When we decided to visit Sacramento we didn’t have any idea that we are entering into the 1800s. We found ourselves right in the middle of the Gold Rush Days - an annual celebration.
The streets of the old Sacramento were transformed into the Wild West. The streets were covered with dirt. Bails of hay placed on the corners of the streets. Horses and horse drawn carriages were the only means of transportation.
If you are planning a fun and educational family vacation you must visit Old Sacramento during the Gold Rush Days.
You will feel like you are back in 1800s. Streets are filled with cowboys, ladies in fancy dresses with big, beautiful hats. You will witness Wild West gunfights, enjoy some Gold Rush era music and dancing. Sample some interesting food.
The never-ending fun and festivities start Labor Day Weekend Friday and last for 4 days.
If you miss it the Old Sacramento has it’s charm even without the Gold Rush Days. The Old Sacramento is a National Historic Landmark District and all of the 53 historic buildings were build in 1800s when the pioneers settled along the Sacramento River. The wooden sidewalks and little old- fashioned shops add to it’s charm.
My favorite part are the Mississippi - style riverboats down on the Sacramento River. That is what brought us down to Sacramento in a first place just to discover lots of history and unforgettable vacation.
If you want to make your stay in Old Sacramento even more historic or very romantic stay at the historic Delta King - 1920s completely restored paddle wheeler. The Delta King offers first class accommodation, restaurant, lounge and even a theatre. You will be blown away with all the little details.
The rooms are full of character. You can choose from cozy staterooms or large staterooms depends on your budget and the view choice. The Delta King has 5 decks so I recommend you request a room on the 4th or 5th deck for the best view.
The Delta King’s own Pilothouse restaurant offers a fine dining with an unbelievable view. You must try their Dungeness Crab Cakes or Risotto. Their Sunday Brunch is one of the best I ever tasted.
While visiting Old Sacramento take an advantage of many river cruises. Explore the Sacramento River on board of the Spirit of Sacramento - another beautiful Victorian paddle wheeler. You will find it right beside the Delta King.
Explore the little shops, taste some homemade fudge and hand-dipped chocolate at the Sacramento Sweets Co.. Stop by Evangeline’s for some unusual gifts and toys (Evangeline’s is a prankster’s paradise).
We spend only couple of days on board of the Delta King in Old Sacramento, but we had family vacation to remember. Can’t wait to go back. This time maybe for a romantic get-away.
Every year many people visit Las Vegas just to experience the first class entertainment. Vegas offers top headliners and quality ongoing shows.
Most of the shows are geared toward the adult crowd. If you are visiting Las Vegas with your children you don't have to worry that you will miss out on anything or that you won't able afford it.
That is why Las Vegas is so great. Amongst all the high priced adult shows you will find reasonable priced high quality shows that are family friendly.
My family helped me to create our top 10 family shows in Vegas and we hope you will enjoy them as much as we did.
#1 V - THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW at the Planet Hollywood
Wonderful show that offers magic, comedy, balance acts, juggling, acrobatics and more. Wally Eastwood is hilarious and very charming host that will have you laughing aloud. This shows gets the best family show on the Strip award from my family.
Two shows nightly and tickets start at $65.99 (we used our 2 for 1 coupon from the Entertainment Book).
#2 GREGORY POPOVICH’S COMEDY PET THEATER at the Planet Hollywood
One of the furriest afternoon shows on the Strip. Trained Russian circus performer Gregory Popovich and his family will introduce you to their little army of well trained and funny dogs and cats. It this very cute and children absolutely love it.
Every day except Wednesdays. Child ticket is only $16.49 and adult ticket is $38.49
#3 NATHAN BURTON COMEDY MAGIC at the Flamingo
Spend an afternoon with magic and music. Nathan Burton knows how to entertain his audience. You will be impressed with his magic tricks combined with performance from his beautiful showgirls. Amongst his cool props you’ll find the biggest hair dryer you ever saw.
