1 Firefly Tapas Kitchen & Bar

Located on Paradise Road, this is a favourite Spanish-style hot spot, featuring hot and cold tapas and jugs of sangria. Learn more

2 Lotus of Siam

Gourmet Magazine called it ‘the single best Thai restaurant in North America’. Venture to East Sahara Avenue to try it. Learn more

3 Marche Bacchus

This is where Las Vegas chefs dine when they're not in their own restaurants. Enjoy French cuisine in Summerlin. Learn more

4 The Cupcakery

For dessert, head off the beaten path to Henderson for grown-up flavours such as Kir Royale and chocolate passion. Learn more

5 Ethel's Chocolate Factory Store

Chocoholics will love the free tour in Henderson, but if you don't want to stray too far, visit the store inside The Flamingo. Learn more

6 Sky Zone Sports

Expend some calories at the world's first three-dimensional all-trampoline, walled playing fields, near Boulder Highway. Learn more

7 Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch

Vegas locals living the fast life love the exhilarating road course here, featuring Corvette Driving Programmes and Lotus Performance Driving Schools. Learn more

8 Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park

Just 15 minutes northwest of the Las Vegas Strip is the only zoo in Vegas – see over 150 species of plants and animals. Learn more

9 Best of Local Shopping

There's a vibrant mix of shopping, dining and entertaining away from the Strip, from The District at Green Valley Ranch to Boca Park in Summerlin. Learn more

10 Best Local Watering Holes

Las Vegas locals unwind at the elegantly quirky Artisan, or the old-style Champagne's Café. Also check out Hennessey's Bar and Revolution - a must for Beatles fans. Learn more

BEFORE YOU GO...

Listen to Las Vegan locals, The Killers. Their 2006 album Sam's Town was named after Sam's Town Casino, where they used to hang out. Also watch Swingers and Leaving Las Vegas for a taste of Las Vegas living. And before you head to where the locals go, to understand the true vastness of Vegas, visit the Stratosphere, the tallest building in the city, and get the lift 100 floors straight to the top. From there, the view of the city is a sight to behold. Now you have your bearings, make your way to the north end of the Strip, to the Downtown area. This is where Vegas first began to develop and it remains much more local than tourist. Driving is your best option and parking is free.