Tag: Las Vegas NV

Bad Owl Coffee Roasters… Is Oh, So Good! One of these days I’m going to get around to making a “Best of the Best Coffee Shops” List… And, thus far, Bad Owl would be in THE Number One position… Their selection of Signature Drinks was out of this world… And they were GORGEOUS! This was actually our first experience with a Cold Brew. And I still dream of its tantalizingly delicious awesomeness! There was no way we could narrow down our choices any more than we did. We literally walked out of here with SIX drinks! And every single drink…

Hoover Dam makes a great Day Trip from Las Vegas! Walk across the dam itself, or take a tour all the way down to the bottom! It’s actually fascinating to see the infrastructure and learn the history of this GIANT marvel of modern construction!

The time has come to say goodbye to Fabulous Las Vegas! What better way to head out, than by stopping at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign! The iconic sign, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1959, remains one of the most highly visited and Instagram-friendly hot spots in the entire US! As we bid our own farewell to the City of Excitement, your adventure is just beginning! We hope you have found some great inspiration here on the Smiles Per Gallon Family Adventure Network! Be sure to check out ALL our posts from this Vegas Trip!…

Night falls yet again on the City of Indulgence! Neon lights and iconic architecture are what Vegas does best! At night, the true essence of the World’s Biggest Playground comes to life! Random bits from The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas The Shops at Crystals New York New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Excalibur Hotel & Casino Luxor Resort & Casino

The girls decided to treat me to some awesome Vegas Birthday Magic! Dinner and Dessert at Black Tap Vegas inside The Venetian Resort! Our first experience with Black Tap was in the heart of New York City, but we fell in love with the EXTREME Craft Burgers and CrazyShake® Milkshakes! When in Vegas, you have to do Birthday Magic RIGHT, and Black Tap is a lusciously delicious choice indeed! Somewhere, I do have more photos of the entire meal, but for now, revel in the awesomeness that is a Black Tap CrazyShake®! Happy Crazy Magic Birthday to Me! Interested in…

Everything at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is so deliberately and exquisitely designed, with such attention to gorgeous detail you won’t experience anywhere else! From the Fountains of Bellagio Water Show, to the Fiori di Como by Chihuly Glass Ceilings, to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens… And everything in between! But, did you know, the Bellagio Patisserie, in addition to their extensive selection of artisan chocolates, luscious gelatos, impeccably gorgeous desserts, Sweet and Savory Crepes, Fruits, Pastries, Breads, and MORE… Is also home to The World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain? The Bellagio Chocolate Fountain is certified by Guinness World Records as THE Largest Chocolate…

So many lovely things can be found in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino! From the Fountains of Bellagio Water Show, to the Fiori di Como by Chihuly Glass Ceilings, to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens… And everything in between! High atop the list of Divine Must-Do Bellagio Experiences, is checking out the The Bellagio Patisserie! Not only do they have an absolutely extensive selection of artisan chocolates, luscious gelatos, and impeccably gorgeous desserts, but they have an exquisite array of Sweet and Savory Crepes, Fruits, Pastries, Breads, and MORE! We started with the Savory Italian Crepes! But, those desserts…….

On our way to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, we chanced across the Bellagio Patisserie and HAD to grab a bite! Or several, actually! We decided to go for a savory snack before indulging in something a bit more rich! So, we started with the Savory Italian Crepes! Pesto Aioli, Arugula, Roasted Yellow and Red Cherry Tomatoes, on Fresh Mozzarella! Absolutely Divine! They also have a lovely menu of salads and sandwiches. And, of course, DESSERT! But, that’s a whole ‘nother post!

