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Kids in Vegas

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by NurseLisa, Apr 30, 2012.

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  1. NurseLisa

    NurseLisa High-Roller

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    OK I'm a little embarrased about this(maybe more than a little), but we are taking our kids to Vegas. Something we SWORE we would never do!
    In fact I almost used my husband's sign on so i didn't have to post this under my good name :).

    "It's not a place for kids" "Why would people do that to their poor children" "This is our place, we're not sharing it with our kids" "We come here to be people we don't want our kids to know about" "They'll bug us to come every time we go"....these are just a few of the things we've said over the years and years we've gone to vegas leaving our children behind and tell them that they don't allow kids there and that if they did go they'd hate it.

    So this year we are going to do a massive remodel to our home. We promised the kids a family vacation this summer and planned for it, a cruise or disneyland we told them. Then we found out there was only 1 week available to us the entire summer and that tickets to LA r/t from PDX were $1600. That's just to get to disney or the dock. Doesn't include all the rest. HUMMMMmmmmm. Vegas is much more affordable. "honey what if we took the kids to vegas for the summer vacation?" Hummmmm, we certainly won't be able to go anytime soon?" "That could work out"......really was this coming out of our mouths??????????
    Well sure enough next time we knew we had another family in on it and we had 7 tickets, a suite at MB and a comped room booked to vegas the first week school was out.
    I've been to Vegas over a dozen times and never ever, even once stepped foot in Circus Circus, Stratusphere or anything other than the main floor casino of the Excaliber.
    We have 2 youngish teens (15 and 14) and a 6 year old and 4 adults. We will tag team hanging out with kids so the others can gamble and plan to lock them all together in the suite and take away the mini-bar key after dark.
    Tell me about taking kids to vegas, and I only want to hear the good and helpful stuff. How much money do I need to give them to play at the adventuredome. The admission I assume only covers rides, not midway games and arcade games. What is a not miss kid thing in Vegas. Might there be somethign I've been avoiding to stay away from kids in Vegas that I'd actually maybe enjoy. Where are the best resturants that are not Fast food or Denny's for kids in Vegas. I think Hash House is definately on our list.

    OK your help is much apprecitaed. And please don't think less of me. We were desperate.......you might have done it too if you thought it'd be your only opportunity for the rest of the year to get to our fair city!!!
     
  2. dfalk

    dfalk VIP Whale

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    Awwww man!! I was just getting ready to post all the reasons why I hate seeing kids in Vegas.
     
  3. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    seems crazy to me, but that's why we don't have any kids! i think it's OK as long as you let this trip have its own identity and realize it won't be anything like your kid-less trips. if you do that and they have a good time, all good.
     
  4. travelfiend

    travelfiend High-Roller

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    There is actually quite a bit for the kids to do in Las Vegas. My niece and nephew who are both in their 20's still talk about the time they visited me in Las Vegas and how much fun they had. They were probably 5 and 9 at the time. Check out vegas.com for some suggestions, http://www.vegas.com/traveltips/guide/familyvacation.html

    They liked the CC Adventuredome so much, we went there twice, despite the little one not being able to ride the double corkscrew rollercoaster that Uncle Ross had talked up so much because of height restrictions (oops, my bad). Sadly, the waterpark is no longer there which was great, especially during summer. They also enjoyed the Lied Discovery Children's Museum just a bit north of downtown. I even took the 5 year old to story time at local library, he thought that was fun. There is the new "Mac King Comedy Magic Show" at Harrah's which is supposed to be very kid family, but never been. The teens might enjoy the fancy go cart racing http://www.vegas.com/attractions/off_the_strip/poleposition.html. Of course the roller coaster at NYNY, but check the height requirements. They might enjoy the pinball museum too.
     
  5. JillyFromPhilly

    JillyFromPhilly Tourist

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    If you've never taken your kids to a Japanese Teppanyaki dinner before - The kids might enjoy dinner at the Benihana in the old Hilton [now LVH] - assuming it's still there [which as far as I know it is] - at the very least, back when I was a kid & my parents used to take us to Vegas, we always enjoyed dinner at Benihana.

