JLBRN

We're considering a 4 day trip to Vegas (first time) in February with our 14 yr old son and 14 yr old nephew. The Monte Carlo looks like our resort choice so we'll be convenient to most attractions. Which sites/shows are considered a "must see" for boys this age? Also, looking at the temp charts for Feb, looks like we won't be having any "poolside time". What type of clothing should we pack? Considering the boys will be along, we won't be frequenting any nightclubs/casinos.... Will our current New England atire of jeans and sweaters be OK?

MikeT

Seems like an odd place for 14 year old boys. There is very little there for them to do.

JLBRN

MikeT: I suppose if you equate Vegas soley with gambling and clubbing, you're correct. Looking forward to HELPFUL replies from people who've enjoyed a more varied Vegas experience with teen kids.

CalgirlSusan

I agree with MikeT. Monte Carlo is a bore even for me, and I'm much older than 14. MGM, Venetian, Paris, New York New York, and even Luxor would all have more appeal to the 14 year olds and be just as convenient to other attractions. Why Monte Carlo?

JLBRN

K, maybe I misunderstood, I thought Mike T was asking why LV, not why Monte Carlo. I checked out the reviews of Monte Carlo after reading a recomendation from a parent of teens who've gone there twice and loved it. It appealed to me because it was reasonably priced, had good reviews and didn't seem overly huge and congested ,yet convenient to everything.
Do you think it really matters how appealing the resort choice will be to the kids? I was picturing the hotel more of a place to sleep as we'll be hotel and attraction hopping all day long. Calgirl, in what way do the hotels you listed offer more appeal?thanks

carla1967

jlbrn......i have lived here in las vegas many years. today while out shopping i wore a "sweatshirt" type jacket over a long sleeve shirt. last week during the day i worked in my yard in a tee shirt. if it is not overcast it will be pleasant during the day...shirt sleeve weather. as soon as the sum goes down it will be cold, maybe high/mid thirties. feb will be the same weather. bring a warm jacket or coat. people in my neighborhood do not use the swimming pool during winter. as i said, with a sunny day you can walk around without a jacket. have fun.

IWannaGetAway

I've been to vegas many times, and never have I entertained the thought of bringing my kids.

JLBRN

Funny IWGA, I never once entertained the thought of going to Vegas withOUT kids. My idea of vacation usually involves a beautiful stretch of beach. My son is the one who's been clamoring to see Vegas.
Thanks for the clothing tips Carla!

placeu2

I think the Monte Carlo is a fine choice for a home base Hotel. Lance Burton is there and if the boys have any interest in magic, they would enjoy it. They will get the side benefit of scantily clad assistants as well!

I would walk next door to NYNY and go to ESPN Sportszone for a meal. Try out the rollercoaster as well. Keep them close to you on the walk however because that stretch of sidewalk is a favorite of people that hand out graphic solicitations for "massages and more".

The Scintas at the Rio is a nice variety show pretty suitable for families. A "F" word may slip out now and again but surely they have heard that before. You need to be OK with revealing clothing on the Rio cocktail waitresses...which is true in most casinos.

There is a Gameworks across the strip from MC that is a good teen place. I would also take them to Hoover Dam even if you have to rent a car for the day.

That being said, I am not sure how you will avoid doing adult things on your first trip to Vegas. Gambling at minimum. I gotta believe that if you get them some pizza, drinks and a movie, they should be fine in the room for an evening. If not, then why bother with Vegas?

hockeymom

We took our kids to Vegas in April - the first time for all of us. Our daughter was 15, our son was 10. We started out at Treasure Island for two nights, then left Vegas and went to Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Zion, and then back to Vegas and stayed at the Flamingo. Neither hotel really stands out as anything special for the kids - they were places to sleep. We did take into consideration where we would want to see shows at night and gamble (without the kids) so that we were still in the building. There is so much to see walking around the different hotels. NYNY rollercoaster was good, the Tropicana has Rick Thomas doing magic - he was very good for the price. Remember to pull the slot handle on the way in - we won 2/1 tickets, so that was good. Also, if you have a car or are interested in a bus trip, Red Rocks Canyon was awesome. It's only 20-30 minutes outside of the strip. It's like a 12 mile road that runs through all this rock with parking areas so you can get out, park, and walk, and climb. We could have spent a whole day here. CircusCircus was kind of a waste - your kids are really too old to enjoy it. We never got to the Sahara rollercoaster, but from the street that looked pretty good. All in all, we had a really good time. Sometimes you get spoken to walking through casinos with the kids - just don't stop and stand in one place and you should be fine. We also saw a show at the Imperial Palace (I think it's called) of impersonators. That was really good, too, and we got the tickets at the discount ticket place near the M & M store. Freemont Street is a lot of fun at night. I think the busses run right there.
Have fun - there is a lot to do for everybody. Swimming is probably not an option. Dress is fairly casual - you'll see a wide range.
ENJOY!!!!

