“Boys” Trip to Vegas!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone’s trip reports while patiently awaiting my own departure.. that much anticipated moment has finally arrived. It’s travel day!

This is my first hand at a live trip report, so please feel free to add any tips or suggestions along the way. From what I surmise, committing to a live TR is quite an undertaking. Once you make that first post, you’re expected to follow through, and I intend on doing just that. I’ll add what I personally enjoy seeing in a TR.. a good bit of detail, prices of meals and activities, and most of all - quality photographs.

This trip may be a bit different from what you’re all used to. This is my annual “boys” trip which involves my 16 year old son. In the past we’ve done the usual fare.. cruises, beaches, and five separate visits to Disney Word. This year, we’re trying something new - Las Vegas! Wish us luck.

We’ve got four nights ahead of us, with many activities in store. It’s been many, many years since my last Las Vegas visit, so I’m relying on lots of research I’ve done to make this trip memorable.

Since pictures of our pets left behind are in right now, here’s Snix. Because, dogs!



First order of business is to swap these $50’s at the bank. Rumor has it they’re bad luck?!



Lyft is here, and we’re off to the airport. We’re flying out of Dallas / Ft Worth via AA. The fare runs me $49 to the airport.



Our flight was delayed by a half hour due to strong winds and storms that rolled through the area. It’s raining currently. Fingers crossed.



Thankfully the weather has cooperated and we’ve boarded, an hour later than planned. I was a bit stressed my bag wouldn’t make it as a carry-on, but it made it aboard without incident. Mine is on the left, just 2 inches larger than allowed. First time I’ve ever carried on, so first goal accomplished.



My second goal is our seating arrangements on the plane. I purchased our flights separately, as I had a voucher used towards my flight. Collins flight was $303 round trip, non stop. Booked direct through AA customer service. The rep said she’d “make a note” requesting we sit together, but you know how that goes. I always wait to check-in until I’m at the gate. Usually score better seats if they go unfilled. Flight is abnormally light, so we snagged an exit row for no additional costs.



We’re about to be wheels up. Will report back once on the ground.

 

looks great so far, what's on the gambling itinerary?

 

Now I see why "Boys" is in quotes. Should be fun for you guys. Good luck!

 

Good luck!

 

Good luck. I usually change my $50ies from the ATM at the casino. No need for an extra trip to the bank.

 

How can you gamble with your underage son, by your side?

 

50's are not bad luck. They are great for bank roll control.

 

He’s gonna sit right next to me, hand me cocktails, light my cigarettes, and pull the lever on the slot machine. Duh!

Any gambling I do will be done at night, once all our activities are in the books. My boy is like any other 16 year old.. he enjoys gaming and playing on his iPad, and talking to his buddies. He says he’ll want to relax in the room once the days done, and I don’t intend on straying too far from home base.

 

We made it. Bumpy flight, but we’re here.
First time doing shared ride via Lyft. Car reeked of weed. Our passengers stop? A dispensary. Welcome to Vegas!

Arrived at Caesars Palace. We were originally booked for a Forum Classic King. I have access to a program through work that gets me discount tickets on hotels, rental cars, shows, attractions, ect. This room with taxes and fees cost me $404.49.

Check-in went smooth, stood in line for about 10 minutes. I was worried due to recent reviews claiming hour plus waits. The bellman asked the reason for our visit.. father / son trip of course. I asked if there were any complimentary upgrades available. “Would a double queen, in the Augustus Tower, with a Bellagio fountain view be pushing my luck?”

He types away and moments later “sure, no problem.. how does the 40th floor work for you?”













Best of all, this view...



Not bad for $400 bucks!

We’re off to explore.

 

ADORABLE dog. Great pics so far. Can’t tell it’s your first TR. Your son is a mini me, but not very mini. Great score on the room. Is this your son’s first visit to Vegas? If so, I’m not sure he’ll want to hang in the room. This city has too much to see! Good luck with that. Happy bonding. Make great memories!

 

What a great experience for your son! He will surely enjoy watching the Bellagio water shows.

