Where to Start in Las Vegas

My mom took my sister and me to Vegas for her 50th birthday! It may have been her birthday present, but it was definitely a gift for all three of us. It worked very well for us to nestle this trip in while Adam and I were en route from California to New Mexico for our next PT contract. We had a spectacular girl’s trip while Adam and his buddy, Kevin, became completely enthralled in the sports betting world during March Madness. Below are some ideas of where to start in Las Vegas!

Shows

Las Vegas is known for its showbiz and for good reason! It’s hard to know what shows to pick, so here are my brief reviews of the ones we’ve been to:

    • O by Cirque du Soliel at the Bellagio: This one is my favorite! It is an extravagant circus with aerialists flying every which way and this particular Cirque du Soliel show is enhanced by water! 
    • David Copperfield at MGM Grand: This is the craziest magic show you will ever see! David Copperfield sure goes all out, and you will leave this show trying to figure out his illusions for years. 
    • The Mentalist at Planet Hollywood: This is a more subtle magic show, but Gerry McCambridge will certainly blow your mind by reading it! I was called up on stage during this show and I still can’t figure out how he read my mind. 
    • V-The Ultimate Variety Show in Planet Hollywood: This is more of a cheesy show, but if you only want to go to one show in Vegas it’s a good one because you do get a little of everything! Grab dinner at the PBR Rockbar & Grill before. 
    • Blue Man Group at Luxor: This show is always a trip! Creating an eclectic mix of art and music in their performances, the blue men are always high energy!

The Mentalist – I was called up to the stage to help the performer out.

Waiting outside the theatre to see “V-The Variety Show”

The Mentalist – I was called up to the stage to help the performer out.

Waiting outside the theatre to see “V-The Variety Show”

Shopping

The other fun part of every girl’s trip is shopping! Shopping is extra fun in Vegas because of the unique environments. You can go for quantity and hit up the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood which literally go on for 1.2 miles. You can be charmed by the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian where you can take a gondola to the next store. Or you can check out one of the fanciest malls you’ll ever see at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

Miracle Mile Shops on the Las Vegas Strip

Inside the The Venetian

Lobby at The Venetian

Miracle Mile Shops on the Las Vegas Strip

Inside the The Venetian

Lobby at The Venetian

Casinos

Obviously, you have to check out the casinos while in Las Vegas! There are so many that I can’t possibly list all of them here, but from my perspective, these are some of the “must-sees.” Adam and his dad even gambled at 21 different casinos in one weekend when he turned 21 years old! You have to check out Bellagio’s beautiful gardens and their spectacular fountain show at nighttime which runs every half hour. Hit up The Cosmopolitan if you’re looking for somewhere to wear your little black dress in a modern-classy environment. Check out New York New York and Paris for a glimpse of what these actual destinations are like! The Luxor is encased by an epic pyramid that is worth at least a walk through. The Flamingo has a garden full of real flamingos you can peruse. As for gambling and sportsbooks, take your pick. All these casinos have a wide range of options. We generally like staying near the north strip around the Flamingo. We aren’t quite high rollers, so we opted for spending most of our gambling/betting time at the low dollar blackjack tables. 

Mickey outside the Bellagio

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

The Bellagio Gardens – So beautiful!!

Watching the cool fountain show outside the Bellagio!

The Cosmopolitan

Luxor Hotel and Casino

New York Hotel and Casino

Paris Hotel and Casino

Flamingo Hotel and Casino – Viewing the flamingos at the hotel.

Mickey outside the Bellagio

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

The Bellagio Gardens – So beautiful!!

Watching the cool fountain show outside the Bellagio!

The Cosmopolitan

Luxor Hotel and Casino

New York Hotel and Casino

Paris Hotel and Casino

Flamingo Hotel and Casino – Viewing the flamingos at the hotel.

Other Fun Activities

Even though we didn’t gamble like high rollers, we certainly enjoyed the High Roller Observation Wheel which is connected to the LINQ Hotel. I highly recommend taking this Ferris wheel ride after the sun sets so you can see the strip all lit up! And then if you want a daytime view of the strip from the United States’ tallest observation tower, I recommend eating at the rotating Top of the World restaurant in the STRAT (formally the Stratosphere). If you’re looking for a less expensive activity, KISS glow in the dark mini golf is a fun option!

Inside the High Roller – Great view of the city!

View from the top of the High Roller

Top of the World restaurant

View out the window of the restaurant on the 106th floor of the Stratosphere!

Our delicious dessert replica of the Stratosphere!

KISS glow-in-the-dark mini golf

Inside the High Roller – Great view of the city!

View from the top of the High Roller

Top of the World restaurant

View out the window of the restaurant on the 106th floor of the Stratosphere!

Our delicious dessert replica of the Stratosphere!

KISS glow-in-the-dark mini golf

Parties

Parties are quite frankly never-ending in Vegas, so you’ll have to do your own research when you go. We happened to be in Vegas during St. Patrick’s Day in 2018 and there was a fun O’Shea’s Bloq Party! While perusing the St. Patty’s Zone, we found Cabo Wabo and indulged in some green beer and four-leaf clover shaped chips. I have also been to Vegas for a bachelorette party and there are plenty of pool parties and clubs to party the day and night away!

O’Shea’s Bloq Party

Cabo Wabo – Having dinner and green beer on St. Paddy’s Day.

Pool Party

Concert!

Club!

Another club!

O’Shea’s Bloq Party

Cabo Wabo – Having dinner and green beer on St. Paddy’s Day.

Pool Party

Concert!

Club!

Another Club!

Lodging

There are countless hotels to stay at on the strip (we’ve stayed at some), but for this trip we opted for a resort a little further out from the craziness. This way we had a place to escape to when wanted! We stayed at the Tahiti Village Resort and the best part of this place was definitely the expansive pool deck. We enjoyed our fair share of pina coladas in between laps on the lazy river.

Hangin’ in the lazy river at Tahiti Village Resort

Las Vegas has so much to offer and I’m sure we’ve missed a lot, but these are at least the highlights from our perspective. Have fun exploring this lit up desert city and let us know if you discover anything new! 

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