Let’s you and I have a little fun today – Las Vegas style. Think of a dream that came true from your past. Was it your first airplane ride? Was it visiting the Grand Canyon or witnessing Niagara Falls in person? Could it be the East/West view from the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri? Was it visiting the Holy Lands or was it visiting the land down under or was it aboard your first cruise ship? Isn’t it fun to dream and then reflect back on when those dreams came true?Recently a dream for my Bride Debbie came true. Here it was a normal Saturday night and we were out with friends discussing a wide range of topics. One of the topics was a mini-vacation with the four of us. It didn’t take long for the city of Las Vegas to become a consideration. Debbie and I had been to LV twice before. Our friends had not. The last time Debbie and I visited Glitter Gulch was 5 to 10 years ago. Debbie was quite bummed that tickets were sold out to the Donny and Marie Osmond Show at Harrahs Hotel and Casino. As the discussion amongst the 4 of us continued, I launched a search on my mobile device for Donny Osmond in Las Vegas, and lo and behold, tickets were available. Before I could sing the first verse of Puppy Love,” we decided that the 4 of us are going to Las Vegas. We then selected the date, made out hotel reservations, bought plane tickets, and purchased tickets for the Donny Osmond Show. All of the above took less than fifteen minutes. The hotel we selected was Harrah’s Hotel and Casino primarily for the location and the fact that it was the hotel in which Donny Osmond was performing in. For my wife Debbie and her friend Lori, this was a bucket-list item that has now been checked off.If you have visited Las Vegas you know. If not, be prepared to be wowed by millions of lights along with miles of neon. It is no surprise many consider Las Vegas the most exciting city in the United States.Once we checked into the hotel, we bought our first 24-hour pass aboard the Deuce. The deuce is similar to a city bus system that runs the length of the entire Las Vegas strip and is probably the cheapest way to travel around Las Vegas. A 24-hour pass is only $8 and stops at every hotel/casino on the strip. It’s not the fastest way to travel but the most economical.A great place to start your Las Vegas experience is to get your picture at the famous Las Vegas sign. I will also add that Las Vegas at night is unbelievable. The lights and energy are awesome. Once you get your photo at the Las Vegas sign, check out the Luxor nearby. For trivia fans, the light on top of the Luxor is the brightest light on Earth. From there visit the New York New York hotel/casino and ride the roller coaster. The Mirage has a volcano that erupts every hour from 7 until 11pm.Here are a few must-dos while in Las Vegas.
The Fountains of Bellagio. This incredible free water show is every half hour from 3pm until 630pm and then every 15 minutes from 7pm until 12 midnight. Also, go inside The Bellagio and check out the conservatory, the botanical gardens and by all means check out the glass ceiling in the Bellagio lobby.Across the street from the Bellagio is the Paris hotel/casino and the Eiffel Tower. It will cost you $26 to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but the view is amazing.Visit the legendary Flamingo Hotel/Casino, home to a free wildlife habitat of beautiful flamingos and other feathered friends.Next to the Flamingo Hotel/Casino is a shopping area called the LINQ. On the promenade, you will find tons of shops and restaurants including In-and-Out Burger.While shopping in the LINQ, you may notice the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel and in my humble opinion, it is a must do when in Las Vegas. The High Roller will take you 550 feet above the Las Vegas desert for unbelievable views. Just do it. You will thank me later.If you ask my wife Debbie, her favorite hotel and casino is The Venetian. You will love the shops, the gondola ride, and especially St. Marks Square.Another must-do is the Fremont Street Experience. This is old-school Las Vegas with many street performers and some of the city’s oldest casinos. Every time Debbie and I visit LV, we end up at Benny Binions for the Prime Rib dinner.Also while you’re downtown at Fremont Street, visit the Mob Museum. Because Las Vegas has a rich history with organized crime, it is well worth the visit. One thing about the Mob Museum, give yourself 2-3 hours because there is so much to see.If you’re into adventure, there are many day trips out of Las Vegas. For instance, you can take a day trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and back. Also, there are excursions by bus, car or helicopter to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. If you’re into hiking, Red Rocks is one of the favorites along with tons of other hiking challenges to choose from.And last but not least, if you’re into gambling, you will be in heaven in Sin City. There are so many things to do. If time permits, visit the hotel and casino. Take your best walking shoes, dress comfortably, and have a great time.Check out our gallery below of a few pics I snapped while in Las Vegas. Our goal was to have fun in Las Vegas and we did.
