From neon nights to sandstone cathedrals, this 7-day family-friendly itinerary balances Las Vegas fun with easy-access national parks—and finishes with a warm weekend in Seattle for quality family time. You’ll explore the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, Zion’s towering walls, and Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos without changing hotels every night.

Las Vegas began as a frontier railroad stop and blossomed into an entertainment capital, but some of the Southwest’s most photogenic landscapes lie just beyond the Strip. Short day trips get you from fountains and food halls to desert canyons in a single day, perfect for curious kids and photo-happy parents.

Seattle, a maritime city cradled by mountains and water, anchors the weekend. Expect world-class coffee, hands-on museums, and ferry rides with skyline views. Practical note: Start this plan on a Monday so that Days 6–7 fall on Saturday–Sunday in Seattle to maximize family visits.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is more than casinos: think aquariums, pinball museums, botanical displays, and dazzling evening shows your kids can also enjoy. The Strip’s pedestrian bridges make it easy to hop between marvels like the Bellagio Conservatory and the Mirage’s neighbors, while Downtown’s Fremont East and the Arts District offer local flavor.

• Top family sights: Bellagio Conservatory & Fountains; Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay; Springs Preserve (gardens and nature exhibits); Pinball Hall of Fame; The LINQ Promenade with the High Roller; the Sphere’s glowing exterior shows at night.
• Nearby nature: Grand Canyon West (Skywalk), Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon—most available as convenient day tours with early pick-ups.
• Where to stay (family picks): Vdara (non-gaming, smoke-free suites), Delano (all-suite, quiet), Park MGM (smoke-free), or condo-style stays near the Strip for kitchen access.

Browse stays on VRBO Las Vegas or compare hotels on Hotels.com Las Vegas.

How to get here: Search flights to Las Vegas on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Taxis/rideshares from Harry Reid International (LAS) take ~10–20 minutes to mid-Strip depending on traffic.

Seattle

Seattle pairs sea air and skyline with kid-approved icons: Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, a top-tier aquarium, and ferries that feel like mini-cruises. The city’s neighborhoods reward wandering—Capitol Hill’s bakeries in the morning, Ballard’s locks and Nordic roots by afternoon.

• Top family sights: Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Museum of Flight, and the Monorail (a retro ride kids love).
• Easy day moments: A Bainbridge Island ferry ride for views and ice cream; beachcombing at Alki; the Gas Works Park viewpoint; Discovery Park’s lighthouse loop.
• Where to stay (family picks): Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown (pool, near Seattle Center), The Maxwell Hotel (Staypineapple) near Seattle Center, Residence Inn Seattle Lake Union (kitchenettes), Silver Cloud Hotel Lake Union.

Browse stays on VRBO Seattle or compare hotels on Hotels.com Seattle.

Vegas to Seattle: Morning nonstop flight ~2.5 hours; typical one-way fares $90–$220 depending on season. Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From SEA, the Link light rail to Westlake (downtown) takes ~35 minutes.

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas (Afternoon Arrival) + Strip Highlights at Night

Morning: Travel day. Book flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pack swimsuits, hats, refillable bottles—desert sun is real even in cooler months.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel (Vdara, Delano, Park MGM, or a VRBO condo). Stretch your legs through the Bellagio Conservatory—its seasonal displays enchant kids and adults—then stop for gelato at Bellagio Patisserie or soft serve at Milk Bar (Cosmopolitan). Early dinner: Tacos El Gordo for hand-carved adobada, or Din Tai Fung (ARIA) for dumplings that always win with kids.

Evening: See the city light up from an open-top bus—fun and low-effort after a travel day. Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus is a relaxed circuit of the Strip and Downtown, with neon stories and photo stops.

Day 2: Grand Canyon West Rim + Hoover Dam (Full-Day Tour)

Early pick-up for a bucket-list day: the West Rim is the closest part of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, with glass-bottom thrills at the Skywalk and viewpoints like Eagle Point and Guano Point. Many tours include a Hoover Dam photo stop and lunch, keeping logistics simple for families.

Recommended: Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam Stop and Optional Lunch and Skywalk. Expect a 10–12 hour day with air-conditioned transport and guided stops. Bring sunscreen, layers, and portable chargers.

Back in Vegas, treat yourselves to dinner at Esther’s Kitchen (Arts District; superb handmade pastas and focaccia) or a quick-and-delicious stop at Secret Pizza (Cosmopolitan) if the kids are wiped.

Day 3: Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks (Full-Day Tour)

Another unforgettable day in the red-rock kingdom. Zion’s cream-and-russet cliffs tower above the Virgin River, while Bryce Canyon’s amphitheaters glow with thousands of hoodoos—kids love spotting shapes and animals in the formations. It’s a long ride, but photo stops and short strolls break it up nicely.

Recommended: Bryce Canyon & Zion National Park from Las Vegas with Lunch, WiFi. Tours typically depart pre-dawn and return in the evening; pack snacks and a warm layer for Bryce’s higher elevation.

Dinner back in town: Lotus of Siam for Northern Thai favorites (crispy garlic prawns, khao soi) or family-style Italian at Ferraro’s near the Sphere district.

