Shelby American

Shelby American Las Vegas

Experiencing the Legend 

"I'm not an engineer or a designer but I think I know what people like." - Carroll Shelby

The humility of a man who grew to be one of the biggest idols in car history is incredible to me. Prior to visiting the Shelby Heritage Center I thought I knew who Carroll Shelby was, I thought I knew his story and I thought I knew about the Shelby empire but now I see my knowledge was only scratching the surface of this amazing man and his amazing story. 

 

The Story Behind the Prodigy

Carroll Shelby was born on January 11, 1923 in Leesburg, Texas. From the young age of 7 he suffered from a heart valve leakage problem which ultimately forced him to end his racing career in October 1959. Prior to racing, Carroll served in World War II as a flight instructor and test pilot eventually graduating with the rank of staff sergeant pilot. After the war was over, Carroll had a handful of businesses that failed before he began racing cars as an amateur in 1952. Shelby quickly becomes victor race after race and in 1954 Aston Martin team manager, John Wyer, offers him the opportunity to race a car in England for the Aintree race which he finished in second. Between 1954 and 1959 Carroll continued racing in The U.S. and Mexico earning the title in 1957 of Sports Illustrated's "Driver of the Year". In 1960, he completes his last race, Laguna Seca, and in 1961 he is forced to retire from racing due to his heart condition. I was told by a good friend of Carroll's that his response was "If I can't race anymore, I want to build them." and that's what he did. He sent a proposal to AC Cars, based in England, asking them to provide a chassis to him so he could place a Ford V8 engine in it. Once the proper engine was found (a Ford 4.2 liter small block) the two were merged together and, in Febraury 1962, the Cobra was born in Dean Moon's Speed Shop. The original Cobra was painted a pearlescent yellow and then re-painted a new color every time a magazine came to test drive the Cobra so that it would appear they had many cars in production (good marketing move, don't you think?). Shelby American was established and went on to build many cars and win many races which built the name and brand we know today. In June of 1990, Carroll finally received a heart transplant. While in the hospital, Carroll saw how many families were affected by children with heart conditions and that a lot of them couldn't afford treatment so in September 1991, he started what is now known as the Carroll Shelby Foundation which has helped many families receive the medical attention they've needed every since. In the mid-90s the Shelby factory and World Headquarters were established in Las Vegas and is home to a collection of cars, dedicated to producing high quality Shelby vehicles and houses an official Shelby store that offers exclusive merchandise. Several employees told me they couldn't imagine working anywhere else and that they are "excited to be here in the morning and hate to leave at night.". The Senior Designer, Vincent LaViolette, had the privilege of taking Carroll on his last test drive at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway before he passed. In fact, the very car they sat in is displayed in the showroom, a Shelby 1000 proto car. Vincent told me that Carroll was passionate about the company and would come out in 110 degree weather just to watch the newest test drives and make sure they met his expectations. That he would call his employees "hot rodders" and call in every morning to see how everyone was doing. Vincent went on to say how Carroll would never forget a face, even if years would pass since the last time he saw you, he would pick up the conversation where it left off. He loved and cared for his employees as if they were family. Carroll Shelby passed on May 10, 2012 in Dallas at the age of 89. The employees of Shelby American find it a privilege to carry on his legacy daily and bring honor to his name.

The one and only original Cobra

The Heritage Center & Shelby American Tour   

The 10,400 square foot Heritage Center displays a collection of about 30 Shelby cars that have had a prominent role in the company's history. It once housed the original Cobra (yes, the one that was painted about 7 times!), which was recently auctioned. The museum is displayed as a walking timeline, starting with the oldest vehicle and ending with the newest prototype. There is a FREE tour (for hours of showroom & tour schedule click here http://shelby.com/?topic=museum&art=SHC) that is led by a gentleman named Jim who knew Carroll personally and has a wealth of knowledge regarding anything and everything Shelby. He spent some time with me while I was there and I was absolutely mesmerized listening to him. No wonder Shelby has a perfect 5/5 star rating on Yelp and everyone seems to praise Jim and the tour he leads. Jim first did business with Shelby American 51 years ago as a young mustang owner while building his own incredibly fast mustang (so fast, in fact, Jim said he is thankful he is still here!). He would buy performance parts from Carroll and grew to know him well. Jim went on to work for Ford for most of his life until he retired, came to Vegas and was offered a position at Shelby as a historian. In my opinion, I can't imagine anyone more fitted for the job than Jim. I asked him what is one thing you want people to know about Shelby and he replied with a smile, "I want them to know his legacy. I want them to know that when Shelby American was formed it really changed the definition of performance through out North America and the world." and by the end of the tour you will truly understand why that statement is so powerful and authentic. The tour takes about an hour with private tours available for no charge but donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged and appreciated.

