I tried to spend my money wisely when I went to Las Vegas.
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I went to Las Vegas, and there are a few things I would and wouldn't do again.
I enjoyed my meals at The Bedford by Martha Stewart and Brasserie B by Bobby Flay.
Though Las Vegas is known for gambling, I didn't think playing the slots was worth it.
Las Vegas has been on my bucket list for years, so this past spring, I decided it was finally time to make the trip.
This tourist-heavy destination, also known by the nickname Sin City, draws a large crowd for its casinos and entertainment — the city saw nearly 3.4 million visitors just this past August alone.
My mom has visited Las Vegas many times — she even got married there — so I'd heard a lot about the city from her. Plus, from seeing Las Vegas in movies and TV shows, it always looked like a unique, exciting place.
Although I felt like I saw a lot over my 72 hours in Las Vegas, I only scratched the surface. Here are three things I'd do again and two things I'd skip if I went to Las Vegas again.
The celebrity-owned restaurants were worth the hype.I loved the pierogies I ate at The Bedford by Martha Stewart.
Emma Kershaw
Following my family's recommendation, I dined at The Bedford by Martha Stewart, located inside the Paris Hotel. Everything about the restaurant was stunning, from its menu to the great service.
I liked the neutral color palette and luxurious-feeling decor of The Bedford's dining area, which is designed to make customers feel like they're eating at Stewart's house.
I even paid an extra $25 to sit in a chair from Stewart's home, which gave my meal an extra-special touch.
When it was time for dinner, I opted for the $120 prix fixe menu, which included Caesar salad, Big Martha's pierogies, roast chicken, and upside-down lemon-meringue pie.
During my time in Vegas, I also stopped by Brassiere B by Bobby Flay, a fairly new restaurant inside Caesars Palace.
The restaurant serves French-inspired food, so I had to try the croque monsieur (a type of sandwich made with egg and cheese) — and it didn't disappoint.
I also ordered the hot homemade potato chips, which came with a delicious blue-cheese sauce.
Riding the High Roller was a thrilling way to see the Las Vegas sights. I had a great view of the Sphere from the High Roller.
Emma Kershaw
One thing I was looking forward to the most was riding the High Roller, the world's tallest operating Ferris wheel, at The Linq Hotel. I purchased a $40 anytime ticket and rode the wheel at about 10:30 at night to see the Las Vegas Strip in its illuminated glory.
I loved that I got to see the Sphere, a music and entertainment center known for its changing colors and designs, lit with a beautiful rainbow pattern.
Overall, I thought this experience was worth the money. But, if I were traveling with friends, I'd probably opt for the happy half-hour, which starts at about $70 and includes an open bar and a bartender for the duration of the ride.
I loved watching the free shows on the Strip.I enjoyed watching the Fountains of Bellagio go off.
Emma Kershaw
I didn't have time to see a Cirque du Soleil show, but I caught some free entertainment outside the hotels on the Strip — including the famed Fountains of Bellagio (a musical fountain show).
Visitors can see this show multiple times during the day, as the fountains go off every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the day of the week and time.
The fountain show was free, but next time, I'd like to see a Cirque du Soleil performance, a magic show, or an artist performing a residency.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t spend time gambling again.I spent $50 playing a slot machine.
Emma Kershaw
Gambling is a huge part of Vegas culture, and I even saw games at the airport when I landed. So, I dedicated a little bit of time — and $50 — to try my hand at a Wheel of Fortune slot machine in the Best Western Plus Casino Royale.
Though it was exciting at first, the experience was over quickly, and I was $50 poorer. Las Vegas is known as a place to gamble, but honestly, I wouldn't waste my money like this again.
I'd never pay for a gondola ride at The Venetian.I had a good time at The Venetian, even though I didn't go on a gondola ride.
Emma Kershaw
I initially wanted to go on a gondola ride at The Venetian but decided against it when I saw the price. I couldn't justify spending over $30 on a 14-minute ride and probably wouldn't splurge on this attraction in the future, either.
However, I enjoyed people-watching, wandering the resort's shops, and taking in the hotel's Italian-inspired design.
The hotel's vibe made me want to book a trip to Italy, and I loved how magical it felt to be by the water listening to the gondoliers sing.
