Sometimes a locked restroom feels worse than no restroom at all.
Family Restrooms: Yes Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: No Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat Overall Child-Friendly: Somewhat Time Spent: 1-2 hours
This stop came so close to meeting our minimum needs while traveling with a baby in Las Vegas. After we had trouble locating family restrooms at several hotels along the Las Vegas Strip, during our trip in May of 2023, we were thrilled to finally track one down near the food court at Luxor Las Vegas. But the restroom was inaccessible, and our happiness short-lived. This almost-but-not-quite situation does Luxor no favors in our ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas. Since we weren’t able to use the family restroom we found, and nothing else about this spot is especially child-friendly, I’m ranking this stop at #10.
We discovered this restroom during a quick pit stop for lunch. Before we sat down to eat, I was hoping we could use the space to pump and change our 10-month-old baby’s diaper. In vain, we tracked down multiple hotel and food court employees who did their best to help us unlock the space. It turns out, the restroom was out of order, which meant it was entirely off-limits.
In my frustration, this is where I finally decided I was done pumping in bathroom stalls and would, instead, try pumping in the spacious area around the sinks. Looking back, I wish I had done this more often, when I wasn’t able to find a private space. I felt a little self-conscious, and I had some trouble discreetly positioning my nursing cover, but otherwise, I didn’t run into any issues.
Our trouble locating elevators across the Las Vegas Strip became a running joke between my husband and I, and this sign at Luxor summed the joke up nicely.
Aside from the family restroom fiasco, things were fairly smooth at Luxor. We easily found a diaper changing station. I made a follow-up inquiry with Luxor’s hotel group, MGM Resorts, after we returned home, and I confirmed that there is at least one family restroom available, and that multiple changing stations can be found, although there is no public lactation space on site. I asked for a few more details, and I’ll be sure to update this post if I hear back.
We made use of Luxor’s elevators to navigate with our Evenflo Pivot Xpand Stroller and ran into our favorite sign, which read “This is Not an Elevator”. The sign did a great job illustrating the circuitous nature of the Las Vegas Strip for families with babies, a circumstance that certainly isn’t limited to Luxor. Otherwise, Luxor didn’t stand out much in terms of its child-friendliness or lack thereof.
If your adventures in Las Vegas take your family through Luxor, I would definitely recommend checking out the family restroom and changing stations. You won’t find them everywhere. We hope this eventually changes for traveling parents in the future. As things stand, hopefully your experience is a bit smoother than ours.
Family Restrooms: Yes Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: None Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat Overall Child-Friendly: Yes Time Spent: 2-3 hours
If you read my first post in this blog, you’ll recall an awkward but funny scene: Me, huddled in a nursing cover at the New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, pumping in the restroom alongside the showgirls. As it turns out, I could have avoided this scene altogether by locating an elusive family restroom on site that I missed. Instead, I used this opportunity to stop tucking myself away in bathroom stalls and try pumping more openly. For better or worse, this experience is emblazoned among my strongest memories of Las Vegas’ Big Apple.
Most downtown Las Vegas hotels have fairly large restrooms with long rows of sinks, which provide enough space to set up a portable pump — in my case, the Medela Pump in Style. This set up is what I tried at New York-New York, with relative success. I ran into a bit of trouble getting my nursing cover in place discreetly, but once I got situated, I quickly realized the sinks were preferable to a stall in terms of spaciousness and cleanliness. I was also pleasantly surprised by the flood of positive comments I received from other women. My self-consciousness gradually receded with each new comment.
A family restroom still would have been better, in my opinion, and a follow-up inquiry with the MGM Hotel Group confirmed that there is at least one on site. But, since my family wasn’t able to find or use it, I’m listing New York-New York at #9 in my ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas.
Through my follow-up inquiry, I also confirmed that New York-New York has at least one diaper changing station but no public lactation space. We did locate and use a changing station, although I recall checking more than one restroom to find it. Across the Las Vegas Strip, we never did locate any public lactation spaces, although we certainly didn’t stop everywhere. In the future, it would be great to see more public lactation spaces across the Strip and more clear signage to guide families to existing amenities.
I sent a couple more questions to the MGM Hotel Group about the number and location of family restrooms and changing stations at New York-New York, but I haven’t heard back yet. If I do, I’ll be sure to update this post.
This area in New York-New York was a great spot to enjoy coffee and pastries in the morning!
