Advice on Trip to Las Vegas.

[ThreeMusketeers]

Hi everyone!
DH and I are thinking of a trip to Las Vegas for 4 nights at the beggining of August. We have never been before.
I had a couple of ?'s I was hoping someone could awnser.

1. Should we take dd (4). We don't really want to gamble. Just walk around the casinos and enjoy the atmosphere/shoes/lights ect. And what is there to do for Children tihs young in the area ?

2. Hotel Choice.. I checked out Travelocity today and found Hotel Room Rates at The Palace Station for $32. a night. The reviews didn't seem too bad, and since we plan on doing lots of "Road Trip" sightseeing throughout the byways in the area most days we figured this would be a good bet..what do you think?

3. Can you reccomend any good Drives?
We are thinking Extraterrestrial HWY, and Valley of Fire. Any comments on these, or idea's of other good roadtrips that would be good day trips??

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Pugdog007]

I would not take DD. You won't be able to walk through the casinos with her. I would stay somewhere on the strip. You can normally find reasonable rates at many very nice hotels that are on the strip. I'd be leary of any hotel that is only $32/night.

 

[CherCrazy]

Palace Station is not real nice. Can you try to look for some specials at some of the hotels on the strip? You may be able to find cheaper rates at New York New York, Paris, or even the Luxor. We stayed at the Luxor a couple of years ago for $69 per night midweek in July/August.

Personally, I think I'd leave your DD at home for this one. The heat is really bad in August. I can't imagine having a four year old be happy when it's that hot out. You can't even step out of the pools without burning your feet. Las Vegas is a walking phenomenom too, everybody gets out and walks the strip at night...it's the thing to do. The Champs-Elysee's of the United States.

 

[LuvTigger]

Hi everyone!
1. Should we take dd (4). We don't really want to gamble. Just walk around the casinos and enjoy the atmosphere/shoes/lights ect. And what is there to do for Children tihs young in the area ?

2. Hotel Choice.. I checked out Travelocity today and found Hotel Room Rates at The Palace Station for $32. a night. The reviews didn't seem too bad, and since we plan on doing lots of "Road Trip" sightseeing throughout the byways in the area most days we figured this would be a good bet..what do you think?

3. Can you reccomend any good Drives?
We are thinking Extraterrestrial HWY, and Valley of Fire. Any comments on these, or idea's of other good roadtrips that would be good day trips??

Thanks so much for your help!

Oooh, I love Vegas! BF and I go there every year to visit his Dad. We aren't really gamblers either, but we do like to throw a few coins into the slots now and then. If you bring DD, just keep in mind that she might not be allowed to stay in the casino areas if you do decide to gamble (please verify that though, but I've heard minors aren't even allowed in the casinos).

Where do I start...the hotels are attractions in themselves, although there's things to do with kids such as Circus Circus which has a theme park and a game area. Another good one for kids is the Excalibur which also has a game area. Maybe you could take her to one of those jousting dinner shows?

I think Palace Station should be a good hotel. BF's Dad and step-brother used to work there. Just keep in mind that it is NOT on the Strip or in walking distance of Downtown, so you will pretty much have to drive everywhere. However, the great thing about Vegas is that parking is free just about everywhere. On the Strip, there are huge parking structures. In Downtown, you have to take a ticket before entering the garages, but most hotels (we go to the Cal a lot) have the parking validation stamp just sitting out for you to stamp the ticket yourself.

As for drives, I've never done Valley of Fire, but it was highly recommended to me. There is also Red Rock Canyon. Mount Charleston is really nice too, and they have hiking trails if you like to hike. You might want to check out Hoover Dam too. You can park and walk around, or you can sign up for a tour, which is pretty interesting, but don't do it if you're claustrophobic. They pack you like sardines into an elevator to the bottom of the dam, and the ride takes a while.

Our new favorite place is Lake Las Vegas. It's past Henderson on the way to Lake Mead (Hoover Dam area). It's upscale, but it's really nice and elegant, not as flashy as the Strip. There's a resort called MonteLago, which has some shops (we would be willing to drive out there just to eat the gelato...yum!!!), and it's right on a man made lake. There are other hotels out there too, I think a Hyatt and Ritz Carlton. The celebrities like Celine Dion supposedly live in the gated community there.

