I went to Vegas for the first time when I was 23. My bestie Allison and I chanted, "We're getting tattoos!" the whole way there. Let's just say that she went first.
I saw the pain on her face, and to this day I have no tattoos. She maybe still calls me a wuss from time to time.
I have been there a handful of times since, always for a girls' trip.
The Doc had never been.
So, in our crazy post-residency minds, what better way to follow up a trip to Paris than with a jaunt to Sin City? Could two cities be more opposite? We made it our task to find out. We made reservations at Caesars Palace (and re-watched The Hangover), booked a nonstop flight, jumped in a stretch limo, and away we went.
Eats
Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday. Food and football are two of my most beloved things. Sometimes obligations, cooking, and general stress can block a person from shoving food in one's face and enjoying a relaxing day of sports. So, I decided to plan my perfect holiday.
Nacho Daddy provided an excellent Turkey Day setting. Their claim to fame: Never A Dry Chip. Gourmet nachos? My sweet husband? Sports and no stress? Perfection, indeed.
Sports
I have been a fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels forever. Now that we are getting settled after the big move, I am hoping we can catch a few live games every season. A big part of the reason we chose Vegas was because the Heels were playing in a preseason tournament there. The Orleans Arena hosted the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational November 22-23, 2018. Not only did I get to see my team, but I also watched Texas, UCLA, and Michigan State. What a line up! The Heels lost on Thanksgiving to the Longhorns, but came back on Friday with a win over the Bruins. The Spartans (and their annoying fan base) look tough this year. I would go back to this venue in a heartbeat; the seating was comfortable and it was small so that you could really see the action. I am stoked about the freshman triple threat at UNC, especially Coby White. I am even more excited about the names on this year's squad: Leaky Black, Seventh Woods, and Sterling Manley may be on my all-time Name Hall of Fame list.
Date Night
The restaurant Beauty & Essex may be a bit too cool for The Doc and me, but the food was so good we loved it anyway. One of the best things about being my age (and feeling loved for the first time in my life) is that you stop caring so much about what others think. What an epiphany.
You must first walk through The Cosmopolitan (so gorgeous and sparkly) and you wind up in a 'Pawn Shop'.
You go through a door at the back of the shop and then enter the restaurant. It's dark and sultry and the waitress gives you nightclub tips. The best bite of the week was the dumplings; I am still dreaming about those.
This meal kicked off a baller night at the roulette table, so it is one for the memory books.
Shows
You can't just eat and gamble the whole time, or you will die. The Cirque du Soleil shows are always a safe bet for a few hours of excitement. We caught Mystère at Treasure Island. It wasn't my favorite, but CDS is like pizza; even if it is bad it's still good. I can also highly recommend wearing matching Lightning Adidas tops.
What is your favorite destination for pure entertainment? Do you have a go-to place in Las Vegas?
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