Trip Index
- Knott's Berry Farm, Hyatt Pinon Pointe, hiking in Sedona and Flagstaff
- Las Vegas with kids: Ethel M Chocolate Factory, Jabbawockeez, High Roller, Mac King, Valley of Fire
***
Kaleb and I were on the road again, driving 4.5 hours from Sedona to Las Vegas. There wasn't any traffic and the weather was clear.
We arrived at the Park MGM hotel; parking was complimentary for Pearl and above Mlife members. The last time Kaleb and I were here, the hotel was in the middle of renovations, but everything was complete now and looking great! Checking in was easy using the self-serve kiosks. It was close to 3pm but only our room was ready for occupancy; it said to check back later for the other room. Kaleb stayed behind while I drove to the airport to pick up Lisa, Alison and Brandon. Allen wasn't going to arrive until Monday evening due to last-minute work schedule changes. Right after I started heading for the airport, I received notification that their room was ready, so when we all returned to the Park MGM, I was able to print keys from the kiosk and everyone could settle in without delay. I have already blogged about this hotel before so we'll skip the room pictures.
Dinner tonight was at Best Friend at 6pm (reservations available via OpenTable). With about an hour to kill, we all walked over to the Bellagio to check out the chocolate fountain at the former Jean-Philippe Patisserie (now Bellagio Patisserie, not the same), the conservatory and the fountain show. Unfortunately, the conservatory was closed as it was in the middle of changing displays, but at least we were able to catch a fountain show.
The Best Friend dining experience was unique. The restaurant had a hip vibe, dimly lit with loud music playing, neon signs, and wait staff dressed in brightly-colored track suits. It's more of a place you'd go with a group of friends before hitting the tables or clubbing. Not that a family with kids couldn't enjoy dining here (we were fine, no kids menu), but I certainly would think twice before bringing grandparents. The food was Korean/Asian-based, served family-style.
The next day, we had lunch off-Strip at Shang Artisan Noodle, where the noodles are hand-pulled. When we arrived half an hour after it opened, the restaurant was already full, but fortunately we were seated within ten minutes as early diners finished their meals. The chef was kneading and stretching the noodles in the open kitchen. The food was pretty yummy.
Afterwards, we visited the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. The air conditioning in the building was welcoming after touring the botanical cactus garden out front. Chocolate samples were passed out at the beginning of the self-guided tour. Unfortunately, there was no candy being made while we were there.
That evening, we had a quick dinner at the MGM Grand food court before attending the Jabbawockeez "Jreamz" show. I purchased discounted tickets on the Mlife website, choosing the best location in the theater according to reviews I read (the row of premium seats in front of the booths). The kids were able to see above everyone's heads. To my surprise, the tickets also included a Jabbawockeez pin, a large cup of popcorn, and a drink (alcoholic or not). The website didn't mention these extras.
The show itself was fantastic! I wasn't expecting much since I had never seen Jabbawockeez before, but the dancing, energy and theatrics were impressive. I highly recommend watching this show.
Allen arrived in Vegas right about when we returned to the hotel after the show, so the timing was perfect.
On Tuesday, Kaleb and I took the kids so Allen and Lisa could enjoy a lunch date. Our first stop was to get tickets to the Mac King magic show at Harrah's. Kaleb and I each had two free tickets thanks to the Caesars Rewards Diamond show ticket benefit. (we don't gamble that much - status was matched from Wyndham Rewards Diamond) We needed six tickets in total, so I asked the rewards center agent if there were any discounts. She produced a voucher for two free tickets with one drink minimum per person - excellent! I was also able to get 50% off tickets for the four of us to ride the High Roller, an enclosed observation wheel similar to the London Eye.
During this process, we learned that we couldn't all wait in line at the rewards center, since it was on the casino floor where children cannot loiter. Kaleb had to take Alison and Brandon 20 yards away into the shopping area. Even though Kaleb was not physically at the counter, I was able to show his driver's license to collect the tickets.
Afterwards, we went to the High Roller. It would take 30 minutes to do a full revolution. Be sure to visit the restroom beforehand as there wasn't one in the cabin. Thankfully, it was not very crowded as it was just us and four other adults, with a maximum occupancy of 40. Everyone enjoyed looking at Las Vegas from above. The temperature inside the cabin was comfortable.
For lunch, we stopped by Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips. It was the best fish and chips ever! The batter was perfectly fried and crispy, yet not oily. The fish was tender and flaky. I would totally eat here again, highly recommend! The only bad part was that there was hardly any seating. We ended up having to crowd around a small table.