Jim leading the FREE tour

The Factory 

This building after all is the Shelby World Headquarters and that means authentic Shelbys are built everyday in the factory. While you can't have direct access to the factory, there is a glass wall in the showroom that overlooks it and you can watch the technicians work on, build and customize vehicles. I was lucky enough to get a private tour and peek inside the factory operations, so I will fill you in on the magic that happens behind that wall. Across the entire front of the factory you will see technicians working on a variety of performance modifications. An ocean of mustangs graduating into the Shelby class. This area is the most visible and you are more than welcomed to hang out and watch for as long as you'd like. In the back of the factory you will find cars being Dyno tuned and tested to achieve maximum performance. Moving across the back wall you will find the body area where fiberglass pieces are made and where custom paint jobs are born. While I was being guided through this area I was informed that all the paint is mixed in house and some custom colors have taken up to a month to achieve the perfect shade (Talk about dedication!). The body and paint technicians work hard back here to shape, mold, paint and create the perfect finished product to make for a happy customer. Once the body work has been performed and is completed the piece is sent to a special light booth where it is meticulously looked over to find any imperfections.While in factory I couldn't help but notice how hard everyone was working and how much they seemed to care to make sure the job was done right. The passion these workers pour into the cars cannot go unnoticed.

A Mustang on the Dyno

  

The light booth where all imperfections are searched for

The Shelby Store & Foundation

At Shelby American you will find the Shelby shop which features a variety of genuine items and exclusive items you can only find at the Las Vegas store. The store manager informed me that one of the biggest purposes of the shop is that "Not everyone can afford an authentic Shelby vehicle but everyone can have a Shelby experience and take home a piece of Shelby," because they offer something in everyone's price range from a key chain to authentic autographed pieces. All the proceeds from the autographed pieces, and a percentage of the proceeds from all items sold, go directly to the Shelby Foundation. (*Mention The WannabeGypsy blog and you will receive a 10% discount on your purchase!) There are kiosks available in the store where you can donate to the Carroll Shelby Foundation. The charity held such a big and special place in Carroll's heart and his staff carries that on today. There have been many cars that were built specifically for auction and 100% of the sale price went to his charity. Carroll would sign his autograph and charge for his signature and 100% of the money collected was donated. Over the years so much has been raised that the foundation was able to expand to care for kids from "their first heartbeat through their education years" providing medical treatment, organ transplant management programs, financial grants for organizations who specialize in organ transplant research and provide scholarships for children who continue their education in the automotive field. A great way that we the fans can honor Carroll Shelby is to take the time to donate and continue his passion and legacy to provide for these amazing causes. 

Find this awesome dude by the front door so you can donate to the Carroll Shelby Foundation

 
After spending the day at Shelby American I walk away not only gaining an understanding of how much of an impact Carroll Shelby has had on American culture but the influence he's had across the world. Coming to experience the empire this racing legend built is on the bucket list of many people across the world. The manager told me she has met people from so many different countries who come to the U.S. to visit Shelby American and that it is a dream fulfilled for them. This is one experience you won't soon forget. 

