Mat Franco's Las Vegas Insider Tips: Exclusive Interview with the AGT-Winning Magician
Las Vegas tops Travelzoo's most-searched destinations, so we're excited to share insider tips from locals who know it best. We caught up with Mat Franco, the first and only magician to win America's Got Talent. Since 2015, he's headlined Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly at the LINQ Hotel & Casino, stepping offstage to reveal his favorite Vegas activities and dining spots.
Spoiler alert: The High Roller observation wheel is a universal favorite.
TZ: You began your residency at the LINQ Hotel & Casino a few years ago. What's one thing you wish you knew about Vegas before moving there?
MF: I wish I knew how cold it gets in Las Vegas! Most people think of the desert as endless summer sun, but winter temps drop to the 30s, so pack a heavier jacket!
While Northeast summers can be warm (your hometown), it's not desert-hot. What's your favorite spot to cool off in Vegas?
Mt. Charleston is an ideal escape, just 40 miles from the Strip. Winters bring snow for skiing and tubing; summers are 30 degrees cooler than Sin City. Perfect for picnics or cabin stays.
Beyond gambling, drinking, and partying, what's your top outdoorsy activity or day trip from Las Vegas?
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers stunning views via scenic drives or hikes. It's worth the 30-minute trip from the Strip.
What's your favorite free activity in Las Vegas?
Watching the Bellagio fountains dance live from the Strip is magical. These choreographed spectacles, famous from TV and movies, are breathtaking up close.
If you had to leave Vegas forever tomorrow, what must-eat or must-do wouldn't you miss?
VegeNation in downtown Las Vegas is phenomenal—100% plant-based but tastes like classic American fare. The chef's buffalo cauliflower is addictive. I've tried recreating it at home... unsuccessfully so far!
Can you turn a $20 slot win into a meal?
Absolutely. Head to Hash House a Go-Go for massive portions—$20 could feed two from one order. Great value!
For high rollers seeking an over-the-top splurge, what's your top meal or activity?
Joe's Seafood & Prime Steak & Stone Crab at Caesars Palace delivers exceptional cuisine in elegant surroundings.
With 600,000 year-round residents, where do locals hang out off-Strip?
Gold Spike downtown is a lively bar with outdoor games like tetherball by the fire—ideal for groups.
If you could make crowds vanish, where would you claim as your private spot and why?
Trick question—I can make people disappear! Seriously, my empty theater at the LINQ before or after shows offers surreal solitude for reflection.
Any favorite Vegas shows besides yours?
Absinthe across the street is an edgy adult circus with incredible variety acts and boundary-pushing comedy. Leave judgment (and kids) at the door.
For friends seeking the ultimate "Vegas experience," where for epic views and photos?
The High Roller at the LINQ Promenade, the world's largest observation wheel, rises 550 feet for panoramic Strip views. The 30-minute ride includes a "Happy Half Hour" open-bar option.
