The Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge

There’s a new way to take a look at this Las Vegas adjacent attraction. The Mike O’Callaghan- Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, also called the Hoover Dam Bypass is an engineering marvel second only to the dam itself. It links southern Nevada to northern Arizona.

The new Pat Tillman bridge

And this bridge does it in an impressive fashion. It spans over a thousand feet and stands over ninety stories. Located just about one quarter of a mile from the dam itself, it was built to make driving easier than the tourist and traffic clogged two lane road that leads directly in and out of the dam itself. But it’s a tourist destination in its own right, and the second highest bridge in the United States. Beneath the impressive span is the brilliantly turquoise blue Colorado River, and the rocky cliffs of Black Canyon.

We loved the overlook on the Nevada side. It gave us a tremendous view of the dam itself, constructed in the nineteen thirties, and Lake Mead’s sparkling waters. Like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Tillman is bound to become a destination in itself. The vastness of the bridge mirrors the vastness of the dam, and the kids were truly awed by the size of them both. The overpass, is in fact, a little daunting to drive over, because of its height.

Touring the Dam

After we’d spent some time at the overlook, we went on to take a tour of the dam itself. At the visitor center, you’ll find several tours available. The standard dam tour starts in the visitor’s center with a look at the exhibits detailing the history of the dam’s construction. We enjoyed the short film about the dam’s construction, and then rode an elevator down to the Hoover Dam Power Plant for the guided tour. My kids loved the tunnel drilled right into the rock, and a look at the dam from the top of the Penstock Viewing Platform, which we were wowed to realize is on top of one of the thirty foot wide pipes that bring almost a hundred thousand gallons of water every second – every second! – from Lake Mead to the dam’s power generators. More interesting still was a view from the power plant balcony that offers a great view of some of the dam’s generators. As cool as the actual dam itself is, the tour was rather dry. Particularly the emphasis on technical specifications went over the kids heads. It wasn’t so long as to induce major restlessness, but we were ready to emerge from the power plant to the visitor’s center again.

If you are visiting Las Vegas, a great way to tour the Hover Dam is via the Hover Dam Tour Company.  They offer a variety of tours, including a bus tours that departs daily from the Las Vegas Strip.  For more detailed info about this bus tour check out the following article: Hover Dam Tour Company: The Best Way to See It

Inside the Hoover Dam

The observation deck of the visitor’s center offers a sweeping observation area view of the lake, the dam, and the River from both inside and out, plus a model of the Tillman bridge. Outside, you can traverse side walks that lead on top of the dam. Doing so was a welcome contrast to the tour below the ground.

Rafting by Hoover Dam

We added to the standard tour with something that took us out on the water itself – a floating tour across the dam waters. We were picked up at our hotel by Black Canyon River Adventures in Las Vegas and shuttled to the departure point. It’s a smooth glide in a motorized pontoon boat, and it allows some wonderful dam views with the dam rising spectacularly above you. We saw an eagle too, a lovely bonus. While the rafting trip lasts nearly three hours, there were plenty of little kids on board, and the quiet water makes for a safe and peaceful trip, packed with information about the dam’s construction and history that we found decidedly more interesting than the tour at the visitor’s center.

Quiet waters to raft – Hoover Dam tour

We loved finding out for example that the concrete at the bottom of the dam is “only” seventy five years old and not yet completely dry.

Boulder City and a Train Ride

Back on dry land, we visited Boulder City, and its small but well planned museum and historical association. The museum offers insight into the experiences of the people who built the dam, and the desolation of the area during the period of construction. The interactive displays should grab your children’s attention. And, the museum is located inside the lobby of the charming, old fashioned Boulder Dam Hotel, whose restaurant offers up a truly delicious steel cut oatmeal for breakfast.

One last excursion awaited us, and while it wasn’t directly related to the dam, it might’ve been my kid’s favorite trip: a forty five minute seven mile ride from the Nevada Southern Railway station in town, leading through Railroad Pass in the River Mountains. We rode in refurbished Pullman coach cars from 1911, and the kids wished we could take the train all the way back to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, baby, where else? With great shops to choose from in faux Venice or in the spectacularly high end shops of Crystals at City Center, Santa Claus is an even more ubiquitous sighting than Elvis impersonators in Las Vegas during the holiday season. Best of all, prices are low, low, low up until New Year’s Eve, when prices are higher than the top of the Stratosphere Hotel.

Las Vegas for Children?

Will your children love Las Vegas? Of course. What child doesn’t like neon lights, towering fountains of water “dancing” to music outside the Bellagio, the Tim Burton-esque flora and fauna of the indoors gardens, also at Bellagio? Afternoon magic shows cater to children of all ages; older children and parents who spring for show tickets will find Blue Man Group and several of the Cirque de Soleil shows running in town to be child-friendly and memorable fun. Holiday themes are incorporated into many of the shows, too.

Nothing says the Holidays like the Bellagio Fountains dancing in time to holiday carols.

At City Center, when not browsing the emerald necklaces we weren’t really planning to buy at Tiffany’s, we enjoyed the sculptures of artist Dale Chihuly, whose medium of sculpture is primarily colored glasswork – awesome visually, and a kaleidoscopic draw for kids. Kids will also like strolling beneath the digital sky show of downtown’s Freemont Street, where street performers play holiday music.

Our Recent Accomodations

We’ve stayed at many different spots in Las Vegas in recent visits – The Vdara Hotel and Spa offers and excellent location on the upper end of the Strip and connects easily to Bellagio, Aria, and the opulence of Crystals at CityCenter mall. We like the upscale kitchenette, the sleek modern look of the rooms; some rooms are smaller than others though, and you’ll really need the one bed room units not a studio for families. Smoke and casino free, Vdara is quiet and well located. Large, spotless, and with a full modern kitchen describes the just-off-the-Strip Platinum behind Bally’s. We loved the huge kitchen and living room, plus an outdoor balcony with a view of the Strip. We were not keen on the location; it’s a long block and a half walk to the Strip even cutting through Bally’s, and not the most pristine block, either. The dining options were not fulfilling enough for us to stay on the property at night. We ended up retrieving the car and valet parking again on the Strip – if that doesn’t bother you, the room is a great value in terms of size and family friendly amenities such as a washer dryer.

