They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but some experiences are too good not to share. This was my second time in Sin City, and let me tell you – Vegas has a way of surprising you even when you think you know what to expect. From November 4-7, I returned to the neon-lit playground of the Strip, and this time, I came prepared to experience everything from helicopter rides above the glittering cityscape to immersive shows on the world’s largest LED screen.

Day 1: Arrival and Rediscovering the Strip – November 4th

The Journey: A Hungry Start

My day began with a flight from New York to Las Vegas – over five and a half hours in the air. Here’s the kicker: the airline didn’t provide any food service. Not even a snack. By the time we landed, I was absolutely starving and honestly a bit frustrated. After such a long flight, even a simple meal service would have made a huge difference.

I made my way to my Airbnb accommodation, checked in, and immediately crashed for a bit. A hot shower later, I felt somewhat human again, though my stomach was still protesting loudly.

First Meal: Indian Comfort Food

Venturing out in search of food, I found an Indian restaurant nearby and ordered chicken biryani. Was it the best biryani I’ve ever had? Honestly, no. But when you’re that hungry, everything tastes better than it probably should. The aromatic rice and spiced chicken hit the spot, and I felt recharged enough to actually explore.

Evening on the Strip: Change is in the Air

After my meal, as evening descended, I hopped on a bus and started walking the Strip. Las Vegas Boulevard – “the Strip” – is the 4.2-mile stretch of glittering casinos, hotels, and entertainment venues that defines Vegas. But something felt different this time around.

Since my last visit, Vegas has been transforming. Construction sites dotted various locations along the Strip, new structures rising where I remembered other attractions. It’s always been a city that reinvents itself, but seeing so much active construction made the familiar feel slightly less magical – that sense of constant change reminded me that Vegas, for all its timeless appeal, never stays the same for long.

Bellagio: Fountains and Elegance

I made my way to the Bellagio, one of the Strip’s most iconic luxury resorts. The Bellagio opened in 1998 and has been synonymous with Vegas elegance ever since. I stepped inside to explore the famous lobby with its stunning glass ceiling installation – Dale Chihuly’s “Fiori di Como,” featuring over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers in vibrant colors. The casino floor buzzed with activity, and I snapped some photos capturing the opulent atmosphere.

But the real show was waiting outside: the Bellagio Fountains. I timed my visit perfectly to catch one of the choreographed water shows. Set in an 8-acre lake, these fountains shoot water up to 460 feet in the air, dancing in perfect sync to music ranging from classical to contemporary. Watching the fountains surge and sway against the backdrop of the lit-up Strip, with music filling the air, was mesmerizing. It’s free entertainment that rivals many paid shows, and it never gets old – even on a second visit.

By 9 PM, jet lag was catching up with me. I headed back to my room, content with my first evening back in Vegas, even if the construction had dulled some of the sparkle.

Planning Ahead

As I settled in for the night, I mapped out the next day’s adventures: riding the High Roller observation wheel during the day, experiencing the Sphere in the evening (reportedly the world’s largest LED screen), and if time permitted, a helicopter tour over the Vegas lights. Vegas round two was officially underway.

Day 2: Wheels, Spheres, and Sky-High Views – November 5th

Morning Exploration: Beyond the Strip

I woke up with ambitious plans. My first mission? Take the RTC Route 119 bus to explore Las Vegas beyond the tourist corridor. Since I had a 3-day bus pass, I could ride as much as I wanted without worrying about costs.

What followed was nearly a 4-hour end-to-end tour of areas most tourists never see. It was fascinating. Las Vegas outside the Strip is a sprawling desert city with a completely different character. What struck me most was the residential architecture – almost every home I saw was a duplex. Not standalone houses, not apartment complexes, but duplexes stretching across neighborhoods. Only the hotels reached for the sky; everything else stayed low and spread out.

This unplanned tour gave me a much fuller picture of Vegas as an actual city where people live and work, not just a playground for visitors. The contrast between the residential calm and the Strip’s chaos was stark and enlightening.

The High Roller: Vegas from 550 Feet Up

By 4 PM, I’d returned to the Strip and headed to the High Roller at The LINQ Promenade. I’d purchased tickets in advance, so I walked straight to the queue. The High Roller, standing at 550 feet tall, held the title of the world’s tallest observation wheel when it opened in 2014 (though it’s since been surpassed). Each cabin holds up to 40 people and is air-conditioned – crucial in the Vegas heat.

