Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 22:09:46 -0500
Reply-To: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject: Re: (NVC)LAS VEGAS MEMBERS OR IDEAS!
In-Reply-To: <1910a6d190a8f1.190a8f11910a6d@gci.net>
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> My SO and I will be in Las Vegas April 7th - 11th. We will be
> traveling with 3 kids, ages 17, 10, & 16months. Any members
> with ideas/recommendations for things to do or see? We have
> been looking in books and on the web, but would like to hear
> some first hand reports as well. We will not be spending time
> in the casino's as we are not gamblers, though we will check
> them out.
I go to Vegas every year for the big automotive parts trade show, and my
wife and 5 year old daughter join me. Vegas used to try to promote
itself as a family destination, but never really made any serious
attempt to be "kid friendly" other than giving it lip service. In fact,
even in the height of this promotion, only two of the strip-area casinos
even had a "kids club" (commonly found in resort destinations
elsewhere), and now it's down to one. (The MGM Grand closed theirs.)
It's not surprising that they recently dropped that marketing approach
in favor of a 180-degree shift - now their slogan is "what goes on in
Vegas stays in Vegas," which is probably more truthful.
Still, there are a few things to do. If you will be staying at a
hotel/casino, the Orleans is the most family-oriented. (It's not the
ritziest, by a long shot, but it's not seedy either, a good middle-level
property.) It's just off the strip but has a shuttle to the strip. They
have a multi-screen movie theater, a game arcade, and a bowling alley
right in the hotel. Also they still have their kids club, with craft
projects and a huge two-story gymnasium-thingy (like the ones at fast
food joints, with tunnels, slides, etc., only bigger). You can check
your kids in and go have dinner or gamble within the compound knowing
that they're safe and having fun. (It's supervised, they give you a
beeper in case of emergency, and you have to show ID to reclaim your
child ) Maybe your 10 year old would enjoy this; not sure if your 16
month old is old enough, and obviously your 17 year old too old. We're
not big gamblers either, but we did leave our daughter there one evening
for a couple of hours of blackjack at the cheapskate $2 and $5 tables.
We had a ball, and when we picked Haley up, she had too. All she could
talk about the rest of the night is that she wanted to go back again!
The Circus Circus casino, on the strip, has a small (and somewhat
overpriced) indoor amusement park, complete with rides, magic shows,
etc. You'll find rides appropriate for your two youngest, at least.
(Your oldest might like the big outdoor roller coaster that winds around
the exterior of the New York, New York casino, if he/she likes that sort
of thing.) Also, Treasure Island has a big outdoor pirate show, complete
with moving pirate ships and effects, a few times each night. It gets
crowded before showtime, though, so expect to be packed in like sardines
and go early for a good view. And the indoor recreation of Venice inside
the Venitian (complete with a canal and gondola rides) is worth seeing
just to see what a few billion dollars of gamblers' money can buy. The
buffet at the Bellagio is incredible (particularly the champaigne brunch
on weekends); huge selection, excellent cuisine, the word "buffet"
really doesn't do it justice. The Bellagio does not welcome children
unless they are hotel guests (it is even posted at the door), but does
allow them if you are visiting the hotel to go to the buffet. Their
arboretum (if that's what you call it) is breathtaking, and worth a walk
through on the way to the buffet.
Last year we took our 5 year old to the Cirque De Soleil show and she
loved it. It's expensive but good for all ages. (I enjoyed it, although
my wife was not as impressed.) However with your 18 month old, it could
be a problem unless you had a sitter, as he/she may be too young. I also
highly recommend the Blue Man Group's show, at least for adults. (It
would be fine for your 10 year old, too, but it is quite loud.) It is
one of the best shows I've ever seen anywhere, quite hard to describe..
Also our 5 year old liked the M&M Factory (nothing fantastic, but an
easy, quick stop on the strip).
There is also a state park just outside of Vegas (about a 20 minute
drive) that has lots of hiking trails, etc. It's can't compare to some
of the most breathtaking ones in the west, but does have nice desert
terrain, probably quite different from Alaska. We always go there for an
afternoon of hiking.
I'm afraid this isn't much. As I said I have never found Vegas to be all
that kid friendly. If it weren't for the fact that I have to be there
anyway on business, if I were picking a family destination Vegas would
certainly not be it. However, we only go for a few days, and we have
found enough to make an enjoyable family vacation out of it for that
much time. And with all the over-the-top flash and glitter on the strip,
it's quite something to see at least once anyway, if only because there
really isn't anything else quite like it (for better or worse).
Incidentally, you can sign up to an email list that sends you info on
upcoming events, shows, etc. in Vegas from the website
http://www.billhere.com
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
www.busdepot.com
(215) 234-VWVW
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