Places to go & avoid in Las Vegas
30 January 2012, 01:40 PM
#1
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Places to go & avoid in Las Vegas
A one off holiday of a lifetime and i suspect we will never be able to go again.... so any do's and dont's. We are going with 6 adults and 5 kiddies
30 January 2012, 02:01 PM
#2
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Kids in Vegas 
With that in mind, I'd probably avoid strip clubs
I've been to Vegas twice and I honestly cannot remember seeing a single child there!!
Defo go to the Grand Canyon, take in a show, hire a 'vette...
With that in mind, I'd probably avoid strip clubs
I've been to Vegas twice and I honestly cannot remember seeing a single child there!!
Defo go to the Grand Canyon, take in a show, hire a 'vette...
30 January 2012, 02:07 PM
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Never been myself but wouldnt have thought it was somewhere to take the kids? Plenty of friends and family have been but have pretty much all said the same thing, 3-5 days max. Grand Canyon and LA are not too far away so if I was to do the west coast of the US, I think I'd spend a few days here and there.
Enjoy your holiday
Enjoy your holiday
30 January 2012, 02:23 PM
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What you do in the casinos is your affair of course. If you hire a car, Mount Charleston out of Vegas is worth seeing-you can drive up to the restaurant on the top. North of Las Vegas past the USAF airbase there is a place off the highway called The Valley of Fire. Interesting place with a lot of petrified articles to see such as wood etc.
Don't forget the Hoover Dam, pretty impressive construction, and also the very large Lake Mead which is produced by the Hoover Dam.
You can save quite a bit of cash by hiring a "rent a wreck" car which although not like a new one is very much cheaper and they guarantee to return you if it breaks down within a certain mileage,about 75 miles I think. There used to be a rent a wreck place north of Las Vegas on the way towards the air force base on the left. (only an ex RAF person would know about that!"
Its a few years since I was there so there are probably many more things to see and do now. Its a 300 mile drive to the Grand Canyon! We set off to there at midnight, saw the sunrise over the Canyon which is a bit special and drove back later on.
The cheapest place by far to eat is in a casino restaurant-they are chasing your custom at the tables!
Have a good time
Les
What you do in the casinos is your affair of course. If you hire a car, Mount Charleston out of Vegas is worth seeing-you can drive up to the restaurant on the top. North of Las Vegas past the USAF airbase there is a place off the highway called The Valley of Fire. Interesting place with a lot of petrified articles to see such as wood etc.
Don't forget the Hoover Dam, pretty impressive construction, and also the very large Lake Mead which is produced by the Hoover Dam.
You can save quite a bit of cash by hiring a "rent a wreck" car which although not like a new one is very much cheaper and they guarantee to return you if it breaks down within a certain mileage,about 75 miles I think. There used to be a rent a wreck place north of Las Vegas on the way towards the air force base on the left. (only an ex RAF person would know about that!"
Its a few years since I was there so there are probably many more things to see and do now. Its a 300 mile drive to the Grand Canyon! We set off to there at midnight, saw the sunrise over the Canyon which is a bit special and drove back later on.
The cheapest place by far to eat is in a casino restaurant-they are chasing your custom at the tables!
Have a good time
Les
30 January 2012, 02:29 PM
#6
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I think the Grand Canyon is pencilled in via a train ride.
There is also the Titanic exhibition on.
Whats the food like over there - i know its big, but is it tasty
Also, they all still smoke in places over there - will they try to stop if you ask, or will they just blow it back in you face...
There is also the Titanic exhibition on.
Whats the food like over there - i know its big, but is it tasty
Also, they all still smoke in places over there - will they try to stop if you ask, or will they just blow it back in you face...
30 January 2012, 02:36 PM
#7
The food is good... if you pay over the odds for it. For the average-priced meal it's pretty crap.
Death Valley is not too far if the kids want something a bit different, depends how old they are, they may not appreciate it if they're a bit young! 38C in the shade when I went.
I'd advise against going near Fremont Street - says in all the tourist literature to go there, but I found it was seedy, full of weirdos and generally unpleasant compared to the strip.
Which hotel are you staying at?
Death Valley is not too far if the kids want something a bit different, depends how old they are, they may not appreciate it if they're a bit young! 38C in the shade when I went.
I'd advise against going near Fremont Street - says in all the tourist literature to go there, but I found it was seedy, full of weirdos and generally unpleasant compared to the strip.
Which hotel are you staying at?
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30 January 2012, 02:37 PM
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Excalibur Hotel is pretty child-friendly, and although I haven't been to it, this sounds fun...!
http://www.excalibur.com/entertainme..._of_kings.aspx
http://www.excalibur.com/entertainme..._of_kings.aspx
30 January 2012, 03:48 PM
#10
I took my daugher to Vegas with us when she was 8 years old and the casinos didn't like her standing next to me in the casino when I was trying to get some money changed over but they had no problem with tramps rumaging thru the bins
Make sure you check the hotels out properly as there is loads of things you could possibly miss, we nearlly missed seeing the lions in MGM as we were going to walk a different way in the hotel.
