The first time I went to Vegas was for Team USA training. I was only 17 years old so I could do a whole lot of nothin'. The second time was a last minute switch in layover locations on our way home from visiting my brother, JC, in Kansas. I had just gotten laid off so obviously a couple days in Vegas was a great idea. This time we went for JC’s birthday.
One of the highlights was definitely The Sphere. Prior to entering the actual theater, there were AI robots that you could chat with and ask questions. She even complimented my sparkly shoes. The show itself was incredible—the video quality was so clear, and the screen was massive. It almost felt like I was being transported to another world. It’s hard to describe, but I’d recommend it to anyone heading to Vegas. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss.
We also caught Cirque du Soleil’s “O” on our first night. Now, keep in mind, our flight left Indianapolis at 6 AM, so by the time the show started at 9 PM Vegas time, we were running on fumes. Despite the exhaustion and the freezing theater (seriously, why is everywhere so cold in Vegas? I know it's hot outside, but sheesh), “O” kept us mesmerized. The way they transformed the stage from a solid surface into a deep pool of water was mind-blowing. Even though we were tired, the show was worth every minute.
This time around, we stayed at The Venetian, which was perfect since we’re planning a trip to Italy next year. The hotel really goes all out with its theme—there are gondolas floating through the hotel, and the ceilings are covered in beautiful artwork. It was a great way to get excited about our upcoming trip. I think next time, though, I might try the Flamingo. Their pool looked amazing from the High Roller, and I wouldn’t mind spending a day there.
When it came to food, we had some great meals lined up. Our first big dinner was at Lago in the Bellagio, where we had a front-row seat to the Bellagio fountains. The food was delicious, but the real highlight for me was the wine. Dad ordered a bottle for the table, and I didn't realize it was a 2019 Jordan—perfect, since Jordan couldn’t join us on this trip. 2019 was also the year we started dating. It was a little moment of kismet that made me smile.
For JC’s birthday dinner, we thought we had reservations at Hell’s Kitchen, but it turned out to be a different Gordon Ramsay spot inside Caesar’s Palace—a bar and pub, not the actual Hell’s Kitchen. The food was still good, but definitely on the pricey side. But hey, that’s Vegas for you.
One thing that is nice about Vegas is its accessibility. We didn't even have to rent a van or pre-order a special vehicle for transportation. It was as simple as heading to the taxi stand and requesting a wheelchair-accessible cab. It took a little while, but the guy there said it usually doesn’t take that long. We got the driver’s number so we could text him directly for our return trip, which made things much easier.
You can't go to Vegas without playing some slots. I’m definitely not usually one to get hooked on slots, but I found myself really getting into the Deal or No Deal game. It was just like the TV show, and twice I picked the highest briefcase but ended up taking deals early. The anxiety was so real, and this was just for $200—I can’t imagine how the contestants on the show felt playing for a million dollars. In the end, I only came home with $20, but I had fun, so I’m not mad about it.
Overall, Vegas was a great time, and it was even better to share it with family. There’s so much to see and do that I know I’ll never get through it all, but that just means there’s always a reason to go back. Until next time, Vegas!
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