By Sandra Marsian
Former Vice President, Travel, Marketing & Membership for AAA Pioneer Valley
Life is about balance, so when traveling one should embrace the yin and yang when designing the perfect vacation. This is especially important when embarking on a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas dazzles with its nightlife, entertainment, and casinos, while nature’s purity provides the perfect offset. The drive to Arizona’s West Rim of the Grand Canyon, with its breathtaking, expansive views and wildlife sightings, creates a well-balanced getaway.
You may be thinking, why Vegas? Been there, done that? Impossible, as Las Vegas is the queen of reinvention. Several hotels are currently being torn down and reimagined. The former Tropicana will become the new home of the Oakland Athletics ballpark. The Mirage will be replaced with a guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel and Casino set to open in 2027. The Luxor and Excalibur will transform into the Halo Resort and Sky Casino, inspired by the Dubai skyline, opening in 2029.
Music lovers are drawn to Vegas for its constant rotation of popular acts. My recent trip was initiated by two friends who scored tickets to see New Kids on the Block in residency at Dolby Live in Park MGM Resort and Casino. If it’s good enough for Donnie Wahlberg, it’s good enough for us. Park MGM offered a central Strip location, multiple pools, a spa and salon, and easy access to dining and nightlife. Eataly, a large Italian food hall, was perfect for morning coffee and pastries. We also indulged in an endless mimosa brunch at Primrose, one of several noteworthy on property restaurants. Use good judgement as experience suggests mimosas should never be endless, but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. After finding the speakeasy’s hidden entrance, we danced the night away at the onsite club, On The Record. One could argue that leaving the property was unnecessary, especially with its smokefree casino, but we managed to pull ourselves away.
Foodies also rejoice in Vegas. You aren’t a top chef if you don’t have a restaurant there. One friend salivated over the chance to dine at Jaleo, owned by Chef José Andrés, and I was happy to oblige. Located in The Cosmopolitan, we enjoyed Jaleo’s sangria while eating our way through the Spanish tapas tasting menu: pan tomate, jamón, gazpacho, caviar cone, liquid olive, ensalada rusa, croquetas, brussel sprouts, steak, gambas, paella, and flan.
It is no secret that Vegas has become increasingly expensive, reducing visitation by 7.3% in one year. That said, with a little research you will discover plenty of free activities and reasonably priced eateries.
For instance, Caesar’s Palace is home to the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat and the Atlantis Fountain Show, an animatronic production featuring 9-foot-tall statues of King Atlas and his children.
The Bellagio is famous for its outdoor, musically choreographed water fountain show featuring over 1,200 fountains shooting up to 460 feet high, most impressive at night. Indoors, the lobby ceiling showcases Chihuly’s Fiori di Como, a 2,100squarefoot glass sculpture of lit blossoms. Prefer to smell the flowers? The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offer a rotating display of magnificent floral installations.
The Lake of Dreams Show at the Wynn is a multimedia production combining LED lights, music, puppetry, and projected imagery set against a waterfall backdrop. Try watching from the Aft Cocktail Deck. Speaking of cocktails, hitting restaurants early helps stretch your budget, with happy hour food and drink specials available up and down the Strip.
Between stops, immerse yourself in peoplewatching, street performances, and elaborate hotel exteriors. Consider a cab ride to Fremont Street, home of the original Vegas hotel opened in 1901, The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino. Fremont Street offers an oldschool Vegas vibe, attracts locals, and features more affordable dining options.
My only Vegas regret was not attending an event at the Sphere, one of the largest spherical structures in the world and a fully enveloping audio-visual experience that should not be missed. At least now I have the perfect excuse to return to Vegas yet again.
We saved our bus trip to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon for the end of our adventure to wind down and escape the pulse of Vegas. Less crowded than the South and North Rims, the West Rim is also known for its accessibility from Las Vegas, making it a popular day trip.
Eagle Point and Guano Point are two of the scenic viewpoints we explored. Eagle Point is home to the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extending 70 feet over the canyon edge, offering unobstructed views 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. It is also known for rock formations resembling an eagle in flight. Guano Point offers panoramic views and rugged hiking trails that immerse visitors in the canyon’s raw beauty. Managed by the Hualapai Tribe, the area allows guests to learn about Native American history and culture through performances, exhibits, and traditional crafts at Hualapai Ranch.
We might have missed the unassuming ranch entirely if not for the sound of music. As I peeked through the window, we were waved inside by a Hualapai Tribe member in traditional dress. As their only guests to this intimate performance, my friend Kelly joined the tribal dance—an unexpected bookend to a trip that began with her dancing to NKOTB’s “The Right Stuff.”
Moments like these remind us that the unplanned is what makes travel truly memorable.