VIVA LAS VEGAS OR DISNEYLAND FOR ADULTS! Okay, Las Vegas may not be your cup of tea! It’s a city that people either love or hate. It seems to me that there is no in between. Honestly, Las Vegas is a city that simply sucks your time. And that’s not always meant in a bad way! There are so many distractions, places, events and gastronomic experiences that exploring the city is a bit of an overwhelming effort. At least for me it was. I spent two nights there and I was still struggling with jet lag. Walking around was a bit of a struggle for me, especially because I wanted to sleep so badly.
In this article, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas. First of all, I would like to warn you not to think of Las Vegas as just any city in the United States. It is completely different and is not even organized like a traditional city. It is a city that thrives on people, spending money (let’s be honest) and having fun! That is why Las Vegas is called “Sin City”. Although, like any city, you can take your time to enjoy the best experiences and really have fun exploring. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first visit to this neon city, other than casinos and entertainment. I was even more surprised.
WALK THE STRIP
When people think of Las Vegas, most people think of the four-kilometer Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Strip (The Strip), officially known as Las Vegas Boulevard, is the most famous street and the most visited avenue in the world. It is home to a variety of hotels and casinos, restaurants, cruise ships, shops, outdoor events and entertainment. It is home to many of the largest and most famous casino-resort-hotels in the city, and arguably the world.
There is only one way to fully experience Las Vegas and that is to put on your comfortable shoes and walk. Traffic can be a pain, and if you can, it is best to avoid driving. In general, walking is probably the best option and is faster than trying to drive along the Las Vegas Strip. Walking around the city is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas during your trip. The city is huge and quite long. In fact, you probably won’t walk all the way through it. If you don’t feel like it, there are monorails and taxis at every hotel.
Along the way, you’ll find every kind of shop, show, and street performer you can imagine. A trip to Las Vegas is a quintessential American experience with non-stop entertainment. You’ll find iconic casinos, clubs and bars, nightlife, dancing fountains, free shows, stands, and plenty of other attractions.
Depending on your starting point, I recommend starting your walking tour from south to north. Along the way, you will see hotels such as Excaliber, MGM, Caesar’s Palace, Mirage, New York, the Paris Eiffel Tower, the Bellagio Fountains, Cosmopolitan, Venetian, and in the north, the fashion mall, Circus Circus, and Stratosphere end.
Note that the buildings are massive. There are also several elevated walkways located at various points both up and down the strip to get from side to side.
Plus, it’s fun to watch burlesque dancers, street performers, people in costumes, and more strolling the strip. It’s super casual and it’s free!
MY TIP:
Keep an open mind when visiting Las Vegas! There are many street performers and people dressed in costumes on the streets. Don’t stop to take pictures unless you want to pay!
WEDDING IN LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas is known as the city that never sleeps, the city of sin, and the entertainment capital of the world. There are so many different nicknames for this desert oasis in southern Nevada. But did you know that it is also considered the “Marriage Capital of the World“? With easy access to marriage licenses, low costs, and no waiting times, Vegas has been the ideal destination for getting married for over 60 years. Add in the option of different themes, or even Elvis getting married, and you’ve got it covered.
A FEW INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WEDDINGS IN LAS VEGAS
- The most popular wedding dates are those with recurring numbers, such as 7/7/2007. JACKPOT! 7/7 is of course the most popular day in the city, where so many people hope to tie the knot with Mrs. “Lucky.”
- Many celebrities have said their “I do” here. When people think of getting married in Las Vegas, I usually think of Elvis and Priscilla Presley.
- There are over 40 chapels in Las Vegas, many of which are scattered throughout the city and some are located right in the heart of the city (or just north of The Strip).
- Many popular hotels, such as The Wynn, also have chapels on site.
I set out to collect some photos of chapels that I thought were just plain cool. So if you’re planning on doing this crazy thing in Las Vegas, here’s a little inspiration.
