Why,why,why do people bring kids to Las Vegas?

[Sherri]

Just back from my first trip ever to Las Vegas. I've decided I'm definitely a Disney girl! I couldn't get over the number of people who brought their small children to LV. I was disgusted with the way they had to walk through the very smokey casinos with the baby strollers and toddlers in hand. Even the outside show at Treasure Island was R-rated. I felt so bad for the little boy beside me thinking he was going to see a pirate show - it was alot of women in skimpy costumes and "pirates" doing the bump and grind! I think Las Vegas is a great place for adults to let loose and have some fun, but leave the kiddos at home with gramma!

I have never taken my kids to Las Vegas on any of my 4 trips there. This summer however, we will be going for three nights with dd14 and ds15 because we will be in California for two weeks before that. They have never been out West, so we want to go to Hoover dam and Red rock canyon. We will spend time at the pool. I hope we aren't making a mistake in doing this. I always told myself that I wouldn't bring kids there.

 

[Amity 3]

we've got gambling, hookers, and palm trees here in Tampa. why would I need to fly the family to Vegas?

 

[momrek06]

I have never taken my kids to Las Vegas on any of my 4 trips there. This summer however, we will be going for three nights with dd14 and ds15 because we will be in California for two weeks before that. They have never been out West, so we want to go to Hoover dam and Red rock canyon. We will spend time at the pool. I hope we aren't making a mistake in doing this. I always told myself that I wouldn't bring kids there.

That is why I said in my post that we are from the East. We felt if we were going all the way to see the HOOVER DAM and the GRAND CANYON...we would stop into Vegas. DH & I had never been ever. We were there 4 days and reallly loved it so....even my 16yo DS loved it!!!

I will say there is no way I would take children to Vegas at all. But my 16yo DS thoroughly enjoyed all that he saw.

Sherri: go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and pick up a travel book on Vegas and it will LIST for you all the activities they have for TEENS. I covered one tour book cover to cover and we did have a blast while there. Get tickets to some shows....Cirque du Soliel's "O" is fabulous.

After we left Vegas we headed to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam then on to Byrce and Zion National Parks and on to the Grand Canyon!! It was probably one of the best family trips we were on!!! We went in late Feb and the weather was wonderful.

 

[Luv'sTink]

My son LOVED Las Vegas!! He says he wants to go again. There really is no reason kids can't go to Vegas. At one time they were actuall trying to woo the family go. There used to be more to do in Vegas for families than there is now because they are trying to turn it back into sin city.

When we took my son we didn't gamble and still had a blast!

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughter (6) wants to go to Vegas in Feb/March next year since that is where they hold the Taekwondo tournament each year and all the kids go and compete....so I guess eventually I WILL be bringing a kid to Vegas....

 

[CEDmom]

Just back from my first trip ever to Las Vegas. I've decided I'm definitely a Disney girl! I couldn't get over the number of people who brought their small children to LV. I was disgusted with the way they had to walk through the very smokey casinos with the baby strollers and toddlers in hand. Even the outside show at Treasure Island was R-rated. I felt so bad for the little boy beside me thinking he was going to see a pirate show - it was alot of women in skimpy costumes and "pirates" doing the bump and grind! I think Las Vegas is a great place for adults to let loose and have some fun, but leave the kiddos at home with gramma!

We took our DD to LV a few years ago for a family reunion. She was 4 1/2 and her cousins who also went were 4 & 12.

We avoided anything we thought inappropriate and had a great time. She loved the Belliago fountains, the gondolas at the Venitian, M&M World, Krispy Creme and of course our hotel pool.

There are things I find inappropriate at WDW for my 7 yo so we just avoid them. It's easy there and about as easy in LV.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Just back from my first trip ever to Las Vegas. I've decided I'm definitely a Disney girl! I couldn't get over the number of people who brought their small children to LV. I was disgusted with the way they had to walk through the very smokey casinos with the baby strollers and toddlers in hand. Even the outside show at Treasure Island was R-rated. I felt so bad for the little boy beside me thinking he was going to see a pirate show - it was alot of women in skimpy costumes and "pirates" doing the bump and grind! I think Las Vegas is a great place for adults to let loose and have some fun, but leave the kiddos at home with gramma!

i always wondered that myself. there's so many things you can't do in Vegas with kids. heck, i don't even really like Vegas. all it is is gambling my good earned money away and seeing half naked women all over the place. not my thing, i'd rather go on rides and eating character breakfasts.

i was very upset to hear about the Treasure Island show when it changed a few years back. i saw footage of it when it was the pirates and i believe the british army fighting(i think that was it??). it looked SO cool and then DF's parents went to Vegas a few years ago and his father took footage and ranted and raved about how great the show was and then we watched the footage and even my DF turned to him and said "dad........this really sucks......why are we watching this again?"

