There was a time when Las Vegas felt like our second home. We used to make the trip several times each year, always finding a reason to head north for a few days of great food, entertainment, gambling, and, of course, some of the best people-watching anywhere in the world.
These days, our Vegas trips have slowed to about once a year. Maybe the novelty has worn off a little. Maybe we’ve simply discovered there are so many incredible places left to explore. Whatever the reason, Las Vegas still has a way of calling us back every now and then.
This year’s excuse?
Unused timeshare points that were about to expire.
Normally, summer isn’t our favorite time to visit Las Vegas. Being from Arizona, voluntarily driving somewhere that’s almost as hot as home doesn’t exactly scream “vacation.” But points are points, and we weren’t about to let them go to waste.
As luck would have it, two other couples were able to join us. We had enough points that each couple enjoyed their own two-bedroom suite, making it the perfect setup for spending time together while still having a little space to ourselves.
We stayed at Desert Rose Resort, a place we’ve visited before. If we’re being completely honest, we’d rate it as…good enough. It certainly isn’t one of the flashy casino resorts that Vegas is famous for, but it serves its purpose well. It’s clean, comfortable, close to the Strip, and a great place to crash after spending all day and most of the night exploring Las Vegas.
One thing that surprised us this trip was the crowd—or rather, the lack of one.
We visited from Sunday through Thursday, and for the first three days the Strip felt noticeably quieter than we remembered from previous years. Walking around was actually enjoyable. We never felt like we were fighting through crowds, and getting around was surprisingly easy.
Then Wednesday afternoon arrived.
Suddenly, Las Vegas became…Las Vegas.
The card slappers returned in full force (if you’ve been to Vegas, you know exactly what we mean). Street performers in costumes ranging from glamorous to “there’s no way that’s legal” filled the sidewalks, music poured out of every casino entrance, and thousands upon thousands of people seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Oddly enough, even with the larger crowds, we never had trouble getting dinner reservations, finding lounge chairs by the pool, or squeezing in around a craps table.
That’s a win in our book.
Eating Our Way Down the Strip
No JourneyFor2 trip would be complete without eating our way through the city.
This visit included Cabo Wabo Cantina, The Tap Room, Giada’s, Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar, Happy Camper, and Gordon Ramsay Burger.
Every meal was enjoyable, but one restaurant carried a little disappointment—not because of the food, but because of nostalgia.
For years, one of our absolute favorite spots on the Strip was Stripburger. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t expensive. It served fantastic burgers, surprisingly inexpensive beer (a rare thing in Vegas), and offered one of the best people-watching patios on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Sadly, Stripburger is gone.
In its place is Happy Camper.
Happy Camper is actually a fun restaurant. The atmosphere is lively, the service was excellent, and the food was good. But for us, it wasn’t Stripburger. Sometimes memories make comparisons impossible…and yes, we missed those cheap beers.
Luck at the Tables
Of course, no Vegas trip would be complete without testing our luck.
Tracey spent a couple evenings introducing our friend Mike to the wonderful (and sometimes cruel) game of craps. Before long they were side by side at the table, cheering every roll and celebrating more wins than losses.
A special thanks goes out to the incredibly tall gentleman tossing the dice with what can only be described as effortless grace. Whoever you are, thank you for helping both of our guys walk away winners.
As for me, I stayed loyal to my favorite slot machines.
King Kong.
The Wizard of Oz.
Little Shop of Horrors.
Day one treated me very well.
Day two…not so much.
That’s gambling.
Sometimes the machines love you. Sometimes they simply thank you for your donation.
Relax, Recharge…Repeat
Between casinos, restaurants, and miles of walking, we found time to relax by the pool as well. There was plenty of sunshine, good conversation, and enough exercise wandering the Strip to justify indulging in a few extra desserts.
Our only advice?
Drink more water.
Wear sunscreen.
Trust us on both.
Until Next Time…
Las Vegas may not be our most frequent destination anymore, but every visit reminds us why we loved it in the first place. Great friends, unforgettable meals, exciting casinos, plenty of laughter, and memories that somehow seem to get better every time we tell the stories.
We’re already looking forward to returning for Tracey’s next Marine reunion, whenever that may be.
Until then, keep an eye out for our OOO (Only Our Opinion) restaurant reviews, where we’ll share what we really thought about each stop along the way.
And if you happen to be planning your own Vegas adventure…
Think of us.
Who knows?
Maybe we’ll meet you there.