Family trip to Vegas!

[lukenick1]

I know most people think kids do NOT belong in Vegas but if your smart about it you can make it enjoyable for the family. We may be going this summer with our 2 boys ds12 and ds10. We are looking for a family friendly resort to stay at preferrably with a kitchen. Our plans are to relax by the pool, check out the sights in Vegas early evening, rent a car to go to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and possibly Zion National Park. Can any of you who have been there with or without kids offer any positive suggestions on things to do/see with the boys? I really don't want this thread to turn into a debate about bringing kids to Vegas please .
Thanks!

 

[shoney]

I know most people think kids do NOT belong in Vegas but if your smart about it you can make it enjoyable for the family. We may be going this summer with our 2 boys ds12 and ds10. We are looking for a family friendly resort to stay at preferrably with a kitchen. Our plans are to relax by the pool, check out the sights in Vegas early evening, rent a car to go to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and possibly Zion National Park. Can any of you who have been there with or without kids offer any positive suggestions on things to do/see with the boys? I really don't want this thread to turn into a debate about bringing kids to Vegas please .
Thanks!

I'm not a vegas expert..only went 1 time and without kids.

I would go to the stratosphere and NY NY to ride the rides. They were fun!

Check out the outside free shows, such as the fountains at Bellagio and the pirate thing at Treasure Island.

There must be a show that would be cool for them as well.

www.redweek.com has lots of timeshares in the area.

There was a coca cola store where we tasted soda from around the world.

Have fun!!!

 

[brymolmom]

No debate here....Just wanted to ask OP - when was the last time you were there? I just mention it because I go every fall and in the last 5 - 7 years it has gotten less kid friendly. Even the pirate show that the pp mentioned is NOT kid friendly any longer. It is mostly about underdressed pirate-girls. And the porn just covers the streets and sidewalks all along the strip. Even walking through the casinos during the day which used to be pretty OK - now almost every casino has dance cages above all the machines.

The Flamingo - which has GREAT pools, used to be 'recommended' for families sometimes. Just a heads-up that the pool area there has turned into Spring Break parties with the blaring base, music all day and lots of drinking (witnessed a couple people being led out by medical and throwing up, and dance cages that bikini-clad women go in on every half hour or so.

As long as you fully realize this and prepare your kids for it (ie: don't take any 'cards' from people on the street - Don't be surprised to see cards with pictures of naked ladies on them, etc.) - then I think the trip you're planning sounds fine. I'm not debating....just saying that if you haven't been in 10 years or so that it has changed a bit...So you need to be prepared.

All that said, I think the M&M store is a fun thing for kids...The NYNY rides as a pp mentioned, the Bellagio Fountains, Downtown and the laser show there, gondola ride at the Venetian. I think off strip might be best if you're looking for a lot of family pool time. I don't have any good suggestions for that.

 

[Granny square]

We stayed at a condo just off the strip. Desert rose, I believe. Very pleasant, locked off, free breakfast.

We had a ball, but we didn't hang on the strip.

 

[lukenick1]

No debate here....Just wanted to ask OP - when was the last time you were there? I just mention it because I go every fall and in the last 5 - 7 years it has gotten less kid friendly. Even the pirate show that the pp mentioned is NOT kid friendly any longer. It is mostly about underdressed pirate-girls. And the porn just covers the streets and sidewalks all along the strip. Even walking through the casinos during the day which used to be pretty OK - now almost every casino has dance cages above all the machines.

The Flamingo - which has GREAT pools, used to be 'recommended' for families sometimes. Just a heads-up that the pool area there has turned into Spring Break parties with the blaring base, music all day and lots of drinking (witnessed a couple people being led out by medical and throwing up, and dance cages that bikini-clad women go in on every half hour or so.

As long as you fully realize this and prepare your kids for it (ie: don't take any 'cards' from people on the street - Don't be surprised to see cards with pictures of naked ladies on them, etc.) - then I think the trip you're planning sounds fine. I'm not debating....just saying that if you haven't been in 10 years or so that it has changed a bit...So you need to be prepared.

All that said, I think the M&M store is a fun thing for kids...The NYNY rides as a pp mentioned, the Bellagio Fountains, Downtown and the laser show there, gondola ride at the Venetian. I think off strip might be best if you're looking for a lot of family pool time. I don't have any good suggestions for that.

