Fontainebleau finally opened to the public in December of 2023 after sitting vacant and incomplete for over 15 years.
Boasting over 3,640 (really nice) rooms and a sprawling 150,000-square-foot casino, the north Strip resort packs a luxurious punch.
I had the opportunity to stop in on opening day and figured it would be fun to share some unique things to do and see at Fontainebleau. As you’ll see, most have to do with the resort’s aesthetic.
Itinerary Ideas at Fontainebleau
Explore: Fontainebleau is stunning and unlike any other casino in Las Vegas. Take time to wander, explore, and see it all.
Fontainebleau’s logo is a bowtie, and I enjoyed wandering around and identifying all the bowties, both obvious and concealed.
Everything from outdoor planters to couches and ashtrays is shaped like a bowtie.
Be Mesmerized by “Oceans”: On the topic of gawking, track down “Oceans” a kinetic sculpture created by Breakfast.
The curved wall of 483 blocks called “Brixels” moves to create a wave-like motion and one heck of a unique visual.
Gaze Up at “Lovers #3”: Another “must-see” art installation is “Lovers #3”, a 46-foot-tall sculpture that combines aluminum, stainless steel, and gold.
Calling an enormous atrium home, the display is surrounded by two large murals called “The Touch” and “The Eye”.
It’s impressive.
Hall of Excellence: Tom Brady and Jim Gray are 2 of the figureheads behind the Hall of Excellence, a museum attraction home to sports memorabilia like Mohammad Ali’s gloves, a Kobe Bryant jersey, a Dream Team jersey from 1992, and more.
Grab a Drink at Bleau Bar: Now, there are several stunning lounges scattered about Fontainebleau, but the feature attraction is Bleau Bar, which is in the middle of the casino floor underneath a chandelier made up of glass stalactites that are shaped like bowties.
Explore More Art: In addition to the two main sculptures I referenced above, Fontainebleau is home to other works of art, including a car standing on end, murals, and more.
Catch a Game in The Tavern: The sportsbook at Fontainebleau is nestled inside a restaurant and bar called The Tavern, and it’s a cozy spot.
Place a bet. Grab a bite, or belly up to the bar. Can’t lose.
Catch a Poolside Movie: During the summer months, Fontainebleau screens movies poolside on Sunday nights. The full movie schedule can be viewed here, but include options like “Mean Girls”, “Finding Nemo”, “Father of the Bride” and more.
Things To Do Near Fontainebleau
Duck Into the Vice Den: One of my favorite nights in Las Vegas involved slinking into the secretive Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den at Resorts World with my wife.
The Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den is concealed behind a shelving unit in an active restaurant found in the Famous Foods Street Eats Food Hall.
Play Coin Slots: While Circus Circus’ casino is on the opposite end of the luxury spectrum, they offer a robust selection of $1 and $5 token slots at Slots A Fun that produce that endorphin-inducing “ting ting ting”.
While you’re at Slots A Fun, stick around for their food and drink deals, which include $2 shrimp cocktails, hot dogs, tacos, popcorn, and draft beer.
It’s a dump. But it’s our dump.
Circus Circus is also home to the Adventuredome Theme Park and a sprawling arcade.
The Adventuredome has rides ranging from kid-friendly to wild rollercoasters. You’ll have a hard time finding a bigger Circus Circus critic than I, but this part of the resort is legit cool.
Grab a Great Taco: Across the street from Resorts World in a strip mall is Tacos El Gordo, which produces some of the best tacos this mouth has ever ingested.
Ordering is a bit confusing, and the line can be long, but I’d argue that it’s worth it. I suggest getting there a few minutes before they open for lunch to beat the crowds.
Play at Sahara: The historic Sahara is a block north of Fontainebleau and takes about 5 minutes to reach by foot.
The recently renovated gaming floor reeks of class, and the table minimums are sure to be a rung lower than you’ll find at Fontainebleau.
While you’re at Sahara, check out the happy hour at Casbar, which runs from 3-5pm and again from 8-9pm and features BOGO wine, beer, and cocktails.
Visit the “World’s Largest” Gift Shop: The Bonanza gift shop is located across the street from Sahara and offers the most diverse assortment of souvenirs, trinkets, luggage, and candy in town.
If you have some gifts to buy for folks back home, consider this a one-stop shop.
STRAT’s Observation Deck: While I wouldn’t recommend walking there, STRAT is a very short drive from Fontainebleau and their SkyPod observation deck and rides are can’t-miss attractions.
The view of the Las Vegas Valley is rivaled only by Maverick Helicopter’s aerial Strip tour.
Catch the Monorail: Fontainebleau’s location on the north end of the Strip sucks. Fortunately, you can catch the Monorail to the heart of the action at Sahara, which I mentioned is a 5-minute walk to the north.
A single ride costs just $5.50, and the Monorail makes stops at notable resorts like Paris/Horseshoe, Harrah’s/LINQ, and MGM Grand.
Although Fontainebleau’s location isn’t perfect, there are some notable things to do nearby and the monorail stop at Sahara serves as an easy connection to the heart of the Strip.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.