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

[binny]

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.

See, but here we dont sell porn magazines at the check out stand. Many ( I think most) here find that innapropriate for children. Just because its done in your country that way doesnt mean we are used to it here.

Im not sure what you mean by a dirty lifestyle.
DH and I go to Vegas once a year for a convention. We do a bit of gambling a bit of drinking and enjoy ourselves. Our kids do see us drinking responsibly at home but they do not see the level of drinking that Vegas shows they also do not see strippers or hookers walking down the street. Both of those things are in abundance in Vegas.

So we are not prudes and dont live a "dirty" lifestyle. We go to Vegas for a convention and to enjoy ourselves as adults. Like I said they been through and we showed them what we felt were the highlights for kids and then we left.

 

[Gymbomom]

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

LOL, if "dirty" is gambling and going to see Carrot Top.....
If dirty is doing things you have to be 21 to do as in gambling and having an adult beverage......

BTW, I am not a prude either.

I guess you needed to justify your descisions by slamming others.

 

[Heidict]

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

Not quite sure what this comment means. Could you explain a bit further please because from the way it sounds you are saying that if people don't want to bring kids to Vegas they are either porno loving, drunks who like to sleep with hookers on vacation or they are stuck up, better then everyone else prudes. Is this what you really meant?

 

[thewishfire]

I didn't read this whole thread, so I don't know if what I'm saying has been said a billion times or not but..

My parents brought me to Las Vegas when I was young several times. (starting around 4th/3rd grade) We went to arcades. Went out to dinner. Watched the pirate ships, volcanoes, and Cirque. Went on rides. Went shopping. Took day trips.. sometimes short 2 or 3 day side trips. I was always well behaved and had a great time!! I think Las Vegas is a family destination just as much as an adult one. I have great memories of vacations there and can't wait to go back one day.

 

[katerkat]

I'm a terrible person - took Russ to Vegas last month, a stop on a road trip. We stayed over by the base and just drove to the strip for an evening. He enjoyed loooking at everything, no one told us we couldn't bring the stroller into the casinos, and they weren't all that smoky at 7 pm. I gambled a whole dollar in front of him at a slot machine. (His dad was pushing the stroller so I wasn't gambling WITH him. ) The only show we attempted to see was the Bellagio fountains, but they were cancelled due to the winds.

Now if we ever go back, it'll be with Grandma and Grandpa so they can help babysit so we can experience more of the city - but I don't regret taking him this time.

 

[Freyja]

LOL, if "dirty" is gambling and going to see Carrot Top.....
If dirty is doing things you have to be 21 to do as in gambling and having an adult beverage......

BTW, I am not a prude either.

I guess you needed to justify your descisions by slamming others.

I just can by no means sea how gambling (the kids are not allowed in the casinos anyway) and seing Carrot Top would be a reason not to bring kids to Vegas.

 

[Freyja]

Not quite sure what this comment means. Could you explain a bit further please because from the way it sounds you are saying that if people don't want to bring kids to Vegas they are either porno loving, drunks who like to sleep with hookers on vacation or they are stuck up, better then everyone else prudes. Is this what you really meant?

I guess that is somewhat how I meant it!

Those who meantion hookers and strippers on the strip: I spent 3 nights there and did not see any hookers or strippers looking worse than what I see
"after dark" in any other city I´ve been to.

Maybe those who don´t want to bring kids to Vegas have a hard time keeping away from the more adult-themed scene while they are there? Could that be the problem?

 

[Gymbomom]

......

 

[U2_rocks!]

Maybe those who don´t want to bring kids to Vegas have a hard time keeping away from the more adult-themed scene while they are there? Could that be the problem?

That's a large part of why I wouldn't bring kids to Vegas - I have no desire to go to Vegas to do G rated things. I don't want to necessarily do X rated stuff either, but there are places I'd want to go, shows I might want to see, shopping I'd want to do etc. that would not be appropriate or even appeal to the kids.

I honestly don't care about ids in Vegas - I just have no desire to take my kids there right now, though I'd love to go myself!

 

[Uncle Remus]

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.

I almost became religious over this,
caused me to believe someone was
listening to an atheist's prayer.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

Do they judge much where you come from?

It just kind of reminds me of why it isn't appropriate to take kids to Pleasure Island. People still do it--but not exactly the best use of time or resources or as appropriate as something more kid friendly.

My friend has gone their with her daughter---but her brother was getting married. They did have a blast..but with a 1yo--you are limited despite your creativity in planning.

While your tolerance threshhold is higher due to what your children are exposed to as the norm...in the US..it primarily isn't the norm to take a child to a place nicknamed "sin city".

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I almost became religious over this,
caused me to believe someone was
listening to an atheist's prayer.

The Bellagio Gods have spoken.

