Las Vegas with kids question

[mrs. magoo]

I guess it would depend on how sensitive you are. They have designated areas and upgraded filter systems since Covid hit. You’re not hit with a billow of smoke the second you walk in like you would be at some places downtown. And places like Red Rock are fairly easy to skirt the casino area. Restaurants, bowling, shopping, movies etc. are all non smoking.

We were in Vegas this summer for one night on both sides of our trip. There is no upgraded filter systems in the 3 Casinos we went into. The smoke was terrible. I come from NY where there is no smoking indoors so I find Vegas to be terrible. I despise Vegas - I really only use it for a cheaper airport. We stayed in an Embassy Suites off the strip that was nice and with a great breakfast. We stayed in Springdale UT in for two nights to visit Zion. My kids do not want to go back to Vegas either. It is just not our scene. Good luck. I know that people love it and their kids love it too but just not for me. 24 hours is more than enough.

ETA: Many of the hotels on the strip have a big resort fee attached to their rooms. We thought about staying on the strip but the prices of the hotel rooms with the parking fee and resort fees drove up the prices.

 

[mrs. magoo]

All the Vegas talk got to me. The next trip is booked for April. Doing 3 nights in Vegas and 3 nights in the Sedona area. Heading up to horseshoe bend and antelope canyon one day Sedona itself for one day and the Grand Canyon for the travel day.

We loved Antelope Canyon this summer, definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We went with Dixie Lower Antelope Canyon tours. It was expensive but we basically got a private tour as my family was the only one in our group. We did tip our guide at the end of the tour just to let you know so you have some cash on you. We have done Sedona and the kids enjoyed the visiting the Vertex's. Horseshoe bend was very anti climatic for us but it was a 104 degrees and the .5 mile hike to the overlook has 0 shade and my oldest daughter was done looking at rocks by that point. Have a great trip.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Since great value food came up, if you go to Las Vegas, and you don't hate food with an Asian, spicy, or crazy edge, go to The Black Sheep by Top Chef Jaime, which is in town (so about 15-20 minutes off strip in the downtown). It is one of the best value, most creative, and tastiest restaurants I've ever eaten at...and unlike many Top Chefs, she cooks there - my kids and I got her pic with us, b/c she came out to greet us the night we were there. She also handled all my allergies with no issue, and it was the best meal I've had in a long time...order a TON of apps and share (they beat the entrees, but only b/c they are so amazing, not b/c the entrees aren't also great) - no place has done apps better. If there's only one place you eat in Vegas and you're a foodie, it has to be this one.

For other "great value" food that's "not East Coast", head to the strip's Jose Andres' China Poblano (get the watermelon salad as an app, even though you ask yourself why would I do that - mine was adapted without foam, and my spouse and kids said it was one of the best salads they've ever had) and Nacho Daddy (share a platter of nachos for 2 - or go family style again). Off-strip, head to SkinnyFats for a little more fast casual and fun and In N Out for one of the best and cheapest burgers there is. And for dessert, if you have any allergies or vegans in family, head back in town to Cinnaholic (as seen on Shark Tank) for a "Duck Donuts" experience in Cinnamon rolls...these are 2 desserts worth b/c they are fast/sugar bombs, but they are worth 2 desserts...

Yes, you can't buffet anywhere cheap anymore, but if anyone in your fam has allergies, small appetites, or dietary preferences, you probably weren't going to buffets anyway...I know for the most part, I don't.

PS - And if you want a date splurge for someone with allergies, head to High Tea at the Waldorf. It was amazing, and they handled high tea with no dairy and tree nuts, and still could serve me to-die-for scones with other foods...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Park MGM on the strip has a smoke-free casino.

 

[kdonnel]

Yes! There’s no more cheap food. We wanted to go to a buffet while there but many of the buffets were still closed and the one that was open was over $50 per person.
When my friends and I went to Vegas in 2002, we went to a buffet for lunch and it was less than $20.

Our first trip was in 95 or 96. The buffets were in the $8 range then for breakfast or lunch. Just over $10 for dinner.

I feel like some old person reminiscing about the good old days.

 

[wenrob]

Since great value food came up, if you go to Las Vegas, and you don't hate food with an Asian, spicy, or crazy edge, go to The Black Sheep by Top Chef Jaime, which is in town (so about 15-20 minutes off strip in the downtown). It is one of the best value, most creative, and tastiest restaurants I've ever eaten at...and unlike many Top Chefs, she cooks there - my kids and I got her pic with us, b/c she came out to greet us the night we were there. She also handled all my allergies with no issue, and it was the best meal I've had in a long time...order a TON of apps and share (they beat the entrees, but only b/c they are so amazing, not b/c the entrees aren't also great) - no place has done apps better. If there's only one place you eat in Vegas and you're a foodie, it has to be this one.

