Doing Las Vegas With the Kid

See a clash of swords, watching a circus show, or visiting an old west fort can all be a part of a trip to Las Vegas.

In Las Vegas, we explored The Strip which includes a Venice look-a-like, saw the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur along with learning some history of the city.

(This is one of our stops on our summer trip to Las Vegas and then driving onto Los Angeles and back. This drive allowed us to see both places out West!)

FIRST DAY

Landing at Las Vegas

Arriving at the Las Vegas airport we took the car rental shuttle to our car that we would have on our trip. Las Vegas is best experienced by car since The Strip is long and it is hot in Las Vegas, especially in summer. Note: Since it is Las Vegas, you can even gamble in the terminal.

From the car rental facility, we drove up Las Vegas Boulevard to the hotel. We passed by the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the way. We would have stopped to take a photo op but it was busy and you can only reach it by the southbound lane.

Las Vegas Sign Address: 5200 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Going north on Las Vegas Boulevard we passed by the Little Church of the West Wedding Chapel. You will see many of these chapels in the city since people like to get married here.

We even saw a marriage ceremony at one of these while we were there.

Address: 4617 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Lunch Stop

Before checking in we had lunch at the Chinatown Plaza which offers a number of Chinese restaurants. We ate at Chengdu Taste.

Chinatown Plaza Address (You can pick and choose what you are hungry for): 4205 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Treasure Island Hotel and Casino

We stayed the night at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. It was a cheaper option with free parking and no resort fees. Also, we had a room that had a view of the Volcano at The Mirage. Many nearby resort casinos were also within walking distance.

After checking in we went to the pool. It is not a huge pool, but it was OK. Busy on a Sunday afternoon and less busy each day afterward. There is a DJ on Sunday afternoons, so it can be loud. The pool is not open past 6 p.m. so something you have to do during the day.

Treasure Island Address: 3300 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

*Inside The Venetian where you can do a gondola ride.*

Evening Walk

After pool time we walked over to The Venetian, which is a recreation of Venice Italy with canals, singing gondoliers, a recreation of St. Mark’s Square, and the Rialto Bridge. We checked out the shops and restaurants in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Dinner was in a food court at this hotel, we had Indian, but you have plenty of choices here.

Venetian Address: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

After the walk we headed back to our room to watch the Volcano explore at the Mirage, completing the day.

SECOND DAY

In the morning I went to get coffee at a coffee shop near the parking garage. You can buy a coffee mug that is refillable and they have Krispy Crème Donuts.

Then we spent the morning walking The Strip.

THE STRIP WALK

We walked through the outer area of The Venetian, partially on moving sidewalks, which my son liked.

The Flamingo

Then we went to the Flamingo to check out the flamingos, sadly they were not out. You might have to call the hotel to see if they are out in the garden.

Flamingo Resort Address: 3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

Next was Paris, or the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, where you can see the Eifel Tower and the Arc de Triumph.

Paris Hotel and Casino Address: 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bellagio

Then we crossed Las Vegas Blvd. to check out the Bellagio. In the late afternoon and evening, huge fountains shoot out of the 8.5-acre pond that fronts the resort. The show includes music and 4,792 lights. The fountains shoot up 460 feet in the air and we can also see it from our hotel room.

After passing by the lake we entered the hotel. The lobby includes a Chihuly glass sculpture ceiling.

Then we entered the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens where you can see floral displays. The theme when we were there was the Lion King with zebras, flamingos, and Simba and Mufasa all decorated with flowery leis.

Bellagio Hotel and Casino Address: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Neptune statue at Ceasar's Palace — *Neptune statue at Ceasar’s Palace*

Caesars Palace

From the Bellagio, we crossed the street to the Roman-themed Caesar’s Palace.

Here we explored Caesars Forum, which has numerous shops and restaurants.

You will find numerous fountains and sculptures throughout the Forum.

Outside of the Forum is a replica of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Caesars Palace Address: 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Then we headed back to the room where we had sandwiches.

The hotels in this area are connected by different walkways so you don’t have to directly cross Las Vegas Blvd. most of the time.

EVENING

That night we drove out of the casino to go to the south strip section. We were seeing a show at the Excalibur.

