Vegas with kids in December?

[tammyw]

DH has a conference to go to in Vegas, mid December, staying at the Bellaggio. I was wondering if the kids and I should go with him. I haven't been there since before kids, and know that it's not exactly the best place for kids. If we went, we could go to some family-friendly shows in the evening, nice dinners, etc. The kids and I could shop / walk around during the day when he's in the conference, maybe even do a tour of Hoover Dam or something.

 

I just don't know, because I can't remember. Is there inappropriate stuff plastered all over the nice part of the strip? Posters advertising strip clubs wherever you walk?

[Mama Geek]

Hoover is a yes, the other stuff I don't know.

[PinkInTheBlue]

:bigear: I'll be listening as well. We'll all be going in January. We all went in August of 2007. It was fun but terribly hot and we weren't prepared for the cost of many of the things we wanted to take all of us to; not so this time. :)

 

I'm planning a Cirque du Soleil show, David Copperfield, and one other undecided. We really enjoyed the big toy store in the Bellagio, the M&M store somewhere along the main street, and a couple of other things.

 

We did not care for the aquarium but that might be because we live close to the big, amazing aquarium in Atlanta. :) The Vegas one wasn't impressive and as equally expensive. We aren't really gamblers and not partiers so much of the "Vegas-ness" was lost on us but we'll be better prepared this time. :)

[tammyw]

:bigear: I'll be listening as well. We'll all be going in January. We all went in August of 2007. It was fun but terribly hot and we weren't prepared for the cost of many of the things we wanted to take all of us to; not so this time. :)

 

I'm planning a Cirque du Soleil show, David Copperfield, and one other undecided. We really enjoyed the big toy store in the Bellagio, the M&M store somewhere along the main street, and a couple of other things.

 

We did not care for the aquarium but that might be because we live close to the big, amazing aquarium in Atlanta. :) The Vegas one wasn't impressive and as equally expensive. We aren't really gamblers and not partiers so much of the "Vegas-ness" was lost on us but we'll be better prepared this time. :)

 

I know the pools are open in December, but have no idea if it will be warm enough!

[linders]

We visit friends in Vegas. The DS have loved the Shark Reef Aquarium in the Mandalay - no, it''s not the Atlanta aquarium (which we live near), but it's fun. Red Rock Canyon is a short (about 20 mile) drive west of Vegas - small but nice interpretive center, lots of trails, amazing rock formations. And the boys just get a kick out of walking through the main parts of the casinos, especially the Luxor with its Egypt theme, New York, New York, and and the fountains at Bellagio.

 

Enjoy!

[PinkInTheBlue]

I know the pools are open in December, but have no idea if it will be warm enough!

 

We stayed in the Paris in August and the pool was FREEZING!! I don't know what it was or if it was the same everywhere but I couldn't stand it. It was amazing! Everyone told me it was the difference in humidity but that wasn't it. All I can figure is the hotel runs their water through icebergs. ;) Our pool isn't that cold until November or more.

[tammyw]

We stayed in the Paris in August and the pool was FREEZING!! I don't know what it was or if it was the same everywhere but I couldn't stand it. It was amazing! Everyone told me it was the difference in humidity but that wasn't it. All I can figure is the hotel runs their water through icebergs. ;) Our pool isn't that cold until November or more.

 

Wow, in August! That's crazy. I know the temps drop in the evening in the desert, so that probably has a big impact. I wonder how they can even afford to keep their pools open.

[fraidycat]

:bigear: We are going after Christmas.

[Dandelion]

 

I just don't know, because I can't remember. Is there inappropriate stuff plastered all over the nice part of the strip? Posters advertising strip clubs wherever you walk?

The most obnoxious aspect of walking down the strip are the "promoters" for the escort services. They stand (sometimes 10-15 of them at a time) on the side of the sidewalk and try to hand you little pamphlets with sleazy pics of women and info about their "services". People often just drop them after seeing what they are, so the sidewalks are littered with them. When I was walking by myself or with a group of women (as opposed to walking with DH), they usually left me alone - so a mom walking with kids might be be spared. They are truly obnoxious though - they would often reach across me to try to hand the pamphlet to DH. It's disgusting. The posters and such are there but easier to ignore.

