Maureen Palmer

Help! Myself, my husband and my in-laws will be going on a 4 day trip to Las Vegas. We are bringing along my 15 month old son. Any tips or suggestions? Should I bring a car seat? I will definitely be bringing a stroller.
THANK YOU
mp

xxx

Plan on taking the trams that they have now to get around. It will eliminate a lot walking. However, it will also force you to walk through the smoky casinos.

While your son might be a little young, if anyone else is traveling with young children, be sure to check out the M&M (candy) World.

xxx

Toddlers do not belong in Las Vegas. Either stay home or get a sitter. What the hell is the matter with you???? You better learn how to PARENT and get your priorities straight!!!

Melinda

Please ignore the judgemental and rude above poster. Car seats are not really needed as taking the trolley or the bus is the easiest way around. A folding stoller works best as it is crowded and a large stroller is hard to navigate on a crowded sidewalk. You will see swarms of young children everywhere and feel very comfortable with your child in tow. Just avoid Bellagio as they don't want to see any rugrats.

Your child will love the tigers at Mirage and lions at MGM along with the Rainforest Cafe at MGM. The pirate show at Treasure Island is too scary at that age. The lights and action of all the movement will keep them occupied. Lots of family oriented resorts and many have food courts where you can grab an apple or banana and there is a Walgreens on the strip for necessities. You will do a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes and bring jackets as it is cold in the hotels. Buffets are always noisy which might be good when you have a little one. If you e-mail me on where you are staying I can help you out better. Cheapovegas.com is a wonderful and funny site and lvol.com has lots of info as well. Wear a fanny pack. I know they look ugly but a purse is too hard to keep up with. Use a backpack for boxes of raisins and toys etc. Have a wonderful family trip.

Marge

While the above posted said it rudely, LV is really no place for small children. It's a gambling resort not Disneyworld. I'd rethink you plans.

Buyer

I don't mean to be rude, but in honesty I have to admit to agreeing the above. LV is full of cigarette smoke, booze, gambling addicts and prostitutes... I mean I guess if you have to go there for some family function maybe you'd be best to get a hotel in Henderson or some of the outlying areas. If you are planning on engaging in past times that are typical Las Vegas, reconsider taking your child. Or maybe plan to go someplace like San Diego or Lake Tahoe that has activities for both adults and toddlers and definately a more wholesome environment.

Angela

Please don't take a child to Las Vegas. My husband and I were just recently in Vegas and it was so sad to see these children in such an environment. I know the Vegas tourist industry is trying to convince us that the city is a family place - what a joke. I really felt sorry for the children and on the busy sidewalks - if I got behind you with a stroller - I would be pissed!!!!

rick

Many of the newer casinos have installed a row of toddler-friendly slot machines that can be operated while sitting in a stroller. They all seem to take quarters. The only drawback is that you must be vaery careful that your child doesn't swallow any of the quarters. I have heard, but not confirmed, that several casinos will be instituting slot clubs for infants, so inquire when you arrive and obtain a card for your child to amass "comps". I hope this answers your question.

XXX

Seven responses: two that actually answered her question; five providing uninvited comment. About what we've come to expect here.

zzzz

To: XXXX
No, it's you who've got wrong. The original poster asked, "Any tips?" And the responders have said loud and clear, "Don't go!"
With all the wonderful destinations you could take a toddler, why pick Las Vegas?
The thoughts of toddler-friendly slot machines and slot clubs for infants give me the chills! Is this for real?

cali

umm, zzzz, i think rick might have been employing a little satirical humor....

Ellen

Maureen, I agree with the above posters regarding bringing a toddler to Las Vegas. Vegas is really geared to adults, & is just now trying to lure more families with fancy swimming pools & kid friendly restaurants. However, you will find nothing much to assist you with your child. Not one public restroom has a fold down changing table, I have not seen any of the hotels advertising 'day care' or 'baby sitting service'., there is nowhere to sit down & feed or play with a fussy child in any of the lobbies (they want you in the casinos not the lobbies), none of the hotel convenience stores sell baby products of any kind, & with the throngs of people around, YOU CANNOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF YOUR CHILD FOR ONE MINUTE. If you must go, I would pack as if I were going to an island where there are no kids & stock up with anything and everything I may need on the trip. Call your hotel & see what they can provide you with, they may have a sitter service (you never know). Stick to eating at the buffets, they are all kid friendly. For entertainment - fountains at Bellagio will catch your son's attention, as will the 'parade' at the Rio. The Excalibur has an arcade downstairs that attracts the kids & has things for smaller tots as well. The zoo, dolphins, & aquarium at Mirage are a must. He may like to watch the gondolas at Venetian & the lion cubs at MGM. Other than that, you will need to be pretty creative to keep him amused.

linda

Las vegas has many more attractions than the casinos...some of the outlying areas (Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, etc.)are very nice. Although I'd have to agree that I probably wouldn't bring my young child casino hopping (very smokey and crowded)there are other options. Four Days isn't enough to see it all!
Good luck

Rosemary

H'mm, you've had some varied replies here, some helpful and some not so good.
I think the big problem in L.V. is that to get to most of the attractions that would appeal to your toddler you have to find your way through the casinos (and yes, they're very smoky!) In fact, your toddler would be attracted the most by the jangling machines and flashing lights in the casinos, and whatever the moral issues, they don't actually let kids (under 21!) stop while going through.

Circus Circus has a funfair-type theme park at the rear, but much of the stuff in there would only appeal to older children. It also has a circus area near the front with jugglers, acrobats etc. which I'm sure your little one would like.

The Flamingo Hotel has a lovely garden with turtles, flamingos, penguins etc. and it has a large pool complex where I'm sure you could spend quite a lot of time with your child (provided, of course, you take him in the pool yourself and keep an eagle eye on him). Only drawback is, you have to be staying in the hotel. But it seems as good as any of the others...

As the other people have said, you'd have no trouble eating in the buffets as a family.

I don't think you need a car seat. The buses are good. The sidewalks are at their most crowded at night, when your toddler will probably be in bed anyway - and when whichever of your family who is not babysitting can enjoy L.V. at its best!

007

Please remember that while Hoover Dam *is* a great attraction -- there's not much there for a 15 mo. old.

festus

keep the kid home...very annoying to have parents pushing stroller's thru the crowded hotels and don't expect anyone to go out of their way to help you, just because you have a kid with you