Aside from the restrooms, New York-New York was about as child-friendly as a casino can be. Like Paris Las Vegas, there’s a Disney vibe that I enjoyed. The decor evoked a picturesque, bustling city with vendors hawking hotdogs, coffee, and even custom s’mores near Hershey’s Chocolate World, which were delicious. For older children, New York-New York also features The Big Apple Coaster, a visible feature along the Vegas skyline.
One of our favorite family features was the arcade near the entrance to the coaster. We walked past several arcades in downtown Vegas that turned out to be duds, but this one had a wide variety of games. It’s worth noting that Excalibur also has a great “Fun Dungeon”.
As with many other downtown locations, New York-New York required plenty of ups and downs in the elevator, as we met up with family and navigated with a stroller. Baby-wearing is definitely an option worth considering, depending on your plans throughout the day. We opted for a stroller, because we had a full day with multiple stops planned. For us, baby-wearing would make more sense during an isolated, fully air-conditioned outing to a single resort.
All-in-all, I think New York-New York is a fun choice for families, especially compared with other casinos that lack child-friendly attractions. If I could do our visit over again, I would ask for help locating the family restroom, or restrooms, that I missed. The missing pieces for me are more practical family amenities and more information about the amenities that are available.
Family Restrooms: Yes (11) Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: Yes (3) Stroller-Friendly: No Overall Child-Friendly: Somewhat Time Spent: 1-1.5 hours each way
On paper, the airport stops that bookended our family trip to Las Vegas look like a dream. The Harry Reid International Airport offers many dedicated spaces to nurse, pump, and change diapers — a rarity in Las Vegas. So, why am I listing our experience in the mid range of my ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas (at #8, to be specific)? Allow me to explain.
I’ll be the first to say that user error was a factor in the trouble we encountered. I spent hours preparing for our family trip to Vegas in May of 2023, but, as I’ve mentioned in other posts, preparation has its limits. There was one key detail that eluded me throughout my planning: the specific location of the airport’s Mamava Pods.
If you’re familiar with Mamava Pods, you know these magical spaces can be life savers at the airport. These pods offer a small, private area specifically for nursing and pumping. You can use the Mamava app to locate them and even check to see if they’re occupied. And I did use the map. The trouble was that I couldn’t quite tell whether they were located inside or outside of security.
In the end, I made the inaccurate assumption that I would find a pod in both areas. All three of the airport’s Mamava Pods were, in fact, located inside security. On our way into Vegas, we were in a hurry to make sure our beloved Baby Bjorn Travel Crib survived its journey among the checked luggage, and I missed my chance to use the pods entirely.
Once we realized our mistake, a helpful employee directed us to a family restroom, but it was both difficult to locate and locked, which meant we had to track someone down to unlock it. When we finally made our way in, we did find the bare essentials we needed: a sink, toilet, and changing station. The space worked, but it was arduous to gain access.
The map on the Harry Reid Airport’s website is a little unclear about the total number of family restrooms on site, but no matter how you count, there are plenty of them. Had we known, we would have bypassed the locked one altogether. I found 11 that were specifically labeled as family restrooms. This map also shows the location of the Mamava Pods.
After our experience flying into Vegas, you would think I managed to finally use a pod on our way back home. But you would be wrong. The ones located closest to our gate were continually occupied, so I ended up using a family restroom again. This worked just fine, but it was a bummer to miss out on the pods during both legs. I always hate occupying family restrooms for 20 minutes straight in a crowded area where changing stations are at a premium.
In terms of stroller-friendliness, we had no trouble navigating the airport itself. The trouble started when we went to pick up our rental car. When we booked in advance, I came away with the notion that on-site pick-up would be available. In truth, there is no on-site rental car pick-up at the Harry Reid International Airport. No matter which service you choose, you must take an airport shuttle to get there. For a family traveling with suitcases, pumping supplies, a diaper bag, a stroller, and a car seat, it was not a smooth or easy process to get loaded on the bus. Fortunately, a kind employee let us bypass the long line and helped us get situated.
Overall, the pros and cons at this airport present quite the contrast. I appreciated the Mamava Pods, the family restrooms, and the friendly employees who helped us along the way. But Mamava Pods on both sides of security would have helped quite a bit. Most of all, on-site rental car would have made a huge difference. More clear information about both circumstances would have also helped, although I mostly blame myself for missing the location of the pods.
