Round 4 Las Vegas. Back to the land of neon lights, slot machines, and questionable life decisions. But let me tell you, this trip wasn’t about gambling away my life savings (although I did consider it after one overpriced cocktail). We were invited by friends, Heather and Eddie who had never been to Vegas before. We were all ready to celebrate Heather’s 50th birthday in full-blown food snob style! And I’ll tell ya, we definitely all walked away with some new, higher standards for a steak!
Staying Classic at the Flamingo
We kicked things off at the Flamingo, because if you’re going to Vegas, you might as well stay somewhere iconic. Plus, pink birds and palm trees? Yes, please. The room had that vintage Vegas vibe, and an amazing view, with a side of “this carpet has seen some things.”
Even though this was my second stay at the Flamingo, I still haven’t caught any of their famous shows. But let me let you in on a little secret: the slots there? Very generous in the early morning hours. One of my favorite rituals was placing a Starbucks pickup order, heading downstairs, and enjoying my coffee with a side of gambling. There’s nothing like sipping on a venti pikes place while pretending you’re Archie Karas at 7 a.m. That’s peak Vegas energy. Bonus points if you’re rocking sweatpants and a messy bun while placing your bets, because nothing says ‘high roller’ like looking like you just rolled out of bed and straight into a jackpot.
Steak with a Side of Kitchen Secrets
Dinner at Gordon Ramsay Steak wasn’t just a meal; it was an experience. We enjoyed a full menu tasting that included: a scotch egg, Hamachi Crudo, Diver Scallops Risotto, Beef Wellington, and Sticky Toffee Pudding! We reserved a spot next to the kitchen, where we could watch the magic happen, and even chat with the chef. I don’t know if it was the extra dirty martini talking or the proximity to fame, but I was ready to quit my life and become a sous chef by the end of the night. The Beef Wellington? Perfect. The vibe? Even better. The Quail Egg? HOLY SMOKES! And yes, I did resist the urge to yell, “IT’S MUSH, ABSOLUTE MUSH, WHAT IS HAPPENING?” Even though the risotto was so dang good!
Pro Tip: If you want to indulge in this kind of foodie experience, consider booking a more budget-friendly hotel so you can splurge on unforgettable meals. Let’s just say, when that check arrived, it wasn’t for the faint of wallet—but every bite was worth it!
Because every bougie night out deserves a dress that’s as unforgettable as the memories. This one? It nailed the vibe. Grab your own show-stopper here!
Desert Detour: Hoover Dam and Beyond
Because we’re not just about glitz and glam, we rented a car and headed to the Hoover Dam. We walked halfway across the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge to get a fabulous view of the Dam, Lake Mead, and even some of the Colorado river! The engineering was impressive, but the real highlight? Random desert photo op stops. We even hiked up to this little cave for a shot that screamed, “Yes, I’m an adventurer. Please admire me.” Oh, and I may or may not have taken home a rock as a souvenir. Because nothing says “memorable trip” like smuggling a piece of the desert back in your suitcase.
Golden Steer: The Holy Grail of Steak
You know a place is exclusive when getting a reservation feels like winning the lottery. The Golden Steer is old-school Vegas, dripping with history and beef so good it makes you want to cry. Frank Sinatra probably still haunts that place.
But let me be real—I rolled in miserable from an earlier cocktail. Not wanting to kill the vibe, I kept my game face on, and our amazing waiter totally saved the day. He brought me some Tums, served in the fanciest little bowl you’ve ever seen. Vegas knows how to keep it classy, even when you’re fighting heartburn.
Don’t sleep on the famous tableside Ceasar salad! Watching it being crafted right next to our table felt like a whole event—because somehow, tossing lettuce with style really does make it taste better. Classic, creamy, and perfectly seasoned, it was the kind of salad that makes you question why you ever settle for the bagged stuff.
And let’s talk about the crab legs. The biggest, pre-busted beauties I’ve ever seen. Nothing better than a crab leg you don’t have to fight for. Just pure, buttery, seafood bliss.
The steak was melt-in-your-mouth, and the sides were worth every carb. This is the kind of dinner that makes you legit want to be in a whole new tax bracket!
