For Fabio's birthday, we headed for Las Vegas for a long weekend. Let me explain Vegas like this: it's a huge Disneyland for adults! It is full of crazy people partying and weird people wasting their salary on the slot machines. Seriously, I've never seen anything like this.
1. Where to stay:
Las Vegas is a city you might consider exploring during night more than day. This is why even if you are a budget traveler, you might consider choosing a hotel on the strip. However, not all the hotels on the strip are worth going for. We booked our room in Circus Circus, thinking that it is a big hotel and is on the strip, so it should be good. But it wasn't. We chose the cheapest option, which was the Mason room and it was the worst motel I've ever stayed in! It took forever to reach the Strip by walk, so eventually we had to use Uber or the bus the same. But since it was actually on the Strip, the prices were still not that low - especially on the weekend. The rooms were dirty and smelling cigarettes - even if smoking is not allowed in the room. It was horrible and it cost only 100 dollars cheaper than alternatives, which we probably wasted on Uber the same. Also, keep in mind that the prices of hotels change dramatically for weekends and weekdays - so if you have the option, try to organize your trip for the weekdays.
2. Las Vegas Strip:
Vegas is a city that welcomes you with open arms, and your opening line to the city should be Welcome to the Famous Vegas sign. Based on the time you visit it, you might expect a huge line to get closer to have their photos taken. What you can do is to approach them and take your own shot from the side.
The first thing to do once in Vegas is gambling. Personally, I don't understand why and how. Machines are literally programmed not to let you win big time overall, and even though they seem cool and appealing, they get boring after a point. Yet, it was super interesting to observe all those crazy people still playing these little machines at 6 AM without sleeping. Even though it's not for me at all, observing people gambling was an amazing opportunity.
Strip is not amazing only because of shiny streets and crazy people, but also with themed hotels. Vegas Strip allows you to visit a different city at every corner: visit Eiffel tower in Paris, Statue of Liberty in New York New York, Colosseum in Caesar's Palace. canals of Venice in Venetian or pyramids in Luxor. These hotels are not only about gambling, eating or shopping but just for a walk. By 2020, Vegas strip will open a new resort, which will include more than a single country, but will contain landmarks from all around the world.
Bellagio Resort has a huge lake in front of it and during the night, there is the fountain show with dancing water. The show is different in every 15 minutes and is incredible every time.
You can actually take on a super romantic gondola ride just to feel yourself like in Venice. The tickets cost about $40 per person or $140 for a private ride. To me, the prices are completely overrated, especially if you consider the length of the path.
In New York New York, you can find a room full of arcade games, if you want to spend your time playing games more than gambling machines. It costs almost the same, you won't be earning any money and you might end up having more fun!
3. Fremont Street
This is the old Vegas. It's still about casinos, bars and hotels, but this has a much older style and this is where they shot the Vegas scenes in the old movies. We were told that a couple of years ago, since Strip gets all the tourists, Fremont street was wasted and not that safe for the tourists. But, all the Uber drivers we kept talking ensure us that it became more like a hip spot for locals and it is super crazy, in a good way! They have all street artists during night performing and people drinking. Well, this is the whole concept of Vegas, so if you care for a change, give Fremont Street a chance.
Vegas used to be a gambling city, but not anymore. It's constantly changing to become more appealing for younger generations. The zip-line installation on top of the Fremont street is the perfect proof of this change. Even if you don't do it, watching people scream over actually sounds fun.
Once around here, don't skip the Neon Museum. When Neon lights get broken or old, they are sent to the producers, where they are put in a boneyard until they get destroyed. Neon Museum presents a pretty cool collection of old Neon lights all together in the middle of the dust. The museum is designed to be outdoors to give the impression of the real boneyard and make it even more impressing.
I was not sure if we should visit the museum during day or night. In the end, we decided to go there during the day, because the night wouldn't be that different than the Vegas strip in any case. Plus, not all the lights are in working condition, so I believe during the night you might not see all of them in the best way.
4. Grand Canyon tour
Las Vegas is the best partying location, but it is also the best location to reach the famous Grand Canyon! There are many options visiting it: if you have the time, you can rent a car and have your little road trip around. If not, there are many daily tours from Vegas that take about 13 hours in total. You will be picked up from your hotel, put in a tour bus and reach your destination in about 5 hours. You will have some free time or maybe organized attractions and will return to your hotel the same night. If this sounds pretty tiring for you, the last option is to have a helicopter tour and this is what we did!
We organized our trip before departure from TripAdvisor. The price was approximately $400 per person and included hotel pickup with a limousine, helicopter ride and a little picnic. The route was passing on top of the Hoover Dam so we also had the chance to see it.
When we reach Grand Canyon, the helicopter landed in for about 45 minutes to take some photos and have a snack picnic and some champagne. On the way back, the route passes from the Strip so you can also watch over Vegas Boulevard and Strip.
5. Red Rock Canyon
Visiting Grand canyon with a helicopter tour was the best highlight of our Vegas tour, but we decided that we didn't get enough desert look and we had enough of Vegas sightseeing. So in our last day, we decided to rent a car and a do a little bit road trip! Vegas is actually surrounded by amazing hiking spots and mountain views. We had a half-day trip to Red Rock Canyon, but if you have more time definitely visit Valley of Fire as well.
Red Rock Canyon is an amazing destination for tourists with gorgeous red rock sandstone formations. It is actually a pretty famous destination for rock climbing, but you will appreciate it even without. The park entrance is about $15 for each vehicle or $5 for bike - whichever you have.
We decided to chose Vegas to celebrate Fabio's birthday and it was his idea going there. Overall, we had fun - I think it was a really unique experience to observe all those people partying and gambling like there is no tomorrow. I also imagined myself there maybe 10 years ago and maybe I would appreciate it much more back then. Spending 2 days there was enough for life and I don't see myself going there again. But again, these things are completely subjective!
How was your Vegas experience?
Labels: Highlights, Las Vegas, United States