Experiencing the larger-than-life, absolutely jaw-droppingly STUNNING sculptures made COMPLETELY out of FLOWERS in the heart of The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is my FAVORITE Vegas adventure of all times! There are NO words for the sheer magnificence of these creations! The glitz, the glam… 14 THOUSAND square feet… MILLIONS of flowers! No detail is left unconsidered, down to the tiniest flower petal in just the right spot! The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens takes a team of 120 dedicated horticulturists to design, create, maintain, and then regularly rotate these sculptures according to season or special events, or even just…

No trip to Las Vegas should be deemed complete without exploring the stunning opulence of The Bellagio Hotel and Casino! From the festive Fountains of Bellagio Water Show in the 8 acre lake in front of the hotel, to the lobby’s masterpiece “Fiori di Como” colorful glass ceiling by legendary glassblower Dale Chihuly… From extravagant shops and tantalizing restaurants throughout; to the stunning holiday decor, and luxurious attention to detail everywhere you turn… To the absolutely jaw-dropping splendor of the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens… Experience the grandeur that is Las Vegas by strolling through the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and…

One of the most iconic destinations along The Las Vegas Strip! The Fountains of Bellagio Water Show at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino! Generally, the fountain shows are every 30 minutes during the afternoon and early evening, and every 15 minutes after dark, but be sure to check the current official Fountains of Bellagio Water Show Daily Schedule here. Musical accompaniments vary, and this particular show was set to Christmas music! Always so very lovely to enjoy! And, hey, while you’re at it, check out this way cool LEGO version of The Fountains of Bellagio Water Show at the Bellagio…

Okay, so maybe it’s just the door to a candy shop. But, it IS a 14,000 Flagship Location of THE World’s Largest Candy Shop Experience. And, you know, because LOVE. And LOVE is sweet. Check out I LOVE SUGAR! Now Open at The LINQ Promenade!

I LOVE SUGAR wasn’t quite ready yet when we were passing through town, but it’s open now! You should definitely check out this Flagship location in The LINQ Promenade! Billed as the largest Candy Store Experience in the World, I LOVE SUGAR boasts over 14,000 square feet of sugar-coated bliss! And, hey, lots of super sweet Instagrammable nuggets as well! Giant Gummy Bears, anyone?

The LINQ Promenade is one of the newest and hottest spots on the Las Vegas Strip! And the crown jewel of the Promenade experience is the High Roller! It’s the Las Vegas Observation Wheel! And Vegas knows how to make a wheel! The High Roller is billed as the World’s Tallest Observation Wheel, standing over 550 feet tall! You can fit 40 people in a pod! Wow! 360 degree views of The Strip below, and the vast Las Vegas Valley beyond! And you don’t even have to stay seated! You are free to get up, walk around, and enjoy the…

From The LINQ Hotel, back to The High Roller, The LINQ Promenade offer a little something for everyone! Yummy cookies, extreme milkshakes, Celebrity Restaurants, Comedy Clubs, Themed Nightlife, Sweet Shoppes, Instagrammable Art Installations, and MORE! Oh, and don’t forget to look UP! The FLY LINQ Zipline Vegas is right over your head! And, since it was December, we got to experience some Vegas Christmas Decor! Check out the awesomely festive trees!

Conveniently located in the middle of it all, the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is a great family-friendly lodging choice! In the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, right on The LINQ Promenade, home to the High Roller Observation Wheel and the FLY LINQ Zipline Experience, you can’t beat the location and the value! With fun resort amenities, and a loaded food court with lots of kid-friendly favorites, your meal options are never far away! Be sure to check out the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat! This FREE experience lets kids get up close and personal with a flock of Chilean…

The LINQ® Hotel + Experience in Las Vegas offers a LOT in the Family Fun Department! The LINQ Promenade includes the High Roller, the modern, over-the-top Vegas version of a ferris wheel! And the FLY LINQ Zipline Vegas! And tons of other restaurants, cafes, diners, sweet shoppes, ice cream, cookies, and MORE! Oh, and did we mention it’s affordable? Which makes it a great consideration for accommodations for your next family jaunt to Vegas!

From Treasure Island to The LINQ® Hotel Las Vegas, we took a little walk along Las Vegas Boulevard! There is always so much to see and do, just walking up or down the Las Vegas Strip!

