When I Went: March 31-April 3, 2011
Was That the Best Time of Year to Go? It was perfect because it was still hot enough to hang by the pool but without the clamor of spring break vacationers. Because it was sort of an “off” weekend, there weren’t that many tourists either. It was nice walking around and shopping on the Strip.
Why I Went There: My boyfriend’s company sponsored a work summit there. The company secured air/hotel reservations, meal vouchers, and a free Las Vegas show for all employees and their plus-ones. It was a win-win for me.
Who Went With Me? My boyfriend—and nearly 1,000 of his co-workers.
We Stayed Here: Aria Resort and Casino
[mapimage url=”http%3A%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fmaps%2Fapi%2Fstaticmap%3Fsize%3D200x200%26sensor%3Dfalse%26markers%3DLas%2520Vegas%2C%2520Nevada%26zoom%3D9″]You Won’t Want to Miss: Catching a Cirque du Soleil performance is a must. We watched LOVE (about the Beatles), and it was phenomenal. Depending on what dates you go, you can only book certain shows. The last time we went, we saw the Blue Man Group perform, and they were absolutely hilarious. We even took photos with them after the show. Also, make sure to check out the fountains at the Bellagio. Every hour or so, they have a special “water show” set to music. The inside of the hotel is also really cool, decorated differently throughout the year.
Eat Here: Lagasse’s Stadium. If you’re any bit a sports nut, like my boyfriend, this is the place for you. Picture wall-size TV screens with the convenience of having your own private booth area for you and your friends, with comfy couches and great food/service. It’s an experience, to say the least.
Play Here: The Strip is arguably one of the best people-watching locales around. Not many places you can find Darth Vader, Mrs. Claus, and various other characters walking around for tips and pics. As far as “going out” goes, the nightlife here is hard to beat. Club XS is very posh for those who like the see-and-be-seen scene, but really, walking around any casino with an alcoholic drink in hand is a party enough.
If I Went Again: I want to ride the roller coaster at New York, New York!
How Did You Get There From Dallas? We booked our flights through Southwest Airlines, so we flew out of Dallas Love Field. After arriving in Vegas, we took a group shuttle to the hotel. Easy.
Other Tips For Fellow Travelers: It’s fun for anyone, even non-gamblers like me.
