Las Vegas – HilaryStyle

January 1, 2018December 26, 2018

2017 A Year In Pictures: Happy New Year!

Malibu Fishing Pier Malibu Los Angeles California

I don’t know about you, but this year seemed to fly by! Like any year there were ups and there were downs, but happily it was mostly ups! As far as travel is concerned I wasn’t sure I’d ever beat 2016, but with trips to, New Orleans, the American Southwest, and London as well as road trips throughout California, and extensive exploration of my home town Los Angeles I would say 2017 definitely gave it a run for it’s money.

Plane Window View New Orleans Louisiana — Plane View

2018 is already filling up with plans for Atlanta, Georgia and possibly Austin, Texas early in the year. Both are places I’ve never been, and of course I’m angling to get in another trip to my beloved NOLA, maybe Spring Break? As for the rest of the year, its still open, but I’m excited to see what’s in store, and I’m confident I’ll work out plenty of fun adventures! Before I close the book on 2017 here’s a look back at some of the highlights:

January

We took a mini road trip to meet friends in La Quinta and along with a visit to Joshua Tree National Park it was the perfect way to get the year started!

The Joshua Tree National Park is located just over two hours from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. People come from all over the world to enjoy the park’s unique trees and alien like desert terrain. Hiking, camping, rock climbing and stargazing are just some of the activities available within the park.

You might also be interested in: Day Trippers: Joshua Tree National Park

February

We’ve always loved Santa Barbara, and its close proximity to LA is a real treat! Quick trips just for lunch have even been known to happen!

Lifeguard Tower Santa Barbara California

Even closer to home, but still feeling like a world away is Malibu. One of our favorite “escapes” is Sunday brunch at the Malibu Farms restaurant, located at the end of the Malibu Fishing Pier, which overlooks Surf Rider Beach.

You might also be interested in: Santa Barbara!

You might also be interested in: 50 Things to do in Los Angeles

March

A record year of rainfall and the resulting flower super bloom prompted our March visit to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. I had to see all those amazing flowers!

Deciding to go on this little adventure at the last minute meant accommodation choices were somewhat limited, so we decided to stay on the coast in La Jolla, the Jewel of San Diego. So, two birds with one road trip… Desert and Coast.

#childrenspoolbeach — Baby seals in La Jolla

You might also be interested in: Exploring California from Sand to Sea

April

NOLA Again! In April, we visited NOLA for the sixth time. A day trip to visit the plantation homes was a highlight of our visit this year!

As I write this I’m dreaming about 2018’s visit, because it’s definitely happening! If you haven’t been yet, consider making 2018 the year you finally go. It’s always amazing, but did you know that it’s the 300th anniversary of New Orleans? There’s sure to be plenty going on, so what are you waiting for? LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!

#bourbonstreet — The Infamous Bourbon Street

You might also be interested in: Day Trippers: The Plantations of River Road

You might also be interested in: 10 Things to do in New Orleans with Kids

May

I already love all the lifeguard towers that dot the beaches here in SoCal, so imagine my surprise and delight when I came across this fabulousness during my morning ride! I’m so excited to say that the City of LA voted to make this wonderful statement permanent

You might also be interested in: 8 reasons Venice Should Top Your LA List

June

I admit that during my 8 years living in the Bay Area, I spent very little time exploring San Francisco’s many unique neighborhoods. We did our best to remedy that during our June visit! We chose to explore the vibrant Mission District, where we discovered delicious food, a fabulous park, and amazing street art! So in other words, my perfect day!

Mission Dolores Park San Francisco with Kids — Mission Dolores Park San Francisco

July

July’s found us on an epic 2000 + mile road trip through the great American Southwest! We made stops in Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Monument Valley, the Antelope Slot Canyons, and the Grand Canyon to name a few!

Things to do in Las Vegas with Kids — The Famous Las Vegas Sign

Bryce Canyon National Park Utah — Bryce Canyon National Park

Arches National Park Utah #windowarchhike — Arches National Park

Monument Valley Utah #monumentvalley #forestgump — Monument Valley Tribal Park

Antelope Canyon Page Arizona #photography — Upper Antelope Valley Slot Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park Arizona #grandcanyonwithkids — The Grand Canyon

Although I was initially apprehensive about driving so far on my own, as you can see from the photos above the trip was a success!