Day 4: Emerald Cave Kayak + Old Vegas & Arts District

Morning: Swap bus seats for river time on the Colorado. The mellow paddle is great for beginners and older kids, with emerald-green water and desert scenery. Book the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle for a 3-hour guided outing; snacks and swim stops are part of the fun.

Afternoon: Lunch at Makers & Finders (Latin comfort food; kid-approved arepas) in the Arts District, then browse colorful murals and local shops. If the kids want hands-on learning, Springs Preserve offers desert gardens, trails, and interactive exhibits just 10 minutes off-Strip.

Evening: Head to Downtown’s Fremont East for the Container Park playground (giant treehouse!) and easy eats at Pizza Rock or Le Thai. End with the Bellagio Fountains on your way back—shows run every 15–30 minutes at night, and they never get old.

Breakfast/coffee ideas today: PublicUs (Fremont East) for standout pastries and toasts; Vesta Coffee Roasters (Arts District); Eggslut (Cosmopolitan) for griddled egg sandwiches before your paddle.

Day 5: Fly to Seattle (Morning Flight) + Pike Place & Waterfront

Morning: Nonstop LAS→SEA ~2.5 hours; typical one-way fares $90–$220. Search times and prices on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From SEA, take Link light rail (~35 minutes) or a 25–40 minute rideshare to downtown/Seattle Center.

Afternoon: Check in (Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown, Maxwell Hotel, Residence Inn Lake Union, or a VRBO with kitchen). Wander Pike Place Market: watch the fish toss, see the original Starbuck’s storefront, and snack your way through Beecher’s mac & cheese, Piroshky Piroshky, and Daily Dozen mini donuts. Pop to the Seattle Aquarium on Pier 59 for playful otters and hands-on tide pools.

Evening: Dinner with views at Ivar’s Acres of Clams (waterfront classics—clam chowder, grilled salmon) or keep it casual at Serious Pie (wood-fired pizzas; the roasted mushroom pie is a hit). If energy allows, stroll the Great Wheel lights and grab Molly Moon’s ice cream.

Coffee/breakfast ideas tomorrow: Storyville Coffee (Pike Place) for a calm café with pastries; Top Pot Doughnuts (multiple locations) for an easy kid-pleaser.

Day 6 (Saturday): Seattle Center—Space Needle, Chihuly, and Family Time

Morning: Fuel up at Portage Bay Cafe (pancakes with a fresh berry bar) or The Crumpet Shop near the Market. Ride the Monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center—half the fun is the trip itself. Visit the Space Needle for 360° views; the tilted glass benches wow kids and grownups.

Afternoon: Right next door, Chihuly Garden and Glass dazzles with gigantic glass blooms; then head to the Pacific Science Center for hands-on exhibits and a butterfly house. If you’re meeting family, the Seattle Center Armory offers an easy food-court rendezvous with lots of choices.

Evening: Casual dinner near Seattle Center: Tutta Bella (Neapolitan pies, good for groups) or Plum Bistro (creative plant-based, nearby on Capitol Hill). For a sweet finish, grab Fran’s Chocolates or head to Salt & Straw on Capitol Hill.

Day 7 (Sunday): Bainbridge Ferry, Neighborhood Strolls & Departure

Morning: Brunch at Bakery Nouveau (Capitol Hill) for legendary double-baked almond croissants, or Portage Bay Cafe if you missed it yesterday. Walk to the Colman Dock and ride the Bainbridge Island ferry (~35 minutes each way). It’s an inexpensive mini-cruise with classic skyline photos on approach.

Afternoon: On Bainbridge, browse Winslow’s boutiques and kid-friendly Mora Iced Creamery. Ferry back in time to collect bags and head to SEA for your afternoon flight. If you have extra time pre-airport, the Museum of Flight (near Boeing Field) is superb—massive aircraft, a space gallery, and a Concorde.

Evening: Fly home with phones full of canyon panoramas and waterfront sunsets.

Practical Notes

• Pack layers: desert mornings and Bryce Canyon can be cool even in warmer seasons; Seattle evenings can be breezy year-round.
• Car vs. tours near Vegas: With kids, guided day tours to Grand Canyon West, Zion, and Bryce simplify parking, timing, and meals. Save self-driving for shorter outings like Red Rock or Springs Preserve.
• Stroller-friendly: The Strip’s pedestrian bridges include elevators; Pike Place has hills and stairs, but elevators exist near the MarketFront and garages. Monorail and ferries are stroller-friendly.

Optional swap-ins if your family prefers less time in transit: Replace one national park day with Valley of Fire’s closer landscapes via a half-day tour, or add the Strip helicopter flight at night for a wow moment without walking.

Alternative Viator experiences you might like (choose one if you want a swap):

• Las Vegas Strip Highlights by Helicopter at Night — a 10–12 minute sparkle-overload flight perfect after dinner.

Family-friendly stays: Compare and book on VRBO Las Vegas, Hotels.com Las Vegas, VRBO Seattle, and Hotels.com Seattle. Flights for both legs are easy to price on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Summary: Over one week, you’ll savor Las Vegas with kids—fountains, food, and a night tour—then let the Southwest’s red-rock cathedrals steal the show before a cozy, family-centric weekend in Seattle. It’s the best of lights, landscapes, and loved ones, all in an easy, memorable loop.