How to do Vegas in 72 hours
/Let’s start out with a bit of honesty shall we. Vegas has always been on my bucket list, not because I’m super into anything that it has to offer, but mainly because it’s VEGAS and everyone should see it at some point in their life. But to my surprise, I LOVED Vegas! So so much and I really do believe like LA, it’s a place that I could visit regularly and not get tired of. The west coast lifestyle is always so different from the east coast and I think it’s a sweet escape to visit Vegas every once in awhile.
(After you read if you want to see the vlog of this trip click this link)
As for most of my travel tips, I’m going to break this trip down by budget, activities and nightlife. So if you’re looking to visit Vegas for an extended weekend then this is the post for you!
Budget
Before I get to the pricing I do want to mention that the itineraries I put together for trips are just guidelines to help keep everything organized. WE didn’t get to everything on the list but we did see mostly everything.
You know those calls that you get from hotel companies, they’re usually not at the best time and unbearably persistent. Well I don’t know what came over me the day they called but I decided “hey, why not just listen and see what they have to offer.” Through Hilton Honors I was offered the option of staying at a few places, but when the lady mentioned Vegas I was all ears. The price of our room was a steal (less than $200 for 3 nights total), and the only catch is I had to sit through a timeshare-like presentation.
My flight from Newark was roughly under $300 bringing my total lodging + flight to around $500! Tip: When looking for flights try to book on a Tuesday and definitely try to purchase your ticket at least a month in advance to get the best price.
Where to Stay/How to get around
Although I got a great deal through Hilton I would recommend staying closer to the central part of the strip. It’s easier to walk places and also just where all the action is. A few hotel options:
The Elara
The Luxor
The LINQ
Lyft//Uber, again if you’re closer to the strip walking is definitely the best option if the weather permits. The next best option is Lyft or Uber. For our weekend Lyft was cheaper (averaging $4-$8 per ride). Also there’s a $10 that will take you from the airport to the strip hotels. If you’re traveling to the hotel alone this is the cheapest option and probably the more safer option late at night.
Where to eat
Brunch @ the wynn
I’m not gambler, I barely spent $10 on the slots, but we did spend a good deal of our money on food and activities. Vegas is secretly known for having some of the best food spots in the nation, for my next visit I’ll definitely do a little bit more research so I can get the full scope. For this trip we ate at:
Terrace Point Cafe at the Wynn — a cute, stylish brunch cafe overlooking a stunning pool. The menu was priced reasonably minus the drinks, and the food was delicious.
Tao — if you’ve been to Tao on the east coast its the same on the west coast. We dined here for our “fancy” dinner which gave us a good excuse to dress up.
In-Out Burger — a must try! This is my second time having it and it hit the spot. Fast food but with quality.
Yardbird — another great brunch spot that was highly recommended and didn’t disappoint. Definitely be sure to try the chicken and waffles + Mac and cheese.
Grand Lux
What to do/see
SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS
I need a healthy balance of rest but activity on my trips. Unless I’m on an island I don’t believe in just wasting the day sitting around. And trust me, while Vegas is known for the casinos, it should equally be known for its beauty! MUST SEE/EXPERIENCE WHEN IN VEGAS:
The Seven Magic Mountains — a 30 minute uber drive but well worth it. These beautiful rocks are in the middle of the desert. A little taste of the mountains and canyon without the long drive. (our next visit we will definitely be tackling the grand canyon)
The High Roller ($30 regular, $40 open bar)
The Neon Museum
The Fremont Experience — The Golden Nugget starting point and if you’re feeling adventurous you can zip line down the street. (There are also some great bars/lounges that few locals mentioned to us, one in particular Gold Spike)
Wynn Hotel
The Venetian — the gondola rides ($29 for 15 minutes) we didn't do the rides, which I’m completely okay with because I’ve been to Venice, but I would still suggest doing this on your Vegas trip. The water is definitely bluer than it is in Venice and it is a cute activity
The Paris hotel — there’s a wall of roses that you have to cut a photo in front of
The Cosmopolitan — just everything, definitely think we will be staying at this hotel next trip
The Bellagio — especially the conservatory which changes regularly, it’s beautiful to see I just wasn’t the biggest fan of the year of the RAT
Caesar’s Palace — the shops are also great to visit
The Volcano Show at the Mirage
The foundation show at the Bellagio (we just missed the show, that runs every other half hour but definitely see this!)
Where to Party
AFTER HOURS @DRAIS
I don’t go out much when I’m home but I vowed to always experience the nightlife of the city I’m in. Vegas was no exception. If you’re going to Vegas I highly recommend that you get on a guest list for the night activities. Candace (my best) reached out to @marcievegas on Instagram which got us on the guest list for free entry. Just be sure to mention that @candacenotcandy sent you!
The first night we visited the Chateau at the Paris. It’s a rooftop lounge inside the Eiffel Tower. My only advice is to check the DJ who is on for the night. While the view and vibe was cool, his song selections weren’t always that great!
Our last night we visit Drais, the well known nightclub of Vegas. It was cool to see especially because it was overlooking all of Vegas, but the real show stopper for me was Drais after hours that opened up at 2:30am and closed at sunrise. If I had to pick one place out of the three to visit it would definitely be After hours. A few other places that we didn’t get to visit but heard great things about was the Marquee at Cosmo and the Gold Spike (again) on Fremont St.
Happy travels,
