Looking to celebrate a birthday in Vegas but not a big drinker nor gambler? No problem. Sin City still offers loads of good, clean fun!
This past October I found a great flight deal to Vegas on my birthday and I couldn’t resist booking it. It was my “Dirty Thirty” afterall. Except I am not a gambler and I’m unfortunately allergic to alcohol (I blame my Asian genes), so it wasn’t going to be a wild and crazy Hangover-style Vegas Vacation.
Instead, I planned a weekend full of sunshine, fun and great food! If you’re looking for a perfect relaxing 3 Day Birthday Weekend Itinerary here is what I recommend!
Day 1
Lunch at In N Out
First stop – In N Out! Honestly I love this fast food joint so much that every time we land in California/Nevada/Arizona it is almost always our first stop!
Coming from the airport, we stopped at the one close to the South end of the strip located at 4888 Dean Martin Dr. My favorite thing to get is just a simple cheeseburger with onions and a strawberry shake.
Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
What trip to Las Vegas is complete without a stop at the infamous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign?
Check in to your hotel
Check into your hotel on the strip and drop off your bags.
We chose to stay at the Palazzo. It is one of the newer hotels on the strip and we hadn’t stayed there before. The rooms are all suites so even the smallest room is huge! Perfect way to feel like a princess for the weekend and seeing that it was my birthday I figured it was well-suited!
The Palazzo is perfectly situated on the Strip and has many great shops and restaurants right inside the hotel itself. It is also easy walking distance to a ton of great shops, restaurants and attractions.
Check out our Palazzo Room Tour on YouTube
Pool Time
Spend the rest of the sunny afternoon soaking up the lovely Vegas heat. The Palazzo/Venetian compound has a whopping 10 pools between the 2 of them, all of which are available for you to use!
Don’t be shocked like we were – these pools get B-U-S-Y. When we arrived in mid-afternoon, it took a good 15 minutes of wandering until we finally found 2 free chairs! Despite there being 10 pools and tons of chairs, it is hard to find ones that are not occupied.
The music is great and some pools are definitely more lively than others.
Wander The Strip and Claim Some Free Birthday Goodies
After your relaxing time at the pool, get on some comfy shoes and hit the strip. Have fun checking out the fancy shops in the Palazzo and Venetian and make your way down the boulevard.
Stop into Sprinkles, located inside the Linq, to claim your free birthday cupcake! All you need to do is register for their free loyalty program ahead of time and they’ll send you an email for your free birthday cupcake! A little insider tip for you π
I chose a delicious Red Velvet Cupcake.
While you’re there, you’ve got to take some #Instaworthy photos in front of their Cupcake ATM! How cool is that?! Got a 3am craving after the club? No problem!
You’ll notice there is an In N Out next door, too. I still suggest going to the one on Dean Martin Drive, as the one here gets PACKED. The line was way out the door.
If you feel up for it, head to the end of the Linq and take a ride on the High Roller!
Next, head to the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace for your free birthday drink at Starbucks.
Important Tip: Do not wander far and wide like we did to find a Starbucks store that accepts Starbucks Rewards. Most of the Starbucks along the Strip are licensed, meaning they are operated by the casinos and hotels and thus do not honor Starbucks Rewards! You can PAY with your Starbucks Card, but unfortunately you can not redeem rewards. Don’t make the mistake like I did and visit 5 stores before finally being directed to one of the only THREE corporate stores on the Strip.
As long as you are a Starbucks Rewards member (Canadian Starbucks Rewards work too!), you will have a free birthday drink on your actual birthday, which you can claim for the most indulgent drink you like! Be a little extra today, get that Venti Caramel Frap with extra caramel drizzle π
Dinner at Ping Pang Pong
Head a little off the strip to the Gold Coast Casino to indulge in a fantastic Chinese feast. The casino and hotel atmosphere here may lack the pizazz of the strip but the food at Ping Pang Pong does not disappoint.
They have some more exotic Chinese dishes on the menu, too, if you’re feeling adventurous.
Day 2:
Breakfast
Grab some pastries at the famous Carlo’s Bakery, located right inside the Palazzo’s Grand Canal Shoppes.
It doesn’t stop there. You’ve got to hit up Bouchon’s Bakery for their delectable macarons. Find it within the Venetian.
Head back up to your room and enjoy breakfast in bed in your nice plush robes.
