Las Vegas
Las Vegas has a reputation for quite a few things: gambling, shopping, dining experiences and more. Also known as the ‘Sin City’, this destination can offer much to any individual looking for a fun activity outside of their hometown. This blog post is about my experience and I hope it encourages you to get out there and have fun too! Want to check out Las Vegas yourself? Check out my Las Vegas Itinerary, enjoy!
I never had a birthday party growing up, it was always a Carvel ice cream cake (my favorite) and a card with $20 in it. For my 16th birthday party, I went to laser tag with my closest friends from high school and we enjoyed ice cream cake at the end of the night. Other than my “sweet 16”, I never had a huge celebration for my birthday. I eventually got used to not doing anything which, looking back now, made me feel my birthday wasn’t worth celebrating.
While driving home from work I realized I didn't want a simple celebration anymore. I wanted to celebrate myself and have a great time doing so. The idea of Las Vegas came to mind when I caught a glimpse of the MGM in Oxon Hill on my way home, and figured a casino night would be a great way to start. Looking back now, this simple idea turned out to be a catalyst for prioritizing my happiness and traveling aspirations.
This was my 24th birthday and I was getting ready to embark on my first flight with my then boyfriend, Gabriel, who happily tagged along. After planning, securing rooms and submitting PTO, we were packing up for our trip to Las Vegas that flew out of Reagan National Airport (DCA) at 6:15am! I never spent a birthday away from my family and my emotions were going crazy. I initially got nervous, but in the end, it was the experience I needed to grow into the best version of myself.
Preparing ourselves for this journey aided in me believing I found the one, especially en-route to Vegas. We were both outside our comfort zones, traveling to unknown territory that we’re eagerly ready to explore, and this was our first time traveling with no family. I can say, this experience was a great test in figuring out if this is the person you want to spend time AND money with. There’s a new foundation of trust that develops as you all travel together. You’re both vulnerable to new experiences and want to make sure both yourself and your partner are safe.
We stayed at the newly constructed Circa Resort and Casino: an adults-only hotel with the largest sportsbook experience to offer. To do things big, we stayed in the single-king strip view, offering a breathtaking view of Mount Charlestown worth every penny. This hotel had friendly staff, an amazing casino located downstairs, a roof-top pool that has frequent day parties, along with restaurants that you can order through room service,
This was the first time we traveled and jumped time zones with Vegas being three hours behind DC. Our bodies 100% crashed once we got settled. At least within an hour of being in the hotel, we happily agreed the bedding was amazing. I always recommend before getting comfortable to spray down your bed, pillows, and anything else you plan on touching or utilizing with Lysol or any other disinfecting spray to ensure you’re safe of any lingering germs.
To kick things off the first night, we walked right outside the hotel to Fremont Street which was conveniently located through the casino. Fremont Street is a 0.8mi LED-illuminated strip offering amazing affordable food, shops, and in and out access to local hotels and their casino experiences. If you’re looking to enjoy Vegas without spending a pretty penny and still want quality food at a reasonable price, Fremont Street is the place to be!
Las Vegas is a commuter-friendly city that has wide roads and simple intersections (I’m looking at you DC). We rented a Slingshot using the Turo app to get us to our destinations outside the city. This was such a super fun car to rent out and is very popular in Las Vegas due to the weather permitting sunshine 24/7! I will say, be prepared for all of the wind blowing through your hair because it is open top with no means of sacrificing your beautiful up-do for the day.
Our favorite destination that we drove to on the Slingshot was Seven Magic Mountains, located about 25 minutes from Fremont Street. This free outdoor art exhibit located in the Ivanpah Valley is a perfect excursion if you’re looking to do something outside of Las Vegas. It offering a chance to take fun photos, forget about the time, and enjoy your surroundings. This location is out in the desert, so be sure if you do visit this spot that you’re wearing breathable clothing and shoes you don’t mind being covered in dust.
Our next stop was Area 15, an immersive entertaining space that brings out your inner child under black lighting fixtures. It’s a sensory overload that allows you to escape time and have fun enjoying the attractions. While some attractions are free, I highly recommend checking out Omega Mart (ADD LINK) where tickets have to be purchased. This attraction is great for groups and duos looking to have a mind-bending experience exploring hidden doors, crawling through spaces, and unlocking your inner adventure. This grocery store themed attraction truly made us feel like detectives trying to uncover every nook and cranny that may lead to another adventure.
My favorite moment from this trip was how alive we felt driving our Slingshot on the Vegas Strip as we rode past places like Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Palace, and the Venetian Hotel. This open top experience made you feel like you were right in the action of it all, not missing a beat of what Vegas has to offer. Fremont street is very relaxed, having a local outlet nearby if you’re looking to do some shopping, whereas the Vegas Strip was a great place to window shop and experience walking around high end stores.
Soaring 550 ft above the Vegas Strip, this trip became even more meaningful when my now husband Gabriel proposed to me at the High Roller Wheel at The Linq. When we reached the apex of our ascent into the sky, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever woman. I happily said “YES!”, and that made Las Vegas officially a place we’ll love forever. Looking back, there were no signs alluding to him popping the question but, this was the one time he held on to a secret considering he’s (unfortunately) the last person you’ll tell a secret to. We skipped away, running high on love and adrenaline, and downed tacos with our Fat Daddy Baja Blast drinks at the largest Taco Bell Las Vegas has to offer: Taco Bell Cantina.
Las Vegas has a plethora of options for anyone looking for an adventure. It is suitable for any background and output of life, awakening even the most introverted individuals. So take some time for yourself and enjoy your next adventure!
Sincerely,
-Positively, The Harpers 