Historic Route 66 Seligman Arizona American Flag painting — Historic Route 66

You might also be interested in: Postcards from the American Southwest

August

To say I am a fan of public and street art would be an understatement! The idea of bringing a piece of it home a dream. Dreams can come true, and they did with the installation of this @bumblebeelovesyou’s piece in my own backyard!

Bumblebeelovesyou Street Art Los Angeles California — Tim and I pictured with Bumblebeelovesyou

You might also be interested in: InstaLA! Part 3 Art Explosion!

September

Historically September has been a slow month for us, if you don’t count that one time, when we ditched work and school and set off for a road trip through Portugal and Spain! That was fun! However, like many before it, this September found us sticking close to home. Exploring Downtown LA and its many tasty treats was a highlight!

Bottega Louie Los Angeles California #dtla — Bottega Louie’s Famous Macarons

Angels Flight Railway Los Angeles California #angelsflight — Historic Angels Flight

You might also be interested in: The Sweet Tooth’s Walking Tour of Downtown LA

October

While I didn’t travel in the month of October, I had the best time playing tourist, or maybe I should say, tour guide, when friends flew in for a visit!

Street Art Sidewalk Sayings Los Angeles California — Downtown Los Angeles Art District

We hit the Hollywood Sign, the Bowl, Disneyland, Korea Town, Venice Beach, and Downtown LA to name just a few!

Depeche Mode The Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles California — The Hollywood Bowl

LACMA Los Angeles California — Urban Lights Exhibition at LACMA on Museum Row

You might also be interested in: 5 Places to get your Groove on in LA

You might also be interested in: 11 Places to get your Culture Fix in Los Angeles

November

Grateful for friends and family who travelled from both near and far to celebrate Thanksgiving with us, we were also grateful for the amazing Southern California weather, which allowed all 25 of us to eat outside!

Thanksgiving hilarystyle Los Angeles — Grateful for Family and Friends!

December

Ending 2017 just as we started it, on a high note, we celebrated the winter holidays in London! My favorite city in the world! Highlights include: Ice Skating at the Tower of London, meeting up with friends, attending A Christmas Carol at Windsor Castle, Afternoon Tea, New Year’s Eve fireworks and more… I’ll be sharing our many adventures in the coming weeks. Stay tuned…

Wishing you and yours all the best in the coming year.

Happy New Year!

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October 10, 2017October 10, 2017

The Grand Canyon & other Stops Along the way in the American Southwest

I’ve been a road tripper my entire life. I have fond childhood memories of summers our family spent touring the Western half of the United States in a VW bus. In recent years we’ve found ourselves exploring further afield. Last year we spent three weeks driving around Ireland, Scotland and England, the summer before that we toured Portugal with stops in Lisbon, Sintra and Carvoeiro before we set off for further adventures in Spain. Along the way we’ve discovered many wonderful surprises!

Portugal: Detour to the End of the World

England: Along the Way: Hadrian’s Wall

Glen Canyon Dam Page Arizona #lakemead — We met this gorgous view at an unplanned stop along the way…

No matter our destination one thing has always been the same: I’ve been the passenger for thousands of miles. Preferring to let others take on the driving duty, I was content to sit back taking photos out the window, and reading my guidebooks in between periodic naps. But that changed this past summer when the boys and I joined my parents for a 2000 + mile road trip throughout the American Southwest.

The One Behind the Wheel

This time I would be the main driver and I was somewhat aprehensive. I knew I could do it, but everyday for two straight weeks? Would I get bored? Would it be too much driving? Would I hear a never ending chorus of “Are we there yet?” from the back seat…

Route 66 Kingman Arizona #route66 — Historic Route 66 is definitely worth a stop! Did you know it ends in Santa Monica, California?

