72 hours in Vegas is like a week in an alternate reality, and I love it all. Well, maybe not the part where I lost my voice, but that will come later.
Thursday night -- Arrived after four flight. Although it was midnight back at home, and I'm usually asleep by, oh, 9:30, we decided to get a lay of the land. First stop was Caesar's, where we found Cleopatra's Barge, a cheesy floating boat with a live band an plenty of people watching. Then to Bill's Gamblin Saloon, where a cross section of humanity watched a Canadian cover band do hits ranging from Poison to Tom Petty. Also spotted: the world's most fantastic mullet, local scenesters drinking pitchers of $2 Dos Equis, and gamblers older than Methusala. Our kind of place.
Friday -- Quick breakfast at Paris, where we ate Le Bran Muffins and I drank Le Tea in an attempt to improve my Le Sore Throat. To clarify: I'd felt the creeping of a sinus infection coming on earlier int the week (a very non Vegas thing indeed), and by the time we arrived I felt (and sounded like) a 70 year old lounge singer. By Friday I'd lost my voice completely to the point that Stephanie was having to translate for me.
A cab driver diagnosed me with "Vegas Throat," The Urban Dictionary defines this as:
(Note: in 2008, Cher had to cancel several appearances out there because of said Vegas Throat. Yet another thing we have in common.) Upon returning to Birmingham and visiting my doctor, he said that the cabbie had misdiagnosed me, and it was just another sinus thing, be it a bad one this time. Far less glamorous.
Of course I didn't let illness stop us. Dr. Cab Driver delivered us to the Neon Sign Museum, where I had wanted to visit for years. This non-profit is dedicated to collecting and preserving Vegas signs of yesteryear, and has more than 150 signs in its collection. Our tour guide Nancy was a former showgirl at the Stardust (how Vegas is that), and walked us through the desert "boneyard," filled with signs from casinos and wedding chapels.
From there we went to the outlets -- neon signs and sample sales -- could there be a better day?
We made a quick wardrobe change and went to dinner at Diego at the MGM, where we had the most amazing tortilla soup, empanadas, and guacamole made fresh at our table. I have to say, after visiting the MGM several times before I was really impressed that they had kicked things up a notch, with tons of great restaurants.
We caught the monorail, which makes traveling on the Strip easier, to The Mirage for The Beatles "Love," which I had wanted to see from its opening. The show was incredible, especially to experience the remastered sound of some of their best songs.
From there we went to the Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, and back to MGM. The sun might have been peeking out when we got back to the Westin.
Saturday -- Thankfully the Westin had a spa. I steamed out my sins at the sauna Saturday morning. From there we went to the Liberace Museum. Is there anything more thrilling than to stand admist rhinestone covered Bentleys? The museum had expanded quite a bit since my Dad first took me there in 1993 per my request (what 17 year old girl begs her father to take her to the Liberace Museum?) They'd added another building, have live performances by local artists, and just generally do an amazing job at preserving Liberace's glittery legacy.
We had lunch at Serendipity 3, paid homage to Cher at the Caesar's gift shop, and went to dinner at Mario Batali's B&B Ristorante in the Venetian. It was some of the best Italian food I've ever had, with an incredible spaghetti with lobster. No Olive Garden but still.
Capped off our visit with a production of Jersey Boys thanks to Ryan's friend Charl, a talented performer in the show. Frankie Valli was a perfect send off to the weekend, and we flew back to the Atl as the sun came up again.
For more photos, check out the album "Vegas 2009" to the right...
Maybe we can open a Liberace Museum Annex in Birmingham?
Posted by: Dad | June 03, 2009 at 10:56 PM