Every day except Monday and Thrusday. Child ticket is $21.57 and adult ticket is $38.57
#4 THE TOURNAMENT OF KINGS at the Excalibur
Enjoy a great show while feasting on a dinner fit for a king Arthur. Become part of the show as you cheering for your knight and boo the competision. And who doesn't love to eat their dinner with their bare hands? I know my kids do.
Every night except Tuesday. Kids under 3 are free if sitting on parent lap. Dinner & Show tickets are $61.21
#5 FAB FOUR LIVE at the Planet Hollywood
Take you children to meet the Beatles or at least introduce them to their music. The impersonators are pretty close to the real thing. Great show and the tribute to John Lennon guarantees to make you shed a tear or two (even my 12 year old cried).
Every day except Thursday. General admission is $54.99 and children under 5 are not allowed.
Tip:We saw the V-Variety Show first and after the show we were offered discount tickets to the Fab Four. It was almost half price.
#6 SHOW BUS OF THE STARS at the Planet Hollywood
Get on the double-decker bus and let celebrity impersonators to be your guide while you explore Las Vegas Strip. The impersonators change so you won’t know who will be your guide. It could be Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe or perhaps Madonna? You have to go to find out.
You can catch the bus every day. Tickets start @ $39.95
#7 LANCE BURTON at the Monte Carlo
Classic magic show. Lance Burton is an honorary member of The Royal Dynasty of Magic and he’s been amazing audience in Vegas since 1981. Your child might be given the opportunity to come up on the stage and be a part of the magic show. Very family friendly and classy show.
Ongoing Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets start at $66.50. Children under 3 are not allowed.
#8 ICE: DIRECT FROM RUSSIA at the Riviera
Outstanding ice show. The heart-stopping acrobatics and gymnastics combined with beautiful music and unique costumes. Colors, movements, music. Everything and more you want in an ice skating show.
Every day except Friday. Tickets start at $89.95. Children under 6 are not allowed.
#9 MYSTERE CIRQUE DU SOLEIL at the Treasure Island
You must see the Cirque Du Soleil at least once while you're in Vegas and this is a good place to start. Mystere is the most affordable Cirque Du Soleil performance in Las Vegas and absolutely perfect for any age. Acrobats, clown, high energy, beautiful costumes, music. It all comes together as one unforgettable show.
Ongoing Saturday through Wednesday. Tickets start at $90.40
#10 XTREME MAGIC STARRING DIRK ARTHUR at the Tropicana
Another great family afternoon show. This magic show is full of large scale illusions that will amaze and entertain you. The part of the show are Dirk Arthur's 3 large cats: TJ the white tiger, Oscar the spotted leopard and Diamond the black leopard.
Ongoing Saturday through Thursday. General admission is $25.00 (some hotels and magazines offer free or 2 for1 tickets to this show).
Well, there is plenty to do in Vegas with kids. Lots of attractions are free. If you're craving for little more and are on a budget my top 10 list of affordable family attractions might help.
#1 SHARK REEF at the Mandalay Bay
An underwater adventure awaits you and you family. You will come face to face with dangerous sharks, piranhas, jelly fish, sea turtles, giant stingrays and other underwater animals.
They are open everyday from 10am. Tickets are: adults $16.95, children 12 and under $10.95 and children under 4 get in free.
#2 THE EIFFEL TOWER EXPERIENCE at the Paris Hotel
Take a glass elevator up to the observation deck almost 50 stories above the ground. The best view of the Las Vegas strip and the whole valley is right in front of you.
Open daily. You need to purchase your tickets in the ticket office before you enter the elevator. Tickets are: adults $10.00, senior and kids 6-12 $7.00, children under 5 are free. You can also purchase family package for $30.00 (2 adults + 2 children). After 7:30pm the tickets are more expensive: $12.00/$10.00 (no family discount available).
#3 THE ADVENTUREDOME at the Circus Circus Fun is what comes to mind when you enter the Adventuredome. Rides and more rides, midway games, miniature golf, climbing wall, 4D rides. You can spend hours inside and if you get an all-day pass you can come back for more. The Adventuredome is a great place for any age.
