Most people either love it or hate it.
I like Las Vegas, for about 3 days. The what I can’t do at home is fun for about that long. We throw coins in the slot machines and play a few hands of Black Jack while sipping free drinks, and then walk The Strip with a yardstick size Margarita, because we can. After all, isn’t that what attracts people to Vegas in the first place. No rules, no cares, no sleep and certainly no boredom. Maybe it is the, I can get away with it, or wishing we might be buying dreams with a few coin tosses. Whatever the motivation, it is fun for a bit.
There is another side to Vegas that has nothing to do with gambling or drinking. It begins with the brilliant lights along the Strip to remind you it is a city that never sleeps.
The Extravagant Hotels: It is fun to tour the hotels and think of the landmarks they mimic from other parts of the world. The Eiffel Tower is in the center of The Strip as a welcome to Paris. Visits to Caesars Palace, The Luxor, and even New York are musts. You would think the replicas would be an insult to frequent travelers, but there is an allure to taking a gondola ride at The Venetian, and sitting at an Italian cafe while the sky changes from day to night, inside.
Entertainment: Aside from people watching there is entertainment everywhere. As mentioned, the hotels offer curiosity with the famous lobbies, gimmicky attractions and free shows. The Bellagio is known for its outdoor, musical fountain show, and the Mirage an erupting volcano. The streets offer its own flair that can only be appreciated upon a visit. Trust me.
Remember, it is Vegas. there is something for everyone, so if free isn’t your idea of date night fun, Britany Spears, or other concerts, will entertain you for a price, IF you can get tickets, Blue Man Group will entertain you if you are brave, and as you might expect there are plenty of Adult-only shows too. Yes, it is Vegas.
Food: There is every cuisine imaginable when it comes to food. The all-you-can-eat buffets seem to be the most popular, and if drive-by bites are your preference, you can do that. Fine dining at its finest will shock you into thousands of dollars in a short amount of time, but it is possible to eat at a McDonalds, while others enjoy the latest creation of Gordan Ramsey. There are chefs from Andalusia to prepare authentic paella on demand, and since it is Vegas, it is ok to eat dessert all day long. The M&M Store will take care of your chocolate needs or Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro will bake up some cannolis. You decide. 
Escorts: Vegas didn’t get the name Sin City just for legalized gambling. I remember the time a man, a very old man, was walking ahead of us. His lovely wife of a lifetime of years walked next to him until crowds and men handing out cards for solicitation forced them single file. He nudged his bride ahead and while most ignored the pushy card givers, he nonchalantly stuck one in his back pocket.
I am forever changed.
Contrary to popular belief, prostitution is illegal in the Las Vegas city limits. So for, a what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas moment, you will have to grab a business card or a flier, inconspicuously, while along The Strip, like the man etched in my mind, FOREVER.
Outside the city: Need a break? There are golf opportunities, with sunny weather all year, there is biking and hiking at nearly by Red Rock Canyon, and boating on Lake Mead. Hoover Dam is a short drive from The Strip, offering tours of the dam and is also a launching point for kayaking on the Colorado River.
Want to see the Grand Canyon from a helicopter? Rumor has it that some even land inside the canyon for a lunch break.
It is hard not to love every inch of what Vegas offers. The fame and the fancy, in addition to the did you see that, or WHAT was that moments are the best entertainment in my opinion. I could easily be happy sitting on a wall watching the day pass by. It is one of the only places in the world where you can enjoy the simple pleasure of mingling with the rich and poor, the famous and the locals, the sketchy and the holier then thous and pretend to be any of those at any time.
And I think everyone believes for a moment that they almost got rich.
Have you been to Vegas? Are your a lover or a hater?
Wind Kisses 
Loved the touristy attractions (i.e. Neon Museum, drive-thru weddings, Stratosphere). Didn’t gamble or drink like I thought I would when we visited a few years back. Thanks for the post!
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Yes, I think it is always a different experience then people expect. Thank for the comment.
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I’ve never been but perhaps one day I will visit. The photos are beautiful that you posted!
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Thank you…
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I have dear friends who lived there and still love to go there. I’ve never been there, maybe someday!?! Your perspective is interesting to read!
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Viva Las Vegas. 😀
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I lived in Vegas for three months while I was the intern at Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE! I loved every minute of it. While living there I lived 30 mins from the strip and being on the other side as someone who was there to work instead o
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I hit enter early whoops! I was there to work instead of play. So coming out of a show at midnight on a Saturday and trying to get to my car was always a pain, because of the drunk people everywhere. But seeing people enjoy themselves or hearing them talk about the show they just saw is why I loved being there. It was worth it. I spent my days off hiking Red Rocks, Mount Charleston, seeing the Nevada Ballet, and exploring old Vegas. Fremont street in my opinion is waaaaay better than the strip. If I could get a job I’d move back to Vegas in a heart beat!
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hahaha. Jealous! I think it would be fun to experience all of the city while living there. WE met some people who lived just outside of town and they loved coming in for dinner and a show and then …home and normalcy. Yes, I like the Fremont area too. Started to write more and it just was getting too long. You should write a post about living there. Whole different perspective then tourists. Thanks.
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Yes, exactly! I loved going in on my days off to experience a special bar or something. But then being able to drive 30 mins home to some normalcy! I keep meaning to write about the experience. It’s on a list. I guess I’ll have to write it soon. 🙂
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Yes.
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Hmm.. nice 🙂
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Been to Vegas several times and I agree about three days is enough. We usually combine it with a fly-drive holiday from the UK. Spend some time in Vegas and then take off with the hire car. One trip we did, Fly to San Francisco, couple of days there, then with the hire car, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, Death Valley, Vegas, North and South Rims, Lake Havasoo, and then Los Angeles. Good thing with the car is you can detour, so we went to Bodie, Lone Pine as well
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Wow, you covered a lot in that trip! All great fun! We still haven’t been to Tahoe, or Death Valley (from your list) . A good friend of mine took a photo workshop with Arizona Highways Magazine at Death Valley. You’d think it would be ugly, on the contrary… And we prefer the North Rim, as I am sure you will agree.
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