More Pool Time
A relaxing weekend in Vegas calls for lots of lazing around pool-side! So head back down the pool decks and pick your favorite pool.
Hint: Arrive RIGHT at 9am, when the pools open, and claim your chair!! ASAP! We arrived at 9:02am and the chairs were getting snatched up quick. Don’t wander around too long trying to decide as by the time you turn back those chairs will be gone.
Lunch at Giordano’s
I’ve never been to Chicago but the sight of a Chicago Deep Dish pizza makes me drool. Pizza is a classic birthday treat and makes a perfect birthday lunch in my opinion! Head to Giordano’s inside Bally’s and dig into the cheesiest, sauciest pizza you ever did eat.
Insider Tip: Don’t forget to claim your free birthday treat here, too! Sign up for free for their G-Club and they’ll send you an email around your birthday for a free dessert!
Outlet Shopping
Vegas has tons of shopping, perfect for spending your birthday cash π Head over to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets (North or South) and indulge in a little retail therapy while burning off some of that pizza.
Circus Circus Arcade
Although you may not be gambling, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun! Feel like a kid again and hit up the Midway at Circus Circus. It actually is way more fun than I expected! You’ll get to play some of those classic arcade games from when you were a kid.
Don’t get lost like us, check out the property map here
You may not be winning coins, but it’s fun and easy to win lots of tickets! Trade them in for a prize and gift it to one of your nieces or nephews π
Dinner at Shake Shack
You will probably still be full from your pizza lunch so take it easy and grab a casual dinner at Shake Shack!
Participate in the great debate: In N Out or Shake Shack? What’s the verdict?? Is it a West Coast vs East Coast thing?
In my opinion, I still prefer the burgers at In N Out but the milkshakes at Shake Shack are bomb.
Hit the Club
Just because you’re not drinking, doesn’t mean you have to skip the club. Half the fun of going out in Vegas is getting dressed up, being seen and enjoying the awesome music anyway!
If you are a hip hop fan, Drai’s Nightclub is where it’s at. Located on the top of the Cromwell Hotel, this is a trendy club for a somewhat older crowd. We loved it! You can also come back during day time for their Beachclub.
How to get on Drai’s Guestlist and get in for free!
Day 3:
Bacchanal Buffet
Inside Caesar’s Palace lies the buffet of all buffets. The grandest buffet in all of Vegas (with a price tag to match). But it’s your birthday weekend, so heyyyy, be extra – brunch at the Bacchanal Buffet.
Save half off by purchasing a Groupon ahead of time! Get the VIP line pass – you will appreciate skipping the long line!
You’ll be able to find everything and anything at this buffet. And it’s not just quantity – it’s quality. This is the fanciest buffet you’ll probably ever go to. You’ll find Vietnamese, Mexican, seafood, dim sum, ceviche, chicken and waffles, gelato bar, juice bar – EVERYTHING you can dream of.
Just remember to go slowww. And don’t eat that 3rd plate of dessert….or you’ll be running to the bathroom in Caesar’s Palace as soon as you walk out of that buffet. Haha.
Forum Shops
You may need to walk around a bit to burn of the intense full feeling. You’re already inside Caesar’s Palace so why not wander the Forum Shops with over 200 stores.
Don’t forget to check out the huge Nike Store! I love this location because they had the biggest and best selection of unique styles that I’ve found anywhere.
Bellagio Fountains
Walk outside to check out the fountains at the Bellagio next door. On weekends the shows start at noon and on weekdays at 3pm, but you can check the current schedules here.
Stratosphere
Once you’re feeling like a normal human being again and are up to some more excitement, head over to the iconic Stratosphere.
It’s your birthday so you’ve got to do something exhilarating. Like jump off the top of the Stratosphere! Or….just take a ride on the edge for those a little less adventurous π
We went for a ride off the edge and a shot up at the top.
X-Scream was definitely exhilarating but mostly because the bar on your lap feels so flimsy that you really worry about sliding right out of that thing and plunging all the way down. It is fun though π Just don’t think about it! ha!
The Big Shot is good, quick fun. Not scary at all in my opinion.
If you’re brave enough, then the Sky Jump looks amazing!! I just didn’t feel like splurging on it.
Tip: Check Groupon ahead of time for a much better deal!