    There might be other Japanese places that do Teppanyaki in Vegas nowadays, but the Hilton is the only one I ever went to - but I'd say in general Teppanyaki is usually a meal that kids enjoy if they haven't had it before.
     
  6. travelfiend

    travelfiend High-Roller

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    Oh, I totally forgot about taking them to "the casino". I bought some green felt and set up a makeshift table at my house (already had 2 barstools) and had chips for them and we played "war" for several hours. I had black pants/white shirt, red garter armband (glad they didn't ask where I got the garter from). I bought some Martinelli's Sparkling Cider to serve them while they were gambling. Might be to corny for the teens but just throwing it out there.

    For sure, I agree with Shifter, it will definitely be a different trip for you, but you are still going to have fun!
     
  7. kel3420

    kel3420 VIP Whale

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    We have brought our kids to Vegas many times. It has been years, but we still had a great time.

    What is the number one thing kids like to do anywhere anytime? Swim of course. And that's what we did. We hung at the pool every day, from the moment it opened till we went to go get ready for dinner. Then we had nice meals, saw some shows (appropriate of course, think Cirque). We also did alot of walking around, seeing all the sights. M&M place, Coke place, etc. They did hang in arcades and my opinion is your older kids are fine with this, although they might not enjoy it, but I wouldn't leave a six year old with them unsupervised. We did that once, left out 14 year old son with our 7 year old daughter in Excalibur's arcade for an hour or so, and I look back now and am horrified with myself with what could have happened. Anything could have happened in just seconds. Just make sure you keep a close on them. BTW take an empty duffle bag just to bring home the stuffed animals they will win.

    My son had been there several times, but until he was like 13 he didn't really pay attention to any of the half naked lady pictures or signs, etc. I mean we travel all over, and he has seen many topless women at the beach, so that didn't phase him too much. Someone hanging over a garbage can and puking mid day caught his eye though, so try to have one of you walk in front of the kids and steer around things you don't want them to see. My son LOVED the porn cards, and he just walked down the strip staring at the groung. We were always "lets go, get a move on' to get him caught up to us, lol.

    I have a daughter the same age as my son and had to keep a close eye on her. Even at 13 or so, just walking thru the casino with her, guys would eye her and some would even whistle. I just so wanted to go slap them and yell "SHE IS 13!). Keep a CLOSE eye on them downtown if you go to see the lightshow. Those crowds can be daunting and you can lose a kid easily if everyone is looking up and one of the kiddos sees something they want to check out. My kids loved watching the spray paint guys.

    But seriously the pool is going to take up most of the day, then with dinner and perhaps a show, everyone will be tired early! We saw a couple of daytime shows to break up the motonony. Can' remember the name, and he has since moved casinos, but there is a magician who used to play at the Trop, during the afternoon.

    We used to have a great time, and I am sure you will too. And yes, we took our kids to Disney and island vacations every year. Just every once in awhile we took them to Vegas for a quick weekend too. It can be done for sure.
     
  8. mikewolf13

    mikewolf13 Low-Roller

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    I took the kids a few years ago 8 and 5 at time..they had a fantastic time and are upset when i go now without them...plenty to see and do both on and off strip.

    They both loved the Mac King show and it is a great afternoon show. Get acoupon for free tix with drink purchase.

    As long as they are safely in hotel at night you will have a great time. It will be a different kind of trip...but you all will enjoy it.
     
  9. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Vegas is fine for kids. But make it a kids' stay, not some poorly kitsched up "kid-friendly" casino-hotel. Look off Strip, at the Lake Las Vegas resorts--notably the Westin/former Loews--the JW Marriott in Summerlin or as a fallback, Red Rock.
     
  10. Sdebruyne

    Sdebruyne Low-Roller

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    If you have a rental car, there is lots to do. Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Stratosphere .

    We took our daughters when they were teenagers and they had a great time. Pool time in the afternoon at Monte Carlo was great. Lazy river, wave pool. People watching in Vegas is entertainment itself.

    Family trip is much different than adult only trip, but that's what is great about Las Vegas...there is something for everyone. :peace:
     
  11. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    Stay at a location with the best pool that is for sure.
    Wave pools and lazy rivers are always good.

    Hoover Dam would be a must along with local museums.

