Katie writes about anything and everything that pertains to families at OCMomActivities and Disneyland-specific content at KidsandMice. Katie is a busy, working mother of two boys ages eight and six. When they aren’t riding the roller coasters at Disneyland, heading to the beach, or on some other adventure, you’ll find them at home in South Orange County, CA. You can follow Katie on Twitter as @OCMomActivities or become a fan on Facebook.
Katie’s husband and sons exploring tide pools at Crystal Cove Beach
Since Orange County, California is probably best known as the home of Disneyland, it’s easy to overlook how many other amazing things there are to do! Here are several other family-friendly activities in the OC:
Pretend City
This is a new attraction in Orange County that is rapidly gaining attention of families. You should plan to spend an entire morning or afternoon exploring the small scale town at Pretend City. Parents can sit and relax while children work in the field (picking plastic fruit out of the cubbies in the walls), work at the café (serving pretend drinks), or performing the duties of many other occupations. The kids earn play money by performing each task. It’s a great learning experience that keeps the kids entertained for hours!
Discovery Science Center Located in Santa Ana just off the Interstate 5, the “Discovery Cube”it is hard to miss – it’s the giant black 3-D cube next the freeway. Admission is quite inexpensive and it offers a great educational experience for the children. The Discovery Science Center alternates different learning programs every couple of months and have a number of unique exhibits that kids love!
The Irvine Park Railroad
Irvine Park
There’s so much to do here it’s hard to know where to start! With the Irvine Railroad, hiking, Orange County Zoo, pony rides, paddle boats, and more; it’s easy to be overwhelmed with choices at Irvine Park. There are numerous holiday themed activities occurring throughout the year, so be sure to check their website to see the current events scheduled.
Knott’s Berry Farm
This Orange County amusement park often gets lost in Disneyland’s shadow. With a multitude of rides, shops and other entertainment, Knott’s Berry Farm is a great value! A tip is to buy and print your tickets at home through their website to receive almost 20% in discounts for adults. They also offer AAA discounts. Be sure to say hi to Snoopy!
Santa Ana Zoo
California is very lucky to have a number of wonderful zoos, but one that frequently gets overlooked is the Santa Ana Zoo. The admission price is very affordable and has a number of attractions ranging from the Zoofari Express Train Ride and the Conservation Carousel (with endangered animals) to the Crean Family Farm and the Colors of the Amazon Aviary to Amazon’s Edge. You can spend an entire day here exploring!
Tide pools at Aliso Creek County Beach
Tide Pooling Exploring the sea creatures and plant life in tide pools, or shallow rock pools beside the ocean, is a free and relaxing way to break up an active vacation. We have a number of beaches here in OC, but my family’s top two favorites for tide pooling are Crystal Cove California State Beach (right off Pacific Coast Highway at the Laguna Beach/Newport Beach border) and Aliso Creek County Beach/Montage Beach (south of downtown Laguna Beach).
More Fun Other favorites if you have the chance…If you’re here in late winter/early spring, check out the whale watching boat tours that leave from Dana Point. They are spectacular! Take the ferry out to Catalina Island; it’s just a plain fun day trip! If you visit during the summer, be sure to check out Wild Rivers for a day of water slides, lazy rivers and wave action for the whole family!
What is your favorite Orange County activity? Please leave a comment below!
I’ll be honest with you. I wanted to attend the Roar & Snore sleepover at the San Diego Wild Animal Park because I was looking for an easy way to go camping with my daughter, not because either of us had a hankering to sleep near lions or attend hands-on encounters with animals. I had been toying with the idea of escaping suburban life for a camping getaway to reconnect with nature but I was daunted by the prospect. I don’t own any camping gear or know how to pitch a tent. I didn’t want to plan a camping menu and pack all of the food and other necessities we’d need. This program seemed like a manageable and unique way to experience camping with a child.