 

[MoniqueU]

Also, I can't imagine why a parent would be dragging a screaming, over-tired child down the Strip late at night, but I saw quite a few parents doing just that.

I can't imagine why they do it at Disneyland either, no one looks to be having fun. When kids are tired, they are tired and thats when to call it a night.

 

[Nascar48]

I am a major coaster fan (and disney obviously) and they have some good rides there. You could also go do some other things (if you can find something)

 

[HonestAbe]

I dont think it's bad that folks take their offspring to LV. I think it's bad that people complain about what other people are doing.

Sort of like what I am doing right now. Complaining about your complaining.

I hate myself.

 

[RC Fan]

I am a major coaster fan (and disney obviously) and they have some good rides there. You could also go do some other things (if you can find something)

Hello!

Which rides did you find to be good? I have heard Speed is good, but I found the Manhatten Express sucked. Desperado was pretty decent. The only one on the Strat that looks worth doing would be The Big Shot.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

You kids get outta here

There was a time when Vegas started marketing to families, such as when the MGM opened and they had a huge amuzement park, which I believe is now gone.

The hotel/casinos discovered that families weren't spending as much money, or time gambling, as those adults who didn't bring their children. Vegas no longer markets itself as a destination for families, but for adults, thus the campaign, "What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas."

With that being said, there are things for kids to enjoy, you just have to do the research and don't expect most hotels or restaurants to cater to kids, although there are some that do (the Orleans, Circus Circu, Excalibur). In fact some hotels, the Bellagio for example, have policies on their website regarding children. The Bellagio really doesn't want families staying or playing there. Also, some hotels in Vegas are starting to charge extra for adults who have kids staying with them (I personally don't agree with this).

I've been going to Vegas since I was 21 and I'm not 41 and I've seen the increase in the number of families that go to Vegas. I don't find the kids to be a problem or a distraction, and they have never hindered my ability to have a good time.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Las Vegas is just a city. Kids do live there, so I see no reason why kids shouldn't visit as well.

However, a visit with kids should focus on what's appropriate for them. As others have said, there's plenty to do in Vegas for kids - no need to get involved in the casino scene. Where the problem lies is when the parents want to get a bit of the adult Vegas scene and bring the kids along.

I really think that if parents want to have the typical adult Vegas holiday, they need to leave the kids at home. But, if they are willing to have a "different" kind of Vegas holiday, then it certainly can be done.

I can also understand why people who live within driving distance from Vegas and like to go see shows etc., they might bring along their kids and make the most of what they can all do together. But I just can't imagine shelling out airfare for the whole family to fly to Vegas - I guess I'd rather pay that kind of money to go to WDW or Universal or some other child-oriented place. But that's just me. I'd love to go to Vegas one day, but I just know my kids would cramp my style there (not that I'm a gambler, but I want to sample all the specialty martinis and see shows that may not be 100% suitable for them etc.). I'm just waiting for a conference to be held there so I can go on the company's dime!

 

[Heidict]

I think it would be to difficult of a city for young children to be in on vacation. Many of the hotels/casinos don't even allow you to bring stollers in, unless you are a guest of the hotel. That alone can limit the things you want to do and see.

However, for older kids there are things to do. There are hotels that are more appropiate then others and offer a ton of things for kids to do. From huge game rooms, roller coasters, shows, museums, a circus, fun pools, the tigers at The Mirage, the dolphins and tons of other stuff. Not to mention it's closeness to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and other parks. The parents though have to go with the understanding that they can't be out all day gambleing and partying.

What I don't like about it is the fact that there are "advertisements" all over the place for stripers and call girls. Handing out stuff in the street with pictures of the girls on them. Not exactly kid friendly.

