What Happens In Vegas……

Now remember, I’m not some 20-something out partying her butt off in Vegas.  I am closer to 40 and hanging out with my parents and sister and her husband.  We sure didn’t hit the nightclubs, hell, we didn’t even hit a buffet.  What we did do – is have an awesome time. 

We began our journey on Wednesday, November 7th.  We were scheduled to depart Detroit Metro at 11:05am and everything was running on schedule.  We grabbed cups of coffee and waited patiently to board.  To say I was excited was an understatement.  I haven’t been to Vegas since 1999. We quickly ordered some cocktails and settled in for our 4-1/2 hour flight.

 

We arrived around 12:30pm Vegas time and did what every other person does – we headed to Chili's for  some lunch.

After lunch we headed to our hotel – The Excalibur – to check in.  Our rooms were spread out, but all located on the 8th floor of Tower II.  My room faced New York, New York and the view wasn’t too shabby.

We agreed to rest for 1/2 hour or so and meet up to get our gambling on.  I utilized my free time to drink some more wine.  Time well spent.

We played a few games at Excalibur and then headed over to Luxor.  The guys were playing Black Jack and us ladies stuck to the slots.  Momma was winning big.  It seemed like she would put in $20 and always cash out with $250.  Seester Missa was just as lucky.  Of course I was losing hand over fist, but both of them were extremely generous and replenished my lost funds. 

Momma kept hitting the Spin on Wheel of Fortune, and she bought me and Seester Missa a Bloody Mary (mine extra spicy).  They were good.  We called it a day around Midnight.

We agreed to meet in the lobby at 8:30am for breakfast.  In the past, my family has been a fan of the breakfasts served at Sunset Station (which is 15 minutes from the strip), in particular their “skillet” meals.  I was anxious to try the “Ham Skillet”, as I could eat salty ham all day long, every day.  Not kidding. 

My mom and seester split a skillet meal, and I ordered my own.  We also ordered a side of Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and Pumpkin Pancakes (my eyes are always bigger than my stomach!).

The ham was seriously the best I’ve ever had – anywhere – hands down.  There is no better way to start off your morning, than with an amazing breakfast.  We all concurred we’d be returning each day.

After breakfast we did a little site-seeing of the strip and decided to hit up the outlet malls.  I couldn’t resist picking up a new Kate Spade bag, for just $70! 

We headed over to Ballys / Paris to do a little gambling and to see about getting tickets for Jersey Boys.  I had a “little” luck at the Let it Ride table, and cashed out my chips.  We enjoyed a few “frozen” cocktails and walked around some shops.

Everyone agreed that the Le Café would be a great place to stop and have some lunch/dinner.  I ordered the French Dip sandwich and it was literally to die for.  Check the awesomeness out!

After debating which show we wanted to see, we decided that The Legends at Harrah’s was right up our alley.  The show consists of musical impersonators.  Our show included Barry White, Justin Timberlake, Adele, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Elvis.  The show appealed to all of us and did not disappoint.  It was worth the $65 ticket price. 

After a little more gambling at Luxor, we called it a night.  We agree on our 8:30am meet-up time for breakfast at Sunset Station.  This morning I chose a Veggie Omelet with Avocado and a side of Ham.

After eating we headed back to the strip.  We spend some time gambling, and then went shopping and sight seeing.  I was adamant that we visit The Cosmopolitan so my seester and I set out on an adventure.  It was well worth our time.  The casino is BEAUTIFUL!!! Faith did not steer me wrong, it sure is a Girly Girl paradise. 

We stopped at Circus Circus to do a little souvenir shopping and hit gold when we scored Bud Light Margarita cans 2 for $8, and that came with a beach ball too! We had been paying $6 for one at the casinos and our hotel.  These are potent little drinks.  Two will do you in.  Just a warning….

We made it back to pick up the parents and head over to the Jersey Boys show at Paris.  The show was entertaining.  The music was good.  Out of the 3 shows we went too, this was my least favorite.  Could’ve been the margaritas and Captain and Diet’s catching up with me, but the show seemed to go on forever and ever and ever.  My parents loved it. 

We tried to hit the Harrah’s buffet after the show, but we go there 5 minutes too late.  Wah Wah

My dad suggested we go to Hooters?!?!?!?! Umm ok dad.  So we did.  We weren’t happy about it either.  Not long after finishing off our burgers (which were actually decent), my mom AGAIN hit on a Wheel of Fortune machine and won $485!  What I love about my mom, after winning her money she gave me $100 and my seester $100 because she could.  She is crazy.  We then gave her $20 a piece and she played another machine and hit for $183.  We cashed out at $61 a piece.  Not bad for two pulls on the machine.  Hooters may be my mom’s new favorite casino.

Saturday morning we headed over to Sunset Station again for breakfast (you see we are not super adventurous people).  I chose Corned Beef Hash and Poached Eggs with a side of Ham (yes I must eat ham every day).  They got the eggs PERFECT for dipping.  I couldn’t have been happier.

We had wanted to hit the Forum Shops at Caesars, so we headed there after breakfast.  Caesars is amazing.  It is ginormous and the statues are breathtaking.  You could spend all day just browsing. 

We decided to have lunch, a bread bowl of Lobster Chowder, and of course a Spicy Bloody Mary.  YUMM

Although it was cold, we walked around outside and The Mirage has a beautiful display.  Who doesn’t love dolphins?

While walking around, we decided to get tickets for one more show.  After much consideration, we picked The King staring Trent Carlini.  Trent won the Next Best Thing a few years back.  Now he SOUNDED great.  However, I have seen many Elvis Tribute Artists, and I would say he was decent, not awesome, but decent.  We enjoyed the show and he also has his wife “dancing” on stage with him, so there is some eye candy for the guys too. 

After the show, Trent and his wife Ashley were in the lobby signing autographs and taking pictures.  I just had to get my picture with a Las Vegas Elvis, so we waited in line.  We got a few cheese ball photos but I’ll only share one.  Geez I was greasy.

Even the guys had to get in on the action.  The lovely Ashley was happy to oblige them a pic.

No trip to Vegas would be complete without a stop on Fremont Street.  I just love that cowboy.  We didn’t win much, but the men were lucky at the tables there.  The crowds were there, but mostly in the streets and at Golden Nugget.  You could certainly tell it was a Saturday night.  It was pretty wild down there.  I was happy when it was time to leave.

Our day ended around Midnight again – yeah I’m old – I was hitting the bed when most are just getting started.  We had an early flight back home Sunday, so I was happy to call it a night.

Next trip I hope to eat at In-N-Out Burger and the Rio Seafood Buffet.  I want to visit The Venetian, The Palazzo and Bellagio.  Although we were there and on the go the whole time, we just ran out of time.  I’m already looking forward to another trip soon!