My #8 ranking says less about the airport compared with other amenities in Vegas — by that measure, it would come out on top — and more about our experience compared with other airports. Hopefully, this post will help you prepare in ways I didn’t.
Family Restrooms: Unsure Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: Unsure Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat Overall Child-Friendly: Somewhat Time Spent: 2-3 hours
Picture a pair of wide-open shutters looking out on winding, cobblestone streets. In the distance, you see cafes and famous wonders like the Moulin Rouge, the Sacre Coeur, and the Chat Noir. Ok, well, that’s actually a memory of Montmartre with my husband, years before our 10-month-old daughter was born. But our visit to Paris Las Vegas last May really did conjure that amazing adventure from six years prior. To me, it felt like Disney meets Paris: a combination of two mismatched destinations that I love.
It’s also a combination that creates a fairly family-friendly environment outside the casino floor. The downside? We had trouble locating family-friendly amenities, like a public lactation space or family restroom. For this reason, it ranks at #11 in my ranking of baby-friendly locations in Las Vegas.
Our family of three passed through Paris Las Vegas before joining my extended family for dinner at Alexxa’s, located within the resort. This kept us there for a while. In order to follow my pumping schedule, I resorted to a tactic that I’ve reluctantly used only when necessary: pumping in a bathroom stall. We couldn’t find a private place for me to pump, and I wasn’t yet brave enough to pump along the restroom sinks.
Just a day or two later, I gave the sink method a try. Although it wasn’t very private or easy to keep my nursing cover in place, this tactic felt more comfortable and sanitary. Looking back, I wish I had avoided more bathroom stalls and pumped at the sinks instead.
At Paris, pumping in a stall felt like my best option. When we returned from our trip, I did reach out to inquire about any family restrooms we may have missed. So far, I haven’t heard back. However, my inquiries to other resorts have yielded surprising results. There are family restrooms we failed to find in several locations, and Paris Las Vegas could be one of these spots. If there is one, though, it wasn’t easy for us to find.
As far as the bathroom stalls go, the ones at Paris Las Vegas weren’t the worst I’ve encountered. There was much more elbow room than usual, and, importantly, there was a flat toilet paper dispenser and a purse hook. If you find yourself pumping in a stall, for whatever reason, these details make all the difference. I’ve used the flat dispensers as a spot to set up my portable, Medela Pump in Style pump. It’s also a great spot to set your phone, as you track the time or watch the latest series you’re binging (for me, it was a rewatch of The Magicians). The purse hook is where you’ll hang your pumping bag, providing a hands-free way to carefully sift through supplies without dropping anything on the dirty bathroom floor.
This was the view we encountered outside the small “patisserie” where we stopped for pastries, a bottle of water, and a chance to give our daughter her bottle.
I hope I’ve made it clear that stall pumping isn’t my favorite, but at Paris Las Vegas, I was able to accomplish the task without too much fuss. Twenty minutes later, I changed our daughter’s diaper in a different restroom near the lobby. Not all the restrooms have changing tables, but we didn’t have too much trouble tracking one down.
I’m curious whether Paris Las Vegas has aligned with a relatively new law in Nevada that requires new buildings to have at least one changing table accessible to men and women. There are exceptions, and Paris Las Vegas opened its doors long before the law passed. But I’m encouraged to see Nevada moving in this direction. The changing table we located at Paris was in the women’s restroom, but we didn’t check all the restrooms on site. If anyone tracks down a changing table in a men’s restroom there, please feel free to reach out and let me know. Overall, I hope to see more changes across the Strip to help families access lactation spaces and family restrooms.
At Alexxa’s, we were a bit nervous about setting our stroller aside in the lobby during dinner, but there was no way it would fit near the table. In the end, the arrangement worked out fine. There weren’t many vegetarian options to choose from on the menu, but the appetizers were delicious, and the view from our patio table was spectacular. Our daughter slowly worked on a bottle as we ate and chatted. Throughout the trip, she took most of her bottles on the go in her stroller or with us at restaurants, alongside the solid food we prepared at our hotel, the Desert Rose.
All in all, I wish I could rank Paris Las Vegas higher, because I enjoyed our time there. It was one of my favorite stops. But my ranking is focused on amenities for families and babies, and the overall experience is just one factor. In this case, the lack of adequate pumping space created significant hassle and discomfort. If you’re making a tour of the Strip, I would definitely recommend stopping at Paris Las Vegas. Just be prepared, or face the dreaded stall.
