Day 14 – Tues 5 - Death Valley / Las Vegas

Breakfast at McDonalds. Personally thought it was disgusting but kids seem to enjoy some sort of muffin affair.

Drive to Furnace Creek area is long, hot and quite boring after a while. I was so happy that we had not stayed there as the heat was unbelievable. Have been in heatwaves in Turkey etc where temp has got up 110 etc but this is a different sort of heat altogether.

You get out of the car and literally the energy is sapped out of you. My daughter got out and was sick. There is nowhere to hide from it.

Why anyone would want to stay here in the summer is beyond me. My sister in law came in the spring and said it was great with easily bearable temps.

We stopped at the visitors centre where my son was then sick. At this stage I was busy crossing off places that I had wanted to visit.

It literally turns into stop the car, photo, drive on. The kids were even refusing to get out the car.

I wanted to go down the road to see Badwater, turn round and see the Devils Golf Course and then Artists Drive. If you are going to do this then do Artists Drive last as it is one way and is in the direction of the return journey.

Gave up on Badwater but saw the other two. Went back to Furnace Creek and had lunch. Plan was then to see Zabriskie Point but really had all had enough and we drove out via Pahrump to Vegas.

I would like to come back but would have to be in the spring. As our friend in LA said ‘you wont find many Americans in Death Valley in August’.

Dropped car off at airport as not needed in Vegas. Tip – no petrol station that I could find anywhere near it so fill it up a few miles earlier.

Vegas – seemed to be the place where most debate had rained on the forums re taking kids there. Seemed some people felt it was akin to sacrilege to come as a family whereas others said you will welcomed with open arms. Well I can you know – we all bloody loved it!

One of biggest decisions pre holiday was where to stay. Everyone recommends somewhere different and has their favourites.

Our decision was based on cost (mid price – needed 2 rooms), swimming pool area (wanted some R+R), had to be on the strip and general feedback about child friendliness. Whittled down to NY NY, TI or MGM.

Got a great offer through MGM for about $100 a night for each room for the 6 nights.

This was an offer where you had to pay all upfront (No Regrets) and could not cancel. When we rang they only took one night and the girl said you don’t want to pay the rest in case you need to cancel!

They have a dearer type of room (West Wing) which have been upgraded but only have one bed so no good for the kids. When we got there reception upgraded for free our room to a Tower room but kept the kids in their room but only 3 doors away. Excellent start.

Only when you start trying to find your room do you appreciate the scale of the MGM. It is massive. With your room key they give you a map more detailed than I had used for driving the last 1300 miles.

Unpacked and map in hand went for a walk to get our bearings and find pool, restaurants etc in the hotel.

That evening walked across bridge to NYNY and went downstairs to the restaurant / bar area. Had a really good meal at Gonzales y Gonzales of fajitas and tacos. $90. Ridiculous size portions.

Kids wanted to go in the arcade there so we left them for an hour and went in duelling piano bar. This was a really good atmosphere with 2 pianists and everyone joining in the songs. Well worth going to.

Had walk along some of the strip to take in the atmosphere. Was surprised how hot it was even at midnight – mid 80s.

Day 15 – Wed 6 – Las Vegas

I will mention my views on transport / getting around Vegas.

Monorail – runs from behind MGM to somewhere behind Venetian I think. Not worth using as stops are a long from strip right at the back of the hotels.

Bus - $2 ($1 for kids) – used a few times but strip is so jammed with traffic it takes a long while

Taxi – by far the most expensive we came across in US (would say double that of SF). Talking to a cabbie he said that Vegas was only place in US where the cabs are not privately owned but are all owned by one company and they are employees of that company. That monopoly probably explains the cost. Used a lot but from MGM to Wynn would be $20 - $25 with tip.

Walking – we did this a lot. Unless you are staying in the casinos all the time you will be walking a lot. Hotels themselves are massive. We many times walked from MGM up to Fashion Mall area and back. What makes it worse / longer is the numerous bridges you have to keep crossing.

If you have young children I would think getting around would be a nightmare.

10.30am and both kids still asleep. Have to realise that trip like this is tiring and R+R must be factored in. Breakfast was at Starbucks where wife had first decent cup of tea according to her. Not exactly a fan of paying that much for coffee but it is good. Not sons idea of breakfast so he returned from the food court with a plate of various fried objects.

Walked up to the Venetian. This turned out to be the favourite themed hotel of the family for its sheer opulence and attention to detail. Without seeing these places you can not believe their scale or how OTT they really are. Painted ceilings, gondoliers, copies of the Bridge of Sighs and Rialto – nothing was missed.

Had, like many, more shops than some malls have.