Campers sleeping near the lion enclosure may wake to the roaring of these huge cats in the morning
As members, my family has spent a tremendous amount of time at both the San Diego Wild Animal Park and its sister location, the San Diego Zoo. The camping tents on a hill near the lions at the Wild Animal Park piqued my curiosity during one visit. I learned the tents house Roar & Snore sleepovers. Participants are outfitted with a pre-assembled tent, sleeping pads, and camp chairs. Pricing includes all snacks, meals, activities, and crafts. For an extra charge, beds, wood floors, and electricity are available in the fancier Premium tents, but that seemed too posh to count as camping to me.
I suggested attending a Roar & Snore to my four-year-old daughter, Karissa. She was familiar with the idea of camping from bedtime stories like Curious George Goes Camping and Just Me and My Dad, about Little Critter’s father-son camping adventure. With my daughter’s enthusiastic approval, I signed up!
My daughter, Karissa (age four), in our tent
Settling In Since I was leaving my husband and baby boy at home, I invited my friend, Vessa, and her son, Tanner (age four), to join us. The four of us checked-in during the late afternoon. We made our way to our assigned tents to explore our temporary digs. Each family got its own tent cabin, which slept up to four. Karissa and I had plenty of room to spread out, with our friends housed just next door. We unrolled our sleeping bags (purchased especially for this excursion) and donned the blue Roar & Snore t-shirts provided as part of the package.
Tanner Phillips (age four) peeking out of a Roar & Snore tent
Evening Activities Due to our late start, we had to rush a bit to attend the first of several animal encounters. A zoo employee brought out an animal, like a great horned owl or a spring haas (a rodent that looks like a cross between a rabbit and a kangaroo). Then she discussed it at length before allowing everyone to get an up-close look and maybe even pet it.
At dinnertime, we were served a buffet of hot dogs, chicken, hamburgers (and veggie burgers for vegetarians), macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and an ice berg lettuce salad with fruit punch or water to drink.
Afterwards, it was time for a craft activity. Kids were given paper grocery bags cut into wearable vests to decorate with colorful paints. While the creations were hung to dry, the children ran wild, self-directing themselves to crawl, hop, and growl like animals.
Next, zoo employees led small groups on walking tours, giving campers a behind-the-scenes peek at animals like tigers, elephants, cheetahs, and lions.
A fellow camper, Jameson Cooper (age nine), carrying his wayward little brother Colston (age two) back to the barbecue
Nighttime Fun After the animal walks, we reassembled to enjoy s’mores, popcorn, and hot cocoa or coffee. There were also grown-up beverages available for purchase. Vessa and I each enjoyed a cup of wine to take the edge off the whining that surrounded us. Most of the children were in the midst of major meltdowns by now because it was already later than 8:00 pm, past most of their bedtimes.
After the sun descended, it was campfire time. From the jubilant looks of it, this was the highlight of the event for most of the kids! The children donned their painted paper vests and paraded around a giant fire pit. Zoo workers stood guard around the fire for safety’s sake. Upbeat music played while the children were instructed to act like monkeys, elephants, snakes and more. They hopped, slithered, tooted, and growled in joyous, cacophonous circles.
Campers hanging out by their tents (Photo courtesy of San Diego Wild Animal Park)
Time to Snore Finally, it was bedtime. We got into our jammies and lined up to use the group bathrooms to ready for bed. Showers were available and some folks even used those. Toys, besides a favorite lovey, were not allowed but we did bring some children’s books to read. Karissa and Tanner took turns traipsing back and forth between the tents to say goodnight over and again. An orchestra of chirping crickets and croaking frogs lulled Karissa and me to sleep around 10:30 pm – after very long night for a little kid (and her mama!).
Here Comes the Sun Around 4:00 am, we woke to the loopy calls of crazy birds. Karissa complained that it was too loud, but I convinced her to sleep some more. It felt as if we were at the center of a rock concert performed by nature’s creatures. Some participants with tents closest to the lions’ enclosure said they heard the sounds of lions roaring as the sun came up. Alas, we did not.
