Seven Magic Mountains, an outdoor art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, is about 20 miles from the Las Vegas Strip and is a favorite attraction of magician Penn Jillette.

"I brought one of the best-known magicians in Spain, Jandro, over there, and he couldn’t believe a restaurant this good is in a strip mall," says Mr. Jillette.

"I think Mac’s the best comedy magician alive in the world," says Mr. Jillette. "He plays in the afternoon at the Excalibur. Whatever else you’re doing, grab a 3 p.m. show with Mac. I guarantee you will thank me."

"Teller and I write our shows at this cafe on S. Jones Blvd. If you like to see small limber people from other countries eating salads and drinking huge amounts of coffee, it’s the place to be," says Mr. Jillette.

Historian and author Geoff Schumacher recommends this artsy bookstore-slash-coffee shop downtown, with an outstanding book selection. "It’s part of the city’s growing cultural evolution," he says.

This downtown steakhouse is named for the city’s former mayor Oscar Goodman, a defense attorney for the mob. ”He became the mayor of Las Vegas for three terms and was, in part, responsible for all of this downtown redevelopment,” says Mr. Schumacher, who oversees exhibits and programs for the Mob Museum.

It’s one of the earliest ranches in the Las Vegas area, explains Mr. Schumacher. “Later it became a divorce ranch. Nevada was a place where people would go to get a no-questions-asked divorce in the ‘30s and ‘40s.” It’s now a city park with historic buildings, walking areas, shade trees and large ponds.

It’s become a cultural gathering place, with art-deco-inspired architecture patterned after Hoover Dam.

Sheridan Su, chef of the city’s Fat Choy and Every Grain restaurants, recommends Izakaya Go for quality fish at affordable prices. "I would buy a whole fish on the specials menu. They will cut it up sashimi style. And once you’re done with the plate they’ll take the bones and make a beautiful miso soup out of it, all for under 20 bucks," he says.

Valley of Fire State Park is a favorite outdoor spot of chef Sheridan Su’s. "I love going out there. Once you’re there, the entire scenery is red. It’s almost like you’re on Mars," he says.