A few years ago, my husband and I went to Las Vegas for the long Thanksgiving weekend. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and loved every minute of it! Later this year, we’re heading back to Vegas and plan to do a lot more than just gamble and see a show.
So what’s there to do in Vegas besides gamble and see a show {or two}? LOTS!!! Let me count the ways in which you can enjoy Vegas, and what all you can see and do in this city that some people call “Sin City” and the “Entertainment Capital of the World”. According to Jess with “A Passion and A Passport”, you can do some indoor skydiving, drive an exotic car, check out the rides at the Stratosphere and Circus Circus, go zip-lining down Fremont Street, and visit Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. You could also have dinner at the Top of the World, take your picture in front of the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, or visit the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo.
As I said, the last time we vacay-ed in Vegas, we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. It is a few blocks of The Strip, but the hotel provided transportation via a shuttle bus to one of the malls, which was convenient for us since we didn’t rent a car. This year, we’re staying at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, which is located next to the Bellagio Resort & Casino, which is located next to the Caesars Palace Las Vegas Resort and Casino, which is where the movie The Hangover was filmed. Caddy-corner from The Cosmopolitan is the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. I may be my only opportunity to wake up and look out the hotel window and see the Eiffel Tower.
The one thing my husband and I WILL BE DOING on this trip is the Eiffel Tower Experience. I will probably check out Groupon for great deals on this experience as well as a day-trip on a couple of scooters to Hoover Dam. One of the doctors I work with told me that we HAVE TO do the scooter tour. I pitched the idea to my husband and he said, “Sure, why not!”
Check out Avenly Lane Travel‘s post about “10 Must See Attractions in Las Vegas” for some more great ideas, which includes the Eiffel Tower, Fremont Street, and Bellagio Fountain and Gardens. You may feel like one of Danny Ocean’s gang when watching the water show at the Bellagio Fountain. It’s loud and sounds like cannons being shot out of the water, but the show is amazing!
There may also be some things you didn’t realize you could do while you’re in Las Vegas. If you thought Dole Whip was only available at Disneyland or Disney World, think again. You can try this tasty treat at Pineapple Park, just minutes from The Strip. You can also step back in time and visit a speakeasy. You can take a day trip to Red Rock Canyon and hike the stunning rock formations. Think you’re a pinball wizard? Then check out the Pinball Hall of Fame to get your pinball fix. Or take a tour of the office of the online retailer, Zappos, where you’ll learn more about the company culture.
Las Vegas is a popular destination for Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, as well as just fun weekend getaways. But if you’re traveling from the East Coast and only have a few days, then why not mark off some things on this fun bucket list of “101 Things to do in Vegas“, from Esther and Jacob of the blog, Local Adventurer.
If you’re like me and everyone else, you’re always on the lookout for the best Instagram-worthy backdrops to take photos in front of, and Las Vegas has dozens of locations for these types of photos. Take some cues from Ady and the ladies of Verbal Gold Blog and make sure to strike a pose in front of one of the many colorful walls along Fremont Street or the Culture Corridor. Or check out Jojo of Traveling Petite Girl to see her suggestions for Instagram-worthy photos you’ll want to take in Las Vegas.
If you’re wondering what resorts & casinos or attractions are on The Vegas Stripe, then check out Pocket Vegas for interactive maps.
Here is a few of my favorite photos from our Vegas trip a few years ago. This year, we’re going to eat at In-n-Out and probably take in a show, if we can. As I said earlier, we will be doing the Eiffel Tower Experience. I didn’t know that was possible a few years ago when we went, but it’s on our to-do list for this year’s trip. We’ll also probably drop by Fremont Street again. I also look forward to seeing the Bellagio Fountain and Gardens.
Have you been to Las Vegas? Was your trip more subdued than the crazy antics in The Hangover? Or was it just as wild and memorable as The Hangover? I’d love to hear your suggestions on what to do, where to go, what to see, and where to dine while in Las Vegas, and I’ll see what I can add to our itinerary for our upcoming trip to Vegas. Leave your comments below!
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
2 Comments
Okay, I’ve never been to Vegas and actually have never had the desire to go but this is making me think about it.
OMG, Melisa! You would love it! We usually go at Thanksgiving. There are really so many things to do, and some of the interiors of the resorts & casinos are amazingly beautiful. You can also find tickets to shows the same day at a fraction of the cost. We are not nightlife people, so the only thing we did at night was go the Bellagio Fountain and then walk down to New York New York Casino. Staying off The Strip the first time was nice, but we’re going to stay at the Cosmopolitan this year. I can’t wait!!