I feel sorry for the next generation. They are asked, "What did you do on your Spring Break with your parents?" Wouldn't it be nice if the answer was..."We went to Washington DC to see the Memorials, or we went to Chicago to the Art Museum..or went to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. BUT NO!!!!!<BR><BR>"My mommy and daddy took me to a place called Las Vegas. We were accosted by greed, gambling, sex, gluttony and even got to see Dennis Rodman."<BR><BR>Give me a break.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

"Neither the kids, nor their parents, gambled, drank, used prostitutes or went to strip shows. They did go to O, Mystere and other FAMILY friendly shows as well as hung out at the hotel pool."<BR><BR>O.K. then, WHY the heck go to Vegas for this? You can get shows and a pool in Branson, Missouri, DisneyWorld or any amusement park, or just about anywhere. Why expose your teens to Sin City vices like:<BR><BR>1. The porn and strip club flyers that will be littered all over streets and that everyone will try to hand them<BR><BR>2. Tipsy adults wandering around the sidewalks with cocktails in their hands (it IS legal in Nevada) having adult fun<BR><BR>3. Smoky casino views and casino workers who don't want your kids anywhere near them <BR><BR>4. Hungover adults at the pool who don't want your kids anywhere near them<BR><BR>5. Men who will relentlessly hit on them the moment your back is turned, and sometimes right in front of you. There's lots of predatory behavior in an area full of alcohol and strip clubs<BR><BR>I think Vegas tries to promote itself as Disneyland in Nevada, but is definitely an adult-oriented place that your kids should choose (or not) to experience when they are adults.

I know this is completely off the topic of the original question, but i know many kids who at 5 could sit through broadway shows, specifically musicals (without being drugged). I also know many NYC moms (i am one) who have never owned a chanel anything. NYC is a big place, it includes Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Queens. Not all NYers are wealthy with misbehaving bratty kids in designer cloths that throw temper tantrum in public places. NYC is a very diverse place with all kinds of people from all walks of life, making many NYers very tolerant and open minded, interesting people with good values. 'is' is clearly intolerant and close-minded and doesn't have a clue about kids. <BR><BR>I'm sorry Liz that your post turned into such a fiasco. I hope you and your family enjoy your trip to LV. It just shocks me that people can be this nasty.

Dont listen to the naysayers Liz...Las Vegas will be good for your kids!

Whay take kids to LV? Why not Disney or Dc. Let me answer then I'll rest my case. The main part of our trip is Arizona. We wanted to start on the north end closer to Grand Canyon. We have frequent Flyer miles and wanted to use them therefore limited to direct flights, etc. We decided to start in LV and leave from Pheonix. LV will just be a quick weekend stop, after that it's stops at hoover dam, grand canyon, sedona, tucson and phoenix. Spending relaxing time together as a family in a decent hotel, with a nice pool and seeing a show can't possibly have a harmful effect on my children. They have been to disney, dc, and museums in chicago. The last 2 spring breaks we took them to europe, we decided to give the US our business this year. We will see for our selves what LV is like. I am anticipating a 'campy' atmosphere, not a cultural experience. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. Thank you and good night.

Good for you, aMom! I, too, have kids who started going to stage shows from the time they were about five... the older two are now playing and acting in them for themselves, and the younger ones behave better and get as much out of the shows as any of the grown-ups there. And just last year, we took our seven and nine year olds to Las Vegas on our way across America by bus. We told them that some of Vegas wouldn't be very nice and that they may see things that would shock them, but since we're nor gamblers and stripshow patrons ourselves, we didn't set them any bad examples to imitate... and I don't believe, really, you do your kids much of a service by trying to pretend that the greedy side of life exemplified by so much of Vegas doesn't exist (it's not confined to Vegas, anyaway)! Anyway, to cut this short, the kids had a great time just looking at the lights and the free sidewalk shows, we had accommodation at the MGM Grand that they are still talking about, and now when they recall their five weeks in the US, they say that the three best places, in order, were Disney World, Las Vegas, and New York. And they don't seem to have been corrupted by the "dark side" of any of them!

I grew up in Las Vegas and can honestly say I would bring my grand kids there anytime. This whole "sin city" and how it affects you is all over rated. Sure I got pregnant when I was 16 and all three kids have different fathers, but does that make me a bad person? I am proud of my children...all are still in Vegas..ones a dancer, another works at the craps table and the third is out of a job..but who isnt? Las Vegas is a place where you find yourself and I recommend letting your kids experience the fun!

I took my mostly well behaved pre-teens to Vegas a few years ago. They still rave about it and have traveled to many places. Take them, tbey won't see any more off color things then they would in any big city. There is lots to do. For those of you who feel kids are a bother, ANY child even a misbehaving one is better than a rude, judgemental self-centered adult.

Hi again AMom - <BR><BR>That's the exact same trip our family did last spring break - also using frequent flyers! We flew into Las Vegas and spent 2 nights there (hiking during the day), then passed through Hoover Dam to stay in Sedona for 4 nights (seeing Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater) then stayed in Tucson for 4 nights (seeing Jerome, Sabino Canyon, Saguaro West Park, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Mission San Xavier del Bac) We flew out of Phoenix and back home. Wow- a fantastic trip. We still talk about the incredible scenery. I'd never been out West before and can't wait to go back. You will have such fun!!!

Just where I would want to take my kids to an ADULT destination where there is gambling, prostitution and too damn much drinking. No wonder kids end up all screwed up. You mothers who insist on taking your kids to inappropriate places--should never have had kids in the first place!!!!<BR><BR>When the kids are all screwed up don't blame anyone but your selfish, self-absorbed selves....

I love you too XX!

