Family Vacation Travel : Vegas
Family Vacation Travel -VEGAS
We just returned from a week in Las Vegas. There is nothing like Vegas! It is one of those places in our great country that nothing compares. Is it a family friendly trip? You decide. I will say, my children did not come along, it was a birthday getaway for just my husband and I. However, I will always have my “parent” glasses on since I am a family vacation travel writer. There were many times I wish my children were with us, flying in seeing all the spectacular lights, the amazing hotels, and the impossible that Vegas makes possible!
Warning! For those who have never walked the strip before, there will be people everywhere trying to hand you cards with porn on them. Even if ignore them, your children will see the sidewalk littered, no covered, with the photos. I watched a mother walking with her four and six-year-old children nervously trying to get them to look up at the sky, to no avail. As a heads up, night or day this will happen, so if you want to avoid it take the monorail or double decked bus from hotel to hotel.
Of course it is not the only place you will see provocative situations but clearly the hardest to veer away from if you are using that route. Remember, you are in an adult playground. Having said that, if you keep your wits about you there are many things your family can enjoy. Please note, the hotels may look close together, but when you walk the strip you will have a new understanding of what “huge hotels” are. For instance, to walk around the perimeter of the MGM is one mile. Several times we found ourselves walking and after several minutes they didn’t seem any closer. Wear comfortable shoes or take my advice above. Especially with children, this another reason to take transportation.
We stayed at the MGM with a top floor suite with a panoramic view of the mountains, the planes landing and the strip! Just a word of warning: the window washers in Vegas are quiet as mimes, so be aware, I was caught off guard! I am sure they have many stories to tell…MGM has the lion habitat that is sure a treat (and free!) Your children will love them. Nothing like seeing someone petting and playing with these huge cats like they were your average house feline.
Since we like free, here are things you can do with the family that have no cost:
Bellagio has a symphony of fountains that are beautiful right out in front of the hotel. Inside they have the conservatory as well.
Mirage Hotel has the erupting volcano in front of its entrance.
Freemont Street Experience has a free show , bright lights, big city, worth seeing.
Circus Circus has a show under the big top with trapeze artists, aerialists and other circus performers.
M&M World
The Sirens of Treasure Island is best bang for your free buck. A show of a battle between beautiful women (sirens) and pirates. Song, dance and theatrical war is nightly. Major Note: No Strollers.
The Aquarium at Silverton Hotel
Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo
Attractions with cost associated:
Las Vegas Sports Park
Secret Garden @ The Mirage (exotic animals and dolphin habitat)
Shark Reef @ Mandalay Bay
Lied Discovery Children’s museum
XScream thrill ride on a roller coaster track at the Stratosphere Hotel (best way to view the strip)
If you would rather venture off the strip for some family fun try:
Floyd Lamb State Park its about 20 miles from the strip.
Grand Canyon is about 300 miles, obviously worth the drive.
Lake Mead is about 30 miles away for some lake recreation.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum is about 7 miles away.
Mount Charleston can reach at its highest point 12,000 in elevation. (wildlife and waterfalls show a much different side than the strip) it is about 35 miles away.
Zoological -Botanical Park is about 6 miles from the strip.
Money Saving Tips
When landing, if you are staying at the strip and taking a cab to your hotel, tell the cab driver not to take the tunnel. Most won’t, but many tourists have been overcharged by cabbies who take the long way.
There is a Vegas Power Pass that can possibly save you money and avoid lines @ http://www.visiticket.com/LasVegas/las-vegas-power-pass.aspx
Family vacation travel recommendation:
Vegas is a great getaway for mother and daughters to reunite or sisters. Get all the adult girls in the family and jet off to the strip. The spas are abundant, most have their own exclusive treatments. The shows are spectacular and many to choose from! Many hotels have several pools to choose from. Everything in Vegas is over the top, the food, entertainment and pampering. Makes for a fabulous girls weekend for the adult girls in your family.
Adult couples in the family is also another idea. Depending the stage of life your extended family is in, this would be a nice opportunity for parents with their adult children and spouses to have some fun. It has so much to offer in one destination.