My Hometown: Welcome to Las Vegas, With Mark Gilbert - Full-Time Travel

My Hometown: Welcome to Las Vegas, With Mark Gilbert

My Hometown: Las Vegas With Mark Gilbert

In FTT’s series My Hometown, notable travelers divulge local places they couldn’t live without.

By Esme Benjamin

In this guide, Mark Gilbert, VP of food and beverage at ARIA Resort & Casino and board member of Epicurean Charitable Foundation, shares his go-tos for Las Vegas, Nevada. As you might expect from somebody with his credentials, it’s packed full of insider dining and drinking knowledge. 

From where to enjoy unparalleled views of The Strip or find the best martini, to a delicious small batch ice cream parlor and romantic date night spot, save these recommendations for your next trip to Vegas.

Red Rock Canyon | By Kitera Dent

My hometown is special because it's a big city with a small town feel, full of entertainment and  close to the incredible Red Rock Canyon. Plus, I can get Chinese food at 3am any night of the week.  

When you're in my hometown, you absolutely need to get a martini at Hank’s steakhouse and order the braised lamb bolognese served with black pepper tagliatelle and truffled ricotta at Vintner Grill, a classic bistro all the locals love.

Carbone – the perfect date night spot

When friends visit my hometown, I always take them to Velveteen Rabbit, a bar in the Arts District with a huge range of beer and the most unique cocktail menu in the city. 

If you are looking for something a bit more adventurous, check out the Golden Tiki, a dark and atmospheric tiki bar, or go paddle boarding on Lake Las Vegas.

Without question, the most romantic date night spot in my hometown is Carbone at ARIA, an Italian American restaurant where your server performs theatrical tableside preparations of certain dishes.

The Spa at ARIA is perfect for me-time

My secret obsession is CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard. I order the watermelon and pineapple flavors with lucky charms and marshmallows on top.  

When you're in the mood for some "me time" head straight to the Spa at ARIA and get a signature aromatherapy massage.

The coolest neighborhood in my hometown is Spring Mountain, Chinatown. The area is full of hidden gems, from all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ to fine dining restaurants like Partage (modern French cuisine) and Sparrow + Wolf (seasonal American dishes with inventive cocktails). 

Visit Rivea at Delano for the best views in Vegas

Something only locals know about my hometown is there are slot machines in most of the gas stations, but you can’t buy a powerball ticket anywhere in the state.

Don't end a trip to my hometown without seeing unrivaled views of The Strip from Rivea at Delano

*Sponsored by ARIA Resort & Casino

A lucky snorkeler watching a MASSIVE fever of Mobula Rays glide past him during a trip with @bajarawtours. The Mobula migration is in full effect right now in Baja. Every year from April to June, you can witness huge congregations of these animals along the shores of the peninsula. It`s truly an incredible thing to see.

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Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is a traditional craft village located in Quang Phu Cau Commune, Ung Hoa District, Hanoi, Vietnam. The village has a long-standing history of producing high-quality incense sticks, and it is considered one of the oldest and most famous incense-making villages in the country.

Reel: @travelmina_
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An English fairytale in Canterbury. A wonderful spot for a picnic especially when the sun is shining.

Reel: @pocketwanderings
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As the only Hindu region of the predominantly Islamic Indonesian archipelago, Bali is an island rich with festivals and spiritual rituals – many of which visitors are welcome to respectfully participate in. After rinsing yourself under the holy spring water which cascades through a series of waterspouts, you will emerge feeling cleansed in body and soul.

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Our team & @sassafranski just finished a whirlwind road trip throughout the state of Kentucky visiting some of the best museums and cultural destinations in the state. Below are some of our favorites stops that should be on your list next time you visit.

🚘 OWENSBORO, KY
Stop 1: @bluegrasshall
Stop 2: @owensboromuseumoffineart

🚘 PADUCAH, KY
Stop 3: Paducah Floodwall Murals
Stop 4: Guided Tour of Metropolitan Hotel

🚘 BOWLING GREEN, KY
Stop 5: @downing_museum
Stop 6: Bowling Green Murals

🚘 LOUISVILLE, KY
Stop 7: @flame_run_gallery
Stop 8: @frazierhistorymuseum
Stop 9: @oldlouisvilleky Walking Tour
Stop 10: @speedartmuseum

Visit @kytourism for your next trip to the Bluegrass state! #TravelKY #partner
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A hidden gem in Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place where ancient history meets modern luxury. Reel: @hobopeeba ...

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Welcome to Season 4 of The Trip That Changed Me! Our first guest of the new season is @lauriewoolever, writer, editor, public speaker, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center) in New York, and former assistant to @anthonybourdain, with whom she co-wrote several books.

In this episode, Laurie shares memories from Sri Lanka, where she joined Bourdain (or “Tony,” as she affectionately calls him) on a shoot for the TV show “Parts Unknown.” For Laurie, this trip was part business and part pleasure; an opportunity to explore the lush island nation with her friend and mentor while working on a story about Sri Lankan home cooking, but it was especially significant because she was newly sober. Navigating triggers and travel rituals that involved alcohol was challenging, but the experience shifted Laurie’s perspective. To her surprise, the world was bigger and better without the booze.

🎧 Link in bio to listen to an interview full of wonderful, personal anecdotes about Anthony Bourdain the traveler, plus loads of insider tips that food-obsessives will appreciate.

Cover Art: @nelsonknatalie
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This enormous staircase took 200 years to complete. With 691 steps, it has nine decorated levels with pyramids and statues called the Courtvard of the Kings. It crosses the hill to reach the Santuário Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.

Reel: @bokehm0n
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Morning swim @borgobastiacreti

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Surround yourself in a picturesque scenery of cherry blossoms, tulips, pansy, viola and more at the rainbow colored flower field at Hinoyama Koen Park.

Reel: @1min.traveller
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Town between the mountains 🌊

The settlement of Ponta do Sol was founded around 1425, shortly after the discovery of the island by Portuguese settlers coming from Minho, the Beiras and the Algarve.

Reel: @ilya.somewhere
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From the picturesque canals of Friesland to breathtaking Flevoland, and the stunning Weerribben-Wieden National Park, there`s so much to explore in The Netherlands.

Reel: @kuhrmarvin
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Known for its colorful houses built on steep cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Positano is a small town located on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. Some people might consider it overrated because of its popularity and high prices. However, others might argue that its beauty and charm are worth the cost and crowds. Tell us, what do you think about Positano as a summer destination?

Reel: @rflcpl
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