Las Vegas
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Las Vegas
I have to travel to Las Vegas and am taking my son. Anybody done this with kids?
Linda
YES!
Where are you staying and how old is your son?
The one who is coming with me is 10. I'm homeschooling so we try to take full advantage of every adventure. We're staying at the Mandalay Bay because I'm attending a conference in that hotel. They have a manmade beach but I hear its too cold to swim outdoors.
We just stayed at the Mandalay! We were there in the beginning of September. The manmade beach is pretty cool. There is an age limit, though. Can't remember if it's 10 or 14. If you aren't old enough, the lifeguards won't even let you dip your feet in, even with an adult. (We tried it.) They do have a lazy river that's pretty fun. The boys and daddy spent hours in there. You can bring your own tube or rent one. The rented ones are quite large.
Mandalay has a tram that can take you to the two other hotels. There is Luxor first and then Excalibur. Luxor has some shows, those 3D ones and a few other things to do there. (I'd have to double check.) Excalibur has an arcade downstairs, kinda carnival-ly. It's ok. There is supposed to be a place that has characters in costume and free shows. We didn't find it, but it may be on the second floor. It's supposed to be pretty fun.
Did you want to stick to those three hotels or did you want to also venture onto the strip. There's more stuff...
Amazing that you were just there! We're adventurous. Tell all...
Yes, we actually visit Vegas quite often. Sometimes dh has conferences there and sometimes we just go there as a family for a short weekend vacation. Dh also goes with his old college buddies every August, eight years and counting.
So, offhand, I can think of the fountain show at Bellagio. I think they run every 15 min. at night, and further apart during the day. I'd have to double check. Bellagio also has the conservatory inside, it's very pretty. If you were interested, they are said to have the second best buffet in Vegas (the first is the Wynn). Mirage has the volcano show, it gets pretty hot so don't get too close. I forget how often that runs, but I do believe it only runs at night. Um, there's an M&M factory you can visit, you get a quick tour and watch a 3D movie. The lion habitat is at MGM, there are birds and a few other animals at the Flamingo. Sometimes UNLV has some exhibits, it's not too far from the strip if you drive there. Can't walk it, that's for sure.
Oh, if you plan on driving around, try to avoid going down the strip. Go around the back of the hotels to get where you need to go. Maps are very handy. They should be in the phone book in your room. If you don't have one, call down to the front desk and they will deliver one. Also in your room will be a couple of magazines with places to eat and shows and attractions for that week. Worth looking into.
I'm gonna think a little more and see what I'm missing.
I keep meaning to ask, is there anything in particular you'd like to ask?
There is a theme park right there. I went about 20 years ago. I wonder if it is stil there.
Take a trip and look at the red rock canyon. It is very near Las Vegas. I think a short drive.
Try looking for Free Los Vegas kids in google for some more ideas.
I would take a bus trip to the
Is it the Hoover dam?
Grand Canyon.
http://www.lvlg.com/lasvegas/attracts/neatplce.htm#Azure
If the Star Trek experience is still there they do that. I think it is free.
Ok, I remembered a few more things. They have some Forum Shops at Caesars if you like mall shopping. They also have a show with the statues and stuff. It also has a way of making the day go by fast, they change the lighting and the "sky" inside the shops to make it feel like the day is going to evening. Ceasars also has a fish tank where you can see the divers feed them. The divers are really good about waving to spectators and posing for pictures.
The Venetian has Gondola rides (how could I have forgotten this one?) for about $15, I think. That might be per person, but don't quote me on the prices. I'm not the one who pays, lol. It's a cool ride, you even get a song. Your gondoleer will sing during the ride. That's one of those things where you can buy the pictures if you want. Venetian also has some free shows in their eating/shopping area.
Paris has the Eiffel Tower. You can view it from the outside, of course, or you can purchase tickets to see the view from atop. We went during the day, on a weekday, and got a less expensive price. We got to see a watershow from the Bellagio from waaaaay up there. Pretty cool.
Circus Circus, way down at the opposite end of the strip, has a circusy show (free) you can watch. It fills up pretty quick. They also have games and a few rides, kinda carnivally. I'd say they have more games selection than the one at Excalibur.
Haven't been in NY,NY, but I think they have the roller coaster way up top.
Fremont street is supposed to have a light show.
There are lots of shows and exhibits, all range in price.
If you have a little bit of time, I'd order a free guide to the state of Nevada. It'll give you more up to date info. Or just go to the website. This one might help, www.nv.gov
Also try www.lasvegasnevada.gov and click on visitor.
You guys are great. Who needs travel experts when you have friends on the momsview message board. Well I did a lot of what you suggested. The only thing I wasn't prepared for is how tired you get from all of that constant light and sound stimulation.
Enchens, you were right, the Mandalay Bay was beautiful. We couldn't really swim becuase it got really cold but it was still lovely. Feona, we did leave the city. We visited the National Park with Lake Mead created by the Hoover Dam. The desert and the mountains were gorgeous. Our big thrill was seeing mountain goats. Huge rams with those impressive horns.
We did visit the Mirage's Dolphin habitat as well as the adorable white tiger cubs, the white lions and the various other tigers. It was tranquil and pleasant in contrast to the hubub of the strip. The various hotels were a lot of fun - we were amazed by the sheer genius of some of them. We liked Excalibar, the castle. We'd like to go back someday and see the jousting dinner. The Luxor pyramid is really quite amazing. Circus Circus was a circus. I enjoyed their buffet. MGM Grand's lion's den was very cool also. I wish the monorail was more extensive but it was still helpful.
Thanks for all your help.
Linda plus1
So glad you able to enjoy Vegas! What did your son say was his favorite part?
I missed this.
He liked the dolphins at the Mirage and the automation (trams, moving sidewalks, lighting and light shows - everywhere).
He also loved view of the vast desert from the plane, how you can see patterns in the sand uninterrupted for miles.
The pool at Mandalay Bay would have ranked but they kept shutting different parts and it was cold.
Las Vegas - NICE! Believe it or not - I haven't been there since April 14, 1990! My husband and I went there for our Honeymoon! I was 19 years old! I'm sure that place has changed TREMENDOUSLY since then! We've talked about going back - but just haven't had the chance yet - too many trips to Disney & Beaches & Camping. Over ruled by Kids! LOL
|
Members
