049 Las Vegas with Kids

With a tagline like "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," Las Vegas doesn't strike you as the most kid-friendly place. Yet there is so much to do in Vegas with kids...and some of it is even free! Meagan from Mommy Travels joins us this week to share her tips for visiting Vegas with kids. ON THE PODCAST :34 Kim is just back from Hawaii 3:03 Hawaiian Airlines 5:02 Hawaiian food 5:20 Hawaii hotels 10:50 Meagan Wristen from Mommy Travels 12:15 Meagan's upcoming trip to Thailand 16:13 Best ages to visit Vegas 17:49 Favorite hotels in Vegas 23:16 Free things to do in Vegas 26:00 Good shows for kids 28:00 Money saving tips 30:20 Favorite restaurants and buffets 32:00 Day trips from Vegas 35:27 Top tips for visiting Vegas with kids 38:43 Favorite place to take a family photo 39:51 Meagan's favorite travel gear 41:20 Follow Meagan on social media 42:25 Tip/app of the week 43:20 Anniversary episode coming up next week ABOUT MEAGAN WRISTEN Meagan Wristen is a travel writer and mom to three kids, Noah 16, Eden 13, and Jonah 10. Meagan believes that just because your a single mom doesn't mean you can't take your kids around the world. Meagan blogs about family travel, food, and more at www.MommyTravels.net. (Meagan also writes for Travelocity, USA Today, 10Best, TravelingMom, and SheBuysCars.) Follow Meagan on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Pinterest. TIPS FOR VISITING VEGAS WITH KIDS Tivoli Village and Town Square have playgrounds and/or splash pads If you have a 6+ month old baby, there are day care facilities around Vegas so you can have a parent's night out Good hotels for kids: The Golden Nugget has a body slide that goes through a shark tank in the middle of the pool Trump Hotel is smoke-free Venetian is very kid-friendly Cosmopolitan is a nice hotel MGM has a good pool with a lazy river Mandalay Bay has a wave pool Monte Carlo has a lazy river and a wave pool New York, New York has a roller coaster Circus, Circus -- stay in the newer tower that has been refurbished -- with a fun dome with rides but it is very dated Free attractions in Vegas: Bellagio fountains Conservatory in the Bellagio Blue Man Group walks through the Monte Carlo around 6:15 Volcano at the Mirage M&M Store Lego Store Other attractions & shows: Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden Mystere by Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson show by Cirque du Soleil Blue Man Group Recycled Percussion David Copperfield Nathan Burton Magic Comedy Show at Planet Hollywood Popovich Comedy Pet Theater Money saving tips -- look at Groupon and Living Social, and look for military and AAA discounts, as well as the half-priced ticket stands near the Coke Bottle at MGM Favorite restaurants & buffets Flamingo -- the buffet has a chocolate fountain and cotton candy Cosmopolitan - great buffet but expensive Pink Taco in the Hard Rock Hotel Firefly tapas restaurant off the strip for happy hour Hash House a Go Go -- great for breakfast but split a plate Peppermill Restaurant -- old school restaurant for breakfast China Poblano -- Chinese-Mexican in the Cosmopolitan Day trips: Red Rock State Park & Calico Basin for hiking and rock climbing Valley of Fire -- great rock formations Hoover Dam -- check threat levels first because it will affect what tours are available Grand Canyon is best as an overnight trip, same with Disneyland Tips: Stay hydrated Avoid the strip Everyone needs sunglasses and sunscreen Hotels no longer offer free valet parking Use Lyft or Uber but not that they pick up in a different location than the cabs BEST PLACE TO TAKE FAMILY PHOTO A great family photo is in front of the Bellagio fountains when they are going off, or in the Conservatory at the Bellagio. Meagan also likes to take fun pictures near the huge chocolate fountain in the Bellagio. FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR Meagan is a fan of Reef flip flops because they are offer more support, and she also usually wears cowboy boots and travels with a cardigan and jeans. TIP OF THE WEEK If you are looking for deals in Vegas, you may want to check out our episode about Priceline, because Bethany describes some great tips for scoring five-star hotel rooms for cheap. MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST Las Vegas Guide Las Vegas with kids FOLLOW US AND SPREAD THE WORD! If you liked this show, please be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play and leave us a review! Have a question or comment? Send us an email or leave us a voicemail at +1.641.715.3900, ext. 926035# You can also follow our travels on Stuffed Suitcase and We3Travel, or follow the Vacation Mavens on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for listening!