Vegas Family Vacation: Finding Dining Options Locally

First of all I just wanted to thank all my loyal readers! I know I've been slacking this month with so much going on but every time I peak in, I see the support. I definitely appreciate you all. Well, the holidays are definitely in full force, and although there has been a lot of tragedy and crazy things going on around the world, it's still the season of reflection, family and PRESENTS!! If you guys didn't know, I have a HUGE family. That, paired with being Filipino means there will be TONS of food this up coming week. This year our natural routine is changing up a bit for Christmas. My mom and step dad are flying out to Vegas to be with us! I'm so excited! This also means that we'll all be driving out to Cali to meet up with my mom's brother since it's a rare occasion to be with family for him too (Us west coasters are always forced to fly to Chicago since there's more of them over there).

Before all that loveliness happens, I still have 3 days of my mom's 6 day vacation to entertain her. When people come and visit, they're always so quick to find a place to eat on the Strip, especially since I live down the street from there. However, there's so many local options that are just as great, if not better! My mom and step dad arrive tomorrow night, and directly from the airport we're heading to Yama Sushi. It's one of my favorite, if not thee favorite place of mine for sushi. They have this option where for $25 the whole menu is unlimited (from appetizers to dessert). When my cousin first introduced this place to me, I admit, I was a little skeptical about paying $25 per person. However, this place is awesome! Everything is yummy in my opinion and with the rising cost of sushi, you definitely get your money's worth (at least I do hehe). Plus, who doesn't love unlimited mochi?!

Speaking of seafood, there are sooooo many buffets that Vegas has to offer, and with my aunt being a buffet addict, I've tried basically every last one of them. I have to say though, my most favorite one overall would have to be the seafood dinner at Studio B Buffet in the M resort. I am disappointed that they no longer offer the $3 off coupon with a player's card and they basically doubled in price since they first opened, making this buffet $40 per person. HOWEVER, if you have the money, give this place a try and thank me later. Mahal gets his money's worth by taking advantage of the crabs and complimentary beer, but I absolutely adore the food. Fat moment I know, but there's honestly nothing that I've eaten at this buffet that I didn't like. They have so many hot and cold seafood options, prime rib, stir fry, soups, salads, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention they're AMAZING dessert section with gelato and creme brulee. YUM! I do warn you, like most Las Vegas buffets there is an incredible wait time so I suggest you arrive once they open for dinner. My family usually goes later on in the day around 7pm and tend to wait on average for 2 hours. This is also considering we always come with a minimum of 10 people so we have to wait for enough tables to seat us all. Do not let this kill your hopes of trying this place out. Bring a group or something to occupy your time. I'm telling you, it's worth the wait!

Mango gelato and a canoli. Yum!

 
If you're looking for more of a breakfast type setting, Hash House a Go Go is definitely my go-to place. They're know for their ginormous portion sizes, but they food is as great tasting as it looks. They have a great variety of breakfast/lunch items and are average priced with items mostly between $10-$15. Definitely come with an empty stomach when eating here. The wait can be a little long (about 30-40 minutes) on the weekends, but you'll leave with a happy belly. A little FYI, I personally don't like the taste of rosemary so if you agree, ask them not to add it to your food. They add a bushel to your food for decoration, but I can always strongly taste it wherever they stick it in. You'll know what I mean because it'll look like a mini pine tree just grew out of your biscuit.

Look how thick my french toast is in the upper right photo!

If you're a little more simple with your eating choices and love a yummy burger like Mahal, you can never go wrong with Red Robin. Not only are they family friendly but all they're burgers are great tasting. Pair that with their bottomless fries and a freckled lemonade (with fresh strawberries *drools*) and you're set!

Now, considering I'm originally from Chicago where all of our food is the best, you'd understand why I was on the hunt to find good quality Chicago-esque food the moment I moved here. Let me tell ya, this was (as still is) not an easy task. Most of them who claim to be authentic Chicago food didn't compare, and the ones that did were charging waaaay too much for it. After much searching we found a little piece of heaven named Amore- Taste of Chicago. No other place in Vegas (that I know of) sells Chicago-style deep dish pizza. I have to admit, the first time we ate there Mahal and I agreed that there was a little something missing that we couldn't quite put out finger on. However, this is probably the closest a Las Vegan will get to experiencing a Chicago pizza in Las Vegas. Inside I guarantee you'll find tons of fellow Chicagoans and reminisce on all the great eateries around our great city of Chicago. Now, if only I could find a great pizza puff that didn't cost me an arm and a leg. NO, not a calzone people. A pizza puff. I'm always looking for great eats around the valley! Where are some of your favorite places to eat at?