Bonnie Springs Ranch Las Vegas

  Bonnie Springs Ranch

Experiencing the Wild West like never before 

“The Old West is not a certain place in a certain time, it’s a state of mind." – Tom Mix

About 30 minutes off the Las Vegas Strip, tucked away at the base of the Springs Mountains, is a wonderful little gem known as Bonnie Springs. As a girl who grew up in Vegas, Bonnie Springs is definitely keeper of some of my most cherished memories. It always offered a magical experience that took me back to a time of lawlessness, cowboys & offered a true Wild West encounter. This is not something to experience with only 2 hours available, I would encourage you to set at least half a day aside to truly enjoy all that Bonnie Springs has to offer. 

First things first, a little background of the Ranch. Originally the land was home to the Paiute Indians until immigrants took over the land while expanding the Old West, forcing the Indians to dwell in the enclaves located just beyond the Ranch area. This land, which had natural springs, was established in 1843 as the last stop along the Old Spanish Trail for pioneers to refill their water barrels before heading to California. In 1952, Bonnie McGaugh purchased the land which consisted of a house and an old run down bar which she operated without electricity for years. In 1964 she added electricity and expanded the bar to include a restaurant (Fun fact: Bonnie herself laid the floor that is in the restaurant by hand!). In 1974 her husband, Al Levinson, opened the old west style town now known as Old Nevada and in 1986 a 50 room motel was added to the area. Ever since, Bonnie Springs has been a local favorite and a staple of many childhood memories most of us can't imagine being without.

Old Nevada Mining Town 

Old Nevada was built with the vision of an 1880s old west mining town. It is complete with a wedding chapel, various souvenir stores, an antique photo shop (where you and your family can create old west style pictures), a school house, wax museum and a Saloon (which also doubles as a fully stocked bar). The buildings are either a collection of multiple old structures pieced together to create new ones or were transported as a complete building to the town. Some have witnessed paranormal activities and say the buildings are haunted. Ask any of the employees and they will tell you story after story of creepy accounts. This area of Bonnie Springs also has the talent! The wonderful staff put on displays such as a Melodramas, a Hanging and a Posse Show that will engage you and make you laugh until you cry. For a show schedule click here https://bonniesprings.com/activities/old-town/. The town is scattered with authentic mining equipment, wagons and other fun historical objects. Take a stroll with one of the cowboys walking around town and they will be nice enough to tell you all they know about Bonnie Springs and all the displays. The passion that went into building Old Nevada can still be felt. The love that fueled the labor into creating this Western town is seen in all the small details that make you feel as if you have traveled back in time to relive the Wild Wild West.  

The Petting Zoo 

The petting zoo opened in the early 1960s after someone abandoned sheep at the Ranch. Bonnie had such a love for animals she couldn't turn them away, so she took them in. Ever since, the zoo has adopted several species of animals including emus, deer, llamas, wolves and more! Most of these animals were donated, abandoned or injured and nursed back to health thanks to the Bonnie Springs Ranch. Bring your quarters so you can buy animal food from the dispensers and get a hands on experience with some amazing little creatures. 

The Restaurant & Bar

While you're out visiting the old west you're bound to get hungry for some food, food fit for a cowboy in fact. Good news is you won't have to travel far. The Ranch has an awesome restaurant on site with a beautiful view of a man made pond where ducks and turtles abound. This affordable little place was essentially where all of Bonnie Springs started and history lives on, in fact some of Bonnie's original recipes are still served and adored at the restaurant. For hours of operations click here https://bonniesprings.com/

The bar is also a great destination for motorcycle riders to head out to. Hop on your Harley, ride through the scenic mountains and enjoy a nice cold drink and some delicious food with your friends. You'll notice from the ceiling of the bar hang hundreds if not thousands of dollar bills. It was a tradition that started many years ago and on the day after 9/11 they took down all the money that was collected over the years (totaling almost $19,000!) and donated it to the local fire department. Since then, every couple of years they pull down all the dollars hung from the ceiling and continue to donate them to various non-profits.

