So once you don't have to pay out of pocket for infertility the world opens up to you. For us, that meant more Vegas! (And other places to gamble like Bahamas & Lake Tahoe which also have the benefit of being insanely gorgeous!) But when you go one place so often, you start to forget which trip was what. And I thought when I was reading back one of my little blogged trip reports here (2012 & 2015) --"God I wish I had a place where they were all in one. And as I said in last blog - that's what this will be fore me. A place now for me to organize my thoughts and damn it I want an organization of our trip to Vegas. First will be overview, then of the trips I wrote a report for on TripAdviser. Will do a separate post for Bahamas & Lake Tahoe as they deserve it.
BRIEF OVERVIEWS
2009 - April - 3 days, prior to Jeff's Bachelor Party. We stayed DT at the old Fitzgerald's (currently The D). Only made it to the strip one night as Jeff was there mainly for a bowling tournament prior to his buddies flying in and me flying out. While my stay was 3 days, Jeff's way 7 and he admitted that's too long in sin city.
2012 October - Jeff's first BDay trip. Stayed at Bally's. First time at Bobby Flays. Can read more about in this blog if you scroll to Oct 2012. First stay on strip and tried to hit every single strip hotel & casino.
2015 - March - Accidentally went during not only St. Patricks Day but March Madness. Don't plan to make that mistake again! Stayed at Harrah's. Super crowded, this trip we went to Hoover dam for nature, did the High Roller during the day for first time, and last day met up with Skippy to experience a Diamond Lounge. Can read more about it if you scroll to that post. Fancy meal - Ruth Chris curtesy of Skippy.
2016 December - Went for my birthday a week before Christmas. Stayed at Caesar's Palace. Will have to write a more detailed report belowmaybe someday as this is not on Blog or Trip Adviser. Christmas Displays, High roller at Night, top of Eiffel tower, etc are memories of this trip. Downtown highlights - Banger Brewery for El Hefe Hefeweizen,
2018 April - First stay at Paris (mountain view room), We did Mt. Charleston and the first few feet 😆 of Red Rock Canyon for nature trip. Other highlights were seeing the show Absinthe as well as actually trying the drink Absinthe at Parasol Down in Wynn.
Oct 2018 - OMG we're back in just 6 months! second stay at Paris - this time with Fountain View! No nature trips this time since we were just here. Won my first 4OAK at Flamingo first night with 4 jacks! $3200!! Saw the titanic exhibit and tried to catch a live taping of Meet the Press at our hotel, but sound was horrible so left after one beer at Beer Park Paris. Fancy meal - treating Jeff to Ruth Chris for his birthday with my winnings.
2019 - Oct This adventure, we flew into Phoenix, spent one night at Grand Canyon South Rim, caught sunrise over the canyon (my favorite day of all of 2019), drove thru Oatman, and on to Laughlin for one night (ugh, not my kind of town) and finally Sun - Thurs in Vegas at Paris for 3rd time (this time corner room facing both fountains & Paris Balloon/Cosmo). Got a 4OAK at Paris last night with 4 two's. Another $3200ish bucks! Better when it comes at the end of trip than beginning! We also did Madame Tousard's Wax museum and double booked for 2 nights at Wynn to check it out (so luxurious but way too far North for us but I had a free room and $150 free play). This was our first full trip with Jeff as Diamond. Show: Penn & Teller. Fancy meal - Voodoo Steakhouse & Voodoo Lounge.
2020 Oct - Going during a pandemic! Positivity rate below 10%, masks, 6 ft apart, only 3 players to a table, no smoking etc in a ghost town of a Vegas. No nature trips because we'd just done Tahoe 3 months prior. Paris time number 4, corner room but mainly overlooking Bally's - blah. Highlight was the Helicopter ride I got Jeff as a bday present. Fancy meal - Gordon Ramsey Steak (not impressed). Highlights; both Jeff & I got 4OAKS at Planet Hollywood making this our first trip coming home with more money than we went with!
