That Time We Went to Vegas

This was super long ago, but I haven't shared any photos here yet - and there are some real gems - so I've decided to post now. A few months back Kevin had a work conference in Las Vegas and I decided to tag along. I've been to Vegas once before with my family in the 90's. I didn't know it at the time, but we were Midwestern victims of the wiles of the now somewhat defunct Family Vegas campaign. Of course we stayed at the Excalibur, rode every roller coaster on the strip, and spent our money at M&M world. I distinctly remember seeing a poster advertising Michael Jackson's show and remarking, "who is that?" to my parents. In hindsight, WHY DID WE NOT SEE MICHAEL JACKSON!!

While I do have very fond memories of our family trip to Vegas, I was also looking forward to going back as an adult. Because everything's different when you go back as an adult. Both because you get to re-see something you saw as a kid - which makes it feel familiar - but also because it feels new at the same time. Also, this was Kevin's first time visiting Las Vegas, which made it fun.

Here's some things we did, as taken by our phone cameras and organized here in list fashion:

1. Got things started off right with some beers on the plane. And knitting for me of course. Pros of drinking on the plane: your flight goes super fast and it's soooooo fun. Con: the needs of my super small bladder.

2. Relived a childhood memory with the around-the-world tasting tray at Coca-Cola World. So, so, so much sugary syrup. Still a fun little stop.

3. Visited the Neon Museum! Way cool. Highly recommended. Not only do you get to see fabulous retired signage but you also get to learn lots about Vegas history. It's a pretty small place, but they've got some real gems. We went during the day because a nighttime visit wasn't going to work with our schedule, and it was still really cool to see the signs. Here are a few of my favorites:

4. Held true to our travel philosophy of late by seeking out as many diner-style eateries as we could find, preferably ones that are open 24 hours. Vegas had some real winners. First up, Tiffany's Cafe. I have to quote this article from The Guardian, which I found in my diner researching and which pretty much sold me on this place and describes it perfectly, "no amount of hipster irony can prepare you for a place so utterly out of time." No disappointment there! Next up was the Peppermill. After visiting the Neon Museum, this place was like...well...a second Neon Museum. So much neon. The menu is great, too, with lots of classic dishes (think marshmallow salad) and absolutely the most gigantic banana split you've ever seen.

5. Selfies on The Deuce. Alongs with some really great eavesdropping and people watching. Ironically, I tried to take my coffee (in a lidded travel cup mind you) on the bus one morning and the driver turned me away. Really, Vegas?!?! I can guzzle a cocktail on the street but can't take my completely sober self on the bus with a coffee in my hand? This town is backwards. 

6. Me doing lots of this during the day while Kevin was at the conference. The weather was hot but too hot, which was a welcome surprise. 

7. And finally....walking the Strip with my very own pina colada slush in the best leg cup ever. 

Not pictured is our endless wandering through just about every casino on the strip. We didn't end up gambling...not really on purpose, but just because it was a short trip and we were well occupied with other things. The photo booth in the arcade of our hotel, New York New York. Fremont Street. The wasted brunch we had at EAT in downtown Las Vegas (Not that it was bad, but, why did we go to a place that's just like every brunch place in Seattle?? Thanks Sunset magazine). A super fun comedy show at The Laugh Factory that was a lucky pick from a last-minute Groupon purchase. And probably lots of other little things I'm now forgetting....

All in all, a successful first trip to Las Vegas. We'd hit it up again for sure.