So I had a conference to go to. I love traveling and usually jump at the chance to go to a new place, but this one was in Las Vegas. I don’t gamble or drink and I’m really not into naked people I don’t know.

But I do love art, people watching and taking pictures. All these pictures were taken with my Samsung Galaxy Edge 6.

So what could I spend all of my free time doing?

Option #1 – hide out in my room.

Our room in the Palazzo was incredible and it would have been easy to stay there. As the smallest room available it was a statement in overindulgence. A great place to read or write. And we could watch storms coming in from the mountains. Right across from us the pirate ships of TI (Treasure Island) were lit up. We could also see the big tall gold TRUMP tower. Made me feel like I should be writing about a rich bad boy with issues…maybe I’ll stick to my small town cowboys with issues.

)We could also watch the swimmers in the pool. They seemed to forget that people in the rooms above could see what was going on under the water.

Option # 2 – Tour the Palazzo Hotel

The hotel itself is a small town of upscale shopping and restaurants of every kind. You could spend your whole time in Vegas and never leave this hotel. Just walking through the hotels and taking in the displays was vacation worthy.  I walked by these everyday to get from my room to the conference. I had to walk through the casino also but didn’t think to get pictures of the slot machines and tables. I didn’t find them as interesting.

These photos were all taken in the Palazzo. It is a true visual feast.

You can even take a ride in the river – it’s as if you have left the United States

Connected to The Palazzo is The Venetian – it is worth walking to their lobby too.

Staying at the Palazzo

Day two in Vegas and I’m ready to walk outside of the hotel. We did discover a Walgreen right at the corner of our hotel so each day we would get fresh fruit for lunch. My roommate also found out they were the only place to get Big Red and Dr, Pepper. So she was happy.  I have a friend from the West Texas Writer’s Academy that lives n Vegas so I called her. We met at 5:30pm and with our walking boots on headed south (left from the Palazzo) and made our way to the Bellagio.

Option #3 – Walk to the Belliagio

Another feast for the eyes. Getting around the strip is easy with the escalators that take up to the pedestrian bridges. You never actually cross the main strip. We walked on the right side and stayed out of the sun. Along the way we saw many opportunities to take pictures with the almost look-a-likes of Mikey and Minnie Mouse, Mike Tyson, the bearded man with the baby, minions and a pissed off Cubaca. I only saw one Elvis. They each wanted money to have their picture taken – so I passed.  It was entertaining to say the least.

The Belliagio was worth the walk. From the Picasso showing (I did pay extra to see these) to the Botanical gardens to the biggest chocolate waterfall I have ever seen. Art popped up in unexpected places. I even spotted one of Nick Cave’s Soundsuits (picture below). Of course you can’t miss Dale Chihuly’s work of hand blown glass that covers an eighteen foot ceiling. But take the time to look along the edges of the conservatory – you can find more of his glass there.  That is all topped by the Fountains of the Bellagio.

After the pictures of our adventure I have a video of “Behind the Scenes in Creating the Water Show at the Fountains”.

Now the fountain. I was up on the bridge when I took this pictures – I would recommend being on the street level – but people start gathering early. The pictures I took just don’t do it justice so click on the video link and see how they do it.

I was enjoying Las Vegas much more than I ever thought I would. I’m not even done with my list of free things to do in Vegas. The Fremont in next – but that was such an experience it will get its own blog later this week.