Las Vegas???

[eternaldisneyfan]

My family just threw out this crazy idea of taking a vacation to Vegas. I don't like the idea but am trying to be fair.

First off, I don't want to stay in a hotel with strip shows or adult entertainment. I don't like gambling but as long as I am not assaulted with it at every turn-I would deal with it.

No smoking!!! Any public enclosed area that had a smoking section would be impossible. I have a trach, ventilator, and asthma so smoking would ruin any fun.

How is the wheelchair accessibility? Any rides you can mark off. Shows/tours would be the only possibility. But I don't see any exhibits mentioning accessibility. Shows don't comment. And what about rooms?

I don't want to sit around all day and then see one show each night. We can't swim, use a spa, go on rides, and don't gamble, drink, or watch adult entertainment...Realistically-is there going to be enough for us to do?

Thanks,
Christamae

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Eternaldisneyfan - I'm really afraid you won't enjoy Vegas. I'm thinking the smoke and crowds will be unbearable. Although there is much better ventilation in the casinos these days, there is still alot of it - it is just everywhere - even in the non-smoking sections. I'm sure the buildings and shows are all acessible. You asked about these things with your health challenges in mind.

The crowds can be crazy - like disney only not friendly. It is almost impossible to get accross the streets without joining in a crowd that jaywalks or goes across on a red light despite traffic. It is not all about gambling and strip shows. There are alot of things to see in all of the shopping/eating areas of the hotels and casinos. There is some fantastic shopping and eating!!!

 

[sharoncity]

I don't know when you are looking at going, but I didn't find any problems with crowds/rudeness/streetcrossing the two times we went. There is much to see in the hotels themselves. The Venetian and Bellagio both have very nice museums (art). There is shopping (or in our case, window shopping ) gallore. We gambled a little, but not too much time. We rented a car and went to Hoover Dam (enjoyed it very much.) Saw a few shows, ate at a few REALLY nice restaurants. We enjoyed hanging out at the bar in the afternoon, people watching or if we sat at the bar, we found the bartenders to be very friendly and interesting. We found that to be one of our favorite things about Vegas - the friendly people. I am not a smoker, but I don't recall having a real problem with smoke in the casinos or elsewhere.
If you decide to go, have an open mind and enjoy! We sure did!

 

[MOMTOCUTESTDOGEVER]

If you go to Vegas with the mindset that you are not going to have fun, you won't. That being said, the city has a lenient smoking policy and it was built on gambling and adult entertainment. None of that is a secret and it is advertised heavily when you get there.

DH and I just got home from Vegas today. We both found the smoke much worse than normal. I don't know if it was just our hotel (Paris) or if we have just become more sensitive to it. We had to shower immediately when we got back to the room each night. We did spend an hour or two total each day in the casino.

One thing that I think you would find offensive is the guys standing around handing out ads for clubs/shows with almost naked girls on them. You will also see giant signs and billboards advertising the adult shows--complete with partially naked performers on them.

We are not drinkers, smokers, nor heavy gamblers. We had a great time! Vegas is beautiful at night. The sheer sizes of everything (the Strip and all of the casinos/hotels) is a site to behold. It is perhaps the best place I have visited for people watching. There are a ton of shops that kind of give you an insight into how the other half lives. We really had a great time.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Please note: I did not say it is impossible to have fun in Vegas! We have a great time, although I find the crowds to be pretty heavy, and I would not want to try to traverse in a wheel chair.

***The OP stated she has a trach, ventilator and asthma and must not be in any area with smoke! I think that includes just about any place you can name in Vegas, except your car on the way to Hoover Dam! There are alot of wonderful restaurants, shopping, etc. as I mentioned - it just sounds like she is really breathing challenged - if it is that extreme, most areas in Vegas would be off limits to her.*****

 

[JennCa]

I think the smoking would be an issue although if that weren't an issue I would say there is plenty to do. I don't like the smoke and don't think it's that awful, but it IS around!

Jenn

 

[woody73]

My family just threw out this crazy idea of taking a vacation to Vegas. . .

Sounds like you would enjoy staying home.

Woody

 

[jlima]

First off, I don't want to stay in a hotel with strip shows or adult entertainment.

Some resorts have topless entertainment. Bally's has the Jubilee! show and the Tropicana has Folies Bergere. And some casinos have more risque shows; Luxor has a show called Fantasy and MGM Grand has a show called Crazy Horse Paris. Generally, if a show is advertised as "must be 18 to attend", it is topless. However, bear in mind a topless show may be one of several entertainment options at a Las Vegas resort. I wouldn't rule out a property like the MGM Grand just because one of their entertainment options happens to feature topless entertainment. There is no property with gaming that has a "gentlemen's club" in it.

I don't like gambling but as long as I am not assaulted with it at every turn-I would deal with it.

Most properties are designed for you to walk through a gaming area to get to almost anything on property. Two that I can definitely say do not fit this category are Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo. At both of these properties, if you arrive at the main entrance, you can check in and use the guest room elevators without going through the casino.

No smoking!!! Any public enclosed area that had a smoking section would be impossible. I have a trach, ventilator, and asthma so smoking would ruin any fun.

The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act was voted into law in November 06. Smoking is now prohibited in ALL public areas except gaming areas in a casino. For restaurants and bars, if an establishment serves food, there is no smoking allowed. So, if you stay away from the actual casino floor of the property you stay at, and if you request a non smoking room, you should be OK.