Upcoming trip - April 2021 - Staying at Planet Hollywood and our friends Mike & Laura are coming all but the first day. My hopes for nature trip is to Valley of Fire and for a "show" I hope to see Brilliance at the Neon Boneyard. Hoping fancy meal is Giada's.
Now for Trip Reports I wrote on Trip Advisor: Newest to Oldest
Oct 2020: Covid Times Trip
Flight from ORD was packed but fine. Time thru security was less than 10 mins which if you're from Chicago you know is amazing.
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| Wynn 2020 |
Landed and Uber to Paris by noon. Used uber entire trip and never waited more than 5 mins. Spent first day doing center loop to Flamingo, over to touch the 5 good luck items in Ceasars, down to Cosmo and finally PH slotting along all casinos. Ceasars check in line at 4pm was HUGE and each day appeared to be the busiest property while most others seemed a ghost town till after 7pm. Thanks Covid.
Mr. Juice won his first ever 4OAK at Mississippi Stud at PH with 7's with the progressive so back to room to make a safe deposit after pocketing a healthy stash. Turns out we left PH about an hour before the Sunday shooting in Miracle Mile.
Monday we played all the casinos south of our hotel (except Trop). Tuesday caught a morning uber to Encore and did the casinos north of Paris. At night we capped off Mr. Juice's actual birthday with my gift of a Maverick Helicopter night flight over the strip. We had seats in the front next to the pilot and it was amazing! Posted a review on Maverick's TA page.
Wednesday our feet were really feeling beat so stuck to Paris, Bally's, Bellagio and PH. This time in the afternoon it was my turn to hit 4OAK with aces at PH but because it was a $5 table instead of $10 I didn't win as much as Mr. Juice. We used his diamond celebration dinner at Gordon Ramsey Steak. It was very good but we agreed not as good as several other higher end meals we've had in Vegas so I think it's a one and done place for us.
Thursday we just hung at Paris & PH with decent slot win for me on Heidi & Hannah and for Mr. Juice on Buffalo diamond. And with bankroll intact with a little extra as we walked the airport to head home we discussed next trip in April and getting new closet organizers LOL.
Most casinos & streets felt like a ghost town compared to normal October trip. Only time I felt I was in a "crowd" was crossing streets where there is no overpass (like Harrah's to Mirage) so aside from sitting two slots away from people always felt adequately socially distant.
Yes masks are annoying but I believe in protecting so was happy to see compliance everywhere and in order to return to work will be getting my 4th covid test this year; small price to pay for much needed vacation. We had gone to Tahoe in July but then my father had a heart attack and passed in August so I needed yet another escape.
Best places in terms of cleaning machines, even every other sink closed etc would be Wynncore & Venetian.
As for the "type" of people on the strip since people here complained. I saw plenty of us regular middle class looking folk, surprised by the amount of over 65 people (obviously not as much as usual but still there are many coming during the pandemic). Yes there was a lot of LA fans for the NBA final. But I believe because Vegas is missing the foreign travelers the homeless and "less desirable" just stick out that much more - as far as percent of the crowd I'd say it was typical. I saw one girl in her silk Victoria Secret PJs downstairs in Paris the last morning as well as a guy in overalls with no shirt 😆. Husband also joked first night in Bellagio that he was confusing a lot of girls for cocktail waitresses because of their outfits.
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| Fourth Stay in Paris, never gets old |
Never felt unsafe. Able to get meals easily as plenty restaurants open. Never a long wait for just 4 to an elevator. Overall I think it's a great time to go to Vegas. Just be aware of your surroundings and don't start a beef with anyone.
