Recently, my family decided to meet up in Vegas for a weekend. Having never been as an adult, I was really looking forward to experiencing this dynamic city. I personally prefer to keep things a bit more low-key and cozy when I travel– usually opting for the least touristy thing possible. And since I am not big on the casino or club scene, I was initially concerned that my options would be limited. However I found the exact opposite to be true. Since we were only there for 2 days, Kuinise and I wanted to make the most out of our trip. We managed to courageously endure the 114 degree heat, in pursuit of some Vegas adventures. Overall, we had a blast and are anticipating our next trip back to check a few more things off of the Vegas ‘to-do’ list!

WHERE WE STAYED

Whenever booking accommodations, I always “over-research” often making myself more indecisive than when I began looking. This trip was no different. After perusing a ton of reviews and travel sites, we finally chose the classic and timeless, Bellagio as our home for the weekend. At the time of booking, I wasn’t really familiar with the proximity of it compared to other areas on the strip– but it ended up being right in the middle, which was convenient. What attracted us to this hotel, was that it was part of the established MGM family of hotels, and based on the reviews was an iconic choice. The decor was the epitome of Italian inspired luxury, every detail from the ceilings to floors was carefully thought out and gorgeous. Our room was considerably sized, even for being a standard Resort King room. The hotel offered mobile check in and check out which I highly recommend. The lines at the front desk were long every time we saw them. They have a small area where the guests who have checked in via the mobile option could just pick up their room keys. We had our keys within 5 minutes.

The Bellagio is also home to the renowned fountain show– one of the biggest attractions in Vegas. The fountains ‘dance’ to the different sounds of opera, jazz, and broadway set to lights. You can catch it daily just about every half an hour (after 8pm, the show happens every 15 minutes). It is a stunning sight, especially if you are able to get a room with a view of the show.

 

WHERE WE ATE

My favorite restaurant was Cafe Bellagio– right in our hotel. Kuinise and I aren’t fans of buffets, and the a la carte breakfast we enjoyed here was exceptional (albeit, a bit pricey– but hey, it’s Vegas!). As firm believers that ‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ we always order generously a little bit of everything, so that we can fill our bellies with sweet and savory flavors. We ordered the Canadian bacon Benedict, NY steak and eggs (very hearty, came with 3 eggs, toast, hash browns, and a decent portioned steak), a bowl of fresh fruit, their classic Belgium waffle, and half a grapefruit with torched-glazed sugar (my absolute favorite item, it was SO yummy!).

On our first day in Vegas, we had breakfast at ‘The Buffet’ at Wynn. As mentioned earlier, we are not big on buffets, but heard really great things about this one. While the food did not disappoint, the decor is where I was truly amazed. It was like walking right into a whimsical scene in Alice in Wonderland, with bright florals and cheery upholstery. There were a ton of selections even at 9am when we were dined. You could find everything from seafood to charcuterie and all of the options were tasty. I would recommend this if you are a buffet person, purely based on the variety of food offered and the ambiance. Who wouldn’t want to eat in a place like this?

WHAT WE DID

The Bellagio has a few different pools for guests and cabanas available for rent. We had just an hour or so to kill before meeting up with the rest of the family, so we decided to hang out in the pool. Other than being great for people watching, being in the pool is about the only way one can manage being outside in the stifling heat. Although the pool area was a bit crowded, we did find a nice shaded area to set up shop. We enjoyed sipping pina coladas while wading in the water and relaxing.

VANILLA BEACH MONOKINI from TARGET (shop similar options HERE, HERE, and HERE) | MARC FISHER WEDGES 

The highlight of our trip was on Sunday evening when Kuinise surprised me with tickets to the “O” by Cirque Du Soleil at our hotel. I’ve always wanted to see a cirque show, and this is the longest running show of its kind in Vegas (running since 1998- when the Bellagio opened). I can’t say enough about this performance! It was absolute artistry. From the sensational production factor, the talent of the cast, the intricacy of the costuming, and the aquatic stage, it was a breathtaking experience from start to finish. There is a discount offered to hotel guests, but general tickets start at $99.

On Me: NINE WEST SANDALS (sold out online, shop similar styles HERE and HERE) EXPRESS SLIT FRONT SKIRT  | TIE BACK CUT- OUT CROCHET EXPRESS BLOUSE (SIMILAR)

On Kuinise: STACY ADAMS COGNAC OXFORDS |  ZARA TROUSERS

Do you have any other Vegas ‘must-do’s?’ I’d love to hear your feedback on some things we need to experience on our next trip to this awesome city!

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