Deciding to take my chances and do it my way, we took our time and stopped when and where we felt like it, which really helped to break up the monotony of the miles. Success! I don’t recall hearing anyone ask “are we there yet?” and we discovered many wonderful places along the way! Here are just a few*…

THE SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS

Along the way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Henderson, Nevada
20 miles from The Delano Hotel Las Vegas

Seven Magic Mountains Las Vegas #sevenmagicmountains — It was impossible to snap a people free photo

Our first “along the way” stop was The Seven Magic Mountains, a temporary art installation, in the desert just outside Las Vegas. An instagrammers dream, this grouping of brightly colored boulders stacked 30 feet high was created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Installed in May 2016 the exhibit will be in place for two years.

Seven Magic Mountains Las Vegas Nevada #sevenmagicmountains

GLEN CANYON DAM

Along the way from Monument Valley to Antelope Canyon
Page, Arizona
125 Miles from Monument Valley

The famous Antelope Canyon brought us to Page, but our visit wasn’t until the following day, so we decided upon a visit to the Glen Canyon Dam. The Visitor Center provides fabulous views, of the Dam, beautiful Lake Powell, and has an exhibition worth exploring. We took the Dam tour where we not only learned about the construction of the dam, but had the chance to walk across the top, and to go inside, which was around 638 feet down…

Glen Canyon Dam Page Arizona #glencanyon

HORSESHOE BEND

Along the way from Antelope Canyon to The Grand Canyon
Page, Arizona
110 Miles from The Grand Canyon

Located just outside Page, Arizona, Horseshoe Bend is one of the most photographed spots on the Colorado River. That said, walking to the edge of a 1000 foot drop with no safety guards isn’t high on my list (pun intended!) Go? Don’t go? How could I skip this natural wonder? Go? Don’t go?! I went, but I had to crawl to get to this point. I admit I didn’t heed the signs, but you should. What have you done to get that photo? Would you have leaned over to get the perfect pic?

THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Along the way from Horseshoe Bend to Las Vegas, Nevada
253 Miles from Las Vegas

Grand Canyon National Park Arizona #grandcanyon — The Desert View

I know what you’re thinking! How is the Grand Canyon National Park just a stop along the way? Well… after two weeks of soaring temperatures, visitor centers, and redish colored rocks we were simply canyoned out. We felt a bit like National Lampoon’s Vacation. Arriving just before the rain, we had time to visit the Desert View overlook and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center before we called it a day.

The next morning we had a family meeting and gave ourselves permission to continue on our journey without another visit to the Park. I can’t say for sure if I would have felt this way had The Grand Canyon been our first stop, but we visited many beautiful places on this adventure and felt no remorse about the nature of our visit.

Grand Canyon National Park with kids Arizona #grandcanyonwithkids

HISTORIC ROUTE 66

Along the way from The Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Kingman & Seligman, Arizona
104 Miles from Las Vegas

At one time stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California Historic Route 66 is one of the most famous roads in the United States. No longer an official highway it is still possible to drive on stretches of what was once known as America’s Main Street, or The Mother Road. We took the time to stop in Seligman for some kitschy Americana photos and again in Kingman at an old school diner for some lunch.

THE HOOVER DAM

Along the way from Route 66 to Las Vegas
33 Miles from Las Vegas

Our final along the way stop was the Hoover Dam. Walking across Glen Canyon was pretty neat, but driving across Hoover Dam was really cool, at the same time I couldn’t help but think about all the action movies I’ve seen where they detroy the dam… Let’s get out of here!

*If you’d like to read more about our adventures through the American Southwest, and other fun places we stopped along the way check out these related blog posts:

8 Things to do in Las Vegas… with Kids

Family Friendly Hiking in Zion National Park

Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park Day & Night

Road Trip to Arches National Park

Soaring Over Monument Valley

Chasing the Light in Upper Antelope Canyon

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August 22, 2017July 24, 2018

Las Vegas The Neon Museum

Things to do with kids in Las Vegas Neon Museum

Famous the world over the Las Vegas Strip shines bright with larger than life neon signs and twinkling lights stretching as far as the eye can see. Las Vegas and neon are synonymous you can’t have one without the other. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that there would be a museum dedicated to the preservation and history of the city’s iconic neon signs.