Family Restrooms: Yes Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: No Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat Overall Child-Friendly: No Time Spent: 1-2 hours
My candid review of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas can only begin with a telling argument between my husband and me. He hated the fact that we were crowded into a tiny casino restroom, caring for our 10-month-old baby in a space much more well-suited to nightlife. I did too. But was I grateful, in the moment, that we found a private space at all.
As it turns out, had we looked a bit harder, we would have found a space much more suitable: a family restroom. Our search, during a family trip we took in May of 2023, turned up several gender-neutral restrooms, and we finally opted to use one of these as a private spot to pump. My husband came in with me to offer a second pair of hands, which helps as a strategy to keep things as sanitary as possible.
When we returned from our trip, I made a follow-up inquiry with the MGM Hotel Group, which includes the Cosmopolitan. I learned that there is at least one family restroom with a diaper-changing station on site. I reached out to ask about the location, but I haven’t heard back. If I do, I’ll be sure to update this post. In the meantime, if anyone finds it, please feel free to reach out.
In my post-travel research overall, I’ve learned that many places we visited had more family amenities than we realized. Surely, user error played a role in our failure to locate them. But I think it’s also important to consider findability, especially since some amenities were clearly labeled and convenient. For that reason, along with overall tone, I’ve ranked the Cosmopolitan toward the bottom of my ranking of baby-friendly attractions in Las Vegas, at #12.
Now is a great time for a reminder that this review of the Cosmopolitan is based primarily on our experience there with our 10-month-old daughter. Which is to say, an experience that doesn’t capture the resort’s main audience. We made it work, but I wouldn’t recommend the Cosmopolitan for pumping or breastfeeding in private. There is no public lactation space on site. The family restroom might be an ok spot to pump, but it’s hard for me to say without seeing inside. It would be great to see more lactation spaces all along the Strip, as well as more guidance to help families locate the existing amenities.
If you are planning to pump on the go, at the Cosmopolitan or otherwise, you’ll need the right equipment. I picked the Medela Pump in Style breast pump specifically because it comes with a battery pack, tote bag, and mini-cooler, making it portable and perfect for travel. There was no need to find an outlet, as long as I kept my pump charged. My insurance doesn’t cover any wearable breast pumps, like the Elvie or Willow Go, but I’m very curious about them. If they’re effective, they certainly would have made a huge difference on our trip.
Our family travels with the Medela Pump in Style breast pump, the tote bag and mini-cooler it comes with, and a backpack-style diaper bag, among other necessary supplies.
As for moving through the Cosmopolitan with a stroller, we encountered many ups and downs, literally. We took our Evenflo Pivot Xpand Stroller with us throughout our trip, and I’m glad we did. We were able to easily transfer our daughter from rental car to stroller, and the storage space at the bottom was indispensable, considering all the pumping supplies I was carrying. The downside was the number of elevators. At the Cosmopolitan, we zigged and zagged, searching for appropriate restrooms and elevators to get us where we needed to be.
The Cosmopolitan does look like an exciting place to stay with friends, or as a couple. It advertises itself as a luxury resort, and the advertising isn’t wrong. I enjoyed the quirky, colorful vibe. We encountered lots of edgy, Alice-in-Wonderland-esque decor and plenty of modern, pink elements, all of which align with my personal aesthetic. This stop also came with a fun mystery: the hunt for Secret Pizza, a hidden restaurant that offers a variety of large, cheesy slices. We found it, and the pizza was delicious.
That said, it was obvious from the get-go that this resort’s draw wasn’t its baby-friendliness. My best advice is to move through quickly, or plan to visit while baby is with a sitter. In our case, we celebrated the gender-neutral restroom and our well-sleuthed pizza, and then we moved along to the next stop.
Tacos at your table after pumping: need I say more?
Family Restrooms: No Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: None Stroller-Friendly: Yes Overall Child-Friendly: Yes Time Spent: 1 hour
It might seem odd to include a taco restaurant in my ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas. But if you know me, maybe it doesn’t seem odd at all. In all seriousness, Tacotarian offers more than just a great bite to eat. They came to our rescue a couple of times during our family trip. They provided a boost of family-friendly vibes precisely when I needed them, along with private restrooms and delicious vegetarian food. That’s why Tacotarian earns a number-six ranking in my list.
