdale Beach (@elbo.room)
Any discussion of beach bars – or any bars – in Fort Lauderdale must always begin with the Elbo Room. This landmark beach dive on the corner of Las Olas Boulevard and A1A has been around since 1939, serving sunsoaked bad decisions to visitors and “colorful” locals as the city grew up around it.
During high season, it’s ground zero for spring break, a title it first gained from its appearance in the spring breaker movie Where the Boys Are that was then cemented with an iconic Life Magazine photo of a student hanging from a street sign. Even when America’s best and brightest aren’t downing tequila shots at the bar, Elbo Room hosts live bands and daylong beach parties that draw all walks of life. The ocean view from the top deck is one of the best in Fort Lauderdale, too.
Blondie’sView this post on InstagramA post shared by Blondies Sports Bar (@blondiesflb)
Blondie’s would stand as one of America’s great dive bars even without a beach across the street. It’s a place where you wander in off the beach at 2:00 PM, order a beer and a shot, and somehow end up walking out at midnight. Sobriety is not the strong suit of anyone sitting inside, partly because many of said barflies have likely been posted up on their stool since the place opened at 11:00 AM.
The bar’s back section is filled with pop-a-shot machines and other arcade games, which are especially entertaining to watch when people who can’t see straight attempt to play. Blondie’s isn’t a beach bar to soak up the sun, but if you want to hide from the sunshine, no beach bar in Fort Lauderdale is better.
Burlock Coast
Photo: Burlock Coast
On the other side of the beach bar spectrum from Blondie’s is Burlock Coast, a rum-heavy cocktail bar and restaurant on the front patio of the Ritz-Carlton. Is it full of salty beach people who’ll happily regale you with stories about their spring break glory days? No. But does it boast, without question, the best cocktails on Fort Lauderdale Beach? Yes. So if your idea of a great beach bar is sipping rare rums with a front row seat to the ocean, this is the place to go.
The name comes from a bag Captain Bill McCoy used to smuggle rum during Prohibition, and accordingly the lineup of rum drinks is outstanding. The must-try is the Burlock Punch, a secret mix of unusual rums and fresh fruit juices that tastes like vacation in a glass. One is probably enough, but if you want to continue gazing out at the ocean they’ve also got a dozen local craft beers to choose from.
Wreck BarView this post on InstagramA post shared by B Ocean Resort (@boceanresort)
Perhaps no experience is more quintessentially Floridian than witnessing a live mermaid show. You can check both “mermaid show” and “drinking by the ocean” off your Florida to-do list at the Wreck Bar, a landmark ship-themed tavern inside the B Ocean Hotel. The bar is famous for its mermaids, who swim past underwater “portholes” behind the bar with daily family friendly shows.
Admittedly, the Coral Reef mermaid show isn’t exactly Disney with a daiquiri, but it is an entertaining, all-ages revue that kids can go to without raising a lot of uncomfortable questions. But since this is still Fort Lauderdale, those looking for an old school burlesque experience can drop in for the adults-only show at 8:30 PM on weekends. Or there’s the all-male Aquamen Boylesque show, the only underwater men’s revue in America. There’s also a mimosas and mermaids brunch on weekends.
Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar and CaféView this post on InstagramA post shared by Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar (@bamboobeachftl)
Surprisingly, Fort Lauderdale is a little limited when it comes to tiki bars on the actual beach. If that’s your vibe, you’ll only find it behind the Ocean Manor Resort on Galt Ocean Mile, slightly north of the main strip. Venture behind the resort and you’ll find this funky spot right next to the pool deck, where you can grab a rumrunner cocktail and step right onto the sand.
You may recognize the bar from Season 2 of Bar Rescue, when Jon Taffer came through and transformed it into the Bamboo Beach Club. It’s back to its original name of Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar and Café, but still going strong with a standard menu of beach bites and cocktails. The crowd runs surprisingly local for a resort bar, but ultimately you’ll still be sharing space with plenty of people from out of town. Still, no one seems to care, as the warm tropical breeze and cold drinks makes everyone forget what lies on the other side of the hotel.
McSorley’s Beach PubView this post on InstagramA post shared by McSorley’s Beach Pub and Rooftop Lounge (@mcsorleys_ftl)
On the Emerald Isle, you’d be hard pressed to find a pub with palm trees in the front. But what this beachfront Irish pub lacks in authenticity it makes up for in location. If you’re the type whose idea of a beach day refreshment is a tall pint of Guinness, you can order one at McSorley’s brick-lined bar and then take it outside to continue enjoying the ocean views.
The bar’s rooftop has even better vistas, and at night it turns into a scene of its own. It’s the odd Fort Lauderdale Beach bar that draws locals who aren’t there for whiskey for breakfast.
