By Sheryl A Jurries, Guest Blogger

I think every woman who has a great group of girlfriends should take a trip together to a very special place for 3 or 4 days. I recently was able to do this with 6 other friends.

Destination: Las Vegas!

Whether you gamble or not, Vegas has been a go-to destination for decades for people from around the world. It has world-class shows (think Cirque Du Soleil in its many fabulous forms, all different from each other); headline concerts with the world’s best entertainers; terrific shopping experiences; the best gastronomic venues; beautiful (and enormous) hotels;  pretty little wedding chapels; great conventions; and fun clubbing opportunities.

Sin City

Vegas, although very family friendly now, has been known as Sin City from its early days. Discovered by Mormon missionaries, it got its nickname from prostitution, crimes involving money, and violence. From its early days, it was filled with a lot of dodgy activities. How interesting that its Mormon roots gave way to the sleazy reputation that it had for decades.

The rise of this unique city came about partly from the building of the Hoover Dam way back in the 1930s. With the majority of the employees being men, business owners saw a demand for lodging, entertainment, gambling opportunities, and showgirl platforms. Thus began its incredible rise. Although is it still referred to as Sin City, it has morphed into the Entertainment Capital of the World.

The Sphere

        The Sphere is the place to go for a truly remarkable visual and sensory experience. The interior and the exterior of the sphere displays gorgeous images on its screens using more than 1 million LED lights. The day we attended, we watched a beautiful show called “Postcard from Earth” which took us around the world from the comfort of our seats using incredible photography. The Sphere holds more than 18,000 people, and our experience was surprisingly interactive.

Our chairs made us feel like we were moving through space, allowing us to experience the wind blowing on to us while injecting fragrances of the places we visually wandered through wafting up at us. It was incredible to experience this spectacular show. And the concerts here are a huge draw and are guaranteed to live in your memories the rest of your life.

        Vegas is a great spot for taking pictures so here are some to enjoy.

If you have a hankering for people watching, trying your hand at gambling, taking in a show, or shopping, a walk through any casino is sure to give you plenty of opportunities. Plus these hotels are so beautiful, you might forget what you came in for.

      Chihuly Ceiling

This is Chihuly’s magnificent glass sculpture called “Fiori di Como” in the Bellagio in Vegas.

Foie gras wrapped in cotton candy along with a smoky mixed drink were served at Michelin-stared chef Jose Andres’ Bazaar Meat restaurant located in the Sahara. It was an incredibly delicious experience for the entire group, and we’d do it again.

We were thrilled to go to the Venetian to see Earth, Wind, and Fire. The shows we saw were all spectacular. One of my favorite shows here is actually Carrot Top. Try to see him the next time you visit.

Fremont Street

Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas has a 12-story slot machine inspired zip-lining experience over the busy street. There’s also free nightly light shows reflected on this ceiling at the top of every hour. It’s especially beautiful at night and is great for people watching and interesting photo opps.

Palm Trees

Such a beautiful city! Palm trees are a symbol of luxury, and they were probably brought here by Mormon settlers. There are no photos of palm trees here before the 20th century, so experts believe they were introduced here in the late 19th century.

Princess Diana’s wedding gown

This is a recreation of Princess Diana’s wedding gown that was done in paper. It is on display at the Princess Diana Exhibit at The Shops at the Crystal Mall. There are over 700 authentic items in the exhibit ranging from Diana’s school papers to a piece of her wedding cake to the largest display of her gowns on view.

Vampire Donut

At the Pinkbox Donut Shop, their store on Fremont street is located on the old Las Vegas strip and is front of the Plaza Hotel. They are open 24 hours a day. No stop is complete without  grabbing a dozen to share.

We had such a fantastic time, we’d like to repeat it every few years.

Sheryl Arredondo Jurries is a former magazine editor and newspaper reporter. She has 2 children, 2 stepchildren, and a granddaughter. She had her husband Jim reside in Holland, Michigan.