4.5 rating based on 1 rating Viva Las Vegas! What else can you say about the city that never sleeps — dazzling lights, nonstop excitement, and something new around every corner!
Wednesday, October 15
The adventure kicked off bright and early with a 7 a.m. flight. The trip was smooth sailing, and it was amazing to watch the scenery change from lush green fields to the endless stretch of golden desert below. We touched down in Vegas around 10:30 a.m. local time — let the fun begin!
After meeting up with a cousin from New York, we grabbed an Uber and made our way to Harrah’s, our home base for the next few days. We dropped off our bags and wasted no time heading to the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Window shopping there felt like stepping into another world — luxury stores, sparkling displays, and people from all over the globe taking it all in.
Dinner hit the spot, and with full stomachs and high spirits, we made our way to the Linq Plaza for the Big Bus Night Tour. What an experience! Cruising the Las Vegas Strip, watching the city come alive in a sea of neon lights — from the dazzling hotels to the electric energy of Fremont Street — it was pure magic.
By the time we made it back around 9:30 p.m. Vegas time, the East Coast time zone was catching up with us. Exhausted but thrilled, we called it a night — ready to see what Thursday in Las Vegas would bring!
Thursday, October 16
We kicked off the day by meeting in the lobby and heading next door for a quick breakfast at McDonald’s beside Harrah’s — nothing fancy, but perfect fuel for a full day ahead! Once we were caffeinated and ready to go, we met up with another cousin who had just arrived from California and set out for the Bellagio Hotel & Casino.
The Bellagio Conservatory was our first stop, and wow — their new fall display was absolutely breathtaking! The colors, the flowers, the details… pictures could never do it justice. We wandered through, taking it all in, before making our way outside to see the Bellagio Fountains. Unfortunately, they weren’t running yet, but we made the most of it with a few great photos featuring the Paris Hotel in the background. Naturally, that was our next stop!
At the Paris Hotel, we explored the beautiful lobby and browsed through the charming shops. The highlight, though, was the cutest little crêpe café, filled with irresistible sweet treats and the fluffiest whipped cream imaginable. The group of eight of us shared a few different crêpes — and they were heavenly!
Soon after, another family member joined our crew, making us nine strong, and we decided to experience the High Roller at the Linq Promenade. Seeing Las Vegas from that height was incredible — a full 360° view stretching from Mandalay Bay all the way to The STRAT. You really don’t appreciate how massive and bright Vegas is until you’re up there!
Once back on the ground, we caught the Deuce Bus down to Mandalay Bay for dinner and our first show of the trip. We ate at Wahlburgers, and I ordered the Triple Threat Slider Flight — three mini sliders featuring Classic Meatball, BBQ Bacon, and Crispy Chicken. The meatball one! Absolute perfection.
After dinner, it was showtime — Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE! If you’re even remotely a fan of MJ, this show is an absolute must. It was beyond amazing — powerful, emotional, and mesmerizing. Twice I actually found myself tearing up. The dancing, the music, the energy — everything was spot on. And the finale, when Michael himself is projected on the screen dancing with the performers, gave everyone chills. They performed so many of my all-time favorites: BAD, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Black or White — and more.
After such an incredible evening, we were all completely wiped out (and still adjusting to the time change), so we hopped back on the Deuce and headed to the hotel to call it a night.
Friday, October 17
Our last full day in Vegas — and our last day together with family — so we wanted to make the most of it!
Trying to stay budget-conscious (Vegas can add up fast!), we made our now-traditional stop at McDonald’s beside Harrah’s for coffee and a quick breakfast before setting out for the Venetian and The Sphere.
We hopped on the Deuce Bus, only to realize we probably could’ve walked — we were that close! But no complaints — more energy saved for exploring. The Venetian was absolutely beautiful, with its canals, bridges, and grand architecture. We wandered through the resort and stopped by the Wizard of Oz display, which made for some fantastic photo ops. The setup was magical — bright red poppies, life-sized characters, and incredible attention to detail. Even some of the cafés were offering Wizard of Oz–themed treats!
After soaking that in, we made our way to The Sphere to meet up with a few of our California cousins for the Wizard of Oz experience — and wow, it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The way they brought the classic movie to life on such a massive scale was unreal. From the swirling tornado winds and blowing leaves (I even caught a couple!) to the falling apples that had everyone around us cheering — it was pure magic.
Once the show wrapped up, we met the rest of our crew at the Venetian Food Court, where a few more California cousins joined in. That brought our total to 11 family members — a full-on Vegas reunion! After we all grabbed a bite, it was time to take the Deuce Bus down to Fremont Street.
That’s where the real adventure began — my cousin from New York, her husband, and I decided to try the SlotZilla Zipline! You soar two blocks long and seven stories high right above the flashing lights and crowds of Fremont Street. I wasn’t nervous — until I was strapped in and hanging off the platform, waiting for takeoff. Those few seconds before launch felt like forever… but once we started flying, it was absolutely exhilarating! Terrifying and thrilling all at once — and totally worth it.
Afterward, we walked around Fremont Street for a bit, taking in the lights, the live music, and the chaos that only Vegas can deliver. Eventually, the group split up for dinner, and my cousin and I decided to head back to the hotel. We ended the night perfectly — relaxing, watching Penn & Teller: Fool Us (which, fittingly, is filmed right in Vegas), and reflecting on an unforgettable trip.
Saturday, October 18
Our final morning in Las Vegas — and this time, it was just us Canadians left! With a smaller group, the day had a much more relaxed vibe, and we decided to take things slow and just enjoy our last few hours in the city.
We grabbed breakfast at the Harrah’s Food Court, chatting about all the fun we’d had over the past few days, before heading back over to the Venetian to visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. It was the perfect lighthearted activity to wrap up the trip! We “met” the likes of Brad Pitt, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, The Rat Pack, and of course — the King himself — Elvis Presley. The lifelike figures were incredible, and we couldn’t resist snapping a ton of photos.
After the museum, we wandered back to the Linq Promenade to check out a few shops we hadn’t had time to visit earlier in the week. We spent a few easygoing hours browsing, people-watching, and soaking up those final Vegas vibes before enjoying one last meal together at Favorite Bistro at The LINQ.
Dinner was delicious — the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip filled with family, laughter, bright lights, and a little bit of Vegas magic. With full bellies and full hearts, we grabbed our bags, made our way to the airport, and said goodbye to the city that truly never sleeps.
