kids in Vegas
 

I'm going with some friends this weekend. We will have several kids with us, ages 3 - 17! Tell me the top 5 things we have to do! (We are staying at the Flamingo.)

Here's my kids' list (6 and 9)
Hike in Red Rock Canyon.
Buy and learn a magic trick from one of the shops.
See the lights downtown.

DON'T take the kids to Hoover Dam.

Actually my kids liked the hoover dam but were a bit older than keysmom's kids. From the Flamingo, go across the street at night for the pirate show at treasure island and the erupting volcano at mirage. Also check out the dancing fountains at Bellagio. The older kids will like the Race to Atlantis ride (a virtual reality kind of thing) in the Ceaser forum shops area. Also in the ceaser forum shopping area, are the laser/moving statue shows. The younger kids might like the big acquarium behind the check-in desk at the Mirage. Also the Dolphin Habitat at Mirage (my kids played catch with the Dolphins for about a 1/2 hr). ALso the shark acquarium at Mandalay is very good. We also checked out the various 'themed' lobbies. We found some decent diner type restaurants a few blocks from the strip that had great breakfasts and lunches. My kids liked dinner at the Mirage and TI buffets. We were only there for 3 days, and it was too cold to swim, but we found plenty of family-friendly activities. We did not spend a moment in a casino, club or bar (didn't care to). We also saw Mystere which we all enjoyed.

Looks like the weather will be great for hanging by the pool, my kids' favorite activity. Besides that, they like GameWorks, the M&M's and Coca Cola stores, and the Coney Island arcade in NYNY. There's also an IMAX theater in the Luxor. Or, take them to a magic show.

Note that the pirate show at TI has been dark for a few months while they retool. The replacement show, "Sirens", opens October 26. They're gonna sex it up-- add some saucy "wenches" to the battle. Since it's a public show, I doubt it will be anything too risqué....

I liked the Hoover Dam as a child but I was also a little older (11 yrs).

Take the kids to the top of the Stratosphere.

Just a follow-up to some of the previous postings. The kids are not allowed in the casino (to hang around), but you must pass through the casino areas to get anywhere, just so you know. Not too bad, but if your teens are boys, you'll be challenged to keep their eyeballs in their heads with the waitresses, esp. at Caesar's. Caesar's also has a large mall with neat shops, especially FAO Schwarz. And some whoopin' cheesecake!

The Venician has gondola rides that were kind of fun. Our gondolier was very entertaining and was actually from Italy.

The Flamingo does have a fabulous pool area in back, if it's open (should be).

The dolphins at Mirage are NOT free. In fact, last I remember it cost big bucks to see them (don't recall how big). The aquarium behind the desk there is very cool, though, and very free. I'm 37 and I enjoy just watching them, especially the sharks.

New York-New York has a cool roller coaster, but I understand it's also a bit pricey (like maybe $5 or $10 each). Stay AWAY FROM the roller coaster on top of Stratosphere. When it was first built, and at times since then, they have found parts of that roller coaster on the street and sidewalk below. It's an open secret in LV that most people are just waiting for it to go. Was build fast and cheap.

Red Rocks is the BEST! I think there's a small car fee there, but there is lots of great hiking or just short walks, a good nature talk, and a very nice loop drive. We went twice last year. The first day we made the mistake of going in the heat of the day, when all of the wildlife is taking a siesta. We got a brainstorm to pour the sleeping kids into the car early the next morning, stop for donuts and drive up to Red Rocks, and wake them up in time to see a sunrise. It was fabulous, and a memory they still talk about. Also, with it being cool, we saw lots of animals, esp. the lizards and tortoises.

Have fun. Vegas has gotten much more kid-friendly in recent years.

From the Mirage website:
Admission:
Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat - $12.00 per person.
Wednesdays and after the Secret Garden closes - $6.00 per person
Free at all times for children 10 years old and under when accompanied by an adult

There is also a fee for the Mandalay shark acquarium.

Not to put a damper on your vacation, but why would you want to take your kids to Vegas? I go there often and feel really annoyed when I see kids running around. Las Vegas is an Adult Playground. I'm sorry, I love children too, but Vegas is for adults to get away and let loose.

I think you have gotten some good ideas.

