My husband and I will need to attend a conference in Las Vegas in December. We have two daughters 19 & 9. The elder offered to look after the younger,(since she cant gamble anyway!). Where are safe and fun places to go (for both)?
2006-07-16 01:48:11 · 10 answers · asked by Karen N 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Las Vegas
Ok, well thanks for all the parenting rants and so on.... In my opinion, (being the parent and all) I have 3 choices: pay someone (hopefully safe) to watch my daughter while we're 2000 miles away,
have my oldest stay with her at home while we're 2000 miles away, or take them with where they can be near us while we go to a conference from 8am - 3pm (after which we will be spending time as a family)
By the way, I take the kids to Chicago, which, if you look at it, isnt exactly Disney either.
2006-07-16 12:52:35 · update #1
A while back, Las Vegas certainly wasn't a place for children. It was a place for adults to come and gamble, get drunk, and party. Times have changed...
I've lived in Las Vegas for over a year and have noticed alot of changed. The visitor's bureau has now said that Las Vegas is a kid-friendly place - which I totally agree with. Although many people think of Las Vegas as "a sinner's town, with sex, drugs, alcohol and gambling," that is completely false. Las Vegas ha become very family-oriented. Over 60% of the people I see on the strip are families with young children - who all seem to be having a great time.
There are many things for children to do. Since you'll be bringing both children and the 19 year old will be watching the 9 year old - there's unlimited possibilities of what they can do. Below is a list of things that I thought they may be interested in:
The Mirage: They have a dolphin habitat and secret garden behind the casino/hotel. The dolphin habitat is spectacular. It'll take up about 4 hours if they're really interested in sea-life. Behind the Dolphin Habitat is a Secret Garden. It's actually the famous Seigfred and Roy's place. You can see their white tigers, llams, alpacas, lions, black panthers, etc there. It's definitely a fun time for people of any age. It's relatively cheap too - about $15.00 for an adult and I know kids are at least half that. Your 19 year old daughter could probably get in for a student-rate also.
Treasure Island (TI): They have a Siren's show every evening. They have three shows nightly (7:30-ish, 9:00-ish and 10:30-ish). This is something I would highly recommend the entire family goes to see. It's very entertaining for kids of any age! It's free too, so that's a huge plus! I would make sure to arrive early for this one, as it can get quite crowded (I would arrive at least one-hour before show time!)
Mandalay Bay: This hotel/casino offers a really huge bonus for children (and anyone really!). They have the Shark Reef. This place is amazing - I've been there three times in the last year! It takes about two-three hours to go through (maybe less if the kids aren't as interested). But they have sharks and countless types of fish! They also have a touch pool (with supervision!) where the children (or adults!) can touch sting-rays and baby sharks. It's alot of fun, and I highly recommend this! It's something that your two daughters could definitely do on their own. The cost isn't too bad. About $15.00 a person, but I'm sure they have children and student rates as well. Also, if you know anyone local they get a large discount!
New York, New York: This place is a kid's dream. They have a large outdoor rollercoaster (cost is approx. $12.00 each, may be cheaper for children though). They also have the Coney Island Emporium. This place is a kid's favorite here in Las Vegas! They have original carnival games and video games as well. They also have a small food court with a Nathan's and Haagen Daz, so they'd be able to eat lunch too.
The Venetian: There's a huge Maddam Tussaud's Wax Museum here. It'll take about two or three hours to go through, so that's something they could do. I know it costs at least $20.00 a person - but I guarentee it's well worth it!
Circus-Circus: This is a place for kids as well. They have carnival games and such. This place is a little "sceevy" though. I wouldn't let them go down there alone. If they're afraid of clowns, I definitely wouldn't take them here either! Just a head's up.
I also want to mention that The Strip IS in fact a safe place for children. As long as your 9-year old isn't running around on her own down there and she's with her 19 year old sister, they will be fine. The people who pass out the call girl cards don't come out until after 10 o'clock p.m., so I would just make sure they're not running around down there by themselves after dark. Otherwise, during the day is perfectly safe. There are alot of people, as that is the busy tourist season, so just make sure they don't wander off anywhere they're not supposed to and they will be safe.
You can go to www.vegas.com to find out more, and also they provide safety tips for children and parents alike.