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| Bellagio Conservatory Every trip! |
Oct 2019 - Grand Canyon National Park South Rim / Oatman / Laughling / Vegas
Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim Oct 10th/11th
Our flight from ORD to Phoenix was an hour and a half late so we were worried about making the 3-4 hour drive north to the Grand Canyon in time for sunset. I had originally planned to see sunset from Yavapai point near the geological center but since we got into the park just half an hour before sunset we just made a bee line for the nearest parking lot / point – it was Mather. What I had read was the most crowded of all the points. But surprisingly, I don’t know if it was the time of year, how cold it was, or time of day; while there were probably a hundred people within a quarter mile the spot didn’t feel overly crowded. Easy to get to a railing for my husband’s first site of the canyon. It was however very windy. And about 45 degrees. So we didn’t stay for all of sunset, just until it dipped below the tree line and the full moon was up over the east.
We checked in to Yavapai Lodge and went immediately for dinner at the Tavern prior to going to our room. Tavern food was delicious (I had Bourbon Bacon Burger with corn & black bean relish, husband had the elk burger I think) and the room was more spacious and comfortable than anticipated. Only downside was small sink area and as warned – no wifi service but it worked out perfectly.
We awoke in plenty of time (thanks 2 hour time change) to shower and get out for sunrise. I had been told the stars wouldn’t be that great as it was a full moon, and they were right the night before. But by 5:30am the moon had set and while waiting for the bus to the village I really enjoyed gazing at all the “extra” stars and constellations you can’t see fully near Chicago. We hopped the transfer bus out to the red route by 6am, half hour before sunrise.
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| Sunrise @GCNP |
We decided to get off at Powell point and walk to Hopi point for sunrise (less than half a mile I believe). Both were great, there was less than 10 other people at each location and as Hopi juts far north into the canyon, we had an amazing view of the actual sunrise and it was my favorite part of our GCNP adventure. We then went on to 3 further west stops on the red line where we were the only people. (Mohave, The Abyss & Prima Point) Beauty and isolation. Our bus driver told us the red line doesn’t seem much traffic, but especially in the morning so tip if you are like us and don’t really care for people. Ha!
Caught the bus back to the village and walked the rim to El Tovar for breakfast. Probably the best coffee I’ve had in years. The eggs benedict were not bad either. We took a mile long stroll back to our lodge, changed from our cold weather outfits (34 at sunrise), packed the car and headed out toward Oatman & Laughlin around 10am. Decided not to visit east (Desert View Watch Tower) as I had wanted to do that the first day but the flight delay nixed that and didn’t feel like devoting at least 90 mins extra to go the opposite direction from our next stop.
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| This photographer catching sunrise (See also tiny people to his lower left? Crazy millennials climbed out to edge!) |
Oatman, AZ/Laughlin, NV
So we were not aware (but I suppose should have been) that the last half hour of the drive to Oatman was on route 66 up into the mountains on narrow switch back roads. It makes the town a popular site for motorcyclists as I guess they find it a fun ride. I however was white knuckles and sweating, thinking of all the ways I could die as I glanced over the edges. Once in Oatman we arrived in the middle of their “gunfight” so could not drive through town, had to park uphill. Picked up some feed for the wild burros and quickly learned; people have been feeding them all day, every day. So they’re not only NOT wild, they’re kind of fat and tired of it all. They’d take a cube of food only to eat a nibble and drop it on the ground as they were probably full. And the stores all seemed full of the same tourist trap crap seen in many towns like this where the only revenue is tourists. Quickly “toured” a deserted gold mine that went about 25 feet, gave the rest of our bag of feed to a grandma and 4 year old and got out of town before the next gunfight clogged up the road again. All in, maybe out of the car for 30-40 mins. If this is on your way to something. Or you like touristy shops all full of the same thing this town might be for you. But I would not suggest making a special trip for it. I was disappointed. Beautiful western-movie looking vistas to look at but not much else.
