vegas with kids
May 13th, 2004, 02:34 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
vegas with kids
We are going to Vegas in July with three kids, ages l5, 13 and ll. We plan to take the shuttle and try to walk to the close casinos and take a bus to the farther ones. However, I am thinking the cost of a round trip bus will be as much as a car rental. If we did rent a car do the casinos charge you to park in their garages if you're not staying there? Also, any comments on shows that are good for kids? Thanks
May 13th, 2004, 05:31 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Kathy,
I took my first trip to Las Vegas in March. I would've died without a car. My husband is a pilot, so we stayed off the strip in the "crew hotel". All the casinos have free parking. It's still quite a hike from the parking garage to the casino (usually through a mall area). You get the picture. Where are you staying? I think if I took my kids I would choose Caesars. We rented a convertible and we also drove out to some outlet mall in Primm. We got great buys at Tommy Bahama.
I took my first trip to Las Vegas in March. I would've died without a car. My husband is a pilot, so we stayed off the strip in the "crew hotel". All the casinos have free parking. It's still quite a hike from the parking garage to the casino (usually through a mall area). You get the picture. Where are you staying? I think if I took my kids I would choose Caesars. We rented a convertible and we also drove out to some outlet mall in Primm. We got great buys at Tommy Bahama.
May 13th, 2004, 06:42 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathy,
We took our 6 yr old to Vegas in April and she had an amazing time..We stayed at the MGM, which has a fun "lazy river pool"..there were TONS of other kids, and we devoted 2 ENTIRE days to vegging at the pool. For my daugher we did the Lion Habitat, Dolphin &Tiger zoo(at the Mirage), Shark aquarium(at Mandalay), David Copperfield,and even went to the amusement park at Circus, Circus..they have all day passes which might be fun for you and your kids.It was a wast for my daugher because she was too young. We had some great meals too, but most were more upscale and not particulary "child-friendly". I say DONT rent a car if you are on the strip. We walked ALOT, took taxis and the short tram from MGM to Mandalay. After one week, we had only spent about $100 on transportation
We took our 6 yr old to Vegas in April and she had an amazing time..We stayed at the MGM, which has a fun "lazy river pool"..there were TONS of other kids, and we devoted 2 ENTIRE days to vegging at the pool. For my daugher we did the Lion Habitat, Dolphin &Tiger zoo(at the Mirage), Shark aquarium(at Mandalay), David Copperfield,and even went to the amusement park at Circus, Circus..they have all day passes which might be fun for you and your kids.It was a wast for my daugher because she was too young. We had some great meals too, but most were more upscale and not particulary "child-friendly". I say DONT rent a car if you are on the strip. We walked ALOT, took taxis and the short tram from MGM to Mandalay. After one week, we had only spent about $100 on transportation
May 14th, 2004, 04:37 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check out Treasure Island. We were there in Aug. a few years ago with our 2 kids(14 and 12). The rooms were $49 a night, so we booked 2 connecting rooms. Our kids loved Vegas.
We had a rental car because we'd also traveled to Utah and Arizona . The car sat in the parking garage most of the time. They have trams that run between some of the casinos. The cabs are reasonable and drop you off right at the door. I remember a cab ride from the Imperial Palace over to Rio was $4. You can take a bus to Fremont Street to see the light show.
We really enjoyed the dinner show at The Excalibur. I think it's called Medieval Nights.
We had a rental car because we'd also traveled to Utah and Arizona . The car sat in the parking garage most of the time. They have trams that run between some of the casinos. The cabs are reasonable and drop you off right at the door. I remember a cab ride from the Imperial Palace over to Rio was $4. You can take a bus to Fremont Street to see the light show.
We really enjoyed the dinner show at The Excalibur. I think it's called Medieval Nights.
May 14th, 2004, 04:58 AM
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First, keep in mind that children are not allowed in any gambling area of any casino!
I would pick the Excalibur as the place to stay since they have an arcade for kids and are very kid friendly. MGM is good also. Either of these casinos puts you near some great casinos.
