• Historically, I've always gambled on trips to Las Vegas, in part because I felt like I had to. • Recently, I visited Sin City and decided to steer clear of casinos — and I had my best visit yet. • Visiting Vegas' Eiffel Tower and taking a cooking class helped me see a new side of the city.

Out of all my previous trips to Las Vegas, I'd only not gambled once — and that was just because I'd been a teenager on vacation with my parents.

On my next three visits to Sin City, though, it seemed essential to spend at least a few hours in the casino. Gambling wasn't about winning big (and to be clear, I never did), but rather, it simply felt wrong not to do it.

Vegas and gambling go hand-in-hand, and even though I always ended up regretting the time and money I'd spent on the floor, I still

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