I have never been to Vegas. Our kids are not sheltered either. My plan is to stay off the strip for sure. We will use Vegas as our base camp but we plan to take day trips out of there. Not planning on spending all of our time at the strip. Definitely not into the drinking/partying scene

 

[lukenick1]

We stayed at a condo just off the strip. Desert rose, I believe. Very pleasant, locked off, free breakfast.

We had a ball, but we didn't hang on the strip.

Thanks! I have been eyeing that place

 

[Happy vacationer]

We took a family trip last year in late April to Vegas and it was a wonderful experience. We stayed at the Flamingo and the large pool is the adult only pool so we went to the smaller pool that is for families and it was fine. Our youngest was 10 and she enjoyed the trip as much as everyone else. We went to Hoover Dam one day and just did a lot of relaxing. I highly recommend a family trip as long as you are prepared and know what things you want to do and the things you may not want your children to see. Have fun!

 

[jimandami]

We have stayed at both the Platinum and the Signature at MGM which are both condo type hotels. They are both very nice, although I would say the Signature is a bit nicer and you get the added bonus of being able to use the pools at MGM, which have the lazy river, etc...The Signature is just off the back of the strip but is connected to the MGM via an indoor walkway...you can walk right into the mall area/food court, which is nice (without going into the casino itself). It is also near a few kid friendly things such as Mandalay Bay shark thing, NYNY roller coaster, and the lions at MGM.

 

[DawnM]

We have stayed at the Stratosphere, The Mirage, and the Marriott (Marriott was off-strip) with kids.

We used to go meet DH's family there every year.

Vegas is not our favorite place and we would never choose to go there on our own. We have only gone to meet family who liked it OR we have gone for business trips.

My kids did like going up in the Stratosphere (we weren't brave enough for any rides but we did eat up there in the revolving restaurant. We also did Circus Circus but I think that is gone. Kids went golfing several days, went to the Hoover Dam, and walked around to see the themes of several hotels. They also liked the light show. We had tickets to Seigfried and Roy but that was when they had just had that Tiger attack so we weren't able to go.

My middle son was sick and we were trying to get him to the nearest bathroom ASAP, but the security at the hotel (can't remember which one) in the casino made a HUGE deal about him not being old enough to leave the solid red portion of the carpet. In all the fiasco we didn't make it to the bathroom on time so my son promptly threw up on the solid red portion of the carpet!

I had to laugh because A.) if the guy hadn't made us stop, we would have made it to a toilet, and B.) because even though the guy seemed annoyed, I was quite sure they had seen many a vomit on their PATTERNED portions of their carpet!

Did I mention Vegas is not our favorite place?????

Dawn

 

[Granny square]

Hahahaha, serves them right! Poor little guy!

 

[Neesy228]

We took the kids two years ago and stayed at the Embassy Suites off the strip. Not a full kitchen, but served our needs just fine with a mini fridge. We did the strip in the afternoon (with a warning not to take any flyers from people on the street, but we did find that every person handing out flyers pulled them back toward themselves when they saw our family approach. I was impressed.) and we hit M&M and Coke, stopped to check out the lions at MGM, caught the dancing fountains at Bellagio and went inside to see the Chihuly art glass ceiling and their garden area (both amazing), went to check out the Venetian and then hit Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate! The kids had a blast and we were off the strip by dinner time. we also hit the Grand Canyon and hoover dam and if you want an interesting go to Oatman, AZ along old Route 66! Best stop on our trip!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Not for sure what your price point is or where you are wanting to be
but here is a marriott villa with full kitchen and pool and no casino from what I understand.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/lasvg-marriotts-grand-chateau/

I'm doing my first vegas vacation next month. I"m quite excited!

 

[ryalluvdiz]

Vegas mother of two boys and a teacher here..... Our brand new wet and wild will be opening for memorial day! This is a big deal for us locals! Its way off the strip though as it was built with the intention of it being a locals hang out. You can find plenty to do that is kid friendly... We have a brand new children's discovery museum, just opened in march, and a beautiful springs preserve that is fun! I would recommend either a tour of lake mead/hoover dam or the grand canyon. The hoover dam is about 40 minutes east, while the grand canyon will take a bit longer. You can buy an excursion package or drive your own car. Also, lake las Vegas resort has boat rides on lake mead. Plenty to do besides all of the fun stuff ON the strip!