(I sooo would LOVE to stay there when I go!!! If ever...maybe when the last one graduates highschool...so in 19 years I can go. )

 

[Freyja]

That's a large part of why I wouldn't bring kids to Vegas - I have no desire to go to Vegas to do G rated things. I don't want to necessarily do X rated stuff either, but there are places I'd want to go, shows I might want to see, shopping I'd want to do etc. that would not be appropriate or even appeal to the kids.

I honestly don't care about ids in Vegas - I just have no desire to take my kids there right now, though I'd love to go myself!

Now, that is an opinion I totally understand. I don´t care about kids in Rome, but don´t have a desire to take my kids there, although I´d love to go myself.

 

[Freyja]

Do they judge much where you come from?

It just kind of reminds me of why it isn't appropriate to take kids to Pleasure Island. People still do it--but not exactly the best use of time or resources or as appropriate as something more kid friendly.

My friend has gone their with her daughter---but her brother was getting married. They did have a blast..but with a 1yo--you are limited despite your creativity in planning.

While your tolerance threshhold is higher due to what your children are exposed to as the norm...in the US..it primarily isn't the norm to take a child to a place nicknamed "sin city".

There are judgemental people in every place of the world. However, people judge different things.

I´m sure my tolerance threshhold is higher due to what my kids are exposed to as the norm, but that doesn´t change the fact that I believe that Vegas can be done on a kid-friendly level, and can therefore be fun for everyone. Without damaging them!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

There are judgemental people in every place of the world. However, people judge different things.

I´m sure my tolerance threshhold is higher due to what my kids are exposed to as the norm, but that doesn´t change the fact that I believe that Vegas can be done on a kid-friendly level, and can therefore be fun for everyone. Without damaging them!

A whole lot nicer way to say it than someone must

either live a very "dirty" lifestyle while there or be extremely prude.

How you can think that is a kind way to state your opinion is beyond me.

I wouldn't take my children to Amsterdam either....but has nothing to do with I fear that myself or my hubby want to save time to smoke pot or gander at those windows in the red light district.

In your words--those who oppose taking children to places they feel are appropriate onloy for adults--must have these secret little things they might do.

To flip the jump to conclusions--we could say that you must take your kids to loose places on a daily basis based on your original comment alone since you must not be the opposite of extremely prudish.

But that would be a judgemental leap I am sure you wouldn't appreciate.

 

[Freyja]

A whole lot nicer way to say it than someone must

How you can think that is a kind way to state your opinion is beyond me.

I wouldn't take my children to Amsterdam either....but has nothing to do with I fear that myself or my hubby want to save time to smoke pot or gander at those windows in the red light district.

In your words--those who oppose taking children to places they feel are appropriate onloy for adults--must have these secret little things they might do.

To flip the jump to conclusions--we could say that you must take your kids to loose places on a daily basis based on your original comment alone since you must not be the opposite of extremely prudish.

But that would be a judgemental leap I am sure you wouldn't appreciate.

Our differences probably lie in the fact that I don´t believe there are any places (as in cities, regions, countries, etc.) that are only appropriate for adults.
I wouldn´t have a problem at all with you jumping to the conclusion that I take my kids to loose places, since that might very well be your opinion and you are entitled to it.

I guess I do take my kids to a lot of places you might never consider taking your own kids and so be it. The OP was very judgemental and I encourage you to read it again. That way you might understand my somewhat harsh comments.

 

[pperfectmom]

I just can by no means sea how gambling (the kids are not allowed in the casinos anyway) and seing Carrot Top would be a reason not to bring kids to Vegas.

The whole point for me is IF you want to do these kinds of things you CANNOT take your kids to Vegas. I love taking my kids places and can't wait to show them places I love like Bryce Canyon and Zion but we will skip Sin City on those trips.

 

[Uncle Remus]

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

Neither

 

[Freyja]

The whole point for me is IF you want to do these kinds of things you CANNOT take your kids to Vegas. I love taking my kids places and can't wait to show them places I love like Bryce Canyon and Zion but we will skip Sin City on those trips.

I respect your opinion but could you please explain to me in which way it might be harmful to a child that mom or dad spend an hour or two gambling, while the other parent spends time with the kids elsewhere?

 

[pperfectmom]

I respect your opinion but could you please explain to me in which way it might be harmful to a child that mom or dad spend an hour or two gambling, while the other parent spends time with the kids elsewhere?

It's not that it would be harmful to them. The point is that DH and I both like to gamble, see shows and have adult beverages. Somehow doing those things alone just doesn't sound appealing. The biggest point to me is that Mom and Dad need a place to do adult stuff without having to worry about their children for a weekend. If I want to do something fun with my kids there's a whole country outside the door to visit. I'm sure we could come up with a different destination.