A few weeks ago I headed out to Las Vegas for my annual family vacation. After getting stuck overnight in Charlotte I made it to Vegas on Friday morning.
We stayed at Sam's Town this year, which is way off the strip but still a fun hotel/casino with a western theme. After my parents picked me up at the airport we enjoyed lunch together, then spent the rest of the day at the casino, including the buffet dinner with my aunt and uncle. After dinner mom and I had a drink in the center bar where we could see the little light show they put on with animatronic animals.
 |
| Waterfalls and fake wildlife in Sam's Town |
 |
| My dad loves the buffalo games. |
Saturday my dad and uncle headed to the Nascar race, while my mom and aunt and I went shopping at the outlet mall. That night I made reservations for us to have dinner at Culinary Dropout at the Hardrock. We all agreed the food was good but it was a little too loud for the old folks' liking, and my uncle actually pulled out his earplugs from the race and stuck them in.
Sunday was another race day, during which mom and my aunt and I went to the Ethel M Chocolate factory to get some chocolate and walk around the cactus garden. Then we drove out to Red Rock Canyon and enjoyed the sights along the 13-mile loop.
 |
| Cactus garden at Ethel M |
 |
| See the red rocks in the background? |
After our drive we stopped at Ikea just for fun, since neither my mom nor aunt had ever been to one. And that night I redeemed myself in the restaurant-picking department by choosing a good Italian place that was much quieter.
Monday we all went to the Neon Museum downtown and enjoyed our informative tour, followed by lunch at the Golden Nugget.
After our time downtown we drove to the Bellagio to see the flower display in the conservatory, but alas they were between displays. So most of the crew went back to our hotel but dad and I stayed on the strip for the rest of the night. We checked out his favorite autograph store at the Shops at the Forum, enjoyed a drink at Margaritaville, played some games at the Flamingo, ate dinner and played some more at the Paris, and played a tad more at MGM. Then we got a ride back to Sam's Town and another margarita and did a little more playing. Had to make that last night really count, you know?
We missed Ryan and Lauren on this trip, but we still had another fun Vegas family vacation.