Aruba Beach Cafe
Photo: Aruba Beach Cafe
A little north in the seaside hamlet of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea you’ll find Aruba Beach Cafe, the town’s destination beach bar that sits right on the sand. It’s equal parts bar and restaurant, where leisurely lunches with your toes in the sand are the big draw. Or, at least, tied for the biggest draw with the restaurant’s regionally-famous Bimini Bread.
The menu of Caribbean favorites is far more than the sweet and buttery bread, though, with options like conch fritters and jerk chicken wings transporting visitors from Florida to an island in the Caribbean. It’s also a popular after-dive spot for people exploring the wreck park just offshore, but draws families for beach days and sun-seeking tourists as well.
20 Airbnbs in and Around Fredericksburg To Experience the Best of Texas Hill Country
Fredericksburg, Texas, gives you the best of Hill Country’s wineries, boutiques, and outdoor pursuits. Opt to stay downtown among the German heritage buildings and restaurants or whisk yourself away to a remote ranch or cabin. Unique Fredericksburg vacation homes include farm stays, treehouses, and more. We’ve rounded up the best Airbnb Fredericksburg TX rentals to save you the hassle.
Unique Airbnb Fredericksburg Treehouses and CabinsFredericksburg vacation rentals with a poolRemote Texas Hill Country cabinsPet-friendly Texas Hill Country AirbnbsRemote Texas Hill County Airbnbs with poolWe hope you love the Airbnb Fredericksburg stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Unique Airbnb Fredericksburg Treehouses and CabinsModern A-frame cabin in nature
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Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
A convenient 10-minute drive from the attractions and amenities of Main Street, this swanky chalet makes it easy to strike a balance between exploring and getting your share of downtime. The cabin consists of two bedrooms, a bathroom, a well-stocked kitchen, and a lounge with views. Connect with nature from the heated stock tank pool and spend long nights under the stars with s’mores around the fire.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $375 per night
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This unique Airbnb Fredericksburg TX treehouse is a dream come true for couples. Whimsically decorated with delicate fabrics and kitsch details such as a vinyl turntable with a Bluetooth speaker, the rental marries convenience with romance. The upper deck is fitted with a hammock while the outdoor hot tub overlooks the surrounding nature from a different perspective. Remember to pack a book and a deck of cards to enjoy from the book nook.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $495 per night
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Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: Airbnb
This peaceful Airbnb Fredericksburg cottage is centrally located yet offers the solitude of a remote getaway. The farmhouse has been beautifully converted to resemble a boutique hotel with chic contemporary fixtures and thoughtful touches including fireplaces. A private patio is fitted with an outdoor TV, fire, and hot tub that offer an eyeful of the fields. This one is a haven for honeymooners and special anniversaries.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $455 per night
Traveling to Texas? Check out Matador’s Texas accommodations guides:The best Texas Airbnbs to experience Lone Star cultureThe best Dallas Airbnbs, from a Deep Ellum warehouse to a family ranch9 San Antonio Airbnbs within walking distance of the riverwalkThe 9 most exciting boutique hotels in DallasThese 9 luxurious Houston Airbnbs are the best in the heart of the cityThe best Austin Airbnbs for large groupsEnchanted tree house with cedar tub
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Nestled among the oak trees a short drive from Main Street, this Fredericksburg Airbnb treehouse is one of eight bespoke rental plots in a sublime patch of forest. This treehouse consists of a double bed, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. The space includes a private deck with a cedar soaking tub that peers over the woodlands. Communal amenities include swings, an outdoor heated pool, a sauna, and a fire pit.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $760 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
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Sited a 10-minute drive from Main Street, this brand new A-frame chalet is perfect for groups seeking an all-round experience of downtown, hiking, and wineries. This family-friendly Airbnb Fredericksburg vacation home comprises two double bedrooms and two twins as well as a full kitchen and bathroom. Besides the private spa tub on the deck, you’ll appreciate access to the shared sauna.
Nine guests, four bedrooms
Price: $475 per night
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Situated on the bank of Barons Creek, this restored 1895 German rock and log homestead offers outstanding views from the dock. Swimming isn’t permitted but the life-size Connect 4, shuffleboard, arcade zone, and other games more than make up for that. Interiors are cozily appointed with an old-fashioned freestanding bathtub for that much-needed R&R. Bursting with personality, this fun Fredericksburg Airbnb suits sociable – and playful – groups and families.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $280 per night
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The Ginger Ranch is set upon 65 acres a mere 10-minute drive from downtown Fredericksburg and consists of a farmhouse plus five individual cabins. The main house contains a full kitchen and lounge. Those sleeping in the cabins will share an external bathhouse that comes with an al fresco vintage tub. Amenities include a private swimming pool, hot tub, games barn, playground, and fire pit. This one-of-a-kind ranch Airbnb Fredericksburg is available for weddings.
