Vegas Week

Vegas 2011

Most people have been talking about Fashion Week, but I have something bigger going on. It’s Vegas Week. In a few short days I’ll be in Sin City celebrating on of my best girl friend’s engagements.

Vegas is a tradition for my college friends. Our first trip was 10-10-10 (one of our friend’s golden birthdays) and a group of us has been back ever since. Sure, sometimes we’re like, “Shouldn’t we go somewhere else?” but every time I return I remember the fun we first had. So this week I’m going to share some of my tips for owning Vegas, including outfit suggestions and the best places to go. I’m starting with advice for making the most of your trip … whether it’s the first or fifth!

1. Pack light. A Vegas vacation is always my favorite to pack for. All you need to bring are dresses, cover ups, heels and swimsuits. Just roll it all up and fit it easily in one carry-on. To save more room, coordinate with your friends who will bring the straightener, the curling iron, etc.
2. Take a shuttle from the airport. The first time we got to Vegas some of us made the mistake of taking a cab from the airport to our hotel. Now, we know better and schedule a shuttle from the airport and back at the end of our trip. It’ll be about 1/3 of what you’d pay for a round trip cab ride.
3. Go with the flow. If you’re going to Vegas in a group, just like with any trip, all those different personalities could clash. Just remember it’s OK to break off into smaller groups, to go to different shows and even just lay by the pool by yourself. And hopefully you can all compromise so everyone ends up choosing at least one thing they want to do.
4. Take time to walk around. Depending on what you did the night before, sometimes getting out of your bed or leaving the poolside can be hard. But make sure you walk The Strip and stop into other hotels. Vegas is one big mash up of crazy, chic, ostentatious things which is a large part of what makes it so attracting!
5. EAT. When people tell me they don’t eat in Vegas I’m like, HOW? Vegas has amazing boozy brunches. Last time my girlfriends and I were there we spent only $40 for five hours of unlimited drinks and food and a great time reminiscing. So seriously, eat something.
6. Hydrate. It’s hot, you’re drinking, so it’s a no-brainer you’re going to need to hydrate. Another reason to drink lots of water during the day is that most clubs won’t give you free water at the bar. I was so unhappy to have to pay $5 for a tiny water bottle at every club that I started carrying one around and refilling it in the bathroom at the clubs. Yep, I take hydrating that seriously.
7. Get into clubs for free. Those promoters who approach you on the street? Talk to them! In any other city they might be creepy, but here they can offer you perks like free admittance into clubs, complimentary dinners and bottle service. Another option is Instagramming or tweeting photos of you and your group with Vegas hashtags and you’ll likely get some offers via social media, as well.
8. Get to clubs early, but be patient. If you’re offered free admittance or bottle service at the club, get there at the time you were told. You don’t want some other group taking your VIP table because you were late. That being said, if you are there to see an act, be prepared to be there all night because club acts don’t go on until much later. Even when we saw a 15-minute Mike Posner set last year it didn’t start until 1:30 a.m., nearly past these grandma’s bedtimes.
9. Be prepared to take cabs everywhere. Being from the city, each time we were heading somewhere in Vegas I thought we could walk it. But Vegas streets are unlike any others. They’re long, they have strange pedestrian crossings that are raised up and they’re not very heel-friendly. Splitting a cab with your friends is probably your best bet.
10. Soak it up. Vegas can be exhausting but exhilarating. Palm trees, a warm sun and pools open in September, it really is another world for a Midwesterner like me. Every time I go I dread the Vegas hangover you have for days, but if you just enjoy your time while you’re there, it’s worth it.

See you tomorrow, with Vegas suggestions beyond the club!