Vegas with 2 kids

[TiggerMomNine]

We are planning a trip to Vegas, probably in July.

Excalibur or Stratosphere? We're on a budget, and will have a car.

We want to see the kid-friendly stuff - and go see Lion King!

We are considering: Adventurdome, Madame Tussauds, Secret Garden, Lion Habitat, Shark Reef, Freemont zip line, etc.

Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!!!

 

[rpbert1]

Only thing i would say is to go with Excaliber, as Stratosphere was quite a bit away from the main part of the strip, and not somewhere i would like to be at night.

 

[usnuzuloose]

We are planning a trip to Vegas, probably in July.

Excalibur or Stratosphere? We're on a budget, and will have a car.

We want to see the kid-friendly stuff - and go see Lion King!

We are considering: Adventurdome, Madame Tussauds, Secret Garden, Lion Habitat, Shark Reef, Freemont zip line, etc.

Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!!!

You have the M&M store, Coca cola store and game works. The MGM have a free exhibit with the lions if you do it take the camera. We stayed at the stratosphere 2 weeks ago and when I checked in online we got to go to the top for free. If you dont want to do the rides you can certainly watch them. Just bring good walking shoes. Everthing looks close but it is not. type in free things on the internet for vegas and you will find alot. I will be back going next weekend. Have a great time.

 

[bluedevilinaz]

Blue Man Group is another show your kids will definitely enjoy if you have the time. The zipline is kind of pricey at $15/ride before 6pm and $20/ride after 6pm or you can get an all day pass for $50. I would definitely suggest staying at Excalibur versus Stratosphere just because you're closer to everything where as the Stratosphere is at the far north end of the strip and as rpbert1 said it's not the greatest area of town, especially at night. Everything you have on the list would be great for your kids! The Mirage Volcano is always cool to watch and you can also check out Sirens of TI and the Bellagio fountains(they run all day but are more impressive at night) as they're free show's right on the strip.

If you have a car there's the Ethel M Chocolate factory tour in Henderson, the Carol Shelby auto museum at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and The Hoover Dam all of which are between 20 and 40 minutes off of the strip.

 

[GeminiAngel]

There is nothing wrong with the location of Excalibur. Its location is right next to Luxor, Mandalay Bay. South end of the strip.

Stay away from Stratosphere, very bad neighborhood. Here is a safe range:
Las Vegas Blvd, Between Tropicana Ave & Spring Mtn road.

The Mirage is very nice and family friendly.

FYI: I'm a 30 year resident in Vegas. Happy travels!!

 

[VAN]

Between the two places you mentioned, I'd go with Excalibur. Much better location for "walking" to a variety of resorts. The Stratosphere is way to the North, kinda on its own (esp with the Sahara closing).

Be aware that Circus Circus is a dump! When my kids were small, we would also spend time there, but it has been allowed to get run down and we don't even bother going there to gamble anymore.

I would add a visit to Hoover Dam (first thing in the morning, though, before the crowds and heat build) ... definitely a MUST! Red Rock Canyon is just west of town (on Charleston) and is definitely worth the trip ... but it is the desert, so be mindful of the heat (we normally visit in either Dec or March).

I'd check out what coupons are available. Use Tix4Tonite if going to shows. We purchased an American Casino Guide (available in bookstores) and used some of their coupons. Also a wonderful website for saving's opportunities:

http://www.vegas4locals.com/coupons.html

We always take lots of Nathan's coupons ... its buy one item, get one free. Usually two of their sandwiches are big enough to feed 3-4 people ... cost $10.

The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas is a good book to read as well. It will give you insight into the "free" transportation that is available along the strip (e.g. tram connecting Mandalay Bay/Luxor/Excalibur and Monte Carlo/City Center/Bellagio) which can save you lots of walking.

Don't forget to visit the lobby area of Bellagio and garden area!

Oh, the King Arthur's dinner show at the Excalibur is so worth it with kids!

Have a great time.

 

[LCARDVERO]

What age are your kids. Have you considered the Flamingo -Go Room? We just got back with teenage kids.I am very budget savy and found a website called smartervegas.com that have linked and discount codes to all the hotels. I found some awesome rates. We stayed there very cheap in an update GO Room room which was huge and even included a mini-fridge (no resort fees). The pool was nice and you are allowed to poolhop to any Caesar resort. so we walked 5 min across street and spent pool time at Caesar's Palace which was AMAZING.

I agree, Stratisphere and Circus Ciruse too fare. Even though the Excaliber had great rates, we walked through and it looked very dumpy compared to other hotels. We stayed 1/2 week at MGM grand (good rate, but still not that cheap) but it was a beautiful resort and worth the money. But if you are on a budget, I would consider Flamingo or Luxor.

 

[Leilanie94]

We were in Las Vegas from September 30 - October 2 with our boys (ages 6 and 8). We discovered an awesome "kids play area" at the Town Square Mall. My boys had so much fun!

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

GET RTC PASSES!!!!!! We didn't get ours until late in our trip and we were upset because they would have been really useful early on. The buses travel the entire strip and also stop at locations that are farther away (Freemont street, even the Clark County Museum!). GET BUS PASSES!

 

[carnival kid]

Definately NOT stratosphere!! Go excalibur of Luxor which are both cheaper options.

We were there in July this year with a 10mth old, an 8 year old and an 11 year old.

Excalibur has a good games room and food court area with child friendly meal options. We did tournament of the kings show and it was AMAZING!!! Very family appropriate for all ages.

 

[rainyday77]

I also use smartervegas.com which has unadvertised deals. You book directly through the hotels website. Excaliber over Stratosphere due to location and safety issues with Stratosphere being in a seedy area.

I would caution you from walking on the strip from 7 pm on as every street corner has people handing out cards with nude women on them - I'm assuming for the strip clubs. They will not hand them to kids but they end up all over the street and you are constantly stepping on the cards. I hated walking around in the evenings because of this as well as the higher crowds. The cards are magically cleaned up by the morning so daytime walking on the strip is good.

Pools, M&M store has a 3d movie, MGM lion habitat is free, arcade in the bottom level of Excaliber, Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay looks good but a bit expensive,

 

[KKB]

Excalibur is no more dumpy than Flamingo...and sometimes central strip isn't as desirable w/ kids. LOTS of "porm slappers" in that area!!
Great advice here. Plenty to do & see for a family.
I wouldn't do Adventuredome...visited CC for the first time in years in August. YUK. Will NEVER go back.