One of our favorite things to do on the weekends is head to Downtown Las Vegas. That’s where we do most of our photoshoots, run our studio, and just hang out. Over the years, DTLV has completely transformed from a run-down side of town to a hub for culture, music, and art. It’s still the only place in Vegas where you can see actual neon lights and signs, just like how it used to be on the Strip before they modernized it all. Whenever someone asks me for any Vegas recommendations, I ALWAYS start off by telling them that they MUST visit Downtown.

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to stay at the iconic Plaza Hotel & Casino for a mini staycation. Plaza has been featured in many classic Vegas movies and shows - it’s easily recognizable by all of bright lights in the circular driveway at the front of the hotel. While Plaza has stayed true to its vintage Vegas roots by not knocking down any towers or going through a full-blown facelift, it has recently undergone some room renovations and we were so excited to check them out! Our staycation consisted of two nights in the newly renovated pool patio rooms.

This was hands down one of my favorite hotel rooms to date! It seriously doesn’t get any more convenient than stepping right outside to a private patio in place of a standard balcony. The patio is half covered to protect you from the harsh summer sun, and has lounge furniture and pool chairs. From there, you can just open your patio door and you’re right at the Plaza Pool! (I’m picturing these rooms as the ultimate festival destination for Life is Beautiful and EDC)!

The room itself was spacious and gorgeous, complete with mid-century modern flair - a definite nod to Plaza’s vintage roots. Also adding green tile to my home wishlist like ASAP! And those cactus prints, obsesed!

We spent Friday night celebrating Father’s Day a little early with my dad at Oscar’s Steakhouse, another Vegas classic. I highly recommend the crab cake as an appetizer, and you honestly can’t go wrong with any of the meat selections on the menu. Everything is plated beautifully, tastes amazing, and the staff takes care of you like you’re VIP. We called it a night relatively early (thanks to work exhaustion) and set our alarms for the next day’s activities.

PS - Save room for desserts!

Our weekend mornings wouldn’t be complete without coffee and pastries, so we started off Saturday at Coffee Bar, where they serve locally roasted coffee and the yummiest blueberry twist I’ve ever had! (Tip - If you have a sweet tooth, definitely make sure to grab a scoop of gelato before continuing on your day!)

After wandering around downtown, pizza was calling our name. We were so excited to try out Pop Up Pizza since we’d heard so many great things about it and HONEY they did not disappoint! I’d be lying if I told you we didn’t go back for seconds and thirds throughout our stay. We even picked up another box to take to the pool with us on Sunday morning! Lots of veggie options too if you’re meat-free like us AND they’re open til 2 a.m. for your post-party cravings.

I seriously wasn’t lying on IG when I said that thanks to Plaza, I’ve def put on some pounds this weekend. We just couldn’t stop eating and wanted to try out all the good spots! On Sunday morning we made our way downstairs to check out Brightside, their cafe/diner. PLEASE ORDER THE ONION RINGS! They’re so crispy and delicious. And you absolutely cannot leave without trying the avocado toast. My mouth is watering as I’m writing this... The avocado toast is all I can think about. I’m definitely a full-fledged avo toast addict, and seriously can’t figure out why mine don’t come out tasting like that at home! BRIGHTSIDE, TEACH ME YOUR WAYS!

We knew we couldn’t end our little getaway on a casual and relaxing note, so after checking out on Sunday morning, we stopped by the pool and got ourselves a private cabana. Now if you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a cabana. I just can’t say no to my own private quarters at a public pool. Plaza’s cabana came stock with a mini fridge filled with water bottles, a blowing fan, a T.V., and your own pool chairs and lounge area. A great way to feel like a VIP on a budget! Would highly recommend reserving one if you’re in town with a group of friends.

And that wraps up our dreamy little staycation in Downtown Vegas. Coming back home is never fun, but we had the time of our lives exploring and getting reacquainted with this vintage Vegas gem and have a newfound appreciation for its history in our city. Thank you for having us, Plaza!