I went to Las Vegas for the first time. Here are 6 things that were worth it and one I'd skip next time.

A large chunk of my trip was spent attending TwitchCon Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The interactive live-streaming platform hosts its annual conventions twice a year in different cities around the world.

As a variety streamer on Twitch, I was offered an amazing opportunity to moderate a panel and connect with many other creatives. I made lasting connections and beautiful memories.

Aside from the plethora of events, booths, and brands at the convention, my favorite part was how much effort, thought, and intention Twitch put into uplifting marginalized voices. I really enjoyed attending the BIPOC and Women's community meetups and the iconic drag show hosted by Espe Symone and Queen Nicki Mirage.

Beyond this year's TwitchCon, the Las Vegas Convention Center hosts several events throughout the year, from tradeshows to concerts.

The venue is also home to the Vegas Loop, where I rode in a Tesla to other parts of the center via the neon-lit tunnels. It cut down travel time between the center and the monorail from 15 minutes to about two.

Loop fares range from $5 to $12 depending on where you're going, but it was so busy during TwitchCon that no one was checking for tickets when I rode.

While exploring the Strip, I stopped at the Venetian Las Vegas and was awestruck by the gorgeous architecture and friendly staff.

After walking through the Grand Canal Shoppes, I stopped at the indoor canals to enjoy my first-ever gondola ride. It cost $39 a person for a shared boat, and I lucked out and ended up in my own gondola.

During the 15-minute ride, my gondolier Makaji and I traversed through the canals, musing about life, travel, and our love for Italy. He even serenaded me with some Italian classics.

The attraction also offers photo add-ons that are a little pricey (starting at $32). But I decided to treat myself to commemorate the delightful experience.

As a person who grew up watching Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, I'd be remiss if I didn't go to the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

Luckily, I was already staying on the property, so I just had to head downstairs to check it out.

It's free, and you can read up on animals and see a variety of ducks, koi fish, turtles, and, of course, flamingos.

Despite being limited on time and budget, I was grateful I grabbed a ticket to see comedian Luenell perform at the Jimmy Kimmel Comedy Club Las Vegas, a 450-seat venue on the Strip.

Seeing her be the first and only Black femme to have a residency at the club was really powerful for me. I was thoroughly entertained by the show and the impromptu Q&A session afterward.

Luenell's residency goes through the end of December, but the club hosts multiple comedy acts daily if you're looking for a different show.

My only notes about the establishment are that there are no restrooms and it isn't the most accessible building since I couldn't find a public elevator to the second floor, so consider these things when booking a ticket.

After seeing Luenell, I crossed the street to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which was truly one of the highlights of my entire trip.

The flora-filled atrium is free to visit, and it hosts seasonal installations with different themes.

The installation I saw, "Enchantment: The Magic of Fall," featured an autumnal fairycore curation. It was so picturesque and whimsical that I instantly fell in love with it.

With the dim lights and enchanting atmosphere, the conservatory was truly a magical experience.

The next installation opens on December 2 for the holidays.

Before heading to the airport, I wanted to grab a great meal so I stopped at Jamaican Vybz Bar and Grill, where I had some of the best food in the city.

The oxtail was tender and flavorful, and it reminded me of my favorite Jamaican spots from back home in New Jersey.

I highly recommend escaping from the more touristy parts of town and sampling some great Caribbean fare off the Strip.

Staying on the Strip wasn't all it's cracked up to be.

Gambling was fun, but I didn't like how everything along the main drag was so spread out and not as walkable as I'd hoped.

It was also hard to ignore the constant cigarette smells, overpriced yet underwhelming food options, and general overwhelming nature of the Strip.

Being spoiled by the robust public transportation back home, it was a bummer to see how hard it was to navigate Vegas.

If I were to return, I'd definitely book an Airbnb, rent a car, and explore more outside of the city center.