Vegas Virgin New York New York 5th July -8th July and Yes there is a hooker story

This was my first time going to Vegas and going to any of the west coast states. I had originally planned to go in March, but everything was shutting down the day I was supposed to go so I had to cancel everything. My flight was a Delta SkyMiles rewards flight and I had only paid $11.20 and some miles. I do not fly as much as I like to buy, I have the Delta Amex card which is how I got my flight.

Sunday July 5th

I got to SDF Louisville Airport just after 4am. It was dead and discovered that security was not open until 4:30am but when it opened, I was through in a matter of minutes and at the gate ready to board. Louisville airport is boring and small and is not a lot to do. So, I just waited to the plane boarded and took off. The first flight was uneventful besides the captain turning off the seat belt sign and then the flight attendant announcing that it was off then suddenly it got bumpy and the put it back on again and the flight attendant was like well after me saying that its back on again.

I landed in Detroit and the first thing I noticed was how dead and lack of atmosphere the airport had. I only had 30 mins before boarding so I did a rest room trip and got ready to go on the plane. The captain gave a speech about the flight and the cleaning procedures and towards the end of his speech he said “Well let's go to Vegas” I really liked that. Flight was a little bumpy over Denver but nothing bad and the flight was uneventful. Delta has not been filling their flights and everyone was wearing masks.

The plane landed in Vegas and I got off and started to walk in the terminal. It was just after 9:30am and I checked my phone I got a message from the MGM app saying my room at New York New York was ready. Vegas airport was dead and lacked atmosphere, but you could tell you was in Vegas due to the slot machines in the airport. There are no shuttle services to the hotels now, so I decided to get a Lyft ride. I made my way to the ride share area and waited about 15 mins for my ride to the hotel. The driver was friendly and gave me a tour on the way to the hotel which I really liked.

I got to the hotel and started to walk inside. As I had checked in on the app the only thing, I needed to do was to get a room key made in case I had any issues. I do love the idea of checking in on the app. The app gives you directions to the room and tells you which elevator to take. Being a Vegas virgin, I was fascinated by the hotel and casino and started to think about all the psychological aspects that go in these places to make people gamble such as the location of the elevators to your room so you have to walk through the casino and the hotel is like a maze especially when you walk from the elevator through the corridors.

I finally made it to my room and opened the door with my phone. The room has a sealed sticker on it, and I opened the door. I found the welcome bag with masks and hand sanitizer and had a look to see if I had a view and I was lucky enough to have a decent view. I could see the Rollercoaster, the airport and some of Excalibur which to me looked tacky. My room was a standard room as that was all I needed just somewhere to sleep and shower.

I needed to get some supplies to I walked through the maze and finally made it to Walgreens and had my first experience of the strip it was hot and I have never experienced any heat like this in my life. I got what I needed from Walgreens and made it back through the maze to my hotel room where I had a shower and got ready to go out.

I went through the maze back down to the casino and went to the Mlife desk to get my card and get the $75 in free play I was able to get from the Pop Slots app. I checked the casino out and made my way outside as I had a bus to catch. My next stop was The Wynn as I had a table booked for their buffet.

I made it to the Wynn and walked though their mall with all the designer and expensive shops and made my way into their casino. Their casino did have a good atmosphere. I joined their players club and played some slots. I did not win but I am also not a big gambler.

It was finally time my reservation for the buffet. I had the gourmet dinner as it had some of my favorite foods. You order off a menu and they bring portions to your table and you get 2 hours as much as you like. My favorites where the lamb chops with truffle spinach as I have never seen such thick lamb chops, the steak and lobster and the prime rib and Yorkshire pudding. I was not impressed with the beef ribs but everything else I enjoyed including the dessert. I would go again.

It was 108 degrees when I left The Wynn. My next stop was to go to a dispensary, and I choose Planet 13 as it was walking distance from The Wynn and made my way there walking past Trump Tower and a railway crossing with the longest train I have ever seen in my life go past. The dispensary was like a shopping complex with a café and other stores. I got me some edibles and a disposable vape pen. I knew you can only smoke in a private residence in Nevada and edibles and a vape pen are more discreet with me staying in a hotel. It was fascinating seeing legal marijuana for sale and I did find it helped me with some of my medical issues.

I walked back to the strip and found the bus stop and got the bus back to where my hotel was stopping at CVS to get some drinks and something I forgot to buy and made it back to my hotel room where I had a an early night because I was tired and I had to be up early the next day.

Monday July 6th

I got up early as I had a bus tour booked to the Grand Canyon West Rim. It was around 6am I made it through the maze and got to the casino floor. The first thing that hit me was that there was music playing so early and people still gambling at this hour but then this is Vegas.

I got picked up for the tour there was only 13 people on the tour everyone had a mask on, and they took good care of us on the tour. The Grand Canyon was beautiful and one experience in my life I will never forget. I did the Skywalk and took in the scenery. One thing I will say is photos do not do it justice.

I got back to the Hotel and freshened up and went back out again I checked out the casino on the MGM Grand and it did not seem busy or have any sort of atmosphere, so I quickly left. I was hungry so I decided to try Gordon Ramsey's fish and chips as I am originally from England. The fish was good, but the chips was too salty, and they do not give you malt vinegar. I then made my way back to my hotel.

