Sunday, September 25, 2011

Running in Las Vegas

Last weekend the husband and I were in Las Vegas for my cousin’s wedding.  We were there for five days and it was quite the trip!  We got a phenomenal deal to stay at the Bellagio and I may or may not have tried the $20 trick upon check in.  This was the view from our room:DSCN6443The hotel is gorgeous and the room was really nice.  The best part of staying at the Bellagio was being able to watch the fountain shows from our room.  We never ate at our hotel at all – instead opting for more casual meals at the Paris or the Forum Shops and fancier meals at other restaurants on the strip.  Probably our most amazing dinner was at Tom Collichio’s craftsteak.DSCN6265I admit it, we are huge Top Chef fans and the head judge’s restaurant did not disappoint.  We also went to Firefly on Paradise (delicious tapas and pitchers of sangria), Scott Conant’s Scarpetta in the Cosmopolitan Hotel (delicious, highly recommend), and Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in the Venetian (also very nice).

We drank delicious cocktails – I highly recommend the Fusion Latin Mixology Bar in the Palazzo and our favourite, the second floor of the Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan.  There are three levels to the Chandelier, each very different.  The second level is where the bartenders get super creative.  Tell them your favourite liquors, if you like sweet, sour, savoury and they will mix a unique drink for you.DSCN6308We also took in a few shows (Cirque du Soleil’s O and Mystere – call and ask for Canadian resident discounts), we walked the stripDSCN6279 and we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower.DSCN6418DSCN6429We even spotted Elvis as he was officiating my cousin’s wedding.DSCN6353We checked out the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.DSCN6506And we ventured outside of Vegas by spending the afternoon exploring Red Rock Canyon (only 20 minutes west from Las Vegas).DSCN6511DSCN6522IMGP4227I also took advantage of the fact that running shoes are so much cheaper in the US than in Canada ($140 versus $200…yikes!) and picked up a new pair of Asics Kayano 17s.t150n_0005_fThen I put them to test while running the strip one morning!  I went out around 8 am when much of the strip was still shady, so even though it was hot out it was still relatively comfortable.  Outside the Monte Carlo.DSCN6463Over the Brooklyn Bridge at New York New York.DSCN6467On my way to the Excalibur.DSCN6472As I ran past the Planet Hollywood I realized I needed water.  I had hoped to find a bathroom and water fountain near the entrance of the shops but no dice.  Instead I ducked into the casino and drank out of a tap.  Blech, but you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do!  Then as I ran past the Flamingo we got detoured off the sidewalk and into the smoky casino.  That was interesting!  Outside the Venetian.DSCN6480And the Palazzo with the Wynn in the background.DSCN6482At Treasure Island – time to turn around.DSCN6483At Caesar’s Palace.  DSCN6496From the Bellagio down to the Excalibur, then up to the Palazzo, over to Treasure Island and back to the Bellagio was about 4.1 miles.  It was nice and quiet out there with tons of runners.  This was my first trip to Vegas where I’ve actually been up early enough (and motivated enough) to go out for a run.

6 comments:

MN said...

I love Vegas. And not for strippers and gambling! Shopping, free drinks, food (although not when you get food poisoning!), the Broadway shows, the art...LOVE IT. Glad you had fun! :)

Keith said...

Did she, or didn't she? Only the clerk knows for sure. Great photos. I am still amazed at the lack of a sunburn. I'm sure I'd be red before getting from the airport to the rental car, or the car to the hotel.

Lindsay said...

How fun! What a great view from the room too. That's quite the markup to get asics across the can border! Sheesh! I'd stock up here too.

Unknown said...

I need to go to the US just to buy running shoes now. Nice job on the run! Sounds like you're starting to love it again?

Nicole @ Haute Runner said...

Looks like an amazing trip! I love Vegas! Lots of great running/tourist shots. I have always wanted to see "O".

It's amazing how much cheaper everything is in the US. Great deal on the shoes- are the new kayanos green/yellow? Not really my colours- good thing I stocked up on pink ones!

Bonnie said...

I am heading to Vegas in dec for the 1/2 Curious whether the $20 thing works?? Care to share?