What made me smile most in Vegas? Here are 5 things to add to your itinerary!

Planning your next visit to Sin City?

You may not be surprised to hear that our most recent trip to Vegas went by in a blur! We were shooting a ton and walking about ten miles a day in the 100+ degree heat. This strategy was both exhilarating and exhausting, but sparked so much joy after a long year indoors!

I was traveling with one of my best friends, SoCal photographer Stephanie Lamar, so it was even more fun! We didn’t seek out many of the conventional Vegas spots like bars or nightclubs, but stumbled across some other gems…

My 5 favorite things in Vegas right now!

1. Born N Raised

A 24-hour hangout off the Strip, Born And Raised (BAR) is a restaurant/bar with chill vibes and a KILLER menu! I stumbled across it while researching food hot spots for our trip and made sure we hit it before leaving town. We decided to outdoor dine on their patio and it was incredibly pleasant despite the midday desert heat! They somehow had the fans and sunshades positioned in such a way that the weather felt perfect.

Obviously, the main draw is the insanely good bar food (seriously, check their menu). The most attention-grabbing component of which is their huge selection of sliders! Each comes as a set of two (perfect for partner sharing) or you can go big and try to defeat their in-house challenge (16 sliders, mound of Anchor Fries, less than 30 minutes 😳). We were so tempted to get four different ones to taste, but thankfully stuck with two because the portions were great!

We finally settled on the Prime Rib Dip and Buffalo Chicken Sliders along with a Chicken Caesar Salad to share and everything was fantastic!! 10/10 would recommend. We were heading to Death Valley at this point so it was a quick stop, but this location also has reasonably priced drinks, gorgeous looking desserts, and (of course) some video gambling machines!

2. The Pool at the Venetian

My mantra on relaxation trips is ALWAYS- “Books, sun, water.” I’m all about warm weather, and the dry heat of Vegas is so much nicer than the muggy heat we always get in Florida or Jersey! So despite the amount of work we were doing every day, I HAD to make time to unwind at the pool.

I’ve been to Vegas three times now and can’t say I’ve seen even a fraction of the awesome places, but the pool at the Venetian resort is def a fav! The Venetian and the Palazzo are sister hotels with adjoining pool decks located a few floors up from the casino. These rooftop pools were JUST completely renovated this past year and are absolutely stunning. Even with 11 pools to choose from, it still feels wonderfully private and secluded.

We tested out a few of the pools and walked around exploring all the areas before settling in to relax a bit. There were plenty of chaise lounges, chairs in the water, daybeds, and shade so it never felt uncomfortable in the heat or unrelenting sun. Multiple bars, restaurants, and cafes are open and the cocktail waitresses are incredibly efficient in swinging by to check if you need anything without being intrusive.

I made sure to try one of the non-alcoholic mocktails from their new cocktail menu designed by bartender/innovator Sam Ross! The one pictured below is the Reviver #9 which is made with coconut water, ginger, grapefruit, lime, and agave. Super hydrating and delicious. I will say it was a BIT ginger-heavy for me, but that honestly turned out to be a plus because I kept adding water to dilute it and ended up with a whole second drink! 😂

3. Walking/Dancing the Strip

This one doesn’t need much of a description! Who hasn’t walked the Strip in Vegas?? It’s basically a right of passage for all tourists to the city. Rarely do people fly here and just stay in their hotel the whole time!

This city reminds me a bit of NYC in that it has a certain energy pulsating in the streets. There is constantly music playing, lights flashing, people everywhere. It’s exhilarating to be caught up in that feeling, and I love just walking around taking it all in.

This trip in particular had me feelin’ EXTRA dancey because I was so excited to be out! Whether we were in a casino or our hotel room or walking down the street, if I felt like dancing like a fool you best believe I didn’t hesitate! 😂

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4. Resort Art Galleries

I feel like I rarely hear people talk about the immense amount of art galleries socked away in these resorts! All up and down the Strip, there are tons of cool showrooms and galleries displaying acclaimed artists and their work. I could not believe no one had told me to look for this!

My first time in Vegas had me walking around in awe of these places long after the other members of my party had called it a day. Of course there are a handful in the Venetian, but the ones in the Bellagio and Grand Canal Shoppes in Ceasars Palace are also well worth visiting! They all feature different artists so there is definitely something for everyone to be found.

5. OMEGA MART

I’ll save myself from even trying to explain this. Omega Mart is an indescribable art exhibit that simply must be EXPERIENCED. It’s truly something to see and hear and feel for yourself! Created by Meow Wolf (an ingenious arts and entertainment group) and backed by George R. R. Martin, Omega Mart is simply the next in line of their wild creations.

Omega Mart is an over-the-top, immersive, multimedia experience that is housed indoors at Area15 right off the Vegas Strip. We spent over FIVE hours running around this enclosure and still didn’t find all the secrets! If your travel group enjoys escape rooms, interactive experiences, and wordplay- definitely book your tickets now!

Click on over to my full 5 star review of Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart to see more from this incredible art installation!

*Bonus Smile Moment!

We were walking behind the sweetest couple on our very first day in the city and I was almost in tears. It had been a LONG day for me already, starting before 5AM and continuing on through a hellish six-hour flight and issues with one of my doctor’s offices. By this point I was hot, tired, jet-lagged, and fighting a splitting dehydration headache. (Which I combatted with Gatorade, Tylenol, and a ton of water. Make sure you check out my packing list and learn from my mistakes. 😂)

Anyway, at this point I was really emotionally fried and dragging a bit. But, seeing this adorable couple ahead of us, holding hands and walking together totally got my heartstrings. They reminded me of a picture I have of my grandparents (who have both since passed) holding hands to support each other and walking slowly down a ramp together. There is something so special about witnessing moments of human connection like that and my day was instantly turned around.

The lesson? Keep your eyes and heart open, especially when you’re in a grumpy mood. There’s always opportunities to find joy and gratitude. 🥰

All photos courtesy of: Steph Lamar Photography

Share in the comments!

What is your favorite hidden gem in Vegas?

What spot is a MUST for me to check out next time?

Stay tuned for more stories from Vegas! 😎