Monday, December 22, 2008

Las Vegas - Final Full Day

Wednesday, December 10
On our final full day in Vegas (see days 1-3 below), we decided to walk the strip and see what kind of free entertainment we could find. We started out by going south, to the New York, New York hotel. This is where we originally had planned to stay, so we wanted to check it out and see if we were missing anything. But really, once you get inside a casino, they are all pretty much the same! They do have the roller coaster that winds around the casino, but it was closed for maintenance, so we didn't get to do that. Instead we spent a few dollars on some slots. Not much luck in NY NY!

NY NY's Brooklyn Bridge

Steve in front of NYNY Hotel

We then crossed the street to the MGM Grand, to see the lion habitat. We got there just in time to see 2 lions and their trainers come out to play. They are such beautiful creatures!
After the MGM, we made our way back to our hotel, for lunch. We also did some shopping in the Miracle Mile Shops, which are attached to our hotel.

(view inside the Miracle Mile shops. The hotel used to be the Aladdin, so that's what the theme of the shopping area is like.)

That afternoon, we headed to the north, on our way to Treasure Island to watch the pirate show. Unfortunately, once we got there, we found that the show was closed for maintenance (a common trend in Vegas during the month of December). So, again, we fed our money into a few slots instead, and left the TI with less than we went in with!

On to the Mirage to see the volcano. THIS attraction, fortunately, was not closed, and was an awesome display! We could feel the heat of the volcano from where we stood.



(some views from the strip)

After the volcano, we meandered along the strip, stopping at Cesar's fancy Forum Shops, and then the Bellagio shops, where I got to visit my first Tiffany's store. Even though I didn't leave with a little blue box, it was fun to dream as I looked at diamonds, silver and gemstones in all of the beautifully lit cabinets. After Tiffany's, we continued to make our way through the Bellagio to the Conservatory. They had a beautiful Christmas display, which was made up of all natural elements (kind of like the Rose Bowl floats).


(This is the ceiling in the Bellagio lobby - made completely of blown glass. Stunning!)

After viewing the fountains again outside the Bellagio, we made our way back to the Miracle Mile shops for dinner, and then retreated to our room (after spending my last $10 on a slot machine!)


(This isn't the slot machine I'm talking about...but it's the first one I tried & won $15 on my first pull!)

Overall, it was an excellent trip! We can't wait to make our way back to Vegas and the NFR soon!

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