I’d been on a similar observation wheel before in Singapore – the Singapore Flyer – so I knew what to expect: slow, steady rotation offering gradually changing perspectives of the city. But this was Las Vegas, and I wasn’t about to miss it.

As our cabin ascended, the views unfolded beautifully. To one side, the Strip stretched out in all its chaotic glory. To the other, I could see the Sphere – that massive, mysterious orb that had been generating buzz worldwide. From up here, its sheer scale became apparent. The 30-minute rotation gave me plenty of time to take photos, enjoy the views, and just soak in being suspended above one of the world’s most famous streets.

Ice Cream and Anticipation

After descending, I treated myself to ice cream and wandered around The LINQ Promenade, taking photos and people-watching. Vegas is always alive, always buzzing with energy. Even just standing still, you feel part of something larger – the constant flow of humanity seeking excitement, escape, or just a good story to tell.

The Sphere: An Unforgettable Experience

At 5 PM, I made my way to the Sphere for the show I’d been anticipating most. The Sphere, officially called MSG Sphere, opened in September 2023 and instantly became Vegas’s newest must-see attraction. From the outside, it’s a massive orb covered with LED panels that display mind-bending visuals visible from miles away.

But the real magic is inside.

The interior features a 16K resolution wraparound LED screen – 160,000 square feet of seamless display that creates complete visual immersion. That’s not a typo: 160,000 square feet. The screen wraps around and above you, filling your entire field of vision.

I’d never experienced anything like it. The show lasted about an hour and a half, and from the first moment, I was transported. The combination of the massive screen, spatial audio, and carefully crafted content made me feel like I was actually inside the scenes unfolding around me – not just watching, but participating. Whether it was soaring over landscapes, diving underwater, or experiencing abstract visual journeys, the immersion was total.

It’s difficult to adequately describe the Sphere experience. Words like “impressive” or “amazing” feel insufficient. It’s a masterpiece of technology and creativity that needs to be experienced to be understood. If you visit Vegas and skip the Sphere, you’ve missed something truly special.

Turkish Dinner and Helicopter Prep

After the show, still buzzing with adrenaline, I found a Turkish restaurant for dinner. The food was delicious – flavorful kebabs and fresh bread – and provided the perfect fuel for what came next.

I hopped on a bus to the helicopter terminal. My flight was booked for 8:30 PM, and I’d been looking forward to this all day. This would be my first-ever helicopter ride, and doing it over nighttime Las Vegas felt like the perfect inaugural flight.

Taking Flight: Vegas from Above

Six of us boarded the helicopter, and the pilot arranged our seating based on weight distribution for balance. I was disappointed not to get a front-row seat – the views and video opportunities would have been amazing from there – but I reminded myself this was still a helicopter ride over Las Vegas at night. No bad seats on this flight.

As we lifted off, my disappointment evaporated. The sensation of helicopter flight is completely different from an airplane – more immediate, more visceral. And the views… Las Vegas at night from the air is pure magic.

The Strip appeared as a glowing ribbon of light cutting through the dark desert. Individual hotels and casinos stood out like jewels – the pyramid of Luxor with its beam of light shooting into the sky, the fountains of Bellagio, the sprawling complexes of Caesars Palace and the Venetian. Beyond the Strip, the city spread out in a grid of lights eventually fading into absolute darkness where the desert reclaimed the land.

The pilot occasionally made deliberate dives – controlled but sudden enough to make my stomach flip. I won’t lie: those moments scared me. But they also made me feel incredibly alive. The 10-minute tour flew by (pun intended), and as we descended back to earth, I felt exhilarated.

The Vegas Sign: A Tourist Must

After landing, I made my way to the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. Erected in 1959 and designed by Betty Willis, this neon sign has become an iconic symbol of the city. Every Vegas visitor needs a photo here – it’s basically a law.

Here’s where things got frustrating: despite asking multiple people, no one seemed capable of taking a decent photo of me. The framing was off, the sign was cut off, or I was barely visible. After several attempts, I gave up with mediocre shots. I made a mental note to return on November 6th to try again.

By this point, it was 9 PM, and exhaustion hit me like a truck. I’d been going since morning, packing an incredible amount into one day. I headed back to my room and collapsed, already thinking about tomorrow’s plans: another Big Bus city tour and an evening show.

Day 3: Deep Dives and Strip Teases – November 6th

Big Bus Tours: Learning While Seeing

I left around 9 AM, catching the Route 119 bus to the Big Bus Tour pickup point. Big Bus Tours operate in cities worldwide – I’d taken them in Malaysia, Singapore, Los Angeles, and New York – and they’re consistently excellent for comprehensive sightseeing.