The first official wake-up call sounded at 6:00 am and breakfast was served an hour later. The breakfast buffet consisted of pancakes, sausages (and veggie sausages), scrambled eggs, and various breakfast beverages. Beware that coffee was served from the same large container as was fruit punch the night before. My daughter thought she was getting a cup of punch but instead burned her fingers with hot coffee.
After breakfast, we took part in more animal encounters and went on more walks to learn about animals. It was all very educational and the Wild Animal Park staff went of their way to make sure we all got our money’s worth, but it proved to be too much for the kids in our party. After such a late night the evening prior, both Karissa and Tanner splayed out during one of the presentations and dozed off.
A San Diego Wild Animal Park’s education department representative, Laurie Haven, showing a baby python to a group of fearless children
Summary Did it satisfy my camping craving? Somewhat. Everyone enjoyed seeing the animals up-close and learning from the expert zookeepers, but I was seeking to connect with nature and with my daughter. Therefore, the high points of the sleepover for me were quiet moments away from all of the program’s activities, like pointing out the sparkling stars in the fiercely black sky to Karissa, and lying side-by-side in the tent with her as we listened to the rowdy sounds of nature’s nighttime chorus.
Would I recommend the San Diego Wild Animal Park’s Roar & Snore to other families? Absolutely! It is a one-of-a-kind experience that you and your child will always remember. A year later, Karissa still talks about her “camping trip” with her mama. Whenever we go the Wild Animal Park she asks if we can sleep in the tents again, this time with her daddy and brother, Leo, too. I tell her yes, we can, just not until Leo is at least age six. Although children of all ages (including babies!) can attend, I suggest attending with older children who have the attention span and stamina for the jam-packed schedule.
Do you have any questions, tips, or stories about the San Diego Wild Animal Park’s Roar & Snore sleepovers? Please leave a comment below!
Disclosure: The San Diego Wild Animal Park provided free Roar & Snore passes to my daughter and me. We paid for our own entrance to the park using our San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park annual membership passes.
I was so impressed after reading Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids that I set up an interview with the book’s author, Meryl Pearlstein. This mom, food critic, traveler, and New York aficionado gave me her picks for her all-time favorite child-friendly sites, activities, and restaurants in the Big Apple. Read on to learn how to win one of nine copies of the Fodor’s guidebooks!
The Brooklyn Bridge with a view of the Manhattan Skyline
Best Museum for Children of All Ages About the American Museum of Natural History, Meryl said, “What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? The girls go crazy for the Hall of Gems and all of the diamonds. And there are the kitschy dioramas of animals from when the museum first opened. It’s a museum that every single kid loves!”
Most Child-Friendly Live Entertainment The New Victory Theatre specializes in performances for families with children such as plays, puppet shows, dance performances, musicals, and juggling acts.
The Conservatory Garden, located in Central Park
Hidden Gem for Families Central Park’s Conservatory Garden is a free botanical garden that provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are three formal gardens with flora, fauna, and fountains that Meryl promises all ages will find interesting.
New York’s Most Interesting Public Space The Highline was an old rusted-out railroad track that has been transformed into what Meryl called, “an experience unto itself.” While it is not appropriate for the stroller set, teens and tweens love exploring this long, narrow elevated park from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street in the Meat Packing District. You can people watch, grab some tasty food, and watch boats on the river.
New York City’s Central Park
Favorite Free Activities in New York
A visit to Central Park costs nothing and gives visitors a real feel for the city. Plus, it’s a great place for kids to run off steam. There are street performers to watch, rocks to climb, and ball games to join. It’s also free to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to take in double breathtaking views: one of the New York skyline and one of Brooklyn. Meryl said, “There’s nothing like the Brooklyn Bridge experience!”
Best Attraction for Babies and Toddlers Children’s Museum of Manhattan has areas specifically created for little ones to explore. An area called Play Works is an educational play area designed as a mini-city especially for toddlers. Kids also enjoy the museum’s art projects, sing-alongs, storytelling sessions, and a do-it-yourself puppet theatre.