Sixteen guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $1,395 per night
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Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: Airbnb
Luxury meets history at this 1848 ranch, reimagined for the modern traveler with state-of-the-art appliances and fixtures. The backyard features a swimming pool (heated on demand), hot tub, and fire pit. Views stretch for miles over the farm fields and you can expect to spot local livestock roaming around your plot as you soak up the environment. Situated a 10-minute drive from downtown Fredericksburg.
Fifteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,405 per night
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This luxurious downtown Fredericksburg TX Airbnb with a pool benefits from an expansive sun terrace and a covered dining zone. A mini golf course provides endless entertainment and the chance to sharpen your swing. Interiors are neatly stylized with quality linens and attractive pieces of art. With heaps of space inside and out, this is a top choice for families and groups alike.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $820 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
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Photo: Airbnb
Slap bang in the heart of downtown, this Fredericksburg Airbnb near Main Street will suit those hungry to explore the local restaurants and sights. Originally a 19th-century German stone home, the property has undergone major expansion and modernization to transform it into a deluxe vacation rental. A fenced backyard comes with a pool, fire pit, and covered dining area.
Fourteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $780 per night
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This bohemian-themed spacious Fredericksburg Airbnb family vacation home is handy for downtown as well as the regional wineries. The open concept property revolves around a back patio complete with a pool, hot tub, and cornhole boards. An elegant kitchen is a joy to prepare meals in that can be enjoyed from the external dining area. Bedroom suites follow a monochrome style with fetching paintwork and oversized showers in the attached bathrooms. Help yourselves to fresh eggs from the coop.
Twelve guests, four bedrooms
Price: $460 per night
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Check out this beautiful cabin with ten acres and gorgeous views of the surrounding hillsides. This cabin is n excellent getaway from the busy city scene where you can walk along the creek and watch deers pass by, relax by the fire pit, take a dive in the hot tub, explore the treehouse, and get lost in the stars.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $155 per night
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Indulge yourself in quiet at this off-grid cabin. All furnishings are antique, second-hand, or vintage, a nod both to the host’s sustainable ethos as well as to the charm of Texas Hill Country. The kitchen is fully functional, and the bathroom uses filtered rain water and a composting toilet. Sitting on 37 acres of beauty, immerse yourself in this gorgeous Texas Hill Country cabin.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $130 per night
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This peaceful cabin is just what you need for a quiet getaway away. Take in the scenery by relaxing on the porch and balcony or snuggling up in the cozy living room or bedrooms. This home provides the convenience of being tucked away but is not a far drive to wineries, Cypress Creek, Bee Cave, West Cave Preserve, and more.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $145 per night
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This unique glamping tiny home is just the spot for you and your four-legged friends. This home is pet friendly, and it’s located just 24 miles from Downtown Austin. Situated on 24 acres of beauty, you’ll enjoy modern amenities like a spacious and open living whole, a fully equipped kitchen, and comfortable bedrooms.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $136 per night
Photo: Airbnb
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Experience a truly unique stay at this Texas Hill Country Chapel. The little chapel sits above Lone Man Creek and provides all the necessary relaxation and amenities, with the quirkiness of being a formerly functioning church. The chapel has high ceilings, and each room is furnished with antiques and modern furniture, an open kitchen, and a living room area, and you can enjoy the outside air on the furnished deck.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $225 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
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Here is a spacious tiny home perfect for a unique Texas Hill Country experience. The house sits on a hill at Wandern’ Star farms, looking out towards the beautiful landscape. This tiny home consists of large windows bringing in natural lighting, a fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom and loft area, and a porch to sit out and relax on.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $148 per night
Photo: Airbnb
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Welcome to the home where mid-century meets modern desert resort. This spacious, cozy home features a spacious floor plan with lounging, dining, and entertaining areas. Enjoy the outside private oasis with a cocktail pool, spa, dining area, seating, and lava rock pit. It’s a good spot from which to adventure outside as downtown Fredericksburg and the famous Wine Rd 290 are 20 minutes away.
Fourteen guests, four bedrooms
Price: $887 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
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Gather your family or friends and take a vacation to this Hill Country cabin on 14 acres. This cabin has everything you need to enjoy your getaway. It has an open floor plan with a living room and kitchen all tied together by a Danish wood-burning stove. Check out the outside area with a private pool, hot tub, and a deck overlooking the hill country landscape. Hang out on the back porch area, warm up by the fire pit, have a glass of wine, and look up at the stars.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $575 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Looking for the ideal solo or couples retreat? This is the perfect contemporary getaway. This modern contemporary-style home features a plush day bed that you can relax on, a simple kitchenette, a comfortable bedroom, and a shared outdoor pool space.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $274 per night
Your Guide To the World’s Blue Zones, Where People Live To Be Over 100
While varying significantly in location, language, and culture, five places around the world have discovered the secret to a long life. Dubbed the Blue Zones, these incredible communities have a life expectancy measurably longer in comparison to the rest of the world. While it’s hard to qualify, people living in Blue Zones often live to be 100 or older. The global life expectancy is just over 73 years old.