The first bus departed at 10 AM, but I arrived slightly late and missed it. The next one left at 10:40 AM, and I hopped on to begin my tour.

The beauty of Big Bus Tours is the hop-on-hop-off system. The buses stop at major attractions throughout the city. You can get off, explore at your own pace, then catch the next bus when you’re ready. I chose to stay on for the full loop, though, since I’d already explored most attractions individually using the RTC buses (routes like Deuce, 201, 202, 203, and 119).

But this tour took me past some new spots, including the famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop (from the TV show “Pawn Stars”), and the live guide commentary added tremendous value. As we drove past each hotel and landmark, the guide shared history, interesting facts, and insider stories. It transformed simple sightseeing into education – you’re not just seeing buildings, you’re learning their stories.

A Touching Conversation

Before boarding at Stop 1, I chatted with the ticket seller, a man who looked to be in his seventies. He told me his story: he’d come to the USA in 1990 on a visitor visa and simply never left. Now he lives here with his family, building a life in Vegas.

He reminisced about Vegas in the early days, when he paid just $10 to stay at the Excalibur Hotel. I’d also stayed at Excalibur during my 2019 visit, so we had common ground and talked for quite a while about how the city had changed. It was one of those unexpected travel moments – a genuine human connection that added depth to the day.

Pawn Shop Pilgrimage

After the Big Bus tour, I switched to the RTC Deuce bus to visit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. The shop gained worldwide fame through the History Channel reality show “Pawn Stars,” which has been running since 2009. Fans come from around the globe to see the location and maybe spot Rick Harrison or one of the other stars.

I took photos outside and went inside to look around. The stars weren’t there – they only appear when they’re filming. Still, it was fun to see this piece of pop culture history in person. The shop is full of unusual items, from vintage guitars to odd collectibles, and even if you’re not a fan of the show, it’s worth a quick visit.

A Lesson in American Courtesy

Something remarkable happened on my way to the pawn shop, something I’ll never forget.

I was walking toward an intersection with no traffic signal. Cars were approaching from various directions, so I stopped at the corner to wait for them to pass before crossing. That’s standard practice, right?

But then something unexpected happened. The first large vehicle approaching me stopped. Then the car next to it stopped. Then another. Three vehicles stopped side-by-side, completely blocking traffic. The five or six cars behind them also stopped. I looked around, confused, searching for a traffic light I’d missed. There was none.

Then the driver of one car gestured to me, waving me across. That’s when I understood: all these people had stopped for me, a pedestrian waiting to cross. They were giving me right of way, patiently waiting for me to cross safely.

I was genuinely shocked. The courtesy, the patience, the respect for a pedestrian – it was beautiful. I waved thank you to each vehicle as I crossed, deeply moved by this demonstration of civilized behavior. In many places, pedestrians take their lives in their hands crossing streets. Here, traffic stopped for me without hesitation.

That moment crystallized something important about American culture that often gets lost in headlines and politics: the everyday kindness of ordinary people. I’ll never forget that intersection or those patient drivers.

Afternoon Snacks and Rest

I boarded another Deuce bus, got off at a nearby stop, and bought some snacks from a 7-Eleven. Eating while riding the bus, I considered doing another full round on the Big Bus but decided against it – it was 4:30 PM, and I was ready to head back to my room for rest.

After eating a proper meal and resting, I prayed Isha and prepared for my evening outing. Tonight’s plan: an adult show at Luxor Hotel at 10:30 PM, followed by more Strip exploration since this was my last full night in Vegas.

Night Show and Final Strip Walk

The evening show at Luxor was entertaining – Vegas is famous for its adult revues and cabaret-style performances, and the strip tease show delivered exactly what it promised: glitz, glamour, and risqué entertainment. Vegas is unapologetically about indulgence and spectacle, and these shows are part of that DNA.

After the show, I walked the Strip for hours. It was my last night, and I wanted to soak in every moment. Interestingly, the Strip seemed less crowded tonight than previous nights – perhaps it was the day of the week, or maybe I’d just gotten used to the crowds.

I finally returned to my room around 2 AM, exhausted but satisfied. I packed my luggage, organized everything for departure, and lay down. A thought crossed my mind: this might be my last Vegas visit for a while. The journey is so long, and I’m not sure I have the energy to make this trek again anytime soon. Better make these last hours count.