Tacotarian was our first stop after arriving in Las Vegas in May of 2023, as my husband and I (mostly me) faced some early-trip jitters about navigating Vegas with our 10-month-old daughter. Nothing in the area looked particularly family-oriented or baby-friendly. But when we walked into Tacotarian, I started to feel better. Granted, Mexican food tends to have that effect on me in a variety of contexts.
In this case, my relief was compounded by the two gender-neutral, single-user bathrooms we found, as well as the welcoming ambiance. We visited the location on Casino Center Blvd., and, while there was no dedicated lactation space, I was able to pump there without too much fuss.
I came prepared with the Medela Pump in Style breast pump, a choice I made during pregnancy. This pump comes with a battery pack, tote bag, and mini-cooler, making it portable and perfect for travel. Using these features, I found plenty of space in the Tacotarian restroom to set up a makeshift pumping station. Both restrooms were clean and pleasant.
My Medela Pump in Style pump came with the black and gray tote bag pictured here, and it has definitely come in handy!
When we returned home, I realized my memory was a bit fuzzy about the diaper changing stations. This trip inspired my blog, so I didn’t have all my ducks in a row yet while we were in Vegas. To fill in the gaps, I’ve been making direct inquiries, including an inquiry with Tacotarian. They confirmed that there is a changing table on site, in line with a relatively new law in Nevada that requires new buildings to have at least one changing table accessible to men and women.
Outside the restrooms, the atmosphere at Tacotarian was family-friendly, including a small gift shop that sold a couple children’s items. The menu focused on vegetarian food, which was a wonderful change of pace from the cuisine I’m used to as a vegetarian in Iowa. I ordered several different tacos and liked everything I tried, although I surprised myself by preferring the basic “Gabacho” with Beyond Beef. The extra calories you burn while pumping breast milk can mean great things when it comes to maximizing taco consumption.
If you find yourself in the vicinity of a Tacotarian during your stay, I would definitely recommend stopping in, whether you’re hungry, seeking a family-friendly refuge, or both. There are four locations across the Las Vegas metro area, and they also have a new location in San Diego, CA. If you’re reading, Tacotarian, we would love to see a location all the way over in Iowa!
The variety of interesting animals makes up for the elusive amenities
Family Restrooms: No Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: No Stroller-Friendly: Yes Overall Child-Friendly: Yes Time Spent: Roughly 2 hours
Wildlife might be hard to spot in an arid, urban place like Las Vegas. But at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, you’ll encounter animals both familiar and peculiar. I was tempted to review the aquarium on its own, rather than lumping it in with the less baby-friendly Mandalay Bay Resort, where it’s located. But, since you can’t extricate one from the other, a side-by-side review makes the most sense. With everything taken into account, this stop on our family trip clocks in at #5 in my ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas.
As long as you plan diaper changes and feedings carefully, the Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a stop you don’t want to miss. It’s family-friendly, with a surprising variety of creatures. The trouble we ran into during our trip in May of 2023 involved finding a changing table outside the aquarium and a lack of family restrooms and lactation spaces. Planning ahead will help you avoid these obstacles.
Since our family of three was traveling with a group of extended family, all with different priorities, we almost skipped this stop. But I’m so glad we didn’t. Our 10-month-old daughter loved every minute, and it definitely exceeded my expectations. We encountered surprises ranging from a Komodo Dragon to an octopus to a tank of piranhas, along with plenty of familiar favorites, like tropical fish, sharks, and turtles.
Our family, parents and baby alike, could stare at the octopus tank for hours. We were thrilled to find one at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay!
Our daughter has grown to love “fishies” and aquariums. We made a point of visiting several before she turned one, and her passion even inspired us to throw her an undersea-themed birthday party. It would be hard to pick favorites among the aquariums we visited, but this one stood out in terms of its unique animals and its size relative to its context. We expected a quick walkthrough with the basics, but that was not the case. At the same time, it wasn’t too big to manage.
This is another spot where we appreciated our Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Carrier. A stroller would work fine (we brought ours along to stow our diaper bag and my pumping supplies), but our daughter appreciated the opportunity to see the animals up close. She’s been known to reach out and try to grab the fish!
