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Salina, Kansas: An Impressive Town with Big-City Attractions

October 22, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Visit Salina sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are my own.

When I was asked if I wanted to return to Salina, Kansas for a visit, I couldn’t pack my bag fast enough. Having stayed overnight there before, I was giddy for new experiences. Salina is a town that has so much to do that you need to stay multiple days. It offers big-city attractions and dining but still somehow still feels like a small town.The residents have always treated me kindly. Their welcoming spirit is genuine. I’m one of the town’s biggest fans for its progressiveness, focus on the arts, and plethora of entertainment options.

If you haven’t been to Salina in years, this is not the same town. The downtown district underwent a major renovation project opening boutique shops, loft apartments, new restaurants, and a five-story hotel.LODGING

HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON SALINA DOWNTOWN

Of all of the hotels that I’ve stayed at while on the road travel writing, Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown (155 E. Mulberry St.) is by far one of the best. The luxury, service, and proximity to the town’s attractions make it the foremost hotel to enjoy when visiting Salina.I had the pleasure of staying in the 2 King Beds 1 Bedroom Suite on the fifth floor overlooking the downtown corridor. I was pleasantly surprised by its design and square footage. Large enough to sleep six people, it was so spacious that I thought to myself, “Wow! This room is the size of an apartment.”

It had all of the comforts of home and more, including a full kitchen, two flat-screen TVs, and floor-to-ceiling windows. I felt spoiled. As much as I loved it, I appreciated the rest of the hotel just as much.The new hotel features Hilton’s expected amenities and then some. The beautifully decorated hotel is designed in a modern style with references to the region from the lobby’s opulent, gas-powered fireplace to the private library with the finest furnishings.

With multiple seating areas in the lobby area, it’s easy to carve a little space out for yourself. I escaped into the library on a couple of occasions, a space that includes framed Birger Sandzén prints amongst its stunning furnishings.Guests also have access to complimentary free nearby parking, a hot breakfast, free WiFi, evening socials Monday-Wednesday. The impressive evening socials give guests a chance to unwind with an alcoholic beverage and a light dinner – and it’s all included in your stay.

Additionally, YaYa’s Euro Bistro fine dining restaurant is connected to the hotel offering patrons indoor and patio dining experiences. I recommend planning your stay around one of their events, which has included small group wine tastings as well as entertainment on the patio provided by Salina Symphony ensembles. Prefer room service? You can order dinner from the restaurant and have it delivered to your room. The fitness room was the largest I’d ever seen in a hotel and it featured top-of-the-line exercise equipment. For swimmers looking to do laps, the pool is definitely large enough. Lounge chairs also make it an ideal place to sit back and close your eyes in relaxation. The facilities were clean and spacious. Homewood Suites by Hilton has thought of EVERYTHING. For travelers who have an extended stay, they’ve provided a laundry room for guests to use, a delightful discovery. Imagine arriving home with a suitcase of clean clothes!

As a guest, you don’t want or need for anything. It feels good to be spoiled, especially if you’re a Hilton Honors member.And it gets better! Upon check-in, you’ll be asked what kind of complimentary coupon you would like to use at the hotel’s Starbucks cafe. Buy One, Get One specialty coffee beverages? Don’t mind if I do. Homewood Suites by Hilton rolls out the red carpet. After getting settled into your room, you’ll want to extend your stay. I highly recommend booking your reservation.

ATTRACTIONS

SALINA COMMUNITY THEATRE

It had been almost a decade since I watched a play. I’m glad I discovered the Salina Community Theatre (303 E. Iron Ave.). I walked away from the production of “The Half-Life of Marie Curie” in awe of the actors’ ability to capture the audience’s attention and hearts.

The 90-minute dramedy, set in 1912, told the story of scientist Marie Curie who spent two months at her friend Hertha Ayrton’s seaside home recovering from the emotional scars from public scrutiny. The two-person cast performed in a black box theatre where the audience sat only feet from them. It was a moving experience.

More impressive still, the theatre group began 61 years ago. Today, Salina Community Theatre remains a distinguished provider of theatre and theatre education between Topeka and Denver. No small feat!