Dessert was a huge cone of gelato at Sweet Envy. Alison and Brandon's stomachs are larger than they appear.
As the tickets to the Mac King show were general admission (first come first serve), we got there around 2pm for the 3pm show. There were about 20 people or so ahead of us. Allen and Lisa joined us shortly thereafter. We ended up getting great seats, a few rows from the front. It was a very entertaining show. Alison got chosen to volunteer onstage. For her efforts, she received a magic trick kit from Mac. Kids or not, I recommend this show as a fun option to spend an afternoon away from the sweltering heat.
For dinner, we went to the Eataly marketplace at the Park MGM. There were so many delectables to choose from.
Afterwards, Kaleb and I went to the airport car rental center to pick up a minivan for tomorrow's day trip to the Valley of Fire, where we had gone last year. Kaleb then met up with Frank and Quinn for some late-night gambling.
On Wednesday morning, the six of us piled into the minivan and drove an hour to the Valley of Fire State Park. We tried to start early to avoid the heat, selecting short but interesting hikes to do. Our favorite is Fire Wave, only 1.25 miles round trip but felt long as it was 90 degrees out. We also stopped by the Atlatl petroglyphs and the visitor center.
360 degree spherical photo of Fire Wave, taken with the Ricoh Theta S: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
After our visit, we returned to Las Vegas and had a delicious meal at Lotus of Siam. The food here never disappoints! Kaleb and I had been to their original location in a seedy strip mall, but now they have a fancier second location. It was easy to get a table during weekday lunchtime.
After dropping everyone off at the hotel, I returned the minivan to the car rental center, then took an Uber back. There was a dedicated pick-up/drop-off area there, plus at most of the hotels; it's great to see Vegas accepting rideshare. Uber had launched in Sin City in the fall of 2014 but was banned within a month (we were just able to use it beforehand) and not restarted until a year later. Now, it and other rideshare services seem to be here to stay.
Allen, Lisa and the kids went to watch Ka at the MGM Grand, so Kaleb and I had the evening to ourselves. He, Frank and Quinn had already gone out. I later took an Uber to meet up with them at the Pinball Hall of Fame as Frank drove his car. After having our fill of video games and pinball, we had dinner at nearby Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse. The location was participating in Las Vegas Restaurant Week, offering a special menu with a smaller selection of meats plus dessert for only $40. We should have gone with that versus the $60 full menu that did not include dessert, but Kaleb and I wanted to also have lamb and beef ribs. It turned out most of the servers came around with the Restaurant Week meats and we didn't get the other selections without asking more than twice. Next time we happen to run into this situation, we'll just stick with the special menu. I forgot to take pictures of our meats, but the salad bar was well stocked. I probably could have just had that for dinner.
Kaleb and I checked out of the hotel on Thursday - Allen and the family were staying until Friday. We grabbed an early lunch at the nearby Shake Shack.
Kaleb and I drove nine hours straight home as he and Quan had a backpacking trip to the Lost Coast the next day (including a six hour drive to the trailhead). We took a different route than usual, passing through areas that I had never been before. So picturesque!
Our time in Las Vegas went by so fast. Alison and Brandon were already asking their parents when they can return! There were many activities to entertain the kids, plus they loved watching the shows. Even though Las Vegas is known for gambling and being "Sin City", there is plenty to do for families. If you don't want to deal with walking on the Strip at night, you can rent a car, take rideshare, or a taxi to get around. In summary, Las Vegas can be a fun destination for all ages with the proper planning.
By the way, Kaleb and Quan had a great time on their backpacking trip, despite experiencing a 5.6 magnitude earthquake there - what timing? Tsunami scare aside, everyone on the trail was unhurt. Here are a couple of pictures from the hike, courtesy of Quan:
What's next? Spending Fourth of July in Ocean City/Atlantic City, NJ - stay tuned...
(Missed my last entry about Knott's Berry Farm and hiking in Sedona and Flagstaff? Click here to catch up! Don't miss a single update - click here to have the latest delivered straight into your inbox...opt out anytime.)
If you came here from a Facebook or Twitter link, thanks for clicking the "Facebook Like" button at the top of the page or retweeting!
Don't miss a blog entry! Sign up for updates direct to your inbox here or add the blog to your RSS feed.
Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at yellowdogtravel at gmail d0t com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy returning clients - references always available.
Come check out my other blog "What in the world is Kat Kong doing now?", documenting things other than traveling...sign up for blog updates direct to your inbox here!
