The Ultimate American Adventure: Our Epic Road Trip Itinerary Through LA, Las Vegas & Arizona

Day two was all about thrilling rides, movie magic, and breathtaking city views.

• Universal Studios Hollywood: We were up bright and early for a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood!  We knew we wanted to maximize our time, especially with one specific attraction in mind.
• Early Access to Super Nintendo World: This was a game-changer!  We booked early access (highly recommend checking for this!) to be among the first to enter Super Nintendo World.  It was much quieter, we bought the boys Power-Up bands, then did all of the rides and attractions with no queueing.
• Lunch at Toadstool Cafe: In the morning we secured a reservation at Mushroom Cafe for lunch and it did not disappoint.  Read our full review here,
• Exploring the Rest of the Park: After soaking up all the Super Nintendo magic, we spent the rest of the day exploring the rest of Universal Studios.  The Studio Tour gave us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at movie sets, and we enjoyed attractions like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and The Jurassic World Ride was a firm favourite
• Griffith Observatory: As evening approached, we drove up to the iconic Griffith Observatory.  The views from here are simply breathtaking – a panoramic sweep of the entire Los Angeles basin, stretching out to the Pacific Ocean.  Seeing the Hollywood Sign from this vantage point as the city lights began to twinkle below was spectacular.  We explored the fascinating exhibits inside and got to look through the Zeiss telescope.
• McDonald's: For a quick and easy dinner after a long day of walking and excitement, we grabbed a bite at McDonald's on our way back to the hotel.
• Back to Hotel: Exhausted but exhilarated, we returned to the Sea Sprite Hotel, already dreaming of our next day's adventures.

Day 3: LA's Iconic Sights – From Hollywood to Santa Monica Pier

Our final full day in LA was a fantastic mix of high fashion, iconic landmarks, and classic beachfront entertainment.

• Pasadena Charm: We started our day by heading to the charming city of Pasadena.  We loved exploring its beautiful architecture and finding filming locations and properties from our favourite films.
• Windsor Boulevard Drive: We walked down Windsor Boulevard admiring the grand, stately homes and tried to capture the famous photo of tree lined streets with the Hollywood sign between in the distance.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame: A trip to LA isn't complete without a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  It was fun spotting our favorite stars and soaking in the energy of Hollywood Boulevard.
• Rodeo Drive Glamour: Next up, we drove to Beverly Hills to experience the legendary Rodeo Drive.  While our wallets didn't quite stretch to the designer boutiques, it was an experience in itself to see the luxurious storefronts and the iconic architecture.
• Santa Monica Pier: In the late afternoon, we headed back to the coast for some classic California fun at the Santa Monica Pier. It was cold and very foggy but the atmosphere was still fantastic.  
• Fair and Arcades: We embraced our inner kids, enjoying the rides at Pacific Park and spending some time in the lively arcades on the pier.  
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: For dinner, we opted for a fun, casual meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. right on the pier. Delicious shrimp with an ocean view – what more could you ask for?  Read our full review here,
• Shopping at Target: Our final stop of the day was a quick trip to Target.  We grabbed some last-minute souvenirs and stocked up on essentials for our upcoming road trip.

Our amazing 3-night Los Angeles adventure came to an end on Day 4.

• Road Trip to Las Vegas: We woke early and checked out of the Sea Sprite Hotel, packed up our Avis hire car and hit the road.  The drive from the Sea Sprite Hotel to Las Vegas is a classic American road trip, with the landscape gradually transforming into desert scenery.
• Peggy Sue's 50's Diner: About half way through our journey we passed Barstow and decided to stop for some food at Peggy Sue's 50's Diner.  It was a fantastic experience, with great food and buzzing atmosphere as it was filled with many rugby fans also making the same journey,
• Seven Magic Mountains: As we neared Vegas, we pulled off the highway to see the vibrant art installation of Seven Magic Mountains.  It's the perfect, fun photo opportunity and a great way to mark your arrival.
• Welcome to Las Vegas: Back on the road, it wasn't long before we arrived at the south end of the famous Las Vegas Strip, immediately greeted by the impressive Allegiant Stadium.
• Rio Hotel: With a busy afternoon planned, we made our way straight to the Rio Hotel. Check-in was quick and easy, and we quickly headed to our room, dropped our bags, and were back out the door in no time!
• Fremont Street: Our main destination for the afternoon was Fremont Street for the exciting Rugby League Fan Fest.  The atmosphere was electric, with thousands of enthusiastic fans ready to welcome the rugby teams to Las Vegas. 
• Winding Down After a Big Day: Once we'd waved all the players off, we drove back to the Rio Hotel, grabbed something to eat at the hotel's food court and then headed up to our room to settle the kids and finally unpack for the next leg of our adventure.

Day 5 in Las Vegas was all about having fun with the kids!

