Curator’s statement
There's a point in time in your life where you have to go to Las Vegas to celebrate a milestone birthday, whether it's your 21st, 25th, 30th, 40th or 50th, Vegas should be part of it. If you celebrate a later birthday, you will find out how different your life has been. You no longer want to stay up until 3am like in your 20s, but you will still have a great time. Celebrating in Vegas later in life allows you to appreciate what it has to offer.
The Fora Difference
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Where to stay in Las Vegas
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
The hip pick on the strip, with an artsy vibe in the refurbished rooms, and a must-visit beach pool.
Fora Perks
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort
One of the most iconic Vegas hotels with luxurious suites and easy access to all major attractions.
Wynn and Encore Las Vegas
An elegant antidote to the high-octane Vegas experience, stay here for the colorful style, personalized service and A+ shopping.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Unlock perks by contacting Robert to book your trip.
Things to do in Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, not when you are 50. Celebrating a 50th birthday with a group of friends was different than celebrating a 30th birthday there. Vegas is a perfect way to celebrate bachelor or bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays or any occasion really.
Pool, Gamble, Eat, Gamble, Relax
If you want to relax, go to the pool. If you want to gamble your money away, go to the casino. If you want to eat, make a reservation. If you want to shop, just take the elevators to the mall. At some hotels and resorts, is a city within a city. For my friend’s 50th birthday, that is exactly what we did. We never left the Cosmopolitan. This hotel has everything you need. I was responsible for arranging the meals and some logistics. I’m going to tell you some secrets about this hotel.
Arrange for a private ride
Here is what I did for my group of 10 friends; we never left The Cosmopolitan because you don’t have to! I arranged a car to pick us all up from the airport to the hotel for our Friday arrival; if you have traveled to Vegas lately, you know that the ride share waiting area is a mess. Finding it is confusing, and when you arrive in the waiting area, it's chaotic. Why not hire a driver from Blacklane and arrive in style. It’s a little pricier but you will have a nice, clean and comfortable ride.
Take advantage of the perks
We could get some of the groups an early check-in as it is based on availability; otherwise the hotel charges $50. No worries, we were hungry anyway. Just take the escalator to the upper level.
Lunch at China Poblano
We decided on grabbing lunch at Jose Andres’ China Poblano, a Mexican and China fusion restaurant; we grabbed some dim sum and margaritas and everyone was set.
Loyalty pays for itself
Don't forget to sign up for an Identity Membership! When you spend money at the Cosmopolitan, you accumulate points. The points can be used for paying for meals, stays, concerts, etc. The more points you earn (or money you spend), you reach a certain tier and can get more rewards like annual free rooms. By the end of my trip, I could earn two nights a year the next time I came back.
Friday night dinner - Momofuku
Off everyone goes their separate ways, some to gamble, some to pool, some to nap and rest up for the night’s dinner. Friday night’s dinner is at Momofuku. Grab some pork buns and the bone-in ribeye for the table. Then follow that with Bo Ssam (slow roasted pork shoulder) and candied walnut lobster and shrimp. Don’t forget to show them your Identity Card.
March Madness
It’s March and we head down to the sports book and watch some March Madness. The sports book rules have changed over the years. You can no longer sit down without a reservation and a minimum on wagers. Prepare to stand with every else.
A secret place - Secret Pizza
It’s time for a midnight snack. Head over to Secret Pizza. You won’t know it’s there unless you know there is a New York-style pizza place somewhere in the hotel. Go to the third floor and follow the records to Secret Pizza and grab yourself a slice. There may be a long line; I can’t help you there, so stand back and wait for your turn.
Breakfast - EggSlut
Saturday morning, you must grab breakfast at EggSlut. They serve egg sandwiches, but not just a regular egg sandwich; it’s on a buttery brioche bun and the eggs are scrambled softly.
Workout, Pickleball and Tennis
Another thing I like about the Cosmopolitan is that it has a tennis and pickleball court. I love to try to fit in some exercise. You must reserve the court ahead of time as it gets popular. The gym will have everything you need, like racquets and balls.
Check out the food court
For lunch, you can head to the food court. The food court is not your ordinary food court. It has a fried chicken option (Hattie B’s), sushi option (Tekka Bar) and sandwiches (Bang Bar). That is just the food court. There are plenty of sit-down places.
Shopping
Disperse and do whatever you want. I decided to head to Stitched because I needed to pick up some new sports coats. Stitched is great if you want to get styled with the latest trends. Remember to get your receipt to collect your points. Almost every dollar you spend can be converted into points.
Dinner - STK
Onto dinner, for dinner, I arranged for STK. This is a steak house, but not an ordinary steak house. It has a DJ that spins music. Be prepared for your seat to vibrate and you will need to yell across the table to talk to your party. It’s OK because the music was great. The steaks were excellent. Don’t forget to order dessert.
The Speakeasy - Another hidden spot
After dinner, we headed to the speakeasy. Like the pizza place, you would not know this place existed if I did not tell you. On the ground floor there is a barber shop. Through the door in the barber shop is a speakeasy called Ghost Donkey, a mezcal and tequila bar. We did not visit Beauty and Essex, another speakeasy, as this was another bar hidden in a pawn-shop-like setting.
The night does not end unless you go get some pizza at the Secret Pizza Place I told you about earlier.
Brunch - The Henry
It’s Sunday morning and it’s time to roll. We head down to The Henry and grab breakfast. The French toast is excellent there.
All you need is two nights at the age of 50. There is no need to go to the night club or the pool club. Just eat and drink and enjoy that you have made it to 50.
Places to eat & drink in Las Vegas
Breakfast
EggSlut - Great breakfast sandwiches.
The Henry - Check out the french toast.
Restaurants
China Poblano - Mexican and Chinese.
Momofuku - Upscale Korean.
Zuma - One of the best Omakase and Sushi Places on the strip.
Lunch
Tekka Bar - Sushi.
Hattie B's - Hot Chicken.
Secret Spots
The Secret - Late-night pizza.
Ghost Donkey (Speakeasy) - Mezcal and Tequila bar.
Beauty and Essex (Speakeasy) - Twists on classic cocktails.
Need to know
Don't forget to sign up for the Identity Membership to earn points. Give them your card when you pay for things. Collect your receipts. Sometimes you will have to take your receipts to the Identity desk for them to log your points. For large groups, reservations for restaurants (all restaurants) and the speakeasies are recommended. Otherwise, prepared to wait.
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Travel Advisor
Robert Huie
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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Dolapo Owolabi ’s guide, Kid-Friendly Escape to Las Vegas.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Las Vegas.