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
We arrived at the Park MGM hotel; parking was complimentary for Pearl and above Mlife members. The last time Kaleb and I were here, the hotel was in the middle of renovations, but everything was complete now and looking great! Checking in was easy using the self-serve kiosks. It was close to 3pm but only our room was ready for occupancy; it said to check back later for the other room. Kaleb stayed behind while I drove to the airport to pick up Lisa, Alison and Brandon. Allen wasn't going to arrive until Monday evening due to last-minute work schedule changes. Right after I started heading for the airport, I received notification that their room was ready, so when we all returned to the Park MGM, I was able to print keys from the kiosk and everyone could settle in without delay. I have already blogged about this hotel before so we'll skip the room pictures.
Dinner tonight was at Best Friend at 6pm (reservations available via OpenTable). With about an hour to kill, we all walked over to the Bellagio to check out the chocolate fountain at the former Jean-Philippe Patisserie (now Bellagio Patisserie, not the same), the conservatory and the fountain show. Unfortunately, the conservatory was closed as it was in the middle of changing displays, but at least we were able to catch a fountain show.
The Best Friend dining experience was unique. The restaurant had a hip vibe, dimly lit with loud music playing, neon signs, and wait staff dressed in brightly-colored track suits. It's more of a place you'd go with a group of friends before hitting the tables or clubbing. Not that a family with kids couldn't enjoy dining here (we were fine, no kids menu), but I certainly would think twice before bringing grandparents. The food was Korean/Asian-based, served family-style.
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The next day, we had lunch off-Strip at Shang Artisan Noodle, where the noodles are hand-pulled. When we arrived half an hour after it opened, the restaurant was already full, but fortunately we were seated within ten minutes as early diners finished their meals. The chef was kneading and stretching the noodles in the open kitchen. The food was pretty yummy.
 |
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Afterwards, we visited the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. The air conditioning in the building was welcoming after touring the botanical cactus garden out front. Chocolate samples were passed out at the beginning of the self-guided tour. Unfortunately, there was no candy being made while we were there.
 |  |
That evening, we had a quick dinner at the MGM Grand food court before attending the Jabbawockeez "Jreamz" show. I purchased discounted tickets on the Mlife website, choosing the best location in the theater according to reviews I read (the row of premium seats in front of the booths). The kids were able to see above everyone's heads. To my surprise, the tickets also included a Jabbawockeez pin, a large cup of popcorn, and a drink (alcoholic or not). The website didn't mention these extras.
The show itself was fantastic! I wasn't expecting much since I had never seen Jabbawockeez before, but the dancing, energy and theatrics were impressive. I highly recommend watching this show.
 |  |
Allen arrived in Vegas right about when we returned to the hotel after the show, so the timing was perfect.
On Tuesday, Kaleb and I took the kids so Allen and Lisa could enjoy a lunch date. Our first stop was to get tickets to the Mac King magic show at Harrah's. Kaleb and I each had two free tickets thanks to the Caesars Rewards Diamond show ticket benefit. (we don't gamble that much - status was matched from Wyndham Rewards Diamond) We needed six tickets in total, so I asked the rewards center agent if there were any discounts. She produced a voucher for two free tickets with one drink minimum per person - excellent! I was also able to get 50% off tickets for the four of us to ride the High Roller, an enclosed observation wheel similar to the London Eye.
During this process, we learned that we couldn't all wait in line at the rewards center, since it was on the casino floor where children cannot loiter. Kaleb had to take Alison and Brandon 20 yards away into the shopping area. Even though Kaleb was not physically at the counter, I was able to show his driver's license to collect the tickets.
|
|
Afterwards, we went to the High Roller. It would take 30 minutes to do a full revolution. Be sure to visit the restroom beforehand as there wasn't one in the cabin. Thankfully, it was not very crowded as it was just us and four other adults, with a maximum occupancy of 40. Everyone enjoyed looking at Las Vegas from above. The temperature inside the cabin was comfortable.
 |  |
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For lunch, we stopped by Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips. It was the best fish and chips ever! The batter was perfectly fried and crispy, yet not oily. The fish was tender and flaky. I would totally eat here again, highly recommend! The only bad part was that there was hardly any seating. We ended up having to crowd around a small table.
 |  |
Dessert was a huge cone of gelato at Sweet Envy. Alison and Brandon's stomachs are larger than they appear.