A LITTLE WHITE CHAPEL
Founded in 1951, the chapel is known for its celebrity weddings and, of course, its “Drive Thru Tunnel of Vows.” Approximately 800,000 couples have been married here. They’re obviously good at what they do, as many famous couples have been married here.
It was here that Britney Spears tied the knot with her childhood friend Jason Alexander for an infamous 55-hour wedding. But that counts too! 🙂 Other famous couples include Judy Garland and Mark Herron, Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Eva Longoria and Tyler Christopher, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, and the list goes on. And for Friends fans, it was here that the drunk Ross and Rachel got married.
VIVA LAS VEGAS CHAPEL
Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel is known for its themed weddings, with the motto being: “If you can dream it, we can make it happen.” They have over 30 themes to choose from, or as the motto says, they will make your theme come true. Their themes include zombies, gangsters, westerns, and even Twilight, so you can easily go for Edward or Bella. 🙂
CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS
Chapel of The Flowers as a resort with three types of chapels available depending on your style… Tuscan, modern or a more traditional Victorian style. You can also have your wedding outdoors in their Glass Garden.
HOTEL WHERE YOU LOOK
Upon arriving in Las Vegas, you will soon realize that the city is dominated by the huge hotels on the strip. The Strip itself is home to many huge hotels. As I said, the hotels are huge and an experience in itself. Some of the hotels may seem a bit cheap to some, but if you embrace the atmosphere and see each place as a place to have fun, you will love it!
HOTEL VENETIAN
At the Venetian Hotel you can see the beautifully painted ceilings and the Grand Canal. The gondola ride at the hotel is overpriced, but the architecture and construction are magnificent. You will find life-size models of Venetian landmarks here. In short, you can live your “Dolce Vita” here!
HOTEL BELLAGIO
FOUNTAINS AND GARDENS
It is an amazing place located in the center of the Las Vegas Strip. In the lobby you will find Dale Chihuly’s Fiori di Como paintings. What will definitely captivate you are the impressive fountains. They are huge and are among the largest in all of North America.
Every season, the extremely talented teams of gardeners and technicians transform the botanical garden into a show of inspiring colors, sounds and scents. So, depending on the season, you can admire an exhibition dedicated to spring, summer, autumn and winter. In short, when the seasons change, so does the exhibition.
The talented team not only changes the design, but also tries to use as much living plant material as possible. Flowers, leaves, different textures and scents really create something unseen here. As the advertisement states: “This ever-changing natural display is the most significant element of the Bellagio design, fulfilling the promise of creating the most extraordinary hotel in the world.” I have to agree with them.
HOTEL PARIS
The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is quite an iconic photo. You can also experience one of the other romantic experiences here. And the incredible view of the Las Vegas Valley and the Las Vegas Strip is right from the top of the Eiffel Tower. The observation deck closes at 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online before your trip or on the day of your trip at the hotel.
CAESARS PALACE
It is a luxurious and luxurious hotel, casino, place with numerous refreshment options, Michelin restaurants, luxury boutiques or even a beautiful spa. It was built in 1966, so it is one of the oldest hotel complexes in the city. Moreover, it is the first ever themed hotel in Las Vegas. Only after it did imitations of ancient Egypt, New York, Paris or Venice begin to be created.
LAS VEGAS SIGNAGE
Okay, this is old school, but it’s still one of the best things to do in Las Vegas. Go see the Las Vegas sign! It’s located behind the Luxor Hotel, it’s one of the older signs in Las Vegas, and it attracts a ton of people. You can take unlimited selfies at the Las Vegas Welcome Sign. If you want to take a picture without the crowds or waiting in a long line, get there early. The line can be very long. So I recommend coming early in the morning or late at night when everyone is in the casinos.
PERFORMANCE
One of the great things about Las Vegas being so densely populated is that it hosts world-famous shows, concerts, and musical events that are easy to get to. And not only that. Some shows don’t require a reservation. They’re also available on the day of the show.