There's tons of shopping too. Outlet malls, retail malls, etc.

As for the hotels...some of the entertaining ones are Caesar's Palace with the moving statues, Mirage with the Volcano, Bellagio with the water show (you MUST see that!) and the interior of the hotel is work a look too, Mandalay Bay has the shark tank -- oh, and if you like ABBA music, the play "Mamma Mia" at Mandalay is most excellent!.

There's an M&M World which is kinda cool to look around, Fashion Show Mall on the Strip, the Venetian (gondola rides), the Paris Hotel with the Eiffel Tower...

I think you'll have a great time alone or with DD. Personally, even though BF and I spend about 2 weeks there every year, we always feel like we didn't get to do everything we wanted! And like I said, we aren't gamblers either.

Hope that helps a little!

Edited after reading other posts about Palace Station: if you take DD, maybe try the Excalibur? I've heard of good rates at Monte Carlo too. Or you could even try Priceline and bid on a 4-star, if you aren't particular about where you stay?

 

[Chris2597]

I love LV....It is a blast....We have not taken our children but there are kiddos there with their parents....I would say the largest numbers of kids were at Excalibur....I think some of the hotels have kid clubs, ect.....We have rented a car the last couple of times in Vegas and it has made our vacation much nicer....Last time we went to Freemont experience, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and to Mount Charleston....We found everything very interesting.
Be prepared for the heat in Aug....It is terribly terribly hot....
We have stayed at the Flamingo Hilton and NYNY and enjoyed our stays....We have eaten at the Orleans which is just off of the strip....Good buffets and the rooms are large and very affordable....We probably will stay there on the next trip just to check out the hotel...we will have a car so it doesnt really matter if the hotel is right on the strip.....Orleans has consistently gotten good reviews....

 

[momrek06]

O go go go! You will LOVE it. I have stayed at PARIS and RIO SUITES! Paris was breathe-taking as are soooo many of the hotels. RIO is off the STRIP! I will not stay there again. I did not like having to shuttle back and forth to the STRIP. My bro just stayed at the Venetian and said it was HEAVENLY. The Bellagio is fabulous, the MGM is wonderful, Caesars is a dream, so many choices. I would NOT take DD. First time we went my DS was 16 y.o. and we got spoken to by security in almost every hotel as we would just WALK through the casinos. The security is really intense when it comes to underage being anywhere around or near the casino. My DH had won some $$ and he went to cash out and my DS walked over to talk to him at the WINDOW and cashier would not even wait on DH until DS was off the carpet and out of the way of the casino. Took us a few days but eventually we learned. We also saw Cirque Du Soliel's EAU all underwater. We saw Celine Dion, AMAZING, we took a ride to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.

 

[thelionqueen]

First of all I must say that the Palace Station is the ONLY place we stay when we visit Vegas. The garden rooms are what you will get for that price and they are not too bad. The rooms show age, but are clean. We always stay in the tower, but if I had to pick between a garden room @ Palace Station and anywhere else, I'd stay at the Palace.

I would not take DD. As a previous poster stated, you will be severely limited as to where you can take her, and honestly, it's no fun for kids.

I like the Palace because they have the best cafe' in Vegas and it's big and clean. Since it's off the strip it is usually not as chaotic.

Another great off-strip hotel is the Orleans. It has a bowling alley and movie theater in it, and the layout is awesome. have fun!

 

[disneymom3]

I went to Vegas a lot when I was little. Seriously by the time I was 16 I knew my way around Vegas as well as I did my home town. BUT we were never allowed in the casinos. Even Circus Circus which had this whole huge kid area, the security would watch you like a hawk and my parents could not even stop at one single machine while we were with them. You had to keep walking and walk at the very edge. Needless to say I would not take your DD.

Be sure to see Hoover Dam and be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. I have stayed at Palace Station but it was many years ago. It was fine then. Kinda like a Motel 6 with a casino.