These healthy enclaves within California, Costa Rica, Greece, Italy, and Japan, attribute the long lives of their local populations to nutritious diets, routine exercise, and strong social ties within their respective communities.
National Geographic fellow and best-selling author Dan Buettner initially identified the Blue Zones, building upon demographic research on centenarians compiled by Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain for the Journal of Experimental Gerontology.
While notable for their thriving wellness scenes and happy, active locals, Blue Zones are also stunningly beautiful destinations. With vibrantly colored beaches, diverse styles of cuisine, complex histories, rich cultures, and gorgeous mountain vistas, these places offer an impressive wealth of reasons to visit. Here’s your guide to the five Blue Zones.
Sardinia, Italy
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Sitting south of the Italian mainland, Sardinia is not only visually breathtaking but also has one of the healthiest communities in the world.
The social life for locals on the island is vibrant and, like all places mentioned on this list, there’s an emphasis on religious and familial bonds. Elders commonly live with younger kin and dine and drink together as a unit. The population is also highly active, partaking in mild exercise through gardening or exploring the wealth of fantastic scenery within the comfortable Sardinian climate.
Getting to Sardinia is easiest by flight, with airports in Alghero, Olbia, and the island’s largest city of Cagliari. Ferries are another option and many can transport vehicles. Ferry routes depart from the Italian ports of Palermo, Genoa, Naples, and the Roman suburb of Civitavecchia and further away hubs like Marseille and Barcelona.
Photo: Vladimir Sazonov/Shutterstock
Sardinia has no shortage of pretty coastal towns. When visiting the northeastern town of Palau, book a room at the upscale Capo D’Orso. The hotel is close to several nearby beaches and seaside dining options like its onsite restaurant Île Flottante, which serves delicious Italian cuisine with views over the ocean. When in Palau, take a boat tour of the nearby Maddelena Archipelago. It stops at secluded islands and visits the famous pink-sand beach of Spiaggia Rosa.
On the island’s eastern shore, the town of Santa Maria Navarrese offers proximity to a more lush and mountainous side of Sardinia. For accommodation, consider the elegant Nascar Hotel. While there, explore the nearby Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu National Park, which has some of the island’s most beautiful and secluded seaside mountain trails.
Photo: dpVUE .images/Shutterstock
In western Sardinia, consider staying at Villa Barbarina Nature Resort in the city of Alghero. The resort is a green haven within vineyards and is well-known for its outstanding restaurant and bar. In Alghero, take time to wander the cobblestone streets rich with ornate Gothic architecture, explore the cavernous Neptune’s Grotto, or check out Alghero’s ancient Nuraghe Ruins that date back to the Bronze Age. When you want to get out of the city, explore the western coast, where you’ll find more of Sardinia’s colorful beaches, such as the black sand beach of Cala Dell’Argentiera and orange sands of Porto Ferro.
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
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With the country’s unofficial slogan “Pura Vida” (meaning “pure life” in English), it’s no surprise that Costa Rica has developed an impressive reputation for its high quality of living.
The Nicoya Peninsula, on the country’s Pacific coast, is one of the larger Blue Zones and home to many of Costa Rica’s popular wellness hubs including Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Nosara. People living in this region typically enjoy light meals with fresh dairy, whole grains, and vegetables. The local water also has a high calcium content, resulting in lower rates of heart disease and stronger bones. Overall, the local population is highly active and socially connected, with elders commonly living with family.
There are several ways to get to Nicoya. Most routes start at San Jose or Liberia. Both cities have daily buses and shuttles that run to Nicoya, but try to start in Liberia if you can as rides are significantly shorter than those departing from San Jose. You can also rent a car, and while the paved highways to Tamarindo make for a smooth drive, the roads get rougher and less developed further into the peninsula. For destinations like Malpais and Santa Teresa in the south, consider taking the ferry at Puntarenas if coming from San Jose for a shorter trip.
Photo: Joshua ten Brink/Shutterstock
If you decide to stay in north Nicoya near Tamarindo, try one of the 46 individually decorated rooms of Jardin Del Eden. On-site La Plumeria restaurant is quite tasty, and you’ll want to take time to walk into town to explore the vibrant nightlife at the Tamarindo Moonlight Market. It has local fire spinners, live music, and a large selection of handmade crafts in the many stalls.
