The last leg of our 2016 year-end tour to the West Coast was 3 days in the gorgeous Las Vegas.
We were staying in Bally’s (right in the middle of the world-famous Strip), so most of the hotels and casinos were within walking distance. I was so attracted to the fountains of Bellagio, which were just across the street, that I visited them quite a few times during our stay – don’t miss them!LV has many theme-based resort hotels and casinos, and you can cover almost all of them just by walking. Based on where you are put up on the strip (and I strongly suggest staying where most of the action is), some might feel a bit further away (the length of the strip is 6.8 kilometers or 4.2 miles), so you can take a bus to reach them. There are a few free trams also, but they cover only certain hotels on the west side. Our rental car allowed us to explore with ease…we just had to take our car out once and park at the New York Hotel and Casino, that allowed us access to the furthest end of the strip on the south (Mandalay Bay casino). The North end leads to the Fremont Street, which is a spectacle in itself (we visited it one evening – we parked at the roadside paid slots)!
The entire strip looks quite scenic in the night when the multitude of lights show-off their elegance. However, each hotel has its own charm and should be visited both during the day and night. Some are worth multiple visits too depending on your interests. We spent a lot of time in The Venetian (has Gondola rides in the hotel, much like in Venice), Bellagio’s (stunning year-end celebrations and fountains outside are a sheer delight), and Caesars Palace (based on Roman architecture, and even has life-sized Gods in there). There is no fees to explore any of these hotels from inside, you might have to pay for individual attractions though (e.g. Gondola ride).
The Venetian: Visit to enjoy shopping arcade, gondola rides, food, and stunning venice-themed architecture.Caesars Palace: Visit to enjoy tryst with the roman architecture, fall of atlantis show, and luxury shopping.
Though we were in LV for 3 days, I would suggest keeping a week if you want to explore each resort thoroughly and indulge in some serious shopping too – you can spend as much as you want to as all the luxury brands are present there! Even if you just like long walks, your eyes won’t get tired of admiring the hotels from the outside – day or night!
One last thing we did in Las Vegas was to take the High Roller ride, currently the world’s tallest ferris wheel. More on that in the next post…
You are brave to get up in those extreme machines
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It’s just one trip i’ve had (yet) to Vegas 🙂
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Would love to go there. Now my curiosity has increased 😀
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This is one place my wife is intent on visiting again…normally we don’t go back to any place!
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Amazing!
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Impressive.
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Yes one of those places that has magnetic appeal.. each of the pic is asking me to visit again 🙂 Been some time I have been there but i guess a place like Vegas never goes out of style
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Yes, you said it right! After all, it bills itself as the entertainment capital of the world 🙂
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Sounds like a great way to end the trip. I have to get to the west coast. Not that I have covered the east but the west is more intriguing 🙂
As always, lovely pics Alok!
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I mentioned it in one of my earlier posts that West has much more to do than the East. West provides you every kind of experience…and that too not far off from California.
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After reading your post now I can say that this is an amazing place to go, You are a very good photographer, your pics are awesome
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Happy to hear, Sadhna. Much thanks 😀
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This is such an amazing post, Alok. I would love to visit there someday. Your pictures are so intriguing. I just loved The Venetian.
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Venetian has the best of all entertainment. The Gondola rides are a spectacle in themselves!
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The Venice-themed place looks very nice. It seems like a good idea to go to shopping on a boat! 🙂
Destination Infinity
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You can cover considerable distance via boat in the hotel itself. The only problem is you can’t get on and off at your will (you have to pay at the starting point of boats, and it seems you can only get off at that point).
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Such amazing pictures. 🤗 Would love to go there someday. Till now, my only knowledge about Vegas is from movies and serials and I think of it as a place where everyone gets married. 😂😂
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It is a place full of life, especially in the night. If you love entertainment (as in movies), there is no better place to be than in LV.
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Nicely captured, Alok! I visited the Venetian in Macau. Your post jogged those memories. 🙂
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Happy to know this. Thanks!
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Stunning pics! Thanks for sharing this with us 🙂
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Delighted to know!
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A great and practical guide to Vegas! I have realized that I’m not attracted much to man made structures like hotels and casinos. Having seen Venetian after hearing so much from friends and family, I came to this conclusion. Surely, these buildings are remarkable in their own way. I have been avoiding Dubai trip for this very reason. I will rather prefer to camp at 4000 meter somewhere in Himalayas. Well, each to his own.
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I am not averse to any attraction per se…each has its own charm. Dubai is a paradise as I have heard…I don’t think you would be disappointed with it.
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You are right. Will keep that in mind, Alok.
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Amazing pics. Great to read.
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Thank you.
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Gorgeous pictures as always! The Bellagio fountains look super photogenic and I know why they were your favourite spot to click! 🙂 The Venetian is a great replica of the actual one. The ceilings look so Vatican like my gosh! 🙂
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Yes, the authorities seem to have given it a lot of thought as to come up with realistic themes. Thanks 🙂
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You are right entire strip looks quite scenic and your photographs are proving this. Awesome pictures. I am more attracted to historical monuments or natural places, too much city life is not my kind of thing 🙂
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There are many places around LV that would suit you then. There is just too much entertainment of a different kind in Vegas 😛
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Why doesn’t Vegas look anything like in TV shows. Maybe because they are always inside the casinos. I love the first pic and the last pic. In the first one, is that water body inside a building? I don’t understand. It looks so magical. 😀
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Yes, the real spectacle is inside the casinos, especially at night.
No, the water body is all outside (in a large pool). It is indeed one of the famous attractions in Vegas.
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I’ve been there twice and enjoyed walking the strip both times 🙂 I stayed at the Luxor on one of the trips – such a great experience!
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I can imagine your excitement. We enjoyed a lot, too 🙂
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OMG! Pics are awesome! The place looks outstanding. Will definitely visit Vegas 🙂 Thanks for sharing !
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Thanks, Pooja.
I am sure you would love Vegas, whenever you go!
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You have skillfully photographed the majestic buildings! The nightscapes are indeed exceptional. The last two pictures are my favourite.
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Thank you for your thoughts, Sindhu 🙂
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You will if it is 120 degrees F
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Yes, good point…go with your best judgement then. Anyway, LV is best explored at night.
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That was a lovely account of the LV, Mecca of Entertainment! The pictures are alluring
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Thanks a lot!
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Amazing trip !! Splendid Clicks
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Thank you
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I have a Vegas Trip coming up. I could use these tips, Alok. Thank you.
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I am sure you would love it. Enjoy 😊
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Those who can’t go to Las Vegas can go to Macau near Hong Kong.. similar experience
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God to know…thanks for adding ☺️
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Wonderful!
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Magnificant pics!
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Thanks, Sir.
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Awesome pics, Alok!
The Venetian is a fabulous place & Las Vegas is a must-visit for sure.
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