First trip to Vegas and LOVED IT!

This was my first trip to Las Vegas and I had a ball!!!

Left Chicago at 8A on 11/15 and returned Tuesday evening 11/18 at 8P. Both Ted flights were great, no lines anywhere, and both got in early (30 minutes early to LV!!).

My niece was turning 40 this year and 6 months ago sent a global email that she was planning a big party in Las Vegas, had several rooms at the Palms held, and things were going great! Flights and hotels were booked and the family was looking forward with great anticipation. The Palms appeared to be too ';edgy'; for me so I hotel shopped for awhile.

She works in the financial sector in Hong Kong and lost her job at the end of October. She just couldn%26#39;t justify the cost nor could she justify leaving Hong Kong while also working with a head hunter. So, most of her friends who also work in the financial markets and most of the family cancelled out, but United was going to charge me $150 to change my ticket. So, I thought, ';Why not go by yourself? That way, you%26#39;re not waiting for anyone, you can do what you want when you want and for how long you want!!';

I stayed at the Paris hotel and absolutely loved it!!! The room was nice, but I looked down at the top of a parking garage or something like that, so I went downstairs on Sunday morning and asked what upgrades were available for Sunday and Monday nights. I ended up with a ';P'; room on the 18th floor with a view of the Eiffel Tower and the Bellagio and fountains (my favorite part of Vegas!!!! - could stand there all day and all night!) for $50/night. It was so worth it to me!

I walked around all the usual Strip hotels and ate at pretty much all of the French patisseries! Dinner on Saturday night was on the patio at Mon Ami Gabi, Sunday late afternoon was at Enoteca San Marco at the Venetian, and Monday night at the Eiffel Tower. All were wonderful experiences.

By Monday my feet were screaming at me even though I wore my most comfortable broken in Sketchers. So, I boarded the Deuce at the Paris, rode all the way north to the station, changed buses, came down South to get off and see the Wynn (had been at the Mirage, TI, Venetian, and Palazzo the day before and just couldn%26#39;t look at another hotel, much less walk to one), got back on the Deuce, rode it to the south station, and then back up the Strip to the Paris. I was able to sit on the top level in the front seat so got the best view for the entire ride. Best $5.00 I spent in Vegas! And my feet and legs thanked me for it. I loved seeing all the casino hotels I had seen pictures of and read about.

I had been on this forum for a couple of months prior to actually leaving for Vegas and got a lot of wonderful information here! Thanks!

I will say, however, that my brain was on sensory overload the entire time I was there! There is so much to see and do that when I layed my head down on my pillow each night, lights were flashing, music was playing, slot machine bells were ringing, etc., for several hours in my brain before I finally got to sleep. I am the type of person who wants to experience ALL so when I get back from a vacation, no one can say, ';You didn%26#39;t see/go to/eat/drink/buy …………..?!?!?!?';

Had a great experience and enjoyed every minute. I can see why many of you go there several times a year!

First trip to Vegas and LOVED IT!

Aw, good for you! That%26#39;s what I call ';serendipity';.

First trip to Vegas and LOVED IT!

Thanks for doing a trip report, I thoroughly enjoyed it, your enthusiasm shows in your writing! It%26#39;s great that you went ahead to Vegas on your own, it%26#39;s a place that one can have a wonderful time without having to be with other people. I hope you enjoyed the doing what you wanted, when you wanted!

Great to read your TR. I%26#39;m traveling solo next month for the first time and am so looking forward to it also (love the DH, but it will be great to just do what I want to do). Glad you had a great solo trip.

I%26#39;m so glad to did not decide to cancel your trip. I felt the same way my first trip, sensory overload. It seemed like everytime I dozed off I was dreaming about slot machines and hearing all the bells and whistles they have. I%26#39;m sure you will be going back right?

Thanks for sharing.

Sounds like you had a great time! Nice TR! Lea :)

Patisseries - magic word. Which ones did you go to? Lenotre in Paris I%26#39;m sure - but where else? I%26#39;m always looking for a new treat.

enjoyed your tr. yup now you can see how we can talk about vegas everday and not tire of it. cheers!

The patisserie I LOVED was the Jean Phillippe at the Bellagio. The chocolate fountains there have to be seen to be believed! Lenotre was too easy to stop in for a treat as I walked back and forth several times each day (haven%26#39;t gotten on the scale yet!!). The Tintoretto Bakery at the Venetian was also wonderful - a lemon tart with crunchy meringe on top!

If I think of more, I%26#39;ll post them.

I found that every pastry I tried tasted as good as it looked. So many times you get something that looks good but has no flavor. I HATE that because then you%26#39;re wasting calories on something that doesn%26#39;t even taste right.

I agree - also love J-P in the Bellagio. I was wondering if you tried Payard in Caesar%26#39;s - haven%26#39;t been there yet.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us! :) You brought a smile to my face and a greater anticipation to my upcoming trip.