• Walmart: We kicked off our first full day by stocking up on essentials at Walmart – always a smart move for any family trip.
• Immersive Fun at AREA15: The main event was a full day at, an immersive art and entertainment complex, where our Level 2 access pass allowed us to explore many of it's incredible experiences.  
• Fashion Show Mall: After an action-packed day, we headed back to the hotel for a quick change before taking an Uber to the Fashion Show Mall.
• Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse: Our evening meal was an incredible dining experience at Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse - a carnivore's dream!  It was the perfect end to a fun-filled day!

Day 6 was a thrilling blend of high-energy sport and soaking in those iconic Vegas sights!

• Las Vegas Sign: We kicked off the day with an Uber straight to the famous Las Vegas Sign.  You can't visit Vegas without getting that classic photo op!
• Exploring the South end of the Strip: From there, we enjoyed a leisurely walk back, exploring the impressive hotels on the south end of the Strip.  We took our time admiring Mandalay Bay, the striking pyramid of Luxor, and the castle-themed Excalibur.
• Allegiant Stadium: The highlight of the day was undoubtedly our visit to the incredible Allegiant Stadium for four thrilling rugby matches! The atmosphere was electric, and it was fantastic to see so much rugby action
• Las Vegas Strip at Night: After the games, we hopped on the convenient tram from Mandalay Bay back to Excalibur and crossed the bridge to the New York New York Hotel.  Perfectly positioning us to end our day by soaking in the dazzling, Las Vegas Strip at night.
• Back to the Hotel: We then caught an Uber back to our hotel with a random Warrington fan that we'd found along the way.

After a whirlwind first few days in Las Vegas, a well-deserved chilled morning with a lie-in was definitely on the cards!

• Rio Hotel: After a busy first few days in Las Vegas we decided to take it easy and explore our hotel.
• Kiss World Mini Golf: Tucked away within the hotel, we found Kiss World Mini Golf!  We had a blast enjoying a competitive game of glow-in-the-dark, Kiss-themed mini golf.
• Wild Fig BBQ: For Lunch, we headed out to Summerlin for a delicious barbecue feast at Wild Fig BBQ.
• North Premium Outlets: The afternoon was dedicated to retail therapy at the North Premium Outlets, where we found some great deals.
• Smash Burger: Back at the hotel we stopped at Smash Burger for tea
• Rio casino: Once the kids were settled we tried our luck at the Rio casino with a nice little win to round off our day. 

Day 8 was filled with stunning scenery and, as always in Vegas, some truly amazing food!

• Red Rock Canyon: We started our day with a drive out to the breathtaking Red Rock Canyon for some fresh air and beautiful scenic views only 30 minutes away from the strip.
• Parks & Play Areas: On the drive back, we stopped to explore a few different Parks & Play Areas in Summerlin. Visiting a US play area was high on the boys' wish list, and they loved it!
• Shopping at Macy's: Next, we hit the shopping center in Summerlin for our first visit to Macy's.
• The Bagel Nook: For lunch we discovered an amazing spot called The Bagel Nook which has a huge range of sweet and savory filled bagels. 
• Chill at the hotel: In the afternoon we headed back to the hotel to relax for a couple of hours before getting ready for our evening meal 
• Primal Steakhouse: We had to visit the number 1 rated restaurant in Las Vegas on Trip Advisor and wow, it did not disappoint!  The decor, the atmosphere, the service, the food and the drinks were all incredible.  

Day 9 saw us venturing out to explore more incredible sights just outside of Las Vegas.

• McDonalds Breakfast: With another early start and an hours drive ahead of us, the boys chose McDonald's for breakfast.
• Unexpected Airshow: As we pulled up to Mcdonalds in Nellis, we were greeted with an airshow from the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Their airbase was just across the road, making for an unexpected start to our day.
• The Valley of Fire: We then took a scenic drive to the vibrant Valley of Fire.  This truly breathtaking natural wonder, with its fiery red Aztec sandstone, is absolutely stunning and a must-see.
• Fremont Street: In the afternoon we drove back towards Las Vegas and stopped at Fremont street.
• Slotzilla Zip Lines: Charlie and Mark took on the zip lines, making the most of their "all you can fly" pass!
• Fremont Hotel & Casino: While they were soaring through the air, Louie and I explored the surrounding area and the historic Fremont Hotel & Casino.
• Dunkin': We stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for coffee, milkshake and donuts while we wanted for Mark and Charlie
• South Point Hotel: In the evening we drove to the opposite end of the strip to visit to the South Point Hotel
• Garden Buffet: Here they have a fantastic buffet restaurant here, offering a huge selection of food at a great price, even the drinks are cheap too.

Today was a jam-packed day exploring the Las Vegas Strip. 