MikeT

Nothing says family like leaving the kids in a hotel room alone while you gamble and drink.

While it's true that there's lots to see around Vegas that 14yos might enjoy, I can't imagine it is really that much fun IN Vegas for kids. I always see a lot of bored kids trailing behind their parents or hanging out in a mall they could go to at home.

Tommyt

I live in Vegas. You mentioned this is your first trip out here. Of course bring the kids to some of the amusement park rides and things of that nature. But don't over do it. I am sure you have those types of activities at home. I suggest you folks spend some time visiting our desert. You do NOT have that in New England. It will be enjoyable and something you and the kids will always remember. I think the kids will enjoy our many buffets. You can visit the desert by renting a car or having a tour company pick you up at your hotel. Hoover Dam is a must.

tom42

Mike - chill out man. I don't think anyone asked for a value judgement on bringing kids to Vegas.

JLBRN - While I haven't brought kids to Vegas, I think that 14 year olds might find Seigfried and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage pretty interesting (I think it is still there even though the show is closed). It is a walking tour of where the tigers are kept with some audio descriptions along the way. There is also a dolphin habitat. I went once when I stayed at the Mirage and thought it was pretty interesting (granted, though, I am not a 14 year old boy).


Jeans and sweaters should be fine.

atilla

MikeT: This is directly from JLBRN's OP:
"Considering the boys will be along, we won't be frequenting any nightclubs/casinos...."

Like Tom42 said, chill out man!

JLBRN

Thanks for the suggestions Placeu2, Hockeymom and TommyT. The kids are thrilled with the prospect of visiting Vegas. One of their fondest memories is seeing a show and walking around Times square and Chinatown last year in NYC, so I'm certain they'll enjoy the flashy atmosphere of LV. I would like to fit in Hoover Dam too even though we'll only be there 4 days.
As for leaving the kids behind while we "go off gambling and drinking," I can do that an hour away right here in Ct at Mohegan Sun...of which I've no desire. Another reason we chose Vegas is because we have a huge abundance of FFM which we never seem to use. Most of our trips are package deals to beach resorts and the airfare included is incredibly reasonable. So, between free airfare, well priced rooms and lots of cheap dining options, it'll be a relatively inexpensive get-away during their winter break.

Another question, do you think the boys would enjoy the Lance Burton show or Blue Man Group more, and should tickets be purchased in advance? thanks!

jbee

Both shows are fun, but very different. Lance Burton is strictly magic and the Blue Man Group is, well, blue... Seriously, the BMG seems to appeal to males because they bang on drums and create a huge mess with paint, etc. It's more of an artistic show, but always fun.

If you really want to do both BMG and a magic show but want to save some $$, try Rick Thomas at the Tropicana (hockeymom talked about hims, too). It's an afternoon show and tickets are MUCH cheaper than evening shows. Lance Burton is a higher calibre show, but Rick Thomas is fun as well.

For either evening show, you might want to consider advanced purchases. They're both popular and might sell out, especially on the weekends.

Tommyt

My wife took my son to the Blue Man thing when my son was 18. They both said it was really cool!

lvk

Just to add my 2cents, I think your boys might enjoy the view and the rides at the top of the Stratosphere.

I happen to like the MonteCarlo because of the fact that it's not as crowded or huge as the others (eg MGM & Caesar's) It is also in a good location for teen boys--across from the Gameworks arcade. There is also movie theater across from there and the Harley Davidson Cafe is within walking distance. Mandalay Bay has a shark reef, if that appeals to 14 yr.olds.

Jeans are okay, if you don't plan on doing any fine dining. I would also throw an medium weight jacket in the suitcase as well-- it did snow in Vegas last week. It can be cold at night and sometimes very windy.

Have fun and ignore the naysayers.

beachbum

There's an IMAX theater in the Luxor. The Coney Island arcade in next door NYNY was my kids' favorite. Then, as someone else mentioned, Gameworks is right across the street, with the M&M's and Coca Cola stores next door. The kids will want to see the fountains at Bellagio once or twice, and probably enjoy walking through the Venetian. Throw in a magic and/or a Cirque du Soleil show, and heck, they might have a good time.

MikeT

I was responding to this, by HockeyMom

W"e did take into consideration where we would want to see shows at night and gamble (without the kids) so that we were still in the building."