The weekend before Halloween we took a weekend trip to Vegas to see the Vegoose Music Festival.
After arriving at around 11 pm we headed out to the Mix Lounge, on the 64th floor of the Mandalay Bay, where we danced to a great set by Ursula 1000.
At about 3am we walked back to our hotel, most of the length of the Strip, through Luxor, in front of Excalibur, and past many Halloween revelers.
Saturday was the day of the festival, so we started out with a brunch buffet, the most Vegas-style meal of all. Below is the torii that embellished our room number, and the 'casino' sign that guided us to the front of the hotel.
The buffet.
We walked around the area near our hotel for a bit, enjoying the weather and the open container law.
The Imperial Palace, our weekend home.
We caught an overpriced shuttle bus out to the festival around noon, and spent the remainder of the day at the UNLV arena enjoying music by The Shins, Iggy Pop, Cyprus Hill, Public Enemy, Thievery Corporation, and the highlight- Daft Punk.
The mountains that served as a backdrop for the show, it was quite beautiful to watch the light change throughout the day.
One of three Elvis impersonators we saw over the weekend.
Relaxing on the lawn.
One of three stages, the second image is Daft Punk's pyramid light show. Amazing.
Sunday breakfast at the Mirage, possibly the largest waffle I've ever had.
We walked through Ceasar's in search of coffee. Along the way we rode the spiral escalator and saw some "Greek sculpture" come to life, complete with a laser show. So cheesy....
The Thai shrine in front of Ceasar's, our guess is that these folks won some money and donated the shrine.
We spent the afternoon in the older section of Vegas, along Freemont Street.
The Golden Gate, the original Vegas casino, where we gambled $3.
Many of the old neon signs are preserved along Freemont Street, including the lamp from the former Aladdin.
Back on the main part of the strip we walked around near Treasure Island for a while.
In front of the Venetian.
Just like Venice! Hahaha....
We had a fantastic dinner of rissotto and pasta at the Venetian, eating "outside" in a fake San Marco plaza, complete with strolling musicians. The perfect Vegas-constructed evening.
Departing from our hotel on Sunday evening with the casino floor behind us. Overall, we had a fantastic time. Though the objectification of women, smoking, and general excess of Vegas is not something that I enjoy, our October weekend surprised me with good food and amazing music. The people were friendly, the weather was perfect, and the weekend will not soon be forgotten.
