I didn’t exactly expect to be writing a “Vegas girls trip” post anytime soon… but here we are.
Last week, I took my two oldest daughters (ages 18 and 20) on a quick trip to Las Vegas, and it ended up being such a memorable experience.
Ironically, my very first trip to Las Vegas was when I was 11 years old with my mom and aunties, and I still remember parts of that trip vividly. We even visited the Grand Canyon, which completely amazed me at the time.
Now suddenly I’m the mom taking my girls. My 18-year-old just graduated from high school, and this trip felt like such a fun way to celebrate this new season of life together. But would it be too risky for my sensibilities?
Now listen… there are approximately 47 million Vegas travel blogs already floating around the internet, so you definitely do not need a dissertation from me. But I did want to share a peek into our quick two-day trip in case you’ve ever wondered whether Las Vegas could work for a more low-key, family-centered, conservative kind of getaway, especially with older teens or young adults.
Here’s a link to my YouTube Vlog, but keeping reading below for some details not covered in the video:
Flying Into Las Vegas
We flew from Houston (IAH/George Bush Intercontinental) into Harry Reid International Airport on United. The flight was about 3 hours, which makes Vegas feel surprisingly accessible for a quick getaway.
Our United flights were around $400 each, and I rented a car through Enterprise for under $100 total for the trip, which I thought was a pretty good deal considering how convenient it made everything.
First Stop: Red Rock Canyon
Before we even checked into our hotel, we headed straight to Red Rock Canyon. And WOW. If you’re considering Vegas with your family, I would highly recommend adding this to your itinerary. It’s only about a 20-minute drive from the Strip, but it feels like a completely different world. Scenic The 13 Mile Scenic Loop is quiet, peaceful, beautiful, and grounding.
There’s something really special about just sitting still and being in awe of creation. We took a few photos, but mainly we rode (I drove!), talked, and simply slowed down a bit before jumping into the faster pace of the city.
Staying at The Venetian
We stayed at The Venetian, and I totally understand why it’s such a popular choice. Our room was a Premium Two Queen Suite (about 1100 square feet) and it had recently been renovated.
When I first looked at the photos online, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the dramatic red decor situation happening in the rooms. But once we arrived, I absolutely loved it. It felt elegant, cozy, and very different from the more standard hotel rooms we usually stay in during family travel.
One thing I appreciated about The Venetian specifically was that it felt more “luxury-focused” than party-focused (at least in the areas where we spent most of our time).
There are beautiful indoor canals, tons of restaurants, shopping, multiple pools, gorgeous architecture, and lots to casually explore.
And of course, there are the famous gondola rides. After reading reviews and realizing the ride was about $40 per person for roughly 10 minutes of not going very far at all, I personally couldn’t justify the price. But we still enjoyed walking through the area and snapping photos.
A Few Honest Thoughts From A Conservative Christian Mom
I know some people would probably never consider Las Vegas for a family trip (even with adult children) and honestly, I understand that perspective too. There were definitely things we saw that did not align with our values, particularly at Fremont Street and along the Las Vegas Strip at nighttime.
Vegas can feel excessive at times. There’s drinking, smoking, inappropriate advertisements, and parts of the city that simply weren’t the focus of our trip.
But one thing I appreciated about traveling here with my girls is that it created some meaningful conversations about culture, discernment, choices, and remaining grounded in who you are no matter where you go.
Some of the sweetest moments of the trip came from intentionally slowing down together in the middle of a busy city.
We also made a conscious effort to be kind and warm everywhere we went. Lots of "Good morning!”, "Have a wonderful day!", smiling at hotel staff, chatting with people in elevators, thanking workers warmly... and people sometimes seemed genuinely surprised by that.
It reminded me that you really can choose the kind of spirit and atmosphere you bring into a place.
Vegas… But Make It Intentional
Las Vegas can absolutely be a wild party destination, but it can also simply be beautiful hotels, good food, fun shows, memorable experiences, and quality time together, especially when you approach it intentionally. Be sure to watch my VLOG to see my highlights on some of the places we went!
Would I take young kids to Vegas? Personally, I would, but we would keep the nightlife to a minimum, just as I did on this trip. And we would spend most of our time at some of the kid-friendly places like the aquarium, Circus Circus, the children's museum, the wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Hotel, and we would go off strip for some educational sightseeing as well.
More than anything, I’m grateful for the memories with my family!