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| Harrah's Laughlin on Colorado River |
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| Feeding Donkey in Oatman |
We arrived in Laughlin around 3pm I think. Used Harrah’s diamond check in to get our comped suite. We didn’t really need that much room but if the room is free and they had a huge Japanese soaking tub, well why not? Slotted around for about an hour before hopping a water taxi to the other end of the line to the north. Walked through all the casinos southward playing a little here and there. The Riverwalk appears lovely, but sadly was filled with these little gnats or moths. Every where seemed clouded with swarms of them so we walked as quickly as we could between each casino shaking our hair upon each entrance to make sure we had no bugs with us. I don’t know if it’s like this all year round, or just mid fall but Yuck! As for the other casino’s…all a bit run down except for Harrah’s and Aquarius. Drink service in Harrah’s was decent but more notably – STRONG. By 8pm I was drunk and in need of food so we ate at Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho. I thought it was very good, but admittedly that could have partially been the drink talking. No notable wins at the slots in Laughlin. Biggest win was last game played before leaving at 7:30am next morning of Hot Stuff Wicked Wheel with the little devil, up $100. But we’re ready to blow this town and get to Vegas.
VEGAS Sun. Oct 13th – Thursday 17th
Sunday - We dropped the car at airport rental facility and caught a Lyft to Paris, arriving around 10am. Knowing our room wouldn’t be ready yet we just dropped bags with bellman and jumped on to slots. Played Paris, then went outside and tried a Dirt Dog in the bazaar shops in front of Ballys based off of suggestions from vloggers. It was decent but not other worldly. I liked that they were in lobster rolls so you can stuff them full of goodness. Continued playing on slots in Cromwell and then went to Flamingo in search of $5 Mississippi Stud tables but sadly there was only one and it was full so continued with a pop in Linq and ended up playing Stud at Harrah’s. Really enjoyed the dealer but both Hubs & I ran through our $200 buy in within an hour. I always lose at Harrah’s tables. With that, we decided to head back to Paris to check in.
Our comped room here this time was a corner P room on 16th floor, which was lovely and more spacious than a typical room with views from both windows of Eiffel Tower, Paris Balloon and the fountains across the street. Only improvement I wish they had done on the remodel was deep bathtubs. The bathtubs are shallow enough that they’re probably perfect for toddlers- 10 year olds and not any one else. But I’m a tub snob. After check in we headed to Bellagio. Biggest win here was $60 on a new Willie Nelson machine (my dad’s favorite artist so I had to play) but we did get two cocktails; which is more than I can say for our last trip. We hit the Paris Laurel Lounge right as it opened at 4pm for 2 rounds of vodka cocktails, slotted the rest of the night away in Paris stopping only for a slice of pizza around 9pm and heading to bed. For the day, I still had about 40% of my daily bankroll to hand over to Mr. Juice when I went to bed at 1am to keep him going as he had almost run through his. Common Theme as I had given him $100 the night before so I could go soak in the giant tub in Laughlin the night before.
Monday – As has become our tradition, first full morning is south strip. So after grabbing coffee, we casino hopped starting at 7am playing slots in PH, Cosmo, Aria, Park, NYNY, Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Hubs got $20 in free play at Excal & Luxor as his birthday was the day before. Neither of us had big wins just small steady losing or occasionally a win of $40-$80 here or there. Then walked back up to our chosen lunch spot – Bobby’s Burger Palace for burgers and spiked milkshakes at 11am. 8 casinos and 3 miles in 4 hours sure can make a gal thirsty. I love the strip in the morning, very few people and our pick of machines. Yet I never seem to get big wins on our south trips. We skipped Tropicana, MGM and lunch at Fat Burger this year as we wanted to try Bobby’s and I’d say it’s a winner. After an hour or so of losing at our home base Paris we decided to slow the bleed by taking a nap. Upstairs for a little over 2 hours, then packed a back pack & grab a Lyft as we were double booked for the next two nights at The Wynn on a comp with free play offer.
