Happy Friday, friends, and cheers to the weekend! We’ve got our annual Halloween party tomorrow night, and while I’m excited to see our friends, I’m a little unsure of our costumes!
The theme this year is ‘Movie Couples,’ and it was Mr. Sugarplum’s turn to choose… so let’s just say it’s another year with me in a horrible wig! (Last time he chose I was the Goose to his Maverick!) I’m sure I’ll share peeks on Instagram Stories, so follow me HERE for the fun. And can we just pause in remembrance of my all-time favorite costume HERE?!
Our sweet Sloan is headed south to vote this weekend (her first election since turning 18!), so while it’s only for a few hours, I can’t wait to squeeze her! And so proud that she’s taking the time for such an important right!
Last week I shared snippets of Mr. SP’s birthday adventure from Vegas and Joshua Tree HERE, but many of you said you wanted to take similar road trips, so today I’m back with the full Trip Report! It’s a doozy, but I like these posts to be helpful resources for your own travels!
Las Vegas, Nevada //
Would you believe we spent three nights in Vegas, and didn’t even step foot in a casino?! Mr. SP spent years playing shows up and down the Strip, so his focus was on the concerts and hiking the nearby parks.
We flew directly into Las Vegas and rented a car from Sixt. If you don’t plan on exploring outside the Strip, you could wait to rent the car on the day you depart Vegas to avoid parking fees.
Where We Stayed // Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
A gorgeous, peaceful hotel right on the Strip… we actually chose it because it’s non-smoking with no casino. It has easy in-and-out parking, and the elevator to the rooms is mere yards from the entrance! (If you’ve stayed in the big Vegas resorts, you know what it’s like to walk through the smoky casinos!)
The rooms are gorgeous with huge bathrooms, and it has a small pool with sporadic service (and not much of a vibe). We booked through Elevate Travel, so we received free breakfast (even room service!) and a room credit.
We loved the luxurious feel and quiet atmosphere, but if visiting specifically for visiting The Sphere, I’d choose the Wynn Hotel. It’s walkable to the venue, and their rooms and pool are much larger.
Where We Ate // Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak
We used to be big fans of the show Top Chef, so we celebrated Mr. Sugarplum’s birthday at this sophisticated steakhouse. We were able to snag a last-minute reservation (a rare find in Vegas!), and loved the food, ambiance, and service.
The rest of our meals were either in the hotel, or not worth mentioning. Definitely plan ahead for dinners!
What We Did //
Red Rock Canyon / About 45 minutes outside The Strip, Red Rock Canyon is an incredible park well-worth a visit, even if you aren’t hiking. It has a 13-mile scenic loop drive, with multiple overlooks, and an impressive and immersive Visitors Center. Our favorite hike was Icebox Trail, for the sweeping views and canyons that provided a break from the sun!
Eagles at The Sphere / I wouldn’t consider myself a huge Eagles fan, but I absolutely loved every second of their show at The Sphere!! It’s a fully immersive video experience unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’d highly recommend going for any of the shows, or even just the exhibit.
The best seats are in the 200 or 300 level, and closer to the middle. Honestly most seats are incredible, but I’d stay away from floor seats (level 100) or the edges.
Maroon 5 at Dolby Live / We actually grabbed these tickets the day of the show, and had the best time! Not only do they sing all their classic hits, but Adam Levine is a genuinely talented singer. (Side note: He also sounded like a person who’s been putting in the work to be a better man.)
It’s an incredible venue with mind-boggling sound and acoustics, and since it’s on the smaller side, there’s really not a bad seat.
Half-Zip Pullover (Medium) | Midi High Waist Leggings (Small) | Ruched Tank (Small) | Kizik Sneakers (code CASSIE15, Wasatch style) | Belt Bag | Straw Hat
Long Sleeve Tee (XS) | Belt Bag | Straw Hat
Midi High Waist Leggings (Small) | Ruched Tank (Small) | Kizik Sneakers (code CASSIE15, Wasatch style) | Belt Bag | Straw Hat | Retro Sunglasses
Ruched Tank (Small) | Exercise Shorts (Small) | Kizik Sneakers (code CASSIE15, Wasatch style) | Straw Hat | Retro Sunglasses
Leopard Chiffon Dress | Similar Booties
Joshua Tree, California //
After three nights, we left Vegas and drove four hours through the sleepy, desert roads to Joshua Tree. The typography was incredible the entire drive, but be prepared because there is very little along the way! There are a handful of art installations along the way, along with a quirky ‘oasis’ truck stop.
Where We Stayed // ‘Mars Landing‘ house via Stay Cocoon
Joshua Tree has no shortage of incredible Airbnbs, and we absolutely loved this one! The layout was perfect for couples, giving everyone lots of privacy and their own bedroom/bathroom. It also has a pool and hot tub, which is essential in summer, and is a quick 20-minute drive to the Park. See a full video tour of the house HERE.
Where We Ate //
For such a small, quirky town, Joshua Tree and the surrounding area has no shortage of cool restaurants and cafes. Our absolute fave was The Copper Room for dinner (we went twice!). It feels like stepping back in time to the Brat Pack days, with live music and dancing on Tuesday nights, and great food.