The biggest advantage of a car is the fact that you will be there in July when the temperatures will be well over hundred and the casinos are blocks apart. I don't think anyone realizes how much walking is required between some of the casinos.My poor mother thought we were trying to kill her.
I would suggest a van and stop at a regular store and get a cooler and pack with ice, water, juice and fruit.
I would also suggest that you plan afternoon rest periods during the heat of the day.
Don't miss Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo he is great - www.lanceburton.com
If money is no object go for Mystere at Treasure Island. You need to get tickets now for July www.treasureisland.com
You can get babysitting service for a night out if you need it.
Just remember - hot, hot, hot!
I would pick the Excalibur as the place to stay since they have an arcade for kids and are very kid friendly. MGM is good also. Either of these casinos puts you near some great casinos.
The biggest advantage of a car is the fact that you will be there in July when the temperatures will be well over hundred and the casinos are blocks apart. I don't think anyone realizes how much walking is required between some of the casinos.My poor mother thought we were trying to kill her.
I would suggest a van and stop at a regular store and get a cooler and pack with ice, water, juice and fruit.
I would also suggest that you plan afternoon rest periods during the heat of the day.
Don't miss Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo he is great - www.lanceburton.com
If money is no object go for Mystere at Treasure Island. You need to get tickets now for July www.treasureisland.com
You can get babysitting service for a night out if you need it.
Just remember - hot, hot, hot!
May 14th, 2004, 05:34 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If by shuttle, you mean Bell transportation, that will be about $5.00 per person 1 way. You can get a cab to the strip (including tip) for less than that and do not have to put up with multiple stops. Not all cabs will take 5 people but there are lots of mini-van cabs.
I second the Lance Burton show idea. May also consider Blue Man Group.
Depending on how many days you will be there, I usually recommend a day trip to Hoover Dam. This will require a car but you can get one for the day at any Hotel.
Outside of that DO NOT rent a car for the duration of your stay for the reasons mentioned above plus traffic and really poor drivers. Pulling into most casinos is more complicated than just turning into the nearest driveway.
I second the Lance Burton show idea. May also consider Blue Man Group.
Depending on how many days you will be there, I usually recommend a day trip to Hoover Dam. This will require a car but you can get one for the day at any Hotel.
Outside of that DO NOT rent a car for the duration of your stay for the reasons mentioned above plus traffic and really poor drivers. Pulling into most casinos is more complicated than just turning into the nearest driveway.
May 14th, 2004, 06:27 AM
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have taken our sons 17 and 14 to Las Vegas on several occasions when my my husband has had business there. They enjoyed seeing Blue Man Group, "O", and Mac King.
In the summer they enjoyed the hotel pool the most!
In the summer they enjoyed the hotel pool the most!
May 14th, 2004, 07:48 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I stayed at Caesar's last year to attend a family wedding and I just wanted to let you know that the pool areas there are geared more toward adults. The domed pool that sits center is circular and everday there were adults in there walking slowly around it. Beyond that there's a lap pool and a larger pool but those were quiet and frequented by adults too. There's also the Venus Pool, which posts a sign reading it's European style bathing for adults only. That's off in a corner. The Forum Shops area is a great place to walk around and cool off. The mechanical statues that are there would probably interest your kids. You should definitely make sure you have bottled water with you if you are going to do any walking on Las Vegas Blvd. especially during the day.
May 14th, 2004, 11:06 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just my 2 cents: I wouldn't plan a full family vacation(more than a weekend) to Vegas. My teens got bored there in a very short time. We went to Blue Man Group, which didn't get the big thumbs up from any of us.
The hotel pool (Mandalay Bay) was too packed for any enjoyment at all. In the Bellagio, my son stopped to rest against a wall, and was shooed on by an employee.
The place is just not kid friendly. Fun for adults though!
The hotel pool (Mandalay Bay) was too packed for any enjoyment at all. In the Bellagio, my son stopped to rest against a wall, and was shooed on by an employee.
The place is just not kid friendly. Fun for adults though!