Photo courtesy of Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

They work hard to make theatre accessible to people of all ages. In fact, one of their programs, Center for Theatre Arts, includes vocal music and theatre dance classes for all ages. The classes are offered to students starting as early as first grade through adulthood. I think they deserve a standing ovation for the work they do with the community and to entertain audiences.

To view upcoming shows and order tickets to the theatre’s next production, visit here.

SMOKY HILL MUSEUM

Where can you experience a Kansas tornado (virtually!), play a pinball machine, explore the history of Salina, and walk inside an 1858 dugout replica? The nationally accredited Smoky Hill Museum (211 W. Iron) has wowed visitors since 1977.

With over 30,000 artifacts in the collections, you’re bound to see and experience exhibits like you never have before. And it’s always changing! Even the permanent exhibits are continuously refreshed to include new artifacts.I love a museum that tells a story well. Did you know that Salina was once the third-largest producer of flour in the world? The newest exhibit, “Crossroads of the Heartland,” explains the rise of Salina. In 1862, settlers chose the area because it was ideal for agriculture, which explains why you see so many mills in the region.Eventually, the town became a crossroads for industry that included the railroad, Schilling Air Force Base (closed in 1966), technology companies, trucking, and healthcare.The museum includes an abundance of hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. From examining parts of a buffalo to building a city and starting a tornado to playing with old-fashioned toys, Smoky Hill Museum is an entertaining experience. Make sure to walk upstairs to The Curiosity Shop for a nostalgic, immersive experience. Kids love it, too!Before you exit the museum, purchase Kansas-made products and keepsakes in the gift shop. They have a wide selection of travel guides and non-fiction books about Kansas.

I bought a book about roadside oddities, “Kansas Curiosities” and notecards depicting prairie scenes. After exiting the building, take a photo with Patches the Hippo outside.There is no charge to visit the Smoky Hill Museum. They are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. Plan your visit here. If you can’t make it to the museum, view the online exhibits.

STIEFEL THEATRE

Harry Connick, Jr. Heart. STYX. Merle Haggard. All the greats have played at the Stiefel Theatre (151 S. Santa Fe Ave.). How is it that a theatre in a seemingly small town in the middle of Kansas could attract premiere music acts? When all the right things come together, it’s meant to be. For starters, the theatre is a design masterpiece.Opened as the Fox-Watson Theatre in 1931, it was the idea of a wealthy grocer and banker in Salina. W.W. Watson, with help from others, opened the doors to the movie palace considered “one of the most beautiful in Kansas.” (Source: Stiefel Theatre). It was later renamed after Milton Stiefel who was a major contributor to its renovation.Fast forward decades later after a major renovation in 2003. The theatre’s state-of-the-art sound system, backstage accommodations, and stunning interior make it a must-stop venue for performers.

Audience members travel from surrounding states to listen to bands and comedians surrounded by art deco design – and what a sight it is with gold leaf finishes, crystal chandeliers, and a lobby that takes your breath away.

Although it’s no longer used, the original ticket booth stands outside the entrance of the theatre. It’s worth a peek inside.

This mirror was imported from France and installed in the lobby prior to the theatre’s grand opening.

The restored theatre is impeccably designed and maintained.

To stand on the stage and look out into the auditorium, you can almost imagine what it’s like to perform in front of a packed house of 1,265 seats. Front row ticket holders sit less than, maybe, ten feet from the stage. The glass chandelier that illuminates the audience is original to the building’s design.

An artist hand-carved the Kansas-inspired botanicals above the doorways in the corridor beyond the lobby.

Free tours of the historic theater are available for groups or individuals. Call ahead to reserve a date and time.

Fortunate enough to tour the backstage area, I stared at the signatures and doodles that covered the walls of the largest dressing room. Bands of my youth had made their mark. Other musicians, who I wish I could see play live, had scrawled their signatures on the walls.

I can’t wait to return to see a concert at the theatre. Are you interested in doing the same? View their lineup of upcoming events here.Later, I met up with the executive director of the Salina Symphony. Did you know the symphony also graces the Stiefel Theatre’s stage? In their 66th season, the symphony is a 200 person production that consists of volunteer and paid musicians.