I hope you enjoy your vacation - Vegas really is a family-oriented town nowadays and I'm glad there are more families coming out here!! It's surely something to see!
2006-07-16 08:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by skittles_luvs_dew 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a lot for them to do - highly suggest staying at the Orleans though - it is off the strip - but more family friendly than a lot and less expensive - especially mid week. They have bowling alleys, a movie theater, nice pool area and a kids club for kids 3 - 9.
I have a 8 yo son, a 4 1/2 yo dau and a new baby. The other two have been a couple of times and love it. they always have fun. Some things to do:
Paris - Eifel Tower is fun - watch the water show from there or go up at night and enjoy all the lights.
Venetian - have ice cream at the canal shops and watch the human statues, take a gondola ride,
Circus Circus - rides, rides and carnival games - they can spend a bunch of time & money there....
Bellagio - watch the water show
Mandalay Bay - Dolphin Experience
MGM Grand - Lion Habitat & Rainforest Cafe (also a nice pool area with a lazy river)
M&M World is next door to the MGM Grand - 4 floors of all M&M stuff and a free 3-D short movie
Downtown and watch the laser light show - Freemont Experience at night.
Outlet Shopping & Build-A-Bear
Drive out to Hoover Dam for a morning and take the tour - very amazing.
Take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.
2006-07-17 13:25:28 · answer #2 · answered by socaljules 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me tell you, you dont have to worry. Just window shopping can take up all your time! The Wax musem in the Venetian is fun for all ages and takes a while to get through. NyNY has a rollercoaster and ESPN zone- a sport themed kinda like dave and buster's thing- Circus Circus has a huge arcade and every hotel has a pool and most have a small arcade at least. Trust me, between all this your daughters will have a blast!
best vegas resource on the web
www.vegas4visitors.com
ENJOY VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!
PS the person above me is not accurate, those people hand out cards after dark only, and at that time I would suggest your daughters just stay in the hotels. Daytime hours are long and that is the time for families, and ppl of all ages. We took our 1 year old, and babysitter, to Vegas and had no problems at all.
2006-07-16 10:54:36 · answer #3 · answered by adrixia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vegas has come along way in the past few years in an attempt to be "kid-friendly" although I must say, it has a long road ahead. I don't know how they are going to complete the task, but they have put in roller coasters at several of the hotels. There are MANY street workers handing out cards (with pictures) for call girls. Gambling and drinking are the main attractions, so again, I don't know how they are going to make this kid-friendly, even for a 19 year old. In my personal and professional opinion, I would not take the children.
2006-07-16 10:02:42 · answer #4 · answered by great_travel_agent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A nice place for a family dinner before the casino is Sugar Factory in Town Square. Their restaurant has a wonderful environment and a great food selection. I had the 4 Cheese Pizza when I was there and I was very impressed. It was delicious! They also have a great promotion going on right now for half price appetizers, pizza, burgers, and cocktails. Monday thru Friday from 3-6pm. Definitely a must while in Vegas!
2014-09-28 23:29:54 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of free activities on the strip that are family oriented, including the Treasure Island show, the tigers at Caesars, the fountains at Bellagio, the volcano at the Mirage, the Circus Circus shows (a little seedy), and just walking through the public areas at the major hotels like MGM especially.
Or visit Hoover Dam on a car trip.
2006-07-16 08:59:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the excalibur arcade it is about kinda big, it is under ground u haveto take stairs, it is cool, u get to win things or u can play games that don't give anything, but if it is at night, go site seeing but better hold on to her hands, there is alot of ppl, and hey forget wat those ppl say that u need a baby sitter i went there when i was 1 years old and i had a blast, that is true too
2006-07-16 15:43:17 · answer #7 · answered by Ledzeppelin324 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Las Vegas is no place for children...unless you want to introduce them to gambling and legallized sins we can't talk about. Keep your kids at home with a baby sitter.
2006-07-16 12:06:13 · answer #8 · answered by RunSueRun 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're going to take a 9 year old to Vegas?!?
2006-07-16 08:52:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not really anything except for parks they shut down wet n wild and scandia's being replaced for condos the pirate show outside of treasure island is good though
2006-07-16 12:34:14 · answer #10 · answered by ilikeeggs49 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