Take one last photo at the Palazzo
Don’t forget to take one last photo at the Palazzo in front of the LOVE sign to conclude your trip. π
And that concludes your 3 Day Itinerary! If you’ve got more time, then there’s tons more to do of course! For example:
- Cirque du Soleil shows
- Concerts
- Wax Museum
- Hockey game
- MORE EATING
There’s always a reason to go back π
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Love this! Full of great tips too.
Thank you for reading, Catherine! π
I would LOVE to try that cupcake ATM! haha that’s a cute idea and reminds me of all the food dispensers in Amsterdam
haha I was so amused by it! Such a neat idea. And yes! You’re right. It does remind me now of the food dispensers in Amsterdam π
Agreed! The milkshakes at Shake Shack ARE bomb. My favorite is probably the peanut butter π Also, I can’t believe I’ve never been to Vegas!
SO GOOD right?!
haha I can relate, I hadn’t been since I was a teenager – it just didn’t really appeal to me because I don’t gamble or drink. But now I kinda already want to go back! Hope you get to experience it at least once π
Love this! I donβt drink and donβt really gamble so this post is right up my alley! Would love to eat at all these places, like the infamous In and Out Burger and see the Vegas sogn. And who doesnβt like outlet shopping!!
Thank you! Ya, I feel like most suggestions I get for Vegas always involve drinking, gambling or spending a whole lot of money, so I enjoyed looking up some ideas that don’t involve that haha. I hope you get to try some of the delicious food, at the very least, In N Out! π
soo much good food! We loved the Belaggio all you can eat buffet – biggest crab claws ever! Plus the rollercoaster on the top of New York hotel, so cool
Yes, and we’re all about the food so we loved it!! Mmm yes the Belaggio buffet is good too! I haven’t been on the New York New York roller coaster yet, but I want to!
I LOVE this so much. Definitely laughed at “good girl edition” because I’ve done so many of these things. When I was young, flights from Vancouver to Vegas were so cheap that this would always be my go-to family vacation when relatives from abroad visited. As a result, I’ve been to Vegas well over 5 times (only once after becoming legal). I practically lived at the Circus Circus midway when I was little lol we’d always come home with a big garbage bag full of claw machine stuffies. Thanks for bringing all those memories back π love the food choice too! I had no idea there was a Shake Shack AND In N Out. guess I gotta go again… you know, for research.
Aw, thanks so much Christina! Are you based in Vancouver? We’re in Victoria but I lived in Vancouver for university π
We used to go to Vegas a lot when I was a child too, this was actually my first trip back since I was “legal”! haha.
Glad this post brought back some of those memories for you π And YES, I agree, you need to go back for research π
What an awesome post! Being from LA i go to Vegas tons and have even spent my birthday there but didnβt know about all the free goodies! Great post thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Mona! That’s awesome Vegas is an easy drive away for you π Yes, I’m always on the lookout for free birthday treats π haha
Such a good post especially for those who donβt want to party hard!, Iβll be sure to come back to this when I go next!!
Thanks so much Lauren π enjoy your next trip to Vegas!!
A sprinkles cup cake is the best reward for anything, and don’t you just love that they have a cupcake ATM. Marketing genius!
I agree π and YES, the ATM is genius!
So nice to see some alternatives to what Las Vegas is known for! Also we had a Shake Shack ‘concrete’ yesterday for the first time (in London) and oh my goooosh, it was so good haha.
Thanks Miranda! Oooh, you have Shake Shack in London too?! Omg yes, isn’t the concrete delicious?!?
What great tips! Looks like you really enjoyed your birthday! Las Vegas is amazing isnβt it?!
Thanks so much! Yes, it was a great weekend getaway! I had been a number of times as a child/teenager, but this was my first time going back as an adult. So much fun, I already want to go back π
Vegas sounds like so much fun! And it’s great to know that there’s so much more to do beside of gambling.
Thanks for the share π
Thanks for your comment, Minda π Yes, Vegas has sooo much to offer – something there to suit everyone! π
This looks so fun! I love the atm cupcakes, we have one of those in Chicago too π
Thank you! It was a blast. Oh that’s awesome you have one in Chicago too! π
Oooh I love free birthday goodies! That’s such a good tip! Looks like you guys had tons of fun. Awesome itinerary!
Thanks Viola! It was a ton of fun. The free birthday goodies were a nice bonus! π
I love how itβs mostly about good food! Haha! I seriously obsess over food when I travel. Itβs like the reason I travel in general ?
haha omg, we are the same!! It’s all about the food π
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