Most of us have a certain idea about Vegas, right? Extravagant shows, gambling, hotels and nightlife. But did you know there is another side to Las Vegas? The side the locals know. A little more low key, but every bit as exciting. Perhaps you don’t want to fall into the tourist trap of Vegas and aren’t sure where else to go. Well, there are plenty of places to explore that are a bit off the beaten path. It’s time to experience Las Vegas like a local.

Our residents at Reflections at the Lake, Cimarron and Helix Apartments see this dynamic city as home. And any hometown worth its salt always has a friendly place to get donuts in the morning, a happy hour spot where everyone knows your name, a nice weekend meal, an evening cocktail, and a great breakfast joint. Vegas is no exception.

You may not know this side of Vegas, but you definitely should!

Vegas Like a Local Means Happy Hour

Photo via Park on Fremont

Park on Fremont isn’t just a good place to get happy hour. They’re open for brunch, lunch and dinner, but their happy hour lasts a good three hours (4pm-7pm) during the week. Plenty of time to take advantage of cheap appetizers and drinks. And you can’t beat $3 well cocktails and $5 craft beers. This eclectic bar/eatery is the perfect pit stop for an after work drink.

Where to Get a Nice Meal 

Photo via Carson Kitchen

If you’re craving a twist on American cuisine in a swanky renovated urban space with a stacked cocktail menu, Carson Kitchen is your spot. Located in John E. Carson Motel in vintage Downtown Las Vegas, Carson Kitchen is the chic creation of local Chef Kerry Simon and restaurateur Cory Harrell. Choose from a variety of small plates, meat and fish entree dishes, farm to table cuisine and good old fashion American comfort food.

Where to Get an Evening Drink

Photo via Velveteen Rabbit

Time to get off the beaten touristy path and head towards the Arts District for specialty cocktails. At the Velveteen Rabbit, the cocktail menu changes as the season change with fresh ingredients and homemade concoctions. Started by two local sisters, Pamela and Christina Dylan, this neighborhood craft cocktail and beer bar has an eclectic vintage vibe you won’t want to miss.

Where to Get a Late-Night Taco

Photo via Tacos El Gordo

The nice thing about Vegas is that you can literally get a meal at any time of the day. And a good one at that. Open until 2am during the week and 4am on the weekends, Tacos El Gordo is your spot for those ravenous post drinking hours. And there is no better meal for that time of night than tacos. Can we all agree on that? This iconic joint has been serving authentic Tijuana style tacos since 1972. Originally starting out in San Diego, Tacos El Gordo expanded to Vegas in 2010 and now has three locations serving locals every day and almost every hour of the week.

Where to Get Donuts 

Photo via PinkBox

Voted the best doughnuts in Las Vegas, PinkBox has fresh goodies for you almost every hour of the day. If you’re craving doughnuts, this is the place to go. With two locations, PinkBox serves everything from your classic doughnut flavors to glazed to amazing looking cake doughnuts, plus more incredible goodies. Truth is, we’re getting a bad doughnut craving as we write this. Everything is made fresh on site. Open 24 hours a day.

Where to Get Brekky

Photo via Baby Stacks Cafe

Let’s face it, in Vegas, breakfast in many cases is the end of a very long day. And what do most of us need after a long locals night on the town? A good hearty breakfast with plenty of pancake options. The place to go is BabyStacks Cafe. With four locations open at 7am, you’re sure to be near one no matter where you are. They’re known for their Red Velvet pancakes, but their Cookies N’ Cream, Rocky Road, and Banana Cream Pie pancakes sound out of this world.