Las Vegas with a toddler
Jan 18th, 2006, 05:20 AM
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Las Vegas with a toddler
Hi all,
My Wife and I would like to visit Vegas in November and perhaps spend some time taking in the Grand Canyon. We will be bringing our 2 year old with us. Are Toddlers out of place in "Sin City?" Is there anything geared toward entertaining a toddler? Which hotels would be best?
Vegas and the Canyon are something my Wife and I have wanted to do for a long time. We would love to hear your experiences/avice if you have done it and if you haven't please add your thoughts.
Thanks in advance
My Wife and I would like to visit Vegas in November and perhaps spend some time taking in the Grand Canyon. We will be bringing our 2 year old with us. Are Toddlers out of place in "Sin City?" Is there anything geared toward entertaining a toddler? Which hotels would be best?
Vegas and the Canyon are something my Wife and I have wanted to do for a long time. We would love to hear your experiences/avice if you have done it and if you haven't please add your thoughts.
Thanks in advance
Jan 18th, 2006, 06:38 AM
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I dunno. I love Vegas, but I never got the "family" marketing thing. And a 2-year old is just too young to appreciate the Grand Canyon. Can you make it a time for just you and your wife and have your baby stay with grandparents? A long weekend is reallyi enough in Vegas and you can either do a daytrip thing to the canyon or save it for when your baby is older and can join.
Jan 18th, 2006, 07:09 AM
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Though there is plenty in Vegas to entertain a toddler, it's not the best way for adults to enjoy a trip there. If you have the option to go without your toddler, you'll probably enjoy the trip a lot more. And I say this as someone who thinks traveling with children is a wonderful thing - just not to Vegas.
If you have your toddler, you'll only be able to enjoy shows, gambling, bars, etc. one at a time since your kid won't be able to go to any of those places with you.
If you do decide to take the trip, a central hotel would be best so that you can get to all the toddler-friendly attractions more easily. Pools won't really be something to consider - odds are it will be too cold to enjoy them much. There are many threads here about kids in Vegas. Search for them and you'll find plenty of advice about which attractions would appeal to kids.
I wouldn't hesitate to take a kid to the Grand Canyon, though. No, they won't get much out of it, but you can still enjoy the trip with them along with you, depending on which activities you wanted to do.
If you have your toddler, you'll only be able to enjoy shows, gambling, bars, etc. one at a time since your kid won't be able to go to any of those places with you.
If you do decide to take the trip, a central hotel would be best so that you can get to all the toddler-friendly attractions more easily. Pools won't really be something to consider - odds are it will be too cold to enjoy them much. There are many threads here about kids in Vegas. Search for them and you'll find plenty of advice about which attractions would appeal to kids.
I wouldn't hesitate to take a kid to the Grand Canyon, though. No, they won't get much out of it, but you can still enjoy the trip with them along with you, depending on which activities you wanted to do.
Jan 18th, 2006, 07:12 AM
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HI--I don't believe there is anything in LV to geared to entertaining a toddler. Depending on whether your 2 y.o. is just 2 or almost 3 makes a big difference in what would entertain him/her. If you and your wife want to see the Grand Canyon, and this is your only way of doing it, by all means go!! However, it is unrealistic to think there is any entertainment value for your little one, other than the enjoyment that comes from spending a nice time w/parents. It is always fun to show them things but small things that you show them are more likely to catch their attention and activities like playgrounds tend to provide the kind of entertainmen they are geared towards... 
Jan 18th, 2006, 08:21 AM
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Hi cxbaron!
We travel quite a bit to Las Vegas although my husband and I do not go to gamble. We took our two year old to Circus Circus back in the day, (she is 7 now), and she seemed to love it although I am sure she can' t remember a thing about it.
Over the past two years we travel to Las Vegas differently. We do not stay in the casinos, (too much smoke!, too many strange sorts to expose our children to, and sex, nudity, etc. seems to be everywhere), but now stay at various resorts through either our own timeshares, or renting other timeshares.
The resort experience is much nicer for a family. There are activities, wonderful rooms, kiddie pools, etc. Visiting the Grand Canyon would be wonderful for you and your wife, (your child will not have a recollection), the Fremont Street experience may be something you want to "check out" as there are enough lights and sounds to fascinate even a 2 year old.
A picnic at Lake Mead or a boat ride there would be another nice picture taking opportunity and a nice family bonding experience.
Have fun, you can experience Vegas as a family, you' ll just be experiencing the more wholesome side that many miss out on.
We travel quite a bit to Las Vegas although my husband and I do not go to gamble. We took our two year old to Circus Circus back in the day, (she is 7 now), and she seemed to love it although I am sure she can' t remember a thing about it.
