Now that I'm finally on the road to recovery (geez, it's been a long one!), I figured it was time to chat about our time in Vegas. Let's just hope reliving it all doesn't send me crawling right on back to bed. As I mentioned in the last post, Vegas took a tole on my fragile self. But, from what I've heard, if we all came back rested and refreshed, then we were probably doing something wrong while we were there.
It's funny because before we left, and even while we were there, people seemed so surprised when they heard we'd be spending a full week in Vegas. Now I can finally see why! It's not that there's not enough to keep you occupied for seven days, it's that there's too much, and trying to keep up with it all will eventually wear you out. Or, in my case, confine you to a bed for a few days when you return home. Lesson learned.
But just like with most places, Vegas can be however you want it to be, and while every day and night weren't filled with experiences that would make it in another Hangover movie, our friends and I did try to keep busy and take advantage of the time we had there, and we also tried to live it up and do a few things that we wouldn't normally do otherwise because...YOLO! If my recovery time didn't make me sound old, then that saying probably did, hey? I don't even know if anyone says that anymore, but it was definitely the saying of our trip. That, and the flying money emoji symbol because Vegas sure is damn expensive and every day we just kept laughing (or sobbing) as we watched all of our money fly off to never ever land.
It's funny because before we left, and even while we were there, people seemed so surprised when they heard we'd be spending a full week in Vegas. Now I can finally see why! It's not that there's not enough to keep you occupied for seven days, it's that there's too much, and trying to keep up with it all will eventually wear you out. Or, in my case, confine you to a bed for a few days when you return home. Lesson learned.
But just like with most places, Vegas can be however you want it to be, and while every day and night weren't filled with experiences that would make it in another Hangover movie, our friends and I did try to keep busy and take advantage of the time we had there, and we also tried to live it up and do a few things that we wouldn't normally do otherwise because...YOLO! If my recovery time didn't make me sound old, then that saying probably did, hey? I don't even know if anyone says that anymore, but it was definitely the saying of our trip. That, and the flying money emoji symbol because Vegas sure is damn expensive and every day we just kept laughing (or sobbing) as we watched all of our money fly off to never ever land.
It was our first time going to Vegas (but not for our two friends who went with us), so not only were we excited to get away and hang out with our friends, but we were also excited to see what Vegas was all about. We had a few shows booked before we left, and we had an idea of a few things we'd like to do, but for the most part we kept our days unplanned - a decision that often back fired on the four most indecisive people ever! But somehow we managed to make it through and fill up our days, even if it did take an hour of 'I don't care's' before we left our hotel.
We had about 8 or 9 hours of travelling ahead of us, but luckily with a 6am flight and a 4.5 hour time difference, we had arrived and were checked into our hotel, the MGM Grand, by the early afternoon. Since the MGM is located towards the beginning of the strip, we didn't get to see much of the flashiness that Vegas has to offer on the drive there, but we sure did get a glimpse of it when we walked into our hotel. With the boxing ring and gold lion statue right at the entrance, the huge lobby with tv screens playing loud music, the crowds of people, and the ginormous casino that we had to walk through to get to our rooms, we were immediately struck with that unique Vegas feel, and we knew right then and there that we were in for some real fun.
While it was located on the strip, if I were ever to return and prices were similar, I'd probably first look at hotels located a little more in the middle. We ubered quite a bit towards the end, because after a few nights of two girls walking miles in heels, we quickly realized it was better to dish out a few extra dollars to save whatever was left of our poor feet. And something tells me even the guys in their comfy shoes didn't mind getting picked up and dropped right off at the door. While everything looks pretty close from a distance, you'll quickly realize that the strip is deceiving. And plus, at the MGM, it takes a good ten minutes to walk to your room once you're even inside. #saveyourfeet
Day 1: Checking in to the MGM Grand, exploring the strip, dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, frozen cocktails at Fat Tuesday's, drinks at the Skyfall Lounge, late night snack at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill.
After checking in and changing into our shorts (hello crazy high Vegas temps!), we were off to hit up the famous strip. After walking our legs off and only making it as far as Ceasers Palace, we stopped in for an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was here where we had our first cheers to the beginning of a great week we had ahead, and to thank our friends again for the best wedding gift. It was also here where Todd pointed out Katy Hearn and Haydn Schneider- fitness gurus we've been following on Instagram for quite some time. But this wouldn't be the only people that Todd would scout out during our time in Vegas. As he would say, "I'm just like the beagle!". I swear he has an act (or a nose) for finding high profile people!
After eating, and while hopping around from hotel to hotel on the strip, we stopped into Fat Tuesday's for the most potent drinks. We didn't have any room left after our meal to enjoy our cheesecake, but somehow drinking our body weight in frozen drinks made sense. But I mean, can one even say they've done Vegas if they didn't walk the strip with a 2 foot drink? I didn't think so!
