I've decided that Vegas is a lot like childbirth. After a few years, you forget the bad parts and decide to do it again! For us, that's about once every five years.
We spent last week back on the strip, visiting family and taking in some shows, buffets and the sights. One of the highlights of the trip is always just flying into Vegas. After the Rocky Mountains, it seems like it's all desert . . . then all of a sudden, there's the strip in the middle of nowhere. Very cool to see.
Here are some of the sights along S. Las Vegas Boulevard:
We spent last week back on the strip, visiting family and taking in some shows, buffets and the sights. One of the highlights of the trip is always just flying into Vegas. After the Rocky Mountains, it seems like it's all desert . . . then all of a sudden, there's the strip in the middle of nowhere. Very cool to see.
Here are some of the sights along S. Las Vegas Boulevard:
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| Looking towards Bellagio, Caesar's and Mirage |
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| One of the many entrances into Bellagio |
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| Bellagio |
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| The Paris |
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| Every TV chef seems to have multiple restaurants, if you don't mind the prices. |
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For those of us who may never make it to see the real thing. 
Venetian
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| The Stratosphere |
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| Instead of standing in line in NYC, you can stand in line here to get your frozen hot chocolate. |
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| Wins the prize for ugliest mall ever. Is it a hat or a UFO? |
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| Another Steve Wynn monster . . . actually it's a gorgeous hotel inside and out. |
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| One of the last remaining old school Vegas hotels . . . The Flamingo! Stay tuned for photos and stories from on and off the strip. I'll be around to visit your blogs very soon. |
They sure know how to go all out there. Maybe it's a giant frisbee instead of a hat?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit cray cray, but certainly never boring!
Delete" it seems like it's all desert . . . then all of a sudden, there's the strip in the middle of nowhere. Very cool to see. "
ReplyDeleteYes, you are absolutely right about that, it is a very cool thing to see on the flight in.
You're photographs are FAB-U-LOUS! Bravo! They really make the whole energy of Vegas come alive. And they brought make so many great memories for me of when I lived there for a summer while performing in a show. Vegas is such a unique place, isn't it?
"One of the last remaining old school Vegas hotels . . . The Flamingo!"
Oh, what a brilliant shot! I love the old school hotels.
Thanks so much for sharing your week back on the strip!
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I forgot about you living there! My husband has family that's lived there over 40 years. So many changes since then! Would you believe I thought of you when taking a photo of The Flamingo? I knew you'd enjoy an old school shot!
DeleteVegas is one of those places that I really, honestly don't care if I ever see. But my mom luuuuvvvvs the place.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, we've flown more-or-less over Vegas every time we go to San Diego. Especially after dark, it's pretty spectacular after hundreds of miles of nothing. . .
Lol, yup, once was enough for me, but we've got some family obligations, so this won't be our last time either.
DeleteI'd love to go back to Vegas! My husband and I got married there in November 1989. We always said we'd go back for an anniversary, but for some reason or another it just never worked out. Maybe soon! I'm looking forward to your pictures now.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! Did you get married in that little white chapel? What hotel did you stay?
DeleteWe stayed in the Flamingo Hilton (I think it is gone now), right across from the just-opened Mirage. And we got married in a little chapel on the 4th floor of the Imperial Palace. We drove by the Little White Chapel and their sign said, "Joan Collins got married here!" And we decided to pass, since she was getting divorced again. See, that's why we're still married. Heh.
DeleteNot the same Flamingo hotel in my photo?
DeleteGreat pictures, Bijoux! I still haven't gotten to Vegas but it's on my list. And I'm so glad the Flamingo is still around!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rob. You could always go see Donny and Marie playing at The Flamingo..........NOT!?!
DeleteFlying in Vegas at night is the best, it is all dark and all of a sudden the city is before you and hte light blinding. It is also neat to drive into the city from I-15 as you come over a ridge and there the valley is all lighted. I go through Vegas every few years going back to my old stomping ground in Southern Utah.
ReplyDeleteThe Luxor light is something from the sky!
DeleteAnd funny how different Vegas is from a place like Zion.....yet so close together!
You know, I think I like that old school one best. Kitschy, but it fits.
ReplyDeleteI will have to post a picture of their flamingos that I took in their outdoor habitat. They rescued two brown pelicans and there was a black swan there, too.
DeleteWe definitely had fun in Vegas. So much to do and see, even as a family. I was surprised there was so much for kids. It was funny, however, that the first time my husband and I were ever in Vegas (just this past March with the kids) and as we left we noticed that neither of us had one alcoholic drink nor did either of us place one bet. Ha!
ReplyDeleteLOL......well, I did overdo the Long Island iced teas on this trip, but what happens in Vegas . . .
DeleteMy kids always had fun in Vegas, but I think most of it was the buffets. We've never taken them to any buffets elsewhere, so they were amazed by the choices.
I enjoy visiting Vegas. Unfortunately, Tara is not a fan at all, so our trips are few and far between. I know exactly what you mean about flying in - it's quite a sight to see, after so much nothingness!
ReplyDeletePeople seem to love it or hate it. I get sick of it after a few days, but like I said, let some time pass and it sounds like fun again.
DeleteNOw I miss Vegas SOOO bad :(
ReplyDeleteI just love VEGAS!!!!!!!!!
Judging by the crowds in the 115 degree heat, you are not alone!
DeleteAfter being here in Vegas for the past 28 years, the whole hotel and strip experience is just boring to me now. I still like to drive the strip at night and see all the lights but that's about it for me. lol
ReplyDeleteMy husband's relative refuses to even drive to the strip, but she is older now, and the traffic makes her nervous.
DeleteIt is always a good place to go people watching. It would be nice if there were more no smoking places there though. Hubby went to a meeting there in May and came home with bronchitis, thinking more because of breathing the cigarette smoke on top of a respiratory illness.
ReplyDeleteLooked like it was a fun time :)
betty
It is a little startling to see people smoking inside the hotels and casinos there. You can't smoke indoors anywhere here, and I'm so glad about that!
DeleteAfter going to Atlantic City I think Vegas is next on the list! Your pics are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shae. My hubby has been there, but I've never done Atlantic City.
DeleteChildbirth? :)
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteNever been to Vegas. The architecture is rather amazing, even if it's all pastiche. A hat or a UFO - or a giant surfboard?
ReplyDeleteIt's a strange sign.
Deletethat's really funny...vegas is like childbirth. i've been to vegas once, stayed at the excalibar (sp?) so long ago. i doubt i would want to go back, not that my experience was bad, but i can't think of anything there i would want to see again. it was much too busy for me and i'm not about that vegas life, so it's not like i could do much. :) loved looking at your pics, as always.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Val. It's fun for the shows and sights, but I'm not a fan of the crowds, either. We keep returning due to family.
DeleteThank you! Now I have someone I 'know' who went to Vegas, pressure's off for me. I went to Reno once on 'business' and that was just enough glitz and gambling for me ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou would hate it!😎
DeleteSince we have casinos here, I wouldn't be interested in Vegas gambling, but seeing the strip all lit up might be nice. I really want to go to Italy someday… but the Venetian might be an easier trip… a long drive, but that is better for me than flying.
ReplyDeleteThe Luxor might be nice too?
We have stayed at the Luxor before and liked it. Further from the other action on the strip, but they have really good deals on rooms.
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