Let’s just say it...Las Vegas is a sexy city! Everybody knows it. Even folks who’ve never been here. Like a jewel in a showgirl’s headdress, Vegas is multi-faceted, I think a lot of visitors would be surprised to know that Vegas can be a very romantic town as well! Many people get so caught up in the city’s glitz and glamour, that they completely overlook the opportunity for a quiet, romantic evening with a partner or spouse.

The Fountains of Bellagio
Almost as iconic as the Vegas sign, are the Fountains of Bellagio; one of the most romantic attractions in the city. Made from over 4,500 lights and more than 1200 nozzles, the fountains are mesmerizingly choreographed to a variety of music. One memorable experience with the fountain, was on my first trip to Vegas with my partner. After dining at Olives, a restaurant perched on the far right side of Bellagio’s man-made lake, my partner paid our check, while I drifted out onto a balcony overlooking the fountains, hoping for another show. After a long wait, I figured the shows were done for the night. Suddenly, the fountain came alive and began dancing to Elton John’s “Your Song”. Elton is my favorite musician, and it seemed too perfect. My partner, seeing the look on my face, blurted out “I swear I had nothing to do with that!” Nobody else was around, and the moment was magical!
Gondola Rides at The Venetian

If you’ve always dreamed of a romantic trip to Venice, but can’t quite float a trip to Italy, check out the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. Get away from the noise and craziness of the casino scene and take a lovely, and yes, romantic gondola ride down the Venetian’s version of the Grand Canal. It’s a 15 minute ride through a reproduction of an old Venetian cityscape, complete with bridges, shops and cobblestones, and the gondoliers sing out just as they do in Venice. Here, as in Italy, they say that a kiss under each bridge brings good luck, and now, with Marriage Equality in Nevada, you can even propose to your partner during your gondola ride!

The High Roller
One of the newest, biggest (and I do mean BIG!) attractions on the Strip, is the High Roller, the world’s largest observation Ferris wheel. The 550 foot tall wheel has 28 spherical passenger pods along its outer rim, allowing for some of the best views of the Las Vegas Strip. Often lit up in rainbow colored LED lighting, a late-night ride on the wheel can be romantic, while a proposal at the apex is sure to get a great response. Better yet, the pods can be rented out for weddings - whether it be with a crowd of strangers, or privately. Either way, what a unique, high-flying way to tie the knot.

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And then, there’s food! Food and romance have always gone hand in hand, and Vegas is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world. Here, then, are a few of my favorites, with just the right atmosphere for a romantic dinner, whether it be for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just for a date that will score you points with your loved one.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant
Hovering 11 stories above the Strip, and built into the Paris Las Vegas’ replica of the Eiffel Tower, is Eiffel Tower Restaurant - classic French fare served in an elegant, dimly lit setting, with cute little couple’s tables positioned along the street side windows. The view? The Bellagio fountains! Dining on appetizers like the Fricassee of Wild Escargot or Lobster Boullion, and entrees like Spice Crusted Venison or Muscovy Duck Breast, is sure to put you in the right mood for a little canoodling later on!

Lakeside at the Wynn
Inside the Wynn, beside the Lake of Dreams - a 3 acre, man-made lake, surrounded by lush vegetation that hides it away from the noise and bustle of Las Vegas, is Lakeside. The menu focuses on steaks and seafood - high-end ingredients, simply prepared. Dishes like King Crab & Guacamole, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, or the expertly chargrilled New York Strip Steak, paired with a delicious Roasted Lobster Tail will please the foodie in you, while the Sweetcart Named Desire will tempt you with a selection of sinful mini-desserts. For a special touch, get a table on the patio, just off the water, and marvel as the Lake of Dreams comes to life with sound and light shows, including two dancing orbs who fall in love, and a giant frog puppet singing Louis Armstrong’s version of What A Wonderful World while the water lights up in rainbow colors. Unforgettable!

miX at the Delano
High above the city, on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel, you’ll find a heavenly spot known as miX. With a menu by renowned Chef Alain Ducasse, miX is like dining on a cloud - a stark white decor, broken up only by ruby red water glasses and a “rainstorm” of hand-blown Merano Glass bubbles. The food is stunning, with Ducasse classics like Lobster Au Curry, or the Rossini - a decadent combination of Filet Mignon, seared foie-gras, and black truffles. Very gay-friendly, they prepared a special dessert for me and my partner on our anniversary. Set to one side of this “Heaven” is “Hell” - the almost impossibly dark miX Lounge with leather walls, glowing tables and a bar topped with the fires of Hades, not to mention one of the best views of the Vegas Strip. Trust me when I say miX is worth the splurge!

Now, attractions and restaurants like these can really knock the socks off a partner, spouse, or date, but the most important thing to remember this Valentine’s Day, is that romance is not dictated by fancy food in expensive restaurants or extravagant locations for a proposal. Romance is all about what YOU bring to the table, whether the table is at a 5 Star restaurant on the Strip or a burger joint in Henderson. And if you can’t get dinner reservations on February 14th, don’t be disheartened. In romantic Las Vegas, Valentine’s Day can be ANY day!