Are you planning on eating at home or at a restaurant for the holidays?

Vegas Family Vacation: Dining

Posting a recipe the other day got my gears turning on dining options with the family. One of the most common questions from tourists is "Where's a good place to eat?". Everyone's first instinct is finding a place on the strip, but it can get fairly pricey to eat on the Strip your whole stay so I usually recommend a few local places to eat to balance their budget. The Strip has some of the finest cuisine that you will ever see. However, it's not always the most family friendly. I personally don't think JAM is capable of eating $40 worth of food no matter what it is. He'll eat a steak and lobster with no problem, but he's usually satisfied with just chicken nuggets and fries. Although there is a Mcdonald's on the Strip, the prices are a little higher than a regular Mcdonald's and they don't offer a dollar menu. No worries, there are plenty of other restaurant options nearby.

If you're looking for fast food, just head down West Flamingo Road and you'll find all the fast food that your heart desires. Sonics, McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Arby's, Wendy's, Fat Burger, Subway, Starbucks...the list goes on and on. You'll find it all on W. Flamingo Road between Las Vegas Blvd. and Rainbow Blvd. If In-N-Out is what you're craving that's not too far either. It's right on the corner of I-15 and W. Tropicana Ave. Have a little fun by ordering off their "secret menu", and as a souvenir for the kiddos ask for stickers and In-N-Out hats (the same the servers wear).

In-N-Out Burgers. YUM!

If you're craving Chinese food, Las Vegas' Chinatown is nearby too. I must warn you, coming from Chicago where Chinatown was an actual town, Las Vegas' chinatown is A LOT smaller. Just head down Las Vegas Blvd. to Spring Mountain Road to see it. Heading down W. Spring Mountain Road you'll see a few plazas filled with stores and restaurants. My favorite place to get some boba tea is Tea Station. If you're looking for something quick and yummy check out Lee's Sandwiches ( FYI: they're open 24 hours!). If you want more of a restaurant feel I suggest trying Korean Garden BBQ Restaurant. Their bulgogi (Sliced Tender Beef Seasoned Korean Style) is AMAZING.

Tea Station yumminess!

A couple other places you have as an option is by the outlet mall and at Town Square. If you head down S. Las Vegas Blvd. past the Mandalay Bay hotel you see Town Square. They offer lovely restaurants like California Pizza Kitchen, Texas de Brazil, and Claim Jumpers. Keep going down Las Vegas Blvd. and your see restaurants galore at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets - South. If you can't find something to eat here, you're either not hungry or you're just no looking. Buffalo Wild Wings, Raising Cane's, Tropical Smoothie, Outback Steakhouse, IHOP, Chili's, Burger King, Chipotle, Panda Express...it's all here. Plus, being near the outlet gives you an excuse to see what's inside since your there already hehe.

Buffalo Wild Wings Galore!

If you absolutely want to stay on the Strip to dine, that's ok! There's a good amount of affordable places to eat right on the Strip. There is the Rainforest cafe and is probably the most family friendly restaurant on the Strip. If all the animals and rainstorm isn't appealing to you, you can never go wrong with eating at a buffet. My go-to buffet is the Carnival World Buffet at the Rio Hotel, but other popular buffets are at the Bellagio, Planet Hollywood, Paris, and Aria in Citycenter. Serendipity 3 is also a nice restaurant inside Caesars Palace where you can grab a table at their outside patio and get a cute view of the Strip. If you're looking for tasty American cuisine, check out this restaurant owned my Wolfgang Puck in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Spago. A family-favorite of ours in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is TREVI Italian restaurant. The views of the fountain are beautiful, the service in impeccable, and the food is amazingly delicious. If you're traveling with an adult-filled crowd you may want to visit Dick's Last Resort in the Excalibur hotel. It's a real laid back enviroment with great tasting food, however, to eat at this place you have to keep an open mind. The server's are known for their rowdy and have sassy behavior. They love to deliver a side order of friendly sarcasm and clever wisecracks, but don't take it personally, it's all a part of the experience at Dick's. Last but not least, check out the eateries at Fashion Show Mall. Most people don't even recognize the mall on the Strip, but it's the building that looks like a silver spaceship from afar. They have your typical food court restaurants as well as yummy dine-in restaurants like Maggiano's.

