Viva Las Vegas

Yep, we've been in Vegas, baby! For our lucky number 7 anniversary we decided to try our luck at the casinos. :)

We started at MGM with the lions and promptly picked up a souvenir for G. He obviously did not accompany us on this trip although we did see a lot of kids and strollers??? Not my first thought of a kid-friendly destination but whatever. The lions were beautiful and you could get so close to them!



Ok, Excalibar? No thank you. Hands down the smelliest hotel I've ever been in. It was really stinky, y'all. We walked in and promptly turned around and walked out. I think this might be the next one to be torn down and rebuilt.


We walked our buns off while we were there trying to see it all. I'd never been to Vegas before so there was a lot to take in. We road the rollercoaster at New York, New York....at night....in the cold....yes, it was cold in Vegas last week.



We saw most of the major hotels on the strip except for the brand new Aria. That was on my list of things to see as was downtown on Fremont to see the crazy LED screens but we just ran out of time.



We ran into Tim McGraw at the Venetian....well, maybe he was made of wax, but still. Do you think he's that tall in real life? I know I'm short but he seemed awfully tall to me.

The Venetian was beautiful although I think I preferred the adjoining Palazzo.



I thought Caesars Palace and the Forum Shops were pretty. I think Caesars is one of the older hotels left on the strip and they have done a great job of keeping that hotel beautiful despite its age and its spot next to the stunning Belagio.

I thought Paris was okay and definitely a good location on the strip.



I had two favorite things in Las Vegas, the first of which was the dancing fountains at Belagio. Seriously, cannot even describe how amazing it was. We stood and watched 3 shows (they go every 15 minutes) and each show was different and set to different music. Truly breathtaking.




We saw "Vegas, the Show" one night at Planet Hollywood which is also where Holly Madison does "Peepshow" if any of you keep up with Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriends. We did not run into her while we were there but her picture is up everywhere in that hotel. I was slightly disappointed that, (a) we did not see anyone topless and (b) that we didn't see anyone wearing a toga in Caesars Palace. I thought those were like Las Vegas staples???

We stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton just off the strip which is convenient because it's right on the monorail. The monorail, we thought, is a fabulous way to quickly and easily get around on the strip. The cabs and buses were slow and crowded but the monorail was perfect. We stayed at the Hilton because our awesome and generous friend, Sampson, gifted us our hotel stay for our anniversary. Thank you Sampson! We had a great time!

And my second favorite thing in Vegas? The Wynn. We spent most of the day on Wednesday just at this one hotel. It was incredible. I'd say it's the best hotel on the strip (except I didn't see the Aria so I can't compare). We definitely had a good time shopping, eating, and gambling at the Wynn!









We didn't win big but we didn't lose big either so I guess that's okay. :) Our favorite game was the multi-hand blackjack. We made some fun and funny memories in Vegas but I will say that after a few days there the neon lights start to get to you. I think I was ready to get out but will be happy to go back again someday. Maybe in another 7 years. :)

After a few days in Vegas we said good-bye and headed across the state line and into Scottsdale for a few days to rest and relax. I'll save that part of our trip for another post though. This one is already a novel! Thanks for reading and VIVA LAS VEGAS!