>> how hot is it in Vegas compared to the Caribbean<<

Average high in LV is 103. Which means it could get up to 110.

http://www.vegas.com/weather/averages.html

Temps in the Carib are about 12-15 degrees lower - with trade winds (I believe). I doubt if there are trades in LV.
http://www.currentresults.com/Weathe...all-august.php

Stu Dudley

>>how hot is it in Vegas compared to the Caribbean - which we've been to many times in August?<<

It is nothing like the Caribbean - for one thing there is water all around whatever island

In LV in Aug the <u>average</u> high temp is 40C, and 45C is very common. It is exceedingly dry - low humidity. The average low/overnight temp is around 25C and 28C-30C is typical.

Most Caribbean islands average lower than 30C summer highs.

LV is a WHOLE different animal :)

(And Death Valley is even hotter - it is called <i>Death</i> Valley for a reason)

Good points, janis. Visiting Las Vegas in August sounds miserable. But then, I hate LV anytime of the year.

Been to LV a couple of times in Aug - and it didn't seem like a big deal to me. If it's that hot out - get out of the sun, easy.

At the pool - get a shade cover - and/or set up by a mister.

If they don't have misters at your resort's pool - go for a dip - and then if it's still too hot - bag the pool.

And if the visitors are only going to be there a couple days - so what? You can drive from resort to resort/theaters/restaurants/museums,etc and - park in covered parking and then you are in the air conditioned facility.

When four of us drove through Death Valley in the middle of summer (leaving from Yosemite on the way to La Vega) - and stopped at the DV Museum, it was fun - even seeing the thermometer in the shade - registering 107. :)

And I repeat - I would much rather go to Vegas than a muggy/humid Carribean island in the summer.

>>In Vegas we were hoping to relax by a pool for a few days in a nice family hotel but still be close to the strip.<<

It doesn't sound like shelly's plan is to go from air-conditioned casino to an air conditioned resort to an air conditioned museum to an air conditioned restaurant to an air conditioned theater. When we lived in San Gabriel, we had a pool in our back yard. If it got above 90 - it was miserable laying outside by the pool. I can't see the 10 year old enjoying this part of the trip if the temps are above 90 - I sure wouldn't at any time in my life.

Stu Dudley

Stu - we can go back and forth on this endlessly - and while I don't think it's that bad - have sat by pools in 100 plus temps - Palm Springs included - if 90 turns you off - then I can understand you don't like it warmer than that.

There are still a lot of people traveling to/in Vegas in the summer months - so hey - guess some people don't mind it as much.

BTW - the Carribean trade winds do help - but it's still humid. Nothing like - at least IMO - the trade winds in Hawaii.

Tom: they CAN'T go from air conditioned casino to air conditioned casino since they will have a ten year old child w/ them.

Now go back to posting an hour by hour report of temps in your back yard ...

Leaving the question of Las Vegas aside, I strongly second the suggestion to see La Brea Tar Pits when in LA. My wife and I loved them when visiting as adults, and if I had been 10 years old, wow!

>>One question from my husband: how hot is it in Vegas compared to the Caribbean - which we've been to many times in August?<<

The last time I was in Vegas (and I sincerely hope it will be the last time - I'm not a fan) was in May a few years ago. It was 107 when we got into the city and cooled off to about 100 degrees at night. Yes, it's a dry heat, but so is an oven. :-)

If you want to stop there for a night on your way to the Grand Canyon, you could do that, but I wouldn't spend more time than that.

Lee Ann

Geesh - some posters just don't get it. You can take kids, accompanied by adults - into certain areas of casinos - such as buffets - and places such as the Arboretum at the Bellagio - but it also included: "theaters/restaurants/museums,etc"

And it's just fun to drive up and down the strip looking at the mega casinos - perferably after the morning traffic and before the evening traffic.

Unlike some posters - I am a big Vegas fan - plenty of things to do - and I/we rarely even gamble - although my wife will spend some time on the penny slots.

And last year - just under 40,000,000 people visited Vegas.

http://www.lvcva.com/stats-and-facts/

Tom -- I don't know if you have children -- but if you do they are in their 50's. This couple has a 10 yo. It is not a fun place for children . . . IN AUGUST.

They can't be outside, they are stuck inside the air conditioned casino hotels or shopping malls. You post the same advice for every question - no matter that different visitors have different situations.

Yo "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". Why do you persist in telling people what they cannot do?

Repeat: And last year - just under 40,000,000 people visited Vegas.

And that included plenty of families with kids in the summer.

Sorry, but LV is not a kid-destination. Remember the ad campaign when Vegas tried to sell itself as a family place? It bombed. No one believed it. Now they do the sleazy ads, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Blech.

Here we go again. Tom. Stop.

One last time - plenty of families with kids go to Vegas. Just look around next time you are there.

Michelle - why don't you also tell "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" to stop?

Something else you might consider that kids usually enjoy is Santa Cruz. There's a boardwalk on the beach and some great tide pools.

My daughter and I stayed at the Ocean Park Inn in San Diego and enjoyed it. It is right on the beach. It's about a 15-20 minute drive (depending on traffic) to the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo. www.oceanparkinn.com

As far as taking kids to Vegas.........I took mine, and she loved it. We saw a Cirque du Soleil show, laid by the pool (under the misters), rode the roller coaster at New York, New York (she did those terrifying rides at the top of the Stratospher while I watched), and did a lot of people watching. Her favorite thing was to sit in front of the Bellagio and people watch between the water shows.

POlson's proposed itinerary looks pretty kid friendly to me with the exception of a hike in the hills above LA. California is currently experiencing drought conditions, and unless we get a great deal of desperately needed rain, the hills are likely to be brown and scorched.

When I was ten, my favorite spots in CA were:

1. Yosemite – we always camped there in Aug.
2. San Francisco – a city of non-stop discovery
3. Santa Monica Beach (they had POP back then)
4. Disneyland (E tickets anyone?)
5. Santa Cruz and it’s boardwalk (wood roller-coaster)

I had never been to Carmel/Monterey until our honeymoon. Good ol’ Highlands Inn in Carmel.

On our 20th anniversary I wanted to take my wife to Paris. That wasn’t her first pick and since it was special I asked her where she wanted to go. She asked to spend half our time in Yosemite and half in Carmel at the old hang-out. I don’t know if they still have the night bus tours in Yosemite but that was a great moment.

We know a particular well to do and prominent couple in San Luis Obispo who have traveled all over the world. When asked their favorite destination? Hands down: Yosemite! Yeah surprised even me.

I kinda like LV, my wife mostly hates it. If you poll most people you will find they are on one side or the other. A good heat wave in Vegas can get you up to 120 degrees F. Google last June.

Our Vegas overnight was a family trip. We stopped there between my dad's house in California and Mr. Pickle's dad's house in Utah. The kids were 9 and 16, I think, and they hated it even more than I did. The relentless heat, the slappers and drunks on the Strip...ick. It really is an adult destination

Lee Ann