TravelingMom

My husband has a conference in Vegas in October and I'll be tagging along with our 9 month old. We'll be staying at the Paris.

What suggestions do you have for restaurants (some buffet, some not) that would be OK to take the baby to? He's very well-behaved (honestly! - no screeching or yelling as long as he has some cheerios and people to watch), but we will obviously not be doing the very upscale type restaurants.

I'm also looking for activities ideas. This will be our first trip to Vegas, so I'm sure we'll entertain ourselves part of the time just checking out all the crazy hotels. I've been told that the casinos tend to be very smoky, so I guess we'll have to avoid them (probably better for the wallet anyway). What other activities would be baby-friendly?

Thanks!

earlxx

What a place to take your baby to. gambling is baby friendly. But he won't remember this amazing place

TravelingMom

Hmm...not sure how to take your response, Earl, but I'll go ahead and assume it was meant lightly!

Alisa

Spending time at the pool or shopping? ANy buffet should be ok--I believe Paris has a good one.

judyinar

As the grandmother of a 13-month old, I've been thinking about your question. We've gone to LV quite a few times, and my daughter enjoys it, too, but for now she's put the thought of a visit there on the back burner. Unfortunately for her, I enjoy gambling and don't plan to go to LV to babysit.

Paris has a very good buffet, a very good restaurant Mon Ami Gabi, and several other cafes which serve delicious food. At Mon Ami Gabi you can sit outside which your child should enjoy if the weather is perfect.
Several of the other cafes inside are very informal and should be fine for you.
Catty-cornered from Bally's (which is connected to Paris) is Caesars Palace which (on the far side) has the Forum Shoppes. You can spend at least a half day there, perhaps, strolling around that place. There's a Cheesecake Factory toward the back of the forum along with other cafes. The lighting in the mall area goes through a day in about an hour, I guess...rather dark and dim for dawn as the birds chirp; you can hear thunder and see "lightning". Then midday comes and the lights are bright...etc...

Most of the newer casinos are not really smoky because of their ventilation, but you won't be allowed to stop anyway because of the child. The Bellagio used to not allow any small children inside their hotel if the parents weren't staying there or if you didn't have dinner reservations. Don't know if that's still the case.

If offered the opportunity, do visit The Bellagio and the Venetian. They're very lovely. The Venetian has canals where you can take a ride although I'm not sure I would with a baby...but it's fun to watch. The Paris is also a fun atmosphere.

I'd advise you to ask this question on the LVTalk Forum, but most of the posters there are very anti-children in Vegas, so you might get some very negative responses. The problem arises because there are many irresponsible parents who drag their small children around until midnight and after in all kinds of weather among hordes of drunks.
That's not a pretty sight.
There are some overpasses (walkovers) now on the strip where you and a stroller can take an elevator rather than stairs or an escalator. Don't try crossing the streets pushing a stroller - drivers are crazy!

I've rambled enough. Just giving you my thoughts...

Judy

TravelingMom

Judy - Thanks for some great thoughts! I think we're going with the right mindset, since it's not really a vacation. My husband will be there on business and baby and are just tagging along because it sounds like a fun place to visit. But, with the work schedule, I don't think we'll have any late nights planned.

You have some great suggestions.

Someone has mentioned a pirate show, at Treasure Island, I think. Is this worth trying to watch? Are there other similar shows at other resorts?

Thanks!

ChristieP

The pirate show at TI is long gone. It has been replaced by a "pirates vs. sirens" battle that is nowhere near as good.

Something that you might find fun would be watching the dolphins and the Secret Garden at Mirage. There is an admission charge, but I think the baby would be free. It is stroller-friendly. I honestly can't think of any other baby-friendly activities in Vegas besides hanging out at the pool.

uhoh_busted

Have you and hubby left the babe with Grandparents for a trip on your own yet? I know it's tough, but Vegas would be a perfect "Adults only" get away. That said, there are some cute themed shopping malls -- The Aladin has a great one, with scheduled desert thunder storms around an "oasis" (you won't get wet). There are also some more casual restaurants in that mall where a child wouldn't be unwelcome. There are lions to watch at the MGM. Smoke isn't much of a problem except late at night and you won't be out then. Of course you can watch the fountains dance in front of the Bellagio. But to be really truthful -- it would be a really fun place for a "wild and crazy" time with just you two adults....if this is your first child, you may not have as easy an opportunity to find child care until he/she's away at college. (That's a loooooong time off.)

alliegator

Traveling mom..I understand where you are coming from (I have a 14 month old), but also you must understand the concerns of the others.

The only things I can think of are maybe the M&M store, Red Rock Canyon outside of Vegas (for scenic drive or hiking), the Lions den at MGM, & I thought the Manadalay had an aquarium of sorts. Really, there isn't much else because he is too young for roller coasters etc.

Also, you will need to know that the rooms DO NOT have mini-fridges, microwaves etc. So if you need something for the baby in the middle of the night you will have to leave your room and most likely the hotel.

The only reason I'm saying this is because we have already travelled quite often with my girl and most of the time it was easy. But when we went to Vegas last Feb, we opted to leave her with my folks. Vegas is just a difficult town in that it is not baby friendly. With that said, enjoy yourself and make sure you keep sunscreen on your son

judyinar

If possible, ask for a room at Paris facing the Bellagio fountains. You won't hear the music, but every 15 minutes (after 3:00P.M.?) the fountains put on quite a show. If you're "stuck" in the room, it would be great to open the drapes and watch the shows. They're my all-time favorite thing to watch in Vegas.

Don't bother with Treasure Island and the show out front. It's way too crowded and not very good anyway. The idea about the dolphins at the Mirage was good.

Enjoy...Judy

TravelingMom

Thanks again for the great advice. Unfortunately, we can't leave the baby behind just yet (still nursing and he has no patience for more than an occasional bottle), but we are already planning 2 grown-up only trips for this spring!

Any hints on actually getting a better room at the Paris? Does tipping help or only insult?