"A tourists view of Las Vegas" Top 5 Page for this destination Las Vegas by goingsolo


Las Vegas Travel Guide: 9,802 reviews and 16,221 photos

Las Vegas - Las Vegas
Las Vegas

This was my first trip to Vegas. Since I don't gamble, I'd never taken the time to visit. But after doing some research, I decided there was so much to see and do that I just had to check it out.

Walking through the Bellagio lobby on the Monday afternoon of my arrival, I kept thinking of the song "People are strange" by The Doors. I'd heard words such as "wackos" and "characters" used to describe the tourist population of Vegas. Being from Miami where everyone is strange, I figured it wouldn't throw me. It did. Surrounded by glassy eyed gamblers, I noticed that everone looked glazed, doing the Vegas shuffle from one gaming table to the next. The slow moving tourist parade ambled and waddled along, pausing, staring, photographing, and in general just standing in the way Maybe it was the result of an all night gambling binge, or drinking binge, or both, or simply the product of too many buffets, but for one of the few times in my solo traveling life, I was afraid.

I was supposed to take this trip alone and for the first time in my solo traveling career, I was starting to regret that. Fortunately, through some contacts, I had people out here to show me around. But, as it turns out, this is a real friendly city. Everyone caters to tourists here and even those who were on vacation were quite nice.

I had just 4 days and nights to explore and try to see everything, It was impossible to do, but I think I sampled a good bit of the restaurants, nightlife, shows and tourist attractions. I spent too much and ate to excess. The Vegas hot, hot hot sun burned my skin and melted my plastic jelly sandals. And I did manage to throw all of my quarters into the video poker machines. But the lights and sounds and the general Vegas vibe captured me more than any American city has been able to do.

A tourists view of Las Vegas - Las Vegas

Trip number 2 brought me to Vegas in much cooler weather. I had the chance to get away from Sin City and explore the recreational areas of Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston and Valley of the Fire State Park. It also gave me a chance to consume more buffet meals, watch some shows and lose a bit more at video poker. I'm in the process of updating this page so feel free to check back.

In the meantime, I'll try to offer as much information as possible while giving the single female non-gambler's perspective on Sin City.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:There's nothing like it anywhere in the world.
  • Cons:Money goes quickly and not just in the video poker machines
  • In a nutshell:I love this town!
  • Last visit to Las Vegas: Dec 2004
  • Intro Updated Dec 5, 2004
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Comments (48)

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  • donta2_99 Apr 1, 2009 at 6:43 PM Report Abuse

    Thanks for the tips and information. Helps to learn from those who have been there and done that.

  • deebum25's Profile Photo
    deebum25 Dec 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM Report Abuse

    Great job! The husband and I are not planning on taking our usual Europe trip this year due to the economy and now you've got us Vegas bound! Wonderful tips and very well written. A pleasure to read.

  • Lhenne1's Profile Photo
    Lhenne1 Jun 10, 2008 at 3:03 PM Report Abuse

    You saw a lot in only 4 days! Thanks for the tips and great pictures :)

  • royalempress's Profile Photo
    royalempress Jun 1, 2008 at 12:07 PM Report Abuse

    Great Tips, Thanks

  • lovies Jan 28, 2008 at 11:31 AM Report Abuse

    Drai's isnt a hangout for strippers &men hoping to meet them! its for lovers of house music, the best DJ's,MAGIC! No trendy dummies. We go to Vegas JUST to go to Drai's. It's an icon of Vegas nightlife, my favorite place.

  • paxtonsue's Profile Photo
    paxtonsue Nov 24, 2007 at 8:25 AM Report Abuse

    My comment was about the Paris Buffet. I would never go to Vegas without making a visit to this buffet. I go at late breakfast time and eat through lunch.It's like a dining trip to France.

  • tommyg_stlouis's Profile Photo
    tommyg_stlouis Apr 20, 2007 at 9:37 PM Report Abuse

    Downtown is actually a mile or two from the Stratosphere, which is considered by most to be the North end of the Strip.

  • MaheshSamtani's Profile Photo
    MaheshSamtani Feb 18, 2007 at 3:21 AM Report Abuse

    Great pages and pictures. I specially liked your Las Vegas pages and tips. All the best Mahesh

  • volopolo Oct 15, 2006 at 7:29 PM Report Abuse

    Wonderfull pic of Las Vegas!

  • ukchick's Profile Photo
    ukchick Oct 8, 2006 at 12:23 PM Report Abuse

    I love your tips- youwrite really fluently. We may be hitting Vegas next year so I'll definitely be taking your advice!

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