They are open daily from 10am. The rides cost $4.00-7.00 per ride so the best deal is the All-Day Pass. Adults and children over 47" are $24.95, children 33"-47" are $14.95 and it's free for toddlers under 33" with a paying adult (you need to accompany toddlers on the rides).
Every time we visit Las Vegas with our kids we purchase Las Vegas Entertainment Book and they have 2 - 2 for1 coupons to the Adventuredome which saves us $50.00. If you don't have the book check out the Las Vegas magazine in your hotel room for coupons. They not as good, but every little helps.
#4 DOLPHIN HABITAT and SECRET GARDEN at the Mirage
An oasis in the middle of busy Las Vegas strip. Wondeful family attraction that will educate while having fun. Observe the spanky dolphins, grab a quick snack or a cold drink at the snack bar and continue towards the Segried and Roy's Secret Garden. Once inside the garden enjoy the peaceful surroundings and take time to watch the endangered white lions, tigers and panthers.
Open daily from 11am. Tickets are: adults $15.00, children 4-12 are $10.00 and toddlers under 3 are free.
#5 GAMEWORKS inside the Showcase Mall
Enter the world of state of the art gaming. Play arcade games, challenge your family to game of air hockey or virtual bowling. Try your skills at virtual shooting games or practice your moves on the dance station. If you get hungry or thirsty don't worry. Just take a break and have a great meal at the GameWorks Grill.
GameWorks has many specials every day. Right now you can play All-Day and All-Night for only $35.00.
#6 LIED DISCOVERY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Discover more then 100 interactive exhibits. Learn while having fun. Toddlers will have fun inside the large jungle gym called the Toddler Tower. Older kids will have fun pretending to be miners, bank tellers or pretend to shop in a grocery store. Your teens and pre-teens will love the music station. There is so much to do and to see.
Open Tuesday-Friday from 9am, Saturday from10am and Sunday from noon. The tickets are: adults $8.00 and children 1-17, seniors and military $7.00. They are located at the north end of the Strip.
#7 MADAME TUSSAUDS WAX MUSEUM at the Venetian
Rub the shoulders with the rich and famous or at least pretend like you are. You allowed to touch the life-like figures, pose for pictures, act out your fantasies. Take pictures of your kids pretending they are part of the Jolie-Pitt family, give a Shaq a great big hug.
Open daily from 10am. The tickets are: Adults (13-59) $25.00, seniors $18.00, children (7-12) $15.00 and children under 6 get in for free.
Look for 2 for1 coupons to save money. We usually get our from the Las Vegas Entertainment Book.
#8 THE AUTO COLLECTION at the Imperial Palace
The largest showroom of classic cars you ever saw. Since most of the cars are for sale the collection is always changing. If you a car lover this is the place to be. Your kids will enjoy seeing a Formula 1 , famous celebrities cars, famous movie cars up close. Take pictures in front of an antique cars with $12,000,000.00 price tags and dare to dream.
Open daily from 10am. The tickets are: adults (13 & up) $8.95, seniors and children (4 -12) $5.00, under 3 are free.
#9 LAS VEGAS CYBER SPEEDWAY and SPEED THE RIDE at the Sahara
If you like speed and fast cars this attraction is for you. Pretend to be a Nascar driver in one of 7 simulators. Try what it feels like racing at 220mhp. Chose from stick shift or automatic. This attraction is for older kids and adults as the riders must be 54' tall.
Open daily from 10am. Each ride costs $10.00 or $17.95 for both (Speedway or Speed the ride). The best deal is $22.95 for all-day pass to both rides. Look for coupons before you go.
#10 GONDOLA RIDE at the Venetian
Always wanted to visit Venice and ride the gondolas. Now you can do it right in Vegas.
You can choose from indoor or outdoor gondola rides. The outdoor one is 2 minutes shorter. Travel down the canal while listening to your gondolier sing. This is one of the romantic attractions, but children especially smaller ones enjoy it as well.
Open daily from 10am. Tickets are $16.00 per person and children under 2 are free.
ory and unforgettable vacation.
