Planet Hollywood is conveniently located in the middle of the Strip with notable neighbors like Paris, Bellagio, and Cosmopolitan.
There’s going to be plenty to keep you busy.
Adding to Planet Hollywood’s appeal are the Miracle Mile Shops, packed with inexpensive shows, activities, food, drinks, and shopping.
It’s a great home base.
Itinerary Suggestions at PH
See Criss Angel Mindfreak: If you like your magic shows to come with a heavy dose of pyrotechnics, choreographed dancing, and production value, then Criss Angel Mindfreak could be right up your alley.
Tickets start at around $100.
The Ultimate Variety Show: If you crave a little bit of everything in your Vegas entertainment choice, check out V – The Ultimate Variety Show in the Miracle Mile Shops.
Boasting a wide-ranging variety of acts that include comedians, magicians, and acrobats, there is something for everyone.
I recently saw V, and was legit scared for some of the acts’ safety. Starting in the $40s, it’s a good value.
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater: A kid-friendly production, Popovich shows off his well-trained animal crew that includes dogs, cats, birds, and a pig.
He even gets in on the act, performing some enthralling variety acts. Tickets start in the $20s, and I thought it was cute for the price.
V & Popovich are the 2 shows I’ve seen, but the Saxe and V Theaters are home to a healthy number of affordable show options across a range of genres, most of which land at a sub-$50 price point.
See a Big Name Performer: The PH Live Theater at Planet Hollywood attracts some of the top residencies in Las Vegas.
Names like Shania Twain, The Scorpions, The Doobie Brothers, Christina Aguilera, and John Legend, among others, have all taken the stage.
Check out who’ll be taking the stage during your visit.
Free Shows: Found in the Miracle Mile Shops, the recently revamped show fires to life at the top of each hour Monday – Thursday and every half-hour Friday – Sunday.
Full disclosure: It just isn’t that cool, BUT, if you are in the area, stick around for a moment of zen.
A few steps away is a new fiery light show that is cool if you’re in the area. Like the rain show, however, I wouldn’t go too far out of your way for it.
See a Robot Bartender: The two robotic arms behind the bar at Tipsy Robot can mix up to 120 drinks per hour and 1,440 per day.
Guests dream up and order their desired cocktail via a tablet, and the robots get to work. A typical drink costs around $20, but stopping by to watch is free.
Find Remnants of Aladdin: As a Vegas history dweeb, I enjoy finding glimpses into Planet Hollywood’s past life as Aladdin, a Moroccan-themed resort.
See if you can find the lingering theming elements from the Miracle Mile Shops days as the “Desert Passage Shops”.
Play My Grandma’s Favorite Slot Machine: To my knowledge, this is the only surviving Enchanted Unicorn slot machine in Las Vegas.
My grandma loved this machine and constantly belled up to it at the Mystic Lake casino in Minnesota.
I like to think it’s good luck, but I usually end up donating $100. Give it a shot and let me know if you hit!
See Glass Bar: Found in the center of the casino, Planet Hollywood’s Glass Bar is tough to miss, and it’s gorgeous. Cocktails run about $25 each, which isn’t cheap, but it’s a cool scene.
Cheap Eats in the Miracle Mile Shops
Taking advantage of the food and drink deals at Planet Hollywood is a must. Here are my favorites:
La Salsa Cantina: Looking for a cheap breakfast and a bloody? La Salsa Cantina has a $6.99 breakfast special ($9.99 on weekends) that includes 2 eggs, a choice of bacon, ham, or sausage, and southwest potatoes. Add a Bloody Mary for a mere 99 cents (during breakfast). Not bad!
Blondies: Located across the hallway from La Salsa, Blondies serves a $5.99 breakfast special that includes two eggs, 2 sausages, and a handful of potatoes. It’s not a ton of food, but the price is right.
Ketchup Premium Burger Bar: There is seemingly always a good deal to be had at Ketchup. Daily deals that find their way into the rotation include 2-for-1 hot dogs, 2-for-1 chicken tenders, and a $5 classic burger, among others.
Their best deal right now is a sizable $5.99 burger and fry basket. A draft Bud Light can be added for just $3.
Cheap Drink Options in the Miracle Mile Shops
If you take a peek at my compilation of happy hour deals on the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll notice that bars and restaurants in The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood make up nearly half the list.
Here are a few notable options:
Flights: Serving flights of 3 drinks for as little as $15, Flights is an inexpensive spot to raise your BAC.
Blondies: For $20, you can consume all the well drinks/draft beer you can handle between 3 pm – 6 pm (Monday – Friday). One of the few All you can drink deals on the Strip that offers beer and cocktails.
Things To Do Near Planet Hollywood Las Vegas
If hunting down a hidden bar sounds appealing, stop by Cosmopolitan to find its 3 speakeasies: The Ski Lodge, Ghost Donkey, and The Barbershop.
Of those options, The Ski Lodge is my favorite as you’re instantly transported to a snowy mountain resort.
The bartenders are a blast, and the drinks better.
After your cocktails, find Secret Pizza, Cosmopolitan’s hidden pizza joint. There, you’ll find a selection of quick, cheap, and delicious slices.
Of course, visiting Paris is a must. Things to do there include the Eiffel Tower observation deck, or grabbing a rooftop beer with a view of the Bellagio Fountains at Beer Park.
The Observation Deck costs about $30, and it’s very much worth it. I’ve put pictures taken from up there on canvas to use as home decor.
Speaking of Bellagio, put the free attractions there at the top of your list. Specifically, the Fountains of Bellagio water show and the seasonal display in the conservatory inside.
You can even grab dinner with a view of Bellagio’s fountains at a number of restaurants, both at Bellagio and at nearby resorts.
Traveling with kids? Play a “trippy” round of mini golf at Horseshoe’s Twilight Zone-themed Mini Golf Course.
While I didn’t find the 18-hole course to be overly challenging or complex, the visuals made the experience worthwhile.
Also at Horseshoe is REAL Bodies, an educational attraction that leverages 20 whole-body and 200 partial-body specimens to explain the inner workings of the human body.
To the south, I’d recommend checking out Topgolf, which is located behind MGM Grand.
Even if you don’t golf regularly, the games offered at the driving range are a great social lubricant for groups. In addition to golf, they also offer a 2-level pool that is open to the public and bartop video poker.
Given the resort’s location, there’s more to do than I could possibly mention here. Check out this breakdown of things to do at every resort on the Strip.
See Also: My perfect 3 day Las Vegas itinerary.
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.