vegas with two teens 13 & 14yo
Jul 27th, 2014, 07:28 PM
#1
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vegas with two teens 13 & 14yo
Planning holiday September 2015, among other cities etc we'd like to visit Vegas. Our wish list is Grand Canyon (by helicopter, I know helicopter not ideal but we want the ride experience as well) Fremont Street, M&M World, Titanic Artifact Exhibit, would love to see the Michael Jackson show (Cirque) if still showing & shopping?? If advisable. Is this feasible? How many days do you think we should stay in Vegas? What else could/should we do with teens other than dazzling them with the bright lights of the city?
Jul 27th, 2014, 08:09 PM
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Any time you'd want to spend in Las Vegas would be much better spent in the Grand Canyon, which is fabulous. The M&M World is just a big store which you can see in minutes. The Titanic Artifact Exhibit might be interesting, but I've seen similar exhibits for a LOT less than $32 per person. Las Vegas can be a fun place for adults--it's not a place for kids or teens.
If you still are determined to go to Las Vegas with your teens, you don't need more than 2 days.
If you still are determined to go to Las Vegas with your teens, you don't need more than 2 days.
Jul 27th, 2014, 11:18 PM
#5
In addition to the responses re Las Vegas on your other thread . . .
In September it will still be VERY hot in Vegas -- I know you are from Oz and are used to hot temps. But LV w/ kids -- they can't go inside the casinos and it will be too hot to lay by th spools in the afternoon. The helicopter tours are not encouraged -- they do NOT go over the National Park. If you want to see the GC you will want to take either a coach day tour or rent a car and go for an overnight.
I'm not saying don't go to LV, it is glitzy and fun in small doses -- but it is also pretty sleazy and really isn't a 'family destination'. Several years ago the LV visitors bureau tried a major campaign to promote it for family vacations. That lasted fast and for the last several years it has changed to 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' pushing the sleazy/tacky side of things.
There are things for kids -- but there are also very obvious hookers on the streets and people handing out flyers for lap dancers, escorts and strip clubs . . . and yes they even hand them to kids. So stay a couple of days in Vegas being very selective what you see/do and another day/night at the Grand Canyon and then get out of Dodge.
In September it will still be VERY hot in Vegas -- I know you are from Oz and are used to hot temps. But LV w/ kids -- they can't go inside the casinos and it will be too hot to lay by th spools in the afternoon. The helicopter tours are not encouraged -- they do NOT go over the National Park. If you want to see the GC you will want to take either a coach day tour or rent a car and go for an overnight.
I'm not saying don't go to LV, it is glitzy and fun in small doses -- but it is also pretty sleazy and really isn't a 'family destination'. Several years ago the LV visitors bureau tried a major campaign to promote it for family vacations. That lasted fast and for the last several years it has changed to 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' pushing the sleazy/tacky side of things.
There are things for kids -- but there are also very obvious hookers on the streets and people handing out flyers for lap dancers, escorts and strip clubs . . . and yes they even hand them to kids. So stay a couple of days in Vegas being very selective what you see/do and another day/night at the Grand Canyon and then get out of Dodge.
Jul 28th, 2014, 03:42 AM
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Agree that Vegas is ot ideal for kids:
There is not really much for them to do
Those advertising escort services, strippers etc hand the flyers to everyone - a colleague and I were following a family, 2 adults in front and sons about 10 and 12 behind them and the kids were collecting all the flyers handed to them - the parents oblivious
It really is mostly gambling and sleaze - neither great for kids that age
There is not really much for them to do
Those advertising escort services, strippers etc hand the flyers to everyone - a colleague and I were following a family, 2 adults in front and sons about 10 and 12 behind them and the kids were collecting all the flyers handed to them - the parents oblivious
It really is mostly gambling and sleaze - neither great for kids that age
Jul 28th, 2014, 04:09 AM
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I disagree. Kids LOVE the hotel pools, and some of them are very unusual and fantastic. Kids love the theming in the shopping areas, gondola ride at the Grand Canal, etc. Lots of good shows for families, magic shows, Cirque, etc. Kids love the rides, like the coaster at NYNY, Circus Circus, Stratosphere, etc. and from Vegas kids love hiking at Red Rocks (20min from the strip)- it's awesome outdoor fun and absolutely stunningly beautiful there. You just need to pick and choose what you do, but there is a lot of appeal for kids there.
Jul 28th, 2014, 05:10 AM
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A short Vegas experience should be fun. If they love pools, pick a hotel with a good one and be sure to go during the day because they generally close them at night. Take them to all the things you want to see, plus any of the free shows like the light show downtown, the Bellagio Fountains, the volcano (Mirage) etc. The various thrill rides on the strip are expensive, but if they like that type of thing, they will enjoy them. As others have said, two days max.
Jul 28th, 2014, 06:21 AM
#9
>>A short Vegas experience should be funshort being the operative word. Maybe a couple of days. You have other/better places on your itinerary that deserve more time.
>>Vegas kids love hiking at Red Rocks (20min from the strip)- it's awesome outdoor fun and absolutely stunningly beautiful there.
>>Vegas kids love hiking at Red Rocks (20min from the strip)- it's awesome outdoor fun and absolutely stunningly beautiful there.
