The trip to Las Vegas from october 26th until november 2nd 2018 would have been my (Martijn) 7th trip (1st was in 1987) in total and my 3rd solo, until a co-worker/friend Ben offered to join me. He had never been to Las Vegas and heard all the great stories from me, that he wanted to join me. Fine by me. I love showing newbies the city.
Halloween in Las Vegas, the main purpose of our trip (Ben/ Left + Martijn / Right)
Since it was Ben’s first time I wanted to do it all. Show, the High roller ferrieswheel, limo, fancy dinner, nice hotels and lots of free stuff and of course Halloween in Las Vegas on Fremont street. The main purpose of my trip.
Flight from Amsterdam to Las Vegas
We left friday the 26th of october. Due to the fact that there was no direct flight from Amsterdam to Las Vegas we took Air Canada with a stop over in Frankfurt and Calgary.
Waiting in Amsterdam, Vegas here we come 🙂
Arriving in Las Vegas late in the evening. Through Bell transport I had a limo, or atleast a very nice big SUV waiting for us to bring us to our first hotel, the Tropicana. From the outside and the casino itself the Tropicana looks nice, but the rooms were pretty disappointing. Pretty outdated, but we were only going to stay there for two nights. After we checked in we went across the street for a bite at Excalibur, before we went to bed.
Cosmopolitan, Venetian and shows
Saturday I had a friend staying at the Cosmopolitan. She invited us offer so Ben could see the fancy Cosmopolitan. One of, if not the best hotel in Las Vegas. The friend was staying at one of the top floors (60th), so we had an excellent view of the Bellagio fountains that were just about to start. Very unfortunate that Ben is afraid of heights.
The friend then moved to the Palazzo, part of the Venetian, which we also wanted to check out. Very nice rooms. And of course the Venetian is fantastic with it’s indoor canals and gondolas.
That evening I had a free ticket for Ben to see Zumanity at NYNY and I went to see Purple reign, the Prince tribute show. Very good show. If you close your eyes you really think it’s Prince singing. A must see for the die hard Prince fans.
MGM The Signature and more fun
Sunday we moved to the MGM Signature, which I got for free playing myVegas. We were going to stay there for two nights. Hotel was excellent and even better because we were staying there for free.
Room The Signature at MGM Grand
Balcony room The Signature, Ben is afraid of Heights
The rest of the day we were checking out the Strip and going in the High roller. I really like the High roller, but remember Ben who is afraid of heights. He had better times being on the ground, but that made me crack up, so my time on the High roller was even more fun. At night we had dinner at the Wicked spoon in the Cosmopolitan.
Monday we spent our time on the Strip and I went to see the funny show Opium in the Cosmopolitan. I got a free ticket for that.
Downtown Las Vegas and Helicopter Flight
Tuesday we moved to the Main street station hotel (MSS) in downtown Las Vegas. Cheap but good hotel near Fremont street. Way better than Tropicana.
Every trip I’m still in doubt which part of Las Vegas is more fun, the Strip or downtown? I love the Strip because of the size and luxury of the hotels, but I love Fremont because of it’s laid back feeling. I always compare the Strip to a fancy nightclub, see and be seen and Fremont is a local bar. Great laid back atmopshere and cheaper.
Helicopter flight Las Vegas
Tuesdaynight a limo picked us up from MSS, for a drive to the airport. We were going to fly over the city with a helicopter. Ben loved it. For some reason he’s not afraid of heights in a helicopter. It was my second trip flying the city in a helicopter, We had front seats. I love it. Flying in a helicopter is so different than flying a plane. Fantastic feeling.
Halloween in Las Vegas, Fremont Street
Wednesday was Halloween. We were meeting a large group from the Facebook group Everything Las Vegas. The theme we had choosen was “Where is Wally/Waldo?”
Our “Where is Wally/Waldo?” Group – Facebook group Everything Las Vegas
If I got a dollar for everytime someone told me they found Waldo, I could book another trip to Vegas. But the fun thing is that lots of people want to have a photograph taken with you. And I wanted to have my picture taken with all the pretty ladies that where out there. And there are alot of them. I Love Halloween in Las Vegas 🙂
Photos Halloween in Las Vegas
A Lucky Waldo with pretty ladies
Busted for watching pretty ladies, Guilty
An another pretty lady, I don’t complain
She’s not scary, Halloween in Las Vegas
Halloween in Las Vegas on Fremont Street is just fantastic. It’s crowded, but not over crowded and the atmosphere is just fantastic. Everyone is so happy. A bunch of us Waldos had dinner reservations at Hugo’s cellar, which is in the Four queens. It’s an old restaurant where the famous Ratpack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop) used to have dinner. Dinner was excellent.
Waldo’s group dinner at Hugo’s cellar, 4 Queens
Last day in Downtown Las Vegas, gambling
Thursday was our last day and night. We gambled a lot on Fremont. I had the Las Vegas advisor and American casino guide with me, they over great rewards. Play $5, get $5 from the casino, etc. I love playing with those coupon books.
At night we met with two friends and had some drinks outside Binion’s and looking at the fantastic band Alter ego.
This trip was only 1 week, but I had a fantastic time. Going again for Halloween 2019, but this time KLM is flying direct. Saves us time.
Viva Las Vegas
Waldo a.k.a. Martijn
