Let’s take our kids to Vegas! 😀
We got this question a lot… “you’re taking your kids to Vegas?!”
The answer was: kind of.
We really only had about 7 waking hours in Las Vegas, so this wasn’t a full Vegas experience by any stretch. More like a quick “see it, walk it, take it in” kind of stop in between other parts of our trip.
Did our kids learn a few new things? Yes. Did we all survive the chaos, lights, and crowds? Also yes. Would we do it again? Probably — it was fun in its own way, and definitely memorable.
We didn’t try to “do Vegas properly,” and we knew that going in. There are a lot of things we’d want to see if it was just adults — shows, restaurants, nightlife, all of that. But with kids and limited time, we kept it simple and focused on the visuals and the experience of being there.
And honestly, that was enough. The Strip alone is kind of its own theme park — everything is over the top, constantly moving, and a little bit surreal. Even just walking around gave us a solid taste of what Vegas is like, and the kids definitely had moments where they were equal parts impressed and confused (which feels about right).
Not a deep dive into Las Vegas — but a fun, fast stop that gave us just enough to say we’ve done it… at least in our version of it.
This trip was taken March 2021.
Check out the full video here:
What To Do With 1 Afternoon in Vegas (with kids!)
Check out the flamingo exhibit at the Flamingo Hotel
Walk through the shops at The Forum
See the Trevi Fountain… at least with less crowds than the real one in Rome!
Stay in the Paris Hotel (gorgeous!). If you want to book the same, check it out here: Paris Hotel
Go to Rainforest Cafe … not really Vegas specific, but kids thought it was a vibe
Watch the Fountains at Bellagio Hotel
See the Vegas Sign (at 5:30am!)
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam was a highlight of our trip in Nevada!
The drive from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam is quick and straightforward, and once you arrive, everything is surprisingly easy to access. Parking was simple, and from there you can basically walk straight up and immediately see the dam in front of you.
The scale of it is what really hits you first — it’s hard to fully grasp just how massive the structure is until you’re standing right on top of it. The kids especially liked how close you could get, and the fact that you can stand right on the border between Nevada and Arizona at the same time.
We would’ve loved to do one of the guided tours or go deeper inside the dam, but even just viewing it from above was absolutely worth the stop. It’s one of those places that doesn’t need much explaining once you’re there — you just stand there and take it in.
A really interesting, easy add-on if you’re already spending time in Las Vegas and want to see something completely different just a short drive away.
Wrap-Up
Our quick stop in Las Vegas and nearby Hoover Dam was short, fast-paced, and really just a “taste” of the area rather than a full visit.
Vegas was exactly what you’d expect — bright, busy, a little overwhelming, and definitely memorable. We only had a handful of hours to explore, but it gave us just enough of a glimpse to say we’ve experienced the Strip in our own family-friendly, in-and-out way.
The Hoover Dam was the perfect contrast: quick to get to, easy to visit, and instantly impressive once you arrive. Standing there and seeing the scale of it (and the state line right under your feet) made it one of those simple but standout stops.
From there, we were off again — trading neon lights and city energy for open road, quirky stops, and big desert views as we headed into our Route 66 and Grand Canyon road trip.
Check out the rest of our road trip in Arizona!
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