Las Vegas: City of Lost Wages
Disneyland for Adults – Entertainment Capital of the World – call it what you will – it’s Fabulous Las Vegas!
Casinos. Shows. Rollercoasters and Thrill Rides. Arcades. Zoos. Aquariums. Art galleries. Museums.
You’ll find it all in Las Vegas: City of Lost Wages!
Las Vegas is many things to many people – a Mecca for those who want to chance their luck in the twenty-four-hour gambling casinos, a world-class entertainment centre for those who love music and shows, and a fantasyland for just about everything that your indulgent adult heart might desire.
The City of Las Vegas sprang out of Nevada’s Mojave Desert in the USA around a hundred years ago and is famed for its Las Vegas Casino, it’s vibrant nightlife and fabulous themed Las Vegas hotels along the focal point of its four-mile-long boulevard affectionately known as ‘The Las Vegas Strip’.
For me, visiting Las Vegas was a bucket list destination, and such an amazing experience that I will forever hold it in my heart and in my memory as a very special time in my life.
In Las Vegas we walked the entire length of The Strip – both sides – and explored the hotels and restaurants.
We marvelled at the canals inside The Venetian Hotel.
We stood outside the Bellagio and watched the Musical Dancing Fountains.
We ate at the famous Wynn buffet and enjoyed those ‘endless pours’.
We had fun (and free drinks!) in the casinos and after many hours won back every cent we’d gambled.
We got marred again at Graceland Chapel with Elvis as our minister!
We saw a legendary show at The Tropicana.
We also took a day out to experience a road trip to The Grand Canyon via Hoover Dam and Route 66.
Come with me to fabulous Las Vegas – and you’ll know exactly how to best plan your trip and to experience all that Las Vegas has to offer you as a first timer in The City of Lost Wages!
Table Of Contents
- Las Vegas: City of Lost Wages
- WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO LAS VEGAS?
- LAS VEGAS HOTELS
- WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS?
- LAS VEGAS NEVADA WEATHER
- LAS VEGAS ATTRACTIONS
- MY FIRST TIMER TOP EXPERIENCES IN LAS VEGAS
- LAS VEGAS CASINOS
- LAS VEGAS RESTAURANTS
- BEST BUFFET MENU IN LAS VEGAS
- LAS VEGAS ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
- LAS VEGAS SHOWS
- LAS VEGAS WEDDINGS
- EXCURSIONS FROM LAS VEGAS
- HOW FAR IS IT FROM LAS VEGAS TO THE GRAND CANYON?
Las Vegas: City of Lost Wages
LAS VEGAS NEVADA
When a fabulous destination offers you so much and you can’t possibly see and do it all in a limited amount of time and on a realistic budget – but you want to experience the best that Vegas has to offer – then it’s hard to know where to start and when to finish in Vegas.
Having experienced for myself – four wonderful fun-filled days and five fabulous nights in Las Vegas: City of Lost Wages – I feel I can offer you some first-timer tips and advice on how to make the most of your own fabulous Las Vegas experience!
Las Vegas: City of Lost Wages
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO LAS VEGAS?
There is actually no right or wrong time to visit Las Vegas because it is built in the middle of a desert.
But if you are looking for low prices and special deals you may want to look to June, July, and August, when it will be very hot indeed – but if you’re going to be spending all your time inside in air-conditioning or cooling off in your hotel pool – then the extreme temperature might be less of an issue to you.
I was there in early June and found the heat and the prices just right.
LAS VEGAS HOTELS
WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS?
The Vegas week is split into two when it comes to hotel prices: that’s weekend and mid-week.
So, when looking for your best deals, it pays to be flexible.
You’ll often find that airfares work in much the same way.
If you want luxury and a five-star experience then you might be looking to stay at hotels like The Bellagio or The Venetian.
Or if you are looking for mid-range affordability then maybe the MGM Grand or New York New York.
If you need a budget accommodation deal then there are plenty to be found.
