Las Vegas Strip – filled with people
Last week, my wife and I went to Las Vegas to celebrate her niece’s 21st birthday. Vegas is a town I’ve spent a lot of time in over the years, mostly to attend trade shows like Comdex and CES. But I’ve also done my share of partying there, too.
Papa Smurf
Walking the strip, there was a ton of people, including those dressed up in various costumes. We saw Batman, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, Michael Jackson and this awesome Papa Smurf.
Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip
Of course, a visit to the Hard Rock is always in order. I don’t hold a candle to Dave2 from Blogography for number of visits, but I still consider each location an important stop in my travels.
Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino
One of the newer hotel/casinos on the Strip is the Cosmopolitan. I was very impressed with this place. So elegant inside. Definitely a place I would like to stay at for a few days.
I hit the jackpot
Of course it helped that I won a jackpot on one of their slot machines. It’s wasn’t huge, but for $103 on a 75 cents bet, I was happy that I won for a change. [not to mention major buzzed from lots of drinks]
Blue Martini
After walking the strip, we met up with others for dinner at a local mexican eatery. Then all of us headed to the Blue Martini to REALLY celebrate Tonia turning 21.
The official Blue Martini
The signature martini was blue and glowing. It was a bit sweet, even for this liquor maven. I switched to dirty martinis after just one of these.
Jaide, Tonia’s sister, smiling with drink in hand
This bar was large and actually very spread out. It is located in the Town Square shopping area just off the west end of the Strip. The cover band that played was a bit loud, but we made up for it with our own good time of drinking and chatting together.
My wife and I at Blue Martini
After a few half priced happy hour drinks, we were buzzed and happy.
Tonia doing birthday shot with waitress
Tonia did a birthday shot with the waitress and manager [they actually bought her shot AND did a shot with her… unheard of in Utah] – the shot was a Washington Apple, which is Crown Royal and cranberry juice – Yummy!
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
After drinking, we got a ride back to the Excalibur. This was Tonia’s first time gambling, which was so much fun watching someone play the slots for the first time. My wife, who is an expert at the slot machines, taught her niece how to play.
Tonia putting money into the machine
Being slot instructed by Reba
Pressing the button, placing her bet
“Did I win or lose?”
After a fun night in Vegas, we got up the next morning to head into California to visit LEGOLand. Stay tuned for the next post, which covers my first visit to this LEGO-themed theme park.
Great place for a 21st birthday!!
Yes, it is. Fun, booze and gambling.
Did you know that Blue Martini is a chain? There’s two down here in South Florida. I love their chocolate martinis. Expensive though.
I didn’t know they were a chain, although I kind of assumed they were from their main web site announcing a new location in Bellevue, WA.
Their drinks are pricey, but the happy hour 1/2 price makes them more reasonable.
Haven’t been to Vegas in *years*, I think there are a lot of Casinos that have been built in that time that I haven’t even seen. The first time I went was back in 1996 and I stayed at the Excalibur. At the time it was kinda new and one of the “must sees” on the Strip, how is it holding up these days?
A lot has changed since 1996. The Strip goes through many transformations over the course of time. Today, it’s easier to walk along the strip and go from casino to casino as they have overhead bridges that connect some of them. This reduces the amount of car/pedestrian incidents. The new section from Exclaibur to Caesar’s is all higher end casions like Aria, Vdara and Cosmopolitan. And of course, Bellagio.
Great pictures. I miss Vegas. Haven’t been there in nearly five years now since my brother’s wedding in 2007. I gotta go back.
And I know you haven’t been to a LEGO Store, but now you’ve been to LEGOland so you’re no longer allowed to gripe. I’ve never been to a LEGOland. Hell, I don’t even know where one is.
Actually, I have been to a LEGO store. See the last picture on the post below:
http://www.banalleakage.com/2010/11/19/disneyland-2010/
It’s the only LEGO store I’ve been to (Downtown Disney). I do have a minor gripe (will be in the LEGOland blog post)
HARD ROCK FTW! No matter how many times I go to Vegas, it always seems new. I think that’s why I never get tired of going. 🙂
I still remember your blog post when you first visited the new HRC Strip location. It is awesome.
That looks like a fun trip! What a great 21st birthday!
It was a fun trip for all.