A one-time violin player in a youth orchestra, I was impressed to learn that they have experienced musicians teaching students in the symphony’s Youth Education Program.If you also appreciate listening to orchestral music or perhaps have always wanted to hear it, you can purchase tickets to one or all of the six concerts performed each year. The holiday show is so well attended that it was expanded to two days.

View upcoming concerts and reserve your seats by accessing their website here.

ROLLING HILLS ZOO

The Rolling Hills Zoo is a top attraction in Salina. The sprawling park (take the $3 tram!) is open seven days a week to welcome animal lovers to explore the animals in their habitats. Big cats, wild birds, primates, giraffes, and reptiles make up the majority of the outdoor exhibits. The zoo is building “The Pride of the Prairie,” a new lion habitat to give guests a face-to-face encounter with the cats from inside a cave.My first priority when touring Rolling Hills Zoo was to visit the giraffe exhibit. I approached the area slowly as to not startle them. To my surprise, Zuri, Billie, and the youngest, Korey, were as interested in me as I was in them. Korey, who was born in December 2020, is 10 feet tall and growing. The other giraffes are 11 years old.I visited the zoo in the early afternoon hours when most of the animals were napping, including a bear in a hammock. However, a tiger rose from his slumber to yawn in acknowledgment of passersby. Capybaras and flamingos explored. Barnyard animals greeted children.The zoo has an indoor museum that allows guests to journey through 64,000 feet of scenery with animatronic humans and animals comparable to what you would see and hear at a big city theme park. The space is also filled with taxidermy giving one’s stroll through the museum an immersive quality.A visit to Rolling Hills Zoo should be at the top of your list of things to do when in Salina. To experience the upcoming events, view gate admission prices and the zoo’s hours, visit the website.

MURAL AT THE MILL

I was pleased to discover that the Salina Kanvas Project‘s mural was now complete. The large-scale painting (343 N. Santa Fe) was painted by Australian artist Guido van Helten who typically is commissioned to do major projects in large cities across the globe. It’s a spectacular mural. For more information about the project, visit an earlier post I wrote about it here.

BOUTIQUE SHOPPING

During my free time, I stepped inside a number of gift and clothing boutiques in the downtown area. Country Seasons Boutique (201 S. 5th St.) is a consignment store that carries curated and new retail from apparel to seasonal decor. The window displays are beautiful. In search of wall art? They stock a large selection of paintings and framed prints.Known for carrying antiques, market finds, and locally-made jewelry, Rebecca Jane’s (115 N. Santa Fe) is where you can always find a gift for yourself or someone else. Heed my advice. Take your time winding your way through the narrow pathways that lead you through the booths. With so many cute items to see (items are refreshed frequently), you’ll need extra time.Baron Mushmouse (141 S. Santa Fe) is a new store downtown that carries a bit of everything. The eclectic inventory will capture your attention. The home furnishings include antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces. They have the most hilarious greeting cards and novelty items that I’ve ever seen.In search of new clothes to add to your closet? Sanity Boutique (135 S. Santa Fe) is an apparel store where women of any generation can find clothing that appeals to them. New arrivals sit front and center as you walk into the store. As you meander through the boutique, you’ll notice dressy and casual separates, shoes, and on-trend jewelry. The prices are reasonable given the high-quality selection.I came home with a pair of earrings from Eccentricity (104 N. Santa Fe), a women’s clothing store with racks of apparel organized by color and season. They carry Vera Bradley, Kut denim, Scout jewelry, Spartina handbags, and a long list of well-known brands. The staff is super nice and knowledgeable.The Bath Pub (109 S. Santa Fe) is a new store where shoppers can create their own custom bath and body products. It’s a great place to host private parties. Ask about the fragrance recipe cards before making customized bath products.