If you do one thing in Vegas then go to the Mac King Show at Harrahs. I had found out about this on one of the forums. There are shows at 1pm and 3pm. You can get discount tickets in lots of places – we just asked staff member at door of casino and he gave us some. Voucher gives you free entrance but you have to buy a drink at $10.

The show was hysterical – sort of comic magic. We were all in tears of laughter. I won’t give anything away but you must go.

On way back had a look round the Miracle Mile Shops at entrance to PH. We never went in PH as to be honest we never really saw where the entrance was. Seemed a bit strange with the Miracle Mile still decorated in Aladdin style.

Went back to MGM and set our compasses to cross the casino floor and spend an hour in the pool.

That night we had booked to go to the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur. We had pre-booked at home but will say later why not worth doing that. There are no bad seats in this theatre – only about 5 rows deep.

Thought Excalibur was a dreary, dated hotel from what I saw.

Now to be honest I was not expecting to really enjoy this. Mexican waves, shouting hurrah etc on the prompt of some bloke dressed as a wizard is not something top of my list but thought kids would enjoy so along we went.

I was pleasantly surprised. It is what I thought it would be but done a lot better than I thought. Food (eaten with hands) was good – soup, whole chicken!, veg and apple pie.

Excellent family night out and very good value even at full cost of $50 a ticket.

Re tickets. There are a number of half price ticket booths along the strip (although not all tickets are half price). You have to buy them the day you want to go. Most, but not all, shows are available but to get the popular ones you need to get there as early as possible.

Day 16– Thurs 7 – Vegas

Second favourite argument seems to be trips to Grand Canyon and where to go and what is really the Grand Canyon. Ultimately your choice will boil down to

a) do you want to drive to South Rim and spend 2 days doing it

b) if no do you want to go in coach, plane, helicopter

c) do you want any add ons i.e go on a boat, land

d) do you want to go on SkyWalk

e) how much do you want to spend?

We wanted to go in a helicopter, land on the base for a while and fly back down the strip. The last requirement means a company that flies from Vegas and not Boulder airport.

You then spend hours on the internet trying to find a good deal with a company that hopefully will be alright. I would book this before you go as trying to make sense of it when you get there will waste so much of your time.

Find it amusing that they all have hidden fuel surcharges of approx $40 a person (in small print) because of fuel price increases. News over there was reporting that fuel prices had now dropped for 28 consecutive days. God knows what they would add on over here.

We liked the look of Maverick and Sundance – which were both too expensive. We booked online with Grand Canyon Tour Company with tour called ‘Helicopter, air and floor landing’. Pick up in limo, flight there, land, champagne lunch, walk around for 45 mins, flight back over the strip. Paid $1280 for 4 inc fuel surcharge.

Now I knew this was a booking agency so unsure which company it was with. Delighted when Sundance Limo turned up and we were with them.

The trip direct with them is called ‘Grand Canyon Picnic’ and would of cost $1696 with them. Definitely pays to put in the internet leg work.

Trip itself was great. You are taken to their airstrip where you see a short H+S video and then you are off. There were 6 people in our helicopter. 4 in the back and 2 + pilot in the front.

Tip from pilot – we were on the 9.45 flight and he said people who go on the early morning one can see very little all the way there due to the sun in their eyes.

Flight, views etc, lunch were all great and of course well worth doing. On way back daughter was sick with about 10 minutes to go which increased his tip. His day was really made when my son (sitting next to him) was then also sick. In a helicopter with windows open is quite different to when they are shut!

Had some friends who were in Vegas at same time. They were staying (fully comped) at the Wynn in 2 adjoining suites in the VIP tower. They rang us to say come over as they had a cabana by the pool. I don’t want to even think what has to be gambled to get this comped but he takes a party of 15 over there every year and this seems to be his ‘reward’. Also got $1000 spending money! Different world to mine.

Anyway went over there and all very beautiful. Would suggest no point staying here if you had just scraped enough money to do so and couldn’t afford to do anything else in the hotel. It smelt of money.

As we walked through reception in our flip flops we didn’t exactly fit the Wynn profile but not really my problem.

The cabana was very luxurious with mist sprayers, large flat screen tv etc. Pool area was very quiet with people more worried about how they looked in the pool rather than enjoying themselves. Then the rain and lightning started and pool was closed.

We went up to their suite which was enormous. The bathroom had to be a min of 16 feet square.

Rain and thunder continued for about 30 mins and then left to go back to MGM.

In evening went to Fremont Street. Had buffet at Main Street Casino hotel for $15 inc free sodas. Obviously not going to get Snow Crab and lobster for $15 but superb value for the money. Large choice and all very good.

They have their own micro brewery here so seemed rude not to taste their hard work – also not bad.

