We ( myself and my three boys, 12, 10 and 7) left the fog of the Central Coast of California and drove and drove and drove. We drove on a Sunday and planned our arrival to be just in time to check in to our Hotel before heading over to the Lion King Matinee at Mandalay Bay. Just outsie of Primm, we ran ino a lot of traffic. So many people were trying to exit to Primm that traffic was stopped or slowed to a crawl for about 30 minutes. The traffic heading out of Vegas back toward California was backed up for at least 5 miles. Sure must be some great bargains at that outlet mall! We resisted. The delay meant we had to change clothes in the car and drive straight to the show.
Lion King is breathtaking. The costumes, orchestra and vocals were outstanding and we were thoroughly enchanted.... as was the whole theatre. I was nervous about attending a matinee performance... too many noisy kids, or so I thought, but not a peep was heard. I believe this show is leaving Vegas after December... so if you've been thinking of going or want to treat your grandkids...do it!
Checked into the Hotel Monte Carlo. Fast, efficient and you dont have to walk through the casino to get to the elevators! The food court is outrageously priced ($20 for two 6" sandwiches, chips and sodas) and the starbucks there is not a full service... no breakfast sandwiches, no yogurt, etc... so we mostly ate outside the hotel. The beds were extremely comfortable and for $60 a night, I felt it was a good value. The wave pool and lazy river are small and manageable... we enjoyed the time we spent there. This is NOT the glitzy Vegas, feel rich and pampered hotel experience... but it worked for us.
Hoover Dam was amazing... my boys loved the movie, the museum and the tour and LOVED taking their own pictures of the dam, the new Pat Tillman Bridge and the art deco art, flooring etc. We did NOT drive over the bridge because two out of four deemed it "too scary." And our family rule, when boys are traveling alone with Mom is " All for one or all for none." :
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Short Vegas Trip with Kids: Lion King, Hoover Dam, Monte Carlo Hotel
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They loved the M and M Factory! This is a store (four floors) that sells all things M and M. Everything from shower curtains, to address books to sequined jackets to alarm clocks to keychains. All three of my kids wanted a goody from this place... HUGE hit!
We trooped through Excalibur, New York, New York, Mirage (and volcano show), MGM (and tiger habitat) Luxor (no boat ride anymore) and drove over to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (or whatever the real name is) from the show " Pawn Stars." My boys were hoping to see some great sports memorilbiliabut sadly, the advertising products for the show seemed more plentiful than anything and it was wall to wall people. plentiful
The only real complaint my kids had was that they detested the cigarette smoke that seemed prevalent. We live in California where smoking in public buildings is illegal,so they just aren't used to it. They seemed to really notice it when we were inside in an eating establishment.. like when they could smell smoke from the sports book next to California Pizza Kitchen inside the Mirage.)
No one handed them naked pictures on the strip and I didnt walk them in anywhere I hadn't been before. We had a great family trip and they were completely wowed by Hoover Dam AND the Lion King. I'm glad I made the effort to take them!
Sounds like a lot of fun. If you venture there again, take them out to Valley of Fire for a very different look. Hike up to Mouse's tank and look at the petroglyphs on the rocks along the way.
Thanks reporting on how to do Vegas with kids.