Growing up in Los Angeles, I went to Las Vegas many times with my family over the years (it’s a 4-5 hour drive away), but my kids had never been, so we decided to go for the 4-day Thanksgiving weekend last year. I’d also never been to the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon, and I had no idea that the Grand Canyon was so close to Las Vegas — you can get to the West Rim in just two and a half hours! Despite being known as Sin City and the gambling capital of the United States, Las Vegas is actually very family friendly, with something for everyone!
We booked a 12-hour Hoover Dam/Grand Canyon tour with the highly reviewed Grand Adventures that included breakfast, lunch, pick up, and drop off at our hotel. Because our tour had to be rescheduled due to poor weather, it was only our family and a mother and son in the van. Our tour guide was also the van driver (must be super tiring!), and he was extremely knowledgeable about everything along the tour route, keeping us entertained on the long drive. Our first stop was the Hoover Dam, which was about forty-five minutes from Las Vegas! We only stopped at the viewpoint and crossed over the Nevada/Arizona border on the dam, but I’d definitely come back for a full tour to see the inner workings of the dam. Seriously how do they build dams?!
We drove along Route 66 and stopped at the Hackberry General Store that looks like it’s been around forever.
Look how tall the cacti are!
We were headed to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is supposed to have the most spectacular views, but the roads were snowed in and we had to turn back towards the West Rim.
We got to the West Rim just before sunset. Cameras were not allowed on the glass floored bridge that you see below — it was pretty scary to walk on it! My kids loved both the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon and it was definitely worth going!
A tour of the hotels on the Strip is a must, but because it was so darn freezing we didn’t get to see too many. The Bellagio is a must for their water show and they have a beautiful garden exhibition that changes every season. The other must see hotel is the Venetian, but we didn’t make it on this trip.
Their Christmas ornament shop was so beautiful!
We decided to go up to the top of the Paris Hotel, and the timing was just right for us to catch sunset! Then we stayed to watch the Bellagio Water Show from above, which looks so different than when you watch it on the ground!
We watched the fire show at The Mirage, which is not something you must do, but fun for kids if you’re in the area and have time.
There are so many shows in Vegas and I was thinking about taking the kids to a magic show, but then I saw an ad for Potted Potter and knew we had to watch that. Charlie even got called on stage! Both kids laughed throughout the entire production, and I highly recommend it for all the Harry Potter fans in your life!
We stayed at Circus Circus so that we could go to the amusement park inside. The kids really enjoyed playing the carnival games because usually they cost so much, but they were not only reasonable, they were easy to win so they won a ton of stuffed toys. If you’re going on a vacation I would definitely recommend one of the newer hotels. My friend that lives in Vegas says that the Delano is her favorite.
We hit up the outlets and there were definitely deals to be had, but the lines were so long we just left. I do regret not being able to take the kids to Fremont Street, but it was just sooooooo cold while we were there, Olive couldn’t handle it! I’d definitely go back to Vegas with my kids because there is still so much we haven’t done (like hike Red Rock Canyon), and there are so many shows to watch!
. . . . .
I asked a friend of mine that lives in Las Vegas for her recommendations. This is what she shared:
The kids LOVE Discovery Children’s Museum. My kids can stay in there all day if we let them. It’s indoors/AC, has a dress up area, 3-story playground, science centers, crafting room, water room (basically a big room full of water tables) and more. If you have an IKEA family card you get a discount.
The Container Park is an outdoor play area with a tree house type playground, blocks to build and an electronic game in Downtown LV. They also have a couple restaurants and bars with yummy food. Free.
The Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium is super small, and not worth it in my opinion. Adults $20, Children $14 (5-12), younger FREE
Circus Circus Hotel has FREE circus shows (my kids still like to watch them) at the Carnival Midway and rides and games in the Adventure Dome.
Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden – This is a beautiful area inside the hotel displaying huge pieces all made out of flowers. The Fountains of Bellagio schedule is Mon-Friday 3-8pm (every half hour) & Sat-Sunday 12-8pm (every 15mins from 8-12am).
The Mirage Volcano – eh 🤣 6, 7, 8, 9, 10pm daily
The Mirage’s Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat – I haven’t been but have heard it’s not worth it. $22 for adults, $17 4-12yo, 3 under FREE
via 10best
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat – (not much to see 🤣) 8am-dusk. 15 acre tropical paradise. Free.
via Las Vegas Kids
TI’s Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. at Treasure Island – Expensive for a walking exhibit. Max time about 1hr. 10-10pm. Adults $34, Children, $24 4-11, 3 under free.
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The Linq. This hotel has an outdoor shopping/eating area and the huge ferris wheel (called High Roller, not cheap 
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Caesars Palace has a free little show at one end of The Forums called “Fall of Atlantis.” Animatronic Greek gods come to life. Every hour 11am-11pm – eh
via Las Vegas Kids
The M&M Factory is just a huge store selling products candy, but they have a free 4D show that’s fun. The Hershey’s Chocolate World store, you can skip. I was disappointed and it was even smaller than the M&M store.
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Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings – I haven’t gone yet.
PLACES OFF THE STRIP
- LOL Kids Club – Indoor playground
- FlipnOut Extreme – Laser tag, trampoline park, obstacle course
- Get Air – Trampoline park
- Gravady – Trampoline park, extreme air sports
- John’s Incredible Pizza
Off the strip but super fun is a place called Creamberry. They have cotton candy / ice cream burritos.
via BizJournals
Sugar Factory for a kid friendly, fun meal (expensive though).
SHOWS THAT ARE FUN TO WATCH
- WOW, Rio
- Le Reve – The Dream, Wynn
- Blueman Group, Luxor
- V Variety Show, Live stage show featuring acrobats, skaters & jugglers.
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Another place to check out is Headz Up, a 3d trick art museum. It’s a fun place to take tons of photos!!! Pricey though. You can find Groupon deals
via Review Journal
Another new fun place that is similar to Headz Up is Happy Place inside Mandalay Bay. There are interactive Instagram photo backdrops. Super pricey though.
pomelo / 5084 posts
I LOVE Las Vegas! I did the exact same Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam tour in law school for one of our breaks. These are gorgeous photos. I didn’t know it got all that cold though! How cold was it??
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@wrkbrk: it was really windy the whole time. it snowed on the way to vegas, and there was snow everywhere in the grand canyon. it was really the wind that made it unbearable since we didn’t have thick winter clothes!