A Week in Las Vegas with Cosmopolitan
As you may all remember I spent a week in Vegas during the month of December, exploring the very best of Las Vegas with Visit Vegas and Cosmopolitan. Thrilled is an understatement of the emotion I was feeling when Cosmo Australia asked me to cover their travel section in the March Issue of 2018. It was my first time to the states and I couldnt have asked for a more exciting and fulfilling experience! This time I traveled solo and met up with Josh, Editorial and Production Coordinator of Cosmo, who was there to help me to shoot all my images. Thank you Josh! You are amazing! Ps the issue is in stores now! Flip to the back to the travel section where we have covered 5 pages from this trip!!
DAY 1
We arrived around midday and checked into our hotel MGM Grand Suites before heading out for our first shoot location; the famous Welcome to Vegas Sign. My excitement levels were still at an all time high whilst shooting here, which you can probably see in my beaming smile. Tip for getting a good shot without feeling rushed while you are here. Head there either in the morning or afternoon to avoid long lines and crowds.
Afterwards we headed for the High Roller; the worlds tallest Observation Wheel (Ferris wheel :P) for sunset views over the city. Loved seeing the city come to life at night from 550 feet in the air! We finished our evening with an amazing dinner in the Bellagio at a restaurant called Lago that overlooked the famous Vegas fountain. Omg it was the best!
Day 2
We began the morning having breakfast in downtown Vegas at a cafe called Park on Fremont before heading to the Neon Boneyard. The Neon Boneyard is one of my favourite places in Vegas and amazing for photo opportunities! The museum is a collection and preservation of old iconic Neon signs that have been seen all over Vegas for decades. It was extremely interesting hearing about the history of where the signs came from and who designed them. I was obsessed with how colourful everything here was and how fun it was to shoot!
The rest of the day we explored downtown Vegas, including getting harnessed up and sent flying over Fremont street on one of Vegas's thrill seeking activities called Slotzilla. It was a bit of a hoot. Laughed so hard I cried!
Day 3
After 2 hours sleep due to jet lag, we were on the road early and heading on route to the desert. Lack of sleep honestly didn't bother me at all because we were heading to a place I had been SUPER keen to shoot at. The 7 Magic Mountains! This two year exhibit was built by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone in the middle of the desert just outside of Vegas, and is a magnificent site! Real life Willa Wonka and the chocolate factory?! I liked to call them giant nerd stacks. If only they were lickable haha!
After about half an our of shooting we headed back into the city, or should I say Italy, for a little idyllic ride down the canals of Venice. Every hotel is so different and fun and I love how they replicate iconic places! The Venetian is honestly so stunning and realistic I was quickly taken back to my time in Venice 2 years ago. The cloudy sky lit roof was mesmerising, and the beautiful singing voices coming from the gondola riders will most likely bring a tear to your eye.
The day was yet to be over as we spent the afternoon on a foodie tour of the city, eating our way through some of Vegas's most highly acclaimed restaurants. I am not going to lie I am always a little sceptical about going on tours in cities, but I absolutely LOVED this tour Lip Smacking Foodie Tours! I was one content little girl, with a very full belly afterwards. My fav restaurant on the tour was 100% MamaFuku! AMAZING! Drooool. Scroll down for foodie pic below.
Last for the day but not least was the Magic Mike Live show. Giiirrllss I'm sure you can appreciate my excitement for this! Josh and I were treated to VIP tickets, which meant sitting up where Channing Tatum sits when he comes to watch to show. I was amazed at how empowering the show was for women, which I'm sure is what makes it one of the most popular live shows in the city! Make sure to book tickets in advance ladies, it can book out quickly!
Day 4
So this was definitely me favourite day of them all! Firstly I have never been in a helicopter before, but to take my first ride over the Grand Canyon was another experience all together! From Vegas city, we were flown over the Hoover dam and Fortication Hill (an extinct volcano) before heading up over into the Grand Canyon itself. No one could ever really describe the shear size of the canyon. You truely have to experience with your own eyes to believe it! The tour was organised with Maverick Helicopter tours and is a highly recommended activity from my experience.
After an epic morning, we took a few hours to nap before heading straight back out of the city to Red Rock Canyon. Although this wasn't on our schedule, we made the most of our spare time to explore some of Vegas's outer desert landscapes. I suggest hiring a car and taking a scenic drive out stopping to take plenty of photos whilst admiring the surroundings. It is only about 30 minutes to drive from the strip so why not be adventurous, take a break from the hustle and bustle and go exploring!
It was our last night in Vegas, which meant doing something exciting (and in the non alcoholic way as we had to fly back to Aus the next day). I am a huge fun of live entertainment shows, so you can assume I was dying to see Vegas's most renowned live entertainment show - and no it was not Britney! Its called Absinthe, and it is the most intimate, sexy, humorous yet boldy rude stage performance you might ever get the privilege of watching. I was so mesmerised by the people and performances I have honestly watched my recorded videos of the show over and over again on my phone since the night I saw it.
Day 5
Our last day! :( I honestly did not want to leave! Never did I ever think that I would have loved the city like I do. I felt like I connected to it in a way. Sounds totally bizarre I know as I am not the party gambling girl type, nor did I party or gamble whilst I was here. Perhaps that was the reason. Vegas is so much more than a crazy night out on the strip, and I hope my experience has you believing that you should take the time to do more than just party. I truely truely loved my time here and can not wait to come back! If this is my first impression of America, then I am hooked!