Las Vegas glitters any time of year, but shines especially bright during the holiday season.

A little further – a fifteen minute drive or free shuttle ride away in Henderson Nevada - is the Green Valley Ranch. Large rooms in a not-too-large environment of less than five hundred rooms, we liked this more remote location especially at holiday time. Both family friendly and spa-oriented, we enjoyed having the Original Pancake House on site as a dining option after returning from a Strip visit one evening. Also adjacent to the property is a shopping complex with a carousel that kids loved. The District offers less upscale choices than say, City Center, the Forum shops at Caeser’s Palace, or the Canal Shops at the Venetian, but that carousel was a huge draw and it was less crowded. An extra bonus was what we thought was one of the best pizza places in Las Vegas, Pizzeria Napoletana here. A close second in our opinion is the Vegas outpost of Il Fornaio in the New York, New York hotel on the Strip.

And speaking of New York, New York, older kids will want to ride the high speed roller coaster, which will undoubtedly include a slow speed line to board. Small children will enjoy a run through the game arcades around it, or in the Circus themed arcade with free aerial acts soaring overhead at Circus Circus, at the opposite end of the Strip. For our family brief stops at these locations are sufficient, as noise level and crowds are high.

We prefer to take a little get away – and for the holidays you might even find a dusting of snow in the lovely Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, a different universe from Las Vegas showmanship and sound. The red rocks themselves are gorgeous, and caught in the right light, they “glow like neon on the main street,” at least according to my kids.

And of course all of Las Vegas looks like one big glittering holiday ornament any time of year, especially when seen from above. The best spots for viewing are the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower at Paris casino, mid-strip, the restaurant or viewing decks at the top of the Stratosphere at the far end, or head out to the pool deck at the hip, noisy Cosmopolitan and look straight out. No matter which angle you choose, you’ll find the Yule time season in Las Vegas.

The winding entrance set the stage for the adventures to follow

Las Vegas, Nevada is world famous for its casinos, nightclubs and other adult-focused entertainment. What is less well known is the sheer number of family attractions that the city offers. Dad and I both love history and science, so when we heard about Springs Preserve, we knew we had to visit.

About Springs Preserve

Opened in 2007, Springs Preserve is located on the site of a massive artesian spring that once sustained life in the Las Vegas Valley. The area was a frequent stop for nomadic Native American tribes as early as 12,000 years ago. In the late 1800s, Spanish explorers on their way to California discovered the spring as they blazed what is now known as the Old Spanish Trail. They dubbed the region Las Vegas, Spanish for “the meadows.”

Early railroads required frequent water stops to replenish the steam locomotives, and the spring in Las Vegas was a natural choice. The Las Vegas Land & Water Company was established to manage the spring and the town site that grew up around it. In the midst of the Nevada desert, Las Vegas was truly a needed oasis.

The Springs Preserve complex is massive

The spring dried up in 1962, and the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today, Springs Preserve is a 180-acre complex dedicated to preserving the rich history of the Las Vegas Valley. Springs Preserve takes its commitment to the environment seriously, striving to provide as many of its own resources as possible. The Preserve’s solar panels generate approximately 75 percent of its power, while water used on site is filtered and recycled for irrigation and restroom needs.

As of 2011, admission to Springs Preserve is $18.95 for adults, $17.05 for seniors, students and military members, and $10.95 for children aged 5 through 17. Kids aged 4 and under are free. Nevada residents receive a nearly half-price discount on all admission tiers. The Preserve is generally open 10 to 6 daily, although hours occasionally vary due to special events.

Our Experience

The Origen Museum uses a hub-and-spoke design

Dad and I were pleasantly surprised at the sheer size and diversity of the Springs Preserve complex. There is a bit of a maze of rocks and desert plant life between the parking lot and the ticket booth, and again between some of the buildings, neatly setting the stage for the day’s adventures.

We began our exploration in the Origen Museum. This circular exhibit space is arranged in a hub-and-spoke design off the main rotunda, making it easy to quickly get to whichever exhibits interest you most. The majority of exhibits here are dedicated to the human history of the region.

The People of the Springs immersed us in the region's first land auction

We were particularly impressed by the People of the Springs exhibit. Using a blend of statues and voiceovers, the exhibit did a fantastic job of making us feel like we were part of the first land auction in the region and a railroad trip through the Old West. Next up were a series of recreated Native American dwellings and an interactive archeological exploration.

Other highlights in the Origen Museum were the high-tech theater shows. The Hoover Dam show provided excellent insight into the men who risked their lives to build the legendary Dam, while the Natural Mojave Gallery offered us an up-close glimpse at the region’s dangerous flash floods.

Animals are an important part of the Springs Preserve family

Twice a day, the Preserve offers a show called Bugs! We took a seat in the comfortable auditorium for an interactive presentation on some of the region’s best-known insects. Children are selected from the audience to participate, including sticking their hands into boxes containing various bugs. If your child wants to get involved, sit near the front and encourage her to raise her hand and show a lot of enthusiasm.

Animals play an important role at Springs Preserve, with more than 250 species on display. Look for a collection of insects inside the Natural Mojave Gallery, and a winding trail through a variety of habitats just outside the Origen Museum. It was scorching hot on the day of our visit, with temperatures well over 100 degrees, so we did not linger on the animal trail for too long. Nonetheless, it was a very well done display featuring roomy, naturalistic habitats for the wildlife. Featured species included a wide variety of lizards, scorpions, and an adorable gray fox.

The Springs Cafe was gourmet yet accessible

After exploring the Origen Museum, we decided to break for lunch at the Springs Café. Operated by the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, the café offers an extensive menu of gourmet yet accessible fare in a casual setting. The children’s menu offers several kid-friendly choices including wood fired burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.