Luxor Resort and Casino

You can take a tram to check out the nearby Luxor done in an Egyptian theme shaped like the Great Pyramid In Giza.

Inside you can see the triangular shape of the resort. You will see numerous Egyptian statues along with an obelisk.

Then we took the tram back to the Excalibur.

Luxor Resort and Casino Address: 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

https://goo.gl/maps/aSC1BWcJ2ppCMnyi9 — *Tournament of Kings*

Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Then took a walkway back to the Excalibur to see the Tournament of Kings. (Main blog photo is outside Excalibur) The show includes a dinner with chicken, potatoes, and dessert. The show includes sword fights and jousting and was the highlight of our time in Las Vegas.

After the meal, we checked out a few shops and the Excalibur includes the Dragon’s Lair which has swords and toys with a medieval theme.

Excalibur Hotel and Casino Address: 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

After the show, we headed back to the hotel to end our night.

NOTE: Many of the resorts are connected with trams and walkways. Check with the hotel staff and use maps to find the best way to reach the next resort when exploring The Strip.

THIRD DAY

On the third day, we once more explored the city in our car. After breakfast in the room, we headed to Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort north of downtown Las Vegas.

OLD LAS VEGAS MORMON FORT STATE HISTORIC PARK

It features the remains of the original Las Vegas settlement dating from 1855.

History

First, we went out to the recreated spring. Las Vegas was founded along the spring-fed creek that flowed through the Las Vegas Valley 150 years ago. This was the only free-flowing water and grass for miles. Native Americans as well as traders, emigrants, and gold seekers traveling the Old Spanish Trail to California stopped here. Las Vegas is Spanish for meadows.

Archeological excavations revealed pottery shards, stone tools, and projectiles from both Anasazi and Paiute origin.

Outside the Visitor’s Center

The grounds include original structures along with a visitor’s center. In the center, the park ranger said that our son could do a scavenger hunt for a prize and this helped to involve in learning some history.

First, we went by the recreated springs that include native plants.

Then up to some 1800s-style wagons.

Next, we saw a recreated Adobe fort.

Out in the open is a blacksmith area with tools.

Then we went to a pioneer garden with cactuses and fruit such as pomegranates.

*A Mormon flag is located in the Adobe building.*

In the adobe building, you can learn about the trail that led to the fort along with life back then.

Then we went into the visitor’s center where we learned more about life in that era and saw more historic relics.

Outside of the visitor center is a statue of Helen Jane Wiser Stewart, the “First Lady of Las Vegas.”

In 1902, Stewart sold 1,834 acres of the ranch, including the water rights, to the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad for US$55,000.

This land was established as the city of Las Vegas in 1905.

Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last admittance 4 p.m.), Tuesday-Saturday; Closed Sunday and Monday

Admission: $3 (children 12 and under are free)

Address: 500 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89101

Lunch: Salvadoreno Restaurant

We had a Salvadoran meal for lunch.

Address: 720 N Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Afternoon: The Mirage

That afternoon we swam at the hotel pool then took a short tram ride to The Mirage next door.

Statue of Siegfried and Roy at The Mirage

Siegfried and Roy use to perform here with their tigers.

Behind the counter is also an aquarium.

Also here is the Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat that you can go to with a paid admission.

The Mirage Address: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Evening: Circus Circus and Downtown

That evening we headed up to the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino where you can see circus acts for free. Parking is also free.

We checked a juggling clown.

Then a woman walked on a tightrope with hula hoops. Acts change through the day so check the hotel’s website for who will be performing.

Circus Circus Address: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Downtown Fremont Experience

Next, we went to Fremont Street downtown which has a huge LED canopy along with casinos and restaurants and street acts.

The place was loud and I am not sure if we really enjoyed wandering it as a family. Also, we had to do street parking.

Fremont Street Experience Address: 425 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Container Park

We walked down to the Downtown Container Park which includes sculptures.

It has a playground in the middle and an ice cream shop. This was a much better experience.

Downtown Container Park Address: 707 E Fremont St #1300, Las Vegas, NV 89101

After Container Park we headed back to the room.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The show at Excalibur was the highlight of our time in Las Vegas. The hotel was in the middle of The Strip which allowed for easier exploring. My only complaint was I wish the pool was bigger.