3 Days in Las Vegas for Repeat Visitors (+ Our Honest Sphere Review)

3 days in Las Vegas looks a lot different when it’s a place you used to call home. Coming back without the RV for a quick three-night getaway felt completely different this time. Instead of rushing through the usual tourist stops, we focused on reconnecting with friends, seeing what’s changed, and finally experiencing things that didn’t even exist when we lived here—like the incredible Sphere. It turned into the kind of trip that reminded us why Vegas is worth revisiting… even if you think you’ve already done it all.

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Unique Things We Did in Las Vegas (Beyond the Usual)

Breakfast at My Garage Kitchen

We flew into Las Vegas early Friday morning, grabbed our rental car, and kicked things off with breakfast at one of Lisa’s favorite spots—My Garage Kitchen. It’s one of those local places that flies under the radar but delivers every time.

Address: 4040 W Craig Rd, Suite 117, North Las Vegas, NV 89032

I went with the French Toast, while Lisa ordered the Churro French Toast—because if you’re going to Vegas, you might as well lean into it a little. Both were solid, but Lisa’s definitely had the edge.

After breakfast, we swung by to check on our rental home before meeting up with a friend for lunch.

Lunch at Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

For lunch, we met up with one of my friends at Sickies Garage. At that point, I realized we were unintentionally on a full-on garage-themed restaurant tour… totally unplanned, but kind of funny.

Address: 6629 Las Vegas Blvd S STE 120, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Lisa and I split the Sickies Nachos, which aren’t your typical nachos—they’re a plate of waffle fries loaded up with cheese, pico, buffalo chicken, and sour cream. It’s messy, over-the-top, and exactly what you’d expect in Vegas.

The menu here is massive, especially if you’re into burgers and beer. It’s a solid, casual spot—perfect for meeting up with friends without the Strip chaos.

Upgrading Our Stay at Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

After lunch, we checked into Harrah’s—and ended up upgrading to a 600 sq ft suite for an extra $50 a night. Totally worth it.

👉 Check current prices and availability for Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

Lisa was especially happy because the room had a bathtub, which we don’t have in our motorhome and is surprisingly rare in a lot of hotel rooms these days.

That said, we had been up since about 1:00 AM Vegas time… so instead of going out, we called it a night at 8:00 PM.

Yeah… not exactly the typical Vegas experience.

Lunch at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen

Saturday was our big food day, starting with a late lunch at Hell’s Kitchen—one place we had been to before and absolutely wanted to revisit.

I went with the three-course Beef Wellington—and man, it is so good. It came with scallops to start and sticky toffee pudding for dessert (which we shared). Lisa ordered the Jidori chicken.

This is one of those meals in Vegas that actually lives up to the hype.

👉 Make a reservation at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen

Reservations fill up fast, especially on weekends, so it’s worth booking ahead.

Double Show Night: Criss Angel with Alice Cooper and David Copperfield

Lisa had been watching VetTix trying to score tickets to the Criss Angel and Alice Cooper show, but had no luck. When tickets popped up for David Copperfield instead, she grabbed them.

Then we realized… the timing worked out perfectly.

Criss Angel was at 7:00 PM, and Copperfield wasn’t until 9:30 PM—so we decided to go all in and do both.

Criss Angel + Alice Cooper Welcome To Our Nightmare:

This ended up being a really fun and unique show. It’s part concert, part magic show—and honestly, Alice Cooper absolutely crushed it. If you’re a fan of his music, you’ll love this part of the show.

One thing to know ahead of time—when you enter the theater, they place your phone in a locked pouch so you can’t take photos or videos during the show. You keep it with you, but it stays locked until you leave. It’s a little different at first, but it actually helps you stay focused on the performance instead of watching it through a screen.

Criss Angel’s illusions were good, but they’re woven in between songs rather than being the main focus. At times, it felt like the magic was spread out a bit too much, but when it hit, it was solid.

Overall, it’s a great mix of rock concert energy with a twist of Vegas magic—definitely something different from your typical show.

👉 Check availability and ticket prices for Criss Angel with Alice Cooper

David Copperfield:

We’ve seen him before—and this time around, it didn’t quite hit the same. The show felt more geared toward kids than we remembered.

There’s a long segment involving an animatronic alien named “Apex” that builds into an illusion about sending it home. It took a bit too long to get there.

One thing to be aware of—at your table, they ask you to place your phone in a box and keep it put away during the show. If you have it out, they’ll come around and remind you pretty quickly. It’s not quite as strict as the locked pouches at the Criss Angel show, but they definitely want your attention on the performance.

That said, one of his classic illusions—which used to be the finale—is now earlier in the show and still impressive. The newer dinosaur finale is good, but overall, not quite as strong as our previous experience.

If you’ve ever wanted to see David Copperfield live, now’s the time—his current run at the MGM is scheduled to end on April 30, 2026.

