Sometimes spontaneous trips can be the best trips because you’re not fretting too much about logistics but staying purely in the moment. Las Vegas is one of the best places to do just that with so much to do every moment of the day. My friend and I packed our bags, hopped on a bus and headed to the city that’s like advertisements on steroids. You can go ahead and toss that saying “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” to the side because I’m going to share the ultimate highlights of my trip. Hopefully, my tidbits on a few of the hotspots and helpful tips will inspire you to plan your next visit.

My city of Los Angeles is nearly 270 miles from Las Vegas and on a good day, it’s a smooth five-hour drive. Leaving on a Thursday proved to be one of those great days to beat the traffic. The drive up is scenic if you don’t mind being around an arid beige setting with the occasional Joshua Tree-like rock formations. Otherwise, be sure to charge up your phone, load up some new music, and pack a few books as I did.

Venturing to Vegas

A few pointers I quickly learned along the way that made conquering Vegas a little easier:

• You can’t sit unless you pay. If you think you will be able to pop a squat on a lounge chair by the pool or slid into a booth to ease your dancing feet, you are wrong. Most tables and seating areas are reserved and charge a hefty price to be there unless you’re invited over. Luckily, my friend and I knew to expect this and got acquainted with sitting poolside and wore comfortable enough shoes on the dancefloor.
• Guests list are the best lists. It’s almost impossible to go to Vegas and not spend money left and right. Yet, if you are looking to hit some clubs, it is nearly essential to get on a guest list so you can have fun for free. The great thing is it’s quite easy to get on one, it only takes a little foresight and sometimes just a “yes.” The night before we were to experience the dayclub scene, my friend and I went to the No Cover Nightclubs website, checked their calendar, and picked our clubs and dates. Also, walking The Strip, you’ll find promotors for specific nightclubs who can add you to their guest lists and they will let you know all the details about when to arrive and how to get in.
  

Dayclubs All Day

I went to two dayclubs: the Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan hotel and Wet Republic at The MGM Grand hotel. Hands-down the Marquee was everything I could have imagined a pool party in Vegas would be. I went on a sunny Friday morning and it ended up being the high-point of my trip. The Marquee had two pools, one with daybeds propped in the water and the other for light swimming and mostly dancing. Many of the parties in Vegas play wordless, pulsating EDM, yet the DJ intermingled a great balance of EDM to Hip Hop, which was a major plus. Also, their guest list had some great perks. Wearing a pink wristband allowed visitors like me open bar access for a time during the day. Their bartenders were especially skillful, offering great drinks, unlike some places that watered things down a bit.

Making the Most of Vegas Nightlife

Tao at The Venetian Hotel & Casino was the first popping nightclub I went to in Vegas. On a Friday night, the club was packed with a variety of people, yet it was still intimate enough to navigate and meet people. For atmosphere alone, Tao was an amazing spot to visit. With multiple floors, the club was filled with massive statues, wall art like a Japanese-inspired zen rock garden, and so much more. The music was also a plus since the club is filtering in Hip Hop.

Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell Hotel & Casino was one of those fabled places that never sleep. The club is known to play Hip Hop, showcasing an extensive line-up with the likes of Snoop Dog and Jay Rock. Unbeknownst to my friend and I, the club stayed open well into the next morning. Fortunately or unfortunately for those with FOMO, we had an early morning drive back to Cali the next day and couldn’t stay out all night. As the night went on, more and more people flooded the massive concert-like venue, the music got better and better, and the entertainment was pretty top-notch. The performers really did their thing, dancing out their best moves to every song. One point in the night, I looked around and was grateful we made it to the dancefloor in time. After a while, the section was gated off with a velvet rope and tons of people were on the sidelines ready to spill in. Also, their bartender made a stellar margarita!

If my trip is any indication, it is quite possible to do a lot with even two full days in Vegas. I feel like I got the most out of my trip. If you’re planning a Vegas getaway, I highly recommend checking out these hotspots mentioned! For a closer look at what my Vegas adventure was like in the moment, check out my highlights on the gram!

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Best,

Kai 😀