5 Off the Beaten Path Las Vegas Experiences

Oh, Las Vegas. The "adult's Disneyland" has much to offer in the way of food, gambling and entertainment, but if you've been on the strip more than once, it can all blur together. If you're sick of the fountains of Bellagio or mugging for a photo by the Las Vegas sign check out these places that are just a little cooler than fighting at the buffet table for that last piece of prime rib.

1. Double Down Saloon
(4640 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169)
You'll have to take a taxi to get to this grimy dive bar once featured on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. I came here at 4 a.m. with a group of hackers in town for DefCon and had a drink with a name not suitable for a family publication. That and their bacon martini should be enough to get you to check it out.

2. The Peppermill Fireside Lounge
(2985 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)
Located inside the 24 hour Peppermill Diner, the Lounge features gigantic drinks and an actual ring of fire. You can sit around it and think how awesome life is while chugging down your pineapple martini, served by a woman in a glittery bodysuit. Dreams come true at the Peppermill.

3. The Artisan
(1501 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89102)
If you're tired of the Strip and don't want to stay on Fremont Street, the decadent Artisan Hotel on West Sahara Avenue may be the place you'll want to rest your tired head for a few hours after a night out. The gorgeous lobby, covered in French art and gold trimmed chairs feels like you're walking onto the set of your very own sexy foreign film. If you can't bear to stay off the strip, at least hang out in their mysterious garden.

4.The Tank
(129 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101)
I never visit Las Vegas without heading downtown and hanging out at the Tank, the pool and actual shark tank located inside the Golden Nugget hotel. The pool crowd is diverse and friendly (no celebrities hosting parties here!) and their pina coladas are incredible. Sit back, relax and watch the shark swim past you.

5. Mamacita's
(611 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101)
You gotta eat sometime! Food in Vegas is either criminally expensive and wonderful or cheap and not so great, Mamacita's is a Cuban-Mexican restaurant on Fremont Street that doesn't compromise either. And it's across the street from the fabulously old school El Cortez.