Pro Tip: Want to lock down one of these impossible-to-get reservations? Download the OpenTable app and set an alert for cancellations. When that notification hits, don’t hesitate—tap ‘book’ faster than you can say “Vegas jackpot.” And just a heads up, once you’ve secured that coveted table, be ready for another big ticket. Fine dining in Vegas? It aint cheap!
While I messed up and didn’t get a full pic of my dress that night, you can catch this beaut in my friend’s hilarious Tik Tok (see links below).
Sky-High Views on the High Roller
If you haven’t seen Vegas from 550 feet in the air, are you even doing it right? The High Roller gave us all the views and a few moments of deep reflection on how tiny we really are compared to all that glitter. You can read more about the High Roller on my previous Las Vegas Wedding Post here.
Blackjack Shenanigans on Fremont
We couldn’t do Vegas without a little Fremont Street action. We hit up Circa, Golden Nugget (my absolute favorite), Binion’s, and Four Queens. The vibe? Pure old-school Vegas fun. Our strategy was simple: sit down, win some chips, and once we were ahead, pack up and move on to the next place. Like a little blackjack hop, but with more adrenaline and less walking.
Golden Nugget was the standout—maybe it was the vibe, maybe it was the cards, or maybe it was the drink service keeping spirits high (literally). Either way, there’s nothing like that sweet moment when you stack some chips and strut out like a winner. Sure, we probably broke even in the end, but it was a whole lot of fun pretending we were pros for a night.
Pro Tip: Keep moving once you’re up. It keeps the night exciting and your winnings in check. Not sure how to bet on Blackjack? Take a blackjack strategy card like this one with you, most casinos allow it, just be sure to ask the dealer for permission to use it ahead of time!
The Moments Between
The best parts? The laughs, the random stop at a 360 spinner on the Strip that we definitely off of a few times (graceful is subjective, right?). Then there was our stop at Blake Shelton’s bar, Ole Red, where the music was loud, the drinks were cold, and the vibe was pure country-meets-Vegas chaos.
And of course, making all of our Vegas trip TikToks in the hallway, in the uber, and even one poking fun at our husbands because nothing says “Vegas” like choreographing a video in your fancy shoes while someone yells, ‘One more take!’
Last but not least: gambling away all of our winnings on the very last day of the trip. We’re not exactly high rollers, but hey, breaking even is a HUGE WIN in Vegas.
TikTok Shenanigans: Because What’s Vegas Without Some Laughs?
Vegas brings out the wild side, and we made sure to capture it—awkward spins, hallway dancing, and maybe a few questionable moves. Check out some of the TikToks we made that had us laughing until our sides hurt:
- The 360 Spinner
- Hallway Attitude Vibes – Heather’s Account
- The “Husbands” – Heather’s Account
- When there’s a language barrier, but you like to talk!
- A Walk For My Mental Health
- Packing and Enjoying Las Vegas
Pro Tip: Make the damn Tik Tok! Always! Don’t overthink it. The funnier, the better. And yes, you’ll probably cringe later, but that’s half the fun.
Some Things I Packed This Time (Because I’m Learning As I Go!)
Every Vegas trip teaches you something new about what to pack. Here’s what I brought this time that made life easier (links in the titles):
- Statement Dress: Because you need at least one outfit that says, “I’m here to win, even if it’s just the best-dressed award.”
- Foldable Flats: Also known as “Purse Shoes.” When your feet give up on heels but you’re not ready to call it a night.
- Travel-Size Clothing Steamer: Some hotels have them, some don’t. I do not take the chance!
- Comfy, but stylish tennis shoes: These are my go-tos and they have survived 3 Las Vegas Trips! They literally go with every outfit!
Pro Tip: Think chic but functional. Vegas is all about being ready for anything—from fancy dinners to random adventures.
See You Again Soon Las Vegas!
Vegas is always a little chaos. We conquered it this time with a solid plan and it really paid off. Will I keep going back again and again? You know it! Though maybe with less ambition to conquer every steakhouse on the strip. I’m still full – and my wallet hurts!
Cheers to good friends, unforgettable experiences, and stories that definitely don’t stay in Las Vegas.
Because what happens in Vegas… gets blogged about later, put on TikTok, or both!