What’s the first thing you think when someone says “Las
Vegas” to you? Chances are you’re imagining bright lights, buzzing casinos,
pool parties and wild nights… well, all of that is true, as well as so much
more. I've recently come back from a 5 night “break” to Vegas and the Grand
Canyon, and the trip more than lived up to my expectations – it smashed them!
I was in Las Vegas as part of a group of 8 girls, for my
friend’s birthday. We were determined to make the most of our time away, and we
certainly did that! I'm sure you've heard the saying “what goes in Vegas, stays
in Vegas” but I thought I’d break that rule and write about my (edited!) highlights,
for anyone that’s planning on heading out there...
The Buffets
Ahhhh, the buffets. As much a part of Las Vegas as The
Strip, you must eat at a buffet when you visit. Available for breakfast, lunch
or dinner at pretty much all of the main hotels, the buffets are the epitome of
American excess – and they are awesome! Name practically any food you can think
of, and the buffets will have it available for you, with no limit to how many
times you can go up – so make sure you’re wearing an elasticised waistband when
you visit! You can also opt to upgrade to a champagne buffet (which is also no
limits) to make the most of the experience – we did of course, and it was
certainly worth it!
I chose to visit the breakfast buffet at the Wynn hotel,
because the hotel is stunningly beautiful and the buffet famously good. I can’t
say I’ve ever had Chinese food or roast beef and gravy for breakfast before,
but I did that day… along with eggs, bacon, pancakes, pastries and more, plus
more yummy champagne mimosa cocktails than I care to admit!
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| Flower sculptures in the Wynn lobby... almost as stunning as the buffet! |
The Shows
Vegas is all
about the shows. If you had the time (and the money!) you could see a different
show every night for weeks on end – Circque du Soleil one night, maybe a
Michael Jackson tribute show, Elton John or Ricky Martin, the magicians Criss
Angel or or Penn and Teller - and so many more I can’t list them all. We opted
for the girls’ night out legend that is Ms. Britney Spears, and her show at
Planet Hollywood. We decided to embrace the occasion and dressed up as
different Britney looks through the years, which was hilarious and attracted a
lot of happy comments from our fellow revellers! The show was as fabulous as we
expected – amazing dancing, impressive stage sets, loads of glitz and glamour and
the fabulous Ms. Spears back to her pop queen best!
The Strip
Make sure you explore The Strip when you’re in Vegas. Walking
up and down the main street is like stepping into a film set, and you can
stroll into any of the main hotels to check out the over the top decorations
and do some people watching – or gambling if you’re feeling lucky – in the
casinos! There’s the Egyptian inspired Luxor, decadent Bellagio with the famous
water fountain show (don’t miss that!), themed New York, New York (which even
has a roller coaster in the casino!) The Venetian and Paris, and my personal
fave Excalibur with it’s fabulous turrets and knights of the realm décor! There’s
also the famous Vegas sign to visit and wedding chapels to nose at, plus the
High Roller wheel (like the London Eye but bigger, and with a bar!) and the Big
Shot ride at The Stratosphere – one of the tallest thrill rides in the world. I
did both, and thoroughly enjoyed High Roller… Big Shot, not so much –
aaaaaarrghhh!!
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| Faces of FEAR on the Big Shot! |
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| Views from the High Roller, with a bevvy - what's not to like? |
The Pool Parties
Pool parties are a Vegas staple, and worth experiencing
even if you’re a pale skinned sun avoider like me! We got on the guest list for
the party at Encore hotel and joined in the champagne spraying, booty shaking
craziness with gusto, and partied to DJ Jermaine Dupri with the best of them (different
special guest famous faces play throughout the season). Not my usual scene, but
I had a blast and would recommend everyone tries a pool party for the true
Vegas lifestyle experience!
As fabulous as Las Vegas is, I also really wanted to make
the most of my trip and get out of the city a couple of times, to experience
more of what Nevada state has to offer.
My group did 3 day trips between us, and I joined in for two of them…
The Grand Canyon
This one needs no introduction. We picked the option of a
helicopter trip and despite the obscenely early start it was worth every penny.
Our pilot flew us over the Hoover Dam en route to the Canyon, where we landed
to enjoy a champagne breakfast before getting back in the chopper to fly over
more of the Canyon and take in the breathtaking scenery. It was everything I’d
hoped it would be and it’s easy to understand why it’s one of the Natural
Wonders of The World. We flew back to Vegas via The Strip, and the contrast of
the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon to the modern bright lights and big city
of Vegas really brought home just how stunning the scenery we’d experienced
was.
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| My Happy Face. |
Area 51 and Rachel
You’ve probably heard of Area 51, the top secret
government facility deep in the Nevada desert. Depending on who you ask, there
is either nothing at all going on there (according to the US government) or a
full on conspiracy and alien landing site. Our day trip here included a drive
down the extraterrestrial highway, plus stops at a beautiful, eerie dry lake
bed, and most excitingly of all (for me, anyway – bucket list alert!) the town
of Rachel, the closest town to Area 51 and home of the Little A’le’Inn
restaurant and bar. Ever since I found out there was a town named after me (ok,
that bit’s an exaggeration…!) I’ve wanted to go, so I was very overexcited when
we arrived in the small, dusty town that bears my name. It was fabulous! We
were welcomed with open arms by the friendly residents, and enjoyed our Alien
Burger and Alien Beer at the Inn.
Final stop was the Area 51 cordon – step past
this and “use of deadly force is authorised” to stop you, so we stayed behind
the line and waved at the security guards parked at the top of the hill who’d
zoomed over in their jeeps the moment we arrived. They didn’t wave back… just
watched us, riffles in hand, as we took photos at the famous signs and wondered
what all the government secrecy was for, if nothing is really going on there…
Horse Riding at
Red Rock Canyon
4 of my friends saddled up for a cowgirl experience and
enjoyed a horse riding trip to Red Rock Canyon, about 30 minutes out of Las
Vegas. As well as a trek through the rugged, cactus strewn desert the girls had
a fab time learning to lasso and eating barbequed steak with their guides, who
told them all about the native American history of the area.
I can’t put into words how much of an amazing time I had
on this trip. Las Vegas and the surrounding areas is an amazing destination,
and covers all bases as far as I’m concerned – stunning scenery, famous sights,
great food, and amazing parties. I may need another holiday to recover from
this one though…!
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