And just last year, we took our seven and nine year olds to Las Vegas on our way across America by bus!<BR><BR>We told them that some of Vegas wouldn't be very nice and that they may see things that would shock them, but since we're self-centered Baby Boomer parents who always put our own wants first, we really wanted to go to Vegas and figured the heck with what the kids see! It'll be good for 'em, a learning experience...yeah that's it!<BR><BR>... and I don't believe, really, you do your kids much of a service by trying to pretend that the seedy side of life exemplified by so much of Vegas doesn't exist. I encouraged my nine year old to talk to the prostitutes on the street and get to know them as people. I lost track of him for about an hour, but when he resurfaced in front of Circus Circus, the smile on his face was all the reward I could ask for. He really enjoyed his "chat" with them, and the doctor says that rash on his Lil Willy should clear up soon. <BR><BR>...and our seven year old enjoyed the rich cultural diversity of alcoholics, gamblers and strippers as we fed quarters into the slots. Gosh, some friendly guy even wanted to give her the grand tour of Vegas in his Cadillac, all by herself, but since he was a stranger, we hesitated. People in that town are SO friendly!<BR><BR>Anyway, to cut this short, the kids had a great time, told all their friends at school about their adventures, and they don't seem to have been corrupted by the "dark side" of Vegas. Can't figure out why Child Protective Services keep calling our house, but oh well.<BR><BR>The Gizwolds<BR>Our Vegas Vacation <BR>

Ellen-You should have been sterilized!

OK, I am only 25 and live in AZ, my girlfriends and I go to Vegas at least once a year, and have been for the last five or six years. We specifically go for the male strippers, gambling, shows and night clubs...most of which is inappropriate for a pre-teen. But you wouldn't be going to any of those places with them anyway, besides, they aren't even allowed in to most of those places. But, I have never seen explicit prostitution on the strip, yes there are plenty wierdos passing out dirty fliers, but they don't force you to take 'em. They are teen agers...I am sure they have heard of Playboy, etc...I know I did at that age. Vegas is fun for all ages and there are plenty of things for everyone to do. There are fabulous shows (Mystere is my fav...better than O) great restaurants, good shopping, fun hotels, and great pools. I say take your kids to Vegas!!

Don't worry Las Vegas is a great vacation spot for people of all ages.<BR>Some of those replies were downright hostile! I have a feeling the authors haven't been to Las Vegas in a while. The end of Las Vegas Blvd, which houses the "Giants" (very large hotels) caters to families and isn't sleazy at all.<BR> We took our two children there a couple of years ago. They were 11 and 14 at the time. We spent two days in Vegas at the MGM Grand, rented a car and drove to Southern Utah where we stayed in Cedar Breaks for four days. While in Utah we visited Zion, Bryce, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We then drove back to Vegas and stayed at the Xcaliber. It was one of the best family vacations we've ever had. <BR>Most of the casinos have great attractions. <BR> We liked Star Trek at the Hilton, the roller coaster at Stratosphere, the park in Circus Circus, the underground mall at Caesars, everything at New York New York and the Luxor, the Rainforest Cafe at MGM and the Medieval Knights dinner show at Xcaliber. We had a great time without gambling a cent.<BR>

Well we are back and spent 3 fun days in LV with our 10 & 13 yr olds (continued on through Arizona afterwards). We were not exposed to any of the negative elements listed in some of these posts. Our kids were with us the entire time, never out of our site and noone bothered them. Anyone handing out, what propbably was raunchy flyers, on the street ignored us (i suppose because we had kids). We didn't go to any bars and we didn't gamble (most of the lobbies are casinos so we quickly walked through them but didn't pay much attention to them). We did enjoy the acquarium at Mandalay Bay, the dolphin/lion habitat at Mirage, the race to atlantis ride at Ceasars's, the moving statue shows at ceasars, the outdoor pirate show at treasure island, walking around venetian, paris, ceasars (kind of like being at epcot) and some of the other hotels, and we would have enjoyed the pool (at mirage) if it had been warmer. We also did a trip to hoover dam which took about 1/2 day (we drove). There were many families around. The mirage was loaded with them. The buffets are great places to eat, especially with kids. We ate at the Mirage and Treasure Island buffets. We also had dinner at bertilini's (or something like that) at the shopping level of ceasars, near the piazza navona-like fountain. for a minute you may even thing you're in rome. Lastly we saw Mystere which is a great show for both kids and adults. There definitely is lots to do with kids in LV and the things 'not to do' can easily be avoided.<BR>

Disagree.....Las Vegas is a gilded turd. They are trying to make it family-friendly, all the while you have hooker's business cards and fliers everywhere, drunks stumbling around and nasty looks from casino workers when you MUST pass through the casino to get to anything. Do not pay heed to the Circus, Circus post. That is hellhole,hellhole . For the Jerry Springer set to bet the last of their paychecks while their chidren are left unattended. Take your kids to Florida, South Carolina, San Juan, or better yet a cruise! They have so much for kids and adults and if you NEED to gamble, they have casinos. Skip Vegas. It will never be a family vacation spot , no matter what.

Our kids are 9 & 11 and Las Vegas is their favorite destination! They have been there at least a dozen times and when we suggest a new destination they say *no way* let's go to Vegas. There is something there for everyone and you can seek out the sleeze or ignore it and have fun.

I am taking my family to Vegas next week. They are 11 and 13. This will be their third trip. They love it. They love the pool, we see a show, a baseball game, a concert, play video games, ride the Disney type rides in the Luxor, Ceasars, NY,NY. If you are a good parent with high morality and and awareness for teachable moments, the Las Vegas experience will allow opportunities to teach moderation vs. excess. To those who don't think families can travel together to Las Vegas... oh forget it, they can't read.