 

[pperfectmom]

I love going to Vegas. That said, I don't think I would have as good a time if we took the kids. Sometimes it is nice having an "adult" vacation. I feel the same way about New Orleans. We have a friend that took his small children there the year before last and talked about what a great place it was for kids. Sorry, but when I'm there I want to let loose and drink my way down Bourbon Street. And when I am in Vegas I want to gamble. Period. That's what grandparents are made for. Right?

 

[LisaNJ25]

I took my son with me when he was 8. It was a mom/son solo trip. We flew in to vegas.. spent a few days and that drove to disneyland. He had a great time.

I must be a bad mom since I bring all 4 of my kids with to me Atlantic City..

Gramdparents are not always an option.

 

[Sherri]

That is why I said in my post that we are from the East. We felt if we were going all the way to see the HOOVER DAM and the GRAND CANYON...we would stop into Vegas. DH & I had never been ever. We were there 4 days and reallly loved it so....even my 16yo DS loved it!!!

I will say there is no way I would take children to Vegas at all. But my 16yo DS thoroughly enjoyed all that he saw.

Sherri: go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and pick up a travel book on Vegas and it will LIST for you all the activities they have for TEENS. I covered one tour book cover to cover and we did have a blast while there. Get tickets to some shows....Cirque du Soliel's "O" is fabulous.

After we left Vegas we headed to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam then on to Byrce and Zion National Parks and on to the Grand Canyon!! It was probably one of the best family trips we were on!!! We went in late Feb and the weather was wonderful.

Thanks for the advice. I will get a book for teens.
I was thinking they may enjoy the blue man show at the Venitian.
There is so much to do out west that I really wanted to do. I actually always dreamed of driving out west with dh and the kids from our home here in PA. Well as the kids are at the age where they don't want to be away from home for too long (friends, parties and so fourth), that dream won't happand. Best I could get everyone to agree to was flying into The Anaheim area and going to HollyWood and Palm Springs for two weeks and driving to Vegas. The kids as exctied about Las Vegas. Of course they watched National Lampoons Vegas vacation last week.
I really can't wait until we do the tour of Hoover dam.

 

[binny]

I took my kids and my mom top Vegas as we were passing through. We only went into Caesars though to shop. I love that about Vegas. There are some kid areas that are fine but I wouldnt do it as a destination adventure for kids.


I hated the Circus Circus personally. It was dirty and just seemd like a pedophiles paradise to me. That is just MHO

 

[Gymbomom]

Just back from my first trip ever to Las Vegas. I've decided I'm definitely a Disney girl! I couldn't get over the number of people who brought their small children to LV. I was disgusted with the way they had to walk through the very smokey casinos with the baby strollers and toddlers in hand. Even the outside show at Treasure Island was R-rated. I felt so bad for the little boy beside me thinking he was going to see a pirate show - it was alot of women in skimpy costumes and "pirates" doing the bump and grind! I think Las Vegas is a great place for adults to let loose and have some fun, but leave the kiddos at home with gramma!

IMO, I totally agree.

I have been to Vegas 2x the past year. (We left our 2 at home)
When I see people post about where is the best place to stay with kids.....I can not IMAGINE taking my young children there.
Bottom line, it is not a child environment. There is drinking everywhere...therfore there are drunks everywhere. There are hookers sitting at the video poker tables, and porn slappers in the streets.

With all the kid friendly places to go in the US, WHY would you take them there? Also, how would you as an adult be able to experience the shows, gambling, etc... with your kids being with you?

JMO.

 

[Freyja]

Guess I´m one of the "bad" parents. We took our kids aged 1, 4, 9 and 11 to Vegas in April and we all had a blast. The 3 oldest ones have been begging to go back.

We stayed at the Flamingo and had a great time by the pool and in the wonderful hotel garden with the Flamingos, penguins and turtles. Spent a lot of time on the strip, looking at the various hotels, Bellagio fountains, Paris Eiffel tower, M&M store, Gondolas at the Venetian etc.

My kids were not exposed to anything there they wouldn´t experience normally. Sure people were handing out fliers for strip-shows, but hey, I live in a country were porn magazines are sold at the check-out counter. So, nothing new there! Sure there was smoke in the casinos. But, hey again, they´re not allowed to spend any time there so we only walked through on our way to the elevators. Wasn´t any worse than in a European Café.

I think those opposed to kids in Vegas must either live a very "dirty" lifestyle while there or be extremely prude.