Welcome Back! As I transition into the new semester, I want to reflect on my first trip of 2024 – Las Vegas! Many people have certain misconceptions of Las Vegas, and I have to admit, so did I. However, after spending winter break there, I realized that there is so much more to one of the most popular cities in America than what meets the eye.
The main misconceptions that people have about Las Vegas stem from the nickname “sin city”- Las Vegas is seen as a place that promotes behavior such as gambling and drinking. Many beliefs about Las Vegas include that you can only enjoy it if you are 21+, there are limited activities for families, and there isn’t much to do on the strip because it isn’t as expanded as NYC or Orlando. However, as I discuss the best parts of Las Vegas, you will see these misconceptions disproven.
One of the main attractions of Las Vegas is the hotels. Each hotel on the strip has its own theme. Some of the most popular hotels include The Venetian (which replicates Venice), the Wynn (which focuses on the beauty of nature), Caesars Palace (they have an emphasis on Ancient Rome), and many more. Not only are these hotels decorated to match the theme, but they also have activities, stores, and restaurants inside that connect to the theme. The New York hotel contains a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty while the Paris hotel has a half-size version of the Eiffel Tower that you can go into and French bakeries on the inside. Even though the strip may not be as big as other prominent cities, there is clearly as much to do, and I haven’t even begun to cover what you can do beyond the hotels.
One of my favorite parts of Las Vegas was the shows. During our trip, we went to two shows- magician Matt Franco and Cirque du Soleil. One of the best parts of the show was that it catered to all audiences, as I saw all kinds of families enjoying themselves. It was also one of the most unique aspects of Las Vegas because I have never seen anything like it.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Las Vegas is the diversity. If there is one value that is important to me, it is diversity. I feel like that is the main value that builds a community, and it was present in Las Vegas. So many people from all over the world had come to experience the excitement and uniqueness of the city, and everyone could just put their stress and life behind and focus on the present.
As I go through this semester, I hope to continue to bring you exciting travel ideas for your next trip, and Las Vegas is my first recommendation this year!
Now that I think about it, I agree with you that Las Vegas comes with many preconceptions — it’s hard not to think about it as one big casino! I wasn’t aware however that hotels could be considered an interesting attraction. To me, hotels are mostly just places that you sleep and eat, they’re often just a means to an end in regards to experience not actually being the experience itself. While personally, I don’t think I plan to go to Las Vegas, I now have a better understanding about what it really has to offer.
Honestly I also used to think that Las Vegas was primarily for drinking and gambling at casinos, but this post showed me that there are many more things to enjoy about this city. Now if I really do go there one day I will keep this post in mind and find a beautiful hotel. Would you want to visit Las Vegas?