Las Vegas for high school graduation trip?
Jan 29th, 2005, 02:00 PM
#1
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Las Vegas for high school graduation trip?
Am trying to setup a high school graduation trip for my daughter and three of her girlfriends (my husband and I will accompany). Would Las Vegas be something that would be good for that? I have never been to Las Vegas. If so, what would you recommend for say a three to four night trip? Thanks for any help.
Jan 29th, 2005, 02:05 PM
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I suggest you do a search here - something like Las Vegas + kids. You will get quite a few strong opinions on whether or not LV is appropriate for kids and/or teens. (While I admit to being neither a Las Vegas expert or fan - have only been there once - there really isn't all that much for kids)
I think you could find many places which would be more appropriate and more enjoyable for four 18-year olds plus adult chaperones than Las Vegas. From where would you be traveling?
I think you could find many places which would be more appropriate and more enjoyable for four 18-year olds plus adult chaperones than Las Vegas. From where would you be traveling?
Jan 29th, 2005, 02:29 PM
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You've gotta be kidding! Las Vegas would be one of my last choices as a destination for high school graduates.
Just for starters:
*They can't gamble legally.
*They can't drink legally.
*They're too old for the kids' amusement areas.
What would I recommend?
*A trip to a major city--New York, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, Montreal, etc.
*A trip to a national park.
Just for starters:
*They can't gamble legally.
*They can't drink legally.
*They're too old for the kids' amusement areas.
What would I recommend?
*A trip to a major city--New York, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, Montreal, etc.
*A trip to a national park.
Jan 29th, 2005, 02:52 PM
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I would have to say no simply because the kids will be chased through the casinos by security the whole time. Las Vegas is an adult town. They can have that on their own when they are over 21
Agree w/ Howard R's suggestions, show them something with history, culture, and such. Best wishes
Agree w/ Howard R's suggestions, show them something with history, culture, and such. Best wishes
Jan 29th, 2005, 03:35 PM
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Agree that these kids wil be bored stiff in Vegas. they're too old for the few kds things there are - and too young to do any of the adult things. If you don;t want to do a big city for culture/history - do something like South Beach - where they at least have the beach/pool and can exercise their trendiness.
Jan 29th, 2005, 03:59 PM
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You are kidding, right? Maybe you're thinking of the old LV marketing of a few years ago that it is a "family" destination. Haven't you noticed the new campaigns???? "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"
LV has decided the "kiddie/family trade" was not profitable, so now they are back to promoting sex/sin/sleaze.
It is a great place for an adult vacation - but I can think of almost no place in the USA (except maybe a honeymoon hotel in the Poconos) that would be a worse place for a high school grad trip.
LV has decided the "kiddie/family trade" was not profitable, so now they are back to promoting sex/sin/sleaze.
It is a great place for an adult vacation - but I can think of almost no place in the USA (except maybe a honeymoon hotel in the Poconos) that would be a worse place for a high school grad trip.
Jan 29th, 2005, 04:46 PM
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Let's see. Eating at great "grown up restaurants", seeing Mama Mia, O, Mystere, Blue Man Group, and who knows what else? Making a day trip to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Riding that shooting ride at the top of the Stratosphere and the roller coaster at New York, New York. Going to some big water park, or just spending the day at the pool area of Mandalay Bay. Spending half a day at that huge games palace -- what do you call it? Seeing the bright lights, the Fremont experience, the fountains, the volcanoes, the Venetian gondola rides. Shopping to their hearts content in some of the best "malls" in the country. Yep. I'll bet they'll be bored silly.
Huh? Sure sounds great to me, even without the drinking and gambling.
Huh? Sure sounds great to me, even without the drinking and gambling.
Jan 29th, 2005, 05:52 PM
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hey maybe they got left back a few years.....
Seriously, LV is not the place for anyone underage. If you are looking for shows, dinners, lights, culture, well then I would recommend NYC for a grad trip.
There are plenty of other great places to take underage children than LV, the entire town REVOLVES around gambling, sex, decadence...hey it's not called sin city for nothing - not the place for underage kids. It is not a place forthem...its more of a place for you.
Atlantis in the Bahamas would be beter than vegas, if you are looking for a mix of adult/teen entertainment. Ther is a tens only night club (no alcohol) great pools, beaches, a great place to explore and lots of fun for adults too (casino). The restaurants are pretty good and its just a lot of fun and perfect for a 4 day family fun trip.
Seriously, LV is not the place for anyone underage. If you are looking for shows, dinners, lights, culture, well then I would recommend NYC for a grad trip.