 

I know the pools are open in December, but have no idea if it will be warm enough!

 

We were just in Vegas last November and it was quite chilly. I would imagine it would be too cold for outdoor pools in December.

 

Despite the negative aspects of Vegas, there are lots of cool things to see and do. We've never taken our kids, but there are many attractions that are still fairly family-friendly. I would just try to avoid walking on the strip when you can (there's a light-rail that connects several of the hotels and also a walkway that allows you to go quite a ways from casino to casino while staying inside the whole time).

[tammyw]

The most obnoxious aspect of walking down the strip are the "promoters" for the escort services. They stand (sometimes 10-15 of them at a time) on the side of the sidewalk and try to hand you little pamphlets with sleazy pics of women and info about their "services". People often just drop them after seeing what they are, so the sidewalks are littered with them. When I was walking by myself or with a group of women (as opposed to walking with DH), they usually left me alone - so a mom walking with kids might be be spared. They are truly obnoxious though - they would often reach across me to try to hand the pamphlet to DH. It's disgusting. The posters and such are there but easier to ignore.

 

 

 

We were just in Vegas last November and it was quite chilly. I would imagine it would be too cold for outdoor pools in December.

 

Despite the negative aspects of Vegas, there are lots of cool things to see and do. We've never taken our kids, but there are many attractions that are still fairly family-friendly. I would just try to avoid walking on the strip when you can (there's a light-rail that connects several of the hotels and also a walkway that allows you to go quite a ways from casino to casino while staying inside the whole time).

 

Thanks for the tips. I hate it enough when I walk through the mall and people try and "sell" me on their center kiosks. I can't imagine them handing my kids flyers for peep shows. Nice.

 

The other thing I'm concerned about is the smoke. We are all sensitive/allergic to smoke. Is it non-smoking in the lobbies, restaurants and shop areas? Blech!

[gingersmom]

I was there in June with my kids and had a blast!!!

[Dandelion]

The other thing I'm concerned about is the smoke. We are all sensitive/allergic to smoke. Is it non-smoking in the lobbies, restaurants and shop areas? Blech!

 

Lobbies and shop areas are non-smoking for the most part. The restaurants are hit or miss. Many of them still have smoking areas, and it's tough to get away from the smoke even if you're seated in the non-smoking section.

 

Be sure to ask for a non-smoking hotel room or they might book you into a smoking room (that's happened to us a few times).

[tammyw]

I was there in June with my kids and had a blast!!!

 

What did you guys enjoy doing? I'd love some ideas, so I can plan ahead.

[DianeW88]

There's a lot of smoke, a lot of people walking around "under the influence", and A LOT of women dressed in next to nothing on the strip. Or as I said to one woman who was bursting out of her top, "You're going to put someone's eye out with those." She laughed...I was serious. They were dangerous! :D

 

Having said that, we always stay there when we drive to Disneyland. Mandalay Bay is great. The Luxor has a nice Egyptian exhibit. The Venetian is fun. Definitely go to The World of Coca Cola and M&M World. Just be prepared. Oh, and the Hoover Dam tour is looooong. Don't do it with young kids.

[Beth in OH]

I just stayed at Caesar's Palace for a full week in August while dd and I attended the National Flute Association convention. My conclusion is that unless you have a lot of money and don't mind spending it, Vegas is boring. The pools were nice, but it's hard to spend much time outside when it's 113 degrees, even in dry heat. :) I would expect December to be better.

 

Before you decide, check on a few things.

 

1. Does the Bellagio have rooms with coffee makers/microwaves/fridge? Caesar's did not (at least not at the convention rate), and that meant eating out every meal.

 

2. Will you have a car? If so, take a case of water bottles and get off the strip for any necessary supplies. Water bottles at the resorts are about $3.50/ea., so it adds up quickly. At night, entrepreneurs on the strip stand there with their coolers and sell water bottles for $1.00.

