Let me start off by saying this: what you've heard and seen about Las Vegas, however crazy it may be, is probably true. The City of Sin is huge, it is ridiculous, it is chock-full of maxed-out entertainment and jaw-dropping architecture. It is too much of everything, but that's why you go there. We thought we would hate it (especially after driving around for what seemed like an eternity trying to find the damned parking garage for our hotel), but we ended up extending our stay. With this disclaimer out of the way, let's dive into the action!
Let me start by saying you should definitely visit Vegas on weekdays. Most hotels are at least 50% cheaper on week nights, although you'll have to pay for "resort fees" anyway. Also make sure you check out which shows are on where you're staying, as it's usually cheaper for people spending the night. Then, get a discount card for a few bucks at one of the street booths and enjoy the savings!
We chose to stay at the Luxor, because of course the Egyptian theme really spoke to me. Just look at those beautiful statues! Most of these, by the way, were made by the same artists who make the floats for Mardi Gras in New Orleans... (but that's for another post!)
When in Vegas, don't just spend your money on the machines (although they are fun... for like 5 minutes)! Go outside and walk the Strip, but be sure to put on sunscreen and bring lots of water. The fun part is going inside all the stores and hotels to check them out. Some sweet things we saw on the way (and yes, that's a sheep made of spark plugs):
If you've been around the world a little, you'll recognize landmarks from Paris, Venice, New York... and a lot of other iconic places.
We spent quite some time at Caesar's Palace and a few other malls, just to marvel at how grandiose everything is.
The Flamingo was also really nice, with live feedings of the turtles, fish and birds during the day, and lots of flamingos. Duh. Oh and make sure you visit by night, too! Go out, have fun, and enjoy the insane amount of neon signs!
Make sure you don't miss one of the numerous water fountain shows at the Bellagio, they are so impressive! The water cannons make quite a booming sound, so if you happen to be around, no need for a watch: you'll hear the show start. When we first walked past it, the song "Viva Las Vegas" was playing. Absolutely epic!
There was so much food to try, too... Some of our favourites were the breakfast buffet at Planet Hollywood (smoked salmon and 3$ mimosas, baby!), the insanely huge pizza slices at Pin-Up Pizza, everything at Diablo's Cantina, the 24k burger at Hard Rock Café (yes, I ate a burger with a patty covered in gold), and the custom drinks made by a robot at the Tipsy Robot.
As for activities, besides the shows, we definitely recommend trying out the High Roller Observation Wheel, which is the tallest in the world. If you want to, you can even pay for an open bar experience! The ride lasts 30 minutes and takes you nearly 170 meters above the Strip.
We also quite enjoyed going to the Neon Museum Boneyard Park, where you can check out a lot of old taken-down neon signs from iconic (and more obscure) shops and hotels. They even provide you with sunbrellas when it's hot outside.
A little ways from the Strip, you can also visit the Erotic Heritage Museum. It was actually quite informative (like "Sex under the Nazi regime" or "Cannabis uses in Assyria"), and was definitely much more than just erotic pictures on the wall. Quite a nice detour, and if you fill in a short survey, they give you a bag of goodies at the end of the tour! 😏
Another really cool activity is at the Stratosphere hotel, where you can go up to the Skypod to soak in the view and try a few thrill rides if you haven't had too much to drink beforehand. We went at night and did the Insanity ride, which was about as scary as it looks. Ok, maybe I screamed a little... 😱
So for the shows, we of course had to try an adult show, so we went for Fantasy at the Luxor. They say it's the Strip's biggest tease, and BOY were those ladies not only gorgeous, but talented! The MC was absolutely hilarious too. We had such a great evening! When we heard we could take pictures with these beautiful goddesses after the show, we made sure to be among the first in line. So here, pictures with our favourite ladies!
We also wanted to check out a Cirque du Soleil show, but the only one available was the 18+, and we felt like trying something different. Someone suggested we go see Celestia, which also has acrobatics, contortionists, and a whole host of performers from America's Got Talent. Even if the show is family-friendly, we were definitely not disappointed! The clowns were hilarious and zero creepy, the stunts had us on the edge of our seats the whole time, and the live music just brought everything together perfectly.
Just a few teasers...
Yes, that lady fired a bow with her feet. 😲
The infamous Wheel of Death... this is just the beginning, they eventually walk ON TOP of the wheels and perform death-defying flips with no net! My whole body was aching as I watched them. 🤢
Of course, when in Vegas, make sure you enjoy the pool at your hotel with a cool (alcoholic) drink in hand, and soak in the illusion that you're the richest and most important person on Earth for this moment. Definitely a fun but expensive escapade! After deciding a fourth night would be too much (being so close to other people had us long for some nature time), we soaked up the sun by the poolside on the last morning, packed our things, and hopped in the car for our next adventure... Stay tuned, folks! 💜
TL;DR: Las Vegas, City of Sins, City of Light, Entertainment Capital of the World, City that Never Sleeps. You'll experience all of this, and much more! Gamble a few bucks in a slot machine (just to say you did), try out the awesome food everywhere, check out some awesome shows like Cirque du Soleil, Celestia, or Fantasy, get a bird's-eye view from the Skypod (and try one of the thrill rides) and/or from the High Roller Observation Wheel, and just have fun walking around with any drink you like in hand (as long as it's in a plastic container)! Party those days away! 🥳
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