With full bellies, we set out to explore the rest of the complex. Next up was the Desert Living Center, a set of interactive galleries dedicated to teaching more sustainable ways of utilizing our environmental resources. Our favorite spot was the Nature Exchange. The sizeable room was packed to nearly overflowing with items such as fossils, dead insects and rocks.

Kids can trade items from nature at the Nature Exchange

The premise is simple but brilliant. Kids are invited to bring in items they find in nature. There are a few rules, such as not collecting in protected areas, and the Exchange does not accept endangered or threatened species, birds or vertebrates. But within the rules, kids may bring in virtually anything they find. They receive a few points for the item, but many more points depending on their level of knowledge about their find. Those who know what the item is, where they found it, how it is formed and other details receive the most points. They can then use their points to receive items from the Exchange. It is a fun and easy way to get kids excited about nature.

The Botanical Garden offered a peaceful respite

Past the Desert Living Center is an extensive botanical garden. In addition to over a thousand native plants, the garden offers a wide variety of interactive exhibits designed to teach visitors the principles of responsible garden design. Some exhibits focus on food, including edible plants and outdoor cooking. Others focus on water conservation, design elements, and even the unique challenges faced by disabled gardeners.

Springs Preserve also offers nearly two miles of nature trails with exhibits and informational signage around every turn. Due to the extreme heat and lack of time, we did not fully explore the trails, but they would be absolutely breathtaking on a more temperate day.

Tips for Parents

The flash flood was surprisingly intense

Springs Preserve is truly a journey of exploration. Thoughtfully designed to encourage wandering, the Preserve offers new experiences around every bend. Despite spending a full day at the Preserve, we did not feel like we saw everything in depth. Rather than trying to pack in every single display, focus your time on the things that interest you and your kids the most.

Pick up a free guide map when you purchase your tickets and create a loose itinerary, but allow yourselves to get swept up in the moment. There are endless opportunities to stop and play, and learn something in the process, but many of the best spots are found only by those who slow down and look around.

Carry plenty of water. The animal exhibits and hiking trails can be extremely hot and dry, and it is a long way between buildings. Even on cooler days, the dry desert air can be dehydrating. Hats, comfortable shoes and sunscreen are absolutely essential.

The entrance to Red Rock Canyon is rather desolate

I have always thought of myself as a city girl. New Orleans, Anchorage, New York City and Washington, DC rank at the top of my all-time favorites list. Yet when Dad and I headed to the American Southwest this summer, I discovered a new passion for wide-open spaces and tiny rural communities.

Still, when we got to Las Vegas, Nevada, I felt an odd sense of homecoming. The flashing neon lights, heavy traffic and 24-hour excitement were a marked contrast to the “middle of nowhere” towns where we had spent most of the summer. Life was good, as we strolled the concrete sidewalks and indulged in a whirlwind of sightseeing.

I was more surprised than anyone when, just a few days into our extended Las Vegas stay, I found myself missing the quiet desert air. I adored Las Vegas, but my thoughts kept returning to the sights and sounds of the undeveloped West.

Fortunately, I soon learned that I could have the best of both worlds. Red Rock Canyon is less than 30 minutes from Vegas, but it is truly a world apart. Dad and I visited on a brilliantly sunny afternoon in late August.

About Red Rock Canyon

The park was truly stunning

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a nearly 200,000 acre protected area in the eastern Mojave Desert. The park is operated by the nonprofit Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association under the auspices of the Bureau of Land Management. As of 2011, the visitor center is open daily from 8 am until 4:30 pm and closed on major holidays. The scenic drive is open extended hours that vary by season. Admission is $7 per carload or $3 per person for those arriving on foot, bicycle or motorcycle. National Park Service passes are honored.

The park offers an extensive network of hiking trails and rock climbing opportunities, but due to the extreme August heat, we opted to focus on the 13-mile scenic drive. We began our visit at the surprisingly expansive Visitor Center, located just inside the park entrance.

Our Experience

We spent nearly two hours exploring the extensive Visitor Center displays

Most of the Visitor Center displays are arranged in a massive outdoor exhibit, which is divided into sections that celebrate the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. There are a seemingly endless number of artifacts and informational signs, each providing details about the ways in which the Mojave Desert provides and utilizes that particular element.

Inside, the park rangers are full of helpful tips. Free maps are available, and the park rangers are happy to help you plan your day. Water is available here, so load up before beginning your adventure, especially if you plan to do any hiking.

It was amazing just how brilliantly red the rock really was

After about two hours exploring the Visitor Center displays, we headed out on the scenic drive. The drive is a 13-mile loop that encompasses a dozen scenic overlooks and trailheads. We visited each overlook, but did not venture out on the trails. The hikes range from easy to strenuous, and from less than one mile to six miles in length.

Red Rock Canyon takes its name from the brilliant red sandstone of its mountains. The red color comes from the oxidized iron contained in the rock. One of the most famous elements of Red Rock Canyon is the Keystone Thrust Fault. To understand the peculiarity of the thrust fault, it is necessary to know a little about how the region was formed.

See how much taller the older gray rock is?

Roughly 600 million years ago, the region was covered by a massive ocean. The sea bed was comprised primarily of limestone approximately 9,000 feet thick. Massive tectonic shifts occurred 250 million years ago, forcing out most of the water and dramatically raising the sea bed. Salt and gypsum coated the now-exposed rock in some areas, which oxidized on exposure to the air. Meanwhile, the oldest portions of rock at the base of the former sea bed retained their natural gray color.

As the climate shifted again 180 million years ago, the region became a desert filled with massive sand dunes. The constantly shifting sand eventually fossilized into Aztec sandstone, its heavy iron concentration creating a brilliant red color. This process occurred throughout the Southwest, creating numerous examples of red rock.