For other "great value" food that's "not East Coast", head to the strip's Jose Andres' China Poblano (get the watermelon salad as an app, even though you ask yourself why would I do that - mine was adapted without foam, and my spouse and kids said it was one of the best salads they've ever had) and Nacho Daddy (share a platter of nachos for 2 - or go family style again). Off-strip, head to SkinnyFats for a little more fast casual and fun and In N Out for one of the best and cheapest burgers there is. And for dessert, if you have any allergies or vegans in family, head back in town to Cinnaholic (as seen on Shark Tank) for a "Duck Donuts" experience in Cinnamon rolls...these are 2 desserts worth b/c they are fast/sugar bombs, but they are worth 2 desserts...

Yes, you can't buffet anywhere cheap anymore, but if anyone in your fam has allergies, small appetites, or dietary preferences, you probably weren't going to buffets anyway...I know for the most part, I don't.

PS - And if you want a date splurge for someone with allergies, head to High Tea at the Waldorf. It was amazing, and they handled high tea with no dairy and tree nuts, and still could serve me to-die-for scones with other foods...

SkinnyFats has an amazing chicken sandwich. I can also vouch for Cinnaholic. My DD is a baker by trade so we are very spoiled/particular about our baked treats. Cinnaholic makes the “for Christmas breakfast” list in our house. No allergies or dietary preferences, they’re just that good.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We were in Vegas in March and it was like the first time the smoke didn't bother me. However masks were required and were worn by most of the people as well as social distancing at the machines, etc. We'll be going there again leaving this Sunday so I'll come back here and update if the smoke (which used to be pretty bad pre-covid) is the same or not since March.

On the topic of weed yes that is annoying and no it's not just Vegas but it can be a big issue to those not exposed to that on the regular where they live. We found our Excalibur stay in June 2019 to have the most prominent weed smell in the hallways of the rooms (which apparently that hotel has that rep although the hotel itself was not bad at all).

We were at The Wynn in March and we'll be at the Encore this time and the Bellagio so we'll see. Most of the weed smell was just walking out and about on the Strip itself (especially on the pedestrian walkways) and yes quite strong at times. The Encore was not open when we were there in March.

We've been to Ocean One several times and that has cheap food. We fell in love with Mon Ami Gabi in March. Hash House A Go Go is good too and while I prefer the ambiance of the Linq location it's not mandatory to go there. We'll be trying out some more places this trip.

When I first went to Vegas in 2009 the card clappers were quite prominent but each subsequent trip less so. Vegas is and isn't kid friendly. There are activities one can do with your family but to some even the idea of certain moral-based things (weed, people in less attire, solicitations even as less frequent as they are, etc) but that is something that depends on family to family. You can def. bring the kids and you can get off the Strip too if you want.

We actually were in Vegas for convention my husband went to for his work in October 2017 and stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations on Paradise (just behind the Strip) and just walked next door to Westgate and took the monorail from there. Was fine by us. No it wasn't directly on the Strip but we had easy access to the Strip, didn't have a casino directly attached and had more of a normal hotel experience. That said we do like the hotels on the Strip just saying you can still be close to the Strip without always having to deal with the hubbub of being right on it.

Vegas is a place that IMO is good for shorter trips or at the very least being directly on the Strip doing activities on the Strip to be just a few days. Taking time to go to Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon or the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden or the Mob Museum, etc can help break up the lights and glitters of the Strip.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Weed smell was mostly outside but I was staying at a condo/timeshare and it wasn't happening there apparently. No smell of it around the condo at all. the big open air weed market appears to be on the sidewalk beside the Bellagio fountain.

New York City was the same way with weed smell.

 

[longboard55]

So back in the 90s there were a lot of things for kids, including the MGM theme park. That was the golden age of vegas, most of the major hotels were built. Then Vegas decided kids were not so great and they did away with a lot of the kid friendly things and the hotel themes. They have been hurting ever since.

 

[Boopuff]

So back in the 90s there were a lot of things for kids, including the MGM theme park. That was the golden age of vegas, most of the major hotels were built. Then Vegas decided kids were not so great and they did away with a lot of the kid friendly things and the hotel themes. They have been hurting ever since.

Funny, I remember seeing that Steve Wynn lead the charge to change Vegas back to an adult destination. Hotels lost lots of money when families took over. No one was gambling, eating at the high end restaurants...So the "what stays in Vegas" campaign started and that's where we are today.

 

[wenrob]

So back in the 90s there were a lot of things for kids, including the MGM theme park. That was the golden age of vegas, most of the major hotels were built. Then Vegas decided kids were not so great and they did away with a lot of the kid friendly things and the hotel themes. They have been hurting ever since.

The whole “Vegas is for families” thing was a flop for tourists and locals alike. The change back wasn’t about kids it was about where the money is. Where do you get the idea we are hurting? For every person who hates Vegas there are 10 more who love it. ‘90s the Golden Era, lol.

 

[longboard55]

Funny, I remember seeing that Steve Wynn lead the charge to change Vegas back to an adult destination. Hotels lost lots of money when families took over. No one was gambling, eating at the high end restaurants...So the "what stays in Vegas" campaign started and that's where we are today.