**My thoughts on the Wynn. I’ve always felt the casino was luxurious and cocktail service decent. Side note that may be silly to some but they serve their drinks in nice heavy bottom curved glasses that just feel good in your hand. I was excited to see the room. The line for check in was long at 4pm so I ditched my idea of asking for a golf view room figuring maybe I’d get lucky at the self check in kiosk as many people ask for strip view. Didn’t get it but the view of Venetian, TI, High Roller etc wasn’t bad either. I really liked having Alexa in the room to control lights and drapes. Loved the deep tub and bathrobes. The floor to ceiling windows are nice, but Paris has those as well, just not an entire wall of it. Overall the size of the room seemed identical to our corner room at Paris; just a bit more luxury here and there. Hubs and I agreed that the price difference for the small amount of added glam didn’t seem worth it but as it was comped, oh well. We’d just never be the type to pay for the added benefits. To each their own. Plus you wouldn’t find a $5 table here. Or a cheap eats. We might stay again for one or two nights, but would never make it our home base. Too far north aside from what else I’ve mentioned. Didn’t end up eating breakfast at Tableau as planned as we were not hungry the next morning.
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| Sulpture outside Encore at Sunset |
Monday night we decided to go to use the free play at Wynn & Encore (Won $120 on a Monty Python in Encore) and walk to the newly redesigned Sahara. Ugh…forgot just how far that mile is with nothing in between. It looks nice with the reno they’ve done but it was empty as all get out. And we’d seen tier matching, but it turns out it only if you’ve never had a card there before. I could feel myself getting sick when I awoke from the nap so by 7pm I just wanted soup & a sandwich and get back to that deep tub at Wynn. We ate at Sahara’s restaurant called “North End” (I think) for grilled cheese & tomato soup – a staple when I’ve got a head cold. Slotted at Wynn for a while, handed a few remaining hundreds I had over to Mr Juice again as I went up to bathe and go to sleep at 10pm wishing my cold away.
Tuesday – After some coffee & baileys with slots at Wynn we embarked to play Venetian/Palazzo dodging conference goers in the early morning, a bit at Mirage and back to V in time for opening of Madame T. Wax Museum. We had buy one get one from MyVegas and wanted to try it as we’d never done it. As most things from MyVegas. It was worth it at the discounted price of half off, but not at full price. Half an hour, several pictures and we’re outta there. Packed up our Wynn room, Lyft back to Paris. Lunched at St. Louis Café near casino floor in Paris – French Onion Soup here is a must do If you go! Another day with a nap and me buying Mucinex. After nap, we dressed for our evening at Rio. Our plan for Diamond celebration dinner & Penn and Teller worked out beautifully. We got to Rio about 4pm with dinner reservations at 6:30pm at Voodoo Steakhouse, so we sat down at a Mississippi Stud table and after about 30 mins I won $650 on a full house (with progressive bet). After hubs had run through $300, I was still up enough to leave the table giving him $300 of my winnings and keeping over $300 for myself. A few slots and we were ready for dinner.
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| Outside after lunch at Bobby's Burger Palace |
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| Me and Alan have the same satchel at the wax museum |
Voodoo Steakhouse was awesome, views are amazing and portions are HUGE. We should have only split one side, not two. I had crab legs, Mr. Juice had steak and lobster tail. We both had the lobster bisque. Afterwards, we went up to finish our drinks at the voodoo lounge on floor 52 with some of the best city views I’ve seen. Then off to Penn & Teller. They were great and we enjoyed the show.