It was time to play some slots which is something I had to do when I was in Vegas. After playing a few machines I discovered a machine called Heidi's Beers House and that was the machine I had the luck with and won enough money to spend the next day and not have to dip into my bank account. The machine was cheesy, but I loved it. After getting my winnings and exploring I called it a night.

Tuesday July 7th

I woke up early for some reason and decided to get some breakfast. I knew there was a Denny's nearby and decided to try it out as I was craving breakfast food. It was about 8:30 in the morning when I was walking through the casino and I got stopped by a prostitute. She looked in her 20s and made the move on me saying she loved my shirt. My shirt had the American flag on it and a wolf and made the comment that it looked patriotic. She then heard my accent and she is like “Oh your English” I am like yes, I am. She gave me the usual do you want to party line and want to buy be a drink line and tried to grab me. I am like no thanks. Luckily, enough Casino security was there and dealt with her asking if she had any ID and I quickly vanished. A machine won more money and cashed out. I went back to my room and made plans the rest of the day. After reading this board I wasn’t' expecting to meet a prostitute so early in the morning.

I made my way back my room and chilled for a little bit and got ready to start my day

I got the bus down the strip and checked out The Gold and Silver Pawn shop I was not impressed and made my way to Freemont Street and decided to explore that area. It was dead and I do not know why they had metal scanners at each entrance as no one was enforcing the machines. I checked out some of the casino and played a few slots. I made my way to The California Hotel and Casino where I played some slots and to eat there. I had been told about their $11.99 prime rib special with came with soup or salad the prime rib and cherries jubilee for dessert. I was impressed with the food and the price. I made my way back my hotel and spent my last night playing slots which sadly I did not win and a trip to CVS to get some drinks before I went back to my room to sleep.

Wednesday July 8th

I got up and packed and left the maze for the last time. It took 10 mins for a Lyft to come and once again the airport was like a ghost town. Security was a breeze and made it home uneventful. The flight attendant came up to me randomly and said to me that “they really appreciate my business etc. and gave me a tablet to put in my email address and said there was some free SkyMiles for you. I am not sure why? but I was happy.

As it was my first time in Vegas, I loved it. I felt save and found everyone to be wearing a mask. I found more people wearing masks compared to where I live in Kentucky.

I would go in March April next time when its cooler. I would have loved to see a show so maybe that will be next time.

I will be back probably next year.

 

Thanks for sharing your trip. Wish you could have experienced your first Vegas trip at a better time, but glad you enjoyed yourself.

 

You should look at going in December too. Much cooler and if you go in between the rodeo and Christmas it's not as busy as usual.

 

Great report. Thanks for the write-up. I hope you’re able to return next year and things are back to normal! Also, what a travesty that they didn’t have malt vinegar at a fish and chips joint. Even 5 guys has malt vinegar and they are burgers and fries!

 

Thanks for the concise report! See you fly out of Louisville also.....kind of funny that you consider all the airports boring or lacking atmosphere....agree that SDF has no personality but I enjoy the atmosphere at LAS....can have fun while we wait....I had to cancel my annual April trip, of course so going in late August....know it will be boiling - its been several years since I have been there in the summer....one year it was 119....crazy....hope you get to go back in April cause that is my fav time in LV.

 

Thanks for your report. I hope your next trip will show you the Vegas we all know and love.

 

Thanks for your report on your 1st trip. Sounds like you did your homework prior to your trip. Good job. This summer was my 1st trip to Vegas during the heat. April is a great time to visit as the weather is perfect IMO. March can be windy and if sports are your thing and ever return to 'normal' you might enjoy March Madness in LV.

 

Nice report!

I went to Vegas once just before the 4th of July, and don't really plan to again. But at least at that time it was also 107F when I was living St. Louis , so less humidity was a net win!

 

Thanks for the nice report!

 

Thanks for the TR - I am glad you enjoyed your trip

 

Thanks for posting a terrific report @OMD_Fan! I really enjoyed reading it. I still remember my first time in Las Vegas which seems so long ago.

 

Impressive that you wrote such a great trip report for your first trip to Vegas, a solo one to boot! (My first trip was solo as well.) It's also great that you took the time to get out of Vegas and explore the extraordinary Grand Canyon.

Glad you had a good time. It will only get better from here (post the pandemic going away), with live entertainment, etc.

Thanks again for writing. Now you can change your trips to "1" and you are no longer a Newbie!!

Lastly, welcome to VMB!

 

What a great report. Loved it.

 

I would have assumed that was code for "meet me in the restroom to join the mile high club"

Thanks for the report!

 

I was happy with the bonus Skymiles

 

Nice trip report - glad you enjoyed everything - wow, took a tour to Grand Canyon - there are many people that have made numerous trips to LV and never saw the Grand Canyon! Hope the next time you go the shows are open as well as everything else.

 

thanks for the report

you certainly packed in quite a bit for your 1st visit - good planning

 

I love how you refer to NYNY as the maze throughout. For some reason it’s the only casino I always find difficult to navigate, it’s not so much the inside but trying to locate the doors to exit the place

 

Loved your trip report. Thank you!

 

I used The Hershey shop as my exit marker