• Bellagio Fountains: We started our day at the Bellagio Hotel hoping to see the fountains in action or the botanical conservatory.  Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be on that particular morning, so we continued to explore the Strip.
• Cosmopolitsn hotel: We wandered through the cosmopolitan hotel and grabbed a coffee at starbucks
• The Shops at Crystals: We then walked through The Shops at Crystals at the Aria hotel and did some window shopping. 
• New York New York Hotel: Our next stop was the New York New York hotel.  Stepping inside truly feels like walking through the streets of New York, complete with themed areas
• Big Apple Rollercoaster: We had pre-booked buy one get one free tickets for the New York New York Big Apple Rollercoaster
• Arcades: It was then time for some sibling rivalry in the arcades
• Chin Chin, New York New York: For lunch, we enjoyed delicious Chinese cuisine at Chin Chin.  This turned out to be our favorite meal of the entire trip – absolutely incredible!
• Hershey's Chocolate World: Our sweet tooth then led us to Hershey's Chocolate World, a shop filled to the brim with Hershey's treats and, to my delight, plenty of my favorite Reese's!
• Coca-Cola Factory: We then crossed the street to visit the Coca-Cola Factory, where we tried both of their "round the world" trays – some interesting flavors for sure!
• Museum of Illusions: We had a 3pm booking at the mind bending at the Museum of Illusions. This museum is packed with interactive illusions and offers some truly great photo opportunities. We had a few hours of fun here.
• Planet Hollywood: Late afternoon we explored Planet Hollywood Hotel and the Miracle Mile shops, It's a labyrinth of shops, bars and restaurants.
• Blondies Sports Bar: We stopped at Blondies Sports Bar to see what the hype was about, it was quiet while we were there but we enjoyed a beer and watching the many sports on the big screens.
• Sugar Factory: We were booked at the Sugar Factory for our evening meal and attended an influencer event that was put on to showcase their St Patricks Day menu.  Unfortunately we left feeling disappointed with the food, service and atmosphere as it just didn't live up to our expectations.
• Bellagio Fountains at night: We strolled back down the strip at night to watch the mesmerising Bellagio fountains. It was the perfect, dazzling finale to a day filled with classic Vegas experiences.

Our day kicked off with a much-needed lie-in, easing us into a relaxed pace.

• Raising Cane's: We grabbed a quick and tasty bite at Raising Cane's to tick another American fast food off Charlie's list and we were really impressed.
• Omega Mart at Area 15: We headed back to Area 15 to explore the quirky world of Omega Mart at Area 15.
• Planet 13: An quick Google of Koolsville tattoo locations, led us to an unexpected stop at Planet 13, the world's largest cannabis dispensary. 
• Koolsville Tattoo: We visited the arts district for a quieter Koolsville Tattoo locations and I got my first tattoo!
• Ton Shou Premium Katsu & Izakaya: Dinner was a fantastic experience at Ton Shou Premium Katsu & Izakaya,
• Tous Les Jours Bakery:  The owners of Ton Shou invited us to go and try Tou Les Jours Bakery for some late nice treats and wow, the freshly made pastries are incredible.

Day 12 was time to continue our road trip to Arizona, an adventure that came with its own set of unexpected turns!

• Rio Hotel Checkout: We checked out of our hotel ready to set off on another adventure
• McDonalds Breakfast: We fueled up with a quick McDonald's breakfast before hitting the road
• Hoover Dam: Our first stop was the awe-inspiring Hoover Dam, where we also admired the Hoover Dam Bridge
• Seligman, Arizona: We stopped in Seligman, a charming town and true Route 66 gem.
• Ash Fork, Arizona: Our plans hit an unexpected snag as we got stranded in a snow storm in Ash Fork!  This unfortunately meant we couldn't make it to the Grand Canyon South Rim as planned.
• Spice Grill & Bar Indian: Along with many other stranded travellers we escaped the snow at Spice Grill & Bar, the amazing Indian food was an unexpected treat.
• Peach Springs, Arizona: We finally managed to drive back towards Las Vegas but didn't want to drive in the conditions for long so found refuge at the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs.

Despite the previous day's snow adventure, our Grand Canyon dreams weren't completely dashed!

• Route 66 Drive:  After checking out of the Hualapai Lodge, hit the road along Historic Route 66 towards the Grand Canyon West Rim.
• Joshua Tree Forest: The journey involved some dirt track roads and incredible views of the Joshua tree forest, adding to the adventure.
• Grand Canyon West Rim: Finally, we stood in awe at the Grand Canyon West Rim, what an absolutely incredible sight!
• Skywalk: For an extra thrill, we braved the Skywalk and our assigned photographer took lots of souvenir photos 
• Drive back to Las Vegas: After spending a few hours at the Grand Canyon, we began our drive back to Las Vegas.
• 7 Eleven:  Louie really wanted to visit 7 eleven so we stopped for snacks in Henderson.
• Car Rental Drop Off :  It was then time to head to the airport and hand the car back 
• Flight Home: At around 9pm we boarded our flight home, our minds filled with incredible memories.