Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Is Hoover Dam worth it?

It's the best part of going to Las Vegas, hands down. Really fabulous for a 9 year old. Also for a 40 something year old.

Also get ready to answer questions when your child sees the billboards for skimpily dressed lady companions and "girls direct to you" on the back of pick-up trucks that drive up and down the strip.

Really? We loved visiting Vegas with kids when we had family living there. We stayed a few days at one of the fun hotels and found a quiet corner of the pool for swimming. We visited the aquarium and the animals at the Mirage. We went on the Hoover Dam tour and visited the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Of course we weren't gambling at 3 am and since we were visiting family we could leave kids with family while we went to see shows. And we took kids to a cute show with a performer who adopts and trains rescue dogs to perform tricks in his comedy routine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why anyone would purposefully bring kids to Vegas. I am a Vegas lover and have been many times with my DH, but I still am baffled by the people who bring kids and let them run around the casinos a 3am. It's very depressing. It's just not a place for kids, e.g., legal prostitution flyers handed out on the streets, open containers and people walking around drunk. Why, people?

I totally agree with you, just returned from another trip and I'm still shaking my head. I would never subject my kids to the garbage we see in Vegas every time. Although it can be entertaining at times for adults, kids shouldn't be subjected to the crap that is seen everyday there. Parents bringing older kids just to expose them to this "adult" life is plan wrong.

And no, I'm not some prude. Just someone with common sense.

+1

These posts about recommending things for kids to do in Las Vegas make me shake my head. I love Vegas. So does DH. We try to go once a year. But we would never ever bring our three kids there. I can't think of a worse place for kids. Really.

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why anyone would purposefully bring kids to Vegas. I am a Vegas lover and have been many times with my DH, but I still am baffled by the people who bring kids and let them run around the casinos a 3am. It's very depressing. It's just not a place for kids, e.g., legal prostitution flyers handed out on the streets, open containers and people walking around drunk. Why, people?

I totally agree with you, just returned from another trip and I'm still shaking my head. I would never subject my kids to the garbage we see in Vegas every time. Although it can be entertaining at times for adults, kids shouldn't be subjected to the crap that is seen everyday there. Parents bringing older kids just to expose them to this "adult" life is plan wrong.

And no, I'm not some prude. Just someone with common sense.

I don't understand why anyone would purposefully bring kids to Vegas. I am a Vegas lover and have been many times with my DH, but I still am baffled by the people who bring kids and let them run around the casinos a 3am. It's very depressing. It's just not a place for kids, e.g., legal prostitution flyers handed out on the streets, open containers and people walking around drunk. Why, people?

Red Rock Canyon
Hoover Dam
Bellagio fountains
Tigers and Dophins at The Secret Garden at the Mirage.

Agree on Red Rock. It's an easy drive and there are easy hikes-- the scenery is beautiful.

helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon.
Yes, definitely go to Hoover dam

Do you have family there you are visiting, or something? Really, I wouldn't intentionally bring kids to Vegas. We took our kids once, many years ago, only because we were driving from So. Cal to Bryce Canyon in Utah, and Las Vegas was the closest, most logical place with lots of hotels that we could stay overnight (and visit the hoover dam.)

We stayed off the strip in a Marriott hotel because it was smoke free, no casino, and a free pool that was open till late at night.
Walking in and out of the various hotels on the strip is a PITA because the only way in and out of a hotel is through the casino, and kids are not allowed in the casino, so you have to walk all the way around the edge of the room.

My kids did like the fountains at the Bellagio.

Circus Circus theme park/circus acts

Roller coaster at NY NY
Freemont street zip line
Dolphins at Mirage

Yes, Hoover Dam is worth it. Compared to what you find in Las Vegas, it'll be the high light of his trip. It's about a 30 minute or so drive, very easy and if you park on the Arizona side of the dam the parking is free. $10. on Nevada side.

Also checkout Red Rock Canyon State Park, also a 30 minute in the opposite direction. If your fans of Pawn Stars from TV, a visit to the store is fun. As for a week in Las Vegas, way to long. I'm a huge Vegas fan and even I'm ready to leave after 3 days. There just isn't enough to do for a week plus it's not an overly kid friendly place anyway. Homeless, dirt bags and street performers constantly begging for money.

Thanks! Is Hoover Dam worth it?

Cirque de Soleil
Blue Man Group

Hershey's Chocolate World at NY NY
Fountains, conservatory, and chocolate fountain at the Bellagio
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Walking the Strip

Any recommendations? We will be in Las Vegas next week for a week...