 

3. Expect to pay $13.00-15.00 per person for food court meals (at the convention centers); Average dinner price of the cheaper restaurants is around $18-25. If you can get off the strip, you will do much better. Nothing on the strip is cheap.

 

4. Tickets to shows are stunningly expensive (Cirque De Soliel was above $100 per ticket.) Check in advance for deals, and search out the possibilities of the half price/ day of vendors. I would recommend the Terry Fator ventriloquist show at The Mirage. Our concierge recommended it, and we all enjoyed it. Family friendly, although some mild off color humor that might fly over the heads of young ones.

 

5. Be prepared for walking through casinos (and the lifestyle), everywhere you go. The strip is designed to make people walk past gambling constantly. The only age restriction is that under 21 aren't allowed to stop and watch/gamble. Smoking does seem to be allowed there, and my allergies didn't appreciate it.

 

6. The casinos (including The Bellagio) are huge! Expect to do a lot of walking. Things are greater distances than a glance at a map would suggest. Even going downstairs from my room to the nearest newstand was at least a 15 minute walk each way. In addition, there aren't a lot of places to sit down except bars, restaurants, and casinos (brilliant design).

 

7. There is a bus that takes you to outlet mall shopping, and there are a couple of regular mall with Dillard's, H&M, etc., but most of the malls are very expensive single designer boutiques. I was by myself and enjoyed the window shopping, but my kids would've hated it (even though they're girls 17-22). They couldn't have bought anything. I fell in love with a new (to me) brand of shoes, Tod's, but alas, I'll never own any at $450 per pair of driving mocs. :lol:

[amey311]

It's my understanding that NONE of the hotel rooms in Vegas have coffee makers (well, perhaps the "whale" rooms do, and some other ones, but we looked at nearly a dozen hotels on the strip and none mentioned coffee makers). I've heard that from everyone I know who has been. It's intentional - how are you going to gamble if you can have a slow cup of coffee in your room? Better to go to the lobby and hit the StarBucks or the breakfast place and maybe pass a slot machine and give it a try or 10.

 

There are places online to find free things to do around Vegas (like the Bellagio conservatory/arboretum which is gorgeous, or the fountains, or the volcano at the Mirage). I will tell you that the Pirate show at Treasure Island is full of "pirates" in bikinis and the like.

 

If you're going to go to shows, check with your concierge or online to see what the full price is and what the seating arrangement is. The half price places aren't all half price (but they do restaurants as well as shows), so it can be good to know how much your saving. Or if you'd be happy in the "cheap seats" thru the theater rather than the reduced price "great seats" that might be more expensive.

 

Definitely check to see if your hotel rate includes wifi. I'm sure lots of people get the "deal" we had, but without it, wifi was like $15/day or something. Our online booking included wifi, a free drink somewhere, a reduced buffet, etc. Stuff most of the hotels will give you if you ask, but you have to ask.

[Desert Rat]

DH has a conference to go to in Vegas, mid December, staying at the Bellaggio. I was wondering if the kids and I should go with him. I haven't been there since before kids, and know that it's not exactly the best place for kids. If we went, we could go to some family-friendly shows in the evening, nice dinners, etc. The kids and I could shop / walk around during the day when he's in the conference, maybe even do a tour of Hoover Dam or something.

 

I just don't know, because I can't remember. Is there inappropriate stuff plastered all over the nice part of the strip? Posters advertising strip clubs wherever you walk?

 

Tammy, I live in Vegas. Yes, the strip does have inappropriate vendors on it. Not so many billboards though, mostly just pamphlets. As far as I can remember, I don't go down there often, the strip clubs aren't advertised on the strip. That's off the strip by about 3 blocks or so. The Belaggio is a nicer place to stay though and the strip has seen a crack down on smut peddlers. Right now it's all the people dressed up as characters that are the problem.

 

Mandalay Bay has a wonderful aquarium. Caesar's Palace has the Forum shops with some interesting performances of Roman gods/goddesses.

 

If I can help, let me know. Hoover Dam is about 40 minutes away from the strip. Just FYI.