The backpacking husband and I stayed at an apartment hotel Palms Place Hotel and Spa just off The Strip and next to The Palms Casino Resort Hotel with its wonderful outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace at a special mid-week deal price.
Our apart-hotel at Palms Place Hotel and Spa had a small but fully equipped kitchen and a comfortable seating area with a large bedroom with super-king bed and deluxe bathroom as well as an outside balcony and an amazing view of the whole Strip.
It was fabulous and offered us the best of both worlds with a stunning view and a luxury suite.
Las Vegas: City of Lost Wages
FIND YOUR PERFECT PLACE TO STAY USING MY INTERACTIVE LAS VEGAS MAP
If you are looking to self-cater or just stock up your mini-fridge, it’s useful to know just a few blocks up the street from Palms Place Hotel and Spa there is a big supermarket called Smiths.
We went there on our first day to stock up on snacks, beverages and breakfast goodies.
We shopped for snacks at the supermarket in Las Vegas to help our budget but also so that we could enjoy late-night movie snacks while watching the huge TV in our room and so we could to have breakfast on our own terms before heading out to The Strip for the day.
LAS VEGAS NEVADA WEATHER
Las Vegas, Nevada, typically experiences a desert climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. If you’re looking for the best weather in Las Vegas, many people find the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) seasons to be the most pleasant.
Spring (March to May): During spring, temperatures are generally mild and comfortable. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 24-30°C), making it a great time to enjoy outdoor activities without the extreme heat of summer.
Fall (September to November): Similar to spring, fall in Las Vegas brings mild temperatures. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 24-30°C). Fall is also a good time to visit as the summer heat starts to subside.
These seasons offer a break from the intense heat of summer, making outdoor activities more enjoyable.
However, keep in mind that Las Vegas can still be quite warm, even in these seasons, so it’s a good idea to stay hydrated and use sun protection if you plan to spend time outdoors.
If you really can’t stand the heat, January and February are considerably cooler months with temperatures averaging around 14-17 C or 58-63 F.
LAS VEGAS ATTRACTIONS
MY FIRST TIMER TOP EXPERIENCES IN LAS VEGAS
The Water Fountains at The Bellagio. The water fountains at the Bellagio Hotel sway and swish to lights and music and although you will have seen them on TV and in movies there really is nothing quite like seeing these fountains for yourself.
Since its debut in 1998, the Fountains of Bellagio have become an iconic symbol of Las Vegas and are among the most photographed attractions in the United States, captivating millions of visitors annually with an of water, music, and lights.
Spanning over 1,000 feet, the fountain features around 4,800 lights and more than 1,200 water jets that can propel streams up to 460 feet high.
Each performance is uniquely choreographed to a diverse selection of music ranging from classical pieces to contemporary hits and the synchronization of water movements is meticulously programmed to create a dynamic ever-changing display that ensures no two shows are ever exactly alike.
The fountain shows are free to the public and typically run every 30 minutes in the afternoons and early evenings, increasing to every 15 minutes from 8 PM to midnight.
But it’s advisable to check the current schedule, as times may vary, and shows can be subject to cancellation due to weather conditions.
Gondola Ride on The Grand Canal at The Venetian Resort: Be steered and also serenaded by a singing operatic Gondolier who serenades passengers with classic Italian songs, enhancing the authenticity of the experience, so you can really imagine you’re in Venice Italy!
The Gondola Ride at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas offers guests a romantic and immersive experience as you glide serenely along winding waterways past café’s and under bridges and balconies on a Grand Canal both inside and outside the Venetian Hotel in a romantic and authentic Venetian gondola.
Indoor Ride: Float beneath bridges, beside cafes, and under balconies along the Grand Canal Shoppes, all while enjoying the ambiance of a meticulously painted sky ceiling.
Outdoor Ride: Glide along a lagoon at the front of The Venetian Hotel, offering a breath taking view of the Las Vegas Strip and the resort’s authentically rendered Italian architecture.
