Carley

My Sister and I are taking our 82 year old Mother to LV. This is a first big trip for her as she is not the travelling kind. We talked her into it as this could be the last time we might all be able to do a fun trip together. We also hope it won't be and that it will just make her want to do more travelling with us as long as she is able.

I have been to LV 4 or 5 times and my Mom and Sister have never been, so want to show them a good time.

We are staying at the Bellagio Hotel for 5 nights starting Nov. 23rd. My Mom has difficulty walking and uses a walker but we hope to get a wheelchair for her. We are going to see "O" on the night we arrive and also will rent a car for the day and head out of Vegas for the day, perhaps to the Hoover Dam. My Sister is a shopper so will also get out to the Outlet Malls.

Any ideas of what else would be fun to do, places to eat, etc. would be appreciated.

bratsandbeer

A good idea is to rent a car. You can drive from casino to casino and drop off the car at the valet service. Saves a lot of walking around.

The Bellagio and Wynn both have a wonderful buffet dinner.

You might enjoy a drive through Red Rock Canyon which is 20 minutes out of LV.

happytrailstoyou

A wheel chair is not only a good idea, but a must. Maybe your mother would enjoy tooling around on a scooter! http://www.rentscooterlasvegas.com/

onemoneygirl

I just spent four days in Vegas with a friend with similar limitations.

Call ahead (or have the concierge do it) to the different hotels when you wish to see a show or go to a restaurant to find out which entrance the taxi should take you to be in closest proximity of where you want to go. Otherwise, you will always be dropped off at the front, which requires extra walking through the casinos...we saved a lot of energy this way.

Don't plan too much. Just because she's in a wheelchair doesn't mean she will be able to "keep up." We planned one major thing each day... either shopping or an activity during the day OR at night, never both.


Have a wonderful time!

maryanntex

I thought the Liberace Museum http://www.liberace.org/liberace_museum/ was great. It might be something your mom (and you) really like. The costumes were amazing, as was the Swarovski crystal-covered Roadster. Check out the times for guided tours on the website. I definitely recommend a guided tour.

spirobulldog

It would be a long boring drive. I wouldn't normally say to see the Grand Canyon in Day, but if she has never seen it then it might be worth it. Another option would be to take a helicopter to it, although expensive. The Cirque shows are very good. If you do get a wheelchair, then see the strip a little.

spirobulldog

It is a little hard to know what they can do at that age. A friend of ours did a parachute jump for his 80th birthday. He said it was much more fun than he remember from being a paratrooper when he was 20. On the other hand, some 80ish people don't want to even leave their house.

Carley

Thanks so much for everyone's sugestions.

We will definitely get a wheelchair but I think using a scooter might overwhelm her.

Great idea about making sure we get the right entrance when we take a taxi.

The helicopter to the Grand Canyon is definitely out as I know I would never get in one and probably not my Sister or Mom,

Will ask her if she interested in seeing the Liberace Museum, read their website and they have free transportation there from the Hotels.

My Mom is a good sport but her biggest problem is she thinks she is a nuisance to everyone because she needs so much help geting around. We have tried to tell her she isn't so we really want this to be a stress free trip for her.

Any more ideas welcome.

clarkgriswold

I don't recall how the Bellagio is set up, but some of those hotels are just a nightmare trip through the huge casino to get anywhere.
I do remember a long hilly walk from our car to see Hoover Dam, not sure what she'll be able to see from just driving by in the car. Red Rock Canyon would be nice from the car window.
I wouldn't have chosen "O" for my 82 year old mom but I hope you all enjoy it! A little too bizarre for the Griswold clan.

siena1

My husband and I saw "O" and we both loved it. I'm the artsy type, so I figured I would enjoy it, but I wasn't sure what my hubby would think. He's more of a beer and baseball kind of guy. Turns out he LOVED it.

If you like dance, synchronized swimming, gymnastics, etc. then I think you'll be amazed.

Otherwise, the only other suggestion I can think to give you is to go to dinner earlier rather than later. Less crowds, so it will be easier for your mother to manuever.

Have fun!

Carley

Thanks everyone. I've seen "O" when I was in Vegas and thought it was amazing. I think my Mom and Sister will like it as they are both into that sort of thing.

kmkrnn

Use the vallet services at all the hotels. For a couple of bucks you can drive up to the front door and leave the car. Wheel chair is a must as it is a long walk thru the casinos to any resturant. Winn buffet is a must. Liberace museum is right out of her era.Hoover dam may be too much in a wc, but check their sight.The stores at Ceasers and the Venetian are all interesting for a look see as is the free shows in both areas. Most of all just enjoy your time together. She will want to go to bed probably before you all will.

toncasmo

my mom is about the age and she liked rita rudner. nothing dirty about it but very funny

Ladyhawk

I am 60-years old and have been living in Las Vegas for 5 years. Thus, I get to see more than my share of all the popular "attractions."

My favorite, bar none, is the view after dark from the Eiffel Tower at the Paris. Just across the street from the Bellagio, it will give you an entirely different, not-to-be-missed perspective on the Bellagio water show. Moreover, it costs only about $10 for a R/T ride up and down the elevator, which I believe has to be handicap-friendly by law.

Show up a little before sunset, and stay until after dark in order to get the most of the experience. Chances are it will be quite memorable.

FainaAgain

If you get tired of the strip, you can drive up to Red Rock canyon where your mom can rest on a bench enjoying the view. It's not all rocks, it's more like a park.

Leburta

My mother, now 86, used to go to Las Vegas several times a year with my Dad starting many years ago when there were few hotels on the strip. Las Vegas was like a second home to her. As she aged, though, it became more difficult for her to walk, and that dampened her enthusiasm for a city where just travelling through a single hotel casino can be tedious. On her last trip to Vegas our family got a wonderful room at the Venetian (so we second your choice of the Bellagio) and enjoyed just having her family around her and the luxury accommodations.

Your mother might enjoy the pampering of a spa experience. The Venetian had the largest spa on the strip -- perhaps it may have been overshadowed by larger facilities by now. You can make an entire day of it, including hair care, massages, manicures, pedicures, and healthy dining.

Be sure that you get a wheelchair to be used exclusively by your mother. Some hotels allow you to use their wheelchair while you are in their hotel only. You may have to rent a wheelchair to be able to take it with you whereever you go.

Kay2

When I took my aged mother to Las Vegas, she wanted to see her image of Vegas. She chose Folies Bergere because of the showgirls. She wanted to see an Elvis impersonator and wedding chapels. And she wanted to sit and play cheap slots. We should have done the Liberace museum--maybe we ran out of time. She was sorry the Debbie Reynolds museum was no longer there.

She enjoyed just seeing the hotels--the outdoor architecture, the Caesar arcade, the drive up the Strip at night, the Fremont Street experience. Some of the waiting and crowds for outdoor events in front of the hotels was too much for her. Also, we did need exclusive use of a wheelchair or she would have collapsed.

Momof5

Hi

Having grew up in Vegas I will tell you what my 79 year old mom likes. Phantom at the Venetian, is fantastic! Your mom would love it. Jubilee at Bally's is good and they run a tight ship there the dancers are very good.
Fashion Show Mall is nice with a wheel chair, a lot of walking. If you choose to splurge and for a little excitment get a limo from the hotel. If they are not to busy a pretty good price to. They will take you to the hotel you want and pick you up. Yes I know it is a extravagance but recently did this and my family was ecstatic. Fun and comfortable makes the long commute up the strip fun.

At belagio eat at Olives, good and the Wynn has the best breakfast in town called the Bananas Foster, with french toast-YUM!

Have a good time!