Preferred Places for Preschoolers
Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo is perfect for preschoolers because its exhibits and educational programs encourage hands-on learning about animals. Its smaller size makes it a manageable activity to tackle with young children. Coney Island’s New York Aquarium entertains children with fish and sea creatures galore as well as popular sea lion shows.
Coolest Site for Grade School Kids Hayden Planetarium, located in the American Natural History Museum, is a favorite destination for grade school field trips, and for good reason. Kids love to come here to learn about planets, stars, and the moon. Plus, according to Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids, “Movies projected on the IMAX screen offer a perfect way to rest tired feet.”
A tree-lined street in Greenwich Village
Best Activity for Tweens & Teens
As the mom of two teenage boys, Meryl knows this age group is happiest when exploring New York’s neighborhoods. She suggests checking out St. Mark’s Place in the East Village or Bleecker Street in the West Village. Visiting a few hip stores is always a hit – like Hollister, the NBA Store, and H&M. An afternoon stop for a scrumptious dessert is a must. Meryl recommends Max Brenner’s world-renowned chocolate shop or Serendipity3, which is famous for its frozen hot chocolate.
Fantastic Family-Friendly Restaurants As a foodie, it was difficult for Meryl to narrow down all of New York’s restaurants to name her three favorites for families. She recommends Tony’s diNapoli for Italian food served family-style on big platters for everyone to share; Virgil’s Real Barbecue for succulent barbecued chicken wings, hot links, pulled pork, hot dogs and more; and Ruby Foo’s for Asian fusion cuisine served on Lazy Susans in the center of the tables.
Meryl (a Red Sox fan) is pictured above
with her husband, Jim (a Yankees fan)
For more tips on what to see, what to do, and where to eat, buy a Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids or enter to win one below. From reading the book and talking with Meryl, it is clear that she is passionate about New York and that she loves helping others enjoy her adopted hometown. Meryl has been writing Fodor’s New York City guides since 2005. She writes restaurant reviews for Gayot.com and has written for New York Magazine and the Boston Herald. She is the mother of two boys, ages 15 and 19. Read her blog Meryl Pearlstein’s Travel and Food Notes for travel and food observations from around the world and everything New York City.
Enter to win one of nine copies of Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids. Fodor’s provided the giveaway copies as well as one copy that was sent to me to review. Travel Mamas is picking up the tab for shipping the prizes. Winners will be selected at random using RANDOM.org. Five guides will be awarded this week and another four will be awarded next week. Check back on November 23 to find out who won, how to re-enter, and to learn about traveling during the holidays in New York City with kids. You may enter up to three times, using each method of entry listed below once, by November 21, 2009. THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
1) Add a comment about which New York attraction or restaurant recommended above you would most like to visit and why.
2) Sign up to Become a Travel Mama to receive the Travel Mamas bimonthly e-newsletter. Be sure to mention the Fodor’s Family:New York City with Kids giveaway in the questions or comments field on the electronic form. If you have already subscribed to our newsletter, instead post a second comment below about what you like best about TravelMamas.com.
3) Tweet about this contest on Twitter by copying and pasting the entire phrase below. After tweeting, you must post another comment with a link to your tweet! I love NY! Visit @TravelMamas to win 1 of 9 Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids http://bit.ly/1p1XGt
As a fifth-year San Diego Zoo member and a mama of two young children, I have spent a lot of time at this world-renowned zoo. I know the best places to eat, which animals kids love to see, and the special extras that make a visit memorable. This zoo is huge so if you have little ones who need to nap or you just don’t want to spend an entire day gazing at animals, you should focus on the best the zoo has to offer instead of trying to see every single animal in one day. I provide the location of each recommended attraction in parentheses. View a map of the zoo.
The flamingos and ducks are favorites for the zoo’s youngest visitors.