Definitely grab breakfast tacos at Red Dog Saloon in Pioneertown, drinks at Pappy & Harriett’s, and the sandwiches at Luna Sourdough Bakery are on another level of good!
What We Did //
Pool Time / We visited in late september, so we spent a lot of time floating in the pool during the day, and gazing at the millions of stars from the hot tub at night!
Shopping / Yucca Valley is home to an abundance of vintage and thrift shops with incredibly cool finds and antiques, plus lots of quirky, beautifully-curated shops.
Joshua Tree National Park / And of course, we spent a lot of time exploring the park, both by car and on foot. Maps are available at the entrance gate, and trails are well-marked and easy to find. We especially loved exploring close to sunset and watching the colors of the sky transform. The landscape truly feels like Mars, and the Joshua Trees are beautiful to see in person.
AirEssentials Joggers (Small-Petite) (Also HERE) | Crewneck Tee | Kizik Sneakers (code CASSIE15, Wasatch style)
Ruched Tank (Small) | Exercise Shorts (Small) | Straw Hat
Midi High Waist Leggings (Small) | Shelf-Bra Tank (Small) | Belt Bag | Straw Hat
Ruched Tank (Small) | Exercise Shorts (Small) | Kizik Sneakers (code CASSIE15, Wasatch style) | Belt Bag | Straw Hat
Strapless Dress (Small)
Tie Back Maxi Dress (Small)
Palm Springs, California //
The easy drive from Joshua Tree to Palm Springs is less than an hour, and so cool to pass the fields of windmills and solar farms. Before we knew it, we left the openness of the desert behind, to the vibrant oasis of Palm Springs.
The Palm Springs airport is adorable and small, and super easy to navigate, making it a great last stop on the road trip.
Where We Stayed // Holiday House
The absolute cutest spot, with impeccable design and branding at every turn. A small boutique hotel, in the heart of Palm Springs, it’s easily walkable to many of the main shops and restaurants.
The pool was our favorite spot, but there’s also bikes for exploring, a shuffle board court, and lots of games. The breakfast is darling, and the cocktails strong! (Request a room on the second floor or towards the back of the property for more privacy.) We would absolutely stay here again, but other spots on our radar were Sparrow House and L’Horizon.
Sidenote: We used to stay at La Serena Villas, but it has since changed ownership and according to the reviews (and the lady at the front desk!), it’s definitely not the same (or worth the rates).
Where We Ate //
Bar Cecil / The dreamiest date night spot, with so much Palm Springs style and vibes, and incredible food and cocktails. It’s lively and fun, with great service. It fills fast, but we opted to sit at the bar, and were seated in about 20-minutes.
Rooster & The Pig / An unassuming spot in a basic strip mall, but insanely good Vietnamese/Thai food and craft cocktails! They don’t accept reservations, but we grabbed seats at the bar fairly quickly.
What We Did //
We planned to do a few hikes, but visited during a particularly hot spell, so ended up chilling by the hotel pool (the misters are life!), strolling nearby shops, and eating!
Printed Maxi Dress (Small)
Floral Wide Leg Pants (Small) | Crop Tank (Small) | Flip Flops | Retro Sunglasses
Halter Maxi Dress | Flip Flops | Retro Sunglasses
Printed Maxi Dress (Small)
And then it was time to head home… in my cozy pants, of course!
Crewneck Tee | AirEssentials Wide Leg Pants (Also HERE) | NB Sneakers | Rolling Suitcase | Carry-On Duffel Bag
It was such a fun, laidback trip, with a great mix of the flash and glam of Vegas, with the quiet nature of Joshua Tree, and ending with the chicness of Palm Springs! I shared more of each stop with pics and videos HERE, HERE, and HERE, too!
I think it’s safe to say we’re getting the hang of this empty nest thing! Have you visited any of these spots? Where is your fave place to stay in Vegas? We had so much fun going to the concerts, we’re already looking to go back!
[MORE SUGARPLUM TRIP REPORTS]
Our Spring Break in St. John, USVI
Girls Weekend in Todos Santos
Girls Weekend | Chablé Maroma and Casa Chablé
Le Taha’a Resort | A Gem in French Polynesia
Great Stays | Four Seasons Bora Bora
Trip Report | Whidbey Island, Washington
Trip Report: Maui, Hawaii
Trip Report | Pine Cay, Turks & Caicos
A Day in Santa Cruz
Snapshots from Big Sur
Trip Report | Vieques, Puerto Rico
What to Pack for a National Parks Trip
Trip Report | Santorini, Greece
Anna Maria Island
Trip Report | Exuma, Bahamas
Swimming with Pigs in Exuma
All Cruise Posts HERE
You two!! And this post!! I need to read it again. .
Your travel posts are so interesting, helpful, informative, and honest SPs.
Surprise! Nevada is one of my fave states. The whole state-so diverse, interesting, and such nice people. Vegas has upped it’s game from the past. Brilliant.
Mr. SP must have loved those concerts and music. That Sphere! Oh, my. Fun IG stories from you too. Thanks for the laughs! xoxoxo.
Hello, sweet Sandy! It was a really fantastic trip, Mr. SP has a ball! xoxo, C