I’m an animal lover, and I have a special place in my heart for creepy crawlies, including reptiles of all kinds. This giant Komodo Dragon was my favorite animal encounter at the Shark Reef and Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort.
All of that said, we never did find a diaper changing station outside the aquarium — and we regrettably passed up our chance to use that one. This changing table is located en route inside the aquarium. A helpful employee actually pulled us aside to let us know about it. At the time, we didn’t need it. But, knowing what I know now, I would recommend taking the opportunity, especially if you plan to spend more time at the resort beyond the aquarium.
To be fair, we did not check every restroom on site. I didn’t have this blog in mind yet, and we didn’t want to waste our time ducking in and out of restrooms. After checking a few, we moved on to the next stop.
Before we left, I called the resort and confirmed that there aren’t any family restrooms or public lactation spaces at Mandalay Bay. We planned around this disappointing circumstance, and I didn’t try to pump while we were there. For this reason, I didn’t get a close look at the restrooms with this purpose in mind.
Next door, the Luxor does have a family restroom, although it was closed when we visited. Luxor also has changing stations in at least some of the men’s and women’s restrooms. If the Luxor is the next stop on your list, it might be worth waiting.
All-in-all, if you come to Mandalay Bay prepared and stay for a short time, this Vegas stop is both doable and lovable. Scope out your favorite animal, and take the opportunity to let your little one discover theirs.
This low-key home away from home checked all our boxes
Fridge and Freezer: Yes Stroller-Friendly: Yes Overall Child-Friendly: Yes Time Spent: 5 nights
When you envision a trip to Las Vegas, several famous hotels might come to mind. The Desert Rose Resort, located near MGM Grand, probably isn’t one of them. This unassuming option might not be famous or fancy, but it did cover our most important f-words: family and friendly! Our family of three stayed there with our 10-month-old daughter on a trip with extended family in May of 2023. For us, the Desert Rose was affordable on a budget, and it offered amenities that accommodated our unique needs with a baby in Las Vegas. For that reason, I’m listing it at #4 in my ranking of baby-friendly attractions in Las Vegas.
In Vegas, it’s tricky to find a hotel that accommodates families who pump to keep baby fed. For us, the most elusive amenity was a full-size refrigerator with a freezer. My husband and I searched high and low, and our options were limited. But the freezer wasn’t optional. We needed it to re-freeze our icepack, so we could carry breastmilk at a safe temperature throughout our trip. In the future, it would be great to see more hotels providing this essential amenity for pumping families. During our trip, the Desert Rose Resort was the solution, with the freezer we needed and several other helpful features.
For starters, parking was very simple. There was no fee when we visited in May of 2023, and there were always plenty of spots near the walkway to our room. From there, we found that our suite was clean and pleasant. The layout was like a small apartment: both practical and comfortable. The fridge and freezer were located in a full kitchen, which made it relatively easy to keep our daughter fed. We stuck our Medela ice pack in the freezer daily, so we could explore with multiple bottles on hand at a time.
I used my Medela Pump in Style breast pump throughout our trip to Las Vegas. The battery pack and travel accessories came in handy countless times on our trip.
Back at the hotel, we used the stove and dishes that were provided to prepare additional meals, since our daughter was well into her journey exploring a limited selection of solid foods. “Messy” and “picky” are two very apt keywords to describe this journey. For that reason, we appreciated the flexibility to cook meals we knew she would like, and we especially appreciated the dishwasher when clean-up time came around. Beyond the kitchen, we made use of the small dining table, couch, end table, and coffee table, where I set up my pumping station.
One of our favorite features at the Desert Rose was the family-friendly pool. Our daughter took her first “swim” there, and I enjoyed the hot tub. We also enjoyed our quiet, poolside breakfasts on site. The same waiter helped us throughout our stay and always made sure my breakfast burrito had no meat.
The bottom line: Compared with other resorts, the Desert Rose has less of the flashy, Vegas appeal that you might expect. But if you can let that go, it’s the perfect refuge for families with young children after a busy day navigating the Strip.
Bewildering sights and sounds for babies and parents alike!
