What To Do When You’re Missing Las Vegas
Blonde4ever shares her tips on what to do when you’re missing Las Vegas
I have discovered various and assorted ways of easing the yearning I feel to be in my favorite city.
Here are some of the things I do. If you have a similar affliction maybe some of these suggestions will help you too.
I plan trips that aren’t happening. The fact that I have neither the time nor the money to go on a Vegas trip has never stopped me from planning one. I spend hours scouting for the best prices on my nonexistent airfare. I book imaginary rooms and shows. I plan fictitious activities. I map out a daily itinerary of things that aren’t happening. I browse the menus of assorted restaurants to see where I might want to eat. It is quite pathetic actually.
I read about Vegas. I have a huge collection of Vegas books; tours books, guide books, magazines and stupid romance novels that just happen to be set in Vegas. I dig them out and read them again.
I visit one of the millions of Vegas forums and websites. Obviously, since I run a Vegas forum I am online daily discussing Vegasy things, but I also go to many other Vegas sites to see what they are chatting about. I read a lot of trip reports. Reading other people’s Vegas trip reports will either let you experience their trip vicariously and make you feel better, or make you miss Vegas so much you want to cry. One or the other.
I read Vegas newspapers. I read Vegas newspapers more than the ones from my hometown oddly enough. I don’t want to miss a bit of Vegas news!
I look at Vegas photos and videos; mine, my friends, random strangers. I never tire of Vegas pictures.
I take an imaginary walk down a Vegas street with Google Earth. For instance, I will stop in front of Paris, look around a while then fly down the street to Caesars and look around there for a bit etc. I sometimes wonder if I am the only nutjob doing this.
I visit the webcams set up around town such as the one on Fremont Street and the one at the Vegas sign.
I read my old trip reports. I have been going to Vegas twice a year for many years so I have accumulated quite a few reports. Rereading them brings back a lot of great memories and makes me feel like I am there.
If I do all this and don’t feel any better, then I just break down and book a trip.
It is the ultimate and best solution!
[Images: Michael Movestro, Google Street View]
Bonnie, aka Blonde4ever, is the admin of one of our favorite Vegas forums: LasVegas4ever. She covers a large spectrum of topics from her personal experiences in Las Vegas.
28 thoughts on “What To Do When You’re Missing Las Vegas”
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I do almost exactly the same things, except I can’t find a Fremont St cam. I live in England so obviously I can’t get to Vegas as often as I’d like, but sites like this, and google maps help me feel closer. Sad I know!
You are not alone, Blonde4Ever. I either do those things, or am going to start now that you’ve suggested them, haha.
We may be kindred spirits. I do EXACTLY everything you mentioned. And like you I book an actual trip I cannot afford just like the one I booked Saturday.
LOL..I can see I am not alone.
Colin, the link to the Fremont Street Cam is in the bold letters that say “the one on Fremont Street”. Just click on that and then sign up with Boyd Gaming for access to their cameras.
Dear Blondie-You have the Vegas bug bad!!!-sounds just like me!!!! :)
Only going once a year-the longing builds up!!-but,your board,and doing things like you do,helps things loads!!!
Enjoy your soon trip!!!-Is it September yet-for my next visit!! :)
All good wishes,Chriss in UK.
Sigh…..yes, I do lots of those things too, UNTIL I can’t obsess about Las Vegas any longer without going into a completely depressive state. I’m nearly there now. ;-)
I am at the point now, of not even opening my emails that come from my Vegas links with offers. They seem to read my mind and are trying to break me! I have received the best offers EVER this Spring. Whaaaaaaa!
Your post made me laugh – I do a lot of these as well. Haven’t been back to the webcams in a while, so I need to do that again. I also check in on the LVRJ now and then. I collected poker books for the longest time, but finally got tired of that. I revisit my old TRs on TA. I check out other’s TRs as well.
Sometimes, I write out my “perfect” LV trip report – the way I think it SHOULD happen. :). And sometimes, I search on YouTube for videos of my favorite slots, just to hear them. One of the things I miss most about Vegas is the sound of coins hitting the tray. Coins made your money last so much longer – and I loved all of the accoutrement that went with it (buckets, trays, slot attendants, handpays over $400). I even had a cute little Michael Jackson-esque glove for one hand so I didn’t get the coin grime on me. Ha.
Vegas has changed so much, or maybe I’ve changed. I used to visit at least four times a year and just couldn’t wait between trips. I’m less enthusiastic now, although I love planning a new trip each year – haven’t missed a year since 1992.
I miss the coins too. I figured even if I went home broke, I always had the buckets from the different casinos as a souvenir to bring home. LOL
OMG I so do the same things. I go to youtube and look for videos people post of Vegas. Walking the strip during the day, at night….whatever I can find. LOL I thought I was the only crazy one. Glad to know I am in good company!!
