Vegas (not a) Vacation

Season 1, Episode 6

Burger Bar @ Mandalay Place

There could easily be dedicated blogs to eating and drinking in Las Vegas.....actually, I'm certain there already are those blogs!

Wrapped up a recent business conference in Vegas, and wanted to share some highlights of this visit.  I've got so much more to share for Vegas tips, but will save them for future posts!

One of my must-do's when in Vegas is the Burger Bar, located in Mandalay Place which is the shopping mall connecting Mandalay Bay and Luxor.  If you're coming from somewhere else via taxi, definitely ask the driver to drop you at Mandalay Place.  Just walk inside, up the escalator, and you're in the middle of the mall.  It's a lengthier walk from Mandalay Bay or Luxor front entrances.

Highly recommend the "ultimate build your own burger experience".  This time I did buffalo, pretzel roll, smoked gouda cheese, spinach, and "hangover sauce" (aka thousand island dressing, giving it a Big Mac taste).  

They don't take reservations, but it's unusual to wait more than 20 minutes maximum.  Nice sized bar to slide up to while waiting (or dine at).  

Burger Bar burger (and Stella to wash it down)

Stayed at the Rio (off strip) due to location of the event I was at.   It's definitely a tired property, especially when comparing to the newer, flashier places on the strip.  Still, it's a room, there is a casino, decent pool, and a great rooftop nightclub called VooDoo.  Fantastic views of Vegas.  Visited around midnight on a Wednesday and it was hopping.

View of the LV strip from VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub

The Rio pool has three areas to it, one for families, a general area, and an adults only area (nothing crazy like "topless", just an area without kids).  What better place to pass four or five hours, with a bucket of Coronas, while waiting to head to the airport for a red-eye home!  

Over 21 pool area at Rio

Bucket o' Coronas for happy hour, poolside!

Finally, while I just missed the Royal Flush two different times on video poker, I did win by getting the famous juggling taxi driver.  Check him out on my video!

Pretty cool view of the Grand Canyon on approach to LAS

Soooooo close.  Sigh.