More opulent luxury along the Las Vegas Strip! Outside The Palazzo Hotel at The Venetian Resort in lovely Las Vegas, Nevada

Stepping out onto the Las Vegas Strip, via the lovely and luxurious stylings of The Venetian Resort! No detail was left untouched in the grandeur of the entire Venetian property, indoors and out! Shops, restaurants, bakeries, Italian flavor, museums, shows, attractions, music… And, most wonderful of all, the Outdoor Gondola Ride! Both options are magical, floating along the Grand Canal, beneath skies fresco, or al fresco! But on a beautiful day such as today, the sunshine gives your outdoor serenade that much more brightness and warmth!

The architecture, decor, and overall ambiance of each casino hotel and resort is absolutely larger-than-life and completely unique! I think one of the best parts about Vegas, is literally just walking through each property and taking in all of the details that make each place so magically special! Here, are a few random interior shots of The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort… Mixed in with some festive Christmas decor! The Venetian is one of my favorite properties, and the details of The Palazzo are so rich, and so elegant!

Created by artist Laura Kimpton, as part of her Monumental Word Series, the LOVE art installation stands proudly with the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium, inside The Venetian Resort. Bird-stamped, 12 foot tall, red steel letters stretch their message of love over 36 feet wide! Mix a little Christmas spirit in with the stunning gardens accompanying the lovely falls, and it’s Larger-Than-Life Vegas at its finest!

They don’t call it Sin City for nothin’! If you’re looking for some serious G-Rated indulgence for your crew, step inside the luxurious decadence that is Sloan’s Homemade Ice Cream! These EXTREME desserts are what Vegas moments are all about! Homemade ice cream available in a cone… Or a flower pot… Or a sandcastle bucket… Or a kitchen sink! Doughnuts the size of your head! Candied apples far too beautiful to eat! Cake pops, brownies, truffles, candies, smoothies, milk shakes, banana splits, and so much more! Guaranteed to make your sweet tooth feel like a million bucks! Check out their…

It’s impossible to pick a favorite casino resort experience in Las Vegas. They each offer such uniquely exciting experiences! Even with kids, there are countless shows, attractions, exhibits, shopping, dining, and who knows what else! Any way I could make my list, though, I’m positive The Venetian would be high atop the all-time favorites. It’s hard to find anything more dreamy than the indoor ambiance of Venetian waterways, complete with singing gondoliers, flowing through rustic Italian villages of shops, patisseries, cafes, and other exquisite dining options. Pure magic, I’m tellin’ ya! You definitely want to check out The Venetian! With…

Bright blue skies overhead for another fun day exploring The Las Vegas Strip!

Just two blocks south of Fremont Street, at the corner of S 4th Street and E Bridger Avenue, you’ll find AmeriBrunch Cafe serving up a unique array of coffee and espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, and healthy foods! We got a Pistachio Rose Latte and a Lavender Spice Latte! And is it just me, or does the Pain au Chocolat look just like cutest little sloths! Delicious and adorable!

We’ve been coming to Vegas for years and years… But, I’m embarrassed to admit we’ve NEVER been to Fremont Street! We decided we’d better check it out! The sights, the sounds… The Fremont Street Experience is quintessential old school Las Vegas all around! With all the modern Vegas style, of course! Check out the historic casinos, the incredible light shows… The music that surrounds you! Oh, and you can zipline right above it all!

The Vegas Toy Shack, Home of the Pawn Stars Toy Expert, boasts one heck of a collection of rare, vintage, and collectible toys from OUR childhood! Located at Neonopolis on Fremont Street, in Downtown Vegas, just steps away from the iconic Fremont Street Experience! Get your Gizmo on today!

A new “420” museum in town might be an adult-only experience, but, hey, the street art installation is pretty “high” on the list of cool things to see at Neonopolis on Fremont!

