I know quite a few of you ladies have recently gone to Vegas, and some are planning to go sometime soon. We are going this weekend, and we are taking the boys (ages 2 and 4). I was wondering if anyone knew of any family friendly, non expensive things to do in and around Vegas for a mommy and two little boys. I have a feeling my husband will be busy, and we're not allowed where he's going. lol

TIA

By Breann on Sunday, July 1, 2007 - 07:19 pm:

The M&M factory is fun There are also some terrific outlet stores. There is an outlet mall that is visible from the freeway. They have misters spraying to keep it cool. It's really quite nice.

By Kym on Sunday, July 1, 2007 - 10:09 pm:

Well I was there very briefly, so don't have any first hand knoweldge, but from what we saw/did/went I have to say Vegas is NOT kid freindly and NOT inexpensive. I know they tried to make it a family destination years ago, but failed, but hopefully you will find some "remnants" of things for the kids.

By Vicki on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 08:27 am:

We have been to Vegas a few times and I agree, it isn't a place I would want to take my dd. I often heard that "family friendly" commercial and never did see it. There will be tons of people on the streets flicking these cards with "adult" information on them at you. Maybe they will leave you alone since you will have kids with you, but honestly, people just toss them on the street so they likely see them. I agree the M&M place would be nice for kids, but other than that, I would stay off the main drag honestly.

By Jackie on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 08:37 am:

I have not been to Vegas in years. Last time I went I took my son, who was 3 at the time. We had a great time with him. During the day we walked around, looked at other hotels. There are some really cool hotels there. We also went to look a the Circus Circus hotel(I am guessing its still there), lots of things for kids to do in there. I am not big on gambling so I did not see the casino's much. I do remember that me and my son had a great time, although he doesnt remember it LOL

By Bellajoe on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 08:41 am:

There are also tons of big billboards with more than half-naked women on them and girls walking around with not much clothing on.

There are things that I saw that I thought "oh, the kids would have loved this!" The treasure Island show. It's outside, we saw it just driving by. There was a ship and some pirates, that's all I really saw. Also, the Bellagio Fountains were awesome. The MIrage has it's volcano go off every so often. We just happened to be walking by when it went off.

It will be pretty hot when you are there. I hope your hotel has a nice pool, because that's probalby all the kids will want to to

There are a lot of casinos that are really neat, and you don't have to go to the gambling part to see them. The Excaliber looks like a big castle, the Luxor looks like a big pyramid, Caesars Palace is really neat. ALL those are amazing to see in person. And of course the M&M Store is something the kids will enjoy.

having said all that, i still would not take my kids there. But I hope you all have a nice time.

By Dancermom on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 09:46 am:

Circus Circus is still there and there's an amusement park inside. I don't know about prices though.

Where are you staying?

By Enchens on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 11:36 am:

We're staying at the Venetian. Apparently all their rooms are suites, which is good to have with the kids.

I always heard it was a family friendly place also. I've also heard that's it's an awesome place to visit/vacation/party/etc. I never saw it that way. I've taken my older son when he was a little over a year old and I did not enjoy it at all. And everything we thought would be cool to do was expensive!

I had also heard that there were free things and never saw them. I want to be informed this time.

I know the Venetian has shops and the canal with the Gondolas. I think the kids will tire of that and would want to go out. I'm trying to make this as easy as possible so they don't get bored or stir-crazy. I'm also trying to get the hotels' layout's and whatnot so the kids aren't exposed to a lot. If we could get away from the strip, that would be great!

Did I mention I didn't want to go?

By Enchens on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 11:39 am:

I just reread the posts. Oh my gosh-the swimming pool! I didn't even think of that. And I'll definitely look for the M&M factory. I'd never heard of it.

Thank you so much ladies.

By Kateg on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 05:17 pm:

Beware of the pirate ship battle - they changed it a couple of years ago & it's definitely very Vegas now. We took our kids to it before it changed & it was great - now it's soft pornish & I wouldn't have my kids watch it now for anything.

The Bellagio's fountain of chocolate is really cool to see, as is their indoor garden thing (I can't think of the word for it). Your kids may not be impressed, but ours was.

