Once upon a time, there was a little girl who had “Cassie is our Alice in Wonderland” written on her report card in elementary school. That girl is now a writer and is still exploring this wonderful, strange and oftentimes trippy world. What a peculiar place to go to visit the world of Wonderland in Las Vegas, Nevada and a perfect timing to enjoy tea during Dry January. Let me tell you, Vegas is probably NOT the place to go during a dry month but like the rest of the world, they are catching up with the fact that you can still have fun without imbibing in alcohol. As a matter of fact, this experience may be best served by eating some actual gummies and mushrooms that may have you thinking you are indeed changing sizes. And it’s not just a tea time, it’s a full course meal with multiple girl dinner plates leaving you fat and happy.
I woke up at the crack of dawn – or earlier actually as the sun wasn’t even on the horizon yet to drive to Vegas. With no traffic, it is an easy four and a half hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona and I was pretty spot on the timing, arriving early even. Located inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, if you are from Nevada, there is free parking at Caesars Palace. If not, you can park for $7 with valet which gets you into the shops for the whole day. And honestly you could get lost inside that mall with its fake cloudy sky and faux European architecture. So I walked through the whole indoor mall, glad I did not wear the cute boots but rather the walking shoes by the time I arrived at the third floor escalator. Not knowing what to expect really, I checked in and discovered this space actually has all sorts of interactive games and digital painting to play with to move your body while you wait for tea.
I especially liked the Tetrus Cactus at Electric Playhouse where you build them with your body, arms and hands through the light. Being opposite the projection made your brain work ten times harder honestly but it felt good to move my body from driving all day. You are given a welcome drink, a mocktail and/or cocktail called Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum and although a bit sugary, it hit the spot with crisp soda as a base. People started coming in, waiting on the teatime to start, some fully decked out in Alice outfits, the Red Queen and other fun colors and textures. There were even a couple of tweens in attendance, eager to see what the fuss was all about.
The immersive afternoon Teatime in Wonderland, inspired by Lewis Carrollâs beloved novel âAliceâs Adventures in Wonderland,â transports guests into a world of enchantment with interactive storytelling and an expertly crafted menu by celebrity pastry chef Keris Kuwana. Kuwana is renowned for her appearances on Food Networkâs Chopped â Gold Medal Games: Baking as well as previous positions at Alan Wongâs Michelin-starred restaurant in Honolulu, Alex Stratta’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Wynn Las Vegas and Charlie Palmer’s Steakhouse. When you’re doing Dry January, you crave sugar like crack so I was salivating just thinking about all the sweet treats in store!
Because this glorious rest stop/store must be documented on your drive to Las Vegas, Nevada. The alien says, “it’s your planet but your Uranus is mine!”Don’t trust your Google Maps at The Forum Shops at Caesars, you will be walking for miles. It looks like a huge boring concrete building from the outside. Just ask a friendly stranger!Into the first rabbit hole of The Forum Shops at Caesars and down the long, long, long walkway.Give yourself time to get the travel photos of the fake European ruins at The Forum Shops at Caesars. It’s amazing how much they have in this space!I checked into the Electric Playhouse and was shown this secret spot at The Forum Shops at Caesars, only available here.A closer peak onto the Las Vegas Strip. Showgirls walked in full feathered costumes freezing their cheeks off!Straight across from The Forum Shops at Caesars is Harrahs Las Vegas. I’ve done the Atlantic City, NJ one many times!And view to the right from the very end of The Forum Shops at Caesars. I may have found some free parking but will take that to the grave!To begin my Teatime in Wonderland, I opted for the Tweedle Dee which is the NA cocktail or mocktail while children ran around painting lights on the floor. It was crispy and refreshing!The staff graciously allowed me to sneak in for quick pic with the Mad Hatter at Teatime in Wonderland in Las Vegas, Nevada. The settings and light wallpaper was something I want now!Soon it was time to enjoy Teatime in Wonderland a bit past the 1 p.m. start and here was my place setting at the very end of the table. The menu explains more of what we had in store!Not me chasing around this white rabbit at Teatime in Wonderland! His mask was a bit scary if I must say so but it added to the weird ambiance that only Las Vegas can provide.Also me chasing around and harassing the Mad Hatter at Teatime in Wonderland in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here he is collecting all the flower napkin rings. The lady across from me kept trying to take the menus. It was madness!New friends were made that day, about three gals to my left and in front of me at Teatime in Wonderland. We had a couple of tweens so had to keep the jokes clean!First up was the Drink Me potion at Teatime in Wonderland so we could fit in the tiny door projected onto the walls.Then we got too little so had to get bigger again at Teatime in Wonderland with an Eat Me cookie in a tiny gold box.My trippy chai tea at Teatime in Wonderland where we each got a pot of hot water to add to it. Ironically my cup is Canadian and my tea is Travelers.Soon we were hanging out with the caterpillar and his hookah at Teatime in Wonderland. I was happy I chose this spot btw!Did I mention this is a whole meal at Teatime in Wonderland? Have the lightest of breakfasts first! This butter leaf salad was refreshing with its tiny carrot.The mushroom cold tea was delicious at Teatime in Wonderland. I could tell we were in for a treat by the salad alone.This cheesy, bread mushroom blew my mind at Teatime in Wonderland. I could have eaten like five of them!The only part that didn’t jive was this Hansel and Gretel looking house at Teatime in Wonderland. Were we burning the children next?The tastiest scones with fresh made jam, salty creamy butter and the most delicious whipped topping ever at Teatime in Wonderland. Paired with hot tea, it was blueberry perfection.My new friend to my left was celebrating her anniversary with her husband who was off enjoying beer nearby and got these adorable little chocolate mouse hedgehogs at Teatime in Wonderland. I think I was supposed to get one as well but quietly allowed a tween to enjoy it instead. Sometimes I like to be low key!The plate of sandwiches I was expecting at Teatime in Wonderland. I loved the roast beef and salmon the most!Nabbed this photo at the perfect moment, you can see the Cheschire cat fading away at Teatime in Wonderland. We were now in the Red Queen’s garden!Just when you are getting full, more desserts come from the Red Queen at Teatime in Wonderland. Hedgehogs were virtually on the table too and you could roll them around to your neighbor.A better view of the plate, we had to paint the rose red which was like ice cream with a panna cotta bunny, cupcake and jam-filled cookie at Teatime in Wonderland. I was stuffed and gave my cookie away to the other tween!After we left, it was photo time and I was feeling pretty exhausted at this point but they insisted on a pic at Teatime in Wonderland. They also sent you home with a heart shaped apple pie which was so delicious later that night!I then yelled at the White Rabbit to get in the corner because I saw him with his head off at Teatime in Wonderland. Haha!If you’re having a hard time finding this place, look for this sign. The door and event opening is to your right.Just remember third floor up the escalator, you’ll get there eventually at Teatime in Wonderland.
Word on the Wonderland street is they will have a whole Electric Playhouse space takeover where it will be Alice in Wonderland everywhere so keep an eye on this rad experience! I could lose myself in there for hours on end, especially with the right mushrooms or herbal tea. This was a good way to get back to exploring Las Vegas, Nevada, perhaps we shall return again soon for some other fun things only Sin City can offer!
