The sun is getting brighter, the wind has picked up and the buzz of Spring is in the air. Now is the time to take advantage of this gorgeous weather before the summer-sauna-season hits. And as us VEGASMAMAS know, the stay-indoors-from-10am-to-4pm-season comes fast.

One of my favorite local’s destination is Bonnie Springs Ranch. It’s funky. It’s dry. It’s dusty and it’s dirty but, boy howdy, is it fun.

Founded in 1864, this Ranch is the epitome of ye ol’ wild west…an “authentic western destination” only 15 minutes east on Charleston Road (6 minutes past Red Rock Canyon) but you’ll feel like you stepped 140 year back in time. Think Doc Brown from Back to the Future III. Wear your boots, bring your hand wipes and be aware of vibrant peacocks roaming freely as you park.

For a small fee you have access to Bonnie Springs park; endless train rides (this is a REAL choochoo train complete with train tracks encircling the property…a kids’ delight), a petting zoo (those animals take the food right outta your hand!), a wild west Old Town (authentic 1880’s mining town replica with endless photo-ops galore), live performances and gunfights in the streets (posted showtimes so you can avoid if you like).

It’s superVEGASMAMASwesternfantastica.

For extra fees you can book kids’ pony rides, adult horse rides, private parties (now that’s an idea for a unique kids’ party), guided rock climbing adventures, and, my favorite, those cool old black&white western photos that remind me of the Del Mar Fair.

Once you spend 2-3 hours around the park (and if your kids aren’t crying for their afternoon nap!) you can refuel at Bonnie Springs’ restaurant; get ready for fried food delights (sweet corn fritters…mmmm), bison burgers, wagon steaks, endless BBQ options, Super Salads and fish&chips all washed down with an iced cold Sarsparilla (or, my preference, a nice cerveza). Walk through the bar and staple a dollar for luck on their ceiling. Sit around the indoor firepit if it’s chilly outside. Throw pellet food at the ducks in the pond…there’s even a lake-view/access from the restaurant (literally one step outside and serves as a fabulous distraction/break for a fussy toddler).

You’ll feel sticky and smelly when you leave but who cares? You’ve lived Vegas’ Ol’ West experience!

Pop your kids in the bath when you get home and be prepared for them to fall asleep extra early that night with dreams of peacocks, choochoo trains, running freely down creaky wooden verandas and being “King of the Woooorld!” atop bails of hay. What could be better in Dreamy Kidlandia? Let’s remember, kids should get dirty! They LOVE to get dirty! And tired. And beat. And sunned. And satisfied from a western day well-lived.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Monday and Tuesday; Adults & Children: $7 (petting zoo open ONLY)
Wednesday thru Friday; Adults: $10, Children: $7 (everything is open but NO TRAIN)
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays (everything is open, train IS running!)
kids under 2 years are free
If possible, dress kids in western gear (flannels, jeans, bandanas), makes for better photos
Bring small $$$ bills for quick bites/drink, animal food & train conductor gratuity
Sometimes they charge for parking
Wear your boots (that are easily cleaned), bring your water & endless hand wipes
Doggies stay at home
I always call ahead just to make sure they’ll have available what we want that day
Bonnie Springs: (702) 875-4191, 16395 Bonnie Springs Road, Las Vegas, NV 89124
We took my visiting sister & her two sons, it was a perfect morning celebration and she had her little ones tucked-in bed for their 1pm naps. My nephews still talk about the train at Bonnie Springs.

Old Nevada, just 15 minutes west of Summerlin...

It’s superVEGASMAMASwesternfantastica.

You’ll feel sticky and smelly when you leave but who cares? You’ve lived Vegas’ Ol’ West experience!

We took my visiting sister & her two sons, it was a perfect morning celebration and she had her little ones tucked-in bed for their 1pm naps. My nephews still talk about the train at Bonnie Springs.