Are you a fan of vintage signs, twinkling lights, faded splendor, or history?

Things to do in Las Vegas with Kids Neon Museum

If you answered yes to any of these, or if you’re like me, all of them, The Neon Museum is the place for you! They do an amazing job of preserving Las Vegas’ storied past through the care and conservation of these signs, remnants of a bygone era.

As you might imagine the Museum is very popular and is available to visit via guided tours. Tours are offered both during the day and in the evening, but they fill up quickly, so planning ahead is a good idea.

day

night

A sunset tour allowed us to see the signs in daylight and after dark, which gave us the chance to see the signs lit up!

Our guide, Tandy, clearly loved her job, and her passion for the signs was clear.Her tour was not only informative, but full of fun Las Vegas anecdotes and stories.

The Stardust, Moulin Rouge, and Sahara are just a few of the names you might recognize as you wander through the Museum’s Boneyard. The Stardust hotel opened in 1958 and closed in 2006. It is said that it’s iconic sign could be seen from up to 60 miles away.

The Moulin Rouge was the first desegregated casino, and played a large part in helping the Las Vegas civil rights movement. Although the hotel has been closed since 1955, and the buildings were demolished, they still maintain their gaming licesnse by operating onsite every two years.

The Sahara was the 6th hotel resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip and was in operation until 2011 when it was sold. Many famous people stayed and performed there including: Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Abbot & Costello, and The Beattles.

Tips & Advice:

There is NO shade in the Neon Boneyard and it can be incredibly hot both day and night. Bring water.

For safety reasons there is no self-guided tour option. Book ahead to ensure your visit.

Only seven of the signs are in working order, however all the signs are lit beautifully via ground lighting.

The signs are incredibly large and due to space restrictions it wasn’t always possible to get the big picture.

The Neon Museum is located about 4 miles north of the Las Vegas Strip, not far from the Fremont East District where you’ll find a large amount of amazing street art on display.

Of course we visited the gift shop where we found fun treasures to remember our visit by. I can’t wait to see my new ornament on the tree come holiday time!

There were many remnants

This is actually Liberace’s signature

Things do in Las Vegas with Kids Neon Museum

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August 15, 2017June 11, 2018

8 Things to do in Las Vegas… with Kids

Are you considering a trip to Las Vegas with your kids? Having recently visited with my two boys, I thought I’d share with you some of the things we did there, all of which are 100% kid appropriate and very well done! The only problem… They’re in Las Vegas…

Let me explain

Having done the bulk of my traveling since the arrival of my kids, there’s rarely if ever been a place I felt I couldn’t take them. The reality is, if they weren’t going, I wasn’t going, so they went! Ancient temple in Japan, no problem! Fashion exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art! They loved it too! Windsor Castle, the streets of Belfast, Rome, Paris, New Orleans, and the list goes on.

My mindset has always been: Why wouldn’t I bring my kids, after all, people in these other places have kids too! That said, you might be shocked to hear me say, “Las Vegas, isn’t really for kids.”

Things to do in Las Vegas Fremont East District — In comparison to some, these ladies were over dressed!

I know, how could I? When this goes against everything I’ve always said about travel with kids, but for a number of reasons, I’ve never liked the idea of bringing my kids to Las Vegas, and having recently done so, I can safely say that I should have gone with my first instincts.

My older son, Simon, who is close to 15, says that Vegas is like the Twizzler Statue of Liberty Pictured below: “It looks really cool at first, but then when you get up close it’s dirty and gross.”

Things to do in Las Vegas with Kids Twizzler Statue of LIberty — Looks neat from here, but up close it was covered in dirt.

I’m sorry if you love Las Vegas, but this is pretty much a perfect analogy! It isn’t one thing exactly, just that it’s all so in your face. There’s no way to pick and choose what you might see.

Still considering a family visit to Sin City?

8 Family Friendly Things to do in Las Vegas

The Vegas Sign

You’ll probably want to document your trip, and a visit to the famous Las Vegas Sign is a great place to start! The Sign is located on a large pedestrian friendly median in the middle of S. Las Vegas Blvd. The city has kindly provided parking and a large visitor friendly area just for taking photos!

