Our West Coast Adventure - May 2017 - Day 7: Top Golf, Hard Rock Cafe and some duelling pianos

[Lisa_Lollipop]

Index can be found here

Wednesday 17th May 2017

Steps: 18,322
Miles: 7.56

It was a slow start to the morning and after lots of snoozing we finally made it out of bed at 9:30am. We have a quick FaceTime with Pauls Mum and his sister Tam (who happened to be at his Mum’s house so we got her as a bonus along with our nephew Reece and niece Izzy).

After getting ourselves ready we were out of the room by 10:25am, heading to the Aria car park to pick up the car. After having a sneak peek at Top Golf last night Paul was really keen to give it a go, I was more than happy to go along with this on one condition… we had to drive there, I don’t think my poor feet could handle that trek all the way through MGM again so soon!

We parked up the car and headed inside, by now it was just before 11am. On heading up the reception desk we found we were able to get a bay pretty much straight away and booked an hour slot starting at 11am on level 1 which cost $30.

It was a much more chilled and relaxed atmosphere than we had seen last night… understandable given the difference in timings! It’s fair to say that this place is a sports fan’s dream with big screens showing various sports all over the place!

We were led to our bay and a friendly guy who worked there talked us through how it all worked. There were various games that you could choose but we settled for the most simple version that involved hitting the ball into the various coloured holes, the further away the hole the higher the score you got (apologies for my poor explanation of this whole experience here… my knowledge of anything golf is extremely limited!)

Whilst we were getting settled and choosing our clubs (there are a set of men’s and women’s in each bay) a waitress came over to see if we wanted to order any drinks, I went for a lemonade ($4 with free refills) and Paul had a Miller Lite ($7).

It’s fair to say I didn’t get off to a great start, if there is anything worse than my knowledge about golf it’s my ability to actually play it! I think my score on the first game speaks for itself…

I got a little more into my stride on the second game and managed to up my score to 52 which I thought was a pretty good improvement! Sadly in the excitement of doing so much better I completely forgot to take a photo of the scoreboard so you will have to take my word for it! Paul had a better round too (scoring 132) so was comfortably whipping my ass! (He is a very keen golfer and also very good at it so no surprises here!)

We managed to get one final game in but I seemed to have lost my stride at this point and only managed to rack up 32 points (in my defence my hands were getting sore!), Paul continued to improve and achieved his best score… taking him to the top of the daily leader board overall!

Our hour was soon up and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this experience! I am most certainly not a golf fan but it was made fun and the competitive element certainly spurred me on (so much more interesting than going to a normal driving range!). I can see how this place would be popular for a night out as a group, I am even going to suggest we go to the one in Chigwell in the future… once this baby is out and I can have a proper drink though of course!

Leaving Top Golf we hopped back in the car and drove back to the Aria to park up. From there it was time to hit the strip as it was now lunch time and we were yet to have eaten anything… food was essential at this point!

Making our way through Aria and over the bridge in the direction of Planet Hollywood we decided to give PBR Rock Bar and Grill a try, somewhere we have walked past many times but never actually tried. Their outside seating area was also pretty busy so we took that as a positive sign! On approaching the desk we asked if we could get a table outside (it was far too nice a day to be sitting inside!) and we were happy to be seated straight away with a nice cold cup of water brought straight over).

As we had missed breakfast I was instantly drawn to the french toast and Paul decided to go for two starter dishes of potato skins and chicken fingers. Not content with just water we also ordered lemonade for me and a Miller Lite for Paul.

The food was really good and definitely did its job in filling us up ready for more exploring of the strip. It was so lovely to sit outside and eat too, where better to people watch than on Las Vegas strip…. nosey me was in my element!

Once we had finished up all our food we settled up the bill and continued our journey heading north up the strip, first through Paris, then through the Ballys and then into the Cromwell. Apologies but I seem to have a major lack of photos of this whole expedition! I did get a snap when we were in the Best Western casino (yes even the Best Western in Vegas has a casino!) as we stumbled across a woman who was in the middle of an exciting win… alarms were ringing and lights were flashing and everything! She seemed a bit bewildered at the whole affair bless her! She had successfully won $1,975 on the Wizard of Oz machine… not bad for an afternoon playing on the slots!