As the tickets to the Mac King show were general admission (first come first serve), we got there around 2pm for the 3pm show. There were about 20 people or so ahead of us. Allen and Lisa joined us shortly thereafter. We ended up getting great seats, a few rows from the front. It was a very entertaining show. Alison got chosen to volunteer onstage. For her efforts, she received a magic trick kit from Mac. Kids or not, I recommend this show as a fun option to spend an afternoon away from the sweltering heat.
 |  |
For dinner, we went to the Eataly marketplace at the Park MGM. There were so many delectables to choose from.
Afterwards, Kaleb and I went to the airport car rental center to pick up a minivan for tomorrow's day trip to the Valley of Fire, where we had gone last year. Kaleb then met up with Frank and Quinn for some late-night gambling.
On Wednesday morning, the six of us piled into the minivan and drove an hour to the Valley of Fire State Park. We tried to start early to avoid the heat, selecting short but interesting hikes to do. Our favorite is Fire Wave, only 1.25 miles round trip but felt long as it was 90 degrees out. We also stopped by the Atlatl petroglyphs and the visitor center.
 |  |
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360 degree spherical photo of Fire Wave, taken with the Ricoh Theta S: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
Fire Wave at Valley of Fire - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
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After our visit, we returned to Las Vegas and had a delicious meal at Lotus of Siam. The food here never disappoints! Kaleb and I had been to their original location in a seedy strip mall, but now they have a fancier second location. It was easy to get a table during weekday lunchtime.
 |
| we should have ordered more scallops |
After dropping everyone off at the hotel, I returned the minivan to the car rental center, then took an Uber back. There was a dedicated pick-up/drop-off area there, plus at most of the hotels; it's great to see Vegas accepting rideshare. Uber had launched in Sin City in the fall of 2014 but was banned within a month (we were just able to use it beforehand) and not restarted until a year later. Now, it and other rideshare services seem to be here to stay.
Allen, Lisa and the kids went to watch Ka at the MGM Grand, so Kaleb and I had the evening to ourselves. He, Frank and Quinn had already gone out. I later took an Uber to meet up with them at the Pinball Hall of Fame as Frank drove his car. After having our fill of video games and pinball, we had dinner at nearby Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse. The location was participating in Las Vegas Restaurant Week, offering a special menu with a smaller selection of meats plus dessert for only $40. We should have gone with that versus the $60 full menu that did not include dessert, but Kaleb and I wanted to also have lamb and beef ribs. It turned out most of the servers came around with the Restaurant Week meats and we didn't get the other selections without asking more than twice. Next time we happen to run into this situation, we'll just stick with the special menu. I forgot to take pictures of our meats, but the salad bar was well stocked. I probably could have just had that for dinner.
 |  |
 |  |
Kaleb and I checked out of the hotel on Thursday - Allen and the family were staying until Friday. We grabbed an early lunch at the nearby Shake Shack.
|
|
Kaleb and I drove nine hours straight home as he and Quan had a backpacking trip to the Lost Coast the next day (including a six hour drive to the trailhead). We took a different route than usual, passing through areas that I had never been before. So picturesque!
 |  |
 |  |
Our time in Las Vegas went by so fast. Alison and Brandon were already asking their parents when they can return! There were many activities to entertain the kids, plus they loved watching the shows. Even though Las Vegas is known for gambling and being "Sin City", there is plenty to do for families. If you don't want to deal with walking on the Strip at night, you can rent a car, take rideshare, or a taxi to get around. In summary, Las Vegas can be a fun destination for all ages with the proper planning.
By the way, Kaleb and Quan had a great time on their backpacking trip, despite experiencing a 5.6 magnitude earthquake there - what timing? Tsunami scare aside, everyone on the trail was unhurt. Here are a couple of pictures from the hike, courtesy of Quan:
 |  |
What's next? Spending Fourth of July in Ocean City/Atlantic City, NJ - stay tuned...
(Missed my last entry about Knott's Berry Farm and hiking in Sedona and Flagstaff? Click here to catch up! Don't miss a single update - click here to have the latest delivered straight into your inbox...opt out anytime.)
***
If you came here from a Facebook or Twitter link, thanks for clicking the "Facebook Like" button at the top of the page or retweeting!
Don't miss a blog entry! Sign up for updates direct to your inbox here or add the blog to your RSS feed.
Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at yellowdogtravel at gmail d0t com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy returning clients - references always available.
Come check out my other blog "What in the world is Kat Kong doing now?", documenting things other than traveling...sign up for blog updates direct to your inbox here!
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
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