Swimming

Las Vegas is located in the middle of a desert so swimming is a great idea, and very family friendly. Just make sure you’re at the “family” pool!! During our visit we had the opportunity to swim at the Mandalay Bay Pool, and the Shark Tank at the Golden Nugget, both were great fun!

The Mandalay Bay Pool

The pool complex at the Mandalay Bay is huge. You’ll find multiple pools, a lazy river, and a wave pool. Shade is a hot commodity, so if you’re planning a visit arrive early to claim your spot.

Temperatures reached 114 during our visit, so floating down the lazy river was a big hit, and is appropriate for all ages, so a great family activity. The boys also enjoyed the wave pool.

Towels are provided, and food and drinks can be ordered right from your lounge chair. Floaties and other pool supplies are available at the pool shop.

The Shark Tank at the Golden Nugget

Each pool has it’s claim to fame, but none quite like the Shark Tank at the Golden Nugget, referred to us by Erin at Oregon Girl Around the World, which literally has it’s water slide run through the middle of a large tank of sharks and other ferocious looking sea life!

Both my boys gave this a try! My teen quit after one go, saying the water in the pool was too cold. I admit it was a bit on the chilly side.

Golden Nugget Shark Tank Las Vegas Nevada — Please swim with me!

My little couldn’t care less if the water was cold and loved swimming around the outside of the tank, but once through the middle was enough for him.

Things to do in Las Vegas — A happy mom – Big brother finally got in the pool!

The pool closes for swimming at 7 pm, but the pool area and bar stay open until 1 am.

Sweet Treats

Sweet tooth? You’re in luck! There are no shortage of treats to be found in Las Vegas! We loved the Chocolate box located in the Golden Nugget Hotel, but the ice cream at the Forum Shops in Cesar’s Palace wasn’t bad either!

Things to do in Las Vegas with Kids Chocolate Box

The Eiffel Tower Experience

The photographer in me was looking for night shots of the famous Las Vegas Strip, but our visit to the Eiffel Tower Experience, at the Paris Hotel and Casino, was a win for the entire family!

Once you arrive on top, you’ll be 460 feet up, which means sweeping views of not only the Strip, but also the entire city!

Your time at the top is unlimited, so consider sticking around for a bird’s eye view of the Bellagio Fountain show, which takes place every 15 minutes after 8 pm.

I highly recommend purchasing these tickets in advance, as our last minute purchase wasn’t exactly smooth.

Speaking of fountains, The Bellagio isn’t the only fountain in town! The fountains in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace are full of fun surprises, including occasionally coming to life!

Shark Reef Mandalay Bay

The Shark Reef Aquarium, located in Mandalay Bay, is a fully accredited aquarium, and is home to not only sharks, but many other fascinating creatures as well.

Located just next to the aquarium is the Polar Journey, which was full of interactive exhibits that really appealed to my younger son.

Thrill Rides

Everything in Las Vegas is over the top and the rides are no exception! If you’re traveling with older kids or thrill seekers they’ll love all the choices.

My son rode the New York New York Big Apple Coaster and loved it! If, like our family, you have riders who aren’t thrilled by a ride like this, there is an arcade conveniently located just outside where you can occupy yourselves while you wait for your riders.

For those who prefer something a little more tame, consider a ride on the world’s tallest observation wheel The High Roller. Families are welcome!

Art Hunt

Whether your artistic tastes range from fine to street or everything in between there is plenty to discover in Las Vegas! This visit found my teen and I exploring a treasure trove of amazing street art in the Fremont East District, but keep your eye out for traveling exhibitions as well.

The Neon Museum

Las Vegas wouldn’t be the same without it’s iconic neon lights. Many of which have been lighting up the night for decades. The Neon Museum is a unique museum and conservation nonprofit where you’ll learn all about the city’s history as it relates to neon while walking among the larger than life signs. Seeing the iconic signs at sunset was a highlight of our entire stay.