MY TIP:
Check out the live shows – start with the free ones. These include the Pirates show at Treasure Island or the Volcano Eruption show with fireballs and waterfalls at the Mirage. The Fountains of Bellagio, a dance and music water show, is absolutely awesome and a must-see in Vegas. It takes place every fifteen to thirty minutes.
Please note that all shows and show times vary depending on the day and season. Please check the respective hotel’s website.
VISIT TO THE CASINO
Las Vegas is famous for its casinos, and visiting them is one of the best things to do in the city. All the casinos here are huge, sprawling, and designed to make you spend money. Keep this in mind and you will do well! This is the only way to avoid losing all your hard-earned money!
MY TIP:
When visiting a casino, set a budget that you are willing to lose. In short, put a limit on your money and you will approach the machines and tables a little more sensibly.
All casinos have their own themes and decor, but they’re mostly the same. They’re fun to look at even if you’re not a gambler. Table games seem to start at a $10 minimum, and there are a million places to throw in your change.
And how are casinos built? I have to say, very clever. You can’t tell if it’s morning or afternoon in them. They rarely have windows or clocks that remind you when to leave. Don’t forget that! So you’d better keep an eye on the time, and if you can’t do that either, set an alarm. 🙂 You don’t want to spend the whole day playing slots, do you?
WHEN TO VISIT LAS VEGAS?
Las Vegas never sleeps and is open 24 hours a day. This city of sin is bustling all year round, no matter what time of year it is. I was here in the summer and I have to admit that I was very happy that many of the hotels are connected and I can walk around in air-conditioned places during the day.
WHERE TO STAY?
If you are on a tight budget, there are plenty of nice places to stay around the Strip. For those who are new to Las Vegas, I highly recommend staying in the center of the Las Vegas Strip. This will give you easy access to most attractions and save you time traveling. If you are driving, you will also save on parking and finding a spot.
MY TIP:
Be careful of hidden resort fees when you stay. Book your stay through Booking.com, as all fees are listed accurately. This way you will avoid unpleasant experiences during your trip.
HOW TO GET AROUND LAS VEGAS?
I already advised you that the best way to get around Las Vegas is to walk. But after a while you will get tired and it will stop being fun. The way to save your legs is to use public transportation. Another option is the monorail and tram. Not to confuse the monorail and the tram on the Las Vegas Strip. The monorail is located on the east side of the Strip and runs behind the MGM Hotel to the Sahara Hotel, between which it has 7 stops. The price is reasonable, with a one-way ride costing $5, while an all-day ticket costs $13. A multi-day ticket is also available. While the tram is located on the west side of the Strip and is free. The only drawback is that it is disjointed and you have to find your way to get on and off between each stop.
NIGHT LIFE
Las Vegas at night is an amazing sight that you have to see and experience for yourself. The glitter, lights and LED billboards create the perfect atmosphere. But be prepared that the Strip will simply be too crowded and chaotic when the night begins. I recommend walking the Strip both during the day and coming back at night to enjoy all the lights. It is a completely different experience than during the day
WHERE TO EAT CHEAPLY
There are millions of different bars, restaurants and fast food joints in Las Vegas. With all the money flowing in, Las Vegas has some of the best food in the world. But everything is really expensive, so be prepared for overpriced food and drinks wherever you go. But you can try Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips.
If you are on a budget, choose wisely, although there are plenty of cheap eateries. There are many places where you can eat well for relatively cheap. Prices outside hotels and restaurants in backstreets will be almost half of what you would pay in hotels.
MY TIP:
Head to La Salsa Cantina at Planet Hollywood for breakfast. For $4.79, you get two eggs any way you like, your choice of ham, bacon or sausage, corn or flour tortillas and Southwestern potatoes. And you can add a cocktail like a Bloody Mary for under $5.
So I hope I have enticed you a little, because Las Vegas is an attraction that everyone must visit once in their lifetime!
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