👉 Check availability and ticket prices for David Copperfield

Exploring the Bellagio Conservatory

One morning, we took some time to walk through the Bellagio Conservatory—something we always enjoyed when we lived in Vegas.

If you’ve never been, it’s a massive indoor garden display inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino that completely transforms with the seasons. Every visit is different, which makes it worth stopping by even if you’ve seen it before.

It’s one of those places where you can slow down for a bit, get away from the noise of the Strip, and just take it all in. The level of detail in the displays is always impressive.

And one of the best parts?

It’s completely free.

Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds, go early in the morning or later at night. Midday can get pretty packed.

Riding in a Driverless Car with Zoox

No driver.

Let that sink in for a second.

We finally got the chance to try Zoox while we were in Las Vegas, and I’ll admit—I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. A box-shaped vehicle with no steering wheel, no driver, and seats facing each other? It definitely feels like something straight out of the future.

We rode from the Wynn over to Resorts World and back, and within the first couple of minutes, any hesitation we had completely disappeared.

The ride was incredibly smooth:

• no sudden braking
• no jerky turns
• just calm, controlled driving

Honestly, it handled traffic better than a lot of human drivers.

One of the fun touches—you can actually control the music inside the vehicle. Naturally, we went with some 80s jams, which made the whole experience even better.

And that was probably the most surprising part—at no point did we feel unsafe. If anything, it felt more predictable than a typical rideshare.

Dinner at Battista’s Hole in the Wall

We saved our favorite restaurant for last—Battista’s Hole in the Wall.

This was our spot when we lived in Vegas. Whenever friends or family came to visit, this is where we would bring them.

The place feels like stepping back into old-school Vegas:

• small dining rooms
• walls covered in photos and memorabilia
• a vibe that feels straight out of the mob era

I had the Chicken Parmesan, and Lisa ordered the Chicken Rio—both excellent.

The food is great, the wine is included, and you absolutely need to save room for the cappuccino.

👉 View menu, hours, and reservation info for Battista’s Hole in the Wall

Still one of our all-time favorites.

Drinks at The Golden Tiki

Before heading to the airport on Monday, we had just enough time to make one last stop—one of our favorite bars from when we lived in Vegas.

The Golden Tiki isn’t your typical Vegas bar. It’s tucked away off the Strip and fully commits to the tiki theme in the best way possible. Think dim lighting, tropical decor, and just enough weirdness to make it memorable.

And by weird, I mean things like display cases filled with shrunken heads of celebrities.

Yeah… It’s that kind of place.

The drinks are strong, reasonably priced (especially during happy hour), and the whole atmosphere just makes it a fun spot to hang out for a bit before heading out of town.

It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip—something familiar, a little different, and very much old Vegas in its own quirky way.

The Sphere Experience – Is It Worth It?

Sunday was the main event—the whole reason for this trip in the first place. Back at Christmas, I surprised Lisa with tickets to see The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere, and from the moment we booked it, this was the experience we were most excited about.

For this show, we decided to go a step further and book the Bad Witch VIP Experience—and I’m really glad we did.

The Bad Witch VIP Experience

Before the show even started, we had access to a VIP area that included complimentary food and drinks, which made the whole experience feel a lot more relaxed and less rushed compared to just showing up and heading straight to your seat.

They also gave us a limited-edition Wizard of Oz poster, which was a nice bonus and a great souvenir from the experience.

One of the coolest parts, though, was a small display of memorabilia from the original movie—including a pair of Ruby Slippers. Seeing something like that up close added another layer to the whole experience, especially if you’re a fan of the film.

You’re Not Watching the Movie… You’re Inside It

From the moment the show started, it was obvious this wasn’t just a bigger screen or better sound system. The Sphere doesn’t just show you the movie—it pulls you into it.

When the tornado scene hit, the entire theater came alive:

• wind blowing across your face
• seats rumbling beneath you
• debris and leaves swirling through the air

It genuinely felt like you were sitting in the middle of the storm with Dorothy.

And that’s when it clicked—this isn’t just something you watch.
It’s something you experience.

The Details That Make It Unreal

What really sets the Sphere apart are the small details you don’t expect.

In the apple orchard scene, plush apples actually drop from above. We didn’t manage to catch one, but it added this unexpected, interactive element that made the scene feel alive.

Then came the poppy field.

As the snow began to fall on screen, the temperature inside the theater dropped, and soft flakes drifted down from above. It wasn’t just visual—it was physical. You could feel the moment.

That combination of sight, sound, movement, and even temperature changes is what makes this place completely different from anything else in Las Vegas.