Our next stop as we continued to make our way up the strip was The Venetian, it would be very difficult now to be wowed by this hotel, it’s just stunning!

We headed inside to have a look around the shops and of course be amazed by the gorgeous waterways with gondolas.

There was an alternative motive for me wanting to have a look around The Venetian… I wanted to see Carlo’s Bake Shop! I used to be a big fan of the show Cake Boss and I was most excited when they opened a bakery at the Florida Mall in Orlando. This bakery was new since I had last been in Vegas so it was an essential photo stop… I’m just sad I was still so full up from lunch that I couldn’t face actually getting anything!

Leaving The Venetian we crossed over to the other side of the strip to have a wander around The Mirage. Paul has stayed here when he was there on the stag so he gave me a bit of a guided tour!

After having a wander around The Mirage we decided to head back to the Vdara, arriving back in our room at 4:20pm. Now all the walking over the past week was really starting to catch up with me at this point and I admit to doing something now that is completely unheard of when we go on holiday…. I decided to have a nap! Yes that’s right, mid-afternoon in Vegas and I was going back to bed! Let’s blame being pregnant for this most peculiar turn of events!

Paul was not fancying a nap so he decided to head out to do some research into a hiring a supercar… this had been on his wish list since booking the trip and after seeing a few dotted up and down the strip he was keen to go and get some prices and see how achievable it would be. So at about 4:45pm he left on his mission and I happily slipped off into the world of nod… bliss!

Paul returned about 6:20pm and I took this as my cue to get up (I think I probably would have slept through if I had allowed myself!). A shower did the trick in waking me up and by 8:10pm we were ready to go and heading back out of the room.

We decided to stop in the Vice Versa bar downstairs for a pre-dinner drink, a coke for me ($4.50) and two bottles of Heineken for Paul ($7 each). We noticed that the fire pits were alight outside so we found a nice comfy sofa in front of one to enjoy our drinks.

By 9:20pm we had finished our drinks so we made the move to leave the Vdara and hunt down some dinner on the strip, stopping at the front of the hotel for some obligatory photos in front of the Vdara sign!

Turning right and down towards the south end of the strip we decided on Hard Rock Café for dinner, we had eaten here back on our last trip and had enjoyed it so were keen to give it another try.

Arriving at 9:40pm we found we were able to be seated straight away and choose to have a table outside on the terrace… a great call as the views of the strip were just stunning! There was also a guy playing on an acoustic guitar, it truly was the most perfect setting for dinner!

I was most excited to see they had quite an offering of mocktails (something that I had struggled to find so far in Vegas) and settled on a ‘Groupie Grind’ whilst Paul chose the ‘Hurricane’… both of course came with a novelty souvenir glass!

For food I opted for the grilled chicken sandwich and Paul had the big cheeseburger with bacon… both very tasty!

Whilst we were eating the guy on guitar started playing Don’t Look back in Anger which is one of Paul’s all-time favourite songs so he headed closer to get a video and also tipped him for such a great performance. You really can’t beat a bit of live music with dinner!

We settle dup the bill and exited via the gift shop to pick up our fresh glasses (more to add to our never-ending collection!). As it was only 11:30pm and the night still felt young we decided to head across the strip to New York New York to go to the duelling piano bar. Paul had been in there when out in Vegas on the stag and had loved it so was keen to show me the magic!

We paid $5 each for entry ($15 if you want a table) and heading on it… it clearly is a very popular bar as was heaving! We made our way straight to the bar to order some drinks, a coke for me and a pint of Heineken for Paul.

The atmosphere in there was electric! So much fun and lots of very ‘merry’ people dancing and singing along! The guys on the pianos were amazingly talented, it was mesmerising to watch them go from one song to the next without even faltering ad their ability to play any song thrown at the was outstanding… they certainly deserved that over-flowing tip bowl that was sitting on each of the pianos!

The range of music was so varied too so very much something for everyone, I was most impressed with myself when I predicted that the next song up would be American Pie and lo and behold it was… always thought I had a bit of a psychic tendency! One guy even tipped $100 for a Bruce Springsteen song… I would love to know how much those musicians walk away with after a night performing there!

