Thursday had quickly arrived and although we were sad to be leaving LA behind we were excited for more adventures in Las Vegas. We packed the car, checked out of our family suite at the Sea Sprite Hotel (check out our review!), and hit the open road. Our destination? The dazzling lights of Vegas, and the main event: the rugby!
We'd been told that the drive from LA to Las Vegas was long and boring, but for us first-timers, it was anything but. It was exciting, the landscape was a constantly shifting canvas, with a panoramic views of breathtaking snow-capped mountains and vast, sun-baked deserts. The sheer scale and diversity of the scenery was amazing. We left at around 8am and our Google Maps showed that the drive would take around 4.5 hours although i believe that this can be much longer during busy times. Our drive took around 6.5 hours but this was with a few stops.
About three hours into our journey, just past Barstow, we stumbled upon a gem: Peggy Sue's 50's Diner. The place was buzzing with fellow rugby fans from Australia and New Zealand, all making the pilgrimage to Vegas, but we managed to snag a cozy booth. The burgers, fries, and onion rings that followed were nothing short of legendary – enormous portions bursting with flavor. It was a true slice of America, and a delicious one at that, read our review here.
Back on the road, another hour or so brought us to a vibrant art installation. The Seven Magic Mountains is a series of towering, brightly colored rock formations in the middle of the desert. It was a captivating pit stop and a unique photo opportunity.
Finally, we crossed the threshold into Las Vegas, and the sight of the magnificent Allegiant Stadium ignited our excitement for the upcoming rugby matches. We had chosen the Rio Hotel as we wanted to be off the Strip where it would be a little quieter whilst we were visiting with children. We had been advised that it had recently undergone extensive renovations and we snagged a bargain when booking with British Airways which made it an attractive option. Parking was free, check in was quick and we were given a family suite on the 7th floor with a fantastic view of the strip
Eager to plunge into the Vegas atmosphere, we dropped our bags and headed out. It was the afternoon of the Fan Fest where Rugby League was taking over Freemont Street for the evening. We found secure car parking but were a little shocked at the $25 parking fee (we wouldn't be parking there again) however we soon forgot about it made our way out into the sea of rugby fans that were descending onto Freemont Street. We met up with friends who had also traveled to Las Vegas and the energy was electric especially as the Super League and NRL teams were introduced on the main stage.
After our own team, Warrington Wolves, came off the stage, we headed down to the bus that they would be boarding, Louie wished them good luck and gave out high-fives and Charlie snagged some selfies, and then Mark and Charlie got a snapped by the teams photographer!
We ventured to the Downtown Container Park, hoping for a family-friendly dinner. However, despite its inviting appearance with a large playground, most of the eateries were either closed or 21+ only. After the kids had burned off some energy, we headed back to the Rio Hotel and grabbed something to eat at the hotels overpriced food court. It wasn't anything special, but it filled the void, and soon, exhaustion took over. It was time to recharge for the rugby madness that awaited us. Vegas, had already captivated us, and we couldn't wait for tomorrow!
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