👉 Check availability and ticket prices for the Sphere

VIP vs Regular Sphere Experience

If you’re trying to decide whether to upgrade, here’s a quick breakdown of what you get with each option at the Sphere:

Feature	Regular Ticket	Bad Witch VIP Experience
Entry to the show	✔️	✔️
Seating	Varies by section	Premium seating (best sections in the house)
VIP lounge access	❌	✔️
Complimentary food & drinks	❌	✔️
Exclusive memorabilia display	❌	✔️
Limited-edition poster	❌	✔️
Overall experience	Great	More immersive & relaxed

👉 Compare regular and VIP ticket options for the Sphere

Our Take

If you’re just there for the show, the regular ticket is still an incredible experience.

But one thing that really stood out with the VIP experience is that while the seats themselves are the same style as the rest of the theater, the section you’re seated in is among the best in the house.

That, combined with the lounge access, food and drinks, and the memorabilia (especially seeing the Ruby Slippers), made the whole experience feel a lot more elevated.

For us, it turned a great show into something that felt a bit more like a special event.

Is The Sphere Worth It?

Short answer?
Yes—especially if this is your first time.

It’s not cheap, and I get that. But this isn’t just another Vegas show—it’s something entirely different. It’s one of those experiences you’ll still be talking about long after the trip is over.

If you’re on the fence, here’s my take:

• If you’ve already done the typical Vegas shows → Do this instead
• If you’re visiting for something unique → This should be at the top of your list
• If you’re a fan of immersive experiences → You’ll love it

For us, it wasn’t just the highlight of the trip—it was one of the most memorable things we’ve done in Las Vegas, period.

👉 Check Sphere show availability for your dates—popular times can sell out quickly

3 Days in Las Vegas: Itinerary for Repeat Visitors

If you’re planning a short trip and want to skip the typical tourist checklist, here’s exactly how we spent our three days in Las Vegas.

Day 1: Arrival, Local Eats, and an Early Night

• Arrive early and pick up a rental car
• Breakfast at My Garage Kitchen
• Check on property / explore off-Strip areas
• Lunch at Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews
• Check into Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
• Relax and recharge

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Day 2: Iconic Dining and Double Shows

• Sleep in and ease into the day
• Late lunch at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen
• Evening show: Criss Angel MINDFREAK with Alice Cooper
• Late-night show: David Copperfield

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Day 3: Unique Experiences and The Sphere

• Visit Bellagio Conservatory
• Ride with Zoox
• Stop at Resorts World for cheesecake
• Experience the Sphere
• Dinner at Battista’s Hole in the Wall

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Departure Day

• Drinks at The Golden Tiki
• Head to the airport

👉 Browse Las Vegas tours and experiences

Tips for Saving Money in Las Vegas

Las Vegas can get expensive fast, especially when it comes to parking. But there are a few easy ways to cut costs if you know where to look.

Free Parking for Veterans at Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International

One of the best ways we’ve found to save money in Vegas is by taking advantage of free parking for veterans.

Both Caesars and MGM properties offer free self-parking for veterans when you sign up for their players’ clubs:

• Caesars Rewards
• MGM Rewards

All you have to do is:

• Sign up for the players’ card
• Show proof of military service
• Your account gets flagged for free parking benefits

Considering how expensive parking can be on the Strip, this can save you a decent amount over a few days.

Consider a Rental Car Instead of Rideshares

At first glance, renting a car in Las Vegas might seem like an added expense—but depending on your plans, it can actually save you money.

Since we were visiting friends, checking on our rental property, and going off the Strip quite a bit, having a car made things a lot easier—and often cheaper than relying on rideshares.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Rideshare prices can surge, especially at night or after shows
• Wait times on the Strip can get long
• Having your own car gives you the flexibility to explore beyond the tourist areas

If you’re planning to stay mostly on the Strip, rideshare might still make sense. But if your trip looks anything like ours, a rental car is worth considering.

👉 Compare rental car prices in Las Vegas for your travel dates

Eat Off the Strip for Better Value

Some of our favorite meals on this trip were off the Strip—and not just because they were cheaper.

Places like My Garage Kitchen and Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews offered great food at more reasonable prices compared to many Strip restaurants.

Even getting off the Strip for one or two meals can help balance your budget without sacrificing quality.

Other Things to See and Do in Las Vegas

Final Thoughts: Is Las Vegas Worth Revisiting?

Coming back to Las Vegas after living here gave us a completely different perspective on the city.

Instead of trying to do everything, we focused on doing a few things really well—and honestly, that made this one of the most enjoyable trips we’ve had to Vegas.

Vegas isn’t just a “one and done” destination.

It’s a place that keeps evolving—and if you approach it the right way, it can feel like a completely different trip every time you go back.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

If you’re thinking about a short trip to Vegas:

Bundling your flight and hotel can often save more than booking separately.

👉 Compare Las Vegas vacation packages and save by bundling your trip

• Mix in something new, like the Sphere
• Make reservations early
• Leave room for spontaneity

And if you’re on the fence?

It’s worth it.

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