My first blog post mentioned that my mom and I used to take annual vacations to Arizona. But since my move to the Grand Canyon State, it felt like we should semi-evolve our itinerary, thus this year I suggested Vegas (baby).
I’d seen ‘Adult Disneyland’ twice before – once in my 20’s and once as the world was just coming back from Covid lockdowns. My mom visited a few years back, with some cousins. But, she recently shared a memory from another trip. When in HER 20’s, she came with my grandparents. On a night she looked particularly fetching, my mom distanced herself from her parents at the casino (as a 20-something might do) and was chatted up by a friendly stranger at the bar. After he walked away, another man approached and asked about her friendship with Rodney Dangerfield. She hadn’t realized who the flirtatious stranger was (even back then he got no respect). Vegas… where anything can happen! (Hey Vegas tourism, if you change your tag line to my prior sentence, I want some cash-ola).
With my planning hat on, I built the agenda to include a mix of downtown (neither of us had been) and the Strip. Will we prefer one area to the other? Will we meet a comedian on the brink of fame? Will we gamble our way to mountains of moolah? Read on for answers to these burning questions!
Our hotel, the Downtown Grand, was just off Fremont Street (the city’s actual birthplace according to this site). We’d requested a minimal-noise room, and they were quite accommodating. To get relative silence in that part of town, one can’t face a busy street, so our view was of a wall. Perhaps the most interesting wall possible (if one must face a wall) covered by a mural – it felt like a private art show.
Outside the quiet quarters were bright lights, street performers (one group of not-very-exciting dancers aggressively requested $20 from all crowd members), women dressed as show girls posing for pictures and signs promising $8.99 prime rib (is that meal edible?). Ziplining was on offer for the non-height-averse crowd (#nothanks). Add in several blatantly drunk tourists at all hours of the day and it was quite a scene!
One afternoon highlight was the Tony Marques Band playing country/rock tunes boasting great voices, talented musicians and lively selections. We also enjoyed delicious food from Nacho Daddy where they promise there is ‘never a dry chip’. For those in search of a bargain, the North Outlets were a nice mile-away stroll.
The next stop on the Vegas (baby…ok I’ll stop) tour was the “most expensive 4 mile stretch in the world”, specifically the iconic Bellagio, conceived by real-estate developer Steve Wynn, situated in the middle of the action.
Arriving very early on a Sunday, the lobby was full of energy, both for its floral design as well as the sheer number of guests checking in. In my second blog, I wrote that I always ask for ‘kid’s toys’ at reception (you never know when you’ll be handed a rubber duck). They didn’t offer a bath buddy, but instead we became proud owners of small, plush pink flamingos – adorable albeit a little off-brand since the namesake hotel was just a little north.
Continuing on with the eye-candy, nearby was a popular conservatory/botanical garden. Additionally, the Patisserie showcased a chocolate fountain and decadent treats (the breakfast delicacies were well worth the calories).
There was significant construction going on street-side, but with our room’s view overlooking the multiple pools (versus the famous fountain), it offered beauty and tranquility. Investigating the pool in-person was also a treat – after Phoenix’s triple-digit temps all summer, the cooler 80’s allowed for grabbing rays without fearing heat stroke.
While it would have been easy to spend a majority of time in the gorgeous Bellagio, we headed out to explore other nearby* casinos. From the animatronic Atlantis show at Caesar’s to the singing gondoliers at the Venetian, almost all stops** had a special draw.
*Why does everything appear way closer than reality?
**Treasure Island seemed a bit meh.
Mom and I were both enchanted by the Wynn’s whimsical displays including the colorful, happy bear structure, a carousel and a striking waterfall.
As far as gambling, I’m a wimp. I love to win (of course) but the minute Lady Luck stops smiling… let’s just say, I wanted to stay cheerful. So instead, we watched others. A few confided how much they’d been up, and how much they’d been down. My game of choice is roulette, generally sticking to betting on red/black or odd/even (see… total wimp). One man, with many chips in play, asked me to pick a number. I warned that he was likely throwing out money, but he insisted. So ‘18’ it was. How amazing it would be to share the very dramatic story that he won a ton, handed me a high-value ‘thank you’ chip, which I grew into a year’s salary – because as I said, it’s Vegas where anything can happen. But ‘can happen’ doesn’t always mean ‘does happen’. Sadly, ‘18’ didn’t win, his pile was seized by the croupier and I walked away chip-less (but with my good mood intact).
After many sights and many steps (more than 24,000 on our first full Strip day), the Vegas portion of our annual vacation came to a close. We left with lots of pictures, memories, full bellies (those buffets are no joke) and a flamboyance of flamingos.
What’s your favorite casino game? Also, any tips on how to beat the house? Definitely comment below!
Loved reading this! Sounds like a great time. Vegas baby!!
Thanks for continuing to read 🙂 – was a fantastic time!