If you base your trip in southern Nicoya, stay at the Canaima Chill House in Santa Teresa, one of Costa Rica’s many colorful options for eco-friendly lodging. It has hilltop views and you’ll be able to hear the immersive sounds of the jungle at your doorstep. Another excellent option is The Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in nearby Montezuma, near the roaring and spectacular Montezuma Waterfalls.
For wellness enthusiasts, it’s hard to beat Nosara in central Nicoya. Yoga fans will find plenty to love at the Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, offering daily classes and many attractive, eco-friendly rooms nestled in the lush jungle canopy. While you’re there, take a surf lesson at nearby Playa Guiones, home to some of the best breaks in the country.
Ikaria, Greece
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While Greece has thousands of islands and inlets, Ikaria achieved Blue-Zone status by having an average of one in three residents live to the age of 90, substantially decreased rates of heart disease, and practically zero cases of dementia.
This is attributed to a Mediterranean diet, favoring fruits, vegetables, anti-inflammatory herbal teas, and red wine (in moderation). Intermittent fasting, a practice linked to slower aging, is also common within the population. Locals enjoy a carefree pace of life, with strong social ties in the pleasing climate. Many stay active by exploring the hilly topography and emphasizing leisure through mid-afternoon naps, relaxing along the Aegean coastline, or playing a fun game of dominos with friends.
The easiest way to get to Ikaria is via direct flight from Athens or Thessaloniki, although it is possible to get there by ferry. Direct routes exist from Mykonos, Samos, and other islands, and while there is a scenic route from Athens, it clocks in at a very long 11 hours. Public transportation on Ikaria is available to most of the popular destinations, but consider renting a car if you want to explore the more remote corners of the island.
Photo: Milan Gonda/Shutterstock
Ikaria is the least populated of the world’s Blue Zones and offers a more secluded, intimate experience with easy access to nature, regardless of where you’re based.
If you want to base yourself in a cute village, consider Armenistis, on the north shore of the island. The rooms of Toxotis Villas offer lovely views of the Mediterranean and proximity to the town’s shops and art galleries. The town of Nas, west of Armenistis, also has comfortable suites with ocean-facing balconies at Thea’s Inn. Grab a healthy dish of soufiko (vegetable stew) at the inn’s restaurant, which serves up authentic Blue-Zone recipes made with fresh ingredients grown right on the island.
Loma Linda, California
Photo: Sean Lema/Shutterstock
The only Blue Zone in the United States, Loma Linda is in the heart of Southern California. Loma Linda’s longevity is influenced by so many of the residents belonging to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church views health as a core tenet of their faith. Vegetarianism is also widespread, with diets comprising light meals with fruits and vegetables. Nuts and tomatoes are popular staples, the latter of which is linked to decreased risk of ovarian and prostate cancers. Church members also do not partake in tobacco, caffeine, or alcohol.
Easily reachable by car, the city has entrances off Interstate 10 roughly 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
When visiting, you can hike the popular lofty trails within the nearby San Bernardino Mountains or stop in Big Bear Lake. About 45 miles northeast of town, Big Bear offers year-round attractions including trekking, fishing, and plenty of skiing come winter. If you get your fill of exploring the peaks and alpine lakes, consider trying some desert stargazing at Joshua Tree National Park or relaxing and enjoying the sunset over the Pacific Ocean — both of which are under an hour’s drive away from Loma Linda.
For food, get a taste of Blue-Zone cuisine at the Loma Linda Market. The market has stalls selling a wide assortment of fresh, locally grown produce and one of Southern California’s largest selections of vegan meat alternatives. Grab a refreshing carrot juice from the market’s Nustart Juicery, and a tasty Blue Zone Burger from Vegan Fresh.
Photo: Booking.com
For lodging, check out the charming Loma Linda Inn in the center of town. If you want something closer to the mountains, consider the Bear Springs Hotel in nearby Highland, a quick 10 miles from the Loma Linda city center. If you’re with a group, consider renting this five-bedroom, private hilltop villa. The property has a large outdoor pool, lush garden, and barbecue facilities.
Okinawa, Japan
Photo: Shutterstock/Jihun Sim
South of Japan’s four main islands, Okinawa is unique among Blue Zones for having the highest rate of centenarian women in the world.
The Okinawan diet is notable for its simplicity, almost exclusively consisting of sweet potatoes, rice, and soy. Tofu is particularly prominent, especially in dishes like miso soup, and ingredients are often grown in household gardens. Meals are light and taken under the concept of “hara hachi bu.” Roughly translated to “eating until 80 percent full,” this approach is linked to increased health benefits and a more easily managed caloric intake.
