Travel & Recommendations

They picked it. Not me. There's actually more than you'd expect.

My expectations are a large airport, a Nascar track, and some evil big banks

Oh, good call. I forgot about that one and know Mrs. GL has never been.

We're apparently going to the NASCAR hall of fame bc why not?

I took a shitload of notes and buddy, you better believe that as soon as I get home to make some Rick Steves-style walking guides, you are getting a whole ass essay on Paris, a place that dares to ask “what if colonial Williamsburg was one of the most important cities on Earth?”

Looks like I’m going to Providence, RI, for a conference in September. Anybody got any recommendations? I’ll only be there a couple of days, but there’s usually a chance to at least go to a couple of restaurants.

Thanks boss. I am always a fan of food halls. Makes it easier to find options that please everyone when you're in a group. Might be too old for the science center though. They're 16 and 19. Getting to that age where I need to preface that when I say kids. Haha.

Thanks!! It looks like all of those are within a mile of the hotel, so that’s extra helpful!!

If you're carless, it's pretty easy to get around with Ubers and Scooters.  It really depends on what you like to eat.  There is a shit ton of great bbq in the region if not that many great places in the city itself.  We hit Lockhart 2 weekends ago and went to Black's and Kreuz.  Black's in Austin is pretty good, but obviously Franklins is the best in town.  Problem is you probably don't want to line up overnight to get some. Mickthlewait's is good there too.  I've been wanting to hit Interstellar, but I haven't been to Austin in 3 or 4 years when we've gone up to Hill Country which we do every year.  Also KG BBQ is another place I've been wanting to try.  It's an Egyptian guy who has fused Egyptian with bbq.  I watched a YouTube on him a couple months ago.

We've been to Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar which was a joint project between Franklin's BBQ and Uchi Sushi.  It's been a few years, but you could go right up to the bar and order instead of waiting outside forever.


Lots of good Mexican and Tex Mex, and lots of other random fusion/asian/mexican stuff to be had there.  Also food trucks.  Some of it is campy, but even Gordough's (who uses donuts for the buns of their sandwiches) is good.  There are tons of trucks everywhere, sometimes in what are known as trailer parks (multiple trucks in a location).  Polvo's (interior Mexican) was always one of my favorites.  Their cerveza fajitas are great, and their margaritas are too.  Plus they've got one of the best salsa bars (roja, verde and negro) out there.

Uchi Sushi and JewBoy Burgers are places I hear are great, but I haven't been yet.  Rosie's has good fried chicken.  I have a buddy from New Orleans who loves Odd Duck, but the menu is sometimes out there for me.  

Radio is pretty good for Coffee.  Via 313 is great Detroit Pizza and comes pretty close to nailing the best I've had in Detroit.

Thanks man. Had BBQ at Coopers last night since it was close to my hotel and I didn’t want to walk for days in the 100 degree heat.

The conference surprisingly has food trucks for lunch each day and breakfast provided too.

Gonna find some live music to chill to the next couple nights.

did somebody mention vegas?

The Venetian/Palazzo is right next to the Sphere, I understand there is even an indoor walkway from the Palazzo to the Sphere but i didn't walk it myself, it was closed last weekend when i was there. The rooms at both Venetian/Palazzo are pretty similar and are huge. Probably time for a revamp, you might find some wear and tear due to age, but still very nice. The whole resort is ENORMOUS and there are loads of great restaurants.

The Bellagio is great to walk through, and you should visit it, but while i've never stayed there everything I hear is the rooms aren't a great value, they are coasting on their reputation and fountains.

The fountain view balcony room at the Cosmo is the best room in Las Vegas. Sitting on that balcony and watching the fountains and the crowds is great, the rooms are large and well appointed. The Cosmo's location is great and there are lots of good restaurants. While you can walk to the Sphere from Cosmo at this point you are pretty far away, not sure what your dad's (or your) tolerance is for walking moderate distances. Ubering to the Sphere is no problem but after I'm assuming its a shitshow just like any music venue. I walked to the Wynn and caught an uber from there.

I've never stayed at the Wynn/Encore but I always walk through there when I go to Vegas. It's very nice. Supposedly the best service anywhere on the strip. I want to stay there someday, easy walk to and from the Sphere.

My vote is the Palazzo/Venetian, simply for proximity to the venue. Not sure if you have any specific needs or stuff you want to do during the day, happy to answer any questions you have about vegas hotels or other activities or the sphere. i know you'll have a great time!

i actually just stayed at Aria for the first time last week and really loved it, copying and pasting my review from elsewhere:

"standard two queen room. i'm about to point out some negatives but to be clear i really liked it and would stay here again without question. but the rooms are showing their age a bit. the A/C, even when set at 62, struggled to get below 70 degrees. really it was plenty cool enough for sleeping, but i like my rooms to get ICY cold. the blackout curtain wouldn't fully close at first, left a couple of inches right at the end, but then randomly about a half hour after i closed it it would close all the way. the safe drawer on the nightstand wouldn't fully close. the screen on the portable phone was cracked but functional.

but the staff was lovely, the bed was comfortable, the shower had good water pressure and was hot. and something else i appreciate about the Aria after staying at The Palazzo last summer is how spacious the casino is. the Palazzo would often be super crowded and navigating a bit of a hassle, but it's so easy to get around in Aria because the games are spaced out and the walking paths are large. no line or crowd crunch at the elevators either."

aria is also dead center of the strip, great location just like the cosmo. if you want a larger room that includes a washer/dryer and full size fridge, you could also consider Vdara, it's right behind aria, quick three minute outside walk to Aria, and there is an indoor walkway to both the cosmo and bellagio. aria is also connected indoors to park mgm/nomad, where two of my favorite restaurants are: Best Friend and Bavette's. NoMad is a hotel within a hotel on the top floors of Park MGM, great value for a very nice room.

for my next trip with my wife we are planning on staying at the aria, probably go for a nicer room than the standard, maybe one of the Tower Suites. i'd love to do a Sky Suite but they are EXPENSIVE.

if you go with the Cosmo fountain view balcony you'll love it. i'd also do a south facing balcony, nice strip view, but for your first time the fountain view is best.

whatever hotel you book suggest you book direct through the hotel's website as opposed to a third party site.

Thanks for the rec's again...just booked a room at The Cosmo with the fountain view balcony. Bavette also looks right up my dads ally so going to plan on dinner there one night. For dinner reservations in general in Vegas how far out do I need to book for 2 people?

I have a gig at Tipitinas in NOLA in two weeks. Give me your recommendations around the area for a 36 hour visit.