Events

If your child's birthday is coming up, company party or if your signing the dotted line on that marriage license soon, Bonnie Springs wants to help you celebrate! They offer in house catering & various locations available on site to accommodate any size gathering. The events manager will guide you through the planning of your event and help you customize your special occasion to bring your vision into a reality. By understanding your specific needs he will be able to provide you and your guests with an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. For more information, call the main office at (702) 875-4194

While out at the Ranch you can also enjoy horseback riding, pony rides, a train ride and on the last Saturday of every month you can shoot live zombies (talk about an oxymoron!) with paintball guns for the ultimate Walking Dead experience. For information regarding all of these activities click here https://bonniesprings.com/   

The Wild West is still alive and well in the back mountains of the Las Vegas area. Only a short drive from The Strip it will offer you memories to last a lifetime. 

Bonnie Springs Ranch

Phone: (702) 875-4194

16395 Bonnie Springs Road

Las Vegas, NV 89124

www.bonniesprings.com 

Wild West Cowboy Show, they love interacting with the folks!

Bonnie Springs will take you to an entirely different world

My son being deputized, receiving his badge and taking his oath

This little guy can't wait to get some treats!

The Bonnie Springs restaurant serves up some delicious food

Talk about a beautiful backdrop

Las Margs: A Foodie Hot Spot for Your Mexican Craving 

Downtown Denver 

Recently, while in Denver, my family & I got a craving for some tacos. So, I took to Yelp to find a high rated restaurant in the area so we could indulge ourselves until we were content. Up popped Las Margs. With a 4.5/5 star rating we figured we found the spot. Las Margs did not disappoint! We ordered some Chips & Salsa, Guacamole, Nachos, the "Poblano", Tinga Chicken Street Tacos & Churros and OMG it was heavenly. I don't think I've ever had better Salsas. They weren't just "hot" - they had flavor & depth. The "Poblano" was my absolute favorite thing on the menu and I highly recommend you try it. It is a roasted Poblano pepper that has been stuffed with their signature Tinga chicken, topped with green tomatillo salsa, crema & queso. It has a bit of a crunchy top, a well balanced center and the perfect roast so it's not too soggy. The entire experience was so amazing that I asked the waitress if the manager was available because I had to tell him how much I loved the food. She did one better and brought the owner himself, Octavio. Octavio was as much of a delight as his food. I had to ask him if I could come back within the next few days to interview him so I could write about his restaurant and share this little gem of a place with the world - and here we are. 

Octavio has been in the food industry since 1972 and has incorporated some old time family recipes into Las Margs with some dating back 80 years. The Chicken Tinga recipe belonged to his wife's grandmother and the (amazing) Salsa Verde belonged to his grandma. The family inclusion doesn't stop there. His son-in-law, Zachary has been there for 25 years & is now Octavio's partner. Emmanuel, his nephew, is head Chef along with a lovely woman named Virginia. Both of whom are passionate about cooking and it is shown by the time and effort they put into Las Margs to make sure your food is delicious every time. 

Octavio's theory is to make everything as fresh as possible. A lot of local produce is used and he brings red & green chiles in from New Mexico (he informed me this is where you will find the BEST red & green chiles). The Tamales, Salsas and Beans are made fresh daily and the Churros are cooked to order from a fresh batch of dough. The Flan is the best Flan I've ever had (and let me tell you, I've had my fair share). It is house-made with a special recipe that is more than 30 years old. Octavio told me the secret to a good Flan is to check it frequently to make sure it does not overcook. His passion & the passion of the Chefs shine on each plate that leaves the kitchen. I always say you can tell the difference between a cook & a chef in one bite because the love they have for their food will come out on the plate and this proves true at Las Margs. Octavio is very picky as far as what is served at his restaurant, he says "If it's not right, it will be done over." 

Look at these beautiful peppers being roasted for the Salsa

The Flan cooking in a water bath, no frozen desserts here!

The decadent finished Flan, I'm craving it now!

The staff is a direct reflection of the leadership in any restaurant and everyone we encountered at Las Margs was friendly, cheerful & fun. Octavio informed me most of his employees have been there for a while and a few who had left came back and have now been there for several years. 

The building brings so much character to the atmosphere. I learned it is a historic building and used to be a car garage as is seen in the roll up door on one of the walls that must always remain due to a grandfather clause to mark the building in it's original state. 