 

[ryalluvdiz]

And circus circus is still there.... With all its rides and shows.

 

[leanneintexas]

We have taken our kids to Vegas a couple of times. They love Vegas! We stayed at the Mirage and enjoyed the pool. We are big foodies and they loved the food and just going from hotel to hotel looking at all the attractions. Of course they loved Circus Circus, NY NY, Excalibur, for the rides and such. We spent time at the M&M store. We did the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. We also saw a show with them. There is so much to do there and see.

Honestly my kids did not even blink an eye to the other stuff, did not even phase them. They were just in awe of all the lights and hotels and cool stuff. We do not tend to shelter our kids so maybe that is why they never looked twice at the risque things. Last time we went they were 13 and 7.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hmmm, sounds like you want nature, how 'bout staying in Saint George or Kanab UT ~ you'll be close to many National Parks and Vegas. I like QPL in Kanab ~ you could easily take a day trip to Vegas.

The N rim of the Grand Canyon is very close to Kanab *Saint George is a bit closer to Vegas. They're equal distance to Zion *which is beautiful ~ my son prefers it over Yellowstone* Consider Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon National Parks too ~ I live in a neat state

 

[Tink415]

We had a family vacation about 8-9 years ago and stayed at Hyatt Regency on Lake Las Vegas, which I understand is now closed or changed. I would check out hotels/condos in the Lake Las Vegas area as it was fabulous and a good location for a variety of activities. will say we never went back Vegas as a family. Its not for us. While at Circus Circus my daughter won a stuffed animal, dropped it, and it was gone within 5 seconds

 

[BethID]

I would highly recommend Tahiti Village. We just stayed there for spring break in a one bedroom condo. It is on Las Vegas Blvd by the airport. Soundproofing was fine. Never heard the airplanes inside. They had a fabulous pool area as well as a lazy river. My DSs, 9 and 11, loved it. They have a shuttle that goes to the strip every half hour. There are several chain restaurants as well as a grocery store just south of the area.

We also did day trips to Zion National Park and Death Valley National Park. Only 2 to 3 hour drives each way. We did spend half day on the Strip because my kids wanted to go to M&M World but they were not impressed with all the people and pics of naked women on the ground. They did spend lots of money at M&M World though PM me if you have any questions. I think your family will have a fabulous time as long as you are focused on spending all your time on the Strip.

 

[lukenick1]

I would highly recommend Tahiti Village. We just stayed there for spring break in a one bedroom condo. It is on Las Vegas Blvd by the airport. Soundproofing was fine. Never heard the airplanes inside. They had a fabulous pool area as well as a lazy river. My DSs, 9 and 11, loved it. They have a shuttle that goes to the strip every half hour. There are several chain restaurants as well as a grocery store just south of the area.

We also did day trips to Zion National Park and Death Valley National Park. Only 2 to 3 hour drives each way. We did spend half day on the Strip because my kids wanted to go to M&M World but they were not impressed with all the people and pics of naked women on the ground. They did spend lots of money at M&M World though PM me if you have any questions. I think your family will have a fabulous time as long as you are focused on spending all your time on the Strip.

What is there to do at Zion and Death Valley besides take in the beauty?? Any horseback riding, atv's etc?? Thanks

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I know most people think kids do NOT belong in Vegas but if your smart about it you can make it enjoyable for the family. We may be going this summer with our 2 boys ds12 and ds10. We are looking for a family friendly resort to stay at preferrably with a kitchen. Our plans are to relax by the pool, check out the sights in Vegas early evening, rent a car to go to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and possibly Zion National Park. Can any of you who have been there with or without kids offer any positive suggestions on things to do/see with the boys? I really don't want this thread to turn into a debate about bringing kids to Vegas please .
Thanks!

We didn't take the kids but there were kids on the el dorado gold mine atv tour and we also did a nighttime helicopter tour. We did a combo lake mead/ Hoover damn tour and it was a lot of fun! Another fun thig we did was a murder mystery dinner. I believe there were kids there too since it was PG.

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