It surprises me every single time how long the drive to Las Vegas is. We started in Tehachapi in the morning and arrived in Las Vegas in the dark. To be fair we did do a road stop at the Calico Ghost Town. It does not really feel like a ghost town since a lot of the abandoned buildings in this old silver mining town are occupied by touristy shops now. It’s quite the production.there are parts that still have the abandoned charm of lost places but most of it feels more like a tourist trap. It was a place to stop but one time was enough in my opinion. We walked around, took some pictures and headed back out. The lunch we had at Peggy Sue’s Diner beforehand was way more worth it. It has fun decorations in each dining room and the food was quite good for the price.
When we arrived in Vegas we still had time to try out the hotel pool and the kids got a pizza dinner while the adults took a walk along the strip. This city is a bit crazy, loud and sparkly. I do like looking at all the lights for a bit but don’t care much for the casinos. We missed the Bellagio fountain but had a look at the new Christmas decorations in the botanical gardens. I kept wondering how many poinsettias there might be.
Home here and there 
Thank you for sharing your journey! I’ve been meaning to comment but the break is getting away from me. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the trip brings.
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Thanks! I barely manage posting let alone commenting right now with family visiting. I will have some catching up to do.
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I first that oh I want to see the ghost town until you said it is very touristy. That is not appealing.
Las Vegas was a culture shock for me. Too loud, too many people I was not a fan and we left quicker than planned.
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I am not a huge fan either but I can see the appeal for some people. My friend introduced us to a cool bookstore and we usually find things to do no matter what.
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I’d love to experience Las Vegas, walking around at night taking photos of all the lights, but I’d probably think once was enough for me as gambling makes me sad.
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There are definitely things for non-gamblers. We do like the Omega Mart, Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon but did not have enough time this year.
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Las Vegas is one of those places that has never appealed to me. I can’t do really big noisy crowds and, I guess, that’s Vegas Baby! Loud all the way. All the lights at night might be fun though. But then again, maybe not.
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If you don’t like crowds then it is not for you. We were on the High Roller last year (the big ferris wheel) and you get to see the lights from above in an enclosed cabin. Not too crowded and pretty cool.
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Las Vegas ist a must-see, but I also really wouldn’t want to be there more than 2-3 days. It’s all a little too much. LOL
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It really is a lot. It is a good starting point to all the parks in Arizona and Utah – I think that is how I ended up there first. When we just visit our friends it is way more laid back than when you visit the strip.
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