My USA travel diary, following my adventures in America. Here’s what we got up to when we visited Las Vegas: the first leg of our trip!
Well, where do I even begin? On the afternoon of the 26th of March, I hopped on a plane for a very long flight, landing in Los Angeles an 11 hours or so later. Once I got used to the idea that I was also landing on the 26th of March (I lie, I never got used to the time difference), I found my way to Venice Beach Board Walk to be reunited with my friend Briony, who had been travelling since Christmas.
We didn’t have long in LA before our night coach to Vegas. But we grabbed a quick bite to eat and had a stroll through a beautiful cluster of apartments along a river/canal. It felt like a hidden hip Venice and each apartment had the most stunning patios and gardens. I’d love to rent an air B&B here one day! We then collected Briony’s luggage from her hostel (where I also had a quick power nap on an indoor hammock – I have no regrets). Then we caught the night bus to Vegas and tried our best to catch up on sleep.
Read on for the first full day of my USA Travel Diary.
Day One: Visiting El Dorado Canyon and Our Night Out in Vegas
Upon arriving in Vegas at a stupid hour of 5am or something, we managed to see a quick glance of the strip. Once we checked into our hotel and had a shower, it was straight back out again. It was time for our first adventure: a trip to Eldorado Canyon with Awesome Adventures Las Vegas! I have an entire blog post/review talking all about this amazing (and wonderfully gifted) excursion here.
Following our tour, we headed back to Vegas and took a little walk along the strip. We also grabbed some food and got back to the hotel to get ready for our big night out. Through Groupon, we booked a Rockstar Nightclub Tour & Helicopter Night Fight combo. This was, in my opinion, the best way to experience the Vegas nightlife! Our experience began with a helicopter ride over Vegas which was, in all honesty, amazing. Though it was only brief, being able to see the amazing lights of Vegas at night from such a unique perspective was honestly something I’ll never forget. Plus it was my first time in a helicopter!
Following this, we had a party bus booked. But first we had to rush back to the hotel as I’d forgotten my ID. Although we later discovered the following day that it was in Briony’s purse with her the WHOLE ENTIRE TIME. Do’h. Eventually, we ambled on though and the free bar was very, very enticing. There was a pole on in the bus too (this was super fun when drunk). But I have to admit I was a little disappointed it wasn’t an actual limo with a sunroof that we could stand out of! Apparently, this is actually very illegal though, haha.
The experience itself was fun but we found it was a little badly organised. We were told the wrong pick up time so had to rush out barely ready when the coach arrived early. There was little to no communication between the first half of the night and the second. We were getting messages telling us our host was waiting in a club for us whilst we were about to board our helicopter! This also meant we missed a couple of the clubs but none of the amazing ones luckily. In all honesty, I don’t actually remember much of this night! We ended up at a beautiful rooftop bar and after that, I don’t remember much at all thanks to the free bar! But from what I do remember it was amazing.
We basically bar hopped, took loads of great photos and the night ended with me passing out on the bathroom floor once we were back at the hotel. Oops. Still, when in Vegas…
Day Two: The Grand Canyon and Exploring Vegas Strip at Night
On our second morning in Vegas, we got up ridiculously early (and hungover) to catch the coach for a long, long trip to the Grand Canyon. I think overall, including driving time, the trip was about 12 hours long! It wasn’t too bad though. We stopped off very briefly at the Hoover Dam on the way. This was cool because it’s from one of my favourite movies – National Lampoon Vegas Vacation! Although thinking about it, the entire movie is set in Vegas, duh! and for rest stops. Plus our coach driver/tour guide was super lovely and funny. He kept sharing tips on how to win money in Vegas or the best places to go for a buffet!
The Grand Canyon was amazing. I honestly can’t put into words how beautiful it was – it really took my breath away. However, for someone who isn’t even scared of heights, I was oddly cautious about being there, especially as most of it has no railings! I couldn’t even go right to the edge without feeling funny. It was stunning.
We visited two locations at Grand Canyon West. First, a stunning viewing point and Hualapai Ranch which was a cool little Wild Wild West town. We were also supposed to visit the Skywalk but it was closed because someone had fallen off the edge (where there were no railings) into the Canyon! Madness! Apparently, this happens quite often – people take selfies with their back to the edge all the time and just slip. Needless to say, I certainly stayed far away from the edge!
Though it was a long day/journey, it was a really great day. I feel incredibly lucky to have visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World (actually my second, remembering my visit to the Mayan Ruins in Mexico!). Tonight we took a slow walk along the strip, exploring the casinos and the like. I put on my first bet in Vegas (I lost, of course). Then I later won $10 on a roulette machine but bet it and lost it again, haha. I also finally got to try In N Out Burger (well worth the wait!) and we also watched some fountain shows.
Day Two: The Las Vegas Strip, Zac Bagans’ Haunted Museum, Strip Show and the Chainsmokers
Today we woke up early and got an Uber to the very start of the Las Vegas strip. We had to visit the iconic Las Vegas sign! It was the best way to start our day. We walked along the strip, where we dipped in and out of places we wanted to see. We checked out all sorts. My favourite was the mini Venice inside The Venetian (thanks to the I Heart Series for telling me about this!). This was honestly stunning and had actual gondola boats inside a casino. Crazy. We also walked around the mini New York and found a New York-themed street (with cobblestones, cafes and full-on New York backdrops INSIDE a casino). The casinos in Vegas are CRAZY.
We of course had a buffet at Caesars Palace (you can’t go to Vegas and not have a buffet!) and made evening plans. After filling ourselves up to the brim, Briony headed back to the hotel whilst I grabbed an Uber over to Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum. It was beyond creepy. But I’d totally recommend it, especially if you’re a fan of his show or a believer in the paranormal.
After my very weird visit to the museum, I met Briony back at the hotel for pre-drinks and to get ready for our final night in Vegas. We headed back out for my first ever strip show which was eye-opening but a lot of fun! I’m not really one for buff/muscly guys so I never really understood the point of them. But it was really fun.
We then somehow managed to get guestlist to see The Chainsmokers! I actually like The Chainsmokers a lot more than I’m willing to let on, so I was really looking forward to it. When we arrived, the club (inside the casino of course) was massive and boy were drinks expensive. Technically we were in the casino’s gardens, then had to line up to get in the actual club. Briony didn’t think we’d ever get in so she went home. But I was determined and within 45 minutes or so we got inside the club just as they came on stage.
Then there was a bouncer stopping anyone else getting on the dancefloor, but I was still very determined so as soon as he turned in the other direction I was in! Within a couple of hours I was at the front and having a great time. The band alternated between DJing and playing some of their biggest hits. There was lots of gold confetti going off and free shots being handed out. It was super fun, especially since seeing them was totally unplanned. I think the best bit was when they tried out some new material which included a remix of Stressed Out by twenty one pilots. It made my night, of course! I stumbled back to the hotel about 4am, covered in streamers and gold foil EVERYWHERE and climbed into bed, ready for our journey to LA the following afternoon.
Vegas was crazy. We did so much and yet I felt there was so much we missed out on – I really wanted to visit the Neon Museum, Cadillac Ranch, the High Roller at the top of the Stratosphere and the Valley of Fire – plus there are some places I’d love to go back to! Vegas is really like no place I’ve ever been before – I now understand why people call it Disney for adults. I will 100% return one day!
Have you ever been to Vegas? Let me know!
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