 

[golfgal]

We stayed at the Orleans, off strip, when we were there. The room prices are similar, and the hotel is nice. The rooms were large and well appointed. The pool area was large and nice too. If I ever went back I would stay on the strip though.

I also wouldn't take your DD. We figured that we walked close to 10 miles in one day when we were walking up and down the strip looking at the hotels. It is HOT outside and COLD in the casinos so I would think that your DD would be uncomfortable the entire time you are there.

 

[we3disneygo]

I have been there one time back in the 80's, it was SO hot...........but it's a dry heat they'll tell you! I would leave dd at home, it's an adult playground................. heck I was 18 and shocked to see "working lady's" in the parking lots and such................ hope you get it all figured out.

 

[Kaybee]

I would not take a child to LV. Definitely an "adult" disneyworld!! You can find great rates for hotels directly on the strip. Staying on the strip is a must. You can walk through all the great hotel and shop too! It is sooo much fun!!Try going to the individual web sites for the different hotels to get some great rates. That is how we got our fanstatic rate for the Venetian!!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thanks so much for the advice!! So now tell me...how do all you parents handle leaving the kids at home for a vacation alone together?? We live in NY, so VEGAS is a LONG WAYS AWAY. I trust my parents to watch her more whole heartedly. But its still hard. Anyone else feel this way??

 

[lecach]

1. Taking DD - please dont. Vegas is very very smoky. And even though they pushed for the family thing a few years back its really not. Its very adult oriented. You dont want to have to explain why those people are handing out pictures of naked women on the street. DH and I LOVE Vegas. But we made a pact that DS cant go until he's 18. Even if that means we cant go too.

2. hotels - Palace Station is not very nice. August is hot so you'll find some good deals. There is a travel program that you can download for free that will search all the available hotels in several cities. For Vegas you can have it search for strip hotels (being on the strip - especially midstrip - is really important). The program is called Travelaxe. I just searched it for the first week in August (Thurs. 8/3-Mon. 8/7) and found Excalibur for $425, Harrahs for $581, Tropicana for $571, Monte Carlo for $596. If I had to rank these in order of where I would stay first it would be Monte Carlo, Harrahs, Tropicana, Excalibur.

 

[momrek06]

Thanks so much for the advice!! So now tell me...how do all you parents handle leaving the kids at home for a vacation alone together?? We live in NY, so VEGAS is a LONG WAYS AWAY. I trust my parents to watch her more whole heartedly. But its still hard. Anyone else feel this way??

CELL-PHONE!! Yup, call her allot and talk to her on the phone. DH & I left my kids with ONLY my M&D when they were little and so "no worries" in that dept. But really, it is a blessing you can do that and have some quality time with DH. Believe me the first time you leave her it is HARD but then as you see she having fun herself as well with her gram&grampa, you will get more and more comfortable about vacations with just DH! Plus 4 nights is not long at all. Make her as excited about staying with the grandparents as it is a special time for HER as well as you having your special time with DH!!! Good Luck in whatever you decide!!!

 

[Meriweather]

Just got back 2 weeks ago.
My opinion....don't take DD.....Las Vegas is in the phase of being not as kid friendly (It goes through stages).
No advice on that resort....didn't see it in our travels.
We went Aug, 2003....beware. Aug is off season for a reason. It is HOT!!!!
Hard to walk more an a casino or two at most before needing water and a break from the heat.
We had so much fun this time. I don't gamble but we went to as many casinos as we could to look. There is a trolley that runs the strip, so we went part way doing that. Walked a LOT!! But it was Feb. and weather was perfect.
Shows are great!! And so many to pick from.

 

[golfgal]

Thanks so much for the advice!! So now tell me...how do all you parents handle leaving the kids at home for a vacation alone together?? We live in NY, so VEGAS is a LONG WAYS AWAY. I trust my parents to watch her more whole heartedly. But its still hard. Anyone else feel this way??

The first time is always the hardest and then it gets easier. You will miss her but it is also nice not to have to get up early, being able to stay out late and not have to worry about getting a sitter home or whatever. It is nice to be just a couple again for a brief time. We found that it is easier not to call home or if you call home not to talk to the kids until the day before you come home. They are usually having a blast with Grandma and Grandpa and when you call home and talk to them you remind them that they miss you and it is a long time before you come home. Our kids are older now, but this worked best for us when they were small. Now when we go we pretty much say, call us if you need us, see you when we get back. They never call .