    Red Rock canyon for a long hike to tire out the kids.
     
  12. Thadeus

    Thadeus Low-Roller

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    Good for you to admit how wrong you are, there are some great suggestions on this thread. I think you will have fun if you make it a family vacation, rather than trying to have an adult vacation with the kids along. Investigate off strip for stuff regular residents do in Las Vegas.

    There is minor league baseball, the Las Vegas 51's, if the games are put on anything like they are here in New England, this will be a great family event. Check the schedule for Las Vegas Motor Speedway, seems to be a lot of events there.
    Check out some ghost towns.
    A drive through the desert to Primm can be interesting, reminds me of how many mobsters must be buried along the road. There is outlet shopping and the former highest roller coaster in the world.
    Tournament of Kings still at Excalibur?
    Ethel M Chocolate Factory
    Neon Museum
    Sam's Town - has the sunset stampede
    Take a tour of UNLV, maybe they will go to school there and you will have an excuse to visit more often.

    Look forward to the trip report.
     
  13. weluvvegas

    weluvvegas Casino Countess

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    We took our kids a few years ago when they were 8 and 10. It was fun, my parents went with us too. I swore I'd never take them back -- just because. But I've actually been thinking about it more and more...I'd really like them to see Love, we are all Beatles fans and I think they would enjoy Ka too. My mom took me when I was 15 and it was mostly a show and dinner trip -- it was a blast so I'm thinking about doing that too now that they are getting older. My husband and I go on enough adult only trips to Vegas, a few with the kids isn't going to kill us

    Let us know how it goes -- the posters here have some great advice and reommendations for you!
     
  14. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    EVERY TIME we took our kids they REALLY enjoyed themselves while we were in DISNEY.
     
  15. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Did you fly Southwest? :evillaugh
     
  16. S'AllGoodMan

    S'AllGoodMan High-Roller

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    Don't forget the bodies and titanic exhibits and the Mob Museum. They could be entertaining for everyone.

    Beth
     
  17. LucyR.

    LucyR. VIP Whale

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    When I was a young parent I used to take my two sons to Vegas and we would have fun swimming in the pool in the evenings.

    All kids love Buffets. We always ate at buffets. One son always had a plate full of food and the other son just had fun eating some fried chicken and drink a soda and ice cream for desert.

    Buy the $44.99 buffet pass that is good for 6 meals during 24hours. You
    can use it at different hotels.

    I used to take my kids to Circus Circus and they loved it.
    It was during the 1980's when Vegas still didn't have all of those new hotels.
    We would only go on week-ends since we would drive from L.A.
     
  18. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Please fix the plates for the little ones if you take them to the buffet. They always break a full plate of food, right in front of everyone, then the screaming, staring and scolding starts. It really gets so tired and repetitive, and some people would just like to be able to eat in peace.
     
  19. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    Vegas Buffets for kids ? ? ?

    When we stayed on Disney property we got the kids their own room charge cards....told them you have $8 per meal per day ($24 total)....if you spend less you keep the money.....they both learned how to budget their money...the hotel had a nice food court for breakfast and of course every park also took their meal cards.......cut down on a LOT of waste.
     
  20. NurseLisa

    NurseLisa High-Roller

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    I know people feel strongly about kids in Vegas. I can take it.

    We're at Mandalay Bay. So we have a great pool. My husband reserved a cabana for one of the days. That'll be a first for us. Usually the pool is a warm place to wake and up serves as a nice bridge between coffee and liquor.

    My son wants to see the Jaborwakeez, but seems they have no listed show times currently. Monte Carlo said they'll have June show dates mid May. I like the idea of Mac King. How is the tournament of kings? Anyone been to that? Would serve as dinner and a show.

    My 6 year old daughter is very excited, mostly because she sees how excited I get before we go I think. I bought them both new light weight cool Nikes yesterday so I don't have to hear them complain about how much their feet hurt from the walking, (but I'm sure I will anyway). We did rent a car. So we will definitely do an evening on Freemont. Not sure that Red Rock Canyon sounds very appealing in Mid June at 100 degrees, though love it there is spring and fall.

    I'm digging the in room "casino" the teenagers would enjoy that I'm sure. Chips and cards will be a must.
     
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