Kodi..I am really sad that you won’t be my “partner in crime” this trip. I will miss you!
OMG Corgi..I totally forgot the “watching YouTube videos pretending I am playing” thing! I do that too! LOL
Oh no Donna..you are not alone!
Thank you Chris..September will be here soon!!!
I Love Las Vegas. I’m living in the Netherlands and every day I’m busy with my Las Vegaswebsites, my Vegas fb-page and more. I have a Vegas collection. Coins, Chips, postcards and more. Enough Vegas for my every day. Yes I’m a Vegas addict ;-)
I understand Nic!
Podcasts help too! Helps me get a sense of whats happening “on the ground” and what new-to-me spots I need to try. Other than the great Vegas Bright podcast I also recommend:
Vital Vegas
Five Hundy by Midnight
360 Vegas
Faces & Aces
Just to name a few! I Just booked 2 trips this summer and I have the bug bad! Staying at the venetian 6/24-26 and Mandalay 7/15-18th. Cant wait!
Excellent point..I forgot to mention those!
I also like Vegas Fanboy podcast!
How could I leave Vegas Fanboy out!? Great stuff!
How funny is this? Today on FB my memories from “On This Day” were from the last few years I went to Vegas. This site is a god send. I also follow Vegas Eater because what is a trip to Vegas without good food. I’m the midst of planning a trip for May 2017 with my parents who have never been. Can’t make it this year as we have other trips planned. Had them come over to watch a Andrew Zimmern Bizarre Foods Vegas last week that I recorded. I also showed them some youtube clips that folks have posted and shared my last few year itineraries. To say the least they are VERY excited. Thank you SO much for this post especially on a day like today.
There is also a MGM Grand Vegas Getaway Station on Pandora. I also have a Calvin Harris station on Pandora and IHeart Radio.
I wish I could go to Vegas as often as most here. Tomorrow will be SIX YEARS since I was able to afford a trip out there so I spend a lot of time reading sites like this one to get my Vegas fix.
I would be institutionalized if I had to wait six years! I had to cancel last fall’s expedition and now going stir having to wait until November this year for a two year break – I guess the only good thing is my build up of MyVegas points, which of course is looking more and more difficult to cash in on as time goes by:(
Well after reading all of the comment’s as well as the post, I also do these things. I go on the airline website as well as the rtc website for the street cams. I go to vegas brite every day as well as read the review journal. if you asked me about anything happening in vegas on any given day I might be able to tell you all about it.
Jackie..I am glad this post “hit the spot” today.
mcstaci…I sure hope you get to go again soon.
Thanks for reading every day Greg!
Yes… we found others that do what we do. My wife and read Vegas blogs, started listen to podcasts, and watch Las Vegas morning newscasts online (sometimes more than local news). Watched the T Mobile arena being built on it’s construction webcam and go to Bellagio’s webcam frequently to see if it has changed Season’s. I also miss the webcam that used to work in front of the MGM lion and turned so you could see the roller coaster at NYNY. We go to Vegas twice a year and always can’t wait to get back. Thanks for the great article and for some new ideas that we had not thought of (youtube, downtown webcam, and different podcasts).
No…thank YOU for reading and commenting!!
B, I go to http://blonde4ever.yuku.com/ on a daily basis as well as TA. I know I go about two to three times a year but the time between trips can be agonizing as it never gets here soon enough and it is over way to fast. I am up to 9 and 10 day trips and never thought I would spend more than 5 days at a time. There is still so much to see and do. I really enjoy reading everyone’s TR and I also play MyVegas daily (I really appreciate the extra coins you give me B on a daily basis). I have over a million LP’s and I haven’t decided what I am going to spend them on in October. I am going back for a solo trip and there are some single items that are hopefully available when I go back. I enjoy posting on the sites I visit and sharing my experiences or offering my advice. Now I dream of when we will be permanently in Vegas in the house we own. We are about a year away from that time. Thanks for the article B. Have a great time on your upcoming trip. Say Hi to Mike for me.
Thanks for being a faithful visitor DM and I will say hi to Mike for you.
Brilliant article. I’ve been the same since 2007 (My first visit). I’ve been 12 times since and I’m booked to go again in September. The part that makes my longing for the bright lights and late nights, worse is that I live in the UK. I regularly check flights and costs. Playing off fight times against prices and amount of stops on route. Longest flight I’ve done was 17 1/2 hrs with 1 stop off. Shortest was just short of 10 hours direct! A group of us over here have all sort of drifted together, male, female, married, single, old and young, the connecting factor is Vegas :)
Have a great trip in September Lee!