Las Vegas – You Need to Try It
I will never forget my first adult vacation after I graduated from college. I had never flown. And I was determined to knock that off of my lists to do.
I graduated college in 2004 and during this time it seemed like Las Vegas commercials were everywhere. The Travel Channel was constantly showcasing the positive side of the city that never sleeps. The World Series of Poker seemed to be on ESPN every night and even the Food Network was joining in the spotlighting of the delicacies of this gambling oasis.
It was my first trip so I was looking for affordable places, and a friend recommended Las Vegas because you can usually find cheaper flights and hotels. I started looking and there was a hotel for everyone’s budget. From the cheapest of cheap to the priciest penthouses. Las Vegas had it all with their flare of theme hotels.
I booked the Excalibur Hotel which was nestled between the New York, New York and Luxor at this time. (I returned to Las Vegas about 5 years ago and was surprised how much had changed on the strip).
I was told Excalibur was a family friendly hotel themed around King Arthur with their medieval looking castle shaped hotel, drawbridge entrance and free entertainment of magic shows, court jesters and puppet shows throughout the day. It is a hotel on the cheaper side of the spectrum, on the south side of the Las Vegas strip.
The interesting thing about Las Vegas is there is possibly a theme hotel for everyone’s taste. If you want to experience Europe you can visit the Eiffel Tower at Paris Hotel and Casino, the canals of Venice in the Venetian, the Italian culture at the Bellagio, or the exciting city of Rome at Caesars Palace.
If you want something more tropical you have the Mirage, Treasure Island, Cancun Resort, Tahiti Village, and Mandalay Bay just to name a few.
If you want to experience the charm of old Las Vegas you have the famous Fremont Street with Four Queens, Golden Gate, the Plaza, and the Golden Nugget. And while you are there check out the light show overhead and the secret menu items of steak and lobster that are an incredible deal.
If gambling is your idea of fun take your choice of many casinos and their plethora of slots, video poker games, card tables, dice games or roulette. It doesn’t matter how much you are willing to gamble because there is a spot for every price level. If you don’t know how to play or don’t want to lose your money, it is just as much fun watching strangers and cheering them on.
If you want to enjoy the nightlife, clubs and bars are as numerous as the many types of restaurants that are open 24 hours a day. You can eat anytime you want, eat anything you want, and then dance the night away until the sun comes back up. In Las Vegas, anything is possible any hour of the day.
If entertainment is more your speed most of the bigger named hotels have multiple shows including famous headliners giving their fans a nightly concert. Or you can find the best comedians that have been working their craft for decades or the up-and-coming newbies. There are magicians, animal acts, circus routines, acrobats and of course the Elvis impersonators. There is a show for everyone at every price level. You can spend thousands on one show or you can enjoy the many free shows scattered throughout this entertainment city.
But if Las Vegas isn’t your cup of tea, there are many other things to do outside the city life. Hoover Dam is a short drive away. You can tour the famous dam and uncover the history of this great modern achievement. The Grand Canyon is a great day trip to the southeast, Zion National Park is to the north, Death Valley is to the west. Mickey Mouse snd Disneyland is 4 hours away. If you want to ski, the mountains are a few hours away. If you want to experience the old west, old ghost towns and abandoned mines are a short drive away. Golf courses, fishing holes, scenic drives and relaxing spas are all within reach.
Whatever you want to see, you can find it near Las Vegas.
Las Vegas has cleaned up its image in recent years and is now attracting families with its museums, recreational places, world class shows and dining. There is still a dark stigma that hangs over Las Vegas, but you don’t have to experience that side of it.
Las Vegas is one of those places that you can return to every few years and experience something new. You can spend as much or as little in this exciting city and have a great time either way. Some people may leave Las Vegas with more money than when they arrived through luck and skill, but visiting this city doesn’t have to break your bank.
For more tips on this city, ask me your questions.
Peace and happy travels
