What are the best cheap things for family with young kids in vegas in feb.? does mt. charleston have sledding? how safe is it to tour the strip after dark? which airlines most family friendly and inexpensive? hotel suggestions?

thanks

We were in Las Vegas with children for 2 days last April. Our very favorite outing was our visit to Red Rock Canyon (about 15 miles out of town) We spent all day there - driving and hiking. It was gorgeous. But be forewarned- it was cold there in early April! We stayed at the Flamingo Hilton - loved the hotel and location - beautiful landscaping and great pool area with penguins and flamingos.

My parents live in Vegas, and told me not to bring the kids when I come to visit because we would miss out on a lot of entertainment and going to casino which is not approprite for young children.I was under the impression that Vegas was being sold as a family type vacation too but my parents said its really just for adults and no place for little kids.If you dont mind having your entire vacation revolve around the kids I suppose you can hang out around the arcade all day and take in a cartoon matinae, but then you might as well just go to Disney.If you really want to enjoy yourseves in Vegas wait until you can go without the kids.

Part 1

You AND your kids are welcome in Vegas (just realize you won't have a lot of gambling time).

Below is an itinerary (with days taken out) that i put together for my sister. She went with kids so i've deleted many of the things that were geared towards the kids. She was attempting to do the trip on a budget, so the below list is geared towards free/inexpensive things to see. If you have a specific question about anything on the list or info on something not on the list, feel free to post a reply... and ENJOY your trip!!


Frozen Drink (Casino Royale): time to start your vacation off right, at the bar (area that faces the street) they have a free drink for showing your out of state driver’s license (you CAN walk around with liquor, so get the drink and enjoy while walking to and in the Venetian)

Lobby (Venetian): be sure to go to the lobby and look up (then walk to the left if you’re facing the check-in desk) and see more of the ceiling

Trafalgar’s Square (Venetian): see the canal and gondolas, as well as the painted sky

Parade in the Sky (Rio): The show is free to the public and is performed every 2 hours from 2:00pm to midnight daily EXCEPT Wednesdays (you’ll need to take a cab or shuttle bus there)
Rio to Harrah's (shuttle bus, to get to/from Rio for masquerade ball)
Runs every half hour from 9:00am to 1:00am (BUT I HEARD THIS IS NOT A RELIABLE SCHEDULE!!) may just want to take a cab to save the hassle (or go to the shuttle bus area at Harrah’s and if people are there and waiting a while, wait with them as one is likely to come soon, if not many people there, then you may have just missed the shuttle and take a cab from Harrah’s)

Pirate Show (Treasure Island): every hour on the hour from 4:00pm to 10:00pm weather permitting (also read it could be every 1 ½ hours) (HIGH PICK POCKET AREA DURING THE SHOW), get there AT LEAST 20 minutes before the show to get a space that the kids can see!!

White Tigers (Mirage): 24/7

HUGE Aquarium/Fish Tank (Mirage): 24/7 located behind the check-in desk

Volcano (Mirage): 6pm-midnite??, but great at night, so maybe do on the way back to hotel (it’s almost directly across from your hotel)

Statue Show (Caesars): every hour on the hour in the shopping mall attached to Caesars starting at 10am (not great, but kids MAY REALLY enjoy it)… be sure to look at the fountains/driveway on your way in (filmed Rain Man there when he was “driving” in the parking lot)

Fountains (Bellagio): make sure it’s dark/dusk when you go (every 30 minutes from 3pm-8pm, every 15 minutes >8:00pm, stay for a few songs as they’re different songs and fountain movements)

Flower Garden (Bellagio): walk in the main doors and go straight to the back to see (and notice the smell when you walk in) the most beautiful arrangement (better than it sounds)

Eiffel Tower (Paris): while at Bellagio turn around and see a “built to scale” version

Rain Inside (Alladin): by the shops there is some sort of rain contraption that makes it rain from the ceiling into a reflecting pond below (I don’t know much about this other than it exists)

Part 2


Lion Habitat (MGM): 11:00am to 11:00pm daily

Skyline (NYNY): 24/7 not much inside, but great skyline outside
Pyramid (Luxor): no need to get too close, but cool pyramid building



