8 Tips on Surviving a Las Vegas Work Trip in Your 30s and Beyond  

There comes a time in most businesswomen’s lives where Vegas just kind of loses its (both proverbial and literal) lustre. Once you’re out of the all-night party stage, or when it’s your third trip in as many months, the same old Vegas stuff can feel older than Wayne Newton. And, with the heavy food, high prices and oppressive heat, you can leave feeling that way, too.  Instead, enjoy your trip, with a few tips here to make your time in Sin City just a little more saintly. 

Stock Up on Staples
Your company may be paying, but still, do you really need the $8 bottled water? One of the first things I always do when I hit the Strip is to trek over to one of the conveniently located Walgreens for a week’s worth of beverages and healthy snacks. Sure, prices are a bit steep for a drugstore (I had a nasty bug on one recent trip, and paid something like $18 for cold medicine), but you’ll still come out way ahead overall. 

Fit in Fitness
There’s no denying that a little exercise adds a glow to the rest of your day, leading to more energy and thus better, more mindful food choices. Whether you prefer an indoor or an outdoor sweat session, you can get both in Vegas.

Outdoor: Run the Strip
During one recent trip, I rose early and ran from Caesar’s to the Stratosphere and back, every morning. There’s no traffic, pedestrian or vehicular, which gives you a whole new view of the heart of Vegas. Plus, you can add stairs and ramps and all kinds of fun, turning a simple run into a mini boot camp.

Indoor: Fancy Facilities Galore
If you’re more of a gym bunny, many of the resort properties offer ah-mazing on-site gyms. The Aria has  a real beauty – and you can even enjoy free bottled water and bananas. Next door at The Cosmopolitan, you can burn off the day’s stress in a boxing ring, or slap a ball back and forth on one of the two tennis courts.  And at the longstanding mainstay Flamingo, you can use the facilities even if you aren’t a guest with a 3-day or week-long pass. (In general, though, be sure to check your resort’s website, as some properties may charge additional fees.)

Don’t Forget to Play Tourist
Speaking of the hotels, I had a fantastic time one hot afternoon just exploring a number of them, like The Luxor (shaped like an Egyptian pyramid) and The Excalibur (with a medieval knights theme, complete with floor shows). It gave me a nice look at how Vegas has evolved, and the people-watching was tremendous!

Eat Clean(er)
Save your calories for a cocktail, and instead feel good as you relax poolside! Eating well in Vegas is possible with these healthy choices:

• Pressed Juicery: I stumbled upon this during the trip where I was suffering with that aforementioned nasty bug. Embarrassed because my colleagues assumed my fatigue during a workshop was due to a raging hangover, I tried to flush out the germs with a series of unique and amazing juices and wellness “shots.” Try the one with jalapeños!
• Burger Lounge:  Healthy burgers? They are here! This fast-casual stop features grass-fed beef burgers, vegetarian burgers made with quinoa, and fresh salads with unique ingredients. 
• Sushi Samba: There are sundry great options along the Strip for those who like the raw stuff, but this is one of the gems. The salmon avocado roll is simple, but exquisite, and it’s on the more affordable side of Vegas.

Lower-Key Nightlife

• The Study: If you fancy fancy (so to speak), this is a quiet place to decompress and converse after a long day of conference sessions.
• Cabo Wabo: You may prefer Diamond Dave’s vocals, but this bar & eatery owned by Sammy Hagar has one of my favorite patios (and some of the best ceviche) in town. It gets full, but never raucous. A must-stop on your Vegas trip. 

Do the Granny Tour
Relive a time when Vegas was more themed hotels than $60 entrees. If you have an extra day, escape the “dry heat” with a comfy air-conditioned bus ride to the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon, courtesy of Vegas Tours. There. It’s off your bucket list.

• Madame Tussauds: Now this is some classic Vegas kitsch! Rub elbows with eerily lifelike wax versions of celebs from Brad Pitt to Mike Tyson. Course, don’t rub too hard — they’ll melt.
• The Big Apple Roller Coaster: Enjoy Strip views and a huge adrenaline rush on the Big Apple, which features a 180-degree twist and deep dive. Wheeee!

Happy travels, ladies!