Went to light show at Fremont Street – bit disappointed to be honest. If going there in conjunction with dinner then fine. Would not go just for light show. Cab $28.

Got cab to Stratosphere as son wanted to go on ride at the top. Hotel was a dump – number of the shops were even vacant. Do not stay here – it is a long long way from anywhere else.

$20 for one ride and $10 for me to go up to viewing gallery with him. Hour later he reappeared to say he thought it was rubbish. Great! An hour in Stratosphere is not an easy hour to kill.

Took cab to Caesars Palace via back roads. Few hundred yards of the strip and you are in a different world around this part of Vegas. Police, prostitutes, gangs roaming around – all very different to the façade that is the strip.

Caesars Place is huge and probably has the largest frontage of any of the hotels. Similar to Venetian in its style and attention to detail but with even more stops.

Walked down to Bellagio to watch fountains- excellent and then back to MGM

Day 17– Fri 8 – Vegas

Shopping at the Fashion Mall by TI. $15 taxi. Money spent in Abercrombie, Macys etc etc as kids continued their shop till they drop tactic.

Had result in Abercrombie where son found 3 hooded tops hanging up marked $12 amongst others all at proper much higher price. Nothing ventured nothing gained so we went up to checkout and through slightly gritted teeth by the person at the till they were ours.

Went back to pool area. One of reasons we liked MGM was that they had a lazy river. Tubes were expensive to rent at $!5 each.

As the day wore on the hotel seemed to morph into an outdoor nightclub of 20 somethings with the pool area becoming the prize area for trying to pick up women. Yes the weekend was coming. It was amusing for my son as the two of wandered around the lazy river for him to see how you could be in a rubber ring drinking a Budweiser and perching an ice bucket holding 3 more on the side of the ring.

More amusing were the chat up lines he was hearing blokes try. One looked at a girl, pointed at her and said ‘do you want to play’. Son looked at me in a way that said ‘that’s not really a great line is it, dad’? He didn’t need an answer.

Around the next bend a bloke tried to pull a girl towards him in her ring. Her response was to give him an almighty slap around the face. All quite amusing to us.

We saw three people taken out in wheelchairs due to alcohol that afternoon.

As I said to my wife ‘bet you don’t get this at the Wynn’!

We went back to the room and on way passed the Wedding Chapel. There was the bizarre sight of 3 brides and their parties queuing up for their turn. Apparently very popular day as it was 8.08.08. Still seemed very unromantic to me.

Met friends at Margaritaville at Flamingos. Can’t book but if you ring on day you want to go you can go on a preferred list which means you get next table. You still get a time to turn up otherwise may be full of people on preferred list.

Only waited 5 mins at 8.45pm which was great as I thought entertainment started at 10pm.

Had Nachos starters. One portion fed 7 people!!

Very lively crowd but good atmosphere. We had a balloon man entertaining us for 30 mins which was good laugh. Food was ok but not great and not cheap. $360 for 9.

At 10.30 nothing had started or even looked like starting music wise so we called it a night. Watched Bellagio fountains again and then kids went to bed.

Went down to the casino for the first time. Although I don’t mind a gamble it will usually be on football or something I pertain to know something about. Again happy to play in poker tournament but not very social for my wife. So I was not really bothered about gambling.

My wife loves the idea but hates the idea of losing even more so I knew what she was going to do. Straight to the 25 cent slots. She would put in $20 and when / if it got to about $30 she would take the winnings and be more than happy. Personally I could not see any enjoyment but each to their own. As she said what enjoyment is there in losing 100s of dollars on spin of a wheel. Fair enough.

Having a coffee at 2.30am in the hotel we were watching two girls who were, to be frank, two rather low class prostitutes. Security saw them and as they were walking towards them the girls noticed and literally threw themselves into a bunch of young blokes and started talking to them.

On seeing this the guards walked away. In Vegas – whatever the guests want ?

We spent the next 15 mins watching the scenario unfold willing the boys to see sense / sober up and go their own way. Felt very parental at this stage as could imagine the regrets that would have unfolded. Thankfully one seemed less drunk and managed to pull the others away.

Was unaware that you get free drinks in the casino even if you are just putting a few dollars in a 25 cent slot machine but seemed happy to keep getting them for us.

Day 18– Sat 9 – Vegas

First lie-in of the holiday 10.30 (kids still asleep). Cake and coffee in the deli and then cab to Premium Outlet Centre ($25)

Tip – if staying in MGM and in the West Wing. When you go down walk to end of corridor and take West Wing Elevator. Other end is main elevator that takes you to main rec area. At bottom of that elevator there is a Starbucks and a Deli which in the morning are much quieter than those in the food court area.