Overall, Las Margs will be a memory that we will keep for a long time. I'm still craving the Poblano dish! Anytime we are in the Denver area we will be making a point to stop and get our Mexican fix at the much loved Las Margs and I recommend you make a point to try it out!

Las Margs

1521 Marion Street 

Denver, CO 80218

720-366-4160

http://www.lasmargsdenver.com/

Octavio, the owner, what a sweet guy!

 

Contact me at thewannabegypsy@yahoo.com with questions and comments.

 

 Notre Dame Cathedral

Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II 75004 Paris
Cost: FREE for entry to the church; Audio guides are 5 Euro per person; Entry into the treasury is 3 Euro for adults, 1 Euro for children ages 6-12 and FREE for children under 5; to walk up the towers is 8 Euro for adults and FREE for anyone under 18.
Hours: 9:30 am - 6 pm; Sundays from 1:00 pm - 6 pm
Website: http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/spip.php?rubrique2 

Notre-Dame de Paris or "Our Lady of Paris" is a French Gothic Cathedral that sits on an island known as Ile de la Cite in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. Construction of this church began in 1163 with the remaining elements completed in 1345. During the French Revolution in 1793, the cathedral was taken and rededicated to "The Cult of Reason" and many artifacts and treasures of the church were destroyed as well as the building itself being widely damaged. In 1845, a 25 year long restoration occurred only to be damaged again during World War II and finally in 1991 another restoration began and lasted until 2010.Today I imagine it is as beautiful as it has ever been.

Below the Square in front of the church lies The Crypt. It was discovered during the excavations in 1965 and holds the remains of buildings erected on the site during ancient times through the classical era. Move on to the church itself and you will be amazed by the experiences that lie ahead. If you are up for the 387 stair climb of the bell towers you will come face to face with the famous gargoyles and some breath taking views of Paris. For an additional fee you can visit The Treasury where holy objects are housed. The Treasury is interesting but it seemed poorly labeled to me as most times we didn't know what we were looking at. A little research prior to going would help out a great deal. Some of the precious relics include one of Christ's original nails and a fragment of the true cross. It is said that a portion of the original crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus at his crucifixion is kept at Notre Dame and is put on display the first Friday of each month. For more info click here http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/Veneration-of-the-Crown-of-Thorns 

Overall I say that to miss out on Notre Dame Cathedral would be to miss out on Paris. This is where the city of Paris literally began, it is the heart and soul of this vibrant, unique and romantic city. The beauty you see here will last a lifetime in your heart. 

The church still regularly holds services for times and dates click here http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/spip.php?article310

The Louvre Museum

Address: Very hard to find an accurate one...so I'll post the map!
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Louvre+Museum/@48.860611,2.337644,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x47e671d877937b0f:0xb975fcfa192f84d4
Cost: 16 Euro per Adult; children 18 and under are FREE
Hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday: from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays
Website: http://www.louvre.fr/en

Wow, the Louvre has so much history in it I couldn't help but fall head over heels for her. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, it once served as a Palace to the royals but fell to the common people during the Revolution and in 1793 the Revolutionary government opened the first portion of the museum to the people. Upon it's public opening date it housed 537 paintings that were mostly confiscated property from the royals and churches during the Revolution. The collection has certainly grown in the last 200 years to house more than 35,000 pieces of art and more than 380,000 objects displayed in this 652,000 square foot building! There are several collections to view including Egyptian Antiques, Sculptures and my favorite The Greek, Etruscan, and Roman collection.

The Louvre has several iconic pieces it has acquired over the years such as the Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory of Samothrace and the beloved Mona Lisa (which let me burst your bubble now...the original Mona is only 30 in × 21 in - yea, I was shocked when I saw it).

The Louvre provides maps upon entering that give information on the displays and their locations in the museum but here is a link for an interactive floor plan so you can plan ahead and make sure your "must see" things are made priority http://www.louvre.fr/en/plan. 