The volcano is cool to see - my DD freaked out when there was ducks near it. She was 3 1/2 at the time.

The MGM used to have lions that you can see - walk under, etc. Kids really loved that.

My BIL lived in Vegas during our visit with the kids so we were able to get his insight which really helped a lot.

Oh, Fremont Street - the light experience is incredible down there. It's free & every 30 minutes (I think) at night they have a great overhead light show. It's something to see, too.

Anyway..just my two cents worth.

By Vicki on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 06:39 pm:

Just watch the pools, I do believe some of them allow girls to go topless.

By Bellajoe on Monday, July 2, 2007 - 08:46 pm:

We stayed by the Flamingo and were able to use the Flamingo Pool. There was a separate topless pool. It was surrounded by plants and trees, so you could not see that stuff unless you were in that area. And you had to be 18 or older, show them your room key to get in there and btw, no cameras aloud LOL.

Of course i did not even know that pool was there until my dh and bil came back from "walking around" and told us about it. From then on we called it the "boobie pool" LOL

I didn't know that about the pirate battle. LIke I said, we just drove by while it was starting.

By Enchens on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - 09:17 pm:

Thank you so much, ladies. Half of this stuff my own dh, who has been there many times, did not know about. I'm making my plans tonight. Definitely going to see the volcano, the Bellagio lights and chocolate fountain, the lions, and the M&M factory.

Definitely staying away from the gambling sections, the pirate show, and the topless pools!

We leave tomorrow afternoon.

By Andi on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - 09:29 pm:

We just stayed at the Venetian back in January it was wonderful. The rooms are beautiful and the hotel was really nice. If you like to work out the gym and the spa are amazing. The cafe in the Spa/Gym area has the best breakfast.

I've never been to Vegas with the kids...just not a good place to take them. Way to much Cigarette Smoke everywhere you go, but DH and I go a few times a year.

If you want a fun place to shop and walk around with the kids the Forum Shops might be a good place to go. It's indoors and big enough to take some time to go through.

Have fun and stay cool.

By Dancermom on Thursday, July 5, 2007 - 11:25 am:

What's the chocolate fountain? I think I missed something.

By Kateg on Thursday, July 5, 2007 - 02:29 pm:

The chocolate fountain at the Bellgaio is at the rear of the conservatory in a chocolate shop. It's supposed to be one of the largest fountains of chocolate. It's just really cool to see the white & chocolate going down this fountain. I was impressed - but anymore it doesn't take much to impress me. LOL I have pics somewhere at home - I'll see if I can find them & post one.

By Dancermom on Sunday, July 8, 2007 - 09:07 pm:

Oh no! I was just there and missed it. I love the Bellagio. We stayed there a couple of years ago.

I would love to see the pics

By Cat on Sunday, July 8, 2007 - 09:40 pm:

We go to Vegas the 18th! Of course, four days will be filled with our karate seminar. We are going a day early and staying a day late so I'm hoping to do some things with the boys. Some of the other families from our school are going the same dates, and they've all been there before so they'll know what to do with the kids. I've never been before and I'm taking the boys alone, so this should be interesting! lol

By Enchens on Monday, July 9, 2007 - 05:21 pm:

We're back. One huge word of advice. If you will be driving, avoid driving on the Strip (aka Las Vegas Blvd.) Take the streets behind the hotels that parallel the Strip. It took us forever to go down a quarter mile. We drove because we were there in 124 degree weather. There was no way we were going to make out 2 year old and 4 year old walk with us in that heat.
Anyway, we were able to see the water show and the conservatory at Bellagio. We saw the lions at MGM, went th the M&M factory, visited the pool and saw the gondolas at the Venetian. Didn't get to see the volcano. Maybe next time.

We were on a time crunch so I'm actually surprised we were able to do as much as we did with two little ones. We were mainly in the area for an Indian wedding, which has several events that span several days.

Glad to be back in my smoke-free, mild weathered home.

By Debbie on Monday, July 9, 2007 - 05:34 pm:

Glad you had a good time. I thought of you this week when I saw the temps. It's too bad it was so hot.