In the heart of Downtown Las Vegas, at the corner of Fremont and Las Vegas Boulevard, you will find the Entertainment Complex known as Neonopolis! It looks like it’s a pretty happening little place after dark, with lots of restaurants, a bowling alley, some axe-throwing, and a little adult-friendly nightlife. But, during the day, you still have some fun choices for shopping, and dining; as well as checking out an art gallery, a collection of spirited neon signs, and some super brilliant street art! Hennessey’s Tavern boasts the World’s Largest Pint Glass! Heart Attack Grill is definitely as EXTREME a…

Nothing is more exciting than randomly finding something that makes you stop in your tracks and say, “HUH?” “What the heck is THAT?” And THAT is exactly what the Lyft Art Park does! Designed to be a fun, safe area for Fremont Street revelers to explore while awaiting their Ride Share pick up, the Lyft Art Park is full of super cool art installations. But, better yet, did you know that most of these GIANT pieces of art are actually from Burning Man? Say WHAAAATTT? I had no idea! SUCH an INCREDIBLE opportunity to experience absolute, legendary COOLNESS! Whether you…

A Few Random Shots Downtown – Vicinity of Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street – Las Vegas, Nevada

The walls of Vegas buildings come alive with one of the best collections of Street Art we’ve seen yet! Colorful murals abound everywhere your head turns! It’s impossible to find them all in one trip, but I’ll stick as many as I can in this post for now! Eventually, I’ll probably pull them all out and make individual posts for each. Here is one collection of Vegas Murals. And a Public Art Map. And Another Mural Guide. And, of course, the ones we have found are below! As I sort through photos, I will be adding a LOT more! Art…

New on the scene in 2018, this fun, colorful sign beckons visitors towards Downtown Vegas! Find these beauties on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Main Street, with The Stratosphere lovingly overseeing the festivities! Featuring two lovely showgirls, at a larger-than-life 26 feet in height, a giant roulette wheel, and plenty of stacks of chips to get the fun started, Welcome to Vegas, Baby!

The best part about waking up after a day taking in the history, the art, and the culture of Vegas at The Neon Museum, is that suddenly you can appreciate all the iconic signs, details, and architecture that much more than you already did! We already had an intense love for all things neon, and we always try to appreciate the unique nuances of every area we visit… But, after you’ve experienced all this Vegas history firsthand, man, let me tell you, it’s ALL magical!

Bright lights, big city… A city that never sleeps… It’s ALWAYS time for fun in Vegas, baby! Checking out the Legendary Casinos along Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the Las Vegas Strip… Sweet dreams, Vegas! Because, at the end of the day, Vegas IS the City of Dreams… And we had a pretty dreamy day ourselves! May all YOUR dreams come true!

Even the exhibits for Kà by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand are fascinating! The costumes, props, and other collections on display offer a real up-close-and-personal view of the pain-stakingly gorgeous effort and attention to detail that each and every Cirque du Soleil production offers. Every feather, every fiber, every detail… Stunning. And that’s not even getting into the stage, the theatrics, the athleticism, the music, the emotion… Everything about Kà will blow your mind. If you are looking for something to do in Vegas that will absolutely put tears in your eyes, leave your jaw on the floor,…

We absolutely LIVE for LIVE… We love live shows of any sort, from music to theatre, and everything in between. And for every show, we do EVERYTHING we can to maximize the full experience! Whether we are VIP; front row; participating in a meet and greet; enjoying pre or post show activities; or partaking in exclusive behind-the-scenes access; we ALWAYS treasure EVERY amazingly unique opportunity! And Kà by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand… Kà is unspeakably, unfathomably, INCREDIBLE.

Next on the Birthday Agenda, Kà by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand Stay tuned. The awesomeness. Is intense.

Casinos, Lions, Rodeos, and Christmas… An unlikely combination for sure… Unless you’ve ever been to Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo Week just before Christmas! If and when you ever time it right, the MGM Grand is styled to a tee with Rodeo Adorned Lions standing proudly amongst some of the most gorgeous Christmas Decorations! Oh, and some David Copperfield. Because Magic. Yes! This is Vegas! You never know what you’re gonna get!