Gondola rides operate daily from 10 AM to 11 PM for indoor rides and until midnight for outdoor rides. It’s advisable to book tickets in advance especially during peak times.
Ride The High Roller Observation Wheel: Most iconic cities have an observation wheel but the one in Las Vegas was the world’s tallest when it opened on March 31, 2014.
The High Roller is a must-visit attraction and a prominent observation wheel located at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, at 3545 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109, within The LINQ Promenade and directly across from Caesars Palace.
The 28-cabin wheel features 28 spacious, glass-enclosed cabins, each capable of accommodating up to 40 passengers and takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution offering 360 degree views 550 feet above the Las Vegas Strip and what a view!
At night, the High Roller is lit up by a dynamic and colourful LED system.
The High Roller operates daily from 2pm to 12am.
LAS VEGAS CASINOS
Casino hotels dominate the Las Vegas Strip and can also be found in old ‘downtown’ Vegas on Fremont Street.
If you are a true gambler then you just found your Casino Mecca.
But if you only have a few spare dollars in your pocket and you want to have some fun – and free drinks while you play – then a stint on the slot machines in a casino is a lot of fun.
And, you never know, you just might get lucky!
LAS VEGAS RESTAURANTS
You’ll never go hungry in Las Vegas because the place is a culinary wonder of affordable excesses and you’ll never have to go far to find something delicious to eat.
There are high-end restaurants, mid-range family-style diners and brand-name burger joints and everything in between.
THE VEGAS BUFFET SCENE: My own preference for a pre-show dining experience is for one of the high-end hotel buffets because this is something that Vegas does like nowhere else.
The Las Vegas buffets on the Strip is where you can buy endless pours of wine and champagne and eat and drink every type of cuisine to your heart’s content.
If you are not a ‘buffet person’ you might change your mind when you experience the astonishing quality and the eye-popping variety of food and opulent desserts on offer.
Some may want to buffet for variety and value, whatever your reason, the Las Vegas buffet is a staple Vegas experience.
BEST BUFFET MENU IN LAS VEGAS
It’s impossible to say which of the top hotels offers the ‘Number One’ buffet or the best buffet in Las Vegas or the best Las Vegas buffet prices or indeed the best Las Vegas buffet dinner or Las Vegas buffet breakfast, as competition between them is fierce and their chefs are constantly sourcing the world’s finest foods to offer their distinguished diners.
But I can certainly recommend The Wynn Las Vegas buffet to you as it takes the buffet experience up a notch by offering what feels like a fine dining experience. It was my personal favourite.
You might also want to explore the buffet at The Bellagio, The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and The Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan and the MGM Buffet at Aria, to suggest just a few of the high-end buffet options on offer.
LAS VEGAS ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Las Vegas is billed as a fantasyland for adults and so the most unique bucket-list experiences are to be found there.
Do you want to cruise The Strip in a shiny Ferrari or drive a fast car at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway or even a full-size bulldozer or excavator at the heavy equipment playground at Dig This Vegas?
Why not add a visit to a fun and quirky museum?
Explore The Pinball Hall of Fame or The Mob Museum or Madame Tussauds?
If all that’s not adventurous enough for you? Why not zip line from a giant slot machine or even get fired out of it on the ‘zoom line’ at SlotZilla Zip Lines at The Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Vegas.
Those seeking even more in the way of thrills might ride a roller coaster at the 5 acre amusement park Adventure Dome at Circus Circus or the Big Apple rollercoaster at New York New York.
Do your research and choose your fun or fantasy!
LAS VEGAS SHOWS
Las Vegas is truly the entertainment capital of the world for live acts and dinner shows and attracts world-class entertainers and epic headliners as well as lounge musicians, top magicians, and spellbinding circus entertainers and dazzling tribute acts.
Top Vegas Tip: check who’s headlining and on showtimes and the availability of tickets before you go as part of your pre-vacation trip planning.
