Over the last 20 years, our family has seen Las Vegas go through many changes, both physical and the ‘vibe’ of Las Vegas as regards to the suitability for children to be there. One trip it got so bad, that one of the hawkers handing out cards for ‘escorts’ handed one to my 5-year-old daughter. I was horrified and told them so! The last number of trips it has been a LOT better, but remember that Las Vegas is a LOVE or HATE sort of place. Everything is bigger and over the top than most places you will ever go.
In saying that, we love Las Vegas. We are used to where to go to have a family friendly time and know the main things that will allow us to have a great time.
1. Keep your children with you – holding their hand or them right next to you at all times outside and inside Casinos. If they wander from you while in the Casino, be assured that someone will appear almost instantly to tell you to have them with you and that they cannot be in the direct area of the machines etc. Stick to the main thoroughfares and you will be fine. When walking on the streets with children, make sure if possible they are between parents. You will see people along the road handing out cards re escorts, but it is presently illegal for them to hand to any children. Usually, they are respectful if you are in a family group and don't hand the male in your family the cards.
2. There are crowds outside at all hours on the streets so make sure again, your children are close to you.
3. Jaywalking is rampant in Las Vegas- don’t just follow the crowds crossing at their will, make sure you keep a look out for the signal to cross.
4. Temperatures in the desert are extreme, so make sure that you have water and sunscreen at all times and at night jackets no matter what the season is.
Getting your Head around Las Vegas
The “Strip” is the main road running from the airport end up to the old Las Vegas end where you will see the landmark of the Stratosphere tower.
Try and get yourself a map as soon as possible to get your head around where your hotel is and where you want to head. We used to stay down at the MGM Grand which is right down the airport end. We stayed there about 5 times and really liked it, but decided for us, it was too far from the mid- Strip where we tended to gravitate to. Our next hotel for a few trips was Treasure Island (now known as TI) this was a lot more central, but I personally didn’t feel it was overly kid-friendly- but my husband didn’t think so, so maybe it was just me? Now we stay at the Paris. It is directly opposite the Bellagio and we always get a room that is facing the fountains and the Eiffel tower so on a high floor. This allows us to lie in bed and watch the fountains of Bellagio go off. For us, we do stick more to the middle of the strip so for now, this works for us. The pool is quite plain, but kids are allowed so it is all good.
The Travel Concierge Tip
Don’t be tempted to stay in the old end with children no matter how cheap it is. I can’t understand why travel agents with good conscious book families into the likes of Circus Circus. It is old, it is seedy and it is stinky!(decades of smoking) Pay extra to stay further down the strip.