We needed something EXTREME for Alysia’s 20th Birthday Dinner! And Amano Las Vegas fit that bill perfectly! Behold, The Fat Baby! It might be billed as a mere “Pasta Sandwich…” But don’t let the simplicity of the name fool you! These monstrous breads… Overflowing with tantalizing noodles… Dripping with creamy sauce… Oozing with gooey cheese…, Absolutely stuffed with savory toppings… Are EXTREEEEEME! Check out some YouTube videos, and then get in on the ginormous fun by ordering one for yourself! We filled our dining experience to the brim with the heavenly tastes of Rosemary Lemonade, Fresh Salads, Garlic Bread, Eggplant…

If you want the full flavor of The Neon Museum, you definitely HAVE to add Brilliant! to your itinerary. Strolling through Vegas Yesteryear in The Boneyard is very powerful, but it’s only HALF the experience! Trust me, you don’t want HALF the emotion… HALF the history… A mere fraction of the sensory input is NOT enough! But, that’s all I’m going to tell you about, Because you simply HAVE to, Not just SEE it, But, FEEL it For yourself! Let yourself fall in love with Vegas… It’s Brilliant, Baby!

I knew I wanted to bring Alysia to The Neon Museum in Las Vegas for her 20th Birthday. It was already the perfect plan! But, I soon realized they were hosting a Tim Burton exhibit while we would be there, and I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter icing on her entire birthday experience! Tim Burton just happens to be Alysia’s absolute favorite writer / artist / director… Pure. Weird. Awesomeness! No photos can do justice to the absurdities of Tim Burton’s mind… But, I hope you enjoy a few of these shots throughout The Lost Vegas special exhibits in The Boneyard of…

In this second album from the Neon Boneyard at The Neon Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, we went back through as dusk began settling in to grab a few shots of the signs in all their illuminated glory! After all, what better way to experience the true magnificence of NEON! Light it up, baby!

The crown jewel of Alysia’s 20th Birthday Experience was a visit to The Neon Museum in Las Vegas! She has quite the fondness and appreciation for neon, both modern and nostalgic, and what better place to enjoy this phenomenon of science-meeting-art-for-the-sake-of-history than The Neon Museum! And, even better yet, when I started doing my research for our visit, I saw that they were currently hosting a Tim Burton exhibit! And Tim Burton just happens to be one of Alysia’s favorite writers/artists/directors… Many of his movies make each of our favorites list. But, all that to say, we knew we HAD…

We have always spent most of our time in Vegas along the heart of The Strip itself, but this trip we wanted to spend more time Downtown and along Fremont Street. Lots more photos to come over the course of this trip, but here are a few on our first run through! Vegas is full of incredible street art, unique vintage signs, world famous restaurants, and so much more!

When you think of Vegas, it’s usually blue skies and plenty of desert sun! But, today, it was foggy, rainy, and overcast! It made for some interesting shots of iconic architecture throughout the city, though! You couldn’t even see infamous Stratosphere Tower!

Circus Circus is a fabulously Family-Friendly Vegas Hotel for so many reasons! We love the non-stop schedule of Circus and Celebrity Performers! Artistic acts come from all over the world to perform their daring feats and stunts, and hey, you might even find a few familiar faces from shows such as America’s Got Talent and the like. We started our day with the lovely and talented Flying Poemas from Argentina with their high-flying aerial trapeze show! Be sure to check out all that Circus Circus has to offer! The Midway, Arcade, Rides, Games, Adventure Dome, Celebrity Shows, and all sorts…

Part of what makes Circus Circus such an ideal hotel for families with kids, is the sheer amount of family friendly entertainment on the premises. Sure, it’s a casino. But, they have a Midway, Arcade, Rides, Games, Adventure Dome, Celebrity Shows, and even real Circus Performers! So, grab some pretzels, doughnuts, burgers, or other indulgence, and ENJOY! We started our day doing just that!

Two lattes and a cocoa… Because there was a Starbucks right outside our room… So, why not?

Looking for a million dollar midnight snack idea? We’ve got this! Gold Flaked Doughnuts! Doin’ it up, Vegas Style!

Vegas, Baby! Vegas for kids? Absolutely! Stay tuned for some super cool ideas, because Life’s a Circus, Baby! And we’re going to PLAY! Circus Circus Hotel & Casino