Nevada: Las Vegas, Gambling and Lights

Capital: Carson City

Largest City: Las Vegas

Population: 3.1 Million

Admitted: 1864

Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps (not just New York City earns that nickname), is a popular U.S. travel destination that I was eager to visit. It's full of lights, gambling, nightlife and sin! Nevada also has more than Las Vegas, especially for the less sinful traveler.

First Time: Getting My First Taste of Vegas

I first went to Las Vegas in April of 2021. The country was still recovering from Covid-19. We ate at the famous restaurant, Heart Attack Grill (a very fitting name for the unhealthy food they offer). Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were placed in hospital gowns. Outside of the restaurant, they have a scale. If you weigh at least 350 pounds, you get to enjoy your meal for free! If you do not finish your food, you get spanked. My husband and I, luckily, were good and finished our full plates of food. We also saw the Las Vegas sign. It had a crowd of people in front of it and was much smaller than I thought.

Second Trip: The Full Vegas Experience.

I returned to Las Vegas in November of 2021. I felt like I did not get the true experience the first time. Rather than spending a couple hours, we spent a couple days. We stayed at The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip. The Mirage had a volcano outside of it. Since I stayed at this hotel, it has since closed. The city is overpriced, but we still picked a few experiences worth trying:

• minus5 ice bar, a unique (and very cold) experience in a bar that is 23 degrees Fahrenheit or -5 degrees Celsius, featuring ice sculptures

• Madame Tussauds (the first and only one we have visited)

• Titanic exhibit at the Luxor Hotel & Casino, featuring the largest piece ever removed from the Titanic

• The singing Fountains of Bellagio

• Seeing the Cirque du Soleil show "O"

• 

"It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside..." sang the fountains

Many people visiting Las Vegas go to gamble. Being more on the frugal side, I have never been into gambling, but I figured I should try it out. The casino at The Mirage was overwhelming. I did not know whether to join a card game or play on one of the lit up, loud machines. I opted for something easy, beginner friendly... or so, I thought... I put $5.00 into one of the machines. I pulled the lever, had no idea what was going on and lost the full $5.00. Needless to say, I quit my gambling addiction before it even began.

As always, I must talk about the food. We tried Bacchanal Buffet for the buffet experience. It had a lot of variety, but it tasted like buffet food and I still contemplate whether it was worth the price. We also went to not one, but two Gordon Ramsey restaurants. I'm a big fan of Gordon Ramsey, so it was a must. Hell's Kitchen required reservations in advance, but we were able to snag a few seats at the bar without a reservation. The restaurant featured elements on the show including red and blue kitchens, and the menu included dishes like risotto, beef wellington and scallops.

Outside of Las Vegas

Las Vegas, the biggest city in Nevada, is essential to experience for anyone who enjoys traveling around the United States even if you're not into gambling. Outside of Las Vegas, there are other experiences to do. The Hoover Dam is on the border of Arizona and Nevada. Valley of Fire State Park has a unique landscape, hiking opportunities, and bighorn sheep. Both are located not too far outside of Las Vegas.

Nevada is a state I want to see more of. Great Basin National Park is in the northern part of the state. It is also one of the darkest spots in the whole country (surprising being close to the "city of lights"). They also have over 600 ghost towns!