A to Z with Zachary E
Viva Las Vegas
There were 3 primary factors that led to the planning of this trip:
1) cancelling my last trip to Las Vegas back in 2022
2) my search for a traveling companion to join me in my adventures
3) my hospitalization during the summer of 2024...
all of these things made me realize how badly I wished to be back out there adventuring, traveling the world. So, I invited my friend Rose to join me for a few days exploring Las Vegas and these are our adventures:
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
First item on my agenda was to make sure we got some photos with this famous sign, I'd seen it before on previous visits, but never taken the time to go over and pose with it. So, that was our very first stop on this adventure.
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Ironically, the first time I stayed in Vegas was at Mandalay Bay Resort, but I never visited the Shark Reef Aquarium, so that was the second item on the itinerary for our first day of our adventure. The aquarium was a lot of fun, we particularly enjoyed getting to touch stingrays and the included VR experience.
Madame Tussaud's Las Vegas
I enjoy visiting all the Madame Tussaud's locations, but this time was particularly fun, watching Rose see the insanely detailed wax figures for the first time. Even after all this time, I was unnerved by a few of them.
Shoppes at the Grand Canal
One of the heavy hitters on my list, I'd heard the shops here were phenomenal, as well as the indoor canal and the ceiling painted to look like the sky. It didn't disappoint! A delightful surprise were the art galleries with their high dollar art, I got to see a few Jim Carrey originals. Of course, no photography in the galleries.
Outdoor Gondola Ride at The Venetian
I'd always been curious about the gondola rides, but it was one of those things that I didn't want to do by myself, so I was glad that Rose and I got to experience it together. I bought one of the souvenir photos because I didn't take many.
STRAT Observation Deck
Without a doubt, one of my favorite places in the world, the observation deck here stands taller than many of the similar structures around the world. We made sure to go up at least once a day during our stay. Hotel guests get a discount.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor
As soon as I heard that there was a Titanic exhibit in Las Vegas, I knew I had to see it, I've been obsessed with the Titanic since I won a Titanic book in a drawing at my childhood summer reading program. It was incredible to walk through the recreations of the ship, to see the artifacts and the souvenir photos were a hoot as well.
Museum of Illusions
Something I'd discovered in Facebook reels while planning the trip, the Museum of Illusions was just as much fun as advertised, maybe even more so! I particularly liked the room where Rose looked bigger than me because we weren't that far apart!
High Roller
If it isn't obvious by now, I really enjoy finding the highest points in a city and looking down at everything. The High Roller wasn't operational on previous visits, so it was an exciting new experience for me. It moved slowly enough to really enjoy.
Paris Las Vegas
I had wanted to check out the view from the Eiffel Tower observation deck as well, but unfortunately the high winds caused it to be closed for the day. We still really enjoyed seeing it from ground level and look forward to seeing the original.
Immersive Van Gogh
Having seen the travelling version of Immersive Van Gogh a couple years ago, when I remembered that the original was right there in Vegas, I jumped at the chance to see it again and for Rose to experience it too. We really enjoyed it!
The Shops at Crystals
There were a lot of shopping malls on my list of things to check out, but I managed to find another one in my quest to see the Immersive Van Gogh again. This mall was very sleek and cool, with cool decorations and fancy shops complete with a number of security guards looming about.
Taco Bell Cantina
Another discovery from Facebook reels, the Taco Bell Cantina sports boozy twists on your favorite Taco Bell beverages (Baja Blast in my case) and delicious Taco Bell food, some of it exclusive, that is somehow better than back home.
Fountains of Bellagio
With the preparations for the upcoming Formula One races in full swing, the view of the fountains is largely obstructed, but we were able to view a show from the side and from across the street on the rooftop at Ole Red.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden
Another stop that came highly recommended from the internet, the Bellagio's decorations of their botanical garden were absolutely charming and whimsical.
Ole Red Las Vegas
Another one I had found in a Facebook reel, Blake Shelton's country bar right in the middle of the Vegas Strip, is several stories tall and sports amazing rooftop views of the Strip. We asked for Table 777, which has the best views from the roof, and were told it was open, but when we got off the elevator upstairs they informed us they had just seated someone there. Fortunately, they had other fantastic tables and offered to take our picture at 777 just before we left.
Koolsville Tattoo
The final stop on my itinerary was Koolsville Tattoo for their famous $10 tattoos, I got an airplane and Rose got a storm cloud. The artists were really cool and I'm glad we made it before they closed.