There are plenty of other great places to take underage children than LV, the entire town REVOLVES around gambling, sex, decadence...hey it's not called sin city for nothing - not the place for underage kids. It is not a place forthem...its more of a place for you.
Atlantis in the Bahamas would be beter than vegas, if you are looking for a mix of adult/teen entertainment. Ther is a tens only night club (no alcohol) great pools, beaches, a great place to explore and lots of fun for adults too (casino). The restaurants are pretty good and its just a lot of fun and perfect for a 4 day family fun trip.
Jan 29th, 2005, 05:56 PM
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I dunno, Howard, there is more to Vegas than just the gambling and drinking. My daughter just turned 21, but she's been going to Vegas since she was in high school. She went there for plenty of sports and dance competitions with school and other teen groups. And she and I have done our share of mother-daughter dinner-and-a-show weekend getaways--drinking and gambling was never a part of it. And Patrick left out shopping. From the Fashion Show to the outlets at Stateline, it is a shop-til -you -drop dream!
But, I do agree the girls would probably have more fun somwhere else. They'll be old enough to really enjoy Vegas in a few years.
But, I do agree the girls would probably have more fun somwhere else. They'll be old enough to really enjoy Vegas in a few years.
Jan 29th, 2005, 05:58 PM
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Huh? What did I mention that high school grads wouldn't love? Don't forget we're not talking about sending these kids off there unchaperoned. Other than New York, I can't think of a place with more entertainment that most high school grads would love than Las Vegas. My nieces who went with their parents at high school age still rate it as their favorite vacation spot of all time. They cringe at the idea of coming to "boring" Florida.
Jan 29th, 2005, 06:01 PM
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and "here-today" I didn't leave out shopping -reread my post! There's a reason the Forum Shops have the highest retail sales of all malls in the country -- and yes that includes Mall of America! What teen doesn't love a mall? Well, Vegas has a couple of the very best!
Jan 29th, 2005, 06:35 PM
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I didn't say they couldn't and wouldn't have fun in Vegas, just from experience, I think the group would have MORE fun somewhere else.
My daughter loved going to Vegas with me when she was 18, but if she had gone with three girlfriends, I know the experience would have been much different. I think the phrases "three of her girlfriends" and "not sending them off unchaperoned" are the key here. One, even one and a friend could be happy chaperoned, but with four of them together, things start to change. If you were a mom of an 18 year old girl you might know what I mean. <insert rolling eyes and heavy sighs>
My daughter loved going to Vegas with me when she was 18, but if she had gone with three girlfriends, I know the experience would have been much different. I think the phrases "three of her girlfriends" and "not sending them off unchaperoned" are the key here. One, even one and a friend could be happy chaperoned, but with four of them together, things start to change. If you were a mom of an 18 year old girl you might know what I mean. <insert rolling eyes and heavy sighs>
Jan 29th, 2005, 07:15 PM
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Oh dear, this sounds like one of those discussions about teaching sex in high school. If we don't talk about it, they won't do it. If we don't let them see the gambling and drinking in Las Vegas they won't know it happens and they won't be tempted to do it.
Get real, people. High school graduates will be much happier in Las Vegas with all there is to do than going to Washington, D.C. Culture and learning? They're celebrating being out of school, not trying to go into continuing education. They want to pretend to be adults, don't treat them like children.
Get real, people. High school graduates will be much happier in Las Vegas with all there is to do than going to Washington, D.C. Culture and learning? They're celebrating being out of school, not trying to go into continuing education. They want to pretend to be adults, don't treat them like children.
Jan 29th, 2005, 07:15 PM
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Sorry -
I still think its' a bad idea. When I graduated from high school (16 - granted - not 18) all I wanted was a great beach, a place to dance and a bunch of cute college guys. Vegas doesn;t provide any of those.
I still think its' a bad idea. When I graduated from high school (16 - granted - not 18) all I wanted was a great beach, a place to dance and a bunch of cute college guys. Vegas doesn;t provide any of those.
Jan 29th, 2005, 07:18 PM
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Sorry -
I still think its' a bad idea. When I graduated from high school (16 - granted - not 18) all I wanted was a great beach, a place to dance and a bunch of cute college guys. Vegas doesn;t provide any of those.
And believe me - there was nothing I would have been less interested in than a fake volcano, game arcade or Hoover Dam.
I still think its' a bad idea. When I graduated from high school (16 - granted - not 18) all I wanted was a great beach, a place to dance and a bunch of cute college guys. Vegas doesn;t provide any of those.
And believe me - there was nothing I would have been less interested in than a fake volcano, game arcade or Hoover Dam.
