The Vegas You Don’t Hear About

Last year, on the 24th of June, I had the opportunity to visit Las Vegas with my aunt and uncle.   We were only there for a couple of days but I’m pretty certain this trip is something I’ll remember for years to come.

On the day we arrived it was super hot, even for a girl born and raised in Australia!  We spent the first few moments unpacking our suitcases and resting before heading out that night to explore the city and take in all the dazzling lights.  I think it’s pretty safe to say that Las Vegas lives up to its reputation as “The City of Lights”, although I heard that the lights are slowly becoming fewer over the years.

The Las Vegas Strip was probably one of my favourite places to watch the lights.  I loved seeing them dance to the sound of the music, it kinda felt like I was in a real-life movie.

One unexpected highlight was getting to watch random street artists at work.  This guy was creating amazing paintings, all done with spray cans, which was incredible to witness.  Truly talented!

A pretty special moment for me was getting to see a Michael Jackson tribute performance. It just so happened to be on the very date of Michael Jackson’s passing, exactly 15 years later.  The performer did such an incredible job of capturing Michael Jackson’s stage persona.  I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to watch this tribute to the King of Pop.

And of course, no trip to Las Vegas would be complete without a visit to the Red Rock Canyon.  It was a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.  The landscape was unlike anything I’d seen, I mean look at the picture below, I promise it’s not a back drop!

But out of everything I did in Las Vegas, there was one experience I’d been dreaming of for years. It was a donut shop called Saint Honore.  I had seen pictures online ever since I began my journey as a pastry chef.  I’d dreamed about visiting and tasting those stunning, viral donuts for years, ever since following Alexandra Lourdes on Instagram.

Let me tell you, those donuts did not disappoint.  They were by far the best donuts I’ve ever had.  Even the next day, when I ate some of the leftovers… yes, I eat leftovers, they were still incredibly good.  Getting to visit this café in person was an Instagram dream come true.

Las Vegas may be known for its party atmosphere but honestly, it has so much more to offer.  Who you go with and what your plans are while you’re there can really shape the outcome of your trip.  Whether it’s the art, the culture, the food or the stunning natural beauty, there’s literally something for everyone.

Do you want to go to Las Vegas? Or have you ever been?  How was your experience?

Many Blessings, Grace. Xx

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22 responses to “The Vegas You Don’t Hear About”

  1. Well, I haven’t been there till now but I’m planning to visit soon. and your blog is quite informative and helpful I think I should start planning my trip now.

    1. Ooh, that’s exciting! You’ll have to let me know how your trip was, what you got to experience and what you think of Vegas once you come back. 🥰 Xx

  2. Some years ago my daughter was In Las Vegas with her husband.
    Is it true that more than 1500 people are living in tunnels there? So sad to hear that, Grace…

    1. Unfortunately yes! Homelessness is a massive, global issue. Which is evident by the other 771,000 homeless people all over America. Or even where I live in Australia there’s approximately 122,000 homeless people. 🥺

      1. So sad… once more

      2. Sad to hear… may their problems be solved soon

  3. These pictures are beautiful. I am sure you had a wonderful time.

    1. Thank you… I did! Xx 🤍

  4. We’ve been to Vegas a couple of times, once to visit the city and the second time just to use it as a base for traveling the area. The glitz kind of turns us off more than excites us, maybe an age thing. However, we did enjoy The Strat and the dining. Now some other friends recommended more exploration of some of the casinos’ environs for the food and shopping. So we may try it one more time.
    One frustration is the “routing.” Whenever the hotel gave us directions, they ALWAYS sent us through the gambling casino even if there was a shorter way out.
    A city built by a gangster and based on gambling and girlie shows cannot be good. Even though the topless venues have given way to more family-friendly fare, it still is a city wholly based on sinful levels of consumption. “Sin City” is an apt nickname.

    1. Oh that’s so cool! Yes, I can imagine… I don’t think the lights are for everyone, it’s a lot! 😂. Personally if I knew about it prior, I would’ve loved to have tried the Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Vegas.
      Unfortunately I have to agree with you. It broke my heart witnessing some of the stuff I saw there and so I 100% understand why it has been given the name ‘sin city’. I spent a lot of time praying for and over those that where there because regardless of how ‘bad’ the place is, our God is the same God universally, not just where you or I live. 🤍

  5. I only went for work. Never spent the time to see its beauty. In and out. 😕

    1. Aw. Hopefully you get another opportunity to explore the city if that’s what you’d like to do! 🤍

  6. I’d like to see other attractions besides casinos.

    1. Oh for sure! Do you happen to live nearby?

  7. No. I’ve moved back to my hometown. I will need to make a special trip to go there now.

  8. That picture with the mountains in the background. I’ve experienced something like that before. When I went to Edinburgh, I saw the most spectacular sight and it was so beautiful that I was mesmerised. I took a picture but it doesn’t do it justice.

    1. Oh wow! So cool that you got to experience something like that! 🤍

  9. I hadn’t thought about Las Vegas this way before. I suppose I had a negative imagery of it, because it is notorious for its casinos, and my biases didn’t let me think that there could have been more. Red Rock Canyon looks spectacular. If I was travelling along the west of the USA, I would probably visit Vegas.

    1. Oh, I’m so glad to hear. Vegas definitely can be a dark place but also doesn’t have to be… just like anywhere else in the world.

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