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| View out our room |
Wednesday – I always like to check out the Conservatory at Bellagio first thing in the morning. So after our annual wander, we decided to go find the 5 “lucky” spots at Caesar’s (if you don’t know what I am talking about there are articles or the Matt Bridger Vlog for any of those of you superstitious or just feel like giving it a go). After playing a little in the forum area, we felt perhaps they were not as lucky as thought. Next we walked to Wynn (with a stop in Casino Royale to play the Big WOF and an old school WOZ) to check out so stuck around to play some slots to make them feel the comp was worth it. This is the degenerate day where I drank from 9:30am to 1:30am and gamble all day as it was our last full day. I know we hit the Paris MS table when it opened at 11am. I know we went back to Flamingo and got on a table where the waitress kept bringing drinks before you were even ready for it so the middle of the day is a bit hazy, but I know we did not leave that table up. I also know we were still so stuffed from the night before that we didn’t eat until 4pm in the Diamond Laurel Lounge. Probably a mistake since drinking for hours, and OMG the buffet line crowds in that place is kind of vicious. I can see using the diamond lounge for a few cocktails but don’t know that I’d want to deal with the people waiting on food again. Once we had something in our bellies to soak up some booze, we hit the tables yet again. Holding my own, my husband decided to also play LIR and crazy 4s (I think it’s called). Once the party pit table opened up, he moved over to the MS table with me and after about 45 mins of being about even it happened. I got my 2nd trip in a row of quads. I was dealt Queen and deuce. First card was deuce so bet just the $5 to see second card, it was another deuce, tripled up for third card. Deuce! And as always, I was playing the progressive so big hand!! Coming home with money! Played for another hours and don’t remember what I cashed in at but know it was over $3,400. Drunk girl at this point, wanted a slice of pizza and to deposit $3k into safe so left a happy and funded Mr. Juice playing craps and more crazy 4s. Came back down for another two hours of gambling and drinks before finally deciding to head to bed.
Thursday – while we were not hung over in the headache sense of the word, we were no longer energetic and feeling that Vegas vibe. Five days of gambling and drinking (and me with a nasty head cold) started to catch up. We found out our flight out had been moved up 90 mins so we only had 4 hours before needing to leave for the airport by the time I slept in, got ready & showered for the day. I told Mr. Juice I wanted to walk the Linq Promenade to see the Halloween décor so down we went, only to find they didn’t have anything up yet (last year, same week they did). So instead we decided to look for a breakfast place. Hash House a Go Go wait was too long, Virgil’s BBQ breakfast menu didn’t interest me so we ended up just going back to Paris for Mon Ami Gabi. It hit the spot and burned some time. Then in 3 hours to kill- I ended up going though an entire day’s bankroll, while Mr. Juice hit his biggest win right before we left - $400 on a wonder four tower. This after we both quickly lost $200 buy in at tables in about 20 mins flat. Cold table!! So we left for the airport with about 60% of our budget intact which I always consider a win (I consider any hundreds making their way back home a win for us). After 7 days away, happy to have had Friday – Sunday to rehydrate and sleep before getting back to the grind. Don’t know if we’ll be back to Vegas this time next year or in the late spring instead. We’ll have to see.
Oct 2018
This is the first time we ever did two trips in a year and my first time ever repeating a resort. But we really liked Paris last trip for size, location, food options etc that we were happy to be back.
We landed Sunday at 10am and had amazing timing at the airport for security lines, our bag coming right as we arrived at baggage claim, and there was no line for platinum check in so already feeling lucky. Our comped room was supposed to be strip view and I was excited for it as we're normally looking at air conditioning units 🤣 with mountains in the background. While it wasn't ready at 1030am the desk clerk put a hold on a specific room that would be checking out soon and it did not disappoint. We slotted around Bellagio and Paris until 3pm then up to the room overlooking the Eiffel tower and Bellagio Fountains. After unpacking we decided to head to Flamingo playing here and there along the way. Being about even or a little up after 7 hours my husband suggested Mississippi Stud at the old Margaritaville (Bird Bar now?)
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| My fav photo spot, waterfalls outside the Wynn |
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| Jeff loves this pic of me in Wynn |
But we did feel daily gambling budget should be raised and proceeded to go on an epic 3 day losing streak. Such is Vegas. Got back in a hot streak Wednesday evening (particularly hubster) but then gave some back the last 3 hours before leaving for flight Thursday evening. All told came home with some money but not entire bank roll.
Other highlights of trip was dinner at Ruth Chris, Lunch at Mesa as always for my favorite meal, and breakfast at Guy Fieri's. Finally tried a savory creape in Paris & got to see Chuck Todd filming Meet the Press Daily at Beer Park on Thursday.