Day 4: Departure Day – November 7th

Morning Routine and Checkout

My alarm went off at 7 AM. I lay in bed for a while, scrolling through reels on my phone, then finally got up and double-checked all my packing. After a quick breakfast, I completed the self-checkout process at 9 AM – simply leaving the room key on the table and sending a message to my Airbnb host through the app. They replied quickly, wishing me well on my onward journey.

Bus Delays and F1 Preparations

Getting to the airport took longer than expected. Las Vegas was gearing up for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix happening later that month, and road service work was everywhere. The RTC buses were running significantly behind schedule because of construction and road closures.

My Route 201 bus arrived nearly 20 minutes late. Thankfully, I’d given myself plenty of buffer time.

Airport Adventures

I’d checked in online beforehand, but the self-service kiosk at the airport refused to print my baggage tag. I went to the counter, dropped off my luggage, and got my printed boarding pass and tag from a staff member.

Going through TSA security and immigration was straightforward and quick. Interestingly, they didn’t stamp my passport with a departure seal. So now I have a USA entry stamp but no exit stamp – a small quirk that amused me.

Then I hit a snag: I’d forgotten about the water bottle in my bag. Security flagged it, and I had to exit, dispose of the water, and go through immigration again. Rookie mistake, but these things happen.

Priority Pass Perks: Spa and Lounge

With over two hours before boarding, I decided to maximize my Priority Pass benefits. First stop: a spa center in the terminal. I treated myself to a 25-minute chair massage.

I’ve had airport chair massages before, but this one was exceptional. The therapist was thorough, hitting tension points I didn’t even know I had. Twenty-five minutes of bliss, and I felt like a new person afterward.

Next, I checked the Priority Pass app and found another lounge nearby. I headed there and was greeted by an impressive spread: fresh fruits, various cakes, pastries, coffee, desserts, and hot food options. I stuck to items I knew were halal and enjoyed a leisurely pre-flight snack.

The Priority Pass membership allows six free lounge visits per year, and I’d now used two. Definitely worth it. The combination of the massage and lounge access transformed airport waiting time from tedious to enjoyable.

Boarding and Flying Home

I arrived at the gate 30 minutes before boarding. The flight back offered free in-flight internet – a pleasant surprise that made the journey much more bearable. I watched a movie, dozed off, and four hours later, we landed.

As Vegas disappeared below me through the airplane window, I reflected on these three intense days. Second visits can sometimes disappoint – the novelty is gone, and places rarely live up to idealized memories. But Vegas delivered. New experiences like the Sphere and the helicopter ride gave me fresh appreciation, while revisiting favorites like the Bellagio Fountains reminded me why I’d wanted to return in the first place.

Reflections: Vegas, Round Two

Las Vegas is a city of contradictions. It’s artificial yet authentic in its artificiality. It’s excessive yet honest about its excess. It’s overwhelming yet somehow exactly what it promises to be.

Returning for a second visit let me appreciate aspects I’d rushed past the first time. I spent more time on buses, seeing neighborhoods and getting a sense of the real city beneath the tourist veneer. I splurged on experiences like the helicopter ride that I’d skipped before. I allowed myself to simply exist in spaces – standing by fountains, walking the Strip with no destination, feeling the energy without trying to capture or control it.

Would I return a third time? Maybe. But it would have to be for something specific – a major show, a special event, or traveling with someone experiencing it for the first time. Vegas is incredible, but it’s also exhausting in a way that accumulates over time.

For anyone planning a Vegas trip:

Do:

• Invest in a multi-day bus pass – you’ll save money and see more
• Book helicopter rides and major shows in advance
• Experience the Sphere (seriously, don’t skip this)
• Walk the Strip at different times – morning, afternoon, evening, and late night all have different vibes
• Try the free entertainment (Bellagio Fountains, Fremont Street, hotel lobbies)

Don’t:

• Rely solely on the Strip – explore beyond it
• Over-schedule – Vegas fatigue is real
• Skip meals – you’ll regret it
• Forget to stay hydrated – the desert climate is dry
• Expect everything to be the same – Vegas constantly changes

Las Vegas is called “Sin City,” but my lasting impression isn’t about vice or indulgence. It’s about spectacle, ambition, and the very American belief that if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it bigger and brighter than anyone else. Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it.

And yes, what happens in Vegas might stay in Vegas for some people. But for me, these memories are too good not to share.

Until next time, Vegas. Thanks for another wild ride.

---

Toronto! From desert heat to Canadian cool – the journey continues.

Read Round Two in the Big Apple: A Fresh Take on New York’s Iconic Streets