But in Red Rock Canyon and some spots further north, a geologic anomaly occurred. Roughly 65 million years ago, continued tectonic shifting created compression forces that cracked open the Earth’s crust. Due to the shallow angle of the fault, the older gray limestone rocks were forced to slide across and on top of the younger sandstone rock. This created a visually stunning effect in which a red line can be seen across many of the rocks, with gray stone above. Although thrust faults have occurred in other places, it was our first experience with one.

Don't miss the park overlook just outside the gates

We spent approximately two hours exploring the scenic drive. Had we taken any of the hiking trails, we could easily have spent the better part of a day. Back at the Visitor Center, we had just enough time to check out the gift shop before the park closed for the day. The Red Rock Overlook, located along State Road 159 just outside the park, is open one hour later than the scenic drive, so we stopped by before heading back to our RV park. The view was terrific, and well worth the few extra minutes!

Tips for Parents

The pull-outs are paved and easy to navigate

Red Rock Canyon offers a wonderful opportunity to get out of the constant hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. The park was not at all crowded on the day of our visit, allowing us to relax and enjoy the scenery. The park rangers were helpful and friendly, and there were plenty of opportunities to get out of the car and walk around.

Red Rock Canyon is extremely hot during the summer months. On the day of our visit, the temperature fluctuated between 105 and 110 F. Carry more water than you think you will need, as the high heat and low humidity combine to cause extreme thirst and dehydration. Pack salty snacks if you plan to hike or climb. A hat and sunscreen are absolutely essential.

Although rain is rare, when it does occur it can easily lead to flash flooding. Pay close attention to weather reports and always keep an eye on the sky. Head for safety if clouds begin to gather, as even a small amount of rain could lead to a dangerous situation if you are caught out on the rocks.

Allow your kids the freedom to play, but keep a close eye on them. Keep them on the trail and away from drop-offs. Falls are rare, but they have occurred. Know your own limitations and those of your kids, and err on the side of caution when choosing your hiking and climbing locations.

The Las Vegas Strip is glamorous

I’ve always wanted to see Las Vegas. Like many people, however, my preconceived notions were based on media hype. I imagined a city full of beautiful people, many of them celebrities, negotiating their Porsches and Jaguars down the Strip before entering a glamorous casino to win or lose thousands of dollars on a single hand of poker. I pictured luxury restaurants owned by Michelin-starred chefs and shops to rival those found in Paris, with price tags to match. I think Dad may have imagined all those same things, which might explain his initial reluctance to make the trip. But when we found ourselves just a couple of hours away, we agreed to give it a try.

What we discovered was frankly amazing. Las Vegas is indeed all of those things. But it’s also a middle-class escape, a family-friendly vacation destination, and a surprisingly easy place to survive on a budget. Las Vegas truly is all things to all people. Here are a few tips to stretch your dollars, regardless of what your vacation budget may be.

Inexpensive Stays

The Luxor offers fantastic pricing deals

It is perfectly possible to drop hundreds of dollars a night on a hotel room in Las Vegas…but you really have to try hard to make that happen. Though Vegas in general is not quite as cheap as it was a decade ago, hotel prices have not kept pace with the national market. The key to cheap sleeps in Las Vegas is timing. Mid-week rates are often 50-75 percent cheaper than Friday and Saturday nights. If you can tolerate the desert heat, summer rates are generally rock-bottom.

In addition, the hotels run frequent specials–perhaps a room plus show tickets for only a few dollars more than just a room, or breakfast buffets may be included in the price. Senior rates and military rates are often heavily discounted as well. Promo codes are prevalent all over the internet, so run a Google search for “promo code” and the name of your chosen hotel.

Using the above methods, we’ve found rooms at the Luxor for as little as $30 per night, the Excalibur for $22 per night and the Stratosphere for under $20 per night. Even the traditionally pricier Strip hotels can often be had for $50-$75 per night. A bit of legwork can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over a two-week stay.

Coupon Books

Free coupon books are packed with discounts

After checking into your hotel, make your first order of business a stop by the concierge desk. Free coupon books are there for the taking, and some of the deals are quite impressive. Two-for-one dining deals, half-price helicopter tours and major shopping discounts are just some of the possible offers. The discounts change frequently, so no matter how many times you have been to Vegas, it’s worth looking carefully to see what might have changed.

Pick up a copy of the American Casino Guide online or at a local bookstore before your trip. As of 2011, the book costs $12.75 on their website, or $18.75 in stores, and is packed with coupons and special deals at casinos around Las Vegas and across the United States.

Players Clubs

We signed up for a few players clubs...

Dad and I are not big gamblers at all. When we do play, we can usually be found on the nickel video poker machines. But the players clubs offer major benefits for even the most stalwart non-gamblers. Every time we walked through the doors of a hotel with a casino attached, Dad and I headed for the players club desk. Some hotels are owned by the same conglomerate and share a players club. For example, the Luxor and MGM Grand both fall under M Life, while Planet Hollywood and Harrah’s are both Total Rewards. The deals vary by club, but may include restaurant and merchandise discounts or entries in special promotional contests. Many clubs offer a few dollars in free slot play (also valid on video poker!) when you enroll.

Free Shows

The Sams Town show was impressive!

Las Vegas is filled with free opportunities to have a good time. From the world-famous Bellagio Fountains to the Sirens of TI at Treasure Island, many of the Strip hotels offer major, high-budget production shows absolutely free of charge. Make sure you get off the Strip as well. Our absolute favorite free show was at Sam’s Town, off the Strip on Boulder Highway. The laser light projections reminded us of the nighttime show at Atlanta’s Stone Mountain, while the water effects were reminiscent of Disney’s Fantasmic. Downtown Las Vegas offers the Fremont Street Experience, a stunning overhead LED show that must be seen to be believed.

Hotel Attractions

The Circus Circus performances are free of charge

The hotels of the Las Vegas Strip are attractions in their own right. From the cobblestone streets of Paris to the big city flair of New York, New York, it would be easy to spend a long weekend doing nothing but exploring the hotels. Many of the hotels offer free or low-priced attractions, from the lion habitat at MGM Grand to the aerial circus performers at Circus Circus. The Eiffel Tower at Paris and the Tower at the Stratosphere provide amazing low-cost views of the Strip. We were lucky enough to find ourselves at the top of the Eiffel Tower during the Bellagio Fountains show, giving us a unique birds-eye view of the proceedings.

