Recently I went on two very different vacations, one to Las Vegas and one to a lake in Michigan. Both vacations were very different from each other, but they both presented me with a wonderful time. I enjoyed both vacations so much and I wish more than anything that I could go back. Since Las Vegas itself is so full of different things and the lake in Michigan is obviously not a popular traveling spot, I thought I would share my experiences of both places to you guys.
Las Vegas, Nevada
The first (and probably most important) thing about Las Vegas is that it is very hot. I live in the eastern/central part of the U.S. meaning that I'm used to lower temperatures (since I also live up north) and I'm also used to high humidity levels. In Nevada or any part of the west, the temperatures are in the upper 90s to low 100s with no to little humidity. This simply means dry heat, and lots of sun. From where I live this was very hard to adjust to and it was slightly uncomfortable. If you are traveling to the west for the first time I suggest you take the weather in consideration and drink lots of water because the outdoors is like a furnace.
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| Brooklyn Bridge, New York New York |
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| The Strip, Las Vegas |
Despite the weather, I still managed to have a tremendous time and I was still able to walk to my destinations. Walking along The Strip in Las Vegas is a riveting experience, there's so much to do and so many people. Several of the places that we went to along The Strip were the Excalibur, New York, New York, Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, Paris Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Aria at CityCenter, Bally's, and Polo Towers Suites. These are hotels, within all the hotels there are casinos, shopping, restaurants, and many sights to see. Also along the strip are many outdoor restaurants and stores such as The Adidas Store, M&M World, and Marshall's. Walking along The Strip can provide someone with so much fun!
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| New York New York Hotel |
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| Statue of Liberty, New York New York |
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| ARIA Crystals Mall |
My favorite Hotel/Casino was Paris Las Vegas. Outside the hotel was a replica of the Eiffel Tower, along with replicas of The Arc de Triomphe, La Fontaine de Mers, The Paris Opera House, and the Louvre. The interior of the hotel represents the streets of Paris, complete with boutiques and cafes. I thought the stores inside were very cute and unique, but most of all I just loved looking around. In Paris Las Vegas I was constantly looking around at all the beautiful sights. If you love sight seeing then Paris Las Vegas is perfect for you!
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| Eiffel Tower, Paris Las Vegas |
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| Arc de Triomphe, Paris Las Vegas |
Planet Hollywood was my favorite place to shop along the Las Vegas Strip. Inside the hotel is a complete mall full of stores such as Lush, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, and H&M. Plus there are great fast food places in the mall that are perfect to sit down and eat. I definitely suggest Planet Hollywood if you are looking for shopping!
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| Planet Hollywood Mall |
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| Planet Hollywood Mall |
My favorite restaurant was located at the Excalibur. It is the infamous Dick's Last Resort. I enjoyed this restaurant, not because of the food, but for the experience (although the food was very good). If you ever have the chance to go to a Dick's Last Resort I suggest you take that chance. It's a very fun place and it's sure to make you laugh, but I will say you should go in with a sense of humor. All the servers act with a sarcastic manner and they act very rude and mean towards guests. Obviously, it's all a joke and if you were ever to go to the restaurant you should go in with an open mind and with a good sense of humor.
The hotel I stayed at was the MGM Grand Las Vegas. It was probably the best hotel I have ever stayed at. It had so many restaurants and stores inside and it was so BIG!! I loved the room, especially the bathroom and it really was one of the coolest experiences to stay at the MGM Grand. I really suggest that if you go to Las Vegas you should check out this hotel.
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| Rainforest Cafe, MGM Grand |
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| Outside our hotel room |
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| Rainforest Cafe, MGM Grand |
Overall Las Vegas was one of the coolest places I have ever visited. I would definitely go back, it was so amazing! Looking back on these pictures makes me so nostalgic!
Michigan
The lake that I went to in Michigan was absolutely beautiful. I have been going to this lake for so many years and each year gets better and better. I love the quiet, nature-filled atmosphere and I just love waking up in the morning to the sound of the water splashing against the shore. My family owns a boat so in addition to swimming, laying out, and fishing we also went skiing, tubing and boating.
Since I have been going to this lake for so many years (since I was in diapers!) I have become quite accustomed to lake water and the whole atmosphere of the lake. Going to the lake is like second-nature to me. Some people don't enjoy this kind of atmosphere, but to be honest I completely love it.
We left on the fourth of July so we were also able to watch fireworks later that night, it was magical.
I love the lake, it's one of my three favorite places on earth, I cannot wait to go back next year. Although, Las Vegas was truly amazing nothing beats the lake. It's one of those things that I treasure so much and I get so upset when it's time to leave. Out of the two, I enjoyed the lake more, but Las Vegas was very close in the ranks. The two are very different places and I enjoyed both of them thoroughly.
Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it and I hope that you come back for more!
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