tom42

I haven't been to the Mirage in a number of years but the pool area is nice and it's conveniently located. I think it would be a decent choice. Regarding smoke - smoking is permitted in all the casinos and most lobby areas. It is generally not permitted in any of the "malls" (like the Forum Shoppes at Caesars, the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, etc.). It is also not permitted in restaurants. The newer hotels have good ventilation systems. Not sure about the Mirage but places like the Venetian, Bellagio, Wynn, would be better than say the Flamingo.

DebitNM

Jetsetter.com has a deal for the next 6 days for The Signature, from $80 a night.

emd3

Wow, Deb, that is a great deal!

Meggsy76

Would prefer hotels without smoking due to mine and childs asthma, but there's probably no chance of that!

DebitNM

The Signature is smoke free.

NewbE

I would totally go for The Signature, then. If you're sensitive to cigarette smoke, IME, even the non-smoking floors in casino hotels smell like it a bit.

emd3

And you get those nice balconies at the Signature, try to get one facing the humongous new ferris wheel (40 people fit in one "car"on it), your kids will love watching it go round, and will enjoy all the different color lights and patterns on it, kt is very cool.

Our one bedroom suite (king bed, and conmfortale sofa bedin living area, two flat screen TVs, full kitchen w stainless alliances, Bosch washer, jacuzzi tub ) had balcony on an angle where we were facing both the ferris wheel and strip, on 18 th floor, corner room. It was fantastic.

Meggsy76

Thanks. Think signature will be a great option. We are looking at doing grand canyon by helicopter any thoughts on that? emd3 thanks for your help on my Mexico threads too

janisj

>>We are looking at doing grand canyon by helicopter any thoughts on that?

IMDonehere

Besides seeing the Grand Canyon, why did you chose Vegas with all the limitations you have imposed?

Meggsy76

I want to see the different themed resorts and free shows some have. Its really only the smoking that I want to avoid in the hotel we choose to stay in. I know we won't get away from it completely

emd3

Please try to take the kids to Red Rock conservation area. It is only 20 min. from the Strip. the center there is great, the kids will like it, and the loop dive through the park and hiking on easy trails off the loop ( parking areas provided) are so great. You will see people climbing and rappelling, it is great. Go early morning or late day, not mid-day when heat is greatest.

Honestly, I think you and your kids would have a much nicer and memorable experience at red Rocks than flying in a helicopter not over the Grand Canyon...

Christina

It isn't clear to me why you are even going to Las Vegas. It's a city for gambling, and there is a lot of smoking. You don't even intend to gamble at all, so why even go there? There are lots better places to vacation with children and see the outdoors. If you want to go to Nevada, go to Lake Tahoe, some of those casino hotels have real cheap rates during the weekdays.

Meggsy76

Why are some people so against me thinking about vegas. Just because I don't gamble doesn't mean I can't still enjoy it there. I think all the themed hotels will be great to see, maybe a show at night, the free entertainment offered too Nd obviously grand canyon that the kids really want to see. The pirate show at TI etc. I've had friends take their kids and thought it was great abd they don't gamble. I was asking for non smoking hotels to stay in. I know I'm not going to avoid smoking whatever city I travel too

DebitNM

Ignore the replies from people with a continual stick up there ar$e.

MichelleY

Meggy - I have been to LV 3 times. The first time was when I was 40. The most I have ever gambled is $20. Lots to see, places to eat, shopping, and shows. LV is a spectacle. Everyone should visit at least once, for a a couple of days. Go and have a good time. Smoking is only a big problem in the casinos. Check if hotels have smoking and non-smoking floors. It helps a little.

wtm003

What Debit said. If you wanted to gamble and party then you'd have an issue bringing the kids. The Signature sounds like a good option. Emd3's suggestion of a room facing the Ferris wheel is a good idea. My boys would have been mesmerized at that age. I've read some of your other posts. You are coming a long way, so I understand why you want to see Vegas. Just try to have a plan and don't stay too long. A buffet with a great dessert selection would also be a hit with the kids.

Meggsy76

Thank you from the last 3 replies. yes we are planning a massive 8 week trip through that states/mexico via Hawaii on the way home. I'm only planning to stay 4 nights in vegas so 3 full days to look around (one of those days will be taken up with the Grand Canyon so really only 2 days in Vegas itself)

persimmondeb

I gamble very little and I LOVE Las Vegas. We took our mildly autistic teenager for his sixteenth birthday and he had a wonderful time. Now, while some of his interests were very young, since he was a teenager things like long walks and staying up late were not an issue.

Hits--Red Rock Canyon

Silverton with its giant fish tank and Bass Pro Shop (they had a presentation and let the children in the audience feed the trout)

The car museum at Imperial Palace (they now call the place "The Quad" but the cars still seem to be there)

The amusement park and carnival area at Circus Circus

Hoover Dam

Downtown, especially the Fremont Street lights, the Golden Nugget, and for some strange reason, the El Cortez.

Seeing the Pawn Stars shop.

Buffets.

Misses--Primm (totally not worth the ride-half operational and very run down)

Staying at Circus Circus (I think they may have paid the airline to bring us, it was so cheap, but I hadn't realized how deserted that end of the strip had become. Also while DS enjoyed the amusements very much, and the room was fine, overall the place was confusing, crowded, and didn't seem very well run--there was an abandoned room service tray near the elevators for the entire length of our stay, for example)

Nudity. There was a lot. DS was frequently kind of embarrassed by the amount of naked going on. They do not have dancers in g-strings upside down over the gaming tables in Atlantic City.

The Deuce (We'd used it on a previous trip and been happy, but not this time. Expensive, crowded and slow. We rented a car for one day to see the Hoover Dam and were very sorry we hadn't opted for it for the length of the trip.

Overall, the trip was a success, we were not sorry we brought our son, and he had a lovely time. It does depend on your kids, but it can be a fun place for children if you're a little careful with your choices.

emd3

I don't gamble and I do not drink all that much. But I like to go to Vegas for the weather, the shows, the shopping, the phenomenal food (really want to go to Giada's first restaurant there), hanging at the great pools, day trips to great places, checking out the resorts (make sure to take the kids to see the carousel and the hot air balloon made of fresh flowers at the Wynn), on and on.

Just ignore those people who poo-poo your trip. They don't get it because they just don't get it. And especially ignore those on this board, no matter who they are, who do not have kids but who tell you that Vegas is a terrible place to take kids of your kid's ages.

Go and have fun! What order are you doing you trip in, what country first, etc.?