If you had asked me on my first trip to Vegas if I LOVED it, I would have told you no, no I did not. On a walking break on our first trip I asked Jeff if he had to choose, would he go back to New York or Vegas for his next trip. He replied, New York hands down, and I whole heartedly agreed with him. Since then we have returned to Vegas and planned future trips to Vegas, and we have only talked about going back to New York in the "someday we want to go for Christmas" sort of way.
Let me explain why we have changed our tune on Vegas;
It is SUPER easy.
It is warm
There is booze, shows, lights, gambling, and very interesting people to watch
It is not expensive (at least it doesn't have to be)
You can see the Grand Canyon (so amazing it has its own post coming later)
The biggest reason we changed our tune is because it is so easy to travel to Vegas. I mean it really doesn't get any easier. You never have to leave the Strip, unless you go to Old Vegas (which I suggest you do). But even then it is a quick bus ride away.
We have always stayed at the Luxor hotel. It is a little out of the way and not overly interesting, when compared to the other amazing options. It is also one of the cheaper options, why we choose it of course. That being said no accommodation on the Strip is cheap. For us the added walking distance is worth the slightly lower price tag. If we weren't trying to save a buck we would stay at The Venetian. It is the hotel we spend the most time in. We also always eat at the Venetian's Italian Restaurant that is in its Main Square, sit on the "patio" so you can watch the free entertainment, Bellissimo!
You know the saying "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"? We don't have anything from our trips that needs to remain unspoken, unless you count the cost of our bill from eating at the Paris restaurant...Tres Cher! Of course this was worth it and was budgeted for in our planning (sort of). A funny story about this restaurant...
Jeff and I wanted to have a fancy night out when we were in Vegas so we planned a dinner date for Paris. We brought fancy clothes and decided we would go all out, and that we did. When we arrived at the restaurant, which we had a reservation for, they made us wait. We realized when they took us to our table why we had to wait even though we had a reservation, they seated us at the table with the best view of the Bellagio Fountains. We ordered wine, starters, main course, desert and of course more wine. You know Parisian style. It was a magical, beautiful evening. Better than we could have imagined. When we left we got the feeling that the servers were under the impression that Jeff was planning to propose to me at that dinner. Of course this did not happen and was definitely not something that he would have done. Regardless, we were very pleased that they went out of their way to help make it an engagement worthy night.
Our favourite thing to do in Vegas is simply to walk up one side of the Strip and down the other (yes it takes all day). We stop into Casinos or bars/restaurants along the way to check things out. We spend the cost of food and maybe a drink (that we recommend buying from the variety store and carrying with you). There is a lot to see that is completely free; the Fountains, Street Shows, The Art and Design of all the hotels/casinos and of course the people. Vegas is a great people watching town.
A fun game to play in Vegas is slot golf. It's a gambling game but made fun. Each player puts their money into a slot machine playing only until they win, that means until you win anything. You document how many times you played the machine until winning, that is your score for that 'hole', then you move to the next casino, so on until you have done 18. The person with the lowest score wins. We aren't gamblers but this added a bit of fun and competition while still enjoying the casino side of Vegas. Another gambling venture we enjoy are the race horses in old Vegas. This is a rusty old machine that only takes quarters. 6 people can play at a time. You sit around the machine betting on which horse will win. It is absolutely ridiculous so don't play it if you are a serious gambler, or a party pooper. Most of the time the horses get stuck and don't move for a bit, which just adds to the fun. Everyone playing cheers for each other and it is a grand ol' time.
Of course there are hundreds of shows to choose from. Shows to meet all sorts of interests...and needs. We go to Vegas for 4 day weekends so we pick 1 show each visit. Which leaves 1 night to go out to the bars. Our favourite bar...so far... is the dueling pianos at New York New York. We aren't clubbing people, live music is more our jam.
Don't go to Vegas for the food. It isn't that special. Of course you can always find a good meal but you will pay $$$ for it.
This is how we do Vegas. Obviously this is not the only way. To be honest I don't think I have ever been hungover when in Vegas. We don't travel like that. We like to see the place. Enjoy it. We see the night life side we are comfortable with and then watch the city wake up the next morning. It is wonderful.
Logistics: Vegas is hot and dry, you will need water. It is also cold. You may want to prepare for that. You will be walking a lot. Taxis are available and there are shuttles but walking is where it's at. Wear good shoes. You may also be surprised to know there are a lot of families. Don't be surprised when you see little kids running around. Also be prepared for hustlers and street performers. They are everywhere, I wouldn't call them aggressive, maybe just persistent? Either way they are part of what makes Vegas so Vegas.
Vegas will definitely not be the first place we travel back to when the world reopens, but we will be back. Maybe even before we see New York again! Viva Las Vegas!
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