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Take me with you!

Would you like directions to all these fabulous places? Why not take me with you! You can download this and other fun hilarystyle articles using the GPSmyCity app!

August 1, 2017July 18, 2018

Las Vegas: Beyond the Strip

What can you do in Las Vegas if you’re not interested in gambling, nightclubs, or extreme roller coasters? Why, look at art of course, and if you’re me, it’s street art. Las Vegas is a treasure trove of amazing art!

Shortly before our visit I learned about some large scale pieces (thank you social media), and once we decided that Las Vegas would be our “rest” stop between Los Angeles and Zion National Park, I started researching what else might be available to view! I’d hit the jackpot! Yes, pun intended! There was literally art around and on every corner!

There was so much to see, my head was spinning, or maybe that was the effect of the 112 degree temperatures, and burning pavement? Maybe both? The heat prevented me from exploring the area the way I would have liked, but we managed to see quite a lot. Thankfully many of the works are close to one another.

Las Vegas Nevada Street Art — It was SO hot out!

Fremont East District

You’ll find all this amazing art in Downtown Las Vegas, and more specifically in the Fremont East District. Downtown Las Vegas has experienced a major revitalization, and Fremont Street is the second most popular destination in the city after the famed Las Vegas Strip.

The concentrated number of murals in the area are remnants of the Life is Beautiful Festival, a three day event, which takes place in the Downtown core each year, and includes music, food and street art. The event is put on by JUSTKIDS, an organization dedicated to spreading art all over the world. Who doesn’t love that mission? The 5th annual Life is Beautiful Festival will take place in September 2017. Hmmm, I see a return trip coming on…

Downtown Las Vegas Street Art

The 21 story Plaza Hotel, located at 1 South Main Street, is home to two amazing murals. While Shepard Fairey’s painting can be seen from the street, D*face’s mural, entitled: Behind Closed Doors, is harder to see and requires a trip to the Plaza’s Pool Deck located on the 5th floor.

Artist: D*Face
Location: The Plaza Hotel Pool Deck, 5th floor
Country of Origin: England
Artist: Shepard Fairey
Location: The Plaza Hotel
Country of Origin: USA
Artist: Alexis Diaz
Location: 6th and Ogden
Country of Origin: Puerto Rico
Artist: Chor Boogie
Location: 6th & Ogden
Country of Origin: USA?
Artist: Zio Ziegler
Location: 6th & Ogden
Country of Origin: USA
Artist: ROA
Location: 6th & Stewart
Country of Origin: Belgium
Artist: Vhils
Location: 7th between Ogden & Steward
Country of Origin: Portugal
Artist: Felipe Pantone
Location: 7th between Ogden & Steward
Country of Origin: Argentina
Artist: D*Face
Location: 7th & Ogden
Country of Origin: England
Artist: Mark Drew
Location: 7th & Ogden
Country of Origin: Australia
Artist: Martin Whatson
Location: 7th & Steward (around the corner)
Country of Origin: Norway
Artist: Dface
Location: 7th between Ogden & Fremont
Country of Origin: England
Artist: Pixel Pancho
Location: 7th and Fremont
Country of Origin: Italy
Artist: Ana Maria Ortiz
Location: 7th & Ogden
Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

The Fremont East District is also home to many amazing sculptures!
Artist: Kirk Jullum
Location: 7th & Fremont
Country of Origin: USA?

Take a look at the specs on this! Impressive to say the least!

Created by aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum the mantis is a 150:1 scale exact replica of a female preying mantis he found in an open field. The mantis can speak 20 different languages, and is operated by a team of four.

Street Art After Dark

Visit the Fremont East District at night for a completely different experience, though I can’t promise the temperatures will be any cooler the lights are pretty spectacular!

Las Vegas Nevada Shepard Fairey Street Art

Las Vegas Nevada Ana Marietta Street Art

Miscellaneous Street Art

The second most popular area in the city can’t quite be called “off the beaten path”, but it’s not the Las Vegas most people envision either. If you do find yourself in Las Vegas, I highly suggest you take some time to visit the Fremont East District!