Eating with my cousin and her family at Rainforest Cafe.

Your food options are endless in Vegas and I call still go on and on, but I know tourists don't like to veer too far off the Strip. As a little tip on the buffets, they there's a package for a two-night stay and two Buffet of Buffets. It's a 24 hour pass where you can enjoy all day access to five of the most spectacular Caesars Citywide buffets starting at $52/night for the package. These buffets include: Bacchanal (Caesars Palace), Spice Market Buffet (Planet Hollywood), Le Village Buffet (Paris Las Vegas), Paradise Garden Buffet (Flamingo), Carnival World Buffet (Rio), Flavors (Harrah's Las Vegas), and Village Seafood Buffet (The Rio) Upgrade fee applies to Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and Village Seafood Buffet at Rio Las Vegas per person per visit. Bon Appétit!

Vegas Family Vacation: Paying for Shows and Attractions

If you're interested in shows and attractions that are longer than 5 minutes, and don't mind paying for entertainment, there's a few more fun things these hotels have to offer. There are so many shows  and attractions that Vegas has, but for now we'll stick to things that are suitable for the whole family:

*Paris - Eiffel Tower Observation Deck is located 46 stories up and the tower is a half scale replica of the Paris, France landmark. (Open Monday - Friday 9:30am - 12:20am, Saturday & Sunday 9:30am - 1am) Free admission for U.S. Military and on your birthday with valid photo ID. $11.50 for adults; $7.50 for seniors and children. The price increases after dark: from 7:15 p.m. - close admission is $16.50 for adults, $11.50 for seniors and children. TIP: the view is more beautiful after dark. Also sign up for the Total Rewards player's card to save $1 on the admission price.

*Stratosphere - Tower offers an observation deck and rides at the top. There's a fee to go up the tower: $20 - Adults, $12 - Child, $14 - Senior & Nevada Residents. TIP:Buying the Extreme Value Packages are more financially friendly if you plan to ride the rides but you can also pay for the rides individually:
      ~SkyJump - $119.99+
      ~Big Shot - $15 to ride
      ~X - Scream - $15 to ride
      ~Insanity - $15 to ride

*Mirage:
~Secret Garden (10 am - 7pm Daily) is where you can experience an exotic, enchanting and wondrous world at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat and come face to face with white lions, white tigers, panthers, leopards, and our family of Bottlenose Dolphins. Adults: $19.95, Children 4 - 12: $14.95, Children 3 and Under are Free.

~Terry Fator (Monday - Thursday @ 7:30pm with select Friday performances) is one that took me by surprise. I'm not usually into ventriloquism, but this "America's Got Talent" winner brings to life a hilarious range of characters including Winston, the impersonating turtle, Emma Taylor, the little girl with the big voice, and the newest addition, lounge singer Monty Carlo.  Children under 5 years of age are not permitted to attend the show. Tickets start at $59.99.

*Venetian:
~Children's Activities (Daily 10am - 6pm) Features a special theme for every month. Prices vary per activity

~Gondola Rides (Indoor: Sunday - Thursday @ 10am - 11pm, Friday - Saturday @ 10am - 12am; Outdoor - weather permitting: 11am - 10pm) Adults $18.95 - seats 4 people. Children 2 years old and younger are FREE. Private two-passenger gondola$75.80

~Madame Tussauds (Opens Daily 10am) The wax museum features over 100 celebrity wax figures! The best part of the museum is having the chance to get up-close and personal with each celebrity and touching is highly encouraged! Just be mindful of the figures because people have broken them to the point of knocking it over. Some replicas have fun little features included like if you touch Jennifer Lopez's butt, she blushes! Adults - $29.95, Children (4-12) - $19.95, Children 3 and under are FREE. Book online and save 20%

~Phantom of the Opera (Monday - Saturday @ 7pm and 9:30pm) is a great show to take the whole family, BUT it's closing it's curtains in Las Vegas on September 2nd, 2012!! It's definitely a must see and worth every penny. Tickets start at $59 for rear mezzanine tickets, but if your budget allows it, invest in tickets in the golden circle. TIP: sit as close to the chandelier as possible and thank me later.

