I realize this is really long, but I wanted to write down everything about our trip so that we can always remember it. It seemed easiest to post it as my trip review. My husband and I went alone to Las Vegas while the kids stayed with their grandparents, and it was a phenomenal trip! I hope the headings will help direct your reading so you don't have to unnecessarily suffer through all of my ramblings!
Travel and Transportation: The flight there and the flight back (to/from DFW) were uneventful. There was television on the way, but no TV on the way back because we were in a smaller plane. If you don’t already know this, you should take a set of headphones with you on flights because then you can watch the in-flight TV service for free. Also, it’s a little rough descending into Las Vegas because of the heat. If you’re a nervous flyer, just be prepared for a little turbulence.
We got around Vegas mostly on the monorail. It’s $9 for a day pass, and the stops are pretty well spaced out. It probably took us about 10-15 minutes to walk to and from the Monorail no matter where we were going, but it saved us so much time and energy. Be prepared to walk wherever you are. Even though your destination looks like it’s literally “right there” – it’s not.
At night we took taxis because I was not wearing my walking shoes to go out. Even then I took my flip flops in my bag and changed shoes at the end of the night on the way back to the hotel. You will walk miles and miles, but we didn’t mind!
If you’re a first time Vegas traveler, be warned about the “card poppers.” All along the strip there are men popping little cards. If you look at them, they will give you a card advertising prostitutes. However, these men aren’t allowed to block your path or speak to you, so just don’t look at them and they won’t bother you.
Hotel: We stayed at the Venetian, which was amazing! The hotels really are beautiful, and none of them are the same. We visited almost every one on the strip, and always found something new. Upon visiting other hotels, we thought we might like to stay at Caesars on a return trip because it has Mesa Grill, Spago, the nightclub Pure, and lots of other activities. See my section on food later…
The $20 tip trick worked at the Venetian as far as we know. We had a spectacular, newly-remodeled room on the 24th floor, and a view of the pool and gardens below. Past the hotel property we had a pretty good view of the strip as well. The room had a giant bathroom with separate toilet, a king bed with luxurious bedding, and a separate living area with flat screen TVs in all three rooms. It was probably the best hotel I have ever stayed in.
Entertainment: We went to the top of the Stratosphere and rode the Big Shot at the top. I don’t like heights, but my husband really wanted to go. In the end I guess I conquered my fear for the day, because the ride was fun and I was glad to say I had done it. Be warned that the Stratosphere is in a part of town that’s a little scarier than the Strip.
We bought tickets to go up the Eiffel Tower at the Paris, but they were filming something up at the top when we bought the tickets. We elected to come back later instead of waiting, and that turned out to be a bad decision. Each of the four times we went back it was closed for one reason or another – weather, maintenance, etc. If you buy tickets, make sure you go up right then.
Went to the Price is Right show at Bally’s and it was spectacular!!!! (Of course, I adore TPIR). There are tables in the front of the audience and I would not recommend sitting at the tables. They are round and we ended up squeezing into a table with four rather large women and then having to crane our necks to see the stage. If you go, ask for the stadium seats. Just for the record, if we had been called to the stage we would have won the showcase – our bid was only off by $200!!!
We did go to the old strip to see the sights and the gigantic LCD screen covering Freemont Street. We were glad we went, but we didn't stay long as it seemed to be smokier and (yes, this makes me sound like a snob) trashier that the new strip.
LOVE. I can’t even describe to you how amazing this show was. It is the Cirque show to Beatles music, and it is the most spectacular thing I have ever witnessed. I made my husband take me back the next day to get a shirt and a CD of the music, which I have listened to almost non-stop since then. The CD is great because we can remember what the artists were doing during each song, and – I know this sounds silly – but it’s like I have a physical reaction just remembering the show. The music puts me back on the edge of my seat. This show was worth every penny and more.
Gambling: We did not go to Vegas specifically to gamble, but we did play a little. Sadly, we lost about $100 in about 3 minutes of blackjack at a $15 table. That is simply not fun. However, we had a great time playing video poker and nickel slots. We came out $40-$50 ahead every time we played nickels slots (starting with $1 each). It was cheap entertainment. We did make the mistake of going into a casino and ordering a drink at the bar – then paying $10 each for the drinks. If we had been sitting at the quarter slots, we would have gotten the drinks for free.
Food: WOW! Besides LOVE, this was my favorite thing about Vegas. We looked through the dining guide and made reservations at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago – I’m kind of a food network junkie and wannabe foodie.
Overall, I liked the food better at Mesa Grill – especially the cactus pear margarita, tiger shrimp tamales, black bean quesadillas, and the blue corn cornbread. The cornbread was both crumbly and moist, which was so intriguing. It was the best cornbread I have ever had, and I’m a good ol’ southern girl. I was amazed by its texture and flavor. There’s a reason Bobby Flay makes lots of money for his food.
Spago was a food experience – from the amous bouche of potato and leek soup sipped from a tiny espresso cup to the dessert sampler including raspberry and rhubarb pie, fifteen layer chocolate cake, peaches and cream, and a perfect crème brulee. My husband had the surf and turf and would tell you that it was the tenderest selection of beef he’s ever had. I had the bass, which was also cooked perfectly. The flatbread with parmesan was addictive and had the ideal snap. My favorite things, however, were the cocktails. At the server’s recommendation, I had a Jackie Collins made with fresh raspberries and Grey Goose vodka. It was so good that my husband ordered one as well – even though it was a pink drink
The espresso martini made with espresso, Kahlua, and Stoli Vanilla was the pinnacle of the meal, and a great accompaniment to the dessert selections.