Half-Price Tickets

Las Vegas is filled with Tix4Tonight booths, which offer same-day discounted tickets to virtually every show in town, along with various restaurant discounts. We were able to find better deals on our own for the particular shows we wanted to see, but many people are highly successful at finding great bargains at the ticket booths.

Cheap Eats

The buffet at Rio was inexpensive and delicious

As a general rule, food costs significantly less off-Strip. But all along the Strip we found fantastic deals on extremely good food. Look for the smaller cafes and walk-up stands inside the hotels, rather than automatically heading for the buffet or the table-service restaurants.

Buffets can be a fabulous deal if you pick and choose. Our absolute favorite was the Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Rio. As of 2011, the price is $24.99 for adults and $17.99 for kids aged 4-8. Children under 4 are free. Our second favorite was at Main Street Station, in older Downtown Las Vegas near Fremont Street. Though not gourmet, the food is wonderfully prepared and the buffet surprisingly extensive. We found a two-for-one coupon online, bringing the price of a prime rib dinner down to just $7 per person!

Sugar Factory offers a delectable midnight breakfast

Many hotel restaurants offer late-night breakfast options at sizeable discounts, such as $3.99 steak and egg plates. The Sugar Factory, at the Paris Hotel and Casino on the Strip, is not cheap. But gigantic portions and discounted late-night pricing make sharing a reasonable option. We actually ate there twice. The first night we ordered separately and ended up with a $50 bill and several meals worth of leftovers. The next time we ordered more sensibly, shared a smaller dish, and paid around $20 total.

Time Shares

Time share presentations offer free show tickets and other deals

If you have the time to spare, consider signing up for time share tours. In exchange for two hours or so of your time, you can get free or heavily discounted tickets to major shows, meal vouchers or gaming credits. Negotiate a bit at the signup desk for the best rewards. Dad and I are actually in the market for a time share, and we were in Las Vegas for five weeks, so we took multiple tours. One gave us $25 per person tickets to Criss Angel Believe (or any other Cirque show) and $150 in dining vouchers. Another gave us a free 4 day/3 night Carnival cruise (available only to legal residents of Florida or California). The offers are generally set up for two adults, but you can often negotiate kids’ tickets as part of the package. Just be sure to take a look at my article on Timeshare presentations and what to expect, as some places have a catch that can be a deal-breaker. Knowing when to walk away is crucial.

Bodies: The Exhibition was amazing

When I was a kid, I wanted to become a surgeon. I was fascinated by the human body, and wanted to understand how it all worked. Meanwhile, Dad’s childhood goal was research science. He wanted to someday explain the inner workings of the body on a molecular level. So it was only natural that we were excited to see Bodies: The Exhibition. Yet we were also skeptical. We knew the exhibit was the subject of controversy. Were the bodies handled respectfully? Would this turn out to be a sort of gruesome roadside attraction? Was this really something appropriate for children? When we were in Las Vegas, we had the opportunity to answer these questions.

About Bodies: The Exhibition

Bodies is on the second floor of the Luxor

Bodies: The Exhibition debuted in August 2005 at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, Florida. A traveling exhibit has toured the world ever since, while permanent versions are housed in cities as diverse as New York, New York and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Like all variations, the Las Vegas exhibit holds more than 200 actual human specimens from tiny blood vessels to entirely reconstructed bodies.

Bodies: The Exhibition is on the second floor of the Luxor Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. As of 2011, admission is $32 for adults, $30 for seniors over age 65 and military members, $29 for local residents and $24 for children aged 4-12. Kids under age 4 are free. Audio tours are an additional $6, and specialized kids’ audio guides are available. Discounts and coupons are abundant, so check the free coupon guides before paying full price. The exhibit is fully wheelchair-accessible. Bodies is open daily from 10-10, with the last admission at 9pm. Photography is strictly forbidden inside. Food, beverages and strollers are not permitted.

Our Experience

Specialized audio tours are available for children

We arrived late on a weekday afternoon. There were several other visitors, but the exhibit was not crowded at all. As we entered the exhibit, our jaws literally dropped. Each gallery focused on a specific part of the body such as blood vessels, bones or muscles. Glass cases held individual body parts, such as the bones of the arm. Full bodies, carefully dissected to highlight specific muscle groups or organs, were posed in different positions such as shooting a basket.

Many displays focused on the disease process. One of the most graphic dealt with the lungs. A healthy lung sat alongside a lung diseased by emphysema. Next to the display was a disposal bin for cigarette packs. Not surprisingly, the clear bin was at least half full.

We were both fascinated and repulsed by the fetus gallery. A series of fetuses at different stages of development sat in glass jars. According to the signage, the fetuses were all the victims of natural miscarriages. It was interesting to see the development process, but a bit disturbing to realize what we were seeing. The fetus gallery is hidden behind partial walls and clearly marked by signs, making it easy to bypass if desired.

We were particularly struck by how sensitively the displays were handled. The bodies are preserved through a process called polymer preservation or plastination. Developed in the 1970s, the process replaces the natural water and fat in body tissue with acetone and special plastics. This creates a dry, smooth texture that not only protects the tissues from decay, but adds to the scientific feel of the exhibit. There is no decay, blood or other gruesome material.

We spent nearly two hours examining the various specimens. If you take a more casual approach, you could finish the exhibit in approximately an hour.

Tips for Parents

The Bodies entrance sets the stage for what is to follow

The study of the human body is crucial to any child’s education. Historically, this study has been based on plastic models and photographs. While these tools are certainly sufficient for a basic understanding of the human systems, they do not account for individual differences. One of the most amazing things about Bodies: The Exhibition is the sheer number of real-world bodies. Short, tall, fat, thin, muscular, healthy, diseased…the exhibit does a fantastic job of showing how similar and yet how different humans can be.

