Las Vegas exudes romance, from private tables at gourmet restaurants to attractions as romantic and impressive as any in Europe. If you're thinking of planning a romantic getaway in Las Vegas, here's your cheat sheet to the perfect weekend for two. Don’t forget to make plans to:

Take to the skies

If it's your first trip to Las Vegas, you'll first need to orient yourself to the city during your romantic getaway in Las Vegas. And while you certainly could opt for a stroll along the Las Vegas Strip, a far more romantic way to get the lay of the land is to snuggle inside a helicopter.

A private helicopter tour over those twinkling city lights is one of the most extraordinary options for a romantic getaway, especially as some tour operators include complimentary Champagne. For an added sense of adventure, consider removing the helicopter doors for a little extra excitement. Once you’re back on the ground, treat your special someone to a luxury dinner at one of the Strip's top restaurants.

Book a private dinner for two

It isn't hard to find a romantic restaurant in Las Vegas, especially considering how many restaurants come adorned in glittering lights with rich, deep fabrics lining deep-set tables. But if you truly want to wow your partner, consider snagging a private table or chef's table at one of the city's best restaurants.

Genting Palace at Resorts World Las Vegas blends Old-World glamor with refined Chinese cuisine. The opulent atmosphere shimmers in hues of cream, gold and green, and the menu boasts a wide selection of live seafood, sake and classic Cantonese fare.

For an elevated and sustainability-focused Italian meal, reserve a table for two at Brezza, a restaurant helmed by James Beard semifinalist chef Nicole Brisson. Sip handcrafted cocktails and Italian wine while dining on handmade pasta, osso buco and dry-aged bone-in steaks.

If money is no object, go all out with an over-the-top private dining experience, like the 20-course menu at the chef's table at é by José Andrés or the 10-course dinner with Champagne pairings at Restaurant Guy Savoy's Krug Chef's Table.

Treat your sweetheart to a gondola serenade

Just like in Italy’s Venice, a gondola ride is one of the most romantic experiences to share in Vegas. As you paddle along the indoor or outdoor canals at The Venetian, your gondolier, clad in a striped shirt and red-sashed flat hat, will sing traditional Italian love songs just for two (or four, if you opt for a shared ride).

Rides last around 20 minutes, and though it's a little cheesy (in a good way), it's also an incredibly memorable experience, especially as you'll feel like a celebrity with so many tourists watching from the canal bridges. Tickets should be bought in person, so try to get there early as the rides are popular. Tip: If you decide to opt for the outside tour, schedule your trip around sunset for the most romantic light.

Journey into the desert

For some travelers, the beauty of Las Vegas is that it's a respite from the surrounding desert. But for others, the desert is the draw. And if that's you two, book a private day tour to Valley of Fire State Park. The gorgeous park is filled with red-rock canyons and spires and is a beautiful spot for snapping photos. Depending on your interests, you can tweak the tour accordingly with options like traveling to the park in a limo or bringing along a photo guide to help you take better photos, or to take incredible photos of the two of you.

Relax at a luxury spa

If relaxation is a part of your planned romantic getaway in Las Vegas, you have plenty of options in spas across many hotels and resorts in the area. Spas are a staple at the luxury hotels in Las Vegas, so treating your travel partner to a romantic couple’s massage or body wrap is a no-brainer. Take it a step further and experience a global spa treatment you'd be hard-pressed to find in your hometown.

For a truly global experience, reserve an internationally themed treatment at Awana Spa at Resorts World Las Vegas. Massages feature treatments from around the world, including Machu Pichu-influenced crystal work to soothing Balinese spices and techniques to the harmonizing vibrations from Himalayan singing bowls.

Snag tickets to a late-night stage show

A romantic getaway in Las Vegas is your chance to turn the spice up a notch, and there's no better way to do that than at an adult-themed stage show. Plenty of venues offer evening shows targeted to adults ages 21 and older. Shows are often a bit edgier, with a few more raunchy jokes than you'd find in an afternoon performance.

"Absinthe" offers a sultry cabaret, and you'll often find shows for the 18 and older crowd at the Comedy Cellar. You can even find "zombie burlesque shows" and late-night adult magic shows in Las Vegas, too.

Renew your vows (with or without the king)

Whether you've been married for one year or 20, renewing your wedding vows in Vegas can be a fun (and sometimes over-the-top) way to celebrate your continued commitment. For a true only-in-Vegas memory, head to one of the city's many themed wedding chapels.

For something a little more outdoorsy, consider renewing your vows in the desert or among Nevada’s signature red rocks. Plenty of elopement and vow renewal packages are offered at places that are an easy road trip from Vegas, like the Grand Canyon or even in nearby ghost towns. Most packages include transportation and a photographer, but be aware that you’ll need a permit in some areas.

Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast. She writes about mountain sports, adventure travel, youth culture and much more.