If you are going to take your kids to Vegas now is definately the time to do it. Vegas has realized that by promoting their town as a family get a way and building lots of family oriented play grounds they have lost big money. They are now in the process of trying to get back to the adult playground of the past. You can see this in the new ads on tv and in print, the new casino's being built with an adult theme (Bellagio, Venetian, Palms) and even the Treasure Island taking down the pirate battle to remake it as a just under R rated on the street sexy show. Even Cirque du Solei has opened an 18 or over only show!

Sweens - if your teen boys can't keep their eyes in their head over the waitresses at Caesar's, they may be in serious need of some glasses. Caesar's has some of the oldest waitresses in Vegas - some look like they've been around since Caesar's opened in the 60s.
For eye popping waitresses, Rio is high on the list.

As an aside, Vegas has not become a kid-friendly place. They experimented with that idea for a few years and have made a pretty dramatic turn away from it. It is definitely getting back to its adult-oriented atmosphere.

Laurelt, I was in Vegas last weekend for a family wedding and we had children from 5 to 19 with us. We stayed at Caesar's which isn't the best place to stay with kids. One of my nephews is 21 and he spent a lot of time at the Venus Pool, a European style bathing experience. Anyway, Circus Circus has an indoor theme park with rides and attactions that include one of those plunging water rides. They also have various circus acts throughout the day. The Flamingo has a very cool Caribbean style water playground. At the Excalibur there's the Tournament of Kings dinner show complete with jousting, etc. There's also the Court Jester's Stage on the medieval village level that offers free variety acts and the Fantasy Faire Midway with a couple of magic motion flim rides. Blue Man Group is at the Luxor along with a motion simulator ride and an arcade. The pool at the Hard Rock Cafe was recently voted to have the best looking people at their pool. Tom42 is so right about the cocktail waitresses at Caesar's. We figured they are an equal opportunity employer trying to cater to all ages and types because some of the women in those toga style mini dresses look like they are old enough to collect social security checks. I am not putting them down at all, and as a matter of fact all of them wore the outfit well. You could walk up and down the strip at midnight and see families pushing strollers with babies and toddlers. We went to the Spice Market Buffet at the Aladdin for lunch and it was fantastic. We had dinner another night at the Mirage buffet and that too was wonderful. If you want to eat off the strip at a very loud and fun restaurant try Buca di Pepe on Flamingo Road. Huge family style portions and very reasonable prices. It's not gourmet, but it was good and we had a blast.

Lied Children's Discovery Museum
Museum of Natural History
MGM Lion Cub Habitat
Dolphin Habitat at Mirage
Pools
Las Vegas Mini Speedway
Wet 'n Wild
Circus Circus Midway
Rollercoasters
Sharks
Magic Shows
Adventuredome at Circus Circus
Scandia Family Fun Zone
Magic Motion Machines
Imax Theatre


.....well, so much for Las Vegas being an ADULT PLAYGROUND, azgrl!

clark, If we are lucky all of what you named will be gone soon. why can't we have one place with out kids? I have three but don't think they should be in vegas.

Message to Clark: I agree with Andyg. Las Vegas IS NOT FOR KIDS! Adults go there to have fun, leave the kids home. Clark, which would you rather do: haul around kids doing all the stuff or leave them back home and let loose on the strip with some fun. Vegas tried to do the "family thing" it failed. Why? The reason is simple, kids don't belong in Vegas!!!!

Okay, if you keep all the adults out of Disneyland, I'll keep all the kids out of Vegas.

"If you build it they will come" is true of Vegas.They added family attractions to diversify it's appeal to families, so that is what happened. You can't fault people for bringing children when the city has been marketing itself to families for the last few years. Vegas is trying to be all things to all people to make more money.

Sounds great, but who would watch the kids in Disneyland?

Vegas marketed itself as a family destination in the early to mid 90s. What they soon learned was that it was having a reverse effect. They dropped the family marketing quickly and have been selling themselves as an adult only destination. Families, statistics show, don't gamble.

Individual resorts may occaisionally market themselves as having family attractions but it is the gambler Vegas wants.

As a matter of fact, the Bellagio so discourages families that unless you are staying on property, children under 18 aren't allowed on Bellagio property.