A few weeks ago, I was in Los Angeles for work, with meetings on Friday and Monday. I had planned to spend the weekend with my childhood friend who lives in California, but as we were eating breakfast on Saturday, she mentioned how often she drives over to Vegas for the weekend. Since I’d never been to Las Vegas before, I was game for an impromptu road trip through the desert.

We found an awesome hotel deal for the night and ended up staying at the Wynn, which I hear is one of the better options on the strip. The room was amazing and had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a golf course, with views of planes flying in and out of Vegas.

Oyster Bar

Oyster Bar at Palace Station

Outside Alien Fresh Jerky halfway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles

With only 24 hours in Vegas, all we basically did was eat, shop and go out. I could stay an entire week in Vegas for the shopping alone. And Caesar’s? Holy shit, that hotel is MASSIVE. I must go back to fully explore the endless shopping options.

Admittedly, I’d never had a strong desire to go to Vegas before. But…I loved it! This is probably a cliche, but everything there is so big. I don’t know how else to describe the strip, the casinos and the buildings themselves. The hotels tower over the strip and are marked by enormous neon lights. It’s big and gaudy and I love it all.

Although I was a bit hungover walking the strip Sunday morning, my friend gave me a great expedited walking tour through select casinos. Other than Caesar’s, I also loved The Venetian. There are literally canals inside the hotel. And the ceiling is painted like a sky – so realistically, that I felt like I was outside.

Canals inside The Venetian

Inside The Venetian

The painted ceiling at The Venetian

I’ll be back, Vegas. On my to do list: see a concert, lounge by the pool, gamble. That’s right – my first time in Vegas and I didn’t gamble a single dollar away!