[Mom-2-7]

Wow, in August! That's crazy. I know the temps drop in the evening in the desert, so that probably has a big impact. I wonder how they can even afford to keep their pools open.

 

The temps don't drop that much. Last week it was over 100 degrees at midnight. I think our low was in the 80's. The probably do cool the water otherwise the pools can get uncomfortably warm.

 

As for stuff to do - it depends on how conservative you are I suppose. When my sil came with her son, the folks were out there pushing those sleazy cards into his hands. He was maybe 13 at the time.

 

I stay away from the strip at all costs. Everywhere you look are scantily clad women, and men. Some are pictures, some are live. The casinos are smoke filled. Even the best of them.

 

Having said that........

 

There is the art exhibit at the Bellagio. They are featuring Monet. It's a good exhibit.

 

There's the dolphin exhibit. They also have a few assorted wild animals. Nice but not spectacular.

 

The show at the Treasure Island is no longer a pirate show. It's now sleaze.

 

Hoover dam is a good tour.

 

Someone mentioned Red Rock. It's nice for hiking.

 

Mt. charleston is also fun. There should be snow there in December. There is skiing also.

 

I think the Excalibur has a family friendly show. It's a jousting thing. Very fun. You get to eat with your hands.

 

The upper level of the Excalibur is a good place for kids.

 

Circus Circus Adventuredome is a fun indoor amusement park.

 

The Stratosphere also has some terrifying rides.

 

The Luxor has Bodies..the Exhibition and the Titanic exhibit

 

That's all I can think of right now. I hope you have a great time!

[Desert Rat]

Oh, and I'm always up for a visit! :)

[ChristusG]

I've never been....but DH had a conference there a few years ago. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke and all I know is that when DH got home, I literally had to air out his suitcase outdoors because it smelled so highly of smoke. He said there's smoking everywhere in Vegas.

[Maus]

We were there last year for Christmas. If you have a car, there are several really nice things to do off the strip. Out in Henderson, at the Ethel M Chocolate factory, they have a wonderful cactus garden, which they decorate with lights for Christmas. Check their schedule, because Santa visits, and various performing groups come perform Christmas music.

.

The Lied children's museum is in North Las Vegas, on the same road that was the strip. It's near Cashman's field.

 

In the past, Fremont street did a Christmas show on their sky thing, but last year, it was a disappointing, very loud tribute to rock legends.

 

I'll try to think what else we did, but part of it was a three hour visit to the children's hospital emergency room...

[NotSoObvious]

DH has a conference to go to in Vegas, mid December, staying at the Bellaggio. I was wondering if the kids and I should go with him. I haven't been there since before kids, and know that it's not exactly the best place for kids. If we went, we could go to some family-friendly shows in the evening, nice dinners, etc. The kids and I could shop / walk around during the day when he's in the conference, maybe even do a tour of Hoover Dam or something.

 

I just don't know, because I can't remember. Is there inappropriate stuff plastered all over the nice part of the strip? Posters advertising strip clubs wherever you walk?

 

Personally, I despise Vegas. BUT, I would go to the Bellaggio!!! I'd spend the whole vacation eating!!! They have the most amazing buffet! YUM.

 

You could do some family friendly shows. There will be stuff to do, especially if you are fine with just hanging around the hotel and not staying out late at night. Yes, there is Vegas "stuff" everywhere once you walk outside, but it is what it is and there are still things to do. Ride the roller coasters, go to the M&M store. Personally, I'd head to the outlet mall. :) But then again, we always drove.

 

It will be too cold to swim outside, unless you are really brave.

 

Just staying in a hotel is fun for my kids. You'll have a blast!

[KungFuPanda]

3 Story M&M store! My kids loved it when they were 12 and 8. We went in January, and people were mostly dressed. We also took the kids to the indoor amusement park at Circus Circus.

[gingersmom]

There's a lot of smoke, a lot of people walking around "under the influence", and A LOT of women dressed in next to nothing on the strip.

