Visit Las Vegas: Border Grill Mandalay Bay

Mix and match tacos

For the last three concerts my friend and I attended at Allegiant stadium in Las Vegas, we have stayed at the Luxor hotel which is connected to Mandalay Bay. This makes it convenient for us to walk over to the stadium. Most recently, we dined at Border Grill Mandalay Bay before a Bruno Mars concert.

The Mexican restaurant offers a plentiful gluten free menu which was great for us since one of our friends is gluten sensitive. The menu features tacos, enchiladas, salads, and entrees. The tacos and enchiladas come in threes and they allow you to mix and match so you can customize your plate. I had the enchiladas and they were delicious. I had some of my friend's fish - pescado zarandeado - which was recommended by our server. That dish was stellar.

A great choice for food and drinks before your next concert!

Pescado zarandeado

 Enchiladas 

 

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Visit Las Vegas: Meow Wolf's Omega Mart

Our first Meow Wolf experience was in Grapevine, Texas, and my kids wanted to go Omega Mart in Las Vegas, so we experienced Meow Wolf for the second time.  Meow Wolf is located in Area15, and we bought our tickets directly through Meow Wolf (you can buy a ticket package through Area15 as well).

I'm sure many of you have seen the numerous social media and blog posts about this supermarket with quirky merchandise (that you can really buy) and hidden passages into the world of Dramcorp and the mysteries behind Dramcorp's owner.

We didn't really do much in trying to figure out the mysteries.  We were mostly interested in all the cool and fun portals.

There were tunnels to crawl through, ropes to climb up, secret entryways, and more throughout Omega Mart.  

It's easy to Google search the portals so you don't miss any, and if you can't find any, the employees will direct you. 

The spaces are trippy, kaleidoscopic, and psychedelic.  

The store part of the experience is fun to peruse through too.  All the objects are just so interesting!  

If you had the time or you have a Portal Pass (unlimited admissions to all five Meow Wolf locations), you could spend more time poring over the infinite details surrounding Dramcorp.  There were books, computer files, videos, telephone connections, and so much more that gave insight into Dramcorp.  

IMO, it was way too much to absorb in one visit, which is probably the point of Meow Wolf - to get you to go back to discover things you overlooked on previous visits.

There is a hidden speakeasy (it wasn't open at the time we visited) and ways you can elevate your experience (for a fee).

It's definitely a fun (yet overstimulating), imaginative experience.

Meow Wolf's Omega Mart
3215 Rancho Dr #100

Las Vegas, NV 89102

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Visit Las Vegas: Trapped!

 While in Las Vegas, we decided to do an escape room at Trapped!

It was an impromptu decision, and we were lucky to book a time slot online for a decent time for the same night.

There were several escape rooms to choose from, and we chose Pandora's Box.

Upon arrival to Trapped!, we checked in, and were given three options to choose from in terms of how much help we wanted during the 60 minutes.

We then watched a video about the rules, were directed to lock up our phones in lockers, and proceeded to another room where we watched a video of the story behind Pandora's Box.

Staff members role play, which adds to the fun of the experience.  We proceeded to our escape room, and the fun began!

In terms of escape rooms and based on rooms I've tried in the past, this room was on the easier side, and very family-friendly.  It was also very interactive with neat effects (spoiler - we got a little wet).  During moments where we seemed to be stumped, an employee chimed in to give us some clues.

Overall, we needed minimum clues, and we fortunately escaped just in time.

The entire family had a blast.  

Highly recommend for a fun family night out in Las Vegas, away from The Strip!

Trapped!
4760 Polaris Ave

Las Vegas, NV 89103

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Visit Las Vegas: Area15

Area15 is an "entertainment district" that offers two Zones of activities, attractions, shopping, dining, and events.  

You can buy ticket packages and make reservations for various experiences, or if you simply want to browse around, you can get an Access Level 0 ticket, which includes free entry and a fun self-guided scavenger hunt. 

We went to Area15 to go to Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, but we had a lot of fun doing the free scavenger hunt.

There are so many things you can do at Area15 - escape room, golf, arcade, racing simulation, laser maze, and so much more.

There are also a few exhibits outdoors that you can view.

 

It's quite overstimulating, with bright, flashing lights in all colors and music blaring, but it's definitely a fun experience.

There is a nominal charge for parking.

Area15
3215 South Rancho Dr
Las Vegas, NV

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Visit Las Vegas: Honey Salt

 One of my favorite restaurants from our recent trip to Las Vegas was Honey Salt in Summerlin. 

