2006 - Las Vegas w/ the kids

Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon those are wonderful for family vacations, however, Vegas is no place for children.

Several years ago, Vegas was leaning a little on the family friendly side. It was fun for kids to go there. Now they are shaking that image entirely and with very few exceptions, there is no place in Vegas for kids. (The Bellagio will not even allow kids to come into their hotel unless they are registered guests.)
Don't be one of those fools who are standing with wide-eyed children, watching showgirls in g-strings gyrate on a stage. It's embarrassing for everyone.

I'm interested in this trip, but would like to cut it down to 5 days keeping the hoover dam and grand canyon. What can I expect it to run me?

Not a good idea to take the kids to Vegas. There's not enough to do for the little ones, and the things you want to do are not appropriate for them (gambling, shows, bars, clubs, staying up late). Best to leave them with the grandparents.

VEGAS IS NO PLACE FOR KIDS!!! I GO THERE LESS AND LESS BECAUSE, SO MANY KIDS, IT WAS FOR ADULTS AND SHOULD REMAIN THAT WAY !

I Love Vegas but don't want my kids to know such a place exists until they are at least 25

We have taken our children to VEgas a few times, but we do age appropriate site seeing during the day & when my husband and I want to attend the shows or gamble, we have a WONDERFUL Nanny that stays with them at our condo (which has TONS of activities just FOR kids of all diferent ages-Fairfield Resorts). There is also a very nice petting zoo just outside of Vegas in an "Old Town" type setting. We have also taken our kids to see Celine Dion & also Mystere. I think that CircusCircus over-rated & a very FILTHY place to take little kids. IF you take your kids to the Freemont Street Experience light show-GO EARLY, & don't just hang around with your kids-it is not "safe", go to see a show, then leave....it is at the top of every hour starting at 6pm (not a lot of Freaky people out yet at that time). Go see the M&M world, take them to the Forum shops to see the moving/talking statues & do a bit of AWESOME shopping. Take them out of Vegas & into Henderson, where there are bowling alleys, movie theatres & Kids Quest at Sunset Station!! There is PLENTY to do with your children, you just need to use your good judgement as their parent. I love our Nanny (she watches Hugh Hefners grandson & she is like a grandmother to our toddler & teens). She even calls to check up on the kids from time to time, & we live on the opposite coast!!!

For those of you who said that "las vegas is no place for kids", I would say that you are mostly right but not entirely.

First of all, Will Kori, the Bellagio DOES allow children. Where exactly are girls gyrating on stage in a casino???

In addition to Mac Kings comedy show that I spoke about, there are plenty of activities for children. I would agree that it's a town best left for adults but don't exagerate the danger of exposing children to Las Vegas. Almost all of the casinos on the strip are family friendly. The only exception was the Shadow Bar at Ceasars Palace.

As someone said, if you have a moral compass and pickup a copy of Frommers guide before you go there, you will have a great time.

its nice to hear that trips works that way!