An Unexpected Favorite – Flamingo and Duck Pond (Lost Forest)
Imitate the flamingos standing on one leg and “quack” at the ducks at this pond. This is an easy exhibit to work into your schedule since it is located near the zoo’s entrance. Even though you will see many more exotic animals at this zoo, these birds are always a favorite, especially for toddlers and preschoolers.
Mama panda Bai Yun is one of the zoo’s most beloved residents.
Best Path to the Zoo’s Most Famous Residents – Pandas (Panda Canyon)
The zoo’s most popular residents are its pandas, Bai Yun and her newest baby, Zhen-Zhen. On busy summer weekends you may have to wait in a long line to see the Oreo-colored bears. There are several paths to reach this exhibit in the zoo’s center, but I recommend taking the Monkey Trails through the Lost Forest. View monkeys and apes of all sorts as well as pygmy hippos and more along this route. If you have a stroller or a wheelchair, you will need to walk through Owens Aviary (past colorful birds and flowing water) and along the Sun Bear Trail (past bears and more monkeys) to reach Panda Canyon. Other visitors can take a more direct route via stairs at the end of the Monkey Trails. View the live Panda Cam.
Most Beautiful Exhibit – Gorilla Exhibit (Lost Forest)
This lush exhibit is overflowing with waterfalls and greenery. Get a sense of just how big these apes are by placing your hands in gorilla-cast imprints. Kids love climbing on the life-size sculptures of the gorillas.
Most Elaborate Exhibit – Elephant Exhibit (Elephant Odyssey)
This newly updated area of the zoo is definitely worth seeing. Learn about the world’s largest land animals and their prehistoric relatives, the mastodons, while wandering past live Indian and African elephants. You will also see camels, jaguars, and lions, among other animals. View the live Elephant Cam.
That’s me with my daughter, Karissa, aboard the SkyFari Aerial Tram in 2006.
Most Uplifting Experience – SkyFari Aerial Tram (Discovery Outpost and Polar Rim)
You can board the SkyFari Aerial Tram near the Children’s Zoo in Discovery Outpost or near the lovely water-filled polar bear exhibit in the Polar Rim. The ride sends you soaring above the treetops and gives a birds-eye view of the animals below. It’s also a handy way to get from one side of the zoo to the other. View the live Polar Bear Cam.
Best Hands-On Experience – Feeding the Giraffes (Urban Jungle)
If you’re visiting during the summer or on a weekend, check the schedule for giraffe-feeding times. Your kids won’t soon forget handing branches of leaves to these sweet, towering animals.
This koala surprised me by climbing the branches of this eucalyptus tree
rather than engaging in its usual koala activities – eating leaves or sleeping.
Cuddliest Creature – Koalas (Outback)
A visit to the cuddly koalas is probably a necessity, especially if you are traveling with an elementary-school-aged girl. Take a peek at nearby adorable creatures like wallabies and tree kangaroos while you’re at it.
Here’s the Discovery Playground in the Children’s Zoo.
Best Place for Kids to Play – Children’s Zoo (Discovery Outpost)
This is a great place to let the kids get their wiggles out. The Discovery Playground has a twisty slide and climbing equipment but beware that toddler feet will likely get caught in the rubber climbing netting. There is a petting zoo with goats, sheep, pigs and the like. The playful otters who take up residence in the Children’s Zoo tend to be a big hit with children and adults alike. Also, kids love to watch mice crawling through the Mouse House, which is fashioned from a giant loaf of real bread.
Best Way to Squeeze it All in – Bus Tour (Near Zoo Entrance)
If you want to see most of the zoo (75%) during a short timeframe, you can cough up a few extra bucks for thebus tour. You see a multitude of animals with the added benefit of the driver’s educational commentary. Plus, most kids love sitting on the top level of the double-decker bus. However, if you have a child age three or younger, skip it. The tour takes 35 minutes+ and you’ll spend most of your time placating your little one rather than enjoying the ride.
