Our trip to the USA in 2018 was packed with excitement, unforgettable moments, and a few unexpected challenges. Here are the highlights of our adventure, covering Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Las Vegas: Big Everything & a Wild Night
🎰 First Impressions – Our first taste of the USA was Las Vegas, and the first thing we noticed? Everything is massive—the buildings, the portion sizes, even the shopping outlets.
🛍️ Shopping at the Outlets – We spent a day at the outlet malls for some shopping.
🍸 A Night Out Gone Wrong – One night, we decided to do Vegas properly—starting at the pokie machines, moving to a cocktail bar, and finishing at a club. It was all fun until someone spiked my drink. I completely blacked out, and my sister and brother-in-law had to carry me back to the hotel. Not the kind of Vegas memory I was hoping for!
🚁 Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour – The next morning, despite feeling like death, we had a once-in-a-lifetime experience—a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. I was already unwell from the night before and get motion sickness, so this was a battle for survival. I managed to hold it together in the helicopter, but every time we landed, I was throwing up non-stop. Still, the views were incredible and totally worth it.
Los Angeles: Beaches, Theme Parks & Sports
🚗 Malibu Day Trip – After arriving in LA, my sister, her partner, and I hired a car and drove down to Malibu. We walked on the Santa Monica Pier, took in the ocean views, and even rode the roller coaster.
🚴 Venice Beach Bike Ride – We rented bikes and cycled along Venice Beach, taking in the iconic boardwalk, skate parks, and beach views. Such a fun way to explore!
🎢 Disneyland & California Adventure – We spent two full days in Anaheim exploring Disneyland & California Adventure Park—pure magic!
🎬 Hollywood Walk of Fame & Shopping – We explored Hollywood Boulevard, saw the Walk of Fame, and checked out the shopping streets.
🏀 NBA Game at the Staples Arena – We watched a Clippers game, and it was insane—it went into double overtime, making it one of the most exciting games I’ve ever seen!
New York City: My Favourite Stop
🏒 Ice Hockey & Basketball at Barclays Center – We watched both an NHL ice hockey game and an NBA game—the atmosphere was next level.
📺 TV & Movie Locations – We visited several iconic spots from TV shows and movies.
🏙️ Empire State Building at Night – Seeing the New York skyline all lit up was a breathtaking experience.
🍕 Famous Food Stops – We ate at some legendary food spots, and every meal was 10/10.
❄️ Snow in Central Park – This was one of the most magical moments of the trip. Being from Australia, seeing snowfall in a city felt surreal. To make it even better, we went ice skating in Central Park—a total movie moment!
🏙️ New York = My Favourite City – Out of everywhere we visited, New York was my absolute favourite. We stayed near Times Square, and I loved the energy, the lights, and the endless things to do.
Final Thoughts
This USA trip was full of highs and lows, but it was an adventure I’ll never forget. From Vegas nightlife to Disney magic to the charm of NYC, every stop had something special. Can’t wait for the next trip! ✈️🇺🇸
Planning a trip to the USA? If you would like to read more about my trip for more tips, you can see all my North America blogs here.