FOOD & DRINK

AD ASTRA BOOKS & COFFEE HOUSE

Part cafe, partly used bookstore, Ad Astra Books & Coffee House (141 N. Santa Fe) resembles a library with tables and chairs for lounging. The relaxed atmosphere is where locals meet up for specialty coffee or tea to chat about local happenings. Exposed limestone and brick walls anchor bookshelves stocked with titles in every genre.Also a place for families, the youngest visitors will appreciate the children’s book section and inviting gumball machine. I recommend asking about the specialty coffee of the month. Proceeds from my purchase of a Bee Kind Latté went to a local non-profit. You’ll find it difficult to leave without buying a book, t-shirt, or Kansas-themed gift.DAGNEY’S ICE CREAM

Word on the street is that Dagney’s Ice Cream (105 E. Iron St.) serves some of the best tasting ice cream around. With 29 flavors on the menu, I was determined to select the best one. I sampled the Maple Bacon (it was incredible!), but eventually settled on Rocky Road, a flavor recommended by a local.

Thick, chunky, and dense in flavor, it satisfied. Word to the wise! Order a smaller size than you’re craving. The ice cream is filling. If you love it, they sell to-go pints. Ask about new flavors.MARTINELLI’S LITTLE ITALY

To visit Salina without eating at Martinelli’s Little Italy (158 S. Santa Fe) is a crime. They serve the best Italian food in Kansas. I’ve repeatedly visited the restaurant for its incredible food and crave it when I’m not in Salina.

What makes it worthy of a visit? Authentic flavor, impeccable service, and it’s located in the heart of downtown Salina across from the Stiefel Theatre. Everyone raves about this place.

Take a few minutes to look at the photos in the lobby area showcasing the many celebrities that have dined at the restaurant.

Recently reopened after renovations, the ambiance is top-notch. Red and white checkered tablecloths and jazz music set the scene. Martinelli’s serves everything from chicken parmesan (I chose the half sandwich and chopped salad combo), specialty pasta, steaks, and seafood. Your server will tell you the daily special and soup of the day. Leave room for homemade tiramisu or creme brûlée. Ask for the drink and dessert menus before ordering your meal to plan ahead. The family-style portions are HUGE. A quarter-size pasta dish is prepared with a half-pound of pasta. The spaghetti comes with a one-pound meatball. You’ll need a to-go box.DAIMARU STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR

When you’re in the mood for exotic food, Daimaru Steakhouse and Sushi Bar (3045 S. 9th St.) fits the bill. The book, I mean menu, includes pages of delightful options including sushi rolls, pho, Cantonese entrees, and Pad Thai.

I was craving fried sushi rolls, so I ordered the Big John. Even though it was plenty of food for one person, I also ordered shrimp fresh spring rolls. I’m a sucker for peanut dipping sauce. And who can resist spicy mayo?Daimaru is popular with locals. The sushi chefs never stood still. I watched as they prepared enormous sushi platters. Artfully designed, the sushi tasted as good as it looked.

You’re never at a loss for exciting things to do or places to discover in Salina. No matter your interest, you can find big-city attractions and dining in a small town, welcoming setting. Check out an earlier post I wrote about Salina for bonus travel ideas here. I promise you’ll be impressed with Salina and want to visit it repeatedly.

How to Enjoy Vegas Luxury at The Bellagio on a Budget

October 12, 2016 by Vanessa 13 Comments

A week prior to my fortieth birthday in Las Vegas, my first trip there, I heard Elvis singing in my head.

So, you have no idea how pumped I was to hear the flight crew cue up “Vive Las Vegas” as we waited to exit the plane. Not a gambler, I was unsure if I would place my bet on Vegas. I did and I can tell you with confidence that Vegas is a must-have life experience you simply can’t miss out on. It’s that fun.

I want to share with you the many ways you can get the most out of a few days in Vegas using my super, awesome insider tips when staying at The Bellagio. Yes, you can enjoy Sin City without completely blowing your budget. Let’s do this!

The Flight

We booked our trip two months in advance with Allegiant. It’s not easy departing so late at night (9pm) and the airline’s many cost restrictions didn’t help. But when you’re as hyped for The Strip as we were, it was worth the booking it direct with them.

