Las Vegas with teens or other ideas?

[Twolittleboys]

So, after the last couple of years I am finally once more planning a vacation. We plan to spend one week each in San Francisco and Solana Beach (just north of San Diego). As we live overseas I am considering spending a third week somewhere but am still unsure where. I love LA and wouldn't mind spending some time there but we have been there before so I am thinking maybe something else might be better. Actually, even though we have been to the US for longer trips quite often, all the kids have seen so far is parts of Floriday (hello Mickey) and Southern California so I would kind of like to visit something new/different.

I am trying to keep cost down a bit so trying to find something that would be easily reached from either San Diego or LA (flying is fine but should be a common route so the prices aren't crazy). I would rather not drive myself so quite a lot of destinations won't work so well.

Anyway, one possible option is Las Vegas - I have been before but the kids haven't. We will travel in August (this week would be at the very end of the month) and kids would be 20 and 17. I am of course aware kids wouldn't be able to drink/gamble (nor would I want them to) but I am not quite sure how much else there would be to do (especially in late August). Not too concerned about "moral corruption" per se (i.e. I know it is Vegas) but do want to have fun stuff to do. 

So I would really appreciate anyone who has been to Las Vegas with older kids (or lives there) giving some input or any other ideas for spending that last week!

 

[ktgrok]

6 minutes ago, Twolittleboys said:

So, after the last couple of years I am finally once more planning a vacation. We plan to spend one week each in San Francisco and Solana Beach (just north of San Diego). As we live overseas I am considering spending a third week somewhere but am still unsure where. I love LA and wouldn't mind spending some time there but we have been there before so I am thinking maybe something else might be better. Actually, even though we have been to the US for longer trips quite often, all the kids have seen so far is parts of Floriday (hello Mickey) and Southern California so I would kind of like to visit something new/different.

I am trying to keep cost down a bit so trying to find something that would be easily reached from either San Diego or LA (flying is fine but should be a common route so the prices aren't crazy). I would rather not drive myself so quite a lot of destinations won't work so well.

Anyway, one possible option is Las Vegas - I have been before but the kids haven't. We will travel in August (this week would be at the very end of the month) and kids would be 20 and 17. I am of course aware kids wouldn't be able to drink/gamble (nor would I want them to) but I am not quite sure how much else there would be to do (especially in late August). Not too concerned about "moral corruption" per se (i.e. I know it is Vegas) but do want to have fun stuff to do. 

So I would really appreciate anyone who has been to Las Vegas with older kids (or lives there) giving some input or any other ideas for spending that last week!

 

Just realize it is VERY hot and dry there in the summer - not sure where you are coming from and if that would be an issue. Dehydration is a real thing. I was visiting in July and I'm from Florida and was amazed at how much I had to drink to stay hydrated. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by ktgrok

[Toocrazy!!]

We went a few years ago and DS wasn’t quite 17, but in the range. It was fun. We saw some shows, walked the strip. You can enter all the hotels and walk through the casinos, you just can’t stop if you’re not of age. There’s a lot to see. We did the Mob museum, which was really pretty interesting, the stratosphere, magic show, Cirque show, comedy club. If you’re interested, there are day trips to the Grand Canyon. We were only there 3 days. We were busy, and most of the entertainment did cost money. And you have to like those sorts of things.  But we had a surprisingly good time. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by Toocrazy!!

[GracieJane]

I live in Los Angeles and I’ve been to Vegas. I don’t drink or gamble, either, but there are a lot of live shows to see that don’t require either! They have concerts and some unique things (we watched a magic show that was pretty cool). Also, the food is obviously pretty amazing and I imagine teenage boys would like hotel buffets.

That being said, if I had teenagers on vacation in SoCal, I would probably go to San Diego. The Vegas strip is kind of dirty and hot in the summer, and it’s primary attractions are booze and gambling, which teenagers can’t participate in. San Diego is a really fun destination if you like beach, museums, the zoo and great food.

Edited March 10, 2022 by GracieJane

[Toocrazy!!]

Vegas ideas 

https://familydestinationsguide.com/things-teens-to-do-las-vegas/

[Twolittleboys]

55 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Just realize it is VERY hot and dry there in the summer - not sure where you are coming from and if that would be an issue. Dehydration is a real thing. I was visiting in July and I'm from Florida and was amazed at how much I had to drink to stay hydrated. 

Yes, that is what I am concerned about. I have been there before in the summer (and we have previously been in Palm Springs during that time of year). It shouldn't matter for the indoor stuff/casinos etc. but it would have been nice to do some nature things (like maybe the Grand Canyon) and I am worried it may just be way too hot.

