More than 35 million visitors flock to the gambling metropolis of Las Vegas every year. But this city is not just about gambling; a multitude of attractions, world-famous shows, and sporting events make Las Vegas an unforgettable vacation destination.
Shopping at the Las Vegas Outlet Center
Since we left Los Angeles quite late, we only had a little time left in Las Vegas. We stopped at the Las Vegas Outlet Center to pick up a few things. A few shops later, and several dollars poorer, we made our way to the hotel.
Las Vegas: Luxor Hotel and Casino
I got a £50 voucher (no minimum spend required) from an English online travel agency. With it, I booked us a room at the Luxor Hotel and Casino for the equivalent of €4. What a bargain! Our room was on the first floor of the pyramid, which meant we had a slanted exterior wall with a window. As is typical in Vegas, you inevitably have to walk through the casino to get anywhere you want to go.
Are you still looking for a suitable hotel in Las Vegas?
You can find a hotel to suit your budget via various online travel agencies such as Agoda, Booking.com, ebookers.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, lastminute.com, otel.com or Venere.com.
Las Vegas Boulevard and Fountains of Bellagio
We left the hotel and walked north along Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the "Strip." Even on my second visit, the many neon signs and grandiose buildings are still very impressive. The water shows (Fountains of Bellagio) at the Bellagio Hotel are always a treat. The fountains shoot up to 75 meters high in time with the music, or they can move to create "dancing" jets of water. The shows take place several times an hour daily between 3 p.m. and midnight.
Las Vegas: $5 Blackjack at Casino “New York, New York”
Naturally, after our success in Macau, we wanted to try our luck at blackjack. We found four tables at the "New York, New York" casino with a minimum bet of just $5 per game. Without going into further detail – it could have gone better.
Breakfast at IHOP
Since breakfast wasn't included at this hotel, we went to an IHOP restaurant the next morning. As the name – International House of Pancakes – suggests, they serve a typical American breakfast specialty: pancakes. The menu offers a variety of ways to enjoy them, including with fruit. I opted for a New York cheesecake pancake with strawberries and whipped cream. It was delicious, but the portion was too big to finish.
Hoover Dam
With full stomachs, we left Las Vegas heading south. About 40 miles outside the city lies the Hoover Dam. This 180-meter-high structure dams the Colorado River to create Lake Mead and separates the states of Nevada and Arizona.
To alleviate the traffic bottleneck, a bridge was built in recent years as a bypass for US 93. From this bridge, we had a great view of the dam.
