Sin City

We went to Vegas this last weekend
and.... you know what they say-
so... that's it on Vegas, post over-

Such a ridiculous intro, but it happened. (also check out maresy's eye in the above pic.... hahahhaha)
I will now divulge all our Vegas happenings.
We've got kids y'all.
We use to live down there, so when we go, we do a lot of "going down memory lane".
This time, as we went down this lane, we determined we weren't opposed to living here again.
I'd like to provide a few strip-less Vegas options as well as some pretty awesome strip activities for kids.
This post I'm just going to discuss the things we did this trip.

First, strip-less

1. Lake Las Vegas

We had a sweet deal so we decided to stay at the Westin at Lake Las Vegas.
It was more than I expected.
They had a wadding pool, two big pools- one that was shallow for kids and a deeper one with a hot tub for adults.
The pools were on two different levels.
There was also a basketball court and play ground and they had a private beach....
Sadly there was some death algae growing in the lake so we couldn't take advantage of the beach and the rentals they had for the lake.
Most important thing they had- a water slide.
We rode that baby more times than I can count.
They were a little lax with the rules list too so we did some crazy stuff you wouldn't usually be able to do..... it was glorious.
Here are a few pics from our stay-

 Our Nug (her nickname....) mastered the cannonball. 

A kid yelling cannonball may just be the finest of the things. 

 We also went down as a complete family..... 

This was the greeting drive. I'm pro resorts now. 

2. Hoover Dam

We got there a little late to see the museum and such, but just seeing Hoover Dam is an experience.
There are two things I always like to do.
I like to drive across and walk across the dam and I like to walk across the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (I'm gonna refer to as the Hoover Dam Bypass or "the bridge/bypass").
When we lived here they completed the bypass- we had the chance to be some of the first people to walk across it the day it opened.
It's only mildly terrifying to be walking on a bridge while cars are speeding past at 70 or so- just a little bit.
Having kids walking on this same bridge is only a tiny bit more terrifying.
Nah, it's fineish..... worth it at least.
Oh and you don't have to pay to park- if you drive up past the dam, not far from it there is a parking lot that is free.
You do have to walk a little ways, but you get some cool views as you walk.

3. Ethyl M chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden

We would have had no idea of this place had we not lived across the street from it.
They have a factory you and tour and of course they give you a chocolate sample.
I for one am seriously impressed with their cactus garden- it's one of the largest in the country.
During Christmas they add lights and voila- it's for reals magical to only wear a light sweater and see amazing Christmas lights on cacti.

4. Parks Galore

OK- the kid parks are surprisingly awesome in Vegas.
They have these awesome themes at some of them, and others have that great foam stuff, and a lot are shaded.
Also- there are quite a few parks- there are a lot of paths to walk on and such too.
Shocking I know, but for reals more family friendly then you'd imagine.
Here are a couple we went to around Lake Las Vegas:

Whelp, that sums up the activities we partook of off the strip this trip. 

Now to a few strip activities. 

1. Fire show at the Mirage

Honestly a highlight for my girls. 

They do it on the hour at 8, 9, and 10 pm. 

If you'd like a good spot just come like 10 minutes early. 

Does get way more epic than this picture, but I decided to just watch instead of focus on taking pics. 

2. Bellagio

There are a few things the Bellagio has going for it. 

-Fountain show (it happens every 15 minutes but I swear it felt like every 5 this time...)

-Flower display (changes seasonally)

-Chocolate fountain (the largest in the world last I checked. Sorry, didn't get a pic this time.)

-Beautiful registration desk ceiling.... (OK this is an odd addition, but it's a highlight for me). 

I thought my girls would just love the fountain show, but they kept talking about the fire show. 

I personally love the fountain show- I could sit here for hours and watch. 

 They were not having the picture taking so.... 

sadly this is the only picture I got of the flower display. 

Highlight of the Bellagio for me. 

3. Outlet shopping

I don't have any pictures of this particular activity... but shopping is sort of a must right?!?

I was sucker punched when we had to pay to park at the north strip premium outlets.... 

Man I hate paying to park- like hate it.... 

So I know the stores are sort of amazing for the north strip outlets, but I'm sure you don't have to pay to park to go to the south strip outlets. 

I use to always go to the south strip outlets- they're also great. 

These are the on strip things we did this trip. 

Sort of started late and got tired fast.... 

There are some other awesome things to take kids to on the strip. 

M&M world

Coca-Cola factory (does a soda sampling from around the world) 

The Forum Shops has a massive aquarium and they do an animatronic show every hour starting at 11 am. 

Circus Circus has free circus acts you can watch. 

The Golden Nugget has a slide that takes you through a shark tank. 

Mandalay Bay has a literal beach- although you can't use the wave pool until your like 48 inches or something. 

I mean when they discuss pool complexes on the strip they use the term "acres"..... so.... epic pools for sure. 

I haven't been to a few of the above mentioned places, but I'd like to when our girls get older. 

We had a fine time in Vegas. 

Hoping if you go, a fine time will be had.