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On a trip across the western U.S. with my best friend, we made a quick one-day stop in Las Vegas.
We had just driven 8 hours from Colorado, cutting through Utah and Arizona, and honestly — it wasn’t a bad drive at all.
Sure, it was mostly desert, but the scenery surprised me here and there. Definitely not like driving through Kansas (no hate if you like Kansas), which is what I’d consider the definition of uneventful.
Where We Stayed
Instead of a hotel, we booked an Airbnb — much cheaper and a little more personal.
Our host, Sky, met us at the door and was so kind. She even set up a second bed for us, even though the room originally only came with a bathroom and one bed. That kind of hospitality stuck with me. Here's the Airbnb link if you're curious: click here.
The Airbnb was a shared space, meaning it was a room in her house, and there were other guests staying in other rooms.
Personally, I liked that. I know it’s not for everyone — especially families with kids — but one of the best parts of traveling is the people you meet.
And we did meet someone special.
Sky’s best friend was hanging out in the living room, and we ended up in a deep, spontaneous conversation.
She recommended spots we needed to check out, told us some wild stories, and shared some genuinely helpful life advice.
It’s little moments like that I’ll always remember.
A Unique Dinner Stop
After we settled in, we went to eat at a spot we saw on TikTok — a place called Amano.
It’s an Italian restaurant with a unique twist:
They serve something called Fat Baby’s — a pasta of your choice stuffed into a cone of pizza, almost like a savory ice cream cone.
I know it sounds gimmicky, but the food was actually so good, and they also leave colored pencils and paper at the table so you can draw while you wait for your food, which is so cute.
Definitely a place I’ll go back to if I visit Las Vegas again. It didn’t break the bank either, which was a nice bonus.
Experiencing the Strip (and Everything That Comes With It)
No trip to Vegas is complete without visiting The Strip — the iconic stretch of road lined with giant hotels, casinos, street performers, and neon lights.
We weren’t able to walk the whole thing because of a parking situation (which cost us $50 and left us about a mile away).
It was already late, but hey — Vegas doesn’t sleep.
We made it to the area with the Paris and Bellagio hotels, and got a taste of what Vegas is known for:
Noise, energy, lights, crowds, and constant motion.
It also happened to be Mexican Independence Day, so the crowds were even wilder.
People taking photos, music blasting, street dancers performing, and tourists weaving through it all.
It was chaotic — but also really interesting, especially for someone like me who hasn’t spent much time in cities.
Tips for First-Time Visitors
With that chaos comes a need to stay safe.
If you’re going to the Strip, especially at night, I recommend bringing something like pepper spray just to be safe.
And please — wear the right shoes.
I made the mistake of wearing my Doc Martens. After a few hours, I had blisters and my feet were on fire.
If I could go back, I’d wear my cardio shoes instead — they’re made for long walks and high activity.
Final Thoughts
Las Vegas lived up to the hype — and I wish I could’ve stayed longer.
One day wasn’t enough, but I’m grateful for the memories we made, the people we met, and the little bit of chaos we got to experience.
If I had to describe how I felt about Las Vegas in a song, I’d choose “Mela” by Esperanza Spalding.
It’s full of instruments fighting for attention, and at times the vocals add to the disorder —
but in the end, it all comes together beautifully.
That’s exactly how Vegas felt to me.