Mandalay Place

What separates this smallish retail experience from other Strip malls is its vow to ‘break the chains’: it leases its stores only to companies otherwise absent from Vegas. It’s a savvy move, and one that brought the city its first Urban Outfitters (which has since also opened in the Miracle Mile Shops); an outpost of Frederick’s of Hollywood lingerie; unusual art offerings, including the Art of Music and Peter Lik Gallery. The handful of great boutiques includes Nora Blue, Elton’s Men Store and Le Paradis; other highlights include the Las Vegas Sock Market, and sweet spot Lick, for all your candy – bacon-flavoured included – needs. For nibbles, try Rick Moonen’s new steampunk-inspired Rx Boiler Room (Moonen is TV-famous from his appearances on the Top Chef reality show). The Burger Bar continues to be popular, with its baroque twists (foie gras!) on the humble hamburger. And when you need to chill out, pop into the Minus5 Ice Lounge, an all-ice cocktail bar – where you’ll be outfitted with a parka and gloves before you sip your vodka from an ice goblet. The mall is located on a bridge that connects Mandalay Bay to the Luxor, and is accessible from either resort.