~Blue Man Group (Daily at 7pm & 9:30pm) is an explosion of color, humor, music, and technology that comes to life every night.  It's a percussion-driven experience full of humor and energy. Tickets starting at $85.30. *UPDATE* THEY ARE NOW AT THE LUXOR HOTEL
 

*Circus Circus
~Midway: Carnival games for kids and kids at heart for only a couple bucks a game. TIP: sometimes you'll find a worker roaming around to break large bills. Find him and he sometimes gives you 2 for 1 game coupons to get more bang for your buck!

~Adventuredome (Hours vary. Check the website for hours of operation) Adventuredome is America's largest indoor theme park and features thrill rides, traditional carnival rides, laser tag, miniature golf, bumper cars, midway booths, an arcade, clown shows and so much more. All day ride pass - Regular Pass $29.95 (48 inches tall or taller) & Junior Pass $16.95 (Under 48 inches tall). They also sell tickets for each individual ride, but prices vary depending on the ride. Riders 33" and above are required to buy a ticket.

*Excalibur:
~ Tournament of Kings: (Jousting Dinner Show: Monday: 6 p.m., Tuesday: Dark, Wednesday: 6 p.m., Thursday: 6 & 8:30 p.m., Friday: 6, Saturday: 6 & 8:30 p.m., Sunday: 6 & 8:30 p.m.) This dinner and show features jousting, dancing, singing and a feast fit for a king. You have the option to buy a general admission ticket that includes a three- course dinner for $59 or a dinnerless admission for $44.35. Children three years and younger may attend free of charge and must sit on the adult's lap and share the adult's meal. If you're from Chicago, this show is very similar to something you'd experience at Medieval Times.

~ Fun Dungeon - Similar to the Circus Circus Midway with arcade games for a few dollars.

*Mandalay Bay - Shark Reef (Sunday - Thursday 10am - 8pm) is pretty popular with the kids (Open 10am - 10pm Daily). It houses more than 1,200 species of marine life including sharks, exotic fresh and saltwater fish, a 300-pound sea turtle and much more. Admission: Adults - $18, Children (5-12) - $12, Children 4 and under are FREE. They also offer a dive with sharks program. 1 Diver is $650.00 and 2 Divers is $1000.00. 2 Divers must be booked together. All divers must be dive certified and 18 years & older.


*Monte Carlo - Jabbawockeez (*UPDATED* Show Times: Thursday - Monday: 7pm & 9:30pm) is definitely one of my favorite shows to watch on the Strip. It's an intimate setting so any seat is a great seat in the house. It's set up like a movie theater so "second section" is just like the upper section in the movie theater. We were in Row P of the second section and look how close we were still! They provide awesome visual effects that help tell their amazing story through dance. If you want to interact with the crew grab seats on the main floor. Tickets starting at $60.50. TIP: the bass of the music is fairly strong so I would suggest ear plugs for the younger ones ones due to their sensitive ears. Kids under the age 5 of NOT permitted.  *UPDATE* They can now be found at the MGM Grand.

*New York New York - Roller Coaster (Sun - Thurs 11am - 11pm, Fri & Sat 10:30am - Midnight ) is the infamous ride that you can't miss on the outside of the hotel. Individual tickets are $14, but they offer packages as well that include multiple rides and a photo.

*Luxor:
~Titanic exhibition (open from 10am - 10pm) is a fun experience for the whole family. The exhibition features many never before seen artifacts and you can feel the history of the ship with every step you take. At the beginning of the exhibit, patrons receive a boarding pass of an actual passenger on Titanic. On the back of each boarding pass is the age and the itinerary of that person. At the end of the tour, patrons find out if he or she survived the Titanic by finding the name on the wall memorial.  General Admission is $32, Seniors (65 and over) - $30, Children (4 - 12 years) - $24, Children (3 & younger) are FREE.

~Bodies (open from 10am - 10pm) is a great exhibition that showcases real full-bodies and organs and provides a detailed, three-dimensional vision of the human form rarely seen outside of an anatomy lab. General Admission is $32, Seniors (65 and over) - $30, Children (4 - 12 years) - $24, Children (3 & younger) are FREE.

