Mini Getaway Trip

For Family Day this year, my Fiance and I decided to do a mini getaway trip to Las Vegas!  We did not vacation in 2014, so we've been itching to escape our monotonous daily grind of life for some excitement!  We've been to there a number of times, but it is nice to fly out of dark and gloomy Vancouver weather to nice and sunny Vegas!  

We found a decent package deal through Allegiant Airlines and stayed three nights in Paris Hotel for $660 USD.  We brought $475 USD spending cash for meals and shows.  

First thing, we did was to check out half priced ticket booth for discounted shows on the Strip.  We decided to check out David Cooperfiled @ MGM Grand.  His show was amazing and he was quite entertaining.  You never know when he'll call it quits as he has been performing there for quite some time.  

Next up, we waited a while to have lunch at Gordan Ramsey's BurgR joint.  The line was was long and kept on building.  For two burgers, onion rings, and a pop, it ended up costing us $50.  Gourmet burgers @ $15 each with no sides, it's a tad on the expensive side.  But you go to Vegas expecting to spend money.  

There's no free lunch sort to speak unless you end up at a gruelling 2-3 hour presentation at Wyndam Resorts that was a 15 minute drive off the strip.  We got suckered in by their promise of free breakfast on them, two Cirque Du Soliel KA tickets, and a $25 free play at one of their selected casinos on the strip.  Their main objective is to get us to buy ownership into their condo/resorts where you can save money down the road by staying at their place or affiliated hotels.  Seems like a good deal for those who have deep pockets to go on vacations every year.  For us, we don't want to feel obligated to go on vacation every year for a certain time to use up our credits.  So we politely declined and got our freebies!  WOOT WOOT!

We got pretty good seats at KA which was also playing at the MGM Grand.  The show was quite grand and lots of action.  The stage was beautiful.  It was boring at times as I found the acts to be drawn out a bit long for my taste.  

Time to gamble my $25 freeplay chip!  I won $25 at the new Linq hotel by betting black on Roulette.  Too bad, I didn't win the next round of Roulette or I could have kept on going.  But roulette is a game of 50/50 chance when betting on red or black.  I decided to cash out and walk away.  Knowing my luck, I'll most likely squander my winnings.

Of course, we walked around a lot checking out the sights and all.  It's amazing how many tourists pass through this city each year.  We caught Bellagio nightly water show and Mirage fire show.  We also took a ride in the new Linq main attraction the High Roller which gives a great view of the strip at night or daytime if you choose be.  I finally got to try White Castle burger.  I paid a little extra for cheese.  It was soft and small, but salty.  Two bites and I was done.  Left a little unsatisfied.  (I still like my MCD value burgers over them anytime).

Overall, we enjoyed our mini getaway trip.  We stayed on budget and even had enough money to pay for parking at Bellingham Airprot, filled up gas and $30 bucks worth of groceries at Costco. 

Vacations can be a lot of fun, but it comes with a price tag.  You pay for flight & hotel which is the bulk of your costs.  When you get to your destination, you'll have to find food and entertainment to spend your free time.  But you'll make memories to last you a lifetime and experience new things like you would never have done at home.