Travels with Llama Blog

Llama headed to Las Vegas on a nice weekend in January 2023.

Llama and friends are not gamblers and like “unusual” experiences. Hiking was the goal of this trip. They just used Vegas as a base.

Llama’s friend had wanted to go to Valley of Fire State Park when they made their Death Valley trip a year before but just didn’t have time. Karol caught a good Southwest Airlines sale and the trip was in.

Southwest flights direct from our small market : 8500 Southwest points plus CP with $22 in taxes, but Llama doesn’t remember cash price, sorry.

We stayed at the Hotel Apache (https://www.binions.com/hotel/hotel_apache.php) in Downtown Las Vegas 3 nights booked through Chase portal for 30, 468 UR, cash price $380.48 with no resort fee.

We booked this hotel specifically for the experience. It was a hoot, we loved it, though we didn’t see any it is supposed to be haunted with ghosts. It was a fine, clean stay with nice staff and a comfy bed. It is part of Binions and right on the Freemont Experience, which we loved. This was a one time choice for the hoot of it and we are glad we did. The Apache Hotel plays into the old history and has all the creaks to go along with it.

Rented a car for 1 day through Budget for $50. Booked through their Amazon link so got $5 back in Amazon after rental. Used CSP for points. $10 refuel on gas. Picked it up at the convenient Golden Nugget location right across from our hotel.

We paid about $60 for Lyft rides utilizing my Chase Sapphire Preferred card that has the 5 points on Lyft promo and 30 day Lyft pink.
We aren’t foodies but search out more unique places to eat. We found a vintage breakfast place, Vickie’s, funky pizza place, Eval Pie, Nevada Brew Works brewery, a nice salad in the Golden Nugget, and of course, White Castle. Food in Vegas is criminally expensive. We spent about $300 on food and drink.

On our in “Vegas Day” we took the free downtown loop shuttle and the driver was an excellent tour guide though that really wasn’t his job. He just loved to talk about the sights we were passing. Got off in Brewery Row and had a blast.

We did take a Lyft down to see the Bellagio Fountains as I had never seen them and Michael had never seen a large casino.

The real purpose for our trip was visiting Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rocks Canyon Conservation Area. Both of which are stunning. There is so much more to the Vegas area than the casinos. It is beautiful.

With miscellaneous stuff, snacks, and souvenirs, we spent about $500 out of pocket.
We had a blast and are extremely happy with how this points and miles hobby helped us make memories.

Happy to travel to all and make the memories you want.

I’m not only traveling in retirement but learning new skills. I’m slowly learning how to make YouTube videos, emphasis on slowly. Here’s my channel. https://www.youtube.com/@TravelswithLlama