We took a spontaneous trip to Las Vegas when we found out friends of ours from Canada were going there for a weekend get-away. It’s only a little over 4 hours to drive there from Los Angeles so we decided to make the road trip and meet up. We drove after work, which I wouldn’t recommend because that had us doing the bulk of the trip at night and let me tell you …. it’s dark in the desert! I think we could see the Vegas lights from miles away. As you enter the city and drive right to the strip you really feel like the whole thing must be a mirage, because the size and unique design of each hotel is nothing like you’ve ever seen. My eyes were wide and I was looking around with a dreamy gaze of awe, much like the faces of children in movies who see Santa’s North Pole for the first time. Then came the jolt of reality and I remembered I had my children in the back seat.
There were also people standing along all the sidewalks wearing shirts that said ‘Sexy Girls’, and they were handing out cards so you could call up the girl of your choice. All the crowds of people walking the strip on their way to clubs with drinks in hand looked primed and ready to make some crazy Vegas memories. I knew right then that this would be a Vegas-by-day type of experience! Insisting on having some kind of party though, we checked in, tucked in the kids and with all lights out in the room and headed to ‘Club Porcelain’ (our bathroom!). We were lucky to have quite a big one in our room. We had many strong drinks, told some great stories, and laughed for a really long time. We have gotten really good at the bathroom parties.
We hooked up with our friends the next day and went exploring. Every hotel had something spectacular to offer. I think after this, I might be able to get away with telling the kids I took them to Europe. After all, we went to the Eiffel Tower and went inside where the ceiling looks like the sky and all of the food is authentically French. We ate the most devine crepes! In the same day we went to Venice (the Venetian), where water runs through the hotel complete with gondola men steering boats while singing opera. Despite all the grandeur, the highlight for the kids was the M&M’s World Store. I do understand, it’s hard to compete with M&Ms.
Being that we were in Vegas, we did try to enjoy drinks whenever we could. Even if that was inside the mall, while eating lunch.
This time of year, it was a little cold to enjoy the pool, but a soak in the hot tub was really nice and our hotel had other activities to keep us busy as well. Since our friends were with us on the second night, we took turns going down to the casino. They have kids as well so first both the dads went down, while each mom stayed back with sleeping children, then we switched. This is where traveling with others on a family vacation can be a real plus!
I now have a great desire to return to Vegas, at least two more times. I want to return with my children and go to the Cirque Du Soleil shows. We did not have the budget to make it happen this time, but before leaving we found out about a great place called Tix4Vegas. They have a couple locations on the strip and if you go there the day of a show, you can get highly discounted tickets. I have heard that KA and O by Cirque are insanely incredible and like nothing I could ever see anywhere else because of the elaborate concepts. I also want to return a separate time with just my husband so we can party it up and really see what Vegas nightlife is all about. Viva Las Vegas!
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Vegas is so over the top now. There was an erotic fair going on when I was there last, so there were beautiful almost-naked women walking around EVERYWHERE.
I just had a friend come back from Vegas complaining about the people handing out “girl cards.” She was offended because she was with her husband. I can’t even imagine how to explain that sort of thing to kids. And your “Club Porcelain” was too funny! Sounds like all-in-all you made the best of your Vegas vacation.
Thanks!
I think that with the “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” flowing off everyone’s tongue, it has become the mission of Vegas to help visitors make something “naughty” happen. I think temptation must win over in so many cases as people might just say, “Hey…I’m in Vegas so it’s OK and almost expected of me!”