36 Hours in Las Vegas
By Junghwan Cha May 18th, 2016
Las Vegas is a city of leisure. The slogan “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” expose the positive and negative side of drinking part of the fun. If you look into the city more carefully in perspective of what are being offered to guests, Vegas just gets better.
Hotels near strip, the street, have distinguished theme or style. They show hotel is not just a place to stop by to sleep, but a cooperating group that has relation of coexistence. Fine dining to more commercial restaurants, shopping, wedding hall, theater, spa, and specially casino are in each hotel.
Beside from hotel, it is cluster of other activities and recreations for all generations and for any type of group. Golf is for group of older generation. Water sports, arcade type of mini car racing, or tour for Grand Canyon can go well with family visitors. Exotic car racing, gun shooting, or laser tag are more for young visitors. But for sure, there are many performances and conventions to enjoy as well.
Friday
- 03:00PM: Hotel Check-in.
Venetian’s theme is Venice in Italy. All the rooms are suites in this hotel. There is Walgreen right under the hotel if you want to save some money for food. Location is also convenient to tour around the strip. The hotel is located on little above then middle of the strip.
- 04:00PM: Tour in Venetian – Lobby sightseeing and Shopping
Venetian has artistic interior and exterior. Visitors first get amazed by art works starting from main entrance. Once you put down luggage, it is time to visit Grand Canal Shoppes. Shopping area has canal with gondolas for visitors to ride. Ceiling is paint as blue sky. The area mimics street in Venice. There are some highly interesting stores. Frist store sells handmade Venetian masks. Second store is actually an antique shop. Pictures are not allowed in this place, but it is full of interesting items.
- 05:00PM: Dinner
After plane ride and from airport to hotel may cause exhaust. Since hotels in Las Vegas give coupons for restaurants in that hotel, it is not a bad idea to take that advantage. This helps managing budget for younger visitors, and therefore, they can spent more on other things.
- 06:00PM: Bellagio hotel for “O” show ticket and tour.
One of the most famous show/performance in Vegas is “O” show by Cirque du Soleil. Most of visitors make reservation in prior to their trip. Guests must redeem their online ticket to physical ticket 2 hours prior to the performance time.
While guests wait for the show, guest often tour around the hotel lobby and casino. One another option is hanging out front of the Bellagio hotel. There is fountain show to watch and street caricature drawers. Or one can just wonder around with beer. It is legal in Las Vegas.
- 07:00PM: Watch “O” by Cirque du Soleil (90 minute performance ~8:30)
O show is an aquatic cirque without any speech. There are many parts/chapters in this cirque, but story does not necessary have to be understand. Guests enjoy performers’ sense of humor spoken by their gestures.
- 08:30PM: High Roller
Night view of the strip is amazing on this Ferris wheel. Hotels start light up their buildings around sunset. You will see entire strip from the top. It is great way to wrap up the first day in Vegas.
- 10:00PM: Sleep
Saturday
- 09:00AM: “Welcome to Fabulous LAS VEGAS” sign
The iconic sigh of Las Vegas. It will surely make memorable picture. A tip for this is you should go little early. When people get gathered and starts to form a line, you will not be able to take pictures as freely as when it is less crowded. Therefore, get a fast and simple breakfast.
- 10:30AM: Activities/Recreation – Shooting range (strip gun club)
There are more activities in Las Vegas, but gun shooting is not a common activity you can find in other vacation places. It is close to the strip, and it has reasonable price to the experience.
- 01:30PM: Lunch at one of the famous buffet
Wicked Spoon in Cosmopolitan and Bacchanal in Caesars Palace are very famous, but Wynn, Bellagio, and other hotels have nice buffet. Here you can share about your trip with your companions. Take as much as time you need to eat and chat. Sharing experience right at the moment leaves longer trail of excitement.
- 03:00PM: Rest at hotel (nap + shower + change)
You might feel little tired after eating. If it is hot season, you may want to change your sweaty cloths. You may want to dress warmer if it is colder season. Having some rest between can help enjoy next plan.
- 04:30PM: Buying Souvenirs and tour more hotels
Now is the time to go in as many hotels. Going inside open area in hotels is absolutely fine. Visit their casinos, bars, lobbies, and shops. Gift shops have some good souvenirs that you can actually use and wear.
- 08:00PM: Dinner – Fremont
Fremont Street is known as an old town in Vegas. Cars can only be access to certain parts. There are many places to eat around.
- 09:30PM: Visit Fremont Street Old Town. Light show
Viva Vision Light Show is a six minute light show of LED ceiling. It starts at 6 or 8 pm depends on the season. The LED ceiling is installed above walkway.
- 12:00AM: Sleep.
Sunday
- 10:00AM: Awake – Canyon Ranch Spa Club
You have been drinking and walking a lot for past two days. Last day is not so much physically active. Star the day by relieving physical fatigue by relaxing at spa. Canyon ranch spa club is a spa in Venetian hotel. What is the point of relaxing if the spa is at some other hotel and you have to travel for it?
- 01:00PM: Brunch
Have some energy to start the game. You can ask concierge to find a new restaurant, or you can visit other buffets.
- 03:00PM: Play at a casino
Finally, it is the time for gambling. Make this on last day. You will at least already have tickets for other shows and plane ticket even if you lose your money. Slot machines make you spend lots of money in short time, and it is just all by yourself. Try the cheapest 1 penny slot machine just for fun with your companions. If you do not know how to play, just simply watch people playing and learn. It should be only for fun, never invest lots of time and money.
- 06:00PM: “Tournament of Kings” with dinner (75 minute performance ~7:15)
There is a jousting performance with a meal at hotel ‘Excalibur’. As you can see in its name, it is medieval European theme. The building looks like a castle.
- 09:30PM: “KÀ” by Cirque du Soleil (90 minute performance ~11:00)
There is another performance by Cirque du Soleil at MGM Grand Hotel. It is somewhat oriental. The stage moves and performers sky actions are amazing. “KÀ” show gives different thrill from “O” Show
- 11:00PM: Enjoy last night view of Las Vegas at Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Hotel.
Before you go back to hotel, enjoy your last night at Paris Hotel. You can go in and up to the Eiffel Tower for view.