My first impression of the strip? Flashy, definitely flashy. Just as I expected. But, it really wasn't so much of the actual view of the strip that caught my attention, it was the inside of the hotels that did. Going in each and every one of them is an adventure in itself because they're all so unique and they all offer so much to see and do!
Later that evening we went to the Skyfall Lounge in Delano to enjoy some classier looking drinks and the beautiful view that the city has to offer. It was a great way to end our first day in Vegas. Actually, that's a lie, I just remembered we ended it with stuffing our faces with pizza and truffle fries when we got back to our hotel. Okay, so an even better way then to end our first day!
Day 2: Breakfast at Avenue Cafe, roller coaster at New York-New York, Ice bar at Minus 5, milkshakes at Holsteins, shopping at Miracle Mile shops, dinner at Dicks Last Resort, Zumanity Cirque du Soleil show, Coyote Ugly Bar.
Gosh, even writing all of that is making me feel tired. I don't remember this day feeling busy, but it definitely sounds like it was. We didn't have anything planned during the day, so after eating breakfast at our hotel, we wandered around a bit deciding what we should do. As I mentioned before, it was the usual start to our day.
After pretty much swearing off roller coasters years ago, somehow I ended up on the one at New York-New York. As soon as I was locked into my seat I started questioning what I was doing. But here's the thing, I hate not experiencing things that everyone else is doing. If everyone else around me is having fun, then gosh darnit I want to be right alongside them having fun too, even if it means not actually having any fun at all and wanting to throw up the entire time. Ha! But, thankfully it was a short ride and that no breakfast foods arose during the process. I'm even more thankful that no one decided to do any more crazy adventures that week because my anxiety and I could not have taken anything else.
It was then off to the Ice Bar at Mandalay Bay to have some drinks in freezing cold temperatures and to laugh at ourselves for dishing out money to go there. Did you ever do something that turned out to be so worth it just because of how ridiculous it was? Well that was the Ice Bar for us. We had paid money to put on winter jackets and gloves to go to a freezing cold bar that was completely empty. But it turned out to be a really fun(ny) experience nonetheless. We all agreed that maybe it would have been better (although not as funny) at night, and with a lot more people present.
Next was boozey milkshakes at Holsteins. OMG, you guys! If you ever go to Vegas, skip a meal and head here instead. I promise you they'll taste as good as they look. I can not, however, promise you that you'll fit into your clothes for that night. Or for the rest of your time in Vegas for that matter.
We had a busy night ahead and it started off with dinner at Dick's Last Resort. This is a casual restaurant where the staff purposely treat you like crap and poke fun at you. The four of us agreed that the food wasn't very good at all, but we did have a few laughs while we were there. It was fun to try, but after doing it once you wouldn't feel the need to ever go back again. Then it was off to our first cirque du soleil show; Zumanity. We thought the show was great and the acrobatics part was amazing. We discovered later though that it didn't hold a candle to the second show we'd see later in the week.
We ended the night at the Coyote Ugly bar and this turned out to be one of the funnest (and least sober) nights of our trip. The atmosphere was just plain fun and very laid back. We watched girls dancing on bars and other people from the crowd getting hauled up on the stage all night long. If you're looking for a non-club night in Vegas, I'd highly recommend this place (although my memory and judgment could have been a teeny tiny bit impaired from that night!).
We had a busy night ahead and it started off with dinner at Dick's Last Resort. This is a casual restaurant where the staff purposely treat you like crap and poke fun at you. The four of us agreed that the food wasn't very good at all, but we did have a few laughs while we were there. It was fun to try, but after doing it once you wouldn't feel the need to ever go back again. Then it was off to our first cirque du soleil show; Zumanity. We thought the show was great and the acrobatics part was amazing. We discovered later though that it didn't hold a candle to the second show we'd see later in the week.
We ended the night at the Coyote Ugly bar and this turned out to be one of the funnest (and least sober) nights of our trip. The atmosphere was just plain fun and very laid back. We watched girls dancing on bars and other people from the crowd getting hauled up on the stage all night long. If you're looking for a non-club night in Vegas, I'd highly recommend this place (although my memory and judgment could have been a teeny tiny bit impaired from that night!).
Wait, that's totally a lie again. We actually ended the night at an Oxygen bar where Todd and our friend thought getting oxygen (and massages!!) at 3am would help with their hangovers in the morning. FYI - it doesn't! Not at all.
But, you'll hear all about the hangovers that occurred on Day 3 on the next post.
Disclaimer: Due to the integrity of myself and others, only 5% of the photos that were taken in Vegas are shown.
Until next time.
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