Traveling with the kids: Las Vegas Edition

Planning on traveling with your little ones to the City of Sin?  Use these helpful tips to make your trip one to remember… or at least not one to cry about.

Why Las Vegas?  Especially when it’s the adult capital of the world?  Because it’s more than just dancing and gambling. It’s a lot more family friendly than some think, you just have to do your research.   Adventure awaits every corner – sites and much more.  It truly is a hub of all things fun and flashy.  The important thing is to plan and be ready to go with the flow, because lets be real… kids are cranky little humans.

Our last trip was this last Memorial Day weekend (2017). My 1 and 4-year-old had a blast.  Something about being away from home in general seems the most exciting to them.  We left Friday night so the kids can sleep on the way – loaded our car with snacks (see tip 2!) and reckoned for a weekend of fun.  If you’re traveling from California – take a detour to Bottle Tree Ranch.  It’s privately owned, so don’t let the hilly scene scare you away. The owner is incredibly nice and has a great story to share.

While in Las Vegas we stayed at Excalibur (Tip: Do pre-check in to avoid the lines) where any kid can feel like royalty.  The pool was our best friend and surrounding sites like the MGM Grand and Luxor fulfilled our children’s curiosity.  When we are in a new city, we enjoy experiencing the local restaurants like Squeeze In (Chocolate covered bacon!) and Boba from Mr. Tea (cutest glasses ever!).  My absolute highlight was exploring the Seven Magic Mountains (more in Tip #5).  With this journey – the following tips were born!

1. Pack appropriately for the weather

Summer rompers (men and women, LOL), swim suits – CHECK. Depending on the time of year you visit Las Vegas, it can be extremely cold or insanely warm.  Check the weather app on your phone and pack accordingly.  Layers are always best since it is the dessert and morning and nights can be a little cooler.   Plus, jackets around the waist are all the fashion rage.

2. Bring snacks and LOTS of water

If your children are anything like mine – they’re ALWAYS hungry when your meal is over and at the most random times.  Also, if you’re driving, pack up that ice chest with their faves (great money savers too!).  Make sure to pack lots and lots of water – even if the weather is cool.  You’ll dehydrate without even knowing it.  Since we have a little family of four we love to explore places off the strip.  Yelp will be your BFF.  Bonus Tip:  Many pizza places around the strip deliver!  Kids need a break from the heat but you’re hungry AF – order in – cheaper than room service!

3. Bring the necessities
   

Be sure to pack sunscreen, pack medicines, pack  swim floats, pack diapers and don’t forget the phone charger.  Make a list of all the essentials to make sure you get them before you leave.  Great to be overprepared with children than under prepared.  BUT the good news is Las Vegas is not an underdeveloped city and there are shopping centers around for whatever you forget.

4. Kid Friendly Hotel

My best recommendation  is to find a kid friendly hotel.  On adult trips, it may just be a place to rest your head, but with children it will literally become your home for the duration of your trip.  Great thing is those hotels are often cheaper.  Circus Circus is on obvious kid favorite – but we found a good time at Excalibur (who doesn’t want to stay in castle?) and Treasure Island (pirates anyone?)

5. Plan your stay

I love pre-planning our trips with mini adventures both on and off the strip.  This Buzzfeed article has great kid friendly locations.  My top fave is the Seven Magic Mountains (See photos below).  Such a great experience that will only be around for a limited time.  I suggest going super early to beat the heat and the crowds.  My son also enjoys M&M World located on the strip as well as the arcade that could be found in any hotel LOL.  Just walking around the strip and looking at the sites is a great time.  Go right before dusk before all the crazies come out!

6. Stay Calm

Remember the trip is about making memories.  Even if life doesn’t go as planned, rework it to make it work! Las Vegas is full of wonder and exploration – even if it’s just at your hotel pool.