May 14th, 2004, 03:20 PM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathy, I have to agree with *Frankie*. Our kids have been to Vegas with us on a few occasions as part of National Park touring, and after 2 nights, they're ready to go. Its fun at first to see the glitz but they're too young to gamble or do adult things, and too old to enjoy some of the more juvenile attractions Vegas uses to attract families. Other posters have named activities they may like but as anywhere, there is always something you can find to do to fill time.
Also every pool in Vegas is packed in the summer so its difficult to actually swim, to do more than stand around and cool off.
In my opinion, I would include Vegas with perhaps a trip to the Canyons or other National Parks nearby. This has been discussed extensively here on Fodors so a search will give you lots of ideas.
Also every pool in Vegas is packed in the summer so its difficult to actually swim, to do more than stand around and cool off.
In my opinion, I would include Vegas with perhaps a trip to the Canyons or other National Parks nearby. This has been discussed extensively here on Fodors so a search will give you lots of ideas.
May 19th, 2004, 02:38 PM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Before we moved here, I used to bring my kids to Las Vegas every summer for a mini-vacation and they loved it. We stayed at the Tropicana most of the time and they loved that pool. Yes, the Trop is an older property, but it's a good value and the pool is great. There's an arcade just off the pool area too, and a bird show (free) that the kids liked. There's an air show in the lobby daily that's pretty good.
My kids liked going to the theme park at Circus Circus, the roller coaster at NYNY but their favorite was Wet & Wild. The Sahara has a cool ride as well. There are lots of things for kids to do - lots of kid-type restauarants available - you know, the fast food they can't get enough of!
For a different adventure, try driving out to Red Rock and stop by Bonnie Springs on the way. Bonnie Springs is a funny old place - much in need of repair for sure - but they have a shootout and an old western Main Street that's fun to see. As far as I know you can still go horseback riding there as well.
The Secret Garden at the Mirage is a really nice exhibit and a nice way to spend an afternoon. The MGM has a lion exhibit (free) that's fun to stop by and watch.
Excalibur & Circus Circus both have extensive arcades but my kids always liked Circus Circus better because they went through their $$ too fast at Excaliber.
My kids liked going to the theme park at Circus Circus, the roller coaster at NYNY but their favorite was Wet & Wild. The Sahara has a cool ride as well. There are lots of things for kids to do - lots of kid-type restauarants available - you know, the fast food they can't get enough of!
For a different adventure, try driving out to Red Rock and stop by Bonnie Springs on the way. Bonnie Springs is a funny old place - much in need of repair for sure - but they have a shootout and an old western Main Street that's fun to see. As far as I know you can still go horseback riding there as well.
The Secret Garden at the Mirage is a really nice exhibit and a nice way to spend an afternoon. The MGM has a lion exhibit (free) that's fun to stop by and watch.
Excalibur & Circus Circus both have extensive arcades but my kids always liked Circus Circus better because they went through their $$ too fast at Excaliber.
May 19th, 2004, 03:33 PM
#12
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Add me to the votes for Excalibur for a kid-friendly place. The Tournament of Kings dinner show is really quite enjoyable ~ the food isn't spectacular, but it's the entertainment that is lots of fun. I also agree that Lance Burton is a great magic show for kids and adults alike. Mac King (comedian)at Harrah's and Ronn Lucas (ventriloquist)at Rio are two afternoon shows that are quite good and I think your kids would enjoy them. The Circus Circus amusement park is very entertaining.
Transportation: The bus that runs up and down the strip is $2 per person, one-way. The "new" improved tram behind MGM will go all the way up to Venetian area (or beyond), and it MAY be operating by the time you're there in July (it's free). If you do rent a car, I think valet parking is the only way to go, but I have heard recently that some casinos are charging non-guests to valet park now? Have fun!
Transportation: The bus that runs up and down the strip is $2 per person, one-way. The "new" improved tram behind MGM will go all the way up to Venetian area (or beyond), and it MAY be operating by the time you're there in July (it's free). If you do rent a car, I think valet parking is the only way to go, but I have heard recently that some casinos are charging non-guests to valet park now? Have fun!