We also did the Titanic exhibit at Luxor as I heard here that it's going away soon. The tour was just OK. Wandered thru Linq Promenade to see the Halloween displays and Bellagio Conservatory fall display.
In all we hit 23 casinos over 5 days. No downtown or nature excursions this time since we'd just done both in April. I made platinum and Mr Juice hit diamond status so no resort fees! Very fun trip that was mentally & emotionally relaxing but physically exhausting as my hips & knees don't like that much walking anymore and neck & back are not fans of hunched over slots & tables. So Friday back at home a day of naps & massage. Not sure when we'll be back as we plan to go to Atlantis Bahamas in January but Mr. Juice is hoping for April next year again.
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| Wishing for big wins on a Zoltar who remembers this from BIG? |
April 2018
Flight was supposed to take off at 8am, but we were delayed an hour after a clearly mentally unstable and off meds man was taken off the plane. And his checked luggage removed. Landed 30 mins late at 1030am Vegas time. And as a bonus, flight crew gave us a free drink so a rum and coke to calm any nerves from the passenger and then the turbulence as we climbed out of a snow & sleet storm about to hit Chicago.
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| First day in town! Outside Caesar's |
After landing, took a ride share to Paris where while the check in was a little long, it probably would have been quicker if the kiosk had recognized Mr. Juice's driver's license. But we were checked in, unpacked and at JJ Brassieres for lunch by noon. We did not get a strip view because of not wanting to a)wait until 4pm for the room and b)pay an extra $25/day for it. But it doesn't hurt to ask right?
After a light lunch we wandered casinos just center strip playing slots. Due to being up almost 20 hours we called it an early night and headed for bed just before 10pm. Which then meant we were up before the sun was Monday morning. I was awake, ready and down in the casino to meet Mr Juice (who had already been slotting around for an hour) by 5:15am.
We decided it being to early we would wander down to the far end of the strip and finally see the Welcome to Vegas sign. With stops in PH and NYNY for slots the sun was finally up. We walked over to Excalibur to catch the tram to Mandalay only to learn it starts running at 9am and it wasn't even 7am yet. So we ordered a Lyft. Thankful we did, as looking back that far of a walk would have sucked! Only two other groups crazy enough to be there before 7am so easy to get the driver to wait while we spent less than 5 mins to take pictures and check that off the Vegas must do. Amazed in so many trips we'd never done it but at the same time it's nothing but a photo op.
Lyft back to MB to slot there, luxor, Excalibur and Park before crossing over to Trop and MGM. Hubs was winning not a lot but enough while I seemed to lose every $20 I put in. But we timed it so that we hit Fat Burger in time for lunch. You guys can keep your In and Out burger, we will take a Fat Burger every trip. With our belly's full and already 8 hours of walking, slots and drinks we decided a nap was in order if we were going to enjoy the night.
Awake and ready to hit it again by 5pm we headed over to Bellagio and Ceasar's, Mirage, and TI for more slots and non-existent cocktail service. Time to cross another Vegas Bucket list item off the list. We walked over to Wynn for drinks at Parasol Down. It was too windy that they had the outdoor patio closed so we sat inside and after one strong exotic martini (and seeing an acid trip of a show on the waterfall wall) I decided I wanted to try an absinthe. Damn! Strong in the way I imagine paint thinner to be. And tastes like black licorice. After struggling to get that down we headed up to play slots if only to get a cocktail to get that flavor out of our mouths. That took $100 of losing money to get that "free drink" Haha. Time to Lyft back to Paris and the start of "I can't lose at Mississippi Stud".
I had played 3 card poker and Mississippi Stud last trip but needed a little reminder in how to play, but soon drinks were flowing and cards were falling my way. After several hours we walked away up several hundred. 2am and bed was calling.
Tuesday. Ugh. Less than 4 hours of sleep and I'm wide awake. I see Mr. Juice must already be awake and gambling. Must.Have.Coffee. We have a car rental today at Enterprise at the Westin but think that we can't pick it up until 830 so we slot around Bally's for an hour before walking over to pick up the car.