33 minutes ago, Toocrazy!! said:

We went a few years ago and DS wasn’t quite 17, but in the range. It was fun. We saw some shows, walked the strip. You can enter all the hotels and walk through the casinos, you just can’t stop if you’re not of age. There’s a lot to see. We did the Mob museum, which was really pretty interesting, the stratosphere, magic show, Cirque show, comedy club. If you’re interested, there are day trips to the Grand Canyon. We were only there 3 days. We were busy, and most of the entertainment did cost money. And you have to like those sorts of things.  But we had a surprisingly good time. 

Good to hear. I think it may be fun but not sure if there is enough for a whole week. And I have started to look at possible activities and it does look like most stuff is quite expensive.

27 minutes ago, GracieJane said:

I live in Los Angeles and I’ve been to Vegas. I don’t drink or gamble, either, but there are a lot of live shows to see that don’t require either! They have concerts and some unique things (we watched a magic show that was pretty cool). Also, the food is obviously pretty amazing and I imagine teenage boys would like hotel buffets.

That being said, if I had teenagers on vacation in SoCal, I would probably go to San Diego. The Vegas strip is kind of dirty and hot in the summer, and it’s primary attractions are booze and gambling, which teenagers can’t participate in. San Diego is a really fun destination if you like beach, museums, the zoo and great food.

Love San Diego but we did spend a week there on our last trip. Also, like I said we will stay in Solana Beach for a week and I am planning to go down to San Diego two or three days so probably won't spend another week there this time. Still considering LA or something/anything else.

[Frances]

You could head further north to Oregon if you want something different from CA and not so hot. We have mountains, ocean, high dessert, Willamette Valley ag/wine country. Portland is of course the largest city, but southern OR has Ashland with the Shakespeare Festival and Crater Lake plus things like rafting on the Rogue River. The nice thing about OR is that you can enter wildly different landscapes/ecosystems without all that much driving. And outdoor stuff is very, very close to every major city.

Seattle might be even cheaper to access flight wise, depending on the airline. Both Seattle and Portland would have options for getting you to out of the city things if you don’t personally want to drive. And both would be way cooler than LV in August.

Edited March 10, 2022 by Frances

[Twolittleboys]

12 minutes ago, Frances said:

You could head further north to Oregon if you want something different from CA and not so hot. We have mountains, ocean, high dessert, Willamette Valley ag/wine country. Portland is of course the largest city, but southern OR has Ashland with the Shakespeare Festival and Crater Lake plus things like rafting on the Rogue River. The nice thing about OR is that you can enter wildly different landscapes/ecosystems without all that much driving. And outdoor stuff is very, very close to every major city.

Seattle might be even cheaper to access flight wise, depending on the airline. Both Seattle and Portland would have options for getting you to out of the city things if you don’t personally want to drive. And both would be way cooler than LV in August.

Something to consider. It does sound nice - somehow I always assumed Seattle/Portland would need need a car to really enjoy.

One of the reasons I am considering Las Vegas is (forgot to mention that earlier) that there are a lot of timeshares there. We have quite a number of exchange points saved up (because pandemic) so I would quite like to use them (and save money as well) if possible. But it isn't absolutely necessary so definitely will check out flights/possible things to do up there. I have been to Crater Lake many years ago and really loved it.

 

[Frances]

14 minutes ago, Twolittleboys said:

Something to consider. It does sound nice - somehow I always assumed Seattle/Portland would need need a car to really enjoy.

One of the reasons I am considering Las Vegas is (forgot to mention that earlier) that there are a lot of timeshares there. We have quite a number of exchange points saved up (because pandemic) so I would quite like to use them (and save money as well) if possible. But it isn't absolutely necessary so definitely will check out flights/possible things to do up there. I have been to Crater Lake many years ago and really loved it.

 

We’ve done Seattle, but not San Diego, without a car. Both Portland and Seattle have excellent public transportation and Seattle has ferries. There are also guided day trips available from both cities, plus there are busses and trains (including between Seattle and Portland) that go out of the cities. Here’s just one example. 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/crgnsa/home/?cid=FSEPRD622800

Another possibility is Vancouver and/or Victoria, BC. They are two of my favorites along with San Diego.