*Planet Hollywood:
~BeatleShow! (Nightly at 5:30pm) at the Saxe Theater is definitely the show to see for Beatles fanatics. The show takes you back in time and pays an amazing tribute to the game-changing group. They take a picture of your party before you enter the theater, which you can purchase for $10 after the show. On your way out stop for autographs and photos with the group! JAM had a blast even thought he wasn't too familiar with the music hehe. Tickets start at $59.99

~The Ultimate Variety Show (Nightly at 7pm & 8:30pm) in the V Theater is a fun show for the whole family! It's an intimate setting with funny hosts and an amazing variety of acts that will appeal to people of all ages. From magicians and comedians to high-flying acts and strength performers, V - The Ultimate Variety Show provides an amazing display of talent. It's definitely my go to show when groups with kids come into town and are looking for a decently priced show to watch on the Strip. Tickets starting at $69.99. TIP: if you want to take a chance, check out those half off ticket booths around the Strip the day you plan to see the show for a chance at cheaper priced tickets.

Our souvenir photo after the show with a border of the acts that performed.
They cut off my baby boy in the red stroller with the border hehe.

*Flamingo - Nathan Burton (Tuesday - Sunday at 4pm) is a fun comedy magic show for all ages. It's filled with magical illusions, entertaining dance and funny comedy routines. Tickets starting at $34.

*Treasure Island - Mystère (Showing Saturday - Wednesday at 7pm & 9:30pm) is an exhilarating blend of whimsy, drama and the unimaginable brought to life on stage with powerful athleticism, high-energy acrobatics and inspiring imagery. It provides a complete spectrum of awe-inducing entertainment with colorful sets, imaginative costumes and highly-skilled performers. Tickets starting at $69 for adults and $34.50 for children under 12 years old.

*MGM Grand - KÀ (Tuesday - Saturday at 7pm and 9:30pm) is the first production to feature a cinematic story line while maintaining flawless imagery, music, martial arts and acrobatics. It's an action-packed adventure story about Imperial Twins who are separated by an attack on their Far Eastern palace. Tickets starting at $69 for adults and $34.50 for children (5-12 years old). Children under the age of 5 are NOT permitted into the KA Theatre. TIP: It's better to sit a little farther than closer to view the stage as a whole since the show has a lot of dimension. If you sit in the front rows, you may be looking up at times.

*The Linq - High Roller (11:30am - 2am daily) is the world's largest observation wheel standing at 550 feet tall! This makes it 107 feet taller than the London Eye! Passengers can enjoy this 30-minute ride to enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip. Each of their 28 spherical, Italian-handcrafted glass-enclosed cabins are air-conditioned and is equipped with two benches for seating. Each cabin can hold up to 40 people, but you can also rent out a cabin for a full scale wedding or private party where a bar and bartender can even be set up for your ride. You have the option to experience the daytime view or the nighttime view when the Strip is all lit up. Tickets for the Special Summer daytime ride ticket: $19.95, valid now through Labor Day (Normal daytime ride ticket: $24.95). Nighttime ride ticket: $34.95 (The price changes over at 7pm). One day flex pass (valid for one day or night ride, without having to choose a time): $44.95. Three day flex pass (valid for one day or night ride over a 3 day period, without having to choose a time) $54.95. Youth pricing (ages 13-17): $14.95 daytime ride, $24.95 nighttime ride. Children 12 and under are always free! There are discount packages for 2 adults and 2 youth tickets, as well as $5 off for locals, Flamingo hotel guests, and The Linq hotel guests. Don't forget about The Linq's Summer Bloq Party (Tuesdays from 4pm-7pm) where locals receive amazing discounts and specials during the Bloq Party time including 50% off the High Roller. As an added bonus for locals, the High Roller discount is valid ALL DAY Tuesday with a NV ID.

Call ahead and double check the age restrictions on some of the shows. Most shows are for all ages, but some don't allow children under the age of 5. Always check the website for summer specials on tickets. Also, even if you don't gamble, I always suggest for people to sign up for casino player's cards because you sometimes get a coupon book for signing up that have deals on show tickets. You can also get a discounted rate on show tickets just for presenting your player's card at the box office. No need to gamble to receive the discounts either! If you know someone locally, see if they're willing to use their local advantage to get DEEP discounts on most show tickets. Lastly, please be aware that there's usually an entertainment tax and service fee of about $11 PER TICKET tacked on to the final ticket price. So make sure you add that on when you're estimating your final group ticket total. These shows and attractions are some of the best features that Vegas has to offer. You'll be amazing by the different ways these shows portray their amazing art and creativity even on a small stage! What shows do you plan on checking out this summer?

