I just went to Las Vegas for the first time since I stopped drinking. It was a surprisingly sober-friendly destination.

The author recently visited Las Vegas solo for the first time since she stopped drinking alcohol..

Courtesy of Terri Peters

The last time I visited Las Vegas was three years ago, when I was deep in my drinking days.
Recently, I visited Vegas for a solo trip and found the town surprisingly sober-friendly.
There’s a lot to do in Las Vegas that doesn’t involve alcohol, and I’d definitely go back.

The last time I was in Las Vegas was over three years ago. My life back then is unrecognizable compared to now: I’ve lost a significant amount of weight, started therapy, and stopped drinking alcohol. I feel happier and healthier than ever, so when I made plans for a solo trip to Sin City recently, I knew it’d look way different than the last time.

The idea of returning to Vegas sober and solo sounded exciting to me, especially since there were new things in town since my last trip that I wanted to see and do, none of which centered on booze. Here’s what it was like to visit Sin City for a quick, two-night trip as a non-drinker, and why I’d totally do it all over again.

My last trip to Las Vegas was completely centered on alcohol.

The author in Las Vegas holding a glass of wine. — The last time the author was in Las Vegas, she was still drinking alcohol.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

I last visited Vegas in 2022, when I was deep in my drinking days. The trip revolved around my next alcoholic beverage, and because I was mentally and physically unhealthy, I did little in the way of physical activity. My days were spent nursing hangovers in casinos, and my nights involved drinking cocktail after cocktail at dinners and shows until I finally passed out in my bed.

This time, I planned plenty of non-alcohol-centered Vegas activities.

The Vegas strip on a cloudy day. — The author planned plenty of activities to do during her trip.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

Determined to do Vegas differently, I planned activities on this trip unrelated to alcohol, like walking tours and entertaining shows and experiences. I’ve been sober for nearly two years, and I find I don’t struggle with turning down a drink, so while I spent time in places where alcohol was served, I avoided it completely without issue.

On my first night in Sin City, I treated myself to dinner and a movie, Vegas-style.

The author at The Sphere in Las Vegas. — On the first night of her trip, the author visited The Sphere.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

On my first night in Las Vegas, I headed to The Sphere, the all-new entertainment venue shaped like a giant globe in the Nevada desert. Before the show, I went to dinner solo. The Sphere was showing a revamped version of “The Wizard of Oz,” complete with special effects like blowing wind and vibrating seat haptics, and I was eager to take it all in.

The show was impressive, and because I wasn’t obsessing over partying the night away, I was back to my hotel and in my pajamas by 10 p.m., ready for a good night’s sleep.

Hangover-free, I woke up the next morning and went sightseeing.

The author in front of the Flamingo. — The author went on a self-guided walking tour of Las Vegas.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

I woke up early the next day, dressed in comfy workout gear, and went sightseeing. I’d found a few TikToks showing self-guided walking tours of free things to see and do in Vegas, and I took some of their suggestions, stopping to see the botanical garden at the Bellagio, the flamingo exhibit at the Flamingo, and more.

In total, I walked 10 miles that day, shopping, being a tourist, and grabbing lunch at another TikTok-recommended spot, Netflix Bites. It felt amazing to move my body without a hangover all day and to truly enjoy seeing the Las Vegas Strip.

Afternoon naps, bubble baths, and coffee runs were my go-to ways to recharge each afternoon.

A bubble bath and coffee drink at the author's hotel. — To recharge, the author enjoyed bubble baths and coffee.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

My hotel room at Aria Resort and Casino had a giant-sized bathtub, so both of the afternoons I was in town were spent napping, then hitting the hotel lobby’s Starbucks for a coffee that I drank while reading in the bath. Taking a beat to recharge each afternoon was freeing, since usually on a trip to Vegas, I’d be hanging out in casinos all afternoon for the “free” cocktails.

I love Halloween, so I visited Vegas’ newest haunted houses all alone on night two.

The author at the haunted house at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. — The author was excited to visit the new haunted houses in Las Vegas.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

I’ve long been a fan of haunt events, like Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, which I attended sober for the first time last year. Universal recently opened a year-round attraction in Vegas, called Horror Unleashed, with four haunted houses I knew I had to see.

Just like in my home state of Florida, being jump-scared in haunted houses in Sin City as a sober person was incredibly fun. It felt amazing to realize again that I did not, in fact, need a buzz to enjoy something I had always thought I needed a few drinks to attend.

I loved experiencing Sin City sober and solo, and I’d go back again.

Venetian Gondolas in Las Vegas — The author enjoyed her trip and was surprised by how sober-friendly Las Vegas was.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

Visiting Las Vegas sober and solo was an incredibly empowering experience. Each time I travel to a new spot where I used to drink, whether it’s an all-inclusive resort or the streets of Italy, I’m reminded that life really is better sober. I’d definitely return to Vegas for a solo trip, or with friends or family: I didn’t miss alcohol at all while I was there, and felt happy and healthy throughout the trip without booze in the mix.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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