 

[all4disneyworld]

I am a frequent Las Vegas Visitor and I would not recommend taking your young daughter. In the past 3-4 years Vegas has changes quite a bit. Even if you don't take her in the casinos if you are walking along the streets in the evenings there are men holding cards with half naked women on them inviting you to a 'party' later that night at a hotel and they practically shove them in your hand face. There are many things to do besides gamble. Lots of free things like the show at Caesars in the shops, the Pirate Ship in front of Treasure Island and the volcano eruption. All these things are on the strip. I would definately stay on the strip... Treasure Island and Caesars aren't priced bad but I would not stay at the Palace.... Not nice. Definately not with daughter. You can go to the venetian and ride the gondolas. There is Circus Circus for kids and adults but, it will not take up much time. As for driving and site seeing try Lake Meade and the Hoover Dam. Hope you enjoy and be prepared to be as hot as an OVEN in August! Just because there is no humidity doesn't mean you won't sweat!!!

 

[SamIAm21]

I too am a big Vegas fiend. I love going there, but I wouldn't even think about taking my daughter, 5. August is going to be very hot and with someone so little, dehydration will be rapid. I know personally that a lot of people suffer heatstroke after only an hour in that type of heat. It's very hard on you! Also, aside from the half naked handbills, there are half naked women and brawny looking guys on taxi signs, billboards, and pretty much everywhere you look around Vegas. As an adult, it's not a big deal, but I wouldn't want to explain that to my daughter...

A few years ago, Hubby and I went on a cruise for seven days (we live near Chicago) to the Caribbean. It was hard for about the first day, but after that I sort of enjoyed getting away from it all. I didn't have to tell anyone to eat their veggies, I didn't have to watch Stanely and the Wiggles and I was able to sleep past 7:30 a.m. My daughter could have cared less that we were gone, she was having fun being spoiled by the grandparents. She'll be fine and you'll be so glad you got to have some time to just be "two" instead of "three".

Also, if you don't want to spend a ton of cash on a hotel, look at some of the downtown hotels like the Golden Nugget or the Strat. There will be deal galore in August (cause no one wants to go then) and I'm sure you can find a much nicer place than Palace Station.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

I agree with other posters. We were in Vegas in July a few years ago and it was too hot to even go to the swimming pool (even sitting in the shade with only a bathing suit on was miserable). Yes, there is quite a bit for kids to do so if you're staying off the strip and targetting specific activities, I think you can control what your daughter is exposed to.

 

[nliedel]

I cannot believe I missed this till now since I am, what I consider, a Vegas expert. I love the place.

1. Should we take dd (4). We don't really want to gamble. Just walk around the casinos and enjoy the atmosphere/shoes/lights ect. And what is there to do for Children tihs young in the area ?

You can walk through the casinos with her but you will not be able to stop, even for a moment. You can get from here to there but it's hard to coax a child along and with people blocking the way strollers can get boxed in and then you have people worried about their gaming liscense (rightly so) and asking you to move and it's a mess. Better without her this time.

Also the atmosphere can be overwhelming for kids.

2. Hotel Choice.. I checked out Travelocity today and found Hotel Room Rates at The Palace Station for $32. a night. The reviews didn't seem too bad, and since we plan on doing lots of "Road Trip" sightseeing throughout the byways in the area most days we figured this would be a good bet..what do you think?

try calling or going on the hotels sites directly. I get better deals that way. Palace Station is nice but it's off the strip. The Strip is great and a quintessential part of the Las Vegas experience. Also hit Lake Mead and rent a boat. We always do that and LOVE IT!

3. Can you reccomend any good Drives?
We are thinking Extraterrestrial HWY, and Valley of Fire. Any comments on these, or idea's of other good roadtrips that would be good day trips??

Valley of Fire 100%. Also you can get a helicopter ride over the strip at night and it's wonderful!

Water, water, water. The heat is not as noticable since it's dry and it's really easy to get overheated.