 

My experience was 100% different. After dark there were more people pushing kids in strollers than people "under the influence" and half naked women. There were a handful of people handing out stuff for clubs/strip clubs but they only bothered tried passing them out to the younger crowd.

 

Here's a handful of the things we did, I need to ask my kids about the rest.

My kids were 12 and 15 so YMMV.

 

In n Out Burger (none to be found on the East Coast)

Coca Cola Store (only one in Vegas and one in Atlanta)-soooo much fun! We tasted Coca Cola from around the world and had Coke Ice cream floats (little mini ones with every flavor coke product-grape, orange, etc)

M&M store-same as NYC so not too exciting for my kids (they have been to one in NYC about 100 times)

Rio Hotel Buffet-in my life I have never seen anything so big, it must have been a mile long

Bowling (can't remember what casino it was at, maybe the Orleans Casino?, it had something like 75 lanes, crazy big)

Double Decker bus along the strip-super easy on/off and a great way to just see all the hotels

Free tram between Excalibur, Mandalay Bay and Luxor hotel (Luxor is neat to walk around)

 

We only saw Cirque du Soleil show. For 3 tickets it was around $450. Crazy! There are several magician shows that are supposed to be kid friendly and there is one that goes on during the afternoon hours.

 

The Trip Advisor Las Vegas forums are full of information (just ignore the haters who think children should not step foot into Nevada)

 

Serendipity restaurant (again we have been several times in NYC but it still is fun). Located at Caesars Hotel. They also have a take out window which is what we did and got giant ice cream sundaes. You also have to check out the gigantic doughnuts they have. Insanely large! There is free covered seating adjacent to the take out window (and if its hot out they have misters going). Its also just a really pretty part of Caesars Hotel to walk around outside-beautiful gardens, etc.

 

Fremont Street-we never made it here, wish we did, much easier and cheaper to do with a car

 

Sugar Factory restaurant and candy store-fun for a meal or just dessert, we did both.

 

We did do one mall just so my daughter could buy a bathing suit. We are from NYC area (we do NYC monthly) so all the shopping and stuff was not that exciting to us as we have everything back home.

 

The days we did a buffet breakfast we skipped lunch and when we did a buffet lunch we skipped dinner.

 

We stayed at the Excalibur which was like coming home to a disney hotel every night (from the outside at least :001_smile:). My kids were so excited to be there and just bouncing around smiling which I think helped earn us a free room upgrade. :001_smile:

 

We did have to walk through the casino to enter/exit hotel but it was no big deal. Except for Fri/Sat nite when we got home late and their was some scantily dressed women dancing on the bar. We also saw several brides wandering around which my daughter loved.

 

We went in June when it was toasty warm so we spent lots of time in the pool and had lunch poolside twice (not expensive at all).

 

Our hotel had amazing food court (McDonalds, Popcornopolis, Cold Stone Creamery, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Dairy Queen, Quiznos and more). There was also a game arcade definitely geared towards the younger crowd. New York New York Hotel also had a game arcade for younger children.

 

Hope you have as much fun as we did!

[busymama7]

Yes it is smoky everywhere. Yes there are posters/pictures billboards etc of mostly naked women everywhere. Cabs etc as well as a horrific one that drives up and down the strip. One of those trucks that are billboards. Luckily I've only seen it once but it was so bad and asked my boys to look down until it was gone. :( We avoid the strip area at all costs(we have lived here for 12 years) but that time it couldn't be avoided. But even avoiding the strip there is pornography all over the town.

 

I hate it here and can't imagine choosing to vacation here esp with kids but others have given you good ideas of things to do. We haven't done most if them because we have chosen to not support the industry as much as humanly possible. I know others who don't feel like we do who have enjoyed many of the attractions with their kids. For us it's just not worth the smoke and porn.

[gingersmom]

Yes it is smoky everywhere. For us it's just not worth the smoke and porn.

 

Seriously? :glare:

 

I think I was on vacation somewhere else.

[busymama7]

Seriously? :glare:

 

I think I was on vacation somewhere else.

