Weekend Travels: Las Vegas
Feeling Lucky? I’m betting on Sin City.
Okay, so you’ve got forty-eight hours to discover the main attractions of Las Vegas. A quick flight out of Orlando, a whirlwind of lights, food, and shows, and then back by Monday morning in time for your 9 a.m. meeting.
Weekend trip!!
We stayed in a beautiful suite at the Hilton Elara (shout-out to Hilton Honors!). Our two-bedroom suite featured a jacuzzi and a projector, and the service was exceptional from the moment we arrived. The entire property felt safe, clean, and welcoming. Everyone we encountered was incredibly kind. Even the Starbucks workers in the lobby were top tier. They made me the PERFECT Iced Double Berry Matcha. I’ve yet to find one that tops it. (And I TRY.)
Attached to the Elara is an indoor mall that leads directly onto the Las Vegas Strip. Along the way you’ll find quick bites like Earl of Sandwich and Dave’s Hot Chicken, but we had our eyes set on West Coast royalty:
In-N-Out Burger.
It was everything I dreamed it would be, a less greasy Five Guys that absolutely hit the spot after a long flight and a walk in the Vegas heat.
Honestly, the walk wasn’t nearly as long as my travel buddies and I expected, but that’s coming from a group of people who frequent Orlando’s theme parks. Nothing compares to the miles you rack up wandering through EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Universal. (Orlando girlies get it)
After a morning of exploring, we headed back to the hotel to change before catching an Uber to the Mob Museum near Fremont Street. I’m so glad we went. The museum staff were clearly passionate about history, and the exhibits were fascinating and well presented. Even more fun, there was a wedding taking place in the historic courtroom while we were visiting. Guests were walking around dressed in full 1920s attire. Cheers to the happy couple who chose the Mob Museum for their big day!
Fremont Street itself had a completely different vibe than the polished Strip. It wasn’t as clean or glamorous, but it had a lively, chaotic charm: Live music, cheap souvenirs, and a lot of beer. The whole street buzzed with energy. We didn’t stay long, we had dinner reservations waiting, but it felt like the rowdier cousin of the main Vegas scene.
Dinner that night was at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. As a longtime fan of the show, ordering from a menu I had previously only seen on television felt surreal. We were seated near the open kitchen where the red and blue teams prepared our food, which made the whole experience even more exciting. For me, this was a highlight of the trip. The reservation was late, so don’t judge me on what I got at dinner: the Lobster Risotto and a delicious side of spicy carrots. If you were curious on the infamous Beef Wellington and Toffee Pudding, do not fret, my tablemates ordered these, so I got a peak at them as well! Worth every penny!
The next day took us to the opposite side of the Strip, starting with the Luxor Resort. Seeing the Titanic exhibition there was a personal dream of mine. I’ve visited the Orlando exhibit before, which is filled with real artifacts recovered from the wreck site. Its sister in Las Vegas did not disappoint.
The centerpiece, known as The Big Piece, is a massive section of the ship that was recovered from the ocean floor and now hangs suspended from steel beams. Amazingly, the original glass is still in the window. Standing behind it, I could almost imagine what it must have been like to look out from that same window in 1912. As an empath, the stories of the passengers and crew brought tears to my eyes.
The only slightly odd moment? The gift shop selling Titanic-themed ice molds shaped like ships and icebergs. A little tone-deaf, but that’s being picky. Overall, the exhibit was incredibly moving and well done.
Some of the nearby hotels felt a little run-down for our taste, so we made our way back toward the Venetian for shopping and dinner.
Another standout moment of the trip was “O” by Cirque du Soleil. The show was breathtaking and surprisingly emotional. Cirque productions always have a story beneath the spectacle, leaving each audience member to interpret it in their own way. The acts were water based and highly impressive. It’s also one of the more expensive Cirque shows in Vegas, but after multiple friends recommended it, we decided to splurge.
“O” was 100% worth it.
In Conclusion!
Las Vegas ended up being exactly what I imagined: bright lights, nonstop energy, dramatic performances, and the occasional showgirl smacking people on the butt with whips in the street.
One thing that surprised me though was how clean the city was. Despite its chaos, Vegas was extremely well maintained by its hardworking residents. I would go back in a heartbeat and hopefully make time to visit The Sphere. We saw it glowing in the distance, but never made it close enough to go in.
Oops! That means I’ll have to go back. Trip number two is already brewing!