Sunday, April 27, 2014

Mini-tour of Las Vegas

Inside the MGM

We’re not really into the casino scene, or all the “Viva Las Vegas” type of partying, but no trip to Nevada could be complete without a visit to the city.

While Tom and Nick were still in Michigan, I did a google search for “Things to do in Las Vegas with a teenager”, and came up with a few options, so Bryce and I took a drive into town on Monday afternoon.

Our primary destination was the CSI Experience at the MGM,

CSI Experience

but we had a couple of stops to make on the way.  Our first stop was the Ethel M Chocolate Factory.

Ethel M Chocolates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethel Mars was from the same family that founded M&M/Mars, but this particular branch of the family makes fancier chocolate treats.  We walked through the self-guided tour,

Inside the chocolate factory

Very clean!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and sampled a few treats in the Gift Shop.  We couldn’t buy anything to take with us, since we weren’t going home and it was pretty hot out, but it was still a fun visit.

Mom with the blue guy

 

Even though it’s a separate branch of the family, there’s still quite a bit of M&M presence, including a M&M Store!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back outside, we walked through the Cactus Garden,

Flowering Cactii

In the cactus garden

 

and watched a few planes fly overhead!

Right on the flight path!

Our next stop sounded cool, but Bryce wasn’t too impressed, so we didn’t stay long.

These old machines are pretty simple!

Pinball Hall of Fame

Vintage Pinball Machines

I thought it was kindof cool, but Bryce thought there were too many creepy people hanging around in there!

We finally made it to the MGM then, and found our way through the smoky lobby and casino floor, to the District – where the CSI Experience was located.  We had gotten a 2 for 1 offer on Facebook, so it was a pretty good deal. 

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There were no photos allowed in the experience, but we had fun “solving our crime”, and we both got CSI Diplomas when we finished.

 

Bryce said he felt like he was doing one of his Forensics Labs, so I guess he should get Extra Credit for this adventure!

 

 

He didn’t want to hang around at all, or venture out onto the Strip, so we just headed back to the RV Park for dinner. 

When Tom and Nick got back, we had a few more Las Vegas experiences.  I have a cousin that lives in Vegas and keeps his boat at Lake Mead, so we joined him for a couple drinks at the Marina on Wednesday afternoon.

Lake Mead Marina

Walking along the docks, we saw a bunch of carp in the water . . . big ones!          Big Carp!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He gave us a tour of his boat,

Mike's Boat

and we visited for awhile before he went back to his “Guys Night Out” at the Marina Bar, and we went home for dinner. 

There are some pretty nice views from the Marina.

Lake Mead

Tour Boat

Lake Mead Marina

On Thursday, after our Anniversary Narrows Hike, we headed back downtown one last time. 

the Pawn Shop

 

Nicolas wanted to see the Pawn Shop, and Counts Kustoms – both from History Channel fame.  When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing what the History Channel has done for some of these small businesses – it’s really made them famous!

The line at the Pawn Shop was really long, so we didn’t stop, but we did take a tour of Counts Kustoms.

 

 

 

 

At Counts Kustoms

We checked out the collection of restored vehicles,

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and the boys spotted a couple of guys from the show hanging around.

Stratosphere

 

From there, we made our way back to the Strip, and treated ourselves to a Buffet Dinner.  It was good, and EXTREMELY filling, so we were in need of a walk afterwards!

It was getting dark by then, so we made our way over to Fremont Street to see the light show and action at the Fremont Street Experience.

 

 

 

 

Fremont Street

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Fremont Street Experience

 

The Light Show and music were pretty cool, but we found Fremont Street to be even more crowded and rowdy than the Strip!  I was surprised . . . I thought it was supposed to be MORE family-friendly, but it definitely wasn’t! 

 

The kids, of course, hated it, so we made our way back down the strip, and back to the RV Park on nice, quiet Lake Mead . . . that’s more our style!!

 

 

One last picture of the Strip,

On the Strip

and of course the required picture of the Las Vegas sign!

Welcome to Las Vegas

1 comment:

  1. Hey guys, sounds like y'all have had a great winter. Love all the great pictures you've taken Marci. Hope we get to Vagas in a few years. �� Have safe travels & hope to see y'all down the road.

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