F1 in the Desert: A Family Weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Bringing a child to the 2023 inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix may sound like a logistical gamble, but it turned out to be one of the most exciting and surprisingly smooth weekends we’ve experienced as a family. With the right planning and a few strategic choices, Las Vegas proved to be both a high-energy race destination and a family-accessible city during race weekend.

Here’s how we did it — and why we’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Watching the Race: Sports Illustrated Club SI Access

For the main event, we secured hospitality access to the Sports Illustrated Club SI, located just off the Strip directly across from the Bellagio. It offered an elevated race-viewing experience with thoughtful accommodations for comfort and families:

• Two levels of race viewing, including covered indoor seating and outdoor balcony heaters, ideal for the chilly November desert nights

• A ground floor lounge complete with TVs, couches, a premium bar, and food service — a quiet and luxurious escape from the high-energy race environment

• Celebrity guest appearances and live commentary throughout the weekend, including Dax Shepard, David Beckham, and others hosting Q&As and driver interviews

The combination of exclusive access, controlled indoor/outdoor options, and lively entertainment made the venue not just race-ready, but family-friendly — especially for parents navigating nap schedules or colder temps with little ones.

Where We Stayed: Paris Las Vegas

We booked our stay at Paris Las Vegas, just one block away from the Sports Illustrated venue. This turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip — not just for proximity but for convenience during the highly restricted traffic setup across the Strip.

Here’s what stood out:

• Easy walking access to our hospitality venue, with no need to cross road closures or footbridges

• A variety of dining options, from quick-service cafés to full-service restaurants, all indoors

• On-site F1 merchandise kiosks in the lobby for last-minute gear

• Clean, comfortable rooms (though note: no track views, as the hotel towers are set back behind the casino and Café Paris)

One key tip: In Las Vegas, always book your hotel and hospitality on the same side of the Strip. With closures and limited access ramps in place all weekend, it’s the best way to avoid frustrating detours and delays.

Weather and Walking: Cold Desert Nights, But Everything Close

November in the desert can be surprisingly cold. Temperatures in the evenings dropped significantly, which made heated seating at the venue and indoor walking routes through the Paris hotel particularly helpful with a child in tow.

We traveled easily with a stroller, and the entire race weekend was walkable. No car seats were needed — a major plus when traveling with young kids. With major roads closed to traffic, we relied solely on foot travel and the Las Vegas Monorail, which made stops at key hotels and venues like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio, and the Luxor.

The Strip was transformed into a massive pedestrian zone, giving us full access to the weekend’s many pop-up events, car displays, and driver appearances — all without the usual stress of Vegas traffic.

Final Thoughts: Vegas with a Child During Race Weekend? Absolutely.

If you're considering the Las Vegas Grand Prix for your family in future years, here’s what we found:

• Book hospitality that offers indoor seating and multiple viewing levels — it’s worth the upgrade, especially in cooler weather

• Stay on the same side of the Strip as your venue to avoid frustrating access issues

• Leverage the city’s walkability and monorail system — it works well with a stroller and makes race weekend feel smooth, even with a toddler

• Choose hotels with full-service dining options, indoor space, and nearby entertainment for non-race moments

The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix was a thrilling, high-design, and surprisingly accommodating experience for families. With a child in tow, we were able to enjoy everything from world-class race viewing and celebrity commentary to impromptu sightseeing and late-night pizza — all within walking distance, no car seat required.

It’s the kind of weekend that proves you don’t have to put bucket-list experiences on hold when you have a young family. You just need to choose the right hospitality, the right hotel, and a willingness to walk.