This year we decided to do something different for christmas. With the pandemic for the last three years, Christmas just didn’t seem the same anymore. So we decided to avoid the holidays and all the crazy that comes with them and fly to Las Vegas for the Christmas weekend! This was our first trip together since last February when Chris hurt his back out in Las Vegas. So it was a much-needed trip for the both of us. We are staying at New York New York Hotel and Casino. It is one of out favorite hotels on the strip to stay at. It is a smaller hotel which we love because it is usually not overcrowded and access to everything is a few steps away. Some hotels you have to walk a mile plus just to get to your room. They have our favorite breakfast spot inside there as well. The America restaurant. Best steak and eggs for the price on the strip!!

On our first day there we decided to go out and see all the sights, Have some lunch, and enjoy the sunshine outside. Since it was 25 degrees and snowing back in Michigan. The weather was nice for December. It was about 65 -70 degrees the entire time we were there with blue skies and sunny. I just love the weather out west! Our first stop of the day was at the Bellagio, to walk through their botanical garden. It was all set up with a Christmas theme. Such a beautiful place to tour and walk through. Oh, and did i mention it’s free!!! They change the diplay with each season so its always a place i must visit every time i go out there.

The next stop on our day out was The Cosmopolitan Hotel to visit The Chandelier Bar. We went there to try thr drink that only that bar serves. The Lemon Verbana. Here is a little description of the drink and some pictures of Chris’s faces as he tries it! It is a very sour drink but yummy! The experience of the drink and the sensations it brings is truly one of a kind! I recommend everyone try it at least once!

The Verbena is somewhat of a flavor rollercoaster, with its namesake herb ingredient bringing a soft, lemony creaminess to the tequila-based drink’s flavor profile. And the citrus fruits yuzu and calamansi brighten the cocktail, setting the stage for the small-yet-mighty garnish to shine.

While the yellow flower bud—also referred to as the “buzz button”—might seem unassuming, the Szechuan button’s effect on drinks is quite the opposite. The bud releases a naturally occurring alkaloid that delivers an intense numbing or tingling sensation in the mouth. In response, the salivary glands temporarily go into overdrive, making your mouth water, which is quickly followed by a cooling sensation in the throat and back palate.

We wrapped up day one back at New York New York with some dinner at the mexican restaurant, a tour of the hotel, and some gambling. It was a great first day and night!

On day two we started out at the America restaurant for breakfast again. Then we hopped in an Uber down to the Venetian Hotel where we went to Madam Tussauds wax museum. This place is the coolest little hidden gem on the strip. It takes about an hour or so to go through the entire place. The wax figures look so real. Here are our pictures with the most famous people always on the strip!

On to House of Gaga inside Park MGM. This was something we stumbled on and walked through. Its a free store dedicated to Lady Gaga, Along with the store is her entire collection of costumes and shoes and props she is famous for. Reall cool place

To end our day we went back to our room freshened up and went to dinner then we bought tickets to see Mad Apple Cirque du Solei. It was a new show to the strip this year so we were excited to see it. Good show lots of dance music and comedy!

It was an amazing vacation and a great way to escape the winter blues in Michigan! We had some much needed fun. I’m already looking forward to our next adventure! Here are some random pictures that are just fun to share.