Dreaming of an unforgettable American road trip?  Look no further!  Our recent adventure, spanning the vibrant streets of Los Angeles, the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, and the breathtaking landscapes of Arizona, was truly epic. F rom iconic Hollywood sights to the majestic Grand Canyon, we packed it all in.

Our final day of this incredible US road trip had arrived!  After a chaotic Day 12, which unexpectedly changed our plans and landed us in Peach Springs due to a snowstorm, Day 13 was dedicated to finally ticking this natural wonder off our bucket list.  The night before, determined not to leave Las Vegas without showing the boys, we'd booked our tickets for the Grand Canyon West Rim, including entrance and the famous Skywalk. 

Day twelve of our epic US road trip, we said goodbye to the dazzling lights and excitement of Las Vegas, checking out of the Rio Hotel with hearts full of memories.  Today was extra special – our wedding anniversary!  Our plan was to make our way to Arizona and spend our final night in a lodge nestled within the Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim.  Little did we know, Mother Nature had a different kind of adventure in store for us!

Our final full day in Las Vegas was another whirlwind of fun and adventure! After a leisurely morning at the hotel, recharging our batteries for the day ahead, we had one crucial item to tick off Charlie's ever-growing list of American fast-food experiences: Raising Cane's.

Day 10 of our incredible USA road trip saw us dive headfirst into the dazzling chaos and vibrant energy of the Las Vegas Strip!  With exciting restaurant reservations on the agenda, we made the decision to leave our car at the Rio hotel knowing that a few drinks may be on the cards.  Our morning Uber dropped us off right in the heart of the action at the iconic Bellagio Hotel, the perfect starting point for our day of exploration.

Our ninth day in the USA was a fantastic blend of natural wonder and urban excitement!  We were starting the day with an early drive away from Las Vegas.  We packed the car with our essentials – water, snacks, and of course, the all-important camera and set our sights on the fiery landscapes of the Valley of Fire State Park.  

Day 8 of our epic adventure took us away from the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas strip and towards the breathtaking natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon.  Our initial plan was to drive the scenic loop but we had forgotten to book advance tickets for this and they were sold out when we tried to book this a few days before.  Despite this, we were determined to see the iconic red rocks so we headed out to the overlook.

After a whirlwind day 6 filled with rugby action and a late night, we decided Day 7 was all about taking it easy.  A slow morning and a lie in was definitely on the cards, allowing us to recharge our batteries before diving into the day's activities.

Saturday 1st March arrived and it was the day that we had been waiting for, the reason for our trip – a full-blown Rugby League marathon at the Allegiant Stadium!  Four matches, including our beloved Warrington Wolves, two NRL clashes, and a women's international.  It was set to be epic.

Our first full day in Las Vegas kicked off with a classic family trip to Walmart!  We stocked up on breakfast bits, snacks, and all the essentials to keep the little ones (and ourselves!) happy and fuelled for the day.  It’s always fun to see the differences in supermarkets when traveling, and Walmart definitely delivered on the "everything you could possibly need" front.  

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!

Day three was our final full day in Los Angeles, and time for us to explore the iconic sights that LA has to offer.  We were determined to soak up as much of the city's magic as possible before our long drive to Las Vegas.

Our first morning in LA, we woke up well rested and excited for the day ahead after a night in the comfortable beds at the Sea Sprite Beach Club.  However, our first morning in beautiful Hermosa Beach didn't quite go to plan.  A rude awakening awaited us as we discovered a parking ticket tucked under the windshield of our rental car.

Day one of our American road trip was a whirlwind of excitement, travel, and a healthy dose of "firsts"!  After a surprisingly good night's sleep at the Hilton London Heathrow T5, we were up and at 'em by 6 am, ready to catch the shuttle to Terminal 5.  Our 10 am flight to Los Angeles awaited!

Our long-awaited trip to the USA was finally on the horizon, and to make things even smoother, we decided to travel down to Heathrow the day before our flights.  This gave us a chance to relax, avoid the dreaded early-morning rush, and even squeeze in a little fun along the way, it also saved us around £700 versus flying direct from Manchester. 

One week. Just one week.  That's all that stands between us and the trip of a lifetime!  We’re buzzing with anticipation as we count down the days until we embark on our epic adventure.  Originally, we planned to visit Las Vegas to watch our beloved Warrington Wolves play alongside the NRL at the Allegiant Stadium. But, we thought, "Why stop there?" Now, we're flying into the shimmering lights of Los Angeles, soaking up the Hollywood vibes, and then hitting the open road for a journey that will take us through the dazzling desert landscapes of Nevada and Arizona.

The idea of a USA road trip has been a recurring daydream for ages, and now, it's finally happening!  We're diving headfirst into planning an unforgettable adventure, starting in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, cruising through the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, and then venturing into the breathtaking landscapes of Arizona, with the majestic Grand Canyon as our ultimate prize.

The countdown is well and truly on!  We're just a few months away from our incredible 12-night adventure, a dream trip that combines the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles with the electrifying energy of Las Vegas.  What started as a rugby league pilgrimage to Vegas has blossomed into a full-blown Californian escapade, and we can't wait to share our planned itinerary with you! (And if you missed how we snagged this extended trip for an unbelievable price, you can read all about our savvy savings here!). Get ready to follow along as we take you through our exciting plans:

The countdown to our Las Vegas getaway in February 2025 to witness the Rugby League spectacle has begun.  We'd secured what we believed was a fantastic deal – a direct British Airways package for our family of four (two adults, two kids), whisking us from Heathrow to the neon lights of Las Vegas for 8 nights at the Rio Hotel, all for a tidy £2,700.  Compared to other holiday providers, i was patting myself on the back for bagging such a great deal.

When I watched this year's NRL season opener held in March that was held in Las Vegas, my mind went into overdrive as I thought, Mark turns 40 next February, what a surprise it would be to take him to Las Vegas to watch the NRL. Little did I know that a couple of months later our own Super League team, Warrington Wolves, would express an interest in being part of the event during 2025.