Vegas with kids?

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

So we are headed to Vegas for spring break with the kids We are staying 5 nights on Lake Las Vegas and doing Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and Valley of the Fire Park. Now I want to spend the last 3 days at The Mandalay Bay but I am hesitant about the "strip" with the kids. Of course, we would not be boozin and gamblin, just looking around and such. Is it appropriate to stay on the strip with kids? I am looking for maybe a show, but the cirque tickets are so expensive and I' not sure the kids would get it.

Any vegas ideas?

 

[Minnie824]

I used to go to vegas many many times when I was younger with my family. Go to the Forum shops at Caesars, and to the stores at Bellagio and the Venetian. Watch the water show at the Venetian. Theres a mall on the strip also. Excalibur has some games (or they used to at least) on the lower level. Theres tons to do in Vegas for kids as well. Mystere is an excellent show. I've seen it 3 times and LOVE it. Kids would like it as well...if I was going to Vegas, I would feel comfortable taking my 5 yr old to Mystere.

 

[momrek06]

What are the ages of the kiddos??

We (having been to Disney year after year) decided to take our then 16yo to Vegas for Feb school vacation. We had the best time. We ordered show tickets to Cirque's "O", it was FABULOUS. We ordered tickets to Celine Dion at Ceasars Palace, AMAZING. We walked in and out of every hotel and casino, eating in all the best places. DH and I are not big at all in the gambling or drinking but we did put quarters into the slots and I will tell you Security is right there watching anyone underage (as they should be) so be aware of being within any machines with the kids. The Bellagio was amazing to see, the fountains singing outside. We stayed at the Paris and it is exactly like the "real" Paris, France..Eiffel Tower and all!! We ate at Rainforest Cafe and House of Blues. We finished all the M&M's in the M&M Factory. We rode the roller coaster in NYNY. We spent hours in the LUXOR touring all the Egyptian artifacts!! We also rode the gondola's at the Venetian and toured Madame Tusssands.

After 4 days we rented a minivan and drove to Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and onto Bryce and Zion and then to the Grand Canyon and on and on. It was a fabulous vacation. One we will never forget. I want to get back to the Grand Canyon so bad.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

What are the ages of the kiddos??

We (having been to Disney year after year) decided to take our then 16yo to Vegas for Feb school vacation. We had the best time. We ordered show tickets to Cirque's "O", it was FABULOUS. We ordered tickets to Celine Dion at Ceasars Palace, AMAZING. We walked in and out of every hotel and casino, eating in all the best places. DH and I are not big at all in the gambling or drinking but we did put quarters into the slots and I will tell you Security is right there watching anyone underage (as they should be) so be aware of being within any machines with the kids. The Bellagio was amazing to see, the fountains singing outside. We stayed at the Paris and it is exactly like the "real" Paris, France..Eiffel Tower and all!! We ate at Rainforest Cafe and House of Blues. We finished all the M&M's in the M&M Factory. We rode the roller coaster in NYNY. We spent hours in the LUXOR touring all the Egyptian artifacts!! We also rode the gondola's at the Venetian and toured Madame Tusssands.

After 4 days we rented a minivan and drove to Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and onto Bryce and Zion and then to the Grand Canyon and on and on. It was a fabulous vacation. One we will never forget. I want to get back to the Grand Canyon so bad.

See that's what we planned on. My kids are younger though 5,7, & 10 and my niece who is 20 is meeting us for 4 nights..

I am looking forward to lots of scenery and maybe some hiking, but also wnat some plush accomodations. We have booked The Loews Las Vegas which looks great, and they have boat rentals and all kinds of lake activites. Then the strip part has me torn, part of me says eww, don't take the kids there, but the other part is saying they will love the madness of it.

I checked for the Cirque love tickets but for the 6 of us was over 800.00. Not looking to spend that for one show.

 

[Bareacuda]

Las Vegas is "kid Friendly".
I love Lake Las Vegas . That's the location of my first outrigger canoe race!
You can also go to Circus Circus for the circus shows. The Luxor has IMAX shows. Excaliber has kids shows too. Don't forget NY NY has a wild roller coaster ride. There is also a hugh M&M store just north of MGM.
And just for info..Coke is on the east side of the strip and Pepsi on the west. I believe that the M&M factory is open. It's just down the strip on Sunset Rd.

 

[honeymom]

Treasure Island has the pirate show. Mirage has the volcano eruption and the white tigers. Circus Circus has the circus and the midway games. I think that there is a lot for kids. Just walk by those casinos quickly.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

We've taken our kids to Vegas twice but we catered to their needs (things specifically for them) and won't do it again. Having done it I'd say Vegas is no place for kids unless you are totally enlightened parents (i.e able to explain the porn slappers, prostitutes, drunks and gambling).

It's a great place but the kids WILL get bored very, very quick and many people, casinos and businesses do not want your kids there.

JMO.

 

[momrek06]

See that's what we planned on. My kids are younger though 5,7, & 10 and my niece who is 20 is meeting us for 4 nights..

I am looking forward to lots of scenery and maybe some hiking, but also wnat some plush accomodations. We have booked The Loews Las Vegas which looks great, and they have boat rentals and all kinds of lake activites. Then the strip part has me torn, part of me says eww, don't take the kids there, but the other part is saying they will love the madness of it.

I checked for the Cirque love tickets but for the 6 of us was over 800.00. Not looking to spend that for one show.