How is the wheelchair accessibility? Any rides you can mark off. Shows/tours would be the only possibility. But I don't see any exhibits mentioning accessibility. Shows don't comment. And what about rooms?

Every property has handicapped accessible rooms, and every show has handicapped accessible seating. Just ask when you make your reservations. And one ride that might be OK would be the Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas; you just go up an elevator, go out on an enclosed area, and come back down when you want to. On the Strip there are curb cuts everywhere and elevated pedestrian crossings at major intersections. The ADA does not skip Nevada.

I don't want to sit around all day and then see one show each night. We can't swim, use a spa, go on rides, and don't gamble, drink, or watch adult entertainment...Realistically-is there going to be enough for us to do?

What would keep my family occupied, that's not on your list -
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
Dolphin Habitat/Secret Garden at The Mirage
Madame Tussads at Venetian
Art Gallery at Bellagio (currently has a Picasso ceramics exhibit)
Conservatory at Bellagio
Eiffel Tower elevator ride at Paris Las Vegas
Jubilee backstage tour at Bally's (they show you costumes, staging, etc)
Shopping - Forum Shops at Caesars, mall at Venetian, mall at Aladdin/Planet Hollywood casino, 2 outlet malls (one has a Disney clearance center with merchandise from DL), Fashion Show mall
Tours - to Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire or Grand Canyon
Dining - anything you want, from $1.99 breakfast to $360 per person gourmet dining
Shows - 5 Cirque du Soliel shows (ok, maybe 4, as one is 18+, Zumanity at NYNY), Tournament of Kings at Excalibur, Lance Burton at Monte Carlo, The Producers at Paris Las Vegas, Spamalot at Wynn Las Vegas, gospel brunch at House of Blues and many more.
Spas - I'm not sure why you would rule out a spa. There are several really good ones, like the Canyon Ranch Spa at The Venetian, or The Bathhouse Spa at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. Why not get a manicure or pedicure, or a foot massage?

When I'm at a Strip property I am surrounded by people having a good time. I can't imagine coming to this city, and not finding something to enjoy.

 

[casaazul]

You may want to consider the Signature at MGM. There are 3 towers and the entire resort is non smoking. There is not a casino in the lobby, but there is a bar and I think a deli and a Starbucks.

THey have their own pools, but you can also use the big pool area at MGM.

The rooms are suites with kitchen type facilities etc.

Have fun.

 

[MateasMom]

I'm not a big Vegas fan, but if the rest of the family is going and you want to join them I DO think it's doable. First, have you considered staying OFF the strip? The Marriott and Comfort Inn hotels are all smoke free now a days. You'll find them all over Vegas, mostly outside of the bright lights in nice normal areas. I would stay away from the traditional Vegas attractions (casinos, shows, exhibits) as they all require you to walk through a crowded and smoked in casino and instead look for attractions in the suburbs. The hoover dam, red rock, shopping, etc (depending on the make up of your group....).

 

[GailT]

well I was there last Dec. I hate smoke and can pick up the scent a mile away. Although the Mandalay casino was not bad it still had a smoke smell and that being said it bothered me and I am not on a ventilator. Good luck on your decision, I would maybe think about going somewhere else that fits your lifestyle.

 

[DizTheWiz]

One of the issues that bothers me about going to Vegas is the smoking. But I have to say that the newer casinos do a great job of filtering the smoke to the point where you dont even notice it unless you are sitting next to someone smoking. Some of the older casinos smell of smoke to the point where when you get home you can still smell smoke in your clothes. I think a lot of the hotels have adult entertainment but unless you are searching for it you wont even now about it.
I love to just visit all the casinos and enjoy the theming and architecture. Tehre are so many shows to see as well, but they can get expensive. There are lots of nice shopping areas to walk around. Bellagio and Wynn are beautiful. Definatly have to stop by the fountain show at night in front of the Bellagio.

 

[Leggyb]

There is definitely enough to do. My family is LDS (mormon) so they don't do any of the stuff mentioned on your list either... yet they come to Vegas every year for Thanksgiving and LOVE it.

We like to go shopping.. that is our main thing.. there are also a lot of activities within certain hotels.. like Mirage has their Volcano that goes off.. Bellagio has their fountains.. The Wynn is really cool to go explore (has a big waterfall thingy) and all of those things are free! We also like to go see shows all the time. I would suggest seeing Blue Man Group, Ka' (it's the new cirque du soleil at MGM), Mystere' at Treasure Island.. There is just so much to do there!

Maybe I would even suggest doing the Helicopter tour over the strip. It is very enjoyable.

My tip for avoiding all the street guys handing out "fliers".... just keep your head up and don't look on the ground!

 

[woody73]

. . . My tip for avoiding all the street guys handing out "fliers".... just keep your head up and don't look on the ground!

Good tip. Those fliers are disgusting!

Woody

 

[GailT]

I guess I didn't have the whole Vegas experience, I didn't see one flier, flier, what kind are they?

 

[Leggyb]

I guess I didn't have the whole Vegas experience, I didn't see one flier, flier, what kind are they?

Basically they're little cards advertising naked girls. Which isn't really that big of a deal, except that there are TONS of these cards... and tons of these guys that pass them out. 90% of the cards with the naked ladies end up on the street... so basically when you walk you are walking on naked people.

I find this easily avoided though.. just dont walk on the side of the strip with Venetian, Paris, Aladdin... they seem to hang out on that side more rather than the Bellagio side. However, if you do walk on that side with little kids.. then just tell them to keep their heads up.