 

Maybe you aren't as sensitive or maybe there are other ways to get to rooms when you are staying in the hotel? All I know is every time we have wanted to do anything(movie, shopping etc) we have had to walk through the casino and the smoke is so thick it makes us sick. And I realize different people have different tolerances for pictures etc but we are very conservative and find it very offensive. It is our reality.

 

Also, Vegas used to promote itself as "family friendly" but has given that up and in a lot of ways things like this have gotten worse recently.

[ktgrok]

We stayed in the Paris in August and the pool was FREEZING!! I don't know what it was or if it was the same everywhere but I couldn't stand it. It was amazing! Everyone told me it was the difference in humidity but that wasn't it. All I can figure is the hotel runs their water through icebergs. ;) Our pool isn't that cold until November or more.

 

I believe they do chill the pools in the summer.

[DianeW88]

Seriously? :glare:

 

I think I was on vacation somewhere else.

 

We've gone to Vegas every year for the past 18 years, and we've never considered it a place for a family vacation. We stay for one night (more like 16 hours) because we can get a nice hotel at a decent price and it's a good (ok, the only) stopping place between Utah and California....all the rest is desert.

 

There are some things families can do there, of course. But the strip is for grown-ups. It caters to adults....it tolerates children. It does NOT shield children (or even pretend to) in any way from its basic purpose...gambling and all that comes along with that. Nor should they.

 

The casinos are filled with smoke and alcohol. Prostitution is there. Most shows are not "G" rated (Donny & Marie's is...I can vouch for that one. :lol:). But that's what Vegas is all about. I don't have a problem with any of it, even though I'm LDS and partake of none of it.

 

However, the OP specifically asked about cigarette smoke and the over-sexualized atmosphere. It's omnipresent. We've learned to ignore most of it...except the bOOks in my face...those were hard to ignore. :lol: We're just letting the OP know our experience in case she feels it wouldn't be a place she'd want to bring her children on vacation. I would not consider it a vacation destination for a family with young children, but that's only my measly opinion. Others feel differently, and that's great.

[Kathleen in LV]

We live in Vegas, and the winter weather here is pretty cool - I would never consider swimming outdoors, even in a heated pool.

 

Somebody previously mentioned the Lied Children's Museum, which is a short cab drive from the strip - lots of fun! We also have a small natural history museum, also pretty close to the strip. Another nearby kid-friendly excursion is Springs Preserve, an indoor/outdoor desert-themed museum, with a small sampling of desert animals. Red Rock Canyon is beautiful, but you would want a car -- it's not somewhere you would want to have a cab just drop you off. It has a 13-mile loop with lots of trails (including a children's trail) and scenic look-outs along the way. We also have a zoo, but I wouldn't recommend it -- I've never been there, but I heard it's pretty pathetic and a sad site. But we always enjoy the dolphins & (small) zoo at the Mirage.

 

At the south end of the strip is Town Square. It's a large outdoor shopping/restaurant area, but it has an outdoor play area for the kids as well. We have lots of other great parks/playgrounds, but you would probably want your own car to hit them -- most aren't too close to the strip. My 6 yo son always enjoys meeting other homeschoolers, so if you have a car & want to meet a park, let me know.

 

If you need any other info, feel free to PM me.

 

Kathleen

Edited September 9, 2012 by Kathleen in LV

[gingersmom]

We've gone to Vegas every year for the past 18 years, and we've never considered it a place for a family vacation. We stay for one night (more like 16 hours) because we can get a nice hotel at a decent price and it's a good (ok, the only) stopping place between Utah and California....all the rest is desert.

 

There are some things families can do there, of course. But the strip is for grown-ups. It caters to adults....it tolerates children. It does NOT shield children (or even pretend to) in any way from its basic purpose...gambling and all that comes along with that. Nor should they.

 

The casinos are filled with smoke and alcohol. Prostitution is there. Most shows are not "G" rated (Donny & Marie's is...I can vouch for that one. :lol:). But that's what Vegas is all about. I don't have a problem with any of it, even though I'm LDS and partake of none of it.