Yes, I agree, $800.00 for show tickets is very pricey. But there is allot to do without seeing the shows. I stopped into AAA and then to Borders and Barnes and Noble for books on Vegas and read up as much as I could. We went in Feb and the weather was very nice. Not swimming weather but comfortable.

The kids and the niece esp. will love the walking on the Strip. You have to try it. It is so exciting and the lights are amazing.

Funny story: Billy Joel and Elton John were performing together at MGM. We went to their Conceirge and inquired about tickets....$300.00per person and we would be OUTSIDE the arena. Those (we were told) were a fabulous offer. I then said.."OUTSIDE".."if that is the case, I will buy a CD and listen to that as I will be OUTSIDE the arena and only will cost me $20.00" ...

 

[aquinas]

Las Vegas is "kid Friendly".

You are joking, right?

I dont see how walking kids down the strip while they are trying to be handed "escort" magazines and brochures is anywhere close to being friendly. I know years ago Vegas was pushing to be a "family friendly" place but they have backed away from that in recent years.

Gambling & kids dont mix. Vegas is an adult oriented destination.

 

[Bareacuda]

I forgot Mandalay Bay has a shark tank and Paris has a great elavator to the top. Desert Passage Mall(on the strip) has a fun but short rain storm.Caesers Palace has a hugh fish tank and a fire and water show. Then there is the Fremont Experance downtown LV.Shows change every half hour.
Dont forget to use the pools each of the hotels have!

 

[Bareacuda]

Kids and gambling dont mix! You are so right.
It's illeagle to hand anyone the porn stuff. Police are all over those who do.We avoid all that by driving and parking valet. A buck or 2 can avoid alot of problems! We eat at common places... Joe's Crab Shack, Olive Garden, Outback...so we dont have to walk thru alot of smoke and gambling.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Vegas is very kid friendly, if you use your head.

We took ours for spring break almost two years ago, they were 8, 3, and 10 months. We spent a night at MGM (horrible), Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas (loved it!) and the Venetian (our favorite place in Vegas!) We rode the monorail and checked things out, M&M store, Coke World, visited hotels - overall great experience!

My resort monkeys at Lake Las Vegas -

At the Venetian -

And yes, I proudly pushed the stroller up and down the strip!

 

[sugarpie]

You are joking, right?

I dont see how walking kids down the strip while they are trying to be handed "escort" magazines and brochures is anywhere close to being friendly. I know years ago Vegas was pushing to be a "family friendly" place but they have backed away from that in recent years.

Gambling & kids dont mix. Vegas is an adult oriented destination.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. The last time we were there I must have been handed a lovely brochure for an escort service or strip club every few minutes. But I didn't take my kids, maybe they leave you alone if they see you have children with you. I don't know.

 

[honeymom]

I was kind of thinking the same thing. The last time we were there I must have been handed a lovely brochure for an escort service or strip club every few minutes. But I didn't take my kids, maybe they leave you alone if they see you have children with you. I don't know.

I haven't been to Vegas in years and my dd was too little (9 months old) to notice anything. But, I have had those sorts of things handed to me in big cities, too. I don't think it is just a "leave it in Vegas" sort of thing.

 

[honeymom]

Vegas is very kid friendly, if you use your head.

We took ours for spring break almost two years ago, they were 8, 3, and 10 months. We spent a night at MGM (horrible), Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas (loved it!) and the Venetian (our favorite place in Vegas!) We rode the monorail and checked things out, M&M store, Coke World, visited hotels - overall great experience!

I went to MGM Grand when it first opened (for a convention) and hated it, too! Just too big and service was terrible.

 

[KikiFan]

Yes they do leave you alone if you've got kids with you. Vegas really is a fun place with kids, though it does mean being a little more vigilent. But there are lots of non-gambling things to see and do. Every hotel has some thing to see. Luxor is probably one of our favorites - the tomb, the games and the simulator rides are great. Circus Circus has a great indoor amusement park, as well as a big top area with circus acts performing regularly. The Laser light show in Downtown is a great event for kids. Mandolay Bay has the shark exibit. Orleans is another great place with kids, it has a bowling alley and a movie theater in it. Riding the gondollas was another of my daughter's favs.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I went to MGM Grand when it first opened (for a convention) and hated it, too! Just too big and service was terrible.

It was huge, staff was horrid - DD banged her head on a table at the buffet in front of the manager, he saw it, saw her screaming and walked away. I had to go find someone for ice for her head. The room was glowing green the whole night even with the black out shades closed, the bed smelled like alcohol. It was just scary!

 

[va32h]

The Strip is crowded, hot, and everything costs way too much.

In short - a lot like WDW minus the characters!

I lived in Las Vegas for several years. They were promoting it as a family destination a few years ago, but they have backed off that quite a bit.

But all the things they built during those family-friendly days are still there. The malls, the shark reef, the dolphin encounter at the Mirage, M&M world, Coke world. Sam's Town is off the strip, but they have a fake canyon in the lobby with little animals in it, and they do a laser show in the evenings.

If you are touring during a weekday, you can visit the Ethel M Chocolate Factory too.

One thing that was always a negative for me was the smoking. Things may have changed in recent years, but when I lived there, very few casinos had non smoking areas, and the entire hotel would just reek of smoke. I couldn't stand it!

 

[Luv'sTink]

We took DS and he loved Vegas. You can find a lot of kid friendly things to do and see.

IMO, people telling you not to take your kids is because they don't want kids there when they go. Which makes no sense since the two don't mix on the gambling floor or bars.

 

[Judy from Boise]

We have lots of threads and opinions on this over on the "California and the West" board.....find it in the forum drop downs.