Nevada residents!! We all know that Vegas loves their locals, but you'll be amazed at how much this city takes care of their residents! Call beforehand to ask if there's a local discount to any show and attraction. Most of the time you can get a discount 30%-50% off the original price! Make sure you also ask for discount limitations. Sometimes it's 1 discount per ID and sometimes it's maximum 8.

Vegas Family Vacation: FREE Shows and Attractions

It's the first day of summer, which means that road trips/ family vacations have officially kicked off! Just because you may have people under 21 in your group doesn't mean you can't have a good time in Las Vegas! This city has so much to offer. You just have to know where to go!

Even if it's your first time in Vegas, I'm sure you've heard of the fancy shows and over the top clubs our city has to offer. However, there's a lot of other things it has too. One popular thing that tourists love to do here is see the FREE shows and attractions that some of the casinos on the Strip offer:
*Venetian:
      ~Carnevale Festival Parade (Until September 9th. 2012): starting at 8pm nightly
      ~Light of Venice light show: Nightly at 9:15pm, 10:15pm, 11:15pm, & 12:15am

My little cousin enjoying the Carnevale Festival

*Caesar's Palace - In the Forum Shops: Fall of Atlantis (Every hour on the hour Sunday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - midnight.)

*Circus Circus - Circus Acts (Starting at 11am Daily).

*Mirage: Volcano (Begins at 8:00 p.m. and runs every hour on the hour until 12:00 a.m. nightly)

*Treasure Island (TI) - Sirens of TI pirate show (5:30 p.m. (fall/winter only), 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m. (spring/summer only)) TIP: WEATHER PERMITTING!! If it's even a little windy out they will cancel the show.

*Bellagio:
      ~Fountains (Monday - Friday 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. show every 1/2 hour & 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. show every 15 minutes; Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. show every 1/2 hour & 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. show every 15 minutes. On Sundays Fountain show times begin at 11 a.m. and run every 15 minutes)
      ~Conservatory (Open 24/7)

*Planet Hollywood (PH)
      ~Fountain Show (Sunday - Saturday Top of each hour 12pm-11pm)
      ~Rain Show (Monday - Thursday Top of each hour 10am - 11pm, Friday - Sunday Each half hour 10am - 11pm)

*Rio - EDIT: Their icon show closed its doors in March 2013. Show in the Sky (hourly from 6 pm until 11pm every Thursday through Saturday)
       ~VooDoo Zipline - Daily 11am - 11pm (Must be 21 years and older after 7:30pm) $27.49
       ~KISS Mini Golfing - Daily 10am - Midnight. $11.95 (18 Holes)

* Flamingo - Wildlife Habitat (Feeding times are daily at 8am & 3:30pm)

*Imperial Palace - Auto Collection (10am - 6pm Daily. Print out pass for free admission)

Past the Mandalay Bay Hotel you can find the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. It's free to take a picture in front of the sign. Sometimes there's impersonators there who charge to take a picture with them, but it's free to take a picture with just the sign so beware of people trying to trick you. Parking is limited and lines can get long, but everyone's in an out so just be patient.

My lovely cousins and I

On the other end of the Strip past the Stratosphere, you can take Las Vegas Blvd. down to downtown Las Vegas AKA "Old Las Vegas". Head down to Fremont Street to see the great light show under the canopy! The show is about six minutes long and runs every hour on the hour from dusk to midnight.

There is so much to see and parking and driving from hotel to hotel can get pretty hectic. If you're not in a hurry and don't mind taking public transportation I HIGHLY suggest buying a pass for the Deuce Bus. There's a bus stop at almost every casino and it goes all the way downtown to visit Fremont Street! Some buses are double deckers so it's a fun experience for the whole family! Kids 5 years and younger ride FREE. You have a variety of bus pass options: a 2 - hour pass for $5, a 24 - hour pass for $7, or a 3 - day pass for $20. The great thing about these passes is the timing is based on the first time you use the pass. For example, it's 24 hours from the first time you use the pass not just for that day you bought the pass (IE. buy the pass at 9pm, it's good until 9pm the following day).

Summer is in full swing! This is definitely a list you'll want to print out because it'll definitely come in handy every time you come into town or every time family and friends come into town to visit locals. Stay tuned for more Vegas Family Vacation tips!