This is not the place to drop off the kids for a few hours while you do something else. Although the kids we saw at the exhibit were fascinated, they were also full of questions. Guide your children through the displays and help them understand what they are seeing and how it relates to their own bodies. The kids’ audio tour is a wonderful starting point.

The theater entrance is impressive

Have you ever noticed that when you live somewhere, you never actually get around to seeing the major tourist attractions there? I grew up in Central Florida, just 40 minutes from Walt Disney World. While we did have annual passes to Disney and to Universal Orlando, we never made it to many of the other attractions in the area.

As a rabid fan of circuses in general, with a particular love for the strange and off-beat, I was thrilled when Cirque du Soleil opened a permanent show, La Nouba, at Downtown Disney in 1998. I couldn’t wait to get tickets! But of course, real life always got in the way. By the time I moved to New Orleans in 2001, I still hadn’t seen La Nouba. When I returned to Central Florida following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, La Nouba was at the top of my list. But Dad and I started full-time RVing around the country without my ever having made it to the show.

When we got to Las Vegas earlier this year, we made a pledge to finally take in Cirque du Soleil. With seven shows to choose from, Las Vegas is a virtual smorgasbord for Cirque lovers. But his adoration for the Beatles coupled with my fascination with Criss Angel made our decision easy. We bought tickets for Believe and Love.

About Love

There's a lot to look at in the shop

Six years in the making, Love is the culmination of discussions begun in 2000 between Beatle George Harrison and friend Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil. Though Harrison passed away in 2001, surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Harrison’s widow Olivia and John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono, took over negotiations. Love opened in 2006 at the Mirage Resort on the famed Las Vegas Strip. The custom-designed theater replaced the old Sigfried & Roy Theater, where the magicians performed nightly with their trademark white tigers.

As of 2011, tickets cost $79 to $155 depending on location. But deals are plentiful, from deeply discounted time share tickets to military rates. Check around on the official website, at the Mirage, and in free coupon books to learn what offers are available during your visit. The show is performed at 7:00 and 9:30 pm Thursday through Monday, and is dark on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Our Experience

The lights kept changing colors, setting a great mood

Dad is a retired civilian employee of the Department of Defense and he has an official ID card, which qualified us for a 40% military discount. Although the military discount was available for several ticket tiers, we opted for the cheap seats. As it turns out, they were among the best seats in the house. At the front row of the balcony, we had a bird’s eye view of the entire show. The performance literally occurs in and around the entire theater, making it easy for those in the front rows to miss things.

We opted for the late show, which turned out to be a great choice. We had plenty of time after our daytime activities to return to the RV and freshen up before heading out. We hung around the casino while waiting for the early show to finish. Once it let out, we had the chance to chat with some people who had attended the 7:00 show, building excitement about what was to come.

I was a bit skeptical about the show. While I was raised on Beatles music and have a deep appreciation for their contribution to the musical world, I’m not a rabid fan. I wasn’t sure if I would get much out of Love. Dad, on the other hand, grew up in the ‘60s. He was literally beside himself waiting for the show to start. We strolled through the gift shop shortly after we arrived, and Dad carefully examined each piece of merchandise. He decided what he wanted, but waited to purchase it until after the show. We were thankful that we had been in earlier, because after the show, the shop was a madhouse! It would have been nearly impossible to see everything and make a reasoned decision.

As it turns out, my skepticism was for naught. Even before the show actually started, it managed to draw me in. Theatrical scrims and ladders hung from the ceiling in various spots, and the tech staff got quite a workout raising and lowering them at seemingly random intervals. The lighting was dim and mysterious. By the time the show started, I was hooked.

The show itself was fast-paced and nearly overwhelming visually. More than once, I had no idea where to look. At its core, Love is a loose biography of the Beatles, tracking their early beginnings, meteoric rise to superstardom and ultimate breakup. But it is also a celebration of the wider cultural influence of the 1960s set to a Beatles soundtrack. The show itself takes center stage in the finale, representing a joyful reunion of the Beatles family and serving as a symbol of hope that the ideals of love and peace can again flow freely around the globe.

Love represents Cirque du Soleil at its finest, featuring 65 international performers in death-defying aerial acrobatics, tumbling, inline skating, dance and other highly impressive maneuvers. In a particularly amazing sequence, a series of trampoline artists bounce on and off a massive British red phone booth during Back in the USSR. One tumbler actually clears the phone booth altogether!

Tips for Parents

Take some time to shop around

Love is a wonderfully family-friendly show. Children under age 5 are not permitted, but older kids are sure to be enthralled. The lights, music, colorful costumes and mind-boggling stunts combine to create an experience that is great fun for all ages.

Unlike most Cirque shows, Love actually uses music from the Beatles catalog. Although many songs have been remixed to fit the show format, the recordings were actually done by the Beatles. At various points during the show, clips of old Beatles performances are projected on screens around the theater. This adds realism and a touch of nostalgia to the proceedings.

Snacks and beverages are available at the theater’s concession stand. No outside food or drinks are permitted. There is no intermission in the 90-minute show, so purchase anything you might like before the show begins.

Cameras are not allowed inside the theater, and recording of any kind is grounds for ejection. Silence all cell phones and other electronic devices before the performance begins. Late arrivals are held in the lobby until an appropriate time for everyone’s safety. Doors open 30 minutes before show time.

The interesting building is eye-catching

In our travels, Dad and I have seen a lot of museums. From dusty cubbyholes established in the Civil War era to modern wonderlands packed with the latest technology, each museum has its own special charm. But very few manage to keep the entire family engaged. Children’s museums, by definition, are geared toward very young kids. For parents, the fun is in watching their kids’ enjoyment. But at the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum in Las Vegas, we watched multiple generations having fun together.

About the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum

Even the adults got caught up in the activities

Established in September 1990 on Las Vegas Boulevard North, the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum provides 23,000 square feet of exhibits. Different sections focus on art, culture and science, and each area is carefully designed to promote interaction between children and adults.