Fremont Street Experience (Downtown): Hourly show from dusk to midnight. Free

Golden Nugget (Downtown): display of the world’s largest gold nugget

General (Downtown): see the lights and glitter; this is “old Vegas”

99cent Shrimp Cocktail (Golden Gate): may have to splurge $1.49 for medium size shrimp, but this is a Vegas Classic (if it’s not the Golden Gate, it’s a place next door, but I’m sure it’s advertised on the side of the bldg)

Aerial View of Vegas (Stratosphere): take the elevator to the top for an aerial view of Vegas (costs to go up, you can decide if you want to do it when you’re there)- : 9am - 1am Sunday through Thursday

Circus Events (Circus Circus): Free circus acts (on the ceiling above the casino), 11:00 am thru midnight daily (not worth a special trip, but "ok" to see if you're walking by)


.99 Margarita (next to Circus Circus): decent drink for the price (the place MAY be the Westward Ho)

Coffee Mug/Deck of Cards (Riviera): time to cash in the coupon you printed (DON”T do their $40 credit for $20 buy-in, although you may have to wait in that line for your mug/cards)



CAESARS MAGICAL EMPIRE (Caesars) Caesars Magical Empire at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, offers free tours 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Guests can explore the catacombs en route to a 70-foot-tall central rotunda, where high-tech special effects are featured (I’ve never done this, but heard it’s decent)

Music Memorabilia (Hard Rock Café): guitars, pictures, clothing, autographs, etc. (also note the giant guitar sign out front!)…. Stop by the concierge desk and ask for a "Rock Tour" map and you can take a self-guided tour of the hotel and all the rock'n'roll artifacts



MISCELLANEOUS:

Antique Car Show (Imperial Palace): free with coupons they “hock” in front of the casino
Star Trek Experience (LV Hilton)
Dolphin Habitat (Mirage)
Magic and Movie Hall of Fame (O’Shea’s, next to Flamingo)
Leid Discovery Children's Museum, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas NV, (702)382-KIDS(5437) or (702)382-3445 (1 mile north of Fremont St)
Ethel M tour – free chocolates at the end
Gameworks- NICE!! arcade with rock climbing wall (next to MGM). If you go, be sure to get coupon in “What’s On” (local LV advertisement magazine) for $10 Free with $10 Purchase (gets put on a card)
Rollercoasters- NYNY’s is good
Breakfast Buffet (Paris): Rumored to be SUPERB! with great crepes, omelets to order, and pastries (~$13 adults, kids ?? ½ price ??)

I HIGHLY recommend the show "Mystere." Expensive, but worth it!


As you can see... plenty to do with kids!!

Thereuare did a FANTASTIC job, that I can't add to at all, except to answer a couple more of your questions. Yes, Mt. Charleston does have sledding. By February there should be a pretty good snow base there. And the Strip after dark is as safe as anyplace in LV. It's really crowded, so muggings, etc. just don't take place. Pick pockets might hit you up, but that's about it.

No matter how Las vegas markets themselves, it is no place for children. That said, however, if you insist on taking them do not leave them unattended for one single second. And whatever you do, DON'T drop them off at an arcade (even in your own hotel) many children have gone "missing" from arcades in Vegas over the years.

You have some really good information here - I would just add one thing. Hoover Dam is a nice day trip - and the tour is really fascinating. I also second the Red Rock Canyon idea - a beautiful place! As for airlines, I don't know where you're coming from but one inexpensive airline is America West. I don't like them since they're normally late - but they are inexpensive.

Have you checked out www.VegasFreedom.com? Its the official site of the Las Vegas tourist and convention bureau, and has all kinds of ideas for entertainment in and around Las Vegas. Take a peek, I've found it very helpful in planning trips.

just to reply to the comment a few posts up, I would never leave my children unatended anywhere including grocery park or a strange place like las vegas or the hotel i've seen to many kids go missing when parents say thwey turned just for a sec. I don't let my kids go in a public toilet unless im there and i check the bathroom and the stall they want to use! it's better to be safe then sorry!!! but your comment was very correct Somepeople may not think a "childs" area is unsafe but usually its one of the worst. What better place to look for kids alone? nope i have three daughters i go no where with out them including vegas they have been left alone twice in there lives and thats only with my older sister. I don't believe in babysitters. for the same reasons i stated above. Thank you all verrrrryyyy very much for the info on what to do and the suggestion for the airplane and the sledding..

