parkcitygal

Our family of 4 (2 kids 6&8) chosen to stay at Mandalay Bay (for their pool). We will have our own car. How easy is it to drive to places on the strip? Is finding parking a problem? We've heard about a monorail system between hotels. Where could I find out the places it stops? We thought that might be an easier way to go instead of the car. We like to walk places but my youngest gets tired after awhile. Thanks for the help.

AAFrequentFlyer

It's limited at this moment, but in another 6 months or so, it suppose to cover the strip(almost). I believe you may find a map on this site:
vegas.com
Have a great trip!

Frank

The Tram from Mandalay goes to Luxor and Excalibur. From there you are pretty much on your own. The MGM Tram to Bally's is closed until next year's opening of the extended tram. The Monte Carlo to Bellagio tram is slated to be closed this year when Bellagio begins construction of their new tower. There is a tram from Mirage to Treasure Island and comes in handy if you happen to be at one of those hotels and want to see the other(ditto on the Bellagio/Monte Carlo tram). As for the car, we found it's a long walk from the self service parking to the hotel, unless you use valet parking.

HuisClos

It seems that most, if not all of the hotels have free self park (whether you are staying there or not) and free valet parking, where you just tip the attendant. I know that's true for the Bellagio and the Venetian. I love to walk, but found it to be very long walks from hotel to hotel, and even within a hotel, the shopping areas can be extensive. Your children would have an easier time if you take the car to the hotel of choice, which will still give them plenty of walking opportunities.

joesorce

We didn't have any trouble with two kids that age walking Mandalay, Luxor, Excalibur, NYNY, MGM Grand and Tropicana. You should definitely check out the bird show afternoons at the Trop, and the lion cubs at the MGM. They might also enjoy Rainforest Cafe at MGM. The arcade at NYNY & Excalibur they'll enjoy. Skip Monte Carlo, Aladdin, Ballys, nothing for kids.
Drive up to Treasure Island and use their parking garage (go up the strip, turn left after Treasure Island, then left again to get around to the back). At TI you can see the pirate show, walk the walkway to Venetian, walk to Mirage for the tigers/dolphins, walk to Caesars Palace Forum Mall (great Aquarium) and be sure to stop by the Flamingo Hilton pools as the kids will life the wildlife poolside (miniature penguins!).

Agree though that at any hotel you stop, you can use the valet parking with very little hassle, just tip the attendant 2 bucks when you pick up the car and leave. Be sure to do it at Mandalay because parking lot is a mile away. In fact, send the husband down 10 minutes early to fetch the car if its a busy weekend as there will be a wait.

Bo

Depending on time of day, the problem will be the traffic on the strip, not the parking.

Scarlett

Remember that the tram goes behind the hotels, not on the Strip side. You will enter the hotels from the back when you get off the tram.
But it is great for cutting out some walking!

Patrick

If you are just going from one hotel to the next one, I'd argue that it actually cuts down on the walking. I find that in most cases walking (along the strip) from one hotel to the next may be less walking than the long trek through the hotel to get to a tram station and then another long trek through the next one. On the other hand if you are bypassing a few hotels between then it may save you some walking.

kat

I stayed in Las Vegas in Feb with my 13 year old son and we found that it took longer trying to walk past people inside the hotel while trying to find the tram then it would have if we had just walked to our destination. By our 2nd day, we just walked everywhere. But we also were lucky that the weather was mild and that we were able to do that. If you are traveling during the hotter months, I highly recommend that you don't walk the strip. It is a lot of walking, and yes it can be broken down with many stops along the way but it would not be easy to do with two small children in excessive heat. We had a great time and there were so many things to do with children; Joesorce's ideas (posted earlier) were excellent. I purchased a "Las Vegas with Kids" book and found it to be very helpful. Have Fun!!

MoniqueU

Also a few more things. They won't let kids on the Monte Carlo to Bellagio tram last I checked because Bellagio won't let anyone other then registered guests children enter if under 18.

The kids clubs at the Orleans and at the Palms are great. My kids ages 5,6 and 10 beg to go there. They have tons for kids to do, art,games, climbing structures etc. No registration needed in advance and the prices I found to be nominal.
When we take the kids we use valet at every hotel we go too rather then hiking the strip.

Anthony

I am a frquent visitor to LV, going about once every 9 months, and was there in Jan. Why everyone says it's a long walk to from the parking garage to the hotel is beyond me. We were there during the largest convention in the contry, and were able to find parking about 3 rows and a 2 min walk to the elevators. It's no different than parking at your local megamall on a weekend, actually BETTER than at your local mall, yet I never hear people complain about parking far away at the mall.