Family Restrooms: No Gender-Neutral Restrooms: Yes Diaper Changing Stations: Yes Lactation Space: None Stroller-Friendly: No Overall Child-Friendly: Yes Time Spent: 2-3 hours
If you like weird, you’ll love Meow Wolf. As a new family of three, we’ve seen our share of enjoyable zoos and museums, but nothing quite compares to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart. This attraction did something unique: it put us on a level playing field with our daughter, allowing us to experience the world together through new eyes. In my ranking of baby-friendly attractions in Las Vegas, Meow Wolf easily comes in at #3, despite a couple of small challenges.
Omega Mart, located just northwest of the Las Vegas Strip, took us through a labyrinth of dizzying colors, unearthly sounds, and unexpected visuals. Perhaps for our 10-month-old daughter, this wasn’t much different than a typical day, encountering curiosities in a world that’s still new in so many ways. For my husband and I, it was a reminder of just how strange and exciting the world can be at any age.
We used our Infantino baby carrier to bring our 10-month-old daughter into the immersive experience at Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart in Las Vegas.
Although the experience was awash in novelty, this actually wasn’t our first Meow Wolf adventure. My husband and I visited Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver about a year earlier, a couple of months before our daughter was born. Between the two attractions, I preferred Omega Mart. Both locations offered a fully immersive art experience that combines comedy, commentary, story-telling, and mystery in a visually stunning soundscape. And I think both would be enjoyable for children. But for me, the humor and commentary struck a chord in Las Vegas that didn’t quite come together at the other location. I’m sure it also helped that, on the second time around, I wasn’t seven-months pregnant, and I wasn’t as worried about Covid-19.
In Las Vegas, this stop was also doable in the restroom category. The gender-neutral restroom near the stairwell on the second floor provided a spot for me to pump in private while my husband assisted. While there was no public lactation space for breastfeeding, I was able to use the single-stall, gender-neutral restroom without too much trouble. In order to pump on the go, I used my Medela Pump in Style breast pump, which comes with a battery pack, tote bag, and mini-cooler.
Because we were using this space as a stand-in for a family restroom, the lack of a diaper changing table threw us for a loop. We ended up improvising and used our Skip Hop changing pad and some blankets. Looking back, I wish we had checked the other restrooms.
A follow-up inquiry with Meow Wolf confirmed there are changing stations in both the men’s and women’s restrooms on the first and second level within the exhibit. This aligns with a relatively new law in Nevada that requires new buildings to have at least one changing table accessible to men and women. I’m all for this update to state policy. It’s always frustrating to find changing stations in the women’s restroom but not the men’s.
This is just one example of the humor you’ll run into at Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart in Las Vegas. It earned a chuckle from me.
The other important note at Meow Wolf is that strollers aren’t permitted inside— you’ll understand why when you arrive and start exploring. My husband carried our daughter in our Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Carrier, and he was able to access most of the exhibit without any trouble. I use a backpack-style diaper bag from Target, and that made a big difference, as well. I was able to carry everything our daughter needed on my back throughout the experience.
In terms of timing on a feeding schedule, Meow Wolf is very doable. We spent about 2.5 hours there, including drive time. Depending on your plans throughout the day, you could easily fit this stop between hotel feedings. For us, this wasn’t an option, because we had a packed schedule both before and after. The amenities at Omega Mart made it easier for us to hop from place to place throughout the day.
This is actually a photo from Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver, but it’s still a great example of what to expect at either Meow Wolf exhibit.
Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart is located in an entertainment district near the Strip known as Area 15 (it’s worth noting this area has its own restrooms that we didn’t explore). The drive time is minimal, depending on the location of your hotel. While you’re at Area 15, if you can spare an extra half hour, grab a treat at Conduit Cafe, or check out the Rocket Fizz candy store. Like Omega Mart, all of Area 15 offers a visually stunning escape from the norm, although parts of it are more oriented toward nightlife.
Overall, Omega Mart accomplishes something rare. It has excitement to offer for babies, children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents alike. Don’t make the mistake of envisioning Meow Wolf as a typical art museum that your baby might be too young to appreciate. Add it to your list, and get lost in wonder together.
Who knew there was so much natural beauty just beyond the bright, city lights of Las Vegas? Although Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area comes in at # 2 in my ranking of baby-friendly spots in Las Vegas, in terms of enjoyment alone, it was my number one. If you want to escape the traffic and crowds of the Las Vegas Strip for a day, hiking here is a great option, with or without kids.