Like any outlet centre you get bargains if you look around. Problem is that it is an outdoor mall so very hot walking from shop to shop. Worth going if you like clothes. All the big names here at approx 50% UK price.

Went back via NYNY as kids wanted to go on rollercoaster. In back of cabs they have voucher booklets. In these there will be one for $4 off for each person. Full price is $14.

Wanted to go to a show so went to tkt booth but as late in afternoon not a lot of choice. Got 4 tickets (total $50) for V The Ultimate Variety Show at PH.

Strange small theatre where seats had been put out individually like a school nativity play.

Started with the 2 Grouchos who compered in a way that I’m sure would have been hilarious to anyone still at primary school. Then on to the acts. There were 5 acts and actually they were all very good and for $50 it was really quite a good evening.

Three seats away we had some young American bloke who everytime someone done something jumped out of his chair, pointed at the stage and shouted out ‘no way, no way’. This became the family chant for the rest of the holiday for nearly anything that happened.

Had dinner at Rainforest Café at MGM. Open until 1am. Again we had booked and there was a queue of people waiting at 11pm when we got there. Normal fare $100.

Day 19– Sun 10 – Vegas

Suddenly last full day on holiday.

View on MGM

Great room rate. Good staff and check in. Pool area good – bit rowdy at weekends. Poor selection of more basic food outlets compared to others. Did not try any of the more distinguished restaurants. Casino too big if you want to gamble in a friendly atmosphere (3400 slot machines on the floor). Location ok but not central but opposite NYNY. Lion habitat – hated but hate all animals in cages.

Bit more shopping at Miracle Mile – UG boots (half price for wife and daughter). Went into Paris for look round. Didn’t like feel of it and not helped by rather rude service getting a drink.

Then decide to either go to Sharks at Mandalay Bay or Dolphin / Secret Garden Habitat at Mirage. Chose the latter. What a load of rubbish and complete waste of money. $60 for 4 and if you can spend more than 30 mins in there I would like to know how (without stopping for food and drinks!). Couple of dolphins in a pool then in cages (which always look too small to me) some alpacas, white lions, white tigers and leopards.

Wife and daughter then realised they didn’t have a tan so went back to pool whilst son decided he wanted to see how much I Pods were in the Apple store in the Fashion Mall.

These turned out to be no cheaper at all but we managed to use the computer for a while like a free internet café to catch up on the football gossip from back home.

Went back to MGM where son went to pool and I spent a few hours with a few beers watching the last 5 holes of the USPGA golf in the casino.

That evening we had booked tickets to go and see Cirque de Soleil Mystere at TI. We had booked this through Smartervegas.com at 50% off before we went. This was never on offer via the half price tkt agency in Vegas.

We ate at Kalunaville at TI which I thought was going to be lively but was in fact very staid with only the bar area lively (could hear but not see). Food was good (actually had vegetables) but not cheap.

The show. Perhaps I went in with the wrong attitude. Not really my cup of tea. Knew wife and daughter would love it and they did. Yes the acrobatics was fantastic but really what the hell was it all about. People talking French and running across the stage in weird outfits. Sorry not for me or for my son if the expression on his face was anything to go by. Still they have no idea why we get so worked up about football every week so all a bit of a mystere really.

Early hours again spent watching wife losing $5 over an hour on the slots. Must have been only people in there where a free drink actually cost the casino money. Does that make me a winner?

Day 20– Mon 11 – Vegas

Going home. Got up and went and bought a case as suddenly realised had no room for all our extra shopping purchases.

Then son decided wanted to go all the way back to Outlet Centre to buy Bose Docking Station for his Ipod so off we went. Half UK price.

Tip about the airport – this is one of the worst international airports for facilities I have seen. We decided not to eat and get a meal at the airport. All there is is

Burger King, Pizza Slices, small newsagent, bar area and a very tiny duty free.

Eat before you get there and don’t expect any last minute shopping.

The departure lounge for domestic flights is great.

Due to issues we sat on the runway for nearly 2 hours before taking off.

Celebrating my birthday in the air. Decided to go with US time which gave me a few hours more at a younger age than UK time. All counts at my age.

Thanks to all who helped in the planning and if anything I have written helps others then that is great.

A great trip – planning is needed – especially accommodation in Yosemite (do a year in advance) but enjoy like we did.

Fantastic trip report.Enjoyed reading it. Thanks

I started at day 14 so will have the pleasure of reading the rest tomorrow.We did the LA.to San F.years ago when the freeways and highways weren't crowded. Lovely journey.Death Valley to LV is OK but does get tiring and hot.Been visiting LV for 30 years.It was quiet then and possible to walk up the strip in the early morning sunshine,hardly any people or cars.Made me think of our next( and last)trip which comes up in Nov.