Certain places and experiences make this city famous, so when you’re here, take advantage. Whether it’s one of the night clubs, a steakhouse, the Fountains Show at Bellagio, a buffet or one of the shows like Cirque du Soleil, your conference and entire week will be so much better if you do something that’s makes Vegas … Vegas. I’ve lived here for five years, but I still look forward to spending time experiencing what Las Vegas has to offer.

DAY ONE

I’m coming in from my house because I live here, but if I’m staying at the hotel, I’ll go to the fitness center and start my day with a quick workout. Once I’m dressed and ready, I look for a nice cup of coffee at the hotel. Then, it’s off to the conference to get a lay of the land.

As I walk around the venue, I’ll familiarize myself with the layout and hope to bump into someone I know. It’s always nice to catch up with colleagues and perhaps link up with someone who’s interested in attending the same sessions. Next, it’s off to the General Session, “Future of Work in Emergency Medicine” at 9 a.m. with Heather McGowan. ACEP does a terrific job of vetting the quality of speakers, so I’m confident that it will be good.

When the General Session ends, I’ll probably head to the Exhibit Hall. It is one of my favorite arts of the conference. I enjoy browsing through the different booths, talking to vendors, and reconnecting with people I might see. I like the energy in there, and I find myself looking forward to the latest innovations and products.

Since I’ve lived in Vegas for several years, I have some favorite spots for lunch. I might head north on the Strip to Tacos El Gordo, which is known for its delicious street tacos. You line up to order by the type of meat you want. The lines can get long, but it’s worth the wait. If I’m in the mood for a more sit-down experience, I might go to Javier’s in the Aria Resort for authentic Mexican cuisine and their signature margaritas. The food is great, and the atmosphere is upscale and eye-catching. Javier’s is the perfect spot for a relaxing lunch.

Once back from lunch, I will stop by and see some of the Game On! Competitions, particularly the one on dermatology at 12:30 p.m. I’m not going to compete, but it would be fun to watch and learn.

After a few more courses, it’s time to start thinking about where to get drinks and dinner. One of my favorite social spots is the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. It’s kind of a trendy spot and has a famous three-story crystal chandelier. Another great spot is Top Golf by the MGM Grand, where you can enjoy hitting some golf balls, eating good food, and hanging out with friends while a DJ spins the latest hits.

DAY TWO

Dr. Jones enjoys a night in Las Vegas with his wife, Mayra Jones-Betancourt, MD.

I’m probably going to hit a couple of early sessions, but this might be the day that you grab brunch and try to squeeze in one of the famous buffets.

My favorites are the Wynn Buffet (at the Wynn Hotel) and the Wicked Spoon Buffet at the Cosmopolitan. I love these buffets because they offer variety, from Asian to Latin to traditional American breakfast and lunch dishes. I take my time exploring the different stations, trying a bit of everything from fresh fruit and pastries to breakfast meats and omelets.

Vegas is known for its buffets, so it would be a shame to come here and not experience that.

After that, it’s back to the conference. I’ll try my best to make it back in time for the Mills Lecture, “Up Next: Waiting Room Medicine,” with Dr. Diana Nordlund. I will have planned the rest of my day in advance when it comes to education sessions because I don’t like to wing it. The Coffee House chats look interesting, so if I’m in the Exhibit Hall, you will probably catch me there.

If I can get a spot, I’m going to catch a session from Dr. Amal Mattu. He has one at 1:45 p.m. called “From Paper to Patient” that talks about Advances in ECGs. I’ve read his books, “ECGs for the Emergency Physician Vols 1 and 2.” I listen to his EMcast podcast, so I know there is a lot to learn in that session.

Now it’s time for dinner and Vegas is known for its high-quality steakhouses. My favorites include the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn, which features prime aged steaks and a selection of Japanese and domestic Wagyu. Make sure you get a table in order to view the water show. Another favorite is the STK steakhouse at Cosmo which features high end cuts in a bustling energetic environment. After dinner it’s time for a show. I highly recommend Cirque du Soleil or the Blue Man Group. Vegas is known for it’s shows, so plan an evening with your friends and book your tickets in advance.

After the show, I’ll explore more of the Vegas nightlife. Some of my favorite clubs are Hakkasan at the MGM, Marquee at the Cosmo, Jewel at the Aria, Omnia at Caesars Palace, or XS at Encore. Bottle service is pricey, so residents make sure you take your attendings, and attendings make sure you take the department chair or better yet, the hospital CEO. They owe us!

DAY THREE

I’ll get up early and grab my coffee to prepare for an early session. Between sessions, there’s time to connect with some friends who I’ve been meaning to catch up with. When it gets close to lunch, I know it might be tough because of time, but I’d hope to take in the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Vegas. Fremont street is a pedestrian district featuring retro and revived casinos, open air bars, a zip line, and live music. And don’t forget to check out the Heart Attack Grill where you don a hospital gown upon entry, “nurses” take your order (try the infamous Bypass Burger), and you get spanked if you don’t finish your food.

Dinner on Day Three might be a little fancy. Nobu in Caesars Palace is phenomenal. They have a mix of traditional Japanese dishes with a modern twist. I’m not usually a raw seafood person, but the dishes here are so good they just melt in your mouth. The experience is unforgettable, from the ambiance to the impeccable service.

Make sure to try some of Nobu’s signature dishes, like the black cod with miso and the yellowtail jalapeño. After dinner, I make sure to walk by the Bellagio to watch the famous fountain show. It’s a must-see Vegas staple, with the water show synchronized to music. It’s a beautiful and mesmerizing experience, perfect for a night out on the Strip.

This is the night when I’ll meet up with old friends from University of Chicago residency at our annual ACEP program alumni event. It’s such a great time catching up with the folks I battled in the trenches with and seeing what they’ve been up to since graduating.

DAY FOUR

By day four, I’m usually exhausted. I can’t keep up like I used to, but I’ll still make the most of it. I start with a half-day of conference sessions, making sure to catch any final topics I might have missed earlier. After the conference, I’ll take it easy and spend some time exploring.

This is a great time to visit the Red Rock Canyon. It’s a natural area just a short drive from the Strip. Even if it’s too hot to hike, driving through the park offers views of the red rock formations and desert landscape. In the afternoon, I might visit some of the attractions like the Neon Museum, also known as the Neon Boneyard. Before heading out, I’m going to have one more great meal. There are so many incredible restaurants in Vegas that it’s hard to choose just one. But if I’m in the mood for something different, I might try Lotus of Siam, a Thai restaurant that’s popular with tourists and locals. You also have options for day clubs and pool parties if you aren’t too tired and still want to have a good time.

Hopefully, you’re staying an extra day or two at the end or coming in early because there’s so much to do, and there’s so much you don’t want to miss at the conference. It’s a good idea to tack on some extra time.

Dr. Jones is an emergency physician in Las Vegas. He graduated from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and trained at the University of Chicago.

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