Jul 28th, 2014, 07:28 AM
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Vegas is dazzling and a must-see for anyone, but a 2 nights, 2-3 days is sufficient IMO for teens. Book a show or two in advance, walk around, plan some pool time, etc.
I am not a fan of the heli tours of the Canyon because you don't see as much as if you were to drive to the South Rim. So I would suggest trimming your time in Vegas to allow for more time at the Grand Canyon.
I am not a fan of the heli tours of the Canyon because you don't see as much as if you were to drive to the South Rim. So I would suggest trimming your time in Vegas to allow for more time at the Grand Canyon.
Jul 28th, 2014, 09:01 AM
#11
September is usually blazing hot. Go as late in September as you can.
The Natural History Museum is pretty good, and the "Pinball Museum" has rows and rows of 25c pinball games. Gene Woods Auto Experience and Fast Lap Go Karts both have deals on halfpriceshows.com and would be great fun for the teens. They are outdoor tracks however so go after sundown. Pole Position racetrack is indoors and air-conditioned, but a bit further from town.
The Mirage currently has lion cubs frolicking for three hours every afternoon, and the Dolphin Habitat. Shark Reef is at Mandalay Bay, and the "Human Bodies" exhibit is pretty well-reviewed by visitors if you're not squeamish. NYNY Hotel has a speedy rollercoaster that buzzes around the the outside perimeter of the hotel, but there is usually a 90 minute wait on weekends so if you like thrill rides, do it on a weekday.
Zion National Park is a 2.5 hour drive, worth an overnight stay but you could do it in a day trip if you leave Las Vegas early in the morning. You'll probably wish you were spending the night, however.
Lake Mead has paddleboat cruises to view Hoover Dam, or you can take a tour down into the dam's operations center and walk the Memorial Bridge to view the dam. This is about a 45 min drive from Las Vegas and Boulder City nearby has lots of good cafes. You can also rent little boats to buzz around the lake, but drought has made the lake quite low and it could be even drearier next year.
Valley of Fire is a nice way to spend a morning, and if you circle around the Lake you could do Hoover Dam on the same day.
Red Rock Canyon is another great drive in your air-conditioned car, you probably won't want to hike much in September but at least do the drive ($7 per car). Especially nice around sunset and only 25 minutes from the Vegas strip. Maybe 10 minutes further is Spring Mountain Ranch, now owned by the state and at one time owned by Howard Hughes. There is a ranch house , picnic areas, hiking around a spring-fed lake and lots of desert scenery under the striking red mountain backdrops. Admission to the park is $9 per car. Great place to take some photos and have a picnic.
There is also "Bonnie Springs Old Nevada" and a couple of Ghost Towns to visit nearby.
I'd plan on 5 or 6 nights so you're not too rushed, but you could easily fill more. There are endless shows and a few more attractions for teens. The MJ Cirque show will definitely still be running next September. Maybe plan one week in the area, especially if you decide to do a night up near Zion National Park.
The Natural History Museum is pretty good, and the "Pinball Museum" has rows and rows of 25c pinball games. Gene Woods Auto Experience and Fast Lap Go Karts both have deals on halfpriceshows.com and would be great fun for the teens. They are outdoor tracks however so go after sundown. Pole Position racetrack is indoors and air-conditioned, but a bit further from town.
The Mirage currently has lion cubs frolicking for three hours every afternoon, and the Dolphin Habitat. Shark Reef is at Mandalay Bay, and the "Human Bodies" exhibit is pretty well-reviewed by visitors if you're not squeamish. NYNY Hotel has a speedy rollercoaster that buzzes around the the outside perimeter of the hotel, but there is usually a 90 minute wait on weekends so if you like thrill rides, do it on a weekday.
Zion National Park is a 2.5 hour drive, worth an overnight stay but you could do it in a day trip if you leave Las Vegas early in the morning. You'll probably wish you were spending the night, however.
Lake Mead has paddleboat cruises to view Hoover Dam, or you can take a tour down into the dam's operations center and walk the Memorial Bridge to view the dam. This is about a 45 min drive from Las Vegas and Boulder City nearby has lots of good cafes. You can also rent little boats to buzz around the lake, but drought has made the lake quite low and it could be even drearier next year.
Valley of Fire is a nice way to spend a morning, and if you circle around the Lake you could do Hoover Dam on the same day.
Red Rock Canyon is another great drive in your air-conditioned car, you probably won't want to hike much in September but at least do the drive ($7 per car). Especially nice around sunset and only 25 minutes from the Vegas strip. Maybe 10 minutes further is Spring Mountain Ranch, now owned by the state and at one time owned by Howard Hughes. There is a ranch house , picnic areas, hiking around a spring-fed lake and lots of desert scenery under the striking red mountain backdrops. Admission to the park is $9 per car. Great place to take some photos and have a picnic.
There is also "Bonnie Springs Old Nevada" and a couple of Ghost Towns to visit nearby.
I'd plan on 5 or 6 nights so you're not too rushed, but you could easily fill more. There are endless shows and a few more attractions for teens. The MJ Cirque show will definitely still be running next September. Maybe plan one week in the area, especially if you decide to do a night up near Zion National Park.