We stayed for about an hour and a half and then decided to make our move back to the Vdara. One the way we made a stop at CVS at Paul’s hair trimmer had been playing up over the past could of days so he thought it was best to buy a new one before it packed up completely! We also picked up some other essential items… coke and Twizzlers! (No idea who Megan is, sure she would be lovely to share a Coke with though!)

We made it back to the room at 1:30am and by 1:50am I was back in bed… that afternoon nap certainly wasn’t going to stop me sleeping again tonight!

Another great day in Vegas, tomorrow sees us leaving the strip behind and heading to the Hoover Dam, doing some more shopping and Paul sampling some super pricey cocktails!

Day 8 can be found here

[Redrach1903]

Another amazing day!

Chris would LOVE Top Golf for sure! Your scores made me laugh, totally would have been my outcome too!

So proud of you for napping! Welcome to club snooze

The duelling piano bar looked amazing! They must rake in the cash!

Some lovely photos of you both today ❤️

xxx

[Wismgari]

Another great day I have done Top Golf in the UK years ago with some friends and I think you and I would have had a close game! The piano bar looks amazing, when I finally make it to Vegas it is on the list

[DisneyDreamer81]

Top Golf actually looks really fun, even to me as a golf hater! Although I'm not sure I'd even have got 12

What a view from Hard Rock! x

[HelenJNT]

Top Golf does look fun. You're a better woman than me though, I expect I would have been having a massive sulk at not winning, even if I was playing against a pro.

Your lunch receipt made me laugh, you mean you didn't trade it in for a go on the mechanical bull? Paul at least should have taken one for the team!

How gorgeous are those hotels? The Venetian looks amazing. Ahhhh you're really selling me on a trip there you know...

[clochette]

I can see us having to visit Top Golf as DH has just got into it as he is now too old (his words not mine!) to play rugby. I think my score would be on a par with yours! (Did you notice the pun there)

I'm glad you had a snooze; I was starting g to get worried about that baby of yours. I think s/he will come out wearing little trainers!

[Jake71]

A fab day. Top Golf looks like a fun thing to do of a morning - I think we might try it, well it's added to the list anyway. The Venetian looks gorgeous, I had hoped to stay there but it was just too expensive for our budget - however, I am planning a gondola ride, I know expensive for what it is but I'm never going to Venice so this is the next best thing. We'll definitely be visiting the Hard Rock Café - I like to get my rewards card scanned wherever we go and DS likes us to bring him a pin badge for his guitar strap so hopefully he'll get 3 from our upcoming trip. Nothing wrong with a wee nap of an afternoon, especially with all the walking you've been doing.


Did Paul ever get to hire a super car - you're keeping us in suspense!


We're staying at the New York New York and I'm looking forward to an evening or two in the Piano Bar.

[Lisa_Lollipop]

Originally Posted by Redrach1903

Another amazing day!

Chris would LOVE Top Golf for sure! Your scores made me laugh, totally would have been my outcome too!

So proud of you for napping! Welcome to club snooze

The duelling piano bar looked amazing! They must rake in the cash!

Some lovely photos of you both today ❤️

xxx

See more...

Chris would be in his element at Top Golf… he probably would have been a much better opponent for Paul than me… although at the very least my dire score made his look even better!

I totally was part of your nap club this day… I can totally see the appeal! xxx

Originally Posted by Wismgari

Another great day I have done Top Golf in the UK years ago with some friends and I think you and I would have had a close game! The piano bar looks amazing, when I finally make it to Vegas it is on the list

See more...

It’s safe to say that golf is not where my talent lies! Although I loved that regardless of skill level it was still really fun… I love the idea of going as a group and having a good drink, who knows maybe alcohol would help me play better!

Originally Posted by DisneyDreamer81

Top Golf actually looks really fun, even to me as a golf hater! Although I'm not sure I'd even have got 12

What a view from Hard Rock! x

See more...

Haha trust me if I could manage 12 points you certainly good. Most of my balls just rolled along and plopped off the end where I hit them so badly! So much fun though!

Hard Rock was definitely one of the highlights, that view totally made it a meal to remember!