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| Jeff at Mt. Charleston |
Drive out to Mount Charleston. There is no one on the road as we drive from desert to mountains for an hour. My in laws had suggested this trip's off strip jaunt. Hubs had joked we were partially going just to get them to stop suggesting it. Had breakfast at the lodge. It was a visually beautiful setting and awesome drive and tasty country breakfast (the biscuits and gravy were so delicious!) But admittedly I think they have not done anything to the lodge since the 30-40 years since the in laws were there. I bet it was impressive in 1980s, but I felt I stepped into a scene from the first National Lampoon's first vacation. Took some photos of the gorgeous vistas and then did my version of Clark Griswold nod "OK, seen it. Let's go." Drove 30 mins to red rock. Lather, rinse, repeat. Photos, look at the beauty of nature for 15 mins and yep- let's head back to be the degenerate gamblers we both know we are. Spent the afternoon at Linq, Flamingo, Harrah's etc. and then a quick nap.
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| Edge of Red Rock Canyon |
For the evening we agreed to head down to Freemont. Because we loved Bangor Brewery last trip we stopped in for an El Hefe brew when I got a craving for crab legs. Mr. Juice suggested Hugo's Cellar. And easily it's in the top ten of dining experiences for me. We agreed we were not feeling downtown (esp. After I had heard the upstairs of the D had old school games only to see more of the same). So a Lyft back to Paris for round two of I can't lose at Mississippi Stud. Up a few hundred and off to bed.
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| One & only time we went to the sign, not the best pic of either of us LOL |
Wednesday morning, finally 5 hours of sleep! After getting ready and coffee it's 730 and there are actually other people out and about. Slotting around PH, Cosmo, Aria. Go out a wrong entrance and interesting walk to Bellagio where I finally win a little thanks to a VP game. Make our way over to Ceasar's for our Vegas tradition of lunch at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. The bread alone is worth a visit (if I could buy a take home loaf of his jalepeno asiago, I would!) Delicious cactus pear margaritas, two appetizers (chicken skewers & quesadillas) and entrees we were sufficiently stuffed and headed back to Paris.
Having a decent bankroll left over from table wins we decided to go for a handpay by playing at max bet in some quick hits and Buffalo. No dice. Checked out the tables but they'd moved up table limits so off we went in search of $5 tables. Ended up at Harrah's & Bally's with my first table losses. Walked off with me & hubs each down a couple hundred but it was time to head off for our one show- Absinthe. All the reviews are accurate. Being rude, crude and politically incorrect people -we found it hilarious but yes seating is tight and uncomfortable by the end. The acts were all amazing but we agreed that with each act about 15 mins each they could have been 3-5 mins shorter apiece and added either one more act (magic?) or more comedy. But that's us. Still thought it was well worth the price of admission.
Back to Paris for our last night. $10 tables keeping me even and I grabbed a slice of pizza and headed to bed at 1130 as the lack of more than 5 hours of daily sleep was catching up to me. Where as Mr. J wanted to soak in all the last night of Vegas and spent another 4 hours playing and ended up with a nice slot win to end the night.
Thursday we wanted to leave for the airport at 3, so after a late breakfast Mon Ami and checking out, we just stayed close to Paris - Cosmo and Bellagio for slots, another hour of so trying for a handpay at Paris before I decided best way to spend that last two hours was at the tables. Walked away up several hundred. Nice way to end another fun trip to Vegas.
PHOTO TOUR OF Dec 2016 since no trip report or previous blog:
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| Outside Banger Brewery |
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| High Roller |
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| Caesar's Palace @xms |
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| Bellagio Conservatory |
I really did love all the Christmas decor everywhere, I am surpised I did not take more photos. I have about 8 of the conservatory but didn't want to overload the photos.
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| Up in the High Roller overlooking Bellagio Fountains |