As of 2011, adult admission is $9.50. Children aged 1-17 pay $8.50, while infants under a year old are free. During the school year, the museum is open Tuesday through Friday 9-4, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5. It is closed on Mondays except during local school holidays. During the summer, the museum is open Monday through Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5.

Our Experience

The first-floor exhibits are geared toward younger children

For this article, Dad and I received an early morning tour, before the museum opened to the public. This gave us the opportunity to take unobstructed photos and chat with the director of Public Relations. Once the museum opened for the day, we took some time to check out the various exhibits and watch families enjoy their experience.

The museum is divided into two floors. The first level focuses on the arts and humanities, providing opportunities for creative expression. Signage at the exhibits is generally geared toward parents or caregivers, providing ideas for activities that the family can do together.

The Town Center was packed with things to do

We were particularly struck by how well the first-floor exhibits addressed the needs of kids of different ages. For example, the mock grocery store offers a wide range of “shopping lists,” divided by suggested age group. Younger kids are instructed to find something red or something from the dairy group, while older kids can try their hand at budgeting or meal planning.

Desert Discovery, located on the first floor, is open only to kids aged 5 and under and their accompanying adults. The activities here are carefully geared to the youngest children, and the separated area provides them a safe place to play without worrying about older kids taking over.

Some of the science exhibits reminded me of my own childhood

The second floor focuses on science and technology and is primarily geared towards elementary school-aged children. The interactive exhibits require some basic reading and the subject matter is a bit more complex. Many of the displays reminded me of my own childhood, when Dad took me to Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry on a nearly weekly basis.

Numerous talks, activities and special events are presented at the museum. We watched an incredibly cute presentation on digestion that used Stuffee, the museum’s giant stuffed mascot. Pick up a daily schedule and a museum map when you purchase your tickets.

People-watching was particularly fun. On more than one occasion, we saw adults raptly focused on a particular game or activity while their kids played nearby. Dad and I ended up spending longer than we anticipated, as we got kind of involved in some activities ourselves.

Tips for Parents

The second floor offers somewhat more complex concepts

Carve out plenty of time for your visit. Although an adult could hit the highlights in an hour or so, your kids will want to play. If you can spare the time, plan for at least half a day. The snack area offers reasonably filling items and a comfortable spot to take a break.

The project workshops are open on the weekends and are divided by age, with younger kids downstairs and older children on the second floor. The workshops give kids the opportunity to collaborate with others on an art or science-based project.

Follow your kids’ lead. Some children are naturally more interested in nature or technology or the arts. Encourage them to try new things, but allow them to focus on the activities that naturally draw their attention.

They sell these at the gift shop

If you have ever seen the TV show CSI or any of its incarnations, you may have wondered what it would be like to be a real-life crime scene investigator. Tracking clues, following evidence and discovering the truth behind some of the most puzzling cases of all time? Who wouldn’t want to try their hand? Now you can do just that in Sin City. At the MGM Grand Hotel on the famed Las Vegas Strip, CSI: The Experience takes visitors deep inside the world of forensic science. Can you solve the crime? Dad and I had the opportunity to do just that during our recent Las Vegas trip.

About CSI: The Experience

The Criminalistics Lab was very well done

Originally created for the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in 2007, CSI: The Experience toured the United States before settling in its permanent home at the MGM Grand Hotel. The exhibit was developed in full partnership with CBS, the television network that owns CSI, and characters and scenes from the franchise are prevalent throughout. However, the cases that visitors solve are brand-new, developed exclusively for the exhibit, so even rabid fans of the show will not be able to predict the outcome.

You can choose from three different cases

The experience offers three different cases from which to choose. Each case focuses on slightly different forensic techniques, although there is some overlap. As of 2011, a single case costs $30. Children under age 12 and military members pay $25. The attraction often runs specials allowing you to solve multiple cases at a discount. Coupons are sometimes available, so look through the various coupon books, available at all hotel concierge desks, before paying full price. CSI: The Experience is open daily from 10 to 10, with the last admission at 9.

Our Experience

The question sheet gave us direction

Dad and I arrived at the attraction around 4 pm. The three available cases were listed on one wall along with a few details about each. After a bit of deliberation, we selected “A House Collided.” We were given clipboards and pencils along with a printed sheet of questions to answer at each station. After a few minutes’ wait, we entered a small theater with several other groups of visitors.

In the short film, CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker explained a bit about the TV show and forensic scientist Ron Singer explained a bit about the science of crime scene investigation. Then lead character Gil Grissom took over to explain our mission. We would be responsible for performing various CSI tasks to solve our crime and reporting our results directly to him.

The crime scene was packed with clues to discover

When the film ended, we headed directly to the crime scene for our case. Each case is color-coded and numbered, making it easy to find the relevant stations. The premise for “A House Collided” is that a car has crashed through the wall of a suburban home. The driver is dead, but was it really the crash that killed him? Who was he, anyway?

As Grissom stresses throughout the attraction, “the dead cannot speak for themselves.” Our goal was to follow the evidence and avoid jumping to conclusions. At the crime scene, our printed sheet instructed us to sketch everything we saw. It was easy to feel like a real investigator as we carefully examined the scene, paying particular attention to things that seemed out of place.

Don't forget to look up!

Our next stop was a station with crime scene photos. That gave us the chance to compare our drawings to the detailed photos to see if we missed anything important. Then we were off to the labs, where we analyzed a wide variety of evidence found at the scene, from blood spatter patterns to shoeprints.

Each station was extremely realistic, filled with exactly the sorts of scientific equipment that would be found in a real CSI lab. At each station, we interacted with a touch screen computer or other simple equipment to solve a portion of the puzzle. Employees were on hand to point confused visitors in the right direction, but they would not supply answers or give more than the vaguest of clues.