 

However, the OP specifically asked about cigarette smoke and the over-sexualized atmosphere. It's omnipresent. We've learned to ignore most of it...except the bOOks in my face...those were hard to ignore. :lol: We're just letting the OP know our experience in case she feels it wouldn't be a place she'd want to bring her children on vacation. I would not consider it a vacation destination for a family with young children, but that's only my measly opinion. Others feel differently, and that's great.

 

I get it, I get it. You don't like Las Vegas. :banghead:

[tammyw]

I'm thinking maybe the kids and I should consider staying home. While much is paid for because it's a work conference, we'd still have to pay for food and entertainment, and I'm just not sure I could handle the smoke and environment for four full days, during his conference.

 

I have no doubt there are family friendly things to do, and I know there are excellent restaurants. I think I'm just worried about exposing my very young children to some of the things discussed here, plus the smoke.

 

And funny that I never considered it a vacation :)

[DianeW88]

I get it, I get it. You don't like Las Vegas. :banghead:

 

 

Not true at all.

[Anne in CA]

There are probably more things to protect your kids from on Mississippi Ave in Portland from that on the strip, lol. TOTALLY JOKING, no flames please, lol.

 

I have taken my kids to Las Vegas several times because we have family there. I took my kids to the shark exhibit at Mandalay Bay, the butterfly garden at the Bellagio, shopping at the Forum Shops, looking at the art in the Venitian, different theme restaurants like the Rainforest Cafe at the MGM Grand and the indoor amusement park at Circus Circus.

 

I have never seen a show in Las Vegas you could not take an older child to. The Blue Man Group, The Phantom of the Opera, Irish Dancing, and lots of other things are family friendly. I wouldn't want to see a show I could not take my children to anyway.

[CAMom]

Seriously? :glare:

 

I think I was on vacation somewhere else.

 

I think maybe you were.;)

 

I've been to Vegas a lot. I have family there and when my dad and stepmom were sick last year I was there even more often. I think I was there 10 times last year alone.

 

The smut is everywhere! I'm kind of desensitized to it but it's all over the place. The people handing out the strip club stuff are all up and down the strip. Every corner and in between. They slap the cards on their hand to get your attention and then try to hand them to you. It's not quite as bad when you have kids but they still do it. Then, people throw them down on the sidewalk and you see them...thousands of them. They are of naked woman with "pasties" just on the n*pples and, maybe, a g-string on. They're business card size so not huge but definitely visible everywhere!

 

There are trucks that pull billboards up and down, up and down the strip. They have women who are naked from the waist up but with their backs facing towards you. Larger than life backsides in thongs right next to you.

 

And, the casinos are full of smoke. You have to walk through huge, giant casinos wherever you go. There is no getting away from it. All of the casinos will have cocktail waitresses walking all throughout serving drinks to those gambling. Some of them are dressed more classy than others but all have some level of skin showing.

 

You will see some people with hardly anything on. We were walking to a restaurant one evening about 6pm and there was a guy with nothing on but a teeny, tiny white g-string with a read heart right on the goods in front. Seriously. Nothing else on. Not even shoes.;)

 

All that said, my kids have been there tons! Lots of the fun stuff to do has been mentioned. There are characters dressed up all up and down the strip. Right in front of Bally's is a typical spot for them. BTW, the Coca Cola World isn't there anymore. The Coke bottle is still there as well as a store but not the other stuff. There is an Outback Steakhouse at the top of the Coke bottle.;)

 

The Bellagio is beautiful and in a good location for walking to other stuff. We stayed at the Cosmopolitan recently and they have the yummiest ever hamburger place there. Sometimes I want to go back just to eat there.

 

Like I said, my kids have been there lots and lots of times. I just always warn people what they can really expect so they can go with their eyes wide open!:)

[tammyw]

Thanks for all the feedback. We've decided to let dh go on his own. At least he can focus on the conference and his co-workers. I don't want to sound a prude but I don't want to have to shield their eyes or have to explain what they'd see. Plenty of time for them to be exposed when they are older :)

 

Thanks for helping me make this decision. I'll spend the money I would have spent on the over-priced shows on our Christmas entertainment! So many great shows here in December!