 

Great score on that room! What a view!
Don't forget the quick shortcut to the Strip...go out right next to the Augustus tower at the Diamond Lounge exit. After exiting Caesars go to your left. The elevator to the Caesars-Bellagio overpass is about 10 yards away. Very very fast to Bellagio and Bally's.

 

Pinball Hall of Fame seems like a no-brainer!

 

Nice pics ,good luck

 

I am not hating that room and view at ALL! Yes!

 

Wow, thats one helluva upgrade. Have a great Father/Son trip; hope you guys have a memorable time.

 

Have a great time!

 

Yep it’s his first visit. He’s in love with the place. Says it’s much “cooler” than he expected.

 

This is an excellent tip, and it took us several trips across the overpasses to finally realize your suggested route. Makes quick work of moving between two resorts!

 

So day 1 is in the books and I’m sitting here thinking about how smoothly everything has gone thus far.

Sometimes travel days can be hectic, and things don’t always go the way we hope. I guess aside from the hour delay at the gate (a non issue) I couldn’t be more pleased with the way our trip has begun.

Sorry in advance for the quality of a few of the pictures. Today was overcast and hazy in Vegas which affected the of some of the photos I took while out and about.

Caesars is such a grand and beautiful resort. I’m glad I picked it.







So this next bit some of you may find cheesy, but I for one am an huge Twilight Zone fan! This little visit was a must for me..









Once finished with mini golf, we decided it was a good time to visit Fremont Street. It was mid afternoon, so I figured the experience would still be PG-13 at worst, as long as we made our escape by dusk.

We once again utilized the Lyft shared ride option. If you don’t mind riding in the car with someone who’s going in a similar direction as you, this is a great way to cut down on your rideshare costs. I estimate the shared ride option was at least half the cost of a traditional Lyft / Uber fare. All the drivers have been very friendly and professional thus far.

Fremont Street. My first visit.



It was pretty cool seeing some of the original casinos this town was built upon along the way.









I’ll admit I was rather surprised, and Fremont wasn’t nearly the shit-show I’d envisioned in my mind.

Love this guys sign! He’s on that Dave Ramsey plan I suppose



We’d soon see the tides turn on Fremont.. but first



I’ve read several of you mention eating at this place - we’re glad we did. Superb pizza! Greek salad, pepperoni pizza, and my first drink of vacation. Excellent food for $40 bucks!



Back onto Fremont, where it’s now about 7pm. The crowd has grown, and the street performers are multiplying. We saw Elvis and his nearly naked assistant, a broke ass retired stripper in a wheelchair, a couple showgirls, and the best of all was the dancing Marilyn Monroe!



That dude danced his tail off, and he attracts quite the crowd! I imagine he makes great money, as people were non stop delivering tips.

I decide it’s probably a great time to find the exits, before things get too much weirder..

Lets trek down to the Pawn Stars shop. Capture a few nice shots and architecture along the way..

This building in particular was absolutely beautiful. Couldn’t help but laugh when I realized it was the Federal Bankruptcy Courthouse..



And this schoolhouse



And the Supreme Court of Nevada



And some randoms





It’s weird how one street in Vegas is beautiful, and the very next is an absolute dump.

Anyway, we saw some folks getting married. Suckers!





We made it to the infamous Pawn Stars store. This place is much smaller than I envisioned. A guard at the door said pictures were fine, but videos were prohibited.



There were some extremely cool items in their store! Lots of high end stuff as well. All of it overpriced.



One guy was trying to hawk an old tarnished yellow gold wedding ring with a tiny diamond on top. Overheard him say it belonged to his deceased grandmother. He insisted it was worth $500. They offered $95, and he accepted. Wow.



Night is winding down.. we Lyft back to our resort and catch two fountain shows in front of the Bellagio. Breathtaking.



That’s it for tonight. We’re back in our room, absolutely beat from a long and successful day 1. Sorry for any grammatical issues or misspellings in my update. It’s late, and I’m tired.

More to come tomorrow, but in the mean time, goodnight from Caesar’s Palace