Las Vegas was one of those places that was on my travel bucket list but I had avoided for a long time.
Honestly, the city from the outside felt something that was not for me. I am not much of a casino kind of guy and I mainly look for budget stays and search for the soul of the place I am visiting.
On the other hand, it is one of the most famous as well as most popular cities in the world. I knew I had to make it there someday.
So after a bit of research online on the exciting things to do in Las Vegas, I made my list and set out for a new adventure, somewhat hesitantly.
What happened next, was truly remarkable and I have to say, I am just so glad I made it to Vegas and did not let sin city’s reputation keep me away.
After landing in Vegas, I checked into a boutique hotel not so far away from the strip where all the famous resorts and casinos are located. The first night, I was thrilled to just walk around and soak in Las Vegas’s most famous landmark.
Just walking around on the strip, checking out the crazy resorts with their unique themes was a lot of fun. It was a tick on my travel list as I had seen this place on movies and travel blogs a million times. Finally I was actually there.
I did try my hand at a few slot machines but as I have mentioned already, I am not much of a casino kind of guy. Also I travel on a budget so did not want to waste my money on things I just didn’t enjoy.
My love affair with Las Vegas definitely started from the next day. I knew I had to explore the city and its outskirts well to get to know the place better. I booked an ATV ride to the Mojave desert and this is where my perception of Vegas started changing.
Riding at my own pace, I fell in love with the desert. The terrain and its landscape was fantastic. I had to explore more. I looked around and ended up finding so many tours that take you through the various natural wonders that surround Las Vegas. I quickly understood that the city was not all about the crazy entertainment and blinding lights. There was more here.
So over the next couple of days, I went on hikes, history tours, kayaking to a breath-taking cave and of course, took a half day trip to see the famous Hoover Dam.
As I leave Las Vegas, I am surprised at how much I enjoyed my trip. I am equally surprised at the city’s reputation considering the amount of things you can do here besides getting stuck in casino resorts.
From visiting the city hesitantly, I now cannot wait to get back to Las Vegas. I have been converted to a genuine admirer of the place and hope to return as soon as possible.
