We Almost Followed the Crowd. I’m Glad We Didn’t.
The best view in Vegas wasn’t where everyone else was standing.
We almost spent an hour standing on a crowded pedestrian bridge.
I’m really glad we didn’t.
One of the things on the list for our last Stripcation was catching the America250 fireworks show; we planned a later dinner at Best Friend (yes, I’ll review that soon, and spoiler: Roy Choi was there) around it and knew we could easily watch them on the bridge.
While getting ready (ok, the wife was getting ready… I was drinking bourbon), I could already see tons of people were flooding onto the pedestrian bridges to watch. Phones were already in the air. Everyone wanted the “best view.” It was one of those rotating Saturday night shows, and on June 13th, the South Strip launch sites were MGM Grand, ARIA, and Planet Hollywood.
We took one look at the growing crowd from our hotel window… And said….. Fuck That!!!
Then we:
Made up some more mixed drinks in the room.
Stayed inside.
Opened the curtains.
Turned out the lights.
It was our best decision of the night.
Here’s what it looked like from our window:
We weren’t even in some premium Strip-view suite. Just a regular room facing the right direction.
It reminded me of something I forget all the time:
Before you sprint toward the crowd in Vegas, stop for ten seconds and ask yourself…
Can I already see this from where I am?
If you missed the whole rant on the Park MGM stay…. Was I slumming it, or was it perfect? You can find it below…
The Real Vegas Hack
We spend so much time chasing “the best.”
The hottest restaurant.
The newest casino.
The viral cocktail.
The “secret” pizza.
The rooftop everyone says you have to visit.
Vegas quietly convinces you that everyone else knows something you don’t. That the real experience is happening somewhere just out of reach. So you keep moving. Keep chasing. Keep standing in lines and crowds because that’s what you’re “supposed” to do.
Sometimes the best experience is the one without the crowd.
Vegas Uncomped Tip
Before following any crowd in Vegas, ask yourself one question:
“What do they know that I don’t?”
Usually… the answer is “nothing.”
The Verdict
The fireworks were cool. But the real win was realizing we didn’t have to chase them.
We almost fought for a spot on the bridge.
Instead, we watched the show with cold drinks, air conditioning, and our own bathroom twenty feet away.
Looking back…
I still think we had the better view.
Maybe that’s the real Vegas hack.
The city is constantly convincing you that the best experience is somewhere else.
Sometimes all you have to do is stop chasing it.
-Jason
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As always, my reviews are my own; they are NOT sponsored, I pay for my experiences, and I reserve the right to praise and talk shit about whoever and wherever I feel warranted… Hope you enjoy!