I recently returned home from a weekend trip to Las Vegas with girlfriends whom I haven’t seen since moving to Texas. It was a fabulous reunion of sorts and an even more more fabulous weekend celebrating a milestone birthday for three of us turning 40 this year! (August, September, and October), so a weekend girls trip was in order.
It’s been 5 years since I last visited Las Vegas! I’m not much of a nightlife’er/clubber these days, nor do I gamble much, I’ll try the slots! But I do love food and can appreciate the culinary scene. So many new exciting restaurants and dining experiences have opened in Las Vegas in the last 5 years and you really have to pick and choose your itinerary if you’re only there for a brief time.
A few highlights of my 24 hours in Las Vegas:
The Venetian and The Palazzo are good options because every room is a suite and can easily sleep 5+ girls. As a perk, these stunning hotels are reasonably priced so it’s a good excuse to treat yourself. The cabanas and pool at the Venetian have been remodeled and just reopened so if you have time, definitely reserve a shaded spot early before the crowds.
It’s always fun getting ready for a night out with girlfriends with the Venetian rooms’ bathrooms large enough for everyone to get ready together and a large mirror for selfies and the perfect #ootd!
Sequin Night!
Want The World
Lots of photo ops around the Venetian and lots of friendly people willing to take your photos!
As the world’s tallest observation wheel, at 550-foot-tall the High Roller is an unforgettable experience. The Happy Half Hour ticket gives you a thirty-minute ride with an open bar. We opted for the cabin without a bar and just bought drinks at the lobby entrance.
Tip: Go just before sunset for the most amazing cotton candy color skies as the Las Vegas lights illuminate the landscape. Bonus if you remember to look down to watch the Bellagio fountain show!
Outfit Details | Sequin Bralette: (sold out) For Love & Lemons | Sequin Jacket: LPA | Pants: Zara | Sandals: Sam Edelman
You’ll definitely have the best view of the Strip!
The Dorsey at The Venetian: Dance the night away to one of its DJs, or chill on the sofas and chat with your besties over drinks at this local spot.
My favorite day of the week, or my favorite meal of the day: BRUNCH!
Brunch Look…
Outfit Details | Cropped Knit Top: Zara | Pleated Pants with Belt: Zara (sold out), similar here | Purse: Rebecca Minkoff | Sandals: Sam Edelman | Sunglasses: Le Specs Lolita
A girls trip isn’t complete without brunch. Opened in 2015, Bardot is Chef Michael Mina’s latest restaurant at Aria Resort & Casino. To create the brasserie’s menu, Chef Mina and Executive Chef Joshua Smith drew inspiration from travels to Paris. The menu offers classic French fare executed with a modern twist. Bardot is the American take on a French brasserie—the beautiful yet contrived variety.
L’atmosphere
The space is stunning: a gorgeous glass square bar, beautiful wood paneling, stunning floral arrangements, and of course marble and brass everywhere. If this is the Las Vegas take on Paris, I’m OK with that.
Bardot’s version of the Croque Madame… The Double Decker Ham & Brie
One my favorite things to order at any French cafe is the Croque Madame or Croque Monsier. BARDOT’s version of a Croque Madame is piled high with Paris Ham and Gruyére Fondue then topped with an over-easy organic egg – yum! So glad I changed my order at the very last minute. If you’re going to have one meal with carbs, have it here and with this. So. Worth. It.
Short Rib Bourguignon Croissant Benedict
I had a bite of my friend’s Short Rib Bourguignon Croissant Benedict – puffy, flaky, housemade croissants topped with poached eggs, sauteéd kale and short rib Bourguignon. So delicious!
Toasted Marshmallows
Toasted Marshmallows birthday treat from the kitchen!
That said, I will return to Bardot each time I’m in Vegas, as you can’t beat a beautiful French brasserie for brunch.
Hello Kitty Cafe Las Vegas
To walk off brunch, we strutted our full bellies over to the new Hello Kitty Cafe at The Park, just opened in July, located on The Strip between New York-New York and Park MGM.
The Mini Cafe Pop-Up offers a fun outdoor cafe experience that celebrates all things Hello Kitty and Las Vegas, along with collectible merchandise and themed treats. The pop-up is the first of its kind in Nevada, following the success of its sister locations in California, which include the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe in Irvine, and Hello Kitty Mini Cafe in San Jose CA.
Our final afternoon together sharing Hello Kitty’s global message of friendship and happiness, before I parted ways with the girls and as we head back home to our families, kids, and our daily lives at home.
I had to pick up some cute sweet treats for my boys!
Do you have any travel tips for visiting Las Vegas? Let me know down below!