You need to realize when flying Allegiant that they charge you for EVERYTHING. Want to check a bag? It’s a fee. Want to bring a carry-on? It’s a fee. Drink water? Say it with me…it’s a fee. Oh, and don’t have the agent print your boarding pass. That’s a fee! And don’t expect reclining seats or free snacks either. The reason your flight is so cheap is because they charge you for every detail of your experience to maintain their discount airline status. You may wonder why so many people fly Allegiant. Because it’s a direct, inexpensive flight.

But, I know how to help you survive flying Allegiant!

Roll your clothes in order to get three days worth of clothes into your carry-on. I packed for my boyfriend and myself in one carry-on bag. Yes, three nights in one carry-on for two people and that included three pairs of shoes too. It’s possible to pack efficiently if you roll your clothes and carry a backpack per person on the plane. (I did not carry a separate purse but stashed a clutch bag and an empty cross body bag inside my backpack.) Pay for your bags online in advance and be sure to download the Allegiant app to receive notifications.

Pro Tip: Pack light snacks and an empty water bottle. Fill the bottle at the drinking fountains after you pass through security. Don’t forget to also pack a neck pillow and eye mask. When you sit super close to neighboring passengers on a discount airline, falling asleep on a dark plane is awkward when you doze in their direction. Your neck pillow keeps you comfortable and upright when sitting in the middle seat. Ladies: The cabin is very cool on the flight there, so I recommend wearing socks and sneakers to keep your feet warm rather than some bedazzled sandal and to pack a light sweater.

Transportation from the Airport:

Now you’re ready to head to the hotel and start the Vegas fun! You have several transportation options from the airport to your hotel. Taxis and shuttles are always lined up outside of baggage claim exits. However, be prepared to wait awhile for one. If you don’t mind stopping a numerous hotels in route to your own, take a shuttle with strangers. Prefer a private taxi? Get in line…a l-o-n-g line that winds for a mile inside of a sectioned off area near the street. Share a cab (up to 5 people) and you’ll spend probably spend about $25 to your hotel on The Strip not including tip. When the cabbie asks you, “Do you want to take the route of The Strip or the highway?” opt for The Strip. It will cost much less and you can see the city scenery. Vegas cabbies are typically not friendly and drive incredibly fast.

Pro Tip: If taking a cab from the airport to your hotel, ask them to stop at a liquor store on the way. Stock up on canned beer and wine enclosed in plastic (to take to the pool later). Our cabbie turned off his meter for us so we hurried to make our purchases. The final cost, including the stop, to The Bellagio from the airport was $21 plus tip.

See the bridges over the streets? Pack your walking shoes because to cross the 2.5 miles of The Strip means you're going to have to walk over bridges and take escalators often. — See the bridges over the streets? Pack your walking shoes because to cross the 2.5 miles of The Strip means you’re going to have to walk over bridges and take escalators often.

The Hotel:

You have dozens of choices for hotel accommodations in Vegas. While you could save some money by staying off The Strip or at an older hotel, I want to give you the information you need to stay at a luxury hotel for less cost. We booked The Bellagio as part of a package deal with flight on Allegiant’s site at $800 per person for 3 nights and four days. While that sounds like a lot, consider that the same hotel charged $700 a night only a week later on their site. If there are conventions in town (and when isn’t there in Vegas?), the hotels jack up the prices. Our booking also included a buffet meal allowance of each day. Once we arrived, we used The Twenty Dollar Trick and mentioned that it was my birthday (true) to try to score upgraded accommodations. It worked! Not sure what The Twenty Dollar Trick is? Read about it here.

Conservatory gardens are surrounded by tiny shops and a cafe.

Main entrance to the conservatory gardens. Bellagio staff works on the flowers during early morning hours.

The lobby ceiling is feet of breathtaking hand blown glass.

The desk agent upgraded our room to the floor directly below the penthouse suites that included a nice view of the pool. He called his manager to try to give us a room with the view of the famous fountains, but it was a no-go. We were given a VIP business card that allowed us to the cut the l-o-n-g line at the hotel’s buffet. Our package deal included $80 per room per day in buffet credit, which was deducted from our itemized bill at the end of our stay. Don’t underestimate the buffet! The food options are endless and include more than the usual omelette or prime rib station. You can enjoy endless mounds of crab legs and shellfish or sushi. They serve king crab legs cold, but will heat them up for you by request. Prefer a culinary delight from another country? The Bellagio serves that as well from pastas to unique salads. If you want to eat like a high roller, dine on caviar or eggs benedict at brunch at no extra cost.