Over the past two years we travel to Las Vegas differently. We do not stay in the casinos, (too much smoke!, too many strange sorts to expose our children to, and sex, nudity, etc. seems to be everywhere), but now stay at various resorts through either our own timeshares, or renting other timeshares.
The resort experience is much nicer for a family. There are activities, wonderful rooms, kiddie pools, etc. Visiting the Grand Canyon would be wonderful for you and your wife, (your child will not have a recollection), the Fremont Street experience may be something you want to "check out" as there are enough lights and sounds to fascinate even a 2 year old.
A picnic at Lake Mead or a boat ride there would be another nice picture taking opportunity and a nice family bonding experience.
Have fun, you can experience Vegas as a family, you' ll just be experiencing the more wholesome side that many miss out on.
Jan 18th, 2006, 08:44 AM
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Also keep in mind, kids aren't allowed in the CAsinos. There are a few things that may entertain a toddler but not all that much. There a lion/dolphin habitat at the Mirage, and a big fish tank behind the check out desk. MGM has some movie themed things (like wizard of OZ statues and things like that). There are flamingo's at the pool area at the flamingo hotel. There's also a shark aquarium at the Mandalay but that may scare a toddler.
And it is true about it being smokey. The lobbies for the most part are open with bars and casinos which allow smoking.
Also about the canyon, if your 2 year old is the kind of kid who likes to run around, the grand canyon will be a stressful place to be. There is very little protection around the edges of the canyon. We were there years ago with our 1 year old (at the time) for 1 night, we never let go of her hand or had her belted in the stroller.
And it is true about it being smokey. The lobbies for the most part are open with bars and casinos which allow smoking.
Also about the canyon, if your 2 year old is the kind of kid who likes to run around, the grand canyon will be a stressful place to be. There is very little protection around the edges of the canyon. We were there years ago with our 1 year old (at the time) for 1 night, we never let go of her hand or had her belted in the stroller.
Jan 18th, 2006, 12:08 PM
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Please do not take your toddler to the Grand Canyon unless you are prepared to have a firm hold on him/her at all times. Watching little kids prance along the edge of the GC when we were there 2 years ago is the prime reason my hair is so gray today.
To me, LV is all about food, gambling, shows, staying out late - none of which works well with a 2 year old.
To me, LV is all about food, gambling, shows, staying out late - none of which works well with a 2 year old.
Jan 18th, 2006, 12:37 PM
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"Also keep in mind, kids aren't allowed in the CAsinos."
There have been threads about this in the past. The above statement is false.
Your 2 year old will be allowed in the casino, as long as you're with her/him. You can't sit down and gamble with your child, or loiter too long watching others gamble, but you are certainly free to walk through the casino with a toddler. In many cases, the only way to get to the attractions that others have listed is by walking through the casino itself.
There have been threads about this in the past. The above statement is false.
Your 2 year old will be allowed in the casino, as long as you're with her/him. You can't sit down and gamble with your child, or loiter too long watching others gamble, but you are certainly free to walk through the casino with a toddler. In many cases, the only way to get to the attractions that others have listed is by walking through the casino itself.
Jan 18th, 2006, 12:49 PM
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Children in the casinos make the gamblers uncomfortable and the floor people and security will not let you stand around and watch.
Keep in mind many shows have minimum age requirement so you are also limited in shows.
The Bellagio is particularly kid-unfriendly and doesn't allow strollers in many of its restaurants.
Can you take a sitter with you?
That said, the kid would love looking at the lights and The Fountains at The Bellagio.
Keep in mind many shows have minimum age requirement so you are also limited in shows.
The Bellagio is particularly kid-unfriendly and doesn't allow strollers in many of its restaurants.
Can you take a sitter with you?
That said, the kid would love looking at the lights and The Fountains at The Bellagio.
Jan 18th, 2006, 07:13 PM
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Hi Gotravel,
We have the option of visting either Vegas or Egypt at the end of the year. Hence the same question on the two different forums.
Thank you very much to all the replies so far. They are most helpful us. I have read all the books and searched the internet regarding Vegas but there is very little firsthand information re young children travelling with you (for a reason I guess!)
Please continue to tell us about your experiences.
Cxbaron
We have the option of visting either Vegas or Egypt at the end of the year. Hence the same question on the two different forums.
Thank you very much to all the replies so far. They are most helpful us. I have read all the books and searched the internet regarding Vegas but there is very little firsthand information re young children travelling with you (for a reason I guess!)
Please continue to tell us about your experiences.
Cxbaron
Jan 19th, 2006, 02:33 AM
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As a mother of two pre-teens who traveled with my kids, you can't beat a beach vacation with a toddler. Lots of outdoor fun, calm waves, a kiddie pool. Might just be the ticket in November if you're going early-ish in the month and can avoid the heart of hurricane season.
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