There are places to eat inside as well and enough rooms and collections to easily fill a complete day or two. For parents with young kids, it's a little hard to maneuver a stroller around and paranoia is all but contained as you watch your little ones walk by these priceless objects but it is well worth it - just plan to move a little slower than most and keep a close eye on the kiddos. This is a wonderful chance to educate tweens and teens on art, culture and history. Here is a link for a book to help kids get educated on the pieces in The Louvre before your big trip http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811855104?ie=UTF8&tag=parmus-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0811855104 

 For the latest exhibitions & events click here http://www.louvre.fr/en/evenements

Rue Cler 

 Hours: Weekdays - all day; Saturday and Sunday mornings.

  Many of the stores are closed on Mondays.

     Located in the 7th arrondissement this street market is the must see for any food lover. There is everything from fruit and vegetable stands (Halles Bosquet) to flower stands to my favorite CHEESE (La FermetteFromagerie) there are cafes, bakeries, butchers and chocolate shops! A one stop shop for anything and everything you could possibly dream of. Shopping a market like Rue Cler is not simply shopping in Paris...it is an experience. It's a time to socialize, to purchase groceries for that day (lets face it, kitchens are small in Europe and that equals small refrigerators so a lot of things are purchased daily or every other day to ensure freshness), to smell the fruits and vegetables and get a euphoric vision of how to treat them and love them in the kitchen. The food in Paris is just...well, better. The French actually refer to our American strawberries as "plastic" - at first I didn't understand this but when we actually bought some of their strawberries - well, lets just say I don't really eat them here in the states anymore. The strawberries in Paris are deep red in color, all the way through...no bitter white center and the tops look like fresh little trees, not wilted and dead. They were sweet and delicate - AND THAT'S JUST THE STRAWBERRIES!

You could easily spend a half a day strolling Rue Cler trying samples, buying items to take back home (I bought some fresh vanilla beans, Herbs de Provence, jams and jellies - just make sure everything over 3.4 oz is in your CHECKED bags at the airport.) or picking up items to keep in your hotel or flat for snacking late at night. I found all the shop owners to be very pleasant and they just loved and adored that I was an American trying my best to speak French. They would laugh with me, talk to me about their food and why it was such good quality and share samples. This was where I tried my first authentic baguette...when you're in Paris walking around you will notice an abundance of people literally carrying a full size baguette in a paper sleeve that they picked up from the bakery minutes ago and just taking bites out of it as they get to where they're going - when in Paris, do as the Parisians do...I bought a fresh baked baguette from the bakery and I do believe it was love at first bite. I'm embarrassed to admit that I refused to share (even with my son - way to teach him how to share mom!). As if the baguette wasn't filling enough, we found an outside cafe to sit and had lemon and sugar crepes and people-watched as all the Parisians went about their busy day buying groceries and socializing with the fish monger over a table of freshly caught fish from the English Channel. I really could go on about Rue Cler for a couple more paragraphs...but I'll spare you from it. As you could probably tell, I absolutely adored this famous little street and everything it contained. It makes for a tranquil afternoon of enjoying company and stuffing your face with everything delicious.

For a list of all the shops on Rue Cler click here http://www.parismarkets.net/RueCler.html 

LAS VEGAS - WHO SAYS IT'S NOT FOR KIDS?

THINGS TO DO ON THE STRIP WITH YOUR KIDS 

"In the end, kids won't remember that fancy toy or game you bought for them, they will remember the time you spent with them" - Kevin Heath

How true are those words? Think of your own childhood, you remember the memories made and the time well spent as a family more so than any lavish toys you had. Most people think Las Vegas isn't the place for kids but as someone who grew up in Vegas there is plenty to do for the youngsters. I'm going to give you some "on strip" ideas in this post and in another post I'll give you "off strip" things to do that are well worth your time to travel there - some of them are even better than the things on the Strip! I've put my recommended ages next to each entry but these are not mandatory from each location. Let's get started: 

Shark Reef Aqaurium at Mandalay Bay (All ages)

Address: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Cost: Please notify them if you are a Nevada resident as there is a discounted rate.

