Las Vegas isn’t exactly the place you think of when it comes to a family friendly weekend getaway but I can guarantee that there are tons of fun things to do that your kids will enjoy!
The first reason why Las Vegas makes for the perfect weekend getaway, is that flights are cheap! We’ve used Vegas as the starting point for many trips to Utah or Arizona because it’s one of the cheapest airports to fly into. But for this weekend getaway, we’re staying in Vegas.
The Strip
With hundreds of hotels to choose from, you really can’t go wrong. As long as you are on the Strip or very close to it, most attractions are walkable. I suggest getting up early and walking the strip. This is a great way to avoid the crowds, the crazies and the drunks! If you have little kids, I recommend a carrier vs a stroller. There are so many stairs and escalators you have to use to get across major intersections, if carrying is an option I’d do it.
Take advantage of the free tram and ride from The Excalibur to the Luxor and Mandalay Bay. There is also the Las Vegas Monorail that will take you from the MGM all the way down to the Stratosphere. If you have never been to Vegas, each hotel has its own shows, casinos and restaurants, with endless options to choose from.
Another must during a stay in Vegas, is watching the water show at the Bellagio Fountains. They run every 30 minutes after noon and every 15 minutes after 7pm. While you are at the Bellagio, head inside and check out the gorgeous flower display. It’s constantly changing with the seasons and special events. During our visit in February, we saw a beautiful Chinese New year display. The scent of all the flowers is incredible- a must see.
Our go-to breakfast spot each time we are in Vegas is Mon Ami Gabi. A great French style restaurant in the Paris Hotel with a gorgeous view of The Bellagio across the street.
Freemont Street
Another awesome Vegas destination is Freemont Street. You’ll have to take an uber or Taxi to get here but we enjoyed seeing some of the older casinos. Freemont Street is home to many of the old Las Vegas Casinos like the Golden Nugget and overall is cheaper than The Strip. Within these 5 blocks, there is free live music and a fantastic screen overhead! You can even zip line high above the crowds!
Fremont Street became the first paved street in Las Vegas in 1925, and the street had a busy gambling scene long before gambling was legal. If you’re coming here with little kids, I recommend going during the day because at night things tend to get a little more rowdy (much like the rest of Vegas).
Valley Of Fire State Park
If you’ve had enough if the hustle and bustle if the Strip, I suggest renting a car and driving an hour north to the Valley Of Fire State Park. You can rent vehicles at many of the major hotels right in the Strip for about $50 a day. Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest and also the largest State Park in Nevada. Entry is $15 per vehicle for non Nevada residents and I suggest going early because as you can see there can be lines, especially on the weekend. There are tons to of hikes and stops offs at this park but today I’ll be sharing 3.
First head all the way to the East Entrance of the park to explore Elephant Rock. It’s a super short walk to the rock but I suggest doing a little scrambling and going up behind the rock. I personally think this is a better view. Plus if you’ve got kids, this is an awesome place to let them explore all the little caves and arches in the sandstone.
Next you’ll head back towards the visitor center passing Seven Sisters (great place to eat lunch because of the covered picnic tables). Note the visitor center is the only place to get drinks or snacks within the park so plan accordingly.
White Domes Trail is a moderate trail that leads you through a small slot canyon. This trail is very sandy, so wear appropriate footwear.
We saved Fire Wave trail for last as this is a super popular trail and we were hoping not to have as big of a crowd at the wave. The colors can also be more muted during the day so if you can again go early morning or before sunset.