I thought the Coca-Cola store/museum? next to the MGM Grand was alot of fun. You can sample soft drinks that are sold around the world and watch videos of old Coca-Cola television commercials. There is also memorabilia, etc.

thanks for the idea about the cocacola thing thats somthing i would have never found on my own and i think the kids could enjoy it thanks again for all of the very useful ideas i really appreciate it. honestly now im worried about being able to go, with all this mess with the anthrax its creepy!

Just to add to Don't Go There's sage advice about not leaving your children unattended --
Don't run with scissors
If you're the owner of an NBA team, don't use your 1st round draft pick on someone whose nickname is "Shorty"
Stay away from hotels that rent by the hour
If you're a married man who has daughters and no sons, and you travel a lot, be suspcious if you return home and the toilet seat is up

well thank you for the "sage" advice. I'll have to keep all that in mind, If anyone has real advice on the best things for young kids in the Vegas or Henderson area I'd appreciate it. Im going to be visiting my grandmother in henderson so what i need are things that don't take up a whole day. Also does anyone with kids know if there are any good parks near the strip in case they need to lose some extra energy??

Thanks

Hi T: If you are staying in the Henderson area there are a few family type things to do. Ethel M chocolate factory tour, Clown museum, and the Marshmallow factory tour. Several great parks to visit also, Desert Breeze at Spring Mountain and Buffalo(west of strip) Sunset Park at Sunset and Eastern (east of strip). When you arrive get a local map. Another favorite of mine is Valley of Fire. It is about an hour north of Las Vegas. Just take I-15 north and watch for the signs. A little bit of a drive but a great way to spend the day. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy!

I will never understand why people would want to subject their kids to a town that was built on the vices of adults. gambling, sex, etc. yes, hotels have catered to kids, but thats because too many people kept bringing their kids & toting them thru the casinos, where they should not be. So they built the mini arcades,etc. As an adult, I can't imagine trying to explain some of the people & things in Vegas to kids? And as an adult, when I'm visiting Vegas, I hate tripping over kids while I am gambling or hearing them talk while I watch a show, or hearing crying while I am trying to enjoy my meal at Emrils. Enough said.

John,

Page up and see my back-to-back posts about things to do with children in Vegas. Almost everything in that list is geared towards children AND adults. Throw in affordable hotel rooms, and you have your answer as to why people go to Vegas with their kids. I can't think of ANY other place where you could get SO MUCH entertainment for your money.

I too don't like screaming kids when i'm experiencing "fine dining", but i get that locally too. Very often it's poor judgement and parenting skills, and has nothing to do with Vegas, these kids would be misbehaving no matter where they vacationed (and maybe bump into you when you're vacationing someplace else).

Sure, you may have to deal with the (more than) occasional escort service magazine handout, but that's about it. And if you walk by quickly, i'm sure you can come up with some "logical" explanation to tell your kids. If the kids ask about gambling, explain to them that it's just like Bingo at the church (but with better odds).

It's the parent's job to use their judgement as fair as what restaurants, parts of a hotel, etc. are appropriate for their children, keeping in mind the other guests around them.

I know many complain about kids in Vegas, but like it or not, this is what it's become.

I think someone forgot to mention the amazing Aquarium at Mandalay Bay-it is better than the one in NY! The Shark tank is great and always a crowd pleaser (for all ages) The Rio show is good for all ages, go at 4:00 and after-catch the beads!(like Mardis Gras) The show at Ceasars is good, but that is about it.
Young kids really don't give a hoot about flowers and fountains, Red Rock is good, if you can take a hike, they have trails for all ages, just look for one marked for kids...and watch the maniacs climbing the rock face gave me palpitations! Lake Mead is a bore for kids unless they can be in it or on it, Hoover Dam is not so exciting considering the length of the car trip.Mt Charleston is a drive, and not that much to do there either...As much as they tout LV as good for kids, most adults that go there- go to gamble,see shows, eat in good restaurants where there are NO kids, and they really do not love spending time with other peoples children...you should spend the money on a trip the whole family can enjoy-since you are taking the whole family.Even a club med for families would be better than Las Vegas...