Make sure you check the hotels out properly as there is loads of things you could possibly miss, we nearlly missed seeing the lions in MGM as we were going to walk a different way in the hotel.
30 January 2012, 04:12 PM
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Is it just me but if you were booking the one-off trip of a lifetime you would do a massive amount of research before booking it.
How did you come to make this choice?
Did you have any choice or was this a prize or gift?
Are you staying at the Bellagio for the whole trip & for how many days?
Also what are the ages of the children in the party?
How did you come to make this choice?
Did you have any choice or was this a prize or gift?
Are you staying at the Bellagio for the whole trip & for how many days?
Also what are the ages of the children in the party?
30 January 2012, 04:21 PM
#12
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Is it just me but if you were booking the one-off trip of a lifetime you would do a massive amount of research before booking it.
How did you come to make this choice?
Did you have any choice or was this a prize or gift?
Are you staying at the Bellagio for the whole trip & for how many days?
Also what are the ages of the children in the party?
How did you come to make this choice?
Did you have any choice or was this a prize or gift?
Are you staying at the Bellagio for the whole trip & for how many days?
Also what are the ages of the children in the party?
Wife and friends etc - its all our 40th birthdays this year and we got a good deal with the flights and hotel etc. - not sure why they picked Vegas, but I am happy to go along with it. As I've never been to America before, I have nothing to compare it to
We are staying at the hotel for 6 days and the kids ages are 10, 9, 6, 6, & 4
30 January 2012, 04:21 PM
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Don't take kids.
The casinos don't like them, there is usually a lot of walking (and that's just to get out the casino you might be staying in), you *will* have flyers for hookers being handed to them (assuming they don't just pick them up off the floor), other visitors to Vegas will *not* care about or make allowances for the kids, and the whole place is about a kid unfriendly as it's possible to be while still letting them in.
The casinos don't like them, there is usually a lot of walking (and that's just to get out the casino you might be staying in), you *will* have flyers for hookers being handed to them (assuming they don't just pick them up off the floor), other visitors to Vegas will *not* care about or make allowances for the kids, and the whole place is about a kid unfriendly as it's possible to be while still letting them in.
30 January 2012, 04:48 PM
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Blimey.... Am i under caution..
Wife and friends etc - its all our 40th birthdays this year and we got a good deal with the flights and hotel etc. - not sure why they picked Vegas, but I am happy to go along with it. As I've never been to America before, I have nothing to compare it to
We are staying at the hotel for 6 days and the kids ages are 10, 9, 6, 6, & 4
Wife and friends etc - its all our 40th birthdays this year and we got a good deal with the flights and hotel etc. - not sure why they picked Vegas, but I am happy to go along with it. As I've never been to America before, I have nothing to compare it to
We are staying at the hotel for 6 days and the kids ages are 10, 9, 6, 6, & 4
Also having seen it I know it's not for kids but with the day trips it should be ok for 6 days..
30 January 2012, 05:14 PM
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We are staying at the hotel for 6 days and the kids ages are 10, 9, 6, 6, & 4
As I said, I have been twice and a group of my mates go every year. I had a ball of a time both times I went but, even on a lads trip I was ready to leave Vegas both times after about 4 days.
I'd cut off my right nut to go to Vegas tomorrow but I also know 100% that after 3-5 days I'd be itching to leave and go elsewhere. It is an amazing place but it burns you out real fast.
I personally think 6 days with kids is a bad plan. That is a significant chunk of your holiday to spend in a place where you can't take the kids anywhere you'd actually want to go. It is likely to result in friction and boredom.
When you first started this thread I thought Vegas+kids was a bad idea. However, I could subscribe to it if you were just going for 2 nights to say you'd done 'Vegas'.
I urge you to reconsider this and spend 3-4 of those nights elsewhere in the US. South of LA down the Pacific Coast Highway is lovely for example.
30 January 2012, 05:22 PM
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We went 5 years ago and took my step-daughter who was 8 at the time. It was fantastic and she still talks about going back!!
You won't all be able to gamble or go to the bars, but there are enough of you to take the child-minding in shifts!!
First night you won't want to do anything but eat and get an early night. We went for 5 night and the remaining nights were spent seeing the following cirque du soleil shows (Issy loved them!!) - KA (at MGM), O (at Bellagio) and Love (at Mirage-no longer running think it's elvis instead).
Bellagio weren't that child friendly in terms of restaurants-ie you could book at table before 6.30 but not after. BUT, I would recommend trying the other hotels or food too-especially the kobe steakhouse in the MGM!!!
Helicopter tour (sunset) to Grand Canyon is a must-you'll all fit in one helicopter and with sunset, you land in the canyon-adults have champagne and kids soft drink and when you fly back in the strip is lit up.
There are roller coasters in the hotels and the swimming pools are all awesome!!
Going to Vegas with kids is great BUT a VERY different experience to if you were going without. If you want the casino's and drinking etc, leave the kids at home.
Otherwise, have a great time!!