Banana Split Mocktail

Lobster Roll

Backyard Favorite Burger

Biloxi Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

I had the Fried Chicken Sandwich, since on the menu it stated it was "Named as one of Las Vegas Weekly's Best."  And it was really good, with a slaw and house Durkee dressing.   

Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Mary's Roasted Organic Chicken Soup

Sweet Potato and Regular Fries

Brookie

I loved the Brookie - a brownie + chocolate chip cookie combo, which was topped with salted caramel chunk ice cream.  The brownie was moist and the cookie was nice and chewy.

Service was excellent.  When our food was brought to our table, one of my kids remarked "They knew who ordered which plate.  We didn't need to raise our hands when they said what the food was."  I thought that was very observant of him and telling of the kind of service we received at Honey Salt.

Honey Salt is a charming restaurant with a chill vibe and great food and service!

Honey Salt
1031 S Rampart Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89145

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Visit Las Vegas: Michael Jackson: ONE

One of our family's highlights of the Las Vegas trip was Michael Jackson: ONE.  This Cirque du Soleil show combines acrobatics and dance into an amazing show that pays homage to Michael Jackson and the legacy that he left behind.

We got seats in the central upper section, which I felt offered a better view of the entire production. 

The show started on time and was immediately engaging, exciting everyone from start to finish. 

The show incorporated drones, lights, trampolines, archival video footage, special effects, and so much more.  Performers were zipping through the lower section and even flying above the crowds.

We heard familiar faves as well as songs that may not be as familiar to some, and hearing each song was so nostalgic.  The show made me feel some sadness for a such an engimatic, talented, and inspirational life that was cut way too short, but it also was uplifting in the sense that Michael Jackson created such amazing music that resonates with so many around the world.

The performance were awesome, as the dancers mimicked Michael Jackson's music videos or other performances for most songs.  Other interpretations were just as captivating. 

The 90-minute show just flew by, and we felt it was such a fantastic tribute show.  Many of us were singing and dancing along in our seats. 

Highly recommend while in Las Vegas!

Michael Jackson: ONE
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA

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Visit Las Vegas: The Beast

While at Area15, we ate lunch at The Beast.  

12" Big Pepperoni Energy

The Big Pepperoni Energy Pizza was loaded!  They did not skimp on the pepperoni, that's for sure.  

Grill'N Me Softly

The Grill'N Me Softly sandwich consisted of a grilled chicken breast, smashed avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and aioli.  It was juicy and tender.

Flatastic Voyage Burger

Cheesy Rider

Sandwiches come with fries (regular or cajun), or you can upgrade to truffle mac & cheese or onion rings for $2 more.

Servings were generous and the food was good.  

Service was prompt and friendly.

We had no problems walking in and immediately getting seated.

The Beast is a great lunch option while at Area 15!

The Beast
3215 South Rancho Dr
Las Vegas, NV

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Visit Las Vegas: Hershey's Chocolate World

Reese's PB Cups are a weakness for me, so I couldn't resist visiting Hershey's Chocolate World. 

They have all sorts of Reese's varieties that you can buy by the package or create your own mix.  

I bought a bag of Sugar Cookie Reese's, and my kids got some milkshakes. 

Cookies N Creme

Reese's PB 

Strawberry KitKat

They even have a number of baked treats.  

Hershey's Chocolate World is definitely a sweets-lovers dreams!

Hershey's Chocolate World
3790 Las Vegas Blvd.

S. Las Vegas, NV 702-437-743

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Visit Las Vegas: Good Pie

A quick Google search resulted in some mentions for Good Pie when it came to a good spot for pizza in Las Vegas.  They have two locations - one in Downtown Las Vegas and one in Henderson.  We went to the Henderson location.  

They specialize in Brooklyn-style pizza, but also offer Detroit- and Grandma-style pizzas.  

Grandma Quality Meats

Detroit-Stuffed Chicken Parm

Brooklyn Fila

I love Detroit-style pizzas, so I thought the Detroit Stuffed Chicken Parm would be my fave, but my fave was actually the Brooklyn Fila.

Don't get me wrong - the Detroit Stuffed Chicken Parm was delish, as was the Grandma Quality Meats, but the Brooklyn Fila was amazing.

The Fila Pie had simply, but quality ingredients - organic tomato sauce, Truly EVOO, stracciatella, basil, grana padano - on a Brooklyn-style crust.  It turned out to be the fave of our family.

Good Pie lives up to its name!

Good Pie
835 Seven Hills Dr

Henderson, NV 89052

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