Travel
Where to today? Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas strip, a destination you will not forget
Have you ever gone on a trip without real enthusiasm, but came back excited that you went?
Normally I picked places I am really interested in visiting, but my trip to Las Vegas was somewhat different. It was more a halfway destination to the Grand Canyon, a convenient day trip and out of curiosity.
Ok I was curious… after all so many Hollywood movies were made about Las Vegas or had a plot in the city. Who has not heard about Viva Las Vegas in 1964 featuring Elvis Presley, Leaving Las Vegas, Honeymoon in Las Vegas, Rain Man, Oceans 11, Bugsy and Casino or about the two latest movies What happens in Las Vegas and the Hangover?
Bellagio fountain show by night
When we decided to fly to the Grand Canyon from Europe, we had two options: fly to Las Vegas and enjoy a drive though Nevada and Arizona on the way to the park or make a change of flights and stop in Flagstaff.
My husband suggested we stop in Las Vegas, a place unknown to me. I must tell you I was not too enchanted at first as I am not at all a gambler. For me Las Vegas was the city of sins, a place for gambling and nothing else. There one could either win a lot of money or lose much more!
So, we spent 1 ½ days in Las Vegas before heading to the canyon and again we had a bit more time on the way back.
It was well worth the time, starting with the hotel we stayed in.
I had booked a room at the Aladin, a hotel recommended to us, just across from Bellagio and next to Paris. It was in our price range. We checked in quickly and had a huge room with a view over the Bellagio. On our second leg of our Vegas stay we even had a bigger room with a jacuzzi tub for even less money.
Mirage white tiger
We decided to focus on the strip and mainly walked from one place to another or took free shuttles or the monorail.
The strip is 4 miles long and offers 40 different hotels.
A few hours of strolling from one hotel to another and I quickly understood that Yes, there is more to Las Vegas than slot machines and poker tables.
So what else is the Las Vegas Strip all about? Is it the Elvis chapel and its quick marriages, the shows, the malls and its shopping, the art exhibits or the variety of good food?
If you like shopping, you will never get bored on the strip. Almost each hotel has its own mall. I particularly enjoyed the shopping at the Aladin and Venitian hotels. The Caesar hotel also has more than 100 shops at the Forum.
Here are a few things well worth doing during the day:
- Ride a gondola at the Venetian hotel
- Go see the white lions at the Mirage
- Meet all your favorite stars at Madame Tussaud
- Stroll through the Bellagio conservatory and botanical gardens
- Eat a pastry at a bakery in Paris or try a chocolate in Bellagio
riding a gondola at the Venetian Hotel
A night, if you are not gambling why not go to a magic show, a Broadway musical or a comedy show? David Copperfield, the Cirque du Soleil, the Blue Man Group and Mama Mia are always on demand.
Experience the fountain show at the Bellagio. If you have seen it during the day, the nighttime show should not be missed.
Now, if you are not planning a Las Vegas trip to get married, you could renew your vows in one of the chapels like rock star Jon Bonjovi did in 2001. The Elvis Graceland wedding chapel on 619 Las Vegas Boulevard is perfect for that.
Whatever your motivations are, have a great trip to Vegas!