Okinawans maintain active lifestyles through frequent walks, gardening, and spending leisure time with friends. The principle of “moai,” or maintaining a lifelong social support system, results in a tightly connected community, and the locals practice purposeful living according to an “ikigai,” a driving force and intention for one’s life.
Getting to Okinawa is possible via direct flights from Tokyo and other cities on the Japanese mainland, although domestic flights tend to be on the expensive side. You may find cheaper routes from other Asian cities like Seoul, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, and trips via ferry are also possible. While they’re more scenic, ferry rides can also be expensive and make for a slower journey.
Photo: jakavut patanapanlert/Shutterstock
Central Okinawa offers plenty to do for the history lover. Grab some magi-tacos from Cafe Mermaid or check out the nearby Nakagusuku Castle ruins, one of the island’s several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The narrow isthmus of central Okinawa also provides terrific opportunities for rooms with stunning ocean views, like the lovely Hyakuna Garan Hotel 30 minutes north of Naha. Its cliff-top villas overlook a cape and offer opportunities to see both the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean and the sunset over the East China Sea.
The nearby Umi no Ryotei Hotel, a ryokan (Japanese-style inn), offers a more authentic cultural experience with tatami-matted rooms and a communal outdoor onsen.
If you base your trip in the southern city of Naha, consider Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel, another ryokan with a relaxing public onsen. Most guests tend to visit Sakaemachi Arcade, a lively market home to many vendors of handcrafted Japanese souvenirs and an energetic nightlife.
But if you’re looking to be surrounded by nature, consider the sparsely populated northern half of Okinawa. Visit the lovely seaside rock formations at Cape Manzamo, which offer captivating photographic opportunities overlooking the East China Sea. While there, climb to the summit of Mount Yohana, the highest point on the island, and enjoy an incredible view of the surrounding subtropical laurel forests and seaside towns.
July 19, 2022
Every Michelin Star Restaurant in Las Vegas and How Much They Cost
Before we launch into a list of Michelin star restaurants in Las Vegas, we have to get one thing straight: Technically, there are no Michelin star restaurants in Las Vegas. Only two editions of the Las Vegas Michelin guide were ever published — in 2008 and 2009 — and the rules state that Michelin ratings are only good for a year.
Nine of the original Michelin star restaurants in Las Vegas are still standing. Over the past decade, their menus may have evolved, some of the furniture may have been moved around, and even some of the executive chefs may have changed. But the reputations of these Michelin star restaurants in Las Vegas continue to precede them. When it comes to the level of culinary artistry that drives the top restaurants in major food destinations, even a 15-year-old guide is a pretty good indicator of where to get a great meal — especially in a place so synonymous with indulgence that it’s nicknamed Sin City.
If gluttony is one sin you’re looking to embrace during your next trip to Nevada’s adult playground, these are the nine restaurants that earned top spots in the short-lived Las Vegas Michelin guides — and how much you should be prepared to spend at each one.
Three starsJoël Robuchon
Photo: Joël Robuchon
French chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon racked up 31 Michelin stars in his lifetime — more than any other chef to date. The only restaurant in Las Vegas ever to receive Michelin’s highest rating, Robuchon’s eponymous eatery in the MGM Grand earned him three of those stars.
Inside, the restaurant could pass for an Upper East Side pied-à-terre, with vaulted ceilings, plush velvet booths, and a Baccarat chandelier hanging overhead. The Art Deco decor adheres to a deep purple and red color palette that’s as sumptuous as the French-inspired fare that’s served on gilded dinnerware. Robuchon has described his culinary mission as creating “grand” yet “simple” dishes from top-of-the-line ingredients and equipment. Specific ingredients change as the menus do, but at least one expression of caviar and foie gras is all but guaranteed.
Unsurprisingly, it’s a pretty penny to dine at the top-rated Michelin star restaurant in Las Vegas. Exactly how many pennies you should expect to spend depends on whether you order a la carte or choose one of Joël Robuchon’s tasting menus. The priciest option is the 16-course degustation (or tasting) menu, which will run you $500 per person excluding cocktails and wine pairings. But even if you opt for one of the smaller tasting menus or plan to go a la cart, you’re probably looking at a couple of hundred dollars per person on just the food alone.
Where: MGM Grand, 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Two starsPicasso
Photo: Bellagio + Picasso
Julian Serrano, the executive chef behind this Bellagio hotspot, could only be described as an artist. But his creations aren’t the only artworks on display. Original Picasso paintings also hang from the walls of this Michelin star restaurant in Las Vegas.
The cuisine at Picasso is driven by Spanish and French influences, a nod to the birthplace of both Madrid-born Serrano and the restaurant’s Málaga-born muse. The wine cellar further celebrates the continent’s bounty with over 1,500 wines from European vineyards. Picasso’s five-course degustation menu comes in at less than $150 per person with optional wine pairings at two price points: standard for $93 or premium for $168. There’s also a four-course prix fixe menu — with $83 and $148 wine pairings — and a five-course vegan tasting menu.