Originally Posted by HelenJNT

Top Golf does look fun. You're a better woman than me though, I expect I would have been having a massive sulk at not winning, even if I was playing against a pro.

Your lunch receipt made me laugh, you mean you didn't trade it in for a go on the mechanical bull? Paul at least should have taken one for the team!

How gorgeous are those hotels? The Venetian looks amazing. Ahhhh you're really selling me on a trip there you know...

See more...

I accepted a long time ago that when playing against Paul in anything sporting related I am always going to lose… it’s an absolute given!

Can you believe we didn’t snap up that free bull ride… damn this pregnancy spoiling all my fun! Not sure what Paul’s excuse was though…

You and A would absolutely love Vegas, I am making it my mission to talking you into a trip at some point, it would absolutely blow you away!

Originally Posted by clochette

I can see us having to visit Top Golf as DH has just got into it as he is now too old (his words not mine!) to play rugby. I think my score would be on a par with yours! (Did you notice the pun there)

I'm glad you had a snooze; I was starting g to get worried about that baby of yours. I think s/he will come out wearing little trainers!

See more...

Loving the golf pun, excellent work! Definitely give Top Golf a go, it really is so much fun… I am so keen to go back here in the UK now!

Haha we are certainly getting this baby well trained up in our non-stop ways… I just hope the poor little thing can handle the pace in our future family trips!

Originally Posted by Jake71

A fab day. Top Golf looks like a fun thing to do of a morning - I think we might try it, well it's added to the list anyway. The Venetian looks gorgeous, I had hoped to stay there but it was just too expensive for our budget - however, I am planning a gondola ride, I know expensive for what it is but I'm never going to Venice so this is the next best thing. We'll definitely be visiting the Hard Rock Café - I like to get my rewards card scanned wherever we go and DS likes us to bring him a pin badge for his guitar strap so hopefully he'll get 3 from our upcoming trip. Nothing wrong with a wee nap of an afternoon, especially with all the walking you've been doing.


Did Paul ever get to hire a super car - you're keeping us in suspense!


We're staying at the New York New York and I'm looking forward to an evening or two in the Piano Bar.

See more...

Top Golf was great for a morning activity (and also much more reasonably priced at that time of the day!), definitely give it a go… I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Ah a little spoiler for you… a supercar will most certainly be featured in a future instalment of this trip report!

You are going to absolutely love staying at NYNY, such a great hotel… and a night out to the dueling piano bar is must!

[sheluk]

1.50am and you say I've got stamina?!?!?! That's incredible Lisa particularly when you weren't drinking too 😂

The golf sounds fab though I've lost count of the amount of times I miss rather than hit it (before my dad stopped taking me as I was so bad lol!).

We stayed at the Venetian quite a few years ago now, good to know it's still in good nick! No cake boss there then - although the one in NY reallllly disappointed us so I'm sure you didn't miss out too much. We also did the dueling pianos bar... it's like going back down memory lane!

Those firepits at the Vdara look lovely, as does how you've described the Hard Rock it sounds so chilled and fun. Is it wrong though that after reading this I've just checked or babysitting facilities in Vegas lol? You really sold a revisit to me!

Can't wait for the rest xx

[Lisa_Lollipop]

Originally Posted by sheluk

1.50am and you say I've got stamina?!?!?! That's incredible Lisa particularly when you weren't drinking too 😂

The golf sounds fab though I've lost count of the amount of times I miss rather than hit it (before my dad stopped taking me as I was so bad lol!).

We stayed at the Venetian quite a few years ago now, good to know it's still in good nick! No cake boss there then - although the one in NY reallllly disappointed us so I'm sure you didn't miss out too much. We also did the dueling pianos bar... it's like going back down memory lane!

Those firepits at the Vdara look lovely, as does how you've described the Hard Rock it sounds so chilled and fun. Is it wrong though that after reading this I've just checked or babysitting facilities in Vegas lol? You really sold a revisit to me!

Can't wait for the rest xx

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Haha that afternoon nap totally set me up this late night... I would have been asleep in my burger without it I think!

Whenever I see any photos or video of Vegas it instantly gives me a craving to go back, it is one of those places that totally grips you for life I think! Paul is booked in for another stag in 2019 and I know I am going to be green with envy when he heads out there without me!