Planning a trip to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon/Sedona in early June. Can anyone recommend a hotel in Las Vegas suitable for a few nights with a 12 year old? And which atractions/shows are appropriate for this age group?

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
geordias

Hi, We have children and have stayed at the Excalibur twice and have had no problem. Have a great time!

Travelor

Thanks for the advice. I was looking at the Excaliber as a possibility. What did your kids enjoy in Vegas?

It's been many years since I've stayed there but Circus Circus had circus acts and a large arcade for kids.

Do a search on this forum for Circus Circus - you will not stay at Circus Circus if you do some research.

We have been to Las Vegas several times with our son (the first time he was 12). We have stayed at Mandalay Bay, Aladdin, Paris and Flamingo. Pools are best at Mandalay Bay and Flamingo. Flamingo has the better location - center strip. Personally, I don't care for Excalibur. Too many kids and not my style at all.

We have taken our son to see Mystere and "O". He loved them both. Actually, he's seen Mystere twice.

We did the regular stuff - M&M World, rollercoaster at NYNY, shopping, exploring all the hotels, etc. He's 18 now and remembers those trips fondly.

We stayed at the Luxor two years ago, our son was 13 at the time. He loved it for its whimsical shape (pyramid) and the large statues of King Tuts. The pools had a waterfall area and a smaller "deep" end, and kiddys cocktails from the bar. There is a fairly large game room, peopled by lots of little people, good place for kids to zone out at the end of the day. I highly recommend it. We found terrific internet bargains, I think it was $69/day.

We were just there in December. The Excalibur has a fun arcade and game room downstairs, you are close to NYNY and the roller coaster, M+M world, and the MGM grand with the Lion enclosure. We also had a car and went to the Ethel M Chocolate Facory which isn't much of a tour but the chocolate was wonderful and fresh. We went to Cirus Cirus for the first time and we didn't think it was as clean as the Excalibur but the Adventure Dome was fun for the kids. In addition the Excalibur is in a better location.
Hope this helps.

P.S. Make sure you see the Bellagio Foundations at night!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you all.

Don't miss the Mac King Comedy/Magic Show at Harrah's. Your 12 year old will LOVE it. Also, most kids that age would get a kick out of the Blue Man Group.

Flamingo is also pretty kid friendly. Great pools and penquins.

We stayed at the Mandalay Bay with our two kids. We liked it because it is one of the few hotels you can get to the elevators without having to walk through the casino, so you can avoid the sights and sounds if you want. There is a cool wave pool and a lazy river, where you can float down the river on an innertube.

Our kids enjoyed Mystere and Lance Burton Master Magician. Our kids enjoyed the rides at Circus Circus, but I wasn't all that impressed. After feeling sick from going upside down on a rollercoaster my husband and I sat out the rest of them and let the kids ride together. (I guess I can't do that stuff anymore!)

Another vote for Flamingo - we stayed there for one night 2 years ago with kids ages 12 and 16. Great pool and loved the penguins, flamingoes and other birds. Location is also very convenient.

Here is a new thought...just to confuse the situation:

Consider the Monte Carlo which is home to Lance Burton (highly recommended). Very close to NYNY which has a cool outdoor rollercoaster. The best thing about the MC...for all ages is that you do not need to go through the casino to get to the room elevators. Price is usually good, rooms are nice, etc.

I have another suggestion - the Tropicana - although older, the pool is fabulous and my young nieces look forward to staying there whenever they come to visit me.

The Flamingo is also a great place with an awesome pool.

Wherever you end up staying, be sure to go to the Mirage and visit the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy - the dolphins, tigers, lions, etc are so fun to watch and it's a decent price - $12pp.

I'd steer clear of Circus Circus in any event - it's old, run down and filled with kids -too many of them!

My 11yr. old is still the most happy when he has a pool.
Flamingo still has the nicest pool area in Vegas, or Mandalay Bay.
depending on your budget, the condo side of the Flamingo is deluxe. as the hotel side is very basic. the pool is wonderful and is for use at each end.
The other choice may be Treasure Island as they have big games rooms and arcades.