The Strip

There are so many hotels and things to see, The Strip can begin to run together in your mind if you try to take it all in too quickly.  The walkways, streets, and sidewalks are crowded and ooze a frenzied energy night and day.  Don’t try to rush or to fit everything into one short trip.  Pick a couple of places you really want to see and a few activities you really want to do and concentrate on those.  Be sure to take time to stop and enjoy the water and music show at The Bellagio (shown in photo).  It is quite beautiful and worth stopping for the less than five minutes of water dancing to a song.  We saw a water show to Elton John’s “Your Song” as well as a couple of Sinatra songs.  Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk much, and most likely you will even if you don’t plan on it.  There is always something to do or see on The Strip, so choose something and enjoy it.  Otherwise, you run the risk of your memories being as fuzzy and frenzied as The Strip itself.

Gondola Ride at the Venetian Hotel

Though I don’t think anyone would be fooled they’re in Venice, the gondola ride was fun.  We opted for the indoor ride as the air was fairly cool.  With the amount of walking (wear comfortable shoes and pace yourself) we did on The Strip, the gondola ride served as a relaxing break in the day.  The gondolier entertained us (and the unknown couple with whom we shared the ride) with songs and conversation as he steered us through shallow water between oodles of shops.  Afterwards, we bought one of the novelty photos taken as we rode in the gondola.

Bradley Ogden in Caesar's Palace

Bradley Ogden’s décor will tempt your indulgent side.  Service walks a thin line between perfect and intrusive.  The restaurant prides itself on using fresh ingredients.  The halibut and red snapper dishes my husband and I ordered were tasty but not exactly outstanding.  Bradley Ogden’s atmosphere is fairly opulent and the prices certainly reflect that opulence.

Oyster Bay Seafood in Desert Passage

Salads and seafood for lunch on the thatched patio with a view of the tromp de loi sky and the exterior of buildings was quite tasty.  The atmosphere and service were relaxing and unhurried.  The staff was attentive without being intrusive.  Lunch prices were fairly reasonable but not inexpensive.

Moongate in the Mirage

An elegant Chinese restaurant located inside The Mirage, Moongate’s food is even better than its beautiful décor.  The staff was friendly and efficient providing a very enjoyable dining experience  (An online search shows Moongate is now closed.)

Habib's Persian Cuisine

Habib’s is well off the Strip but worth taking the time to find.  The service was excellent.  The hot tea was so delicious we requested the recipe. (The two teas used to create the blend are sold in the owner’s adjacent store.)  The food was delicious.  We would return to this restaurant on a subsequent visit to Las Vegas.

Gaylord India in The Rio

My husband and I ordered one of Gaylord India’s sampler dishes.  The friendly staff served the delicious meal in several courses.  While our waitress was willing to share more about her life than many would want to hear, we weren’t bothered by her sharing her story.  The food, staff, reasonable prices, and cozy atmosphere make Gaylord India a must try for anyone who enjoys Indian food.

The Plaza Hotel

We began our visit to Las Vegas with a stay at The Plaza at the top of what is sometimes called “Old Vegas”.  The hotel certainly reflected it’s age but provided adequate accommodation provided one wasn’t looking for anything more.  It’s a bus or taxi ride from the modern area known at The Strip.

Hoover Dam

Well worth the drive from Las Vegas, Hoover Dam created one of our more enjoyable days.  The guided tour of the dam is interesting, informative, and, at times, quite beautiful.  The drive through Lake Mead National Recreation Area is relaxing and beautiful.  Crossing the dam which takes you from Nevada to Arizona is a “must do”.  The views from the dam are exquisite.  In order to see the multitude of views of and from the dam requires a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes!

MonteLago Village Resort

MonteLago Village Resort in Henderson, Nevada provided a quiet respite from the din of the Strip.  Our room was clean and spacious.  The staff was friendly.  The Village provided a nice area to take a walk, a lake with activities for the whole family, and a few restaurants.  The morning we breakfasted on the resort, a musician played lived music.  Our stay at the MonteLago was so comfortable we would stay there again.