Adult - $20
Seniors (65+) - $18
Children (Age 4-12) - $14
Children (3 & under) - FREE

Hours: Sun-Thurs 10 am - 7 pm

             Fri&Sat 10 am - 9 pm

Website: http://www.sharkreef.com/

Virtual Tour: http://www.motion-vr.net/mbsr/shark/shark-reef.html

This $60 million aquarium opened in June 2000 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino and houses hundreds of animals ranging from Komodo Dragons to Piranahs to Jellyfish to Sharks and everything in between! It is home to several endangered species that you may only see once in a lifetime. It takes about an hour to walk through but with the ticket purchases you are welcomed to stay as long as you'd like. There are incredible things to see and do during the tour, our son's favorite area is a place where there is a shallow pool full of stingrays that you can touch and if you want to dish out a little more money you are able to experience one of the "Animal Encounters" programs where you are able to feed the stingrays, turtles or sharks yourself! (For pricing & program info click here http://www.sharkreef.com/visitor/animal-encounters.aspx). Lastly, if you are a certified scuba diver you are able to dive with the sharks for an encounter you'll never forget (For info & pricing click http://www.sharkreef.com/visitor/dive-with-sharks.aspx).  

The Container Park (Ages 2-12 for the play area, all ages for food & shopping)

Address: 707 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Cost: FREE

Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 am - 9 pm

             Fri & Sat 11 am - 10 pm

             Sun 11 am - 11 pm

Website: http://downtowncontainerpark.com/

This one-of-a-kind play area that was opened in December of 2013 was constructed of 43 re-purposed shipping containers and 41 locally manufactured Xtreme cubes and includes a Treehouse with a 33 foot tall slide! The play area features a NEOS play system to get your kids moving and to have fun doing it! While the kiddos are having a blast in the gated playground, mom & dad can go to all the boutique shops for a little shopping and grab a meal at one of the many dining options. Through out the year they have live entertainment (Click here for current events http://downtowncontainerpark.com/events/month/). Parking can be a bit tricky as there is no parking lot for the Container Park but there is metered parking around the outside of the park, in all honesty it's probably best to take a taxi cab. To be fair, it's not technically on the Strip, it is downtown but about 10 minutes North of the Stratosphere Casino. You could easily spend a couple hours here shopping, dining and enjoying any entertainment that might be going on. 

The AdventureDome at Circus Circus (All ages)

Address: 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

Cost: Pricing varies greatly, please click this link to view options http://www.adventuredome.com/general_information.aspx#ride

Hours: The hours vary greatly as well, please click this link to view http://www.adventuredome.com/general_information.aspx#ride

Website: http://www.adventuredome.com/

You could easily spend all day in the Adventuredome riding rolling coasters, playing laser tag, a game of mini golf anyone? This unique indoor amusement park will be an action packed fun filled day for kids of all ages. They provide kiddie rides for the youngsters, family rides everyone can enjoy and extreme rides for the adrenaline junkie! It's connected to the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino but provides a family friendly environment. The all day wristbands are probably you're best deal as far as bang for your buck at $32 for a regular admission and $18 for a junior (juniors qualify as being 48" and under). For a list of all rides & attractions click here http://www.adventuredome.com/rides_and_attractions.aspx 

The Midway at The Circus Circus (All ages) 

Address: 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

Cost: $1-$3 per game 

Hours: 10 am - 9 pm

Website: http://www.circuscircus.com/las_vegas_entertainment/midway.aspx

The Midway will always provide an awesome time for people ages 2 to 100! It has carnival style games with prizes up the wazoo! I would recommend planning to be here 1 to 2 hours, depending how addicted to the game playing you get. There is an arcade within The Midway you can also enjoy but there are no prizes to be won there. At 11 am everyday there are FREE world class circus acts for you to enjoy (Current acts & schedules can be found here http://www.circuscircus.com/las_vegas_entertainment/circus_acts.aspx). This is a great place to take the kids for some fun and to feel like a kid again yourself! 