Caviar for brunch anyone? The Bellagio buffet options are definitely not basic.

We highly recommend opting for a bar seat when dining at the buffet. The bartenders are hospitable, hilarious, and they work hard to make sure your dining experience is top-notch. One of our bartenders had worked there for 18 years! Each one took an interest in where guests traveled from, how they preferred their drink, and even answered concierge-worthy questions. You can pay at the bar so by-pass the cashier station when you arrive.

Pro Tip: Get a table for the buffet at 2:45pm and enjoy a cocktail while you wait for the kitchen staff to switch lunch to dinner. You’ll get to enjoy savory dinner entree options or the price of a lunch ticket. Sit at the bar to avoid a wait. Sometimes the bartenders will come out and recruit guests to sit at the bar instead of regular seating. Go! It reduces your wait by 30 minutes or more.

The Room:

From the tile bathroom floors to the pillow top mattresses, the room is luxurious. Guests can hang their clothes on wooden hangers in a well-lit amoire that also contains an ironing board and iron, a must-have item when you roll your clothes to pack everything in a carry-on bag. Sit in velvety soft chairs to view the oversized flat screen television or use the provided barware to pre-game before hitting the strip. The only drawback to the room is that it does not include a coffeemaker. After a night of drinking, you need your own bottled water and coffee in the room.

bellagio-hotel1 bellagio-hotel2

Each bathroom comes with a large glass enclosed shower and deep bathtub.

If you prefer your room temperature on another setting, you can change them using this life hack to override the thermostat. It worked for us!

Pro Tip: Do not drink or eat from the provided snacks in your room. In fact, don’t move an item at all to make room for your liquor store booze. The hotel charges $50 if they have to replace items. Call the front desk and tell them you need a courtesy refrigerator brought to your room. The same size refrigerator is wheeled to your room at no cost.

Four elevators whisk hotel guests up and down each section of the hotel. You never wait more than a minute for an elevator.

The Pool:

Swimming or lounging at The Bellagio pool is amazing. The weather, the people watching, the water, the view…oh my! Vegas weather in October was a perfect 75-80 degrees the day we visited so we dipped our toes in the water. It’s not so warm that you can’t enjoy one of their many hot tubs and it’s warm enough you can swim at your leisure in their temperature-controlled pool.

Pro Tip: Don’t order poolside drinks, including water, from the waitresses. A Bloody Mary ($17) in a plastic cup with lid will set you back quite a few bucks and the bar charges a “service fee” on top of your cash tip. If you order a filtered water, you’ll pay $10. If you bring an empty bottle, you can fill it at a water station near the bar service area. Thankfully, we (and other guests we witnessed) were able to bring in liquor store booze in cans and plastic containers without issue.

The pool staff never searched our bags or asked us about it while we openly drank. Also, if your friends are staying at another hotel, have them meet one of you in the lobby and slip them one of your room cards. Couples only need one room card to enter the pool area. Each person is issued a towel upon entry.

Head down to the pool before 10am to claim your chairs.

The Casino:

You can wear casual to business attire on the casino floor and fit in just fine. You will see people dressed sequins and birthday sashes to jeans and t-shirts. You’ll be hard-pressed to get a spot to play a table game on a busy night during a holiday weekend. If you’re not willing to wait, take Uber ($11) to Old Vegas and walk right up to one of Binion’s tables. (Note: Uber is the safest, cheapest, and easiest way to get around Las Vegas. Just remember that Uber drivers are not allowed to pick you up in hotel valet or limousine pick-up areas. Sometimes signs indicate where Uber picks up, but if not, follow the small crowd around the corner to the side of the casino. Ask the valet where Uber pick up is located. When in doubt, call your Uber driver and ask where they will pick you up.