If you like food, you will love Vegas!
[This message has been edited by AggieMommy (edited 7/14/2007 10:37p).]
Travel and Transportation: The flight there and the flight back (to/from DFW) were uneventful. There was television on the way, but no TV on the way back because we were in a smaller plane. If you don’t already know this, you should take a set of headphones with you on flights because then you can watch the in-flight TV service for free. Also, it’s a little rough descending into Las Vegas because of the heat. If you’re a nervous flyer, just be prepared for a little turbulence.
We got around Vegas mostly on the monorail. It’s $9 for a day pass, and the stops are pretty well spaced out. It probably took us about 10-15 minutes to walk to and from the Monorail no matter where we were going, but it saved us so much time and energy. Be prepared to walk wherever you are. Even though your destination looks like it’s literally “right there” – it’s not.
At night we took taxis because I was not wearing my walking shoes to go out. Even then I took my flip flops in my bag and changed shoes at the end of the night on the way back to the hotel. You will walk miles and miles, but we didn’t mind!
If you’re a first time Vegas traveler, be warned about the “card poppers.” All along the strip there are men popping little cards. If you look at them, they will give you a card advertising prostitutes. However, these men aren’t allowed to block your path or speak to you, so just don’t look at them and they won’t bother you.
Hotel: We stayed at the Venetian, which was amazing! The hotels really are beautiful, and none of them are the same. We visited almost every one on the strip, and always found something new. Upon visiting other hotels, we thought we might like to stay at Caesars on a return trip because it has Mesa Grill, Spago, the nightclub Pure, and lots of other activities. See my section on food later…
The $20 tip trick worked at the Venetian as far as we know. We had a spectacular, newly-remodeled room on the 24th floor, and a view of the pool and gardens below. Past the hotel property we had a pretty good view of the strip as well. The room had a giant bathroom with separate toilet, a king bed with luxurious bedding, and a separate living area with flat screen TVs in all three rooms. It was probably the best hotel I have ever stayed in.
Entertainment: We went to the top of the Stratosphere and rode the Big Shot at the top. I don’t like heights, but my husband really wanted to go. In the end I guess I conquered my fear for the day, because the ride was fun and I was glad to say I had done it. Be warned that the Stratosphere is in a part of town that’s a little scarier than the Strip.
We bought tickets to go up the Eiffel Tower at the Paris, but they were filming something up at the top when we bought the tickets. We elected to come back later instead of waiting, and that turned out to be a bad decision. Each of the four times we went back it was closed for one reason or another – weather, maintenance, etc. If you buy tickets, make sure you go up right then.
Went to the Price is Right show at Bally’s and it was spectacular!!!! (Of course, I adore TPIR). There are tables in the front of the audience and I would not recommend sitting at the tables. They are round and we ended up squeezing into a table with four rather large women and then having to crane our necks to see the stage. If you go, ask for the stadium seats. Just for the record, if we had been called to the stage we would have won the showcase – our bid was only off by $200!!!
We did go to the old strip to see the sights and the gigantic LCD screen covering Freemont Street. We were glad we went, but we didn't stay long as it seemed to be smokier and (yes, this makes me sound like a snob) trashier that the new strip.
LOVE. I can’t even describe to you how amazing this show was. It is the Cirque show to Beatles music, and it is the most spectacular thing I have ever witnessed. I made my husband take me back the next day to get a shirt and a CD of the music, which I have listened to almost non-stop since then. The CD is great because we can remember what the artists were doing during each song, and – I know this sounds silly – but it’s like I have a physical reaction just remembering the show. The music puts me back on the edge of my seat. This show was worth every penny and more.
Gambling: We did not go to Vegas specifically to gamble, but we did play a little. Sadly, we lost about $100 in about 3 minutes of blackjack at a $15 table. That is simply not fun. However, we had a great time playing video poker and nickel slots. We came out $40-$50 ahead every time we played nickels slots (starting with $1 each). It was cheap entertainment. We did make the mistake of going into a casino and ordering a drink at the bar – then paying $10 each for the drinks. If we had been sitting at the quarter slots, we would have gotten the drinks for free.
Food: WOW! Besides LOVE, this was my favorite thing about Vegas. We looked through the dining guide and made reservations at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago – I’m kind of a food network junkie and wannabe foodie.
Overall, I liked the food better at Mesa Grill – especially the cactus pear margarita, tiger shrimp tamales, black bean quesadillas, and the blue corn cornbread. The cornbread was both crumbly and moist, which was so intriguing. It was the best cornbread I have ever had, and I’m a good ol’ southern girl. I was amazed by its texture and flavor. There’s a reason Bobby Flay makes lots of money for his food.
Spago was a food experience – from the amous bouche of potato and leek soup sipped from a tiny espresso cup to the dessert sampler including raspberry and rhubarb pie, fifteen layer chocolate cake, peaches and cream, and a perfect crème brulee. My husband had the surf and turf and would tell you that it was the tenderest selection of beef he’s ever had. I had the bass, which was also cooked perfectly. The flatbread with parmesan was addictive and had the ideal snap. My favorite things, however, were the cocktails. At the server’s recommendation, I had a Jackie Collins made with fresh raspberries and Grey Goose vodka. It was so good that my husband ordered one as well – even though it was a pink drink
The espresso martini made with espresso, Kahlua, and Stoli Vanilla was the pinnacle of the meal, and a great accompaniment to the dessert selections.If you like food, you will love Vegas!
[This message has been edited by AggieMommy (edited 7/14/2007 10:37p).]