The best seats in the house are located outside on the patio, which overlooks the Bellagio fountains, although Picasso fans may want to dine inside. Between the terracotta tiles, bistro-style chairs, and colorful cubist rug, the decor itself is reminiscent of a Picasso still life.
Where: Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Restaurant Guy Savoy
Photo: Erik Kabik Photography + Caesars Palace
Located in Caesars Palace, Restaurant Guy Savoy in Las Vegas is modeled after Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris, which currently holds three Michelin stars. Though the Vegas location was only awarded two stars, some of the chef’s signature dishes appear at both restaurants, including Savoy’s renowned “Colors of Caviar” and “Octopus Terrine.”
True to the French fine-dining experience, a la carte orderers can expect to spend $65 to $95 on small bites and $100 to $150 on mains. For special occasions, parties of up to six can reserve the chef’s table for a three-hour, 10-course meal accompanied by Krug Champagnes for $500 per person. Another tasting option is the Forbes Five-Star Celebration menu, which is seven courses and costs $615 per person with the premium wine pairing.
Where: Caesars Palace, 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
One starAureolePhoto: Mandalay Bay + Aureole
Mandalay Bay’s Aureole sets out to wine and dine its patrons — emphasis on the wine. The restaurant’s centerpiece is a four-story steel-and-glass wine tower stocked with almost 3,000 different selections and 50,000 total bottles from around the world. “Wine angels” tend to the collection, donning sparkly getups and appearing to descend from the heavens as they’re literally strapped into wires to navigate the vertical cellar. Equally spectacular is the Swan Court oudoor dining area, which is positioned next to a lagoon where elegant white waterfowl swim.
Aureole’s varied menu is best described as upscale American, although dishes like the Spanish Octopus with Iberico chorizo and Black Truffle Tagliatelle give the cuisine a Mediterranean bent. In addition to the regular menu, which features $20 to $30 appetizers and $60 to $100 mains, Aureole has a seasonal six-course tasting menu for $149 per person. Occasionally, the restaurant also hosts special events, such as the Chimney Rock dinner that’s currently on offer and includes a six-course meal plus wine pairings from Napa’s Stags Leap district.
Where: Mandalay Bay, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
L’Atelier Joël Robuchon
Photo: MGM Grand Resort International
L’Atelier Joël Robuchon was designed for diners who want to experience a Michelin star restaurant in Las Vegas but have reservations about paying for the full Robuchon — or couldn’t get a reservation at the three-star flagship. The open kitchen at L’Atelier — meaning “workshop” in French — is a major selling point of the one-star experience. Snag a seat at the counter for the ultimate look into how the magic is made.
The appeal of L’Atelier is based on its tapas-style bites, while the techniques and ingredients used reflect Robuchon’s classic French background. The restaurant has five set menus: a theater menu for $58 per person, two prix fixe menus priced at $98 and $128 per person, and a seasonal discovery menu for $188 per person or $168 per person for the vegetarian option. Additional wine pairings are offered at two price points, either $125 or $225 per person.
Where: MGM Grand, 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Le Cirque
Photo: MGM Grand Resort International
Le Cirque has been bringing gastronomes to the Bellagio since 1998 when the casino-hotel first arrived in Las Vegas. But the Le Cirque name dates back even farther. The first Le Cirque opened in Manhattan in 1974 and quickly became a gathering place for New York City’s elite. It’s since shuttered, but the Las Vegas location is going strong — some say it’s better than ever under the direction of the new executive chef Dameon Evers. And the whimsical decor is even more fabulous than the original, with circus-themed wallpaper and a flowy fabric fixture hanging down from the ceiling to create the illusion that you’re dining under a big top.
Don’t expect to be served peanuts and cracker jacks, however. Le Cirque specializes in French-inspired seafood, although ingredients like duck confit, white truffles, and a 45-day dry-aged American Wagyu that you can only get at Le Cirque, also appear on the menus.
Le Cirque’s signature degustation menu is 10 courses and costs $388 per person. There’s also a six-course menu for $288 per person and a vegetarian version for the same price that can be made vegan on request. But the best deal is the theater menu. For $128 per person, you can get a three-course meal at Le Cirque before hopping over to the Bellagio’s Cirque du Soleil theater for an after-dinner show.
Where: Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Michael Mina
Photo: Bellagio + Michael Mina
Lobster pot pie. Hamachi crudo. Ice cold or charcoal-grilled oysters. Royal Osetra caviar. The Bellagio’s Michael Mina restaurant brings all the flavors of the ocean to the middle of Nevada’s Mojave Desert. Fresh seafood is flown in daily while the dishes themselves transport diners all over the world, from the Mediterranean to Japan.
