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Vegas, Xmas, Teenagers-- Whipping up a Perfect Holiday Soufflé

Vegas, Xmas, Teenagers-- Whipping up a Perfect Holiday Soufflé

Old Oct 8th, 2013, 10:22 AM
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Vegas, Xmas, Teenagers-- Whipping up a Perfect Holiday Soufflé

Long story short: Last year convinced my husband and me that hosting another Xmas Eve party would kill me. Or him. Or both of us. Or we'd kill his sister-in-law.

Wanting to avoid a family murder scandal (and the inevitable squabbling over who cleans up after the kill), this year we're getting out of town beforehand.

I'm kidding about killing the sister-in-law. But I'm not kidding about us getting out of town. Specifically, to Las Vegas!

But not just us two. It will be us, my sister and her husband and their three kids (21, 17,15), plus our mothers (79 and 76-- they can entertain each other and leave us younger folk alone!). The hotel is probably going to be the MGM Grand, so that's taken care of.

Here is the question: Xmastime means that the pool will be closed. We adults will be grabbing casino time as we can, but that means the kids will need things to do. What can teenage kids do in the Strip area in Vegas? The 21-year-old shouldn't have any issues. The teenagers, however....

Oh, yeah. The teenagers are both girls. So I know a partial answer: Give them maps of the Forum Shops, the shops at Bellagio, the other shopping areas on the Strip. They have cell phones, they'll call when they're hungry and/or out of money. What else is there in the Strip area?

If we go Downtown to check out Fremont Street, will there be interesting things for us all to see and do?

Any ideas for Xmas dinner (less than $50 per person)? Any general dining recommendations that are cool but won't break the bank? You advice is greatly appreciated. My husband and I travel together wonderfully-- I make suggestions, he rejects most of them, I go along with whatever he thinks will be OK, we have a wonderful time because we enjoy each other's company--, but traveling with family can be a challenge.

Thanks in advance, folks!!
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 11:00 AM
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Not trying to be a Grinch, but doesn't sound like much of a trip for your teens. There is some things to do, but after a day there gonna be bored. I don't think it's such a good idea turning two teens loose in Vegas while the adults do their thing. I suspect a lot of things will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day(shopping)
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 11:08 AM
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How about you rent a car and during the day take a trip to Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, and/or Grand Canyon.

Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon could be done in half a day, Valley of Fire might be a bit longer. Death Valley is a long day trip for a quick look through and Grand Canyon would be a very long day, but doable.

Pick up sandwiches and drinks, let one or two of the adults drive the car (more if they are interested) and the folks with no interest donate to the casino profit.

A day hiking in one of the parks would leave the kids tired enough to chill with a movie while the oldies play.
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 11:18 AM
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@spiro: You are of course right. However, I forgot to mention that we will probably fit in a show or two, damn the cost! We will see sights (the Mirage's Secret Garden, the fountains at Bellagio, what are we forgetting?) and do family things as well, we just need a bit of a list. We'll do the follow-up works as to what is open/closed/dark during that week.

And the kids enjoy singing, so does anyone know of a family-friendly karaoke joint? There HAS to be one...!

There IS a chance that my sister's family WON'T be coming, and it will just be me, my husband and our mothers. Which could make it easier. But a bit more aggravating (two Ladies of Certain Ages can be tough to deal with on an hour-by-hour basis). We'll still need a list of things to do.

I didn't say this would be a very easy topic! But all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance again!!
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 11:20 AM
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@emalloy: I'll look into your ideas. My only concerns are the amount of driving involved (Hoover Dam is strongly possible, but anything farther than that is probably not) and the weather (it will be quite cool in Vegas, as I recall from the last time I went there for Xmas-- with my mom!).

We shall see. And we all may have our cars, so options are somewhat open. Thanks!
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 01:26 PM
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Red Rock Canyon is less than an hour from Vegas.
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 02:36 PM
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For dining options, the brunch buffet at The Cosmopolitan is amazing. So much food, of every type.
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 04:35 PM
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We often fly into Vegas when we are headed to a National Park in the area. We did stop at Red Rock Canyon en route to Death Valley and it was a nice suprise.
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Old Oct 18th, 2013, 08:37 AM
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Big change in plans: Now it looks like it will be me, my husband and our mothers-- no sister, brother-in-law and kids in tow.

This makes it easier, doesn't it?

Now our only worries will be cigarette smoke (three of us are ex-smokers and we REALLY don't want to fall back into the habit, like we all did during our wedding!) and too much liquor (we're not sloppy drunks, but...).

We will probably do a Cirque show (Mystère, more likely than not), and we'll look for other shows that won't be dark during Xmas week. Maybe we'll take our moms to one of those drag shows-- that would be a hoot, wouldn't it?!

If anyone else has suggestions, chime in. Thanks in advance!!
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Old Oct 18th, 2013, 12:16 PM
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When you run out of things to do with the teens , take them to the Pinball Museum on Tropicana. It,s free and there are tons of vintage pinball games to play. The CSI experience may still be at MGM but not heard of it lately, that is really interesting.Freemont street on a weekend is quite something, but can be a bit scary when the 'interesting' people are out.
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