Best Food – Sabertooth Grill (Elephant Odyssey) andCanyon Café (Asian Passage, near Panda Canyon)
The Sabertooth Grill is one of the best eateries in the park. Most zoo food comes deep-fried and tastes like, well, zoo food. However you can find healthy, tasty options like wraps and salads at this restaurant. Their soups are surprisingly delicious.
At my other favorite zoo restaurant, Canyon Café, I recommend the chicken taco platter. It’s not the best taco you’ll eat in San Diego, but it may be the best food you’ll find at the zoo.
At restaurants throughout the zoo kids’ meals are served in plastic buckets, which are perfect for taking to the beach. They are filled with standards like chicken strips, hot dogs, or quesadillas depending on the restaurant. Outside food and drink besides baby food are not allowed but the zoo is pretty lenient when it comes to packing children’s snacks.
A ride aboard the Balboa Park Railroad Miniature Train
is a fun way to top off a day at the zoo.
Best Finale for Good Behavior – Balboa Park Railroad Miniature Train and Balboa Park Carousel (Outside the Zoo’s Entrance) A miniature train located just outside the zoo’s entrance typically runs every day during the summer and spring break but only on weekends during off-season. If sharing a train with a gaggle of school-age children, beware that field-tripping kids scream in unison through the tunnel. It’s best to wait for the next train.
The Balboa Park Carousel, built in 1910, is one of the few carousels left in the world that still offers the brass ring game. Big kids and adults who want to play choose an outside horse and reach out to grasp the small rings on each spin. Iron rings don’t count; only the rider who nabs the brass ring wins a free ride.
Do you have a favorite exhibit or zoo activity not listed above? Or do you have any questions about how to make the most of your visit to the San Diego Zoo? Leave a comment below!
Is it a good idea, or even possible, to turn sin-city into kid-city? I pondered this question during a five-hour road trip to Las Vegas last month. I knew the city’s usual activities – the gambling, the shows, and the bar-hopping – would not be the focus of a trip with a four-year-old and a one-year-old. I did not realize, however, the “child-friendly” entertainment on the Strip was geared almost entirely toward older kids and teens.
My preschooler, Karissa, was thrilled when we pulled into our new “home” – the blue and red turreted castle, Excalibur. The magic ended there. Since Excalibur is one of the older hotel casinos, the air filtration system seemed woefully less efficient than that of other casinos. The scantily-clad female dancers gyrating on a low stage near the front entrance forced us to take the long route through the cigarette-smoke-filled casino to our room each night, which worsened toddler Leo’s asthma.
There are kids’ carnival games located one floor below the casino, but our visit to the Fantasy Faire Midway was brief due to the carcinogenic smoke wafting down the stairs. Visiting Krispy Kreme each morning at the Castle Walk was the highlight of our Excalibur stay. My daughter enjoyed witnessing the circles of freshly-fried dough being doused with glaze even more than eating the donuts.
Our first night’s dinner at the Rainforest Cafe at MGM Grand was fun but a wee bit scary for my young kids. The indoor waterfalls and animatronic elephants provide a happy diversion for the kiddies while parents nibble on coconut crusted shrimp or spicy pastalaya, a cajun-style pasta dish. Beware of make-believe tropical storms, which boom and flash menacingly throughout the restaurant from time to time. Entrees range $11.99-$31.99. Kids’ menu items are $9.99-$10.99, including a drink.
The next day we followed our guidebook’s recommendation for kid-friendly activities and drove to Circus Circus. Of course, the guidebook also recommended Excalibur for children, so we should’ve known better. We wound our way through throngs of people to the Adventuredome, an indoor amusement park that charges $4-$5 per ride. I admit my daughter loved the carousel and mini Ferris wheel, but I found their selection of rides for children under 42 inches meager and ho-hum. As a Disneyland Annual Passholder, perhaps my expectations were a tad high.
If carnival games are imperative for your family, preschooler-friendly attractions are available at a more affordable price in a smoke-free environment at Chuck-E-Cheese in three Las Vegas locations. Visit their website to join the Chuck E-Club for discounts on food and tokens before you go.