This stop is just a 25-minute drive from the Strip, but it feels like the middle of nowhere in the best possible way. Here, you’ll find family-friendly amenities, manageable hikes, gorgeous photo opportunities, and a breath of fresh air. There are scenic views in every direction, and — wonder of wonders — there’s a family restroom outside the visitor center to help you and baby get on your way.
As I’ve noted in past posts, my husband and I had trouble locating family-friendly amenities for our 10-month-old daughter throughout our visit to Las Vegas in May of 2023. We never did find any public lactation spaces, and we hope this eventually changes. The restroom at Red Rock Canyon was certainly not an ideal place to pump, and I wouldn’t recommend breastfeeding there. That said, it helped make our visit possible.
We appreciated the option to enjoy Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area via the scenic driving loop and a couple short hikes!
We found this restroom near the visitor center parking lot when we pulled in. It’s an outdoor facility, but with that in mind, it was clean and tidy during our visit. It definitely went above and beyond what I typically expect from a park. There’s a changing table, sink, and toilet. It was a bit snug, but there was room for all three of us and our fairly large, Evenflo Pivot Xpand Stroller.
I reached out to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area after we returned and confirmed there are also changing tables in the men’s and women’s restrooms in the visitor center parking lot and in front of the visitor center. I was glad to hear these weren’t exclusive to the women’s restrooms. We run into this a lot, and it slows us down — especially when we’re hoping my husband can change a diaper while I’m pumping.
In the family restroom, I pumped on my feet at the sink while my husband changed our daughter’s diaper. With trips like this one in mind, I made a point of picking out a breast pump that would be portable and travel-friendly. The Medela Pump in Style, which my insurance covered, comes with a battery pack, tote bag, and mini-cooler. So, it works well on the road. Using the family restroom together, my husband helped me pack up the milk I pumped and rinse my supplies before stowing them away to be properly sanitized back at our hotel.
From there, the three of us set out with our extended family on a scenic drive around the park, stopping here and there to absorb the expansive views and take pictures. My husband and I took turns stepping out to look around, while the other stayed behind in the car with our daughter. This wasn’t an ideal arrangement, but considering the heat, the periodic breaks in the air-conditioning were actually welcome. As I recall, most, or all, of the viewpoints were at least partially stroller-friendly, in case you prefer spending more time at any one stop.
When we reached the Willow Spring Loop, we stopped for a hike all together, followed by another short hike at Petroglyph Wall. These hikes were just the right length for us, but they were not well-suited to a stroller. There are paved trails in the park, but we opted to use our Infantino Flip 4-In-1 Convertible Baby Carrier instead. This allowed all three of us to get into the thick of it and experience the landscape. For more information about trail accessibility, you can check out Red Rock Canyon’s trail guide.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a great spot to carry baby in a forward-facing carrier, allowing them to explore all the new sights and sounds.
My husband wore the baby carrier on the first leg of our hike, and I carried our daughter on the second. We’ve accumulated two Infantino carriers, sort of by accident, which means we keep one adjusted to my husband’s size, and one sized for me. However, if you just have one carrier, we find it’s not difficult to quickly adjust the straps. The carrier worked well in this context and allowed our daughter to visually explore the unfamiliar landscape. We kept the hiking brief — about an hour total between the two trails — and none of us got too worn out. Don’t forget sunscreen for everyone and a sun hat for baby.
One other important note: This park required timed reservations in advance when we visited in May of 2023, and the scenic drive is not a full loop. This means you’ll exit at a different spot than where you entered. Without realizing this, we planned to use the family restroom to pump and change our daughter’s diaper both before and after our visit to the park, assuming the route would loop us right back. When the scenic drive unexpectedly spat us out onto the highway, we circled back to the entrance and asked for permission to re-enter and use the restroom. The ranger let us back in without any trouble, but the confusion caught us off guard.
Depending on your breastfeeding/pumping schedule, I think it’s possible to visit for a short hike between feedings and avoid this sort of complication. But this is less feasible if you plan to stop frequently to see the sights and take pictures, as we did.
I ordered the BBQ Veggie Burger and Umami Fries at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, and they were amazing!
We stopped at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar on our way back to the Strip and gave our daughter a bottle at our table. This worked well for us. The food was amazing — one of my favorite meals on the trip — and very vegetarian-friendly.
All-in-all, I view Red Rock Canyon as a must-see oasis just beyond the Las Vegas Strip. As long as you come prepared, you won’t regret taking the time to get away.