Klook.com
LAS VEGAS WEDDINGS
Many couples come to Las Vegas to get married and weddings here can be romantic, traditional, fun or formal.
You can marry in a hotel, a traditional chapel, a drive-through chapel or even in the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.
However you might decide to do it, your ceremony can be both simple and sentimental and, as long as you are both over eighteen then a marriage licence is all you need and there is no waiting period.
There are so many themed ways to say ‘I do’ in Vegas or even to renew your vows.
The backpacking husband and I ‘did it again’ in Vegas with a fabulous Elvis themed service at the Graceland Chapel on our wedding anniversary.
Established in 1939, the chapel is the oldest wedding chapel in Las Vegas.
Renewing our wedding vows was a wonderful and crazy fun highlight of our Las Vegas trip.
We said ‘I do’ again in Las Vegas with Elvis as our minister!
EXCURSIONS FROM LAS VEGAS
There are so many fabulous places to explore from Las Vegas that many visitors add excursions to their Las Vegas experience.
Trips include the Mojave Desert and Red Rock Canyon, The Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, Route 66 and the historic towns of Kingman and Seligman, all on route to the sight that everyone wants to see The Grand Canyon.
HOW FAR IS IT FROM LAS VEGAS TO THE GRAND CANYON?
The answer depends on which part of the Grand Canyon you want to visit.
The Grand Canyon West (not actually part of the Grand Canyon National Park but a part of the Hualapai Indian Reservation) is only 130 miles away from Las Vegas and this is where you will find the popular glass bridge Sky Walk.
The Grand Canyon National Park South Rim is the most visited rim and is 280 miles from Vegas or around a 5-hour road trip.
This is the excursion that the backpacking househusband and I chose to take form Las Vegas.
The Grand Canyon National Park North Rim is more remote and is only open seasonally.
It is 270 miles away from Vegas and on the Utah State border.
Top Vegas Tip: allow an extra day or two to allow for a bucket-list trip.
There really is nowhere in the world like Las Vegas.
As an adult playground it has something for everyone.
Adult in the USA means aged twenty-one and over.
If you want to drink and gamble in the casinos and if you look younger than your age then you’ll certainly want to carry an I.D.
The Las Vegas Strip is home to twenty or more of the world’s largest hotel and casino resorts and their architecture alone is a sight to behold; from the Luxor pyramid and its laser beam to the over-the-top luxury of The Bellagio and its music fountains.
By night, Vegas is all twinkling lights and glitz and glamour and total extravagance mixed with fabulous decadence and, of course, the inevitable dingy and seedy.
I absolutely loved my trip to Las Vegas!
Have you ever been to Las Vegas or are you planning a trip?
THE BACKPACKING HOUSEWIFE RECOMMENDS TRAVEL INSURANCE
GET A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE TODAY AND SEE MY POST ON BUYING TRAVEL INSURANCE
5 comments
Very interesting, thanks. I’ve been to Vegas a few times, and this makes me want to go again very soon! Last time I went was 10 years ago, staying at the Riviera, sadly no longer there. And my friend and I used to go for 1 drink every day at the Wynn.
Hi Julia – thanks for reading my post on Las Vegas and for your lovely comment. Vegas is a fascinating place and I’d love to go again someday as I loved the fun atmosphere and also the history of the place and the famous hotels. We more recently went to Macau ‘known as the Vegas of Asia’ and it was interesting to compare the two cities. Macau still has ‘The Sands’ which of course is long gone from Vegas. Janice xx
Great post. Sounds like you loved Vegas. We spent a similar amount of time there and it just wasn’t really our type of place. Interesting to see and experience the place but we were so pleased to get out into Nevada and Arizona. Crazy city!
It really is a crazy place, but yes, we absolutely loved it. We lost and won $100 in the casinos and had lots of free drinks and laughs. I’m going to write a post soon about our recent trip to Macau – the Las Vegas of Asia – where we were really interested to do it all again and compare!
Winning a bit of cash makes it much better. Hope you continued your winning streak in Macau.