   

The Fun Dungeon at The Excalibur (All ages)

Address: 3850 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 

Cost: $1-$3 per game 

Hours: 10 am - 10 pm

Website: https://www.excalibur.com/en/entertainment/fun-dungeon.html

The Fun Dungeon is similar to The Midway, carnival style games for a chance to win prizes and an awesome arcade to enjoy. The Fun Dungeon is located at the South end of the Strip (The Midway is on the North end) inside the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. There are more than 150 games and 65 arcade games. Our family prefers The Fun Dungeon over The Midway cause we think the games and prizes are better, plus there is more to do at The Excalibur after you're done playing all those games! 

Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat (All ages)

Address: 3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Cost: Adult - $22

Children 4-12 - $17

Children 3 & under - FREE

Hours: 10 am - 6:30 pm (last admission at 5:30)

Website: https://www.mirage.com/en/amenities/siegfried-roys-secret-garden-and-dolphin-habitat.html#/Overview

Located at the Mirage Hotel & Casino, this is by far one of our most favorite things to do in Vegas. It is a fun, entertaining and educational experience. The garden and habitat is home to Bottlenose dolphins, leopards, white lions & white tigers. The dolphins have a large pool where they perform tricks that will leave you in awe. There is a trail you can take that heads underground to the bottom of the dolphin pool and you can watch from windows for a bottom level view of them diving deep down in the water swimming & playing. There are different experiences for purchase (painting with the dolphins, yoga with the dolphins, trainer for a day etc.) that can be found here https://www.mirage.com/en/amenities/siegfried-roys-secret-garden-and-dolphin-habitat.html#/Dolphin%20Experiences. The passes are good all day and good for re-entry.   

  

New York New York, The Big Apple Roller Coaster - 54" tall & above

Address: 3790 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV 89109

Cost: $14 per ticket or $25 for an all day ride pass

Hours: Sun-Thurs 11 am - 11 pm

             Fri-Sat 10:30 am - midnight

Website: https://www.newyorknewyork.com/en/entertainment/the-big-apple-coaster-and-arcade.html

 This ride only lasts a couple minutes but the memories will last a lifetime! The first plunge of this ride is so steep I actually lost my voice while screaming on the way down. The Big Apple reaches speeds up to 67 mph on the Vegas Strip and will leave you breathless. 

 Bodies - The Exhibition (Ages 10 & up)

Address: 3900 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Cost: Adults - $32

          Children 4-12 - $24 

          Children 3 & under - FREE

Hours:  10 am - 10 pm (last admission at 9 pm)

Website: https://www.luxor.com/en/entertainment/bodies-the-exhibition.html

I gave this one a minimum age of 10 because although none of the bodies are presented in a scary or disrespectful way, I do believe some of the displays can be a little traumatic for younger kids. This exhibit features real human bodies and organs displayed in various rooms each room serving a different purpose to teach you about the skeletal, muscular, respiratory & circulatory systems. There is a room that also displays fetuses and babies to showcase the different stages of pregnancy. The entire exhibit is highly educational and very interesting. It takes about an hour to walk through and audio guides are available for an additional $5. 

Titanic: Artifact Exhibition (All ages)

Address: 3900 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Cost: Adults - $32

          Children 4-12 - $24

          Children 0-3 - FREE

Hours: 10 am - 10 pm (last admission at 9 pm)

Website: https://www.luxor.com/en/entertainment/titanic.html

I must confess, I'm partial to this exhibit because I'm completely obsessed with everything Titanic - that being said, to miss out on this would be a tragedy (am I being a bit dramatic here? Probably). This exhibit is so rich in history, education & experience. This 25,000 square foot display includes over 250 authentic artifacts recovered from the actual Titanic wreckage located miles below the Atlantic Ocean. There is even a re-created Grand Staircase and a Promenade Deck that you can walk on complete with frigid temperatures that re-create the atmosphere from that April night. It takes about an hour to walk through and you can grab an audio guide for an additional $5. There is a current offer to see both the Bodies Exhibition and the Titanic Exhibition for $42 per ticket for a savings of $22 per adult. 

Who says Vegas isn't for kids? These are just a handful of the fun & educational activities for children around the city. Let some of these be lasting memories that you give your family while vacationing in the Entertainment Capital of the World. 

Happy Travels!