Two seven-course tasting menus are available at this Michelin star restaurant in Las Vegas: Seasons of Mina and the Signature Tasting Menu, both of which are priced at $175 per person plus $105 for the wine pairing. A vegetarian tasting menu is also available for $115 per person, plus $82 for the wine pairing. If you do eat shellfish, consesus says that the lobster pot pie with black truffle is the dish to get, either as part of the Signature Tasting Menu or a la carte.
Where: Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
DJTThe only full-service restaurant in the Trump International Hotel, DJT is a classic American steakhouse with a marbleized interior to mirror the sheen of the hotel’s golden facade.
It’s pricey for a typical restaurant — think $20 starters and $58 ribeyes — but compared to the prix fixe menus of some other Michelin star restaurants in Las Vegas, DJT is a pretty good deal. Even the wine list is reasonable, with bottles averaging around $75, although it’s the craft cocktails that really stand out.
Old fashioned fans are in particular luck. DJT serves four different versions of the old fashioned — the millionaire, billionaire, trillionaire, and extraordinaire — made with White Pig Rye Whiskey aged 10 to 18 years and priced from $25 to $150, respectively.
Booze aside, DJT is also the rare Michelin star restaurant in Las Vegas to have a dedicated kids menu. And considering Trump International is a smoke-free hotel without a casino, it’s one spot you can feel as comfortable bringing the whole family as you would a date.
Where: Trump International Hotel, 2000 Fashion Show Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Wing Lei
Photo: Wynn Las Vegas + Wing Lei
When Wing Lei was awarded its first Michelin star, no other Chinese restaurant in North America could claim that honor. But with dishes like wok-tossed sea cucumber, chilled abalone, and Japanese wagyu, Wing Lei isn’t your average late-night chow mein joint.
Chef Ming Yu blends Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Szechuan traditions in his cuisine, but there’s one clear showstopper on the menu: the Imperial Peking Duck, which is carved tableside when ordered a la carte and is also the backbone of the restaurant’s two tasting menus. All six courses of the Imperial Peking Duck Tasting Menu incorporate the star ingredient and together cost $118.88 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $78.88. The other tasting menu, Chef Ming’s Summer Signature Dinner, only has five courses but costs $50 more per person for the meal and $20 more per person for the wine pairings.
Either prix fixe option is bound to impress, but Wing Lei is one Michelin star restaurant in Las Vegas where we’d recommend ordering family-style. Just be careful — the entire seafood section is market price, and that’s a quick way to blow your budget if you’re not paying attention.
Where: Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Waves in Hawaii Are so Big Right Now They’re Taking Out Weddings and Restaurants
Hawaii is one of the most sought out destinations in the world for surfers looking to catch the perfect wave, but tourists were in for a shock once they saw how big the waves could get. This past weekend the remnants of Tropical Storm Darby went out with a bang, reaching what the National Weather Service predicted to be “historic” swells on the south side of the island with waves up to 20 feet high.
@cbsnews Colossal waves crashed over the roof of a two-story condo building in Keauhou-Kona, Hawaii, on Saturday, damaging several buildings. #news #hawaii #weather ♬ original sound – cbsnews
Even though Darby had already weakened and passed the south of the islands, the swells made their way from the storm’s original center, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
The waves ended up even bigger than anticipated, with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources reporting a 25-foot wave spotted at Diamond Head in Honolulu, making these waves the highest south shore surf in more than 25 years. Wedding parties marveled at the sight until the waves crashed into tables, chairs, and decorations.
@malikadudley1 Wow… #huliheepalace #kona #bigisland ♬ original sound – Malika Dudley
Restaurant-goers also were in for a wet afternoon. A TikTok video caught by Maui local Lisa Newman showed a massive wave flooding Honu Restaurant in Lahaina, Maui.
@moonchildmaui On July 16 @5:17pm this happened high tide combined with big swell #waveofdestruction #honuoceanside #maui #lahaina #hightide #bigsurf #swell #summerswell #surfsup ♬ My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from "Titanic") – Céline Dion
However, some surfers were excited about the thought of catching huge waves, with Khon 2 reporting that surfers of all ages were out in full force. Kurt Lager, Ocean Safety Acting Chief of Operations, said there were 228 rescues and 3265 preventative actions taken on the south shore on Saturday alone.
@ocean.808 Surfers enjoying the south swell on the island of Oahu.. 07.17.22#ocean808 ♬ Makapuu Lighthouse – Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar – 30 (Hawaii Hiking Ocean) – PacificSounds
High surf advisory warnings are still in effect at time of writing in Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii. As the experts say, when in doubt, don’t go out.
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