Las Vegas/18th birthday/graduation
 

We would like to do something with our twin sons before they go off to college at the end of August. They will turn 18 this year, graduate high school. They want to go to a warm climate and have some fun feeling like they're at a Kiddy Club...husband and I thought Las Vegas might be the ticket. Would like to stay at Bellagio--I know they don't look fondly on kids, but was just wondering how "kids" of the older kind are felt about there. All comments welcome.

Sorry, I should have proofread better,,,the foregoing should read "...and have some fun WITHOUT feeling like they're at a Kiddy Club..."

Your kids won't have any fun in Vegas unless they have fake IDs. And even if they did have fake IDs, security there is savvy enough to know better. I think it's kind of cruel to take teenage boys to a place full of booze, gambling and tittie bars and then telling them, sorry, you're too young to enjoy it. The only other thing for underaged people to do there is hang out at the MGM amusement park or the arcades at Excalibur and Circus Circus, which is probably the kiddie club you're trying to avoid. <BR> <BR>Maybe you should ask your sons what else they would like to do.

I would have to agree with Wendy. Was in LV for Christmas, and although there are 'tons' of kids there now, Wendy is correct in that allthere is too do is arcdes and rides for kids. Plus it will be in te 100's in terms of temp. in Aug. - too hot toowant to do anything outside besides being in the pool. You have to be 21 to gamble, and they DO check ID. <BR> <BR>What about Hawaii? If you go for 1 wk, you can get good deals. Now thatwould be a fun vacation for all. <BR>Europe would be another choice.

it sounds like you want your twin sons to experience legal drinking and gambling at age 18. take them to a caribbean island with gambling. for example, the bahamas. <BR> <BR>hey, leave them alone in the hotel bars, get them their own room, and they might even get laid. <BR> <BR>(sorry if that sounded snide, but i have a news flash for you: by august after HS graduation, your twin sons will have their eyes on the prize of Freshman year of college, which will give them plenty of time to experience the, ahem, pleasures of late teen/early twenties life.)

Okay, obviously differing opinions on kids in Vegas. People that don't like kids there, get pretty upset. Now, if this is the only place they have really ever been, you may want to choose a new location. We took our 15 and 17 year olds(boy and girl) to Vegas during July last year and they had a blast...my son really wants to back. Yes, there are undesirables on the street advertising hookers, but you tell them about this beforehand and you just ignore them and all is fine. I think that Bellagio is certainly a classy place but for a family I would recommend something a little more relaxed. If you are willing to spend the money, I might look into Mandalay Bay as it has a wave pool and the pool grounds are the best in Vegas. Rooms are very nice and quite large. You are at the far end of the strip though, but we certainly walked it. You are across from MGM at which point you can take a shuttle to Ballys and get the rest of the strip that way...or you can take the shuttle at Monte Carlo to Bellagio and hit that area from there. We would do the pool every morning from 8-12, shower up, take in a lunch buffet or just a meal and then do a show, etc. The arcades at NYNY and the Luxor seem to be the best and the simulator race car rides at the Sahara were great for my son and husband. The Mirage would be another good choice of property as you have the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace which are kind of cool. Certainly, Vegas is not THE family destination but it can be a great deal of fun.

overheard at my place of work today: <BR>" can you recommend a good hotel in LV, not too big and impersonal, kid-friendly, too." <BR> <BR>the person being asked gave a few suggestions and mentioned a show he had seen and which casino he liked best. the questioners reply?? <BR> <BR>"oh no we don't like gambling and those shows are too expensive for us." <BR> <BR>hmmm...can't afford the shows, don't like to gamble, want a kid friendly place,and want a small intimate atmosphere at your hotel? sounds JUST LIKE VEGAS TO ME! <BR>

<BR> <BR>I, on the other hand, do not think it's such a bad idea. Twin eighteen-year-old boys should be able to entertain themselves, especially since there doubtless will be many other families there during the summer. I'm sure they can make a few acquaintances by the pool. Do they golf? Do they like to eat? Hike? There should be plenty for them to do. Note, however, it will be HOT. Very, very hot. Not Phoenix-hot, but dry, desert-hot. If they've never seen Vegas, why not?

Yikes! I didn't realize that gambling was 21...maybe NOT a good idea. I thought it was 18. I do think they'd enjoy it there nonetheless however.

Try the Hilton Resort at Huntington Beach CA, they'll have plenty of sun, water sports, and girls to ogle. <BR>

Okay, how could NOT know that you have to be 21 to gamble? Sounds like YOU'RE not mature enough to go to Vegas. Please don't take your sons there, it will be miserably boring, I'm afraid. My parents dragged me there many a time between the ages of 10 and 14, and all I did was play video games while they gambled. Fun for them, not so much for me. I'm actually going this weekend for the first time since I've been of legal gambling age, hoping it will be much better now (it better be, as I'm getting married). I don't know where you live, but surely there must be somewhere more suitable for the whole family. Vegas is simply not supposed to be for families, contrary to what some resorts are trying to make it. Good luck finding a great vacation.

Sure Vegas is not for those under 21, but why in the world is it full of places like The Star Trek Experience?