The most enjoyable Las Vegas experience is often a fast-paced one. A few days filled with gambling, entertainment, and indulging in alcohol can pass by in a blur, with the only vivid memory being the time spent at Harry Reid International Airport. However, this approach doesn’t work for the Super Bowl, as the events leading up to the game span over 48 hours.
A damp and cold week in the desert will commence on Monday. While some tumbleweeds may roll through the morning radio row at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the evening will bring the excitement of Super Bowl Opening Night. Perhaps Mama Kelce will bring an abundance of chocolate chip cookies for everyone this year.
After Monday night, the pace of the week doesn’t slow down until game day. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will see a bustling radio row filled with NFL legends and current players endorsing various products. Nighttime is reserved for parties. Unlike the previous Super Bowls in Los Angeles and Arizona, the game will be held just across the street from radio row. Despite the nightly temperatures hovering around the mid-30s, the Vegas strip will be ablaze with activity. Choosing to stay indoors will require a conscious decision, as there will be no shortage of vibrant nights or lengthy journeys.
There’s an old saying that suggests 48 hours is the ideal length for a Las Vegas trip. However, NFL media won’t have that luxury. Some may manage to escape the city within three days, but most will spend nearly a whole week in this playground for adults. Six days of encountering women donning flamboyant hats, eagerly requesting pictures, and men distributing cards advertising adult entertainment that, with the right wager, promises a guaranteed win.
As an American, I, like many others, thoroughly enjoy Las Vegas. A few hours in the poker room with complimentary drinks, a couple of discounted buffet meals, and VIP access to a party where someone else is picking up the tab, and I’m as content as I was at Disney World in 1992, clutching an autograph book and devouring a turkey leg.
However, I must admit that I largely agree with the notion that 48 hours is the optimal duration for a Vegas trip. It provides ample time to experience all that the strip has to offer before becoming overwhelmed by excessive spending. A 72-hour trip is a risky endeavor, as it opens the door to the possibility of a disappointing day. A single bad day in Las Vegas can cast a shadow over the entire trip.
Spending an entire week in Las Vegas is a daunting prospect. Fortunately, for the media, their work occupies half of each day, which helps prevent complete burnout. Nevertheless, the prospect of six or seven nights in this recycled casino-hotel environment still sounds exhausting. A week of breathing in that air might lead to me unleashing rage-filled 400-yard drives at TopGolf.
Las Vegas is undeniably one of the most entertaining cities in America. I’ve experienced the chilly desert nights of 35 degrees and still had a blast. However, I’m well aware that it’s a place designed for short bursts of enjoyment, not prolonged stays. Las Vegas is best approached as a sprint. Burst out of the starting blocks, maintain a relentless pace, and finish swiftly. Treating the strip like a marathon will leave you exhausted and disillusioned by the time you return to Harry Reid.
I wish the media and other workers who have to endure twice the recommended amount of time in Sin City the best of luck. I truly appreciate their efforts and hope that luck accompanies them at the tables and slot machines.