We will be going to Las Vegas this summer. I have 3 kids ages 6, 7, & 8 and would like
to know of any hotels that are good for kids.
I want one with a great swimming pool and centrally located on the strip. Thanks for your responces.

Went with husband and 13 year old in August, we had a great time. Stayed at the MGM, lots of pools and a lazy river, good location on the strip. Other hotel you may want to check out are Circus Circus, Excalibur, Treasure Isand. There is a wonderful Las Vegas Bulliten Board just for Vegas www.lvol.com/cgi-bin/wbbsconfig.pl.
There is a lot to do there. I read the unofficial guide to Las Vegas before I went excellent book as well as the bulliten board. Have a good trip!

Pam- don't mistake Vegas as a great place for kids no matter what the hype. However, my stay with my 2 kids at the MGM confirms the message above. The theme park behind the MGM is a terrific asset for kids. It has 4-5 mega rides and a number of just standard theme park rides. The larger rides are quite good, particularly the log ride and the river ride. The park offers a number of shows, one of them similar to Sea World fare and they are pretty entertaining. The best thing about the theme park is that it's like a small Disneyland without the crowds. We were able to go around and around on our favorite rides with virtually no wait.
The pool at the MGM is nice but perhaps not world class. It has a small sandy beach and waterfall and is quite large. MGM should be ashamed of their video game center. If your kids are into that then visit Circus Circus while you stay at MGM. My kids were happy at the MGM. I think the theme park makes it the clear winner.

Pam,

I agree with the above poster. Vegas is not a kid's town. This is where the adults come to play. But if you are bringing the kids - I would suggest MGM for its theme park or if you can stomach the wild scene, Circus Circus. However, CC is not a place I would send my worst enemy. Outside of these new inter-hotel parks that are going up everywhere on the strip, there is nothing for the kids to do. You know the main reason people go to Vegas is to be grown and do grown-up things.

Anyway, I hope you find stuff to do with the kids and next time, go with a companion to really appreciate our beloved adult playground!

Happy Traveling!

You've already been cautioned about bringing the kids to LV, so all I'll add to that is: keep a very close eye on them at all times. There is more crime in LV than most people think. Also, we all remember what happened at the Primadonna (in nearby Primm, NV) not too long ago.

That being said, I wouldn't recommend staying at Circus Circus. It's too run-down and shabby, and its location is not so great.

The Excalibur would be a much better choice. The bottom level is geared towards kid's activities and has no gambling. The pool is adequate, although not great. (The hotels with great pools (Tropicana, Flamingo) aren't very good for kids.) Staying at the Excalibur would also put you in close proximity to the New York, New York and MGM and their various family-oriented activities.

Note: the MGM theme park is currently closed and the rumor is it may not reopen.

If you'd prefer a central Strip location, the Treasure Island is very nice and not a bad place for families. Haven't been in the pool, but it's supposed to be okay. The TI has a nice kid's activity center and the free pirate show. It is adjacent to the Mirage, with the white tigers and dolphins.

So, bottom line: I would recommend either the Excalibur or the Treasure Island.

When you arrive, ask someone to direct you to the marshmallow factory. It is not far from the strip and should be a real treat for children the age of yours. You might want to call ahead to make sure the assembly line is running at the time you will be there. Also, with children firmly in hand, be sure to go downtown to the Freemont Street area to view the overhead light show. Spectacular!

I live in Nevada, and I will confirm the above postings - LV is not a kids town, althoug it amazes kids and adults alike for a day or two. However, there are good things to do with kids - but you ahve to rent a car. You must take them to Hoover Dam. It's mind boggling - and fabulous. Hang out for lunch in Boulder City, which was a government town, and as far as I know the only civic entity in Nevada where gaming is banned (federal town - built originally to serve the dam site).
Drive on around Lake Mead to the Lost City Museum - low key archeological museum .
EARLY some morning, drive out to Valley of Fire (I mean early - because it is fire-hot by late morning) - it is a spectacular red rock valley with petroglyphs. It's really neat. They day we went there a volunteer ranger was doing demonstrations with an atylatl (spelling challenged here) - a device for throwing spears. We also took a short hike down to natural water tanks - which gave us an even better sense of the preciousness of the water and the isolation of the site. Be sure you take your own water in the car.
To the west of LV is Red Rock - another natural area hiking area. Very beautiful. There are concerts out there.
If you are way too hot, and not from this part of the country, then drive north out of town to Mt. Charleston. It is just a shock to climb up into pine tress/mountain environment and cool area. Not much to do - locals may correct me on this - but hang out, hike, picnic. But that's good enough in the summer time.
In town: check out the Nevada State Museum exhibits and the Nevada Institute of Contemporary Art - and the wonderful Lied Discovery Children's Museum. The latter has a neat neat building - small but fun.
Las Vegas is not all casinos, as much fun as they are for the adults.
Have a good trip, and remember in the summer it is very hot in LV.

Las Vegas with kids.

Just three words -- don't do it!

Don't get me wrong, I have my own "kid" although she's now 22, but if we adults, whom Vegas is ultimately meant for wanted to spend our vacation around a bunch of screaming children, we'd go to Disneyland!