P.S. Have you thought of NYC? Loads of stuff for kids there (we had trapeze lessons!!) and for me, way better than Vegas!
You won't all be able to gamble or go to the bars, but there are enough of you to take the child-minding in shifts!!
First night you won't want to do anything but eat and get an early night. We went for 5 night and the remaining nights were spent seeing the following cirque du soleil shows (Issy loved them!!) - KA (at MGM), O (at Bellagio) and Love (at Mirage-no longer running think it's elvis instead).
Bellagio weren't that child friendly in terms of restaurants-ie you could book at table before 6.30 but not after. BUT, I would recommend trying the other hotels or food too-especially the kobe steakhouse in the MGM!!!
Helicopter tour (sunset) to Grand Canyon is a must-you'll all fit in one helicopter and with sunset, you land in the canyon-adults have champagne and kids soft drink and when you fly back in the strip is lit up.
There are roller coasters in the hotels and the swimming pools are all awesome!!
Going to Vegas with kids is great BUT a VERY different experience to if you were going without. If you want the casino's and drinking etc, leave the kids at home.
Otherwise, have a great time!!
P.S. Have you thought of NYC? Loads of stuff for kids there (we had trapeze lessons!!) and for me, way better than Vegas!
30 January 2012, 05:59 PM
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I was in Vegas again in october. Rather than go to the Grand Canyon which is a 300 mile drive or expensive helicopter trip, we went to Red rock canyon which is only 30 miles from the strip and its a very impressive place to visit. We were on Harleys and so did the 14 mile tour of the canyon which was awsome.
I was also impressed when we went to the bar/restaurant at the top of the 1100ft statosphere tower, at night, so you had an amazing view of all the lights in Vegas. The floor also slowly revolves so the views always changing.
As we had the bikes for a week, we also rode out to the Hoover dam and stopped in a place called Boulder city which is also about 30 miles from the strip but, a real old town america kind of place and a great escape from the madness of Vegas.
In fact, if i go back again, i would probably stay there and just travel into vegas for a night or two.
As someone else mentioned, Fremont street is a bit dodgy at times and there do seem to be alot of dossers/weirdos around there so not the best place to take the kids.
I was also impressed when we went to the bar/restaurant at the top of the 1100ft statosphere tower, at night, so you had an amazing view of all the lights in Vegas. The floor also slowly revolves so the views always changing.
As we had the bikes for a week, we also rode out to the Hoover dam and stopped in a place called Boulder city which is also about 30 miles from the strip but, a real old town america kind of place and a great escape from the madness of Vegas.
In fact, if i go back again, i would probably stay there and just travel into vegas for a night or two.
As someone else mentioned, Fremont street is a bit dodgy at times and there do seem to be alot of dossers/weirdos around there so not the best place to take the kids.
30 January 2012, 06:07 PM
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Been Vegas 5 times, last time in August. Been twice with kids, my daughter who was 6 the first time and 8 the second time.
My daughter loved it and I wouldn't hesitate taking her back
My daughter loved it and I wouldn't hesitate taking her back
30 January 2012, 06:14 PM
#19
I went to Vegas for New year and it was unbelievably busy so it was hard to find anywhere to eat on an evening due to taking my daughter. There is a massive food court on the strip which came in handy for eating.
We stayed at Circus Circus as I booked that hotel puerly for the theme park and the circus in side my hotel as it was all free to me so I knew I could take my daughter there. There is a shark reef in the Mandaly Bay hotel at the end of the strip, the Stratosphere has a theme park right on top of the hotel. There is Sigfreid and roys secret garden in one of the hotels with white tigers and we went bowling on a saturday night and it a disco version of it which was actually a good night.
We stayed at Circus Circus as I booked that hotel puerly for the theme park and the circus in side my hotel as it was all free to me so I knew I could take my daughter there. There is a shark reef in the Mandaly Bay hotel at the end of the strip, the Stratosphere has a theme park right on top of the hotel. There is Sigfreid and roys secret garden in one of the hotels with white tigers and we went bowling on a saturday night and it a disco version of it which was actually a good night.
30 January 2012, 10:35 PM
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All I can advise is to look into when the UFC is on. I think it's in Japan in Feb, but you DO NOT want to be there with children during that, no way!
31 January 2012, 12:36 PM
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The food is good in the casinos and much cheaper as I said above. I don't see why you can't take your children into the casino restaurants.
Death Valley is another place to see, not that exciting to see, its just the lowest place in the hemisphere in relation to sea level. It is north of Vegas and I cant remember how far now. As you arrive there, the place where the "Hole in the Wall Gang" used to hang out is a bit higher up in the hills near the road. Quite a bit of history associated with the area.
Hope you all enjoy it all, I am sure you will
Les
Death Valley is another place to see, not that exciting to see, its just the lowest place in the hemisphere in relation to sea level. It is north of Vegas and I cant remember how far now. As you arrive there, the place where the "Hole in the Wall Gang" used to hang out is a bit higher up in the hills near the road. Quite a bit of history associated with the area.
Hope you all enjoy it all, I am sure you will
Les
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