After hotel room naps, we toured the Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes. My daughter delighted in placing a dollar at the foot of one of the “living statue” street performers. The gondolas and their often-singing gondoliers fascinated my children. The live opera performance in St. Mark’s Square enchanted the kids. My one-year-old laughed and clapped as he watched the performers sing and juggle. He shook his head vehemently saying, “Nay, nay, nay!” (his version of, “no”) when it was time to leave. Live performances are free. Tickets for gondola rides are $16 per person, with children two and younger riding for free.
That night we dined at Celebrity Chef Mario Batali’s Enoteca San Marco, the less expensive of Batali’s two Italian restaurants at the Venetian. To start, my husband and I split a salad of mixed greens served with pomegranate seeds, shaved parmesan, and prosciutto. It was just a salad, but wow, what a salad! Then I gobbled up my entire plate of spaghetti carbonara, a creamy pasta dish made with eggs and pancetta that I discovered during my travels through Europe as a foreign exchange college student. I can rarely find prepared properly stateside. No wonder Mr. Batali is an Iron Chef! Salads are $14; dinner entrees are $16-$30. While there is no children’s menu, Enoteca will happily prepare a small plate of pasta with butter or marinara sauce for your little one. However, with a pricetag of $15 you may want to pack a sandwich or feed the kids elsewhere beforehand.
We asked our friend, Frank Seidman, a Las Vegas resident and father of four children, where to go for off-Strip affordable family fun. Per his instructions we steered clear of the Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park, about which he said, “Only go if you want to see a handful of half-dead animals in tiny cages.” No thanks!
Instead, we followed Frank’s advice to drive the 15 minutes to Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden in nearby Henderson. During a brief walk-through tour we witnessed workers swirling apples in tubs of caramel and boxing up chocolates. Then we indulged in a few sweets from their chocolate shop. Don’t miss the PB & J-filled milk chocolate, Ethel M’s tasty bestseller. Roaming the four acres of neatly manicured cacti and succulents that surround the factory was a welcome breath of fresh air after the artificial, indoor activities of the Strip – literally! Entrance to the factory and garden is free. Individual chocolates start at $1.50.
Afterwards we stopped by another Seidman family favorite, Silverton Casino, just a few minutes from the Strip. Silverton’s aquarium of colorful fish, stingrays, and sunken pirate treasure mesmerized the kids. Attached to the casino is Bass Pro Shop, a huge sporting goods and outdoor recreation store featuring an indoor waterfall and live ducks. The aquarium and shop provide a pleasant, free diversion for all ages.
That night we drove to Caesar’s Palace for more shopping and food. A giant fountain in the style of Rome’s Trevi Fountain impressed my children, if briefly. For dinner we chose another restaurant owned by a celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. Our German waiter was a delight, chatting up my daughter and providing multiple spoons for my son’s entertainment. Adult entrée salads and pizzas start at $12, with more fancy-schmancy items going for up to $52. Mickey-Mouse-shaped pizza and other kid favorites are available for $7. Noisy families (like ours) may feel more comfortable seated on the patio than in the upscale dining room.
After dinner we visitedFAO Schwartz, one of Caesar’s Forum Shops. A two-story wooden Trojan horse juts forth from the store’s entrance. An array of toys, including a nursery of adoptable lifelike baby dolls, provides entertainment for the kiddies at no cost, if you can resist making a purchase.
I have visited Las Vegas numerous times, and while I enjoy the city of a million lights, I am always ready to head home after a few days. Not so for Karissa, who cried the morning of our departure, “I don’t wanna leave Las Vegas!”
Apparently, Las Vegas is for children after all.
What are your favorite attractions, restaurants, and accommodations when traveling with children in Las Vegas? Leave a comment below!
My preschooler, Karissa, was thrilled when we pulled into our new “home” – the blue and red turreted castle, 