Edited March 10, 2022 by Frances

[Twolittleboys]

5 minutes ago, Frances said:

We’ve done Seattle, but not San Diego, without a car. Both Portland and Seattle have excellent public transportation and Seattle has ferries. There are also guided day trips available from both cities, plus there are busses and trains that go out of the cities. Here’s just one example.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/crgnsa/home/?cid=FSEPRD622800

Another possibility is Vancouver and/or Victoria, BC. They are two of my favorites along with San Diego.

That really is interesting - I had no idea you could do Seattle and the surrounding area well without a car. Definitely something to consider!

[whitestavern]

National Parks? Grand Canyon, the 4-5 in southern Utah? Obviously the Cali ones but we’ve always shied away from those because if the horror stories about overcrowding. 
 

Oops, sorry, just saw that you don’t want to drive. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by whitestavern

[kirstenhill]

1 hour ago, Twolittleboys said:

That really is interesting - I had no idea you could do Seattle and the surrounding area well without a car. Definitely something to consider!

We also did a Seattle trip without a car for the actual Seattle portion of the trip - we actually flew out, rented a van to spend a few days camping at Mt Ranier/Mt St Helens, then returned our rental car and took transit all around the city.  It worked out really well.  I would 2nd Seattle as a great destination with a lot to do for all ages.  August tends to be less rainy than other times of year in Seattle!

We spent just a day in Vegas in late August a number of years ago...my kids were elementary age and younger at the time, and we spent time at M&M world, and drove around to look at the sights, as well as swimming in the hotel pool.  It was soooo hot when we were outside! I wouldn't have wanted to spend very long there at that time of year.  We just stopped over on our way to the Canyon, and then we went on the California from there.

[ktgrok]

19 hours ago, Frances said:

You could head further north to Oregon if you want something different from CA and not so hot. We have mountains, ocean, high dessert, Willamette Valley ag/wine country. Portland is of course the largest city, but southern OR has Ashland with the Shakespeare Festival and Crater Lake plus things like rafting on the Rogue River. The nice thing about OR is that you can enter wildly different landscapes/ecosystems without all that much driving. And outdoor stuff is very, very close to every major city.

Seattle might be even cheaper to access flight wise, depending on the airline. Both Seattle and Portland would have options for getting you to out of the city things if you don’t personally want to drive. And both would be way cooler than LV in August.

I'd do this!!!! Big trees, river rafting, fly fishing lessons, etc! I bet you can do trail rides on horseback, that kind of thing as well. 

[HS Mom in NC]

OK, here's the thing about that "day trip" to The Grand Canyon from Vegas-it's at least a 4.5 hour drive each way. If you're not used to the long distances between sites out west, you might be in for a very big surprise. Not everyone in the US considers 8+ hours of driving in one day "day trip" criteria.  If you do, great, but I heard lots of shock and awe (not the good kind) from people visiting AZ complaining about their day trip and how little time they actually had at The Grand Canyon (TGC)  because they didn't have hotel reservations in the park itself.  TGC is better when you're in it.  If you end up just doing a drive by or lookie loo over the side because you're limited due to drive time and getting a meal while there (few options, long lines) it might disappoint you.

[Twolittleboys]

2 hours ago, HS Mom in NC said:

OK, here's the thing about that "day trip" to The Grand Canyon from Vegas-it's at least a 4.5 hour drive each way. If you're not used to the long distances between sites out west, you might be in for a very big surprise. Not everyone in the US considers 8+ hours of driving in one day "day trip" criteria.  If you do, great, but I heard lots of shock and awe (not the good kind) from people visiting AZ complaining about their day trip and how little time they actually had at The Grand Canyon (TGC)  because they didn't have hotel reservations in the park itself.  TGC is better when you're in it.  If you end up just doing a drive by or lookie loo over the side because you're limited due to drive time and getting a meal while there (few options, long lines) it might disappoint you.

Yes, I am a bit concerned about that as well. I actually visited the Grand Canyon just once as a teenager myself - not on a daytrip but as part of a longer tour and wasn't that impressed with it as basically all we did was make photo stops at different places. I would much rather have done some hiking there etc. 

I wasn't thinking of it so much as as "let's visit the Grand Canyon" but more a "what else can we do if we are in Las Vegas" (though we could maybe have done something with one overnight). 

 

 

[Twolittleboys]

Really appreciate everyones's input!

Not sure Las Vegas would be the best choice (kids aren't mega excited about it). So for now I think I will start looking for flights and see how timing/routes work. If nothing great comes up (like good prices for flights to Seattle or New York or whatever) we'll likely just add a couple of nights in LA (my favorite). I will definitely consider a trip to Seattle in the future though as it sounds a lot more doable than I expected.