Grissom's office was quite realistic

After visiting all the stations and solving all the puzzles, it was time to give our report to Grissom. A large bank of computers sat in the center of the room. The first step was to log in, using the investigator ID number printed at the top of the questionnaire. Then we entered all of our data. At each step, we were asked to formulate a conclusion based on the data we had. The last step was putting it all together, determining the details about the dead man and the circumstances of death.

We both successfully solved the case, earning our CSI diplomas. The diplomas were sent to our email addresses free of charge, although the gift shop offered framed copies for a fee.

Tips for Parents

The props add a layer of realism

The attraction is officially recommended for kids aged 12 and over. The puzzles are somewhat complicated and there is a lot of reading involved. However, many families with younger children thoroughly enjoy a visit. The younger your kids are, the more help you may need to provide, but the experience is set up in a way that makes this easy to do.

Of course, crime scene investigation deals with sensitive topics such as murder and drug use. But CSI: The Experience handles these things in a scientific manner with no sensationalism. If you allow your children to watch the TV show, there is no reason not to allow them to try the attraction.

The touch-screen computers are easy to use

The official website offers a downloadable Family Forensics Guide. Filled with CSI-style activities to try at home, the guide shows kids what to expect and helps build excitement for the experience. Download the guide well in advance of your trip, as some of the activities are a bit messy and not necessarily easy to do in a hotel room.

The computerized system is fail-safe. If you get something wrong, the computer directs you to go back and try again. This ensures that everyone is ultimately a winner and creates an experience that is fun rather than stressful.

We spent approximately two hours exploring the attraction in detail, checking out the equipment and watching clips from the show. If you focus solely on solving the case, it may take as little as an hour or so.

Dad loved hanging out with the Rat Pack

Dad and I just love wax museums. There’s something creepy about the silent, motionless figures, especially if you’ve ever seen the old Vincent Price film, House of Wax. Of course, some roadside wax museums are especially scary, with run-down figures that look more like horror film stars than the politicians or A-listers that they’re meant to represent.

But Madame Tussauds changes all that. A high-budget corporation with a reputation for excellence, Madame Tussauds specializes in interactive scenes, where you can pose for photos with exquisite replicas of your favorite stars. Never having been to a Madame Tussauds, but extremely familiar with their reputation, Dad and I were eager to check out the Las Vegas location.

About Madam Tussauds

Despite the crowds in the lobby, the flow-through was great!

Born in France, Marie Tussaud learned the process of wax modeling from physician Philippe Curtius, for whom her mother worked as a housekeeper. Madame Tussaud created her first wax figure, of Voltaire, in 1777. She opened her wax museum, the original Madame Tussauds, in London in 1835. The museum developed a reputation for quality and gradually expanded worldwide. Today there are 17 locations around the globe.

The Las Vegas branch is located at the famed Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino. Known for its Italian elegance, the Venetian also features indoor and outdoor gondola rides, complete with singing gondoliers. The high-visibility museum, located at the moving walkways from the Strip to the hotel, is often crowded, but an excellently designed layout prevents bottlenecks and keeps the crowd flowing.

As of 2011, admission to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is $25 for adults. Students aged 13-18 with a school ID, Nevada residents and seniors aged 60 and over pay $18. Children aged 7-12 pay $15, and those under age 7 are free. Discounted adult tickets are available on the official website. Coupons are abundant, so look through the free coupon books available at any hotel concierge desk. Madame Tussauds is open 10 to 9:30 Sunday through Thursday, with the last ticket sold at 9:00. Friday and Saturday, the museum is open 10 to 10:30, with the last ticket sold at 10 pm.

Our Experience

Here's your chance to crash an A-list party

We arrived in mid-afternoon to find a huge crowd in the entrance lobby. An official-looking gentleman was handing out coupons good for a few dollars off per person. We already had tickets, so we proceeded to the main check-in counter and then onto the escalator to the first exhibit floor.

Stepping off the escalator, it was as if we had just crashed an elegant Hollywood party. We hardly knew where to look first as wax recreations of various A-list stars blended in with the crowd. Some sat on couches or at tables, while others stood alone in different parts of the room.

Levitating above the Luxor with Criss Angel

Throughout the museum, from the gallery of sports heroes to the musicians’ hall of fame, there were props and sets designed to create interactive photo opportunities. Why not step onto the American Idol stage with Simon Cowell or levitate above the Luxor with Criss Angel? Or perhaps you would rather belt out some tunes with the Rat Pack or golf with Tiger Woods.

Scream

An attraction within an attraction, Scream is a relatively new addition to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Marie Tussaud opened a Chamber of Horrors in her 1835 museum, and virtually every wax museum since has featured some variation on horror. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas raises the bar with an authentic walk-through haunted attraction, complete with live actors.

Scream was an unexpected treat

The premise is that you are entering an abandoned asylum. The inmates once worked at the legendary Area 51, a top-secret Nevada military installation that figures heavily in stories of extraterrestrial research, and were then subjected to terrifying experiments. After slaughtering the entire staff, the inmates were left to die on the unit. Now you must try to find your way out without becoming their next meal.

Scream is entirely optional, but highly recommended. After posing for a photo with a lovably creepy employee, you will join a small group of other visitors. You must stay in a single-file line, hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you, throughout the attraction. Live actors appear out of the darkness as you make your way through the maze.

Tips for Parents

Hold his hand and he'll sing to you!

Madame Tussauds is great fun for visitors of all ages. From actors to singers, presidents to sports legends, the figures span a wide range of time periods and target audiences. The wax figures are extraordinarily realistic, and provide a wonderful opportunity for various generations to educate each other. Throughout our tour, we watched grandparents reminisce about Elvis concerts and grandchildren explain Lady Gaga. These shared family moments promote bonding across the generation gap.

Let the kids explore, but keep an eye on them. The museum is surprisingly large, and it would be easy to get lost in the crowd.

Plan to spend at least an hour seeing everything, or two hours if you stop for a lot of photos. New surprises lie around every corner, and many of the best secrets are noticed only by those who slow down and really look around.