Pro Tip: Like many hotel casinos in Vegas, as long as you’re gambling, you’re drinking for free. Well, nearly free. Don’t forget to tip your waitress. A good rule-of-thumb is to tip them $2-5 the first time they stop by your gaming table or slot machine and then a $1 per drink after that. The more you tip, the more likely they are to visit you. The casino floor is busy on a Saturday so don’t expect to see them often. However, the early morning shift of waitresses is depending on your tips since it’s not as busy so tip big and take advantage of speedy service. The drinks are not weak! You can sip on anything you desire from champagne to craft beer.

Head to Old Vegas (Freemont Street) to enjoy cheaper bar drinks and easy access to gambling tables. This LED sign seems to sum up Vegas pretty well, don't ya think? — Head to Old Vegas (Fremont Street) to enjoy cheaper bar drinks and easy access to gambling tables. This LED sign seems to sum up Vegas pretty well, don’t ya think?

The mega LED screen over Fremont street plays a music video show every hour on the hour.

The Grounds:

Many of Las Vegas’ best venues are on the grounds of the hotel. It has impressive restaurants and bars, a Cirque du Soleil show “O”, high-end shopping, and botanical gardens. If you want to watch your budget, window-shop. While it may be tempting to buy a designer purse or watch in one of the many fancy stores, don’t.

The Bellagio has a grab and go convenience shop that is a bit hidden. At one point, I was hungry for a snack while other guests slept in until the brunch hour. I was able to buy whole fruit ($2) in a store across from the convention rooms. Did I mention how important it is to pack your own snacks for Vegas?

Pro Tip: Buy show tickets on the day of the show from the hotel ticket counter, but do it early in the day. If you’re staying at The Bellagio, you save 20%. You can also buy discounted tickets on the strip the day of the show from Tix4Tonight. We opted to see Penn and Teller’s show at The Rio instead, which set us back about $100 per person including taxes and fees for lower level seating close to the stage. Some Vegas show tickets start at $100 or higher, so consider any show under that price a good deal.

This show sold out after we bought our tickets the same day or the show. Buy your tickets during early morning hours.

Not interested in a show? Put on comfortable walking shoes and cruise the hotel. The Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden changes with the seasons and is a whimsical wonder of flowers and outdoor features. It’s free and makes a nice backdrop for selfies or family photos.

Just around the corner from the gardens you will spy a floor to ceiling chocolate fountain behind glass. It’s nestled inside a grab-and-go cafe that sells gift items. It’s a must-see stop for dessert lovers!

Sometimes it's fun to leave the Bellagio and check out other hotels and features on The Strip. This photo was taken inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel restaurant, a stop on the Bellagio free tram. — Sometimes it’s fun to leave the Bellagio and check out other hotels and features on The Strip. This photo was taken inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel restaurant, a stop on the Bellagio free tram.

The Fountains:

A breathtaking water show, the Bellagio fountains run on a frequent schedule and are best witnessed at night. The most surprising element about viewing the fountains is how powerful the water canons are to spray water to the height of the hotel’s top floor windows. Amazing! A crowd forms around the fountains and cheap beer and water can be purchased off of local vendors with coolers for $5.

View the Fountains of Bellagio schedule here.

Check Out:

One look at the checkout line on Sunday and we knew we were not going to wait in it. We called the front desk and asked for a late check out, an accommodation they provided at no cost. Usual check out was 11:00am but they gave us until noon. Does that mean the cleaning crew is knocking on your door at noon? Probably not. While guests in our party on another floor were asked if the cleaning crew could get in their room at noon, we were not. The hotel key card will work one hour after your check out time.

Pro Tip: Use your room’s TV remote to go to the channel “Check Out” and simply check out with a few clicks of a button. As long as you agree with the charges on the screen, the hotel will automatically charge the card on file. Don’t agree with the itemized invoice? Call the front desk. Bypassing the long lines in the lobby affords you the time to relax before catching your flight home or try one last attempt to win at video poker.

If you’re one of those travelers that has put off a trip to Vegas because you think it’s just a mecca of 21-year-old partiers and high rollers, you’re wrong. Vegas has something for every kind of traveler. Book a trip this year!

Let me know what you think of Vegas in the comments below. What questions do you have? Ask me!

(Links within this post are not affiliates.)

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