The problem with vegas is all the hotels are going for the big money people and there are not enough to go around. So would you rather sell 5 beers at $5 or one beer at $12. Prices have gotten too high, so they lose the middle class and have the high end and low enders who just walk the strip and spend nothing. Vegas was once a lot more fun, now places like Nashville and Austin are way better for the money. Weekenders we once took to vegas we often end up in San Diego gaslamp

 

[wenrob]

The problem with vegas is all the hotels are going for the big money people and there are not enough to go around. So would you rather sell 5 beers at $5 or one beer at $12. Prices have gotten too high, so they lose the middle class and have the high end and low enders who just walk the strip and spend nothing. Vegas was once a lot more fun, now places like Nashville and Austin are way better for the money. Weekenders we once took to vegas we often end up in San Diego gaslamp

Vegas was always meant for people who are going to drop $10,000 on a hand and not $10. Moderate spenders was never the idea and yet we get them and are happy to take their money too. Plenty of middle class folks willing to drop a couple grand in the casinos and pay a couple hundred bucks to see a show or go to a Golden Knights game. Same as those of us willing to drop a bunch of money at Disney while others wouldn’t dream of it.

 

[longboard55]

It was so much more fun in the 90s, cheap drinks, cheap buffets, free bands, looser slots, $5 craps. We still go a couple times a year but just not the same. We do love the big roller, and love going to a concert in vegas. We have seen Britney, Backstreet boys, Bruna Mars, Jimmy Buffet, Boys to Men, Earth Wind and Fire, Katie Perry all were super fun, low capacity theatre and no driving. Just not a $1000 a hand guy. I do like the sports betting, you can not sports bet in California.

 

[Skippy918]

SkinnyFats has an amazing chicken sandwich. I can also vouch for Cinnaholic. My DD is a baker by trade so we are very spoiled/particular about our baked treats. Cinnaholic makes the “for Christmas breakfast” list in our house. No allergies or dietary preferences, they’re just that good.

Cinnaholic is good. We discovered this place on a trip to Atlanta and dh and the kids loved it.
In Vegas, we liked Crepe Expectations. Super good crepe restaurant and lots of options.

 

[bcla]

So back in the 90s there were a lot of things for kids, including the MGM theme park. That was the golden age of vegas, most of the major hotels were built. Then Vegas decided kids were not so great and they did away with a lot of the kid friendly things and the hotel themes. They have been hurting ever since.

Trying to sell to adults with children was always kind of a hard sell. But then again most adults do have children and might have a hard time justifying leaving the kids at home with the grandparents while mommy and daddy head off the Vegas.

Their ideal customer would be 25-45 with lots of money to spend, or retired and willing to play at the high roller tables. But then again most adults in that age range have kids, so there lies the rub. But they do well with (most) conventions, since that brings in a lot of adults there for work whose kids stay home. But obviously not a lot of couples.

I was rather intrigued because I read The Bellagio's rule that children weren't allowed at all on their property (obviously not outdoors) unless it was for a show, a dining reservation, or as hotel guests. But I've actually taken my kid inside and it was definitely not enforced. The policy seems to have officially changed under MGM management to be similar to that of other casinos. Back around 2012 I took my kid around The Venetian, and one of the performers in a jester outfit took a piece of chocolate out of his pocket for my kid. So at least they had something specific for children.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Trying to sell to adults with children was always kind of a hard sell. But then again most adults do have children and might have a hard time justifying leaving the kids at home with the grandparents while mommy and daddy head off the Vegas.

Their ideal customer would be 25-45 with lots of money to spend, or retired and willing to play at the high roller tables. But then again most adults in that age range have kids, so there lies the rub. But they do well with (most) conventions, since that brings in a lot of adults there for work whose kids stay home. But obviously not a lot of couples.

I was rather intrigued because I read The Bellagio's rule that children weren't allowed at all on their property (obviously not outdoors) unless it was for a show, a dining reservation, or as hotel guests. But I've actually taken my kid inside and it was definitely not enforced. The policy seems to have officially changed under MGM management to be similar to that of other casinos. Back around 2012 I took my kid around The Venetian, and one of the performers in a jester outfit took a piece of chocolate out of his pocket for my kid. So at least they had something specific for children.

Funny enough, my kids (teens and tweens) were welcomed everywhere we went...I wonder if Covid has encouraged a return to a little less party, a little more clean desires from the city if only to help keep Covid numbers in check...and then, once they made that slight adjustment, the city and its businesses saw the money coming from that crowd, and are starting to turn ever so slightly more to the less raunchy, less rowdy side...

I mean, I had no idea Top Chef Jamie would come out and greet us in person, let alone take pics with us - I didn't even ask for it, but I was one of the few who brought kids to her place the night we were there...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Most adults do not have minor children living in the home, at least not anymore. Stats have been shifting.

 

[longboard55]

Interesting fact on smoking, most people do not smoke so why do the casinos allow it. There are very few smoking floors left in the hotels, maybe one out of ten. Turns out smokers have addictive behavior and tend to be addictive gamblers, Most addictive gamblers smoke.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Keep in mind that the casinos are looking for and attracting the new and casual gambler. Slot machines are by far the most profitable game for the casinos. New and casual gamblers play lots of slots.