Taking my kids to 'Vegas, looking for ideas
 

I have been a regular visitor to 'Vegas since about 1990, coming to a convention every year since then, so I know it pretty well. I have been with my daughters for brief visits when they were younger, but they are now 10 and 12 years old. I was sitting on a pile of hotel points so have opted for the Westin LV (regular haunt for me, though not been since they ripped the casino out) as it was really good value on points. I would consider moving elsewhere if something else good value pops up.

I am really looking for ideas to keep two young girls entertained and off their iPads. We are going in mid-July, so it's going to be brutally hot, so there will be plenty of poolside action (pool at Westin is nothing too exciting, but often quiet).

In the past we did shows, the High Roller, Circus Circus and steaks (lots of steaks!) and sushi. But thinking of how to amuse them for 6 nights this time.

They like water parks, though I see the big one in town has closed. I might rent a car and go to Hoover, Valley of Fire and maybe up Mt Charleston, though they are not really big into sightseeing and have a low boredom threshold!

I would really love some up to date ideas to stimulate them, activities, food, current shows... etc from the hive mind of experts here.

Many thanks in advance!

Pye.

Hi,
I like your ideas for sightseeing ( love the Valley of Fire - there was a small marina with a restaurant at Echo Bay -reasonably priced)
How about

The Stratosphere observation deck
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
The Conservatory (and the outdoor fountains at Bellagio
Outlet malls
Red Rock Canyon scenic drive
The Venetian with the canals/shops

Regards

TBS

My kids around that age liked these shows best:

Paranormal
Shin Lim
O or Mystere
Piff the Magic Dragon
Blue Man Group with the private pre-show meet and greet (don’t know if they are doing this currently)
Potted Potter (if they are into Harry Potter)

See if you can rent a cabana at Mandalay Bay and spend the day at the beach and lazy river. Book early.

Consider two days/nights at Zion. Six nights is really really long in LV.

Uh, have you asked them what they want to do?

David

I agree. 6 nights for young kids in the blazing heat with not much to do is really long. Is this supposed to be a punishment? lol.
I wouldn't even take girls that age for longer than one night unless there was a Katy Perry concert or something they wanted to see. Pools are fun but they get old especially when super hot & pretty much stuck inside with AC.
Any other vacation options?

Area 15/OmegaMart!

Valley of Fire/Red Rock is going to be horrendous in mid-July. Valley of Fire actually closes their hikes after June 1.

Good point. I know what is said about Mad Dogs and Englishmen but what about younger Englishwomen being dragged by their Englishman dad?

David

Do you have work then because this sounds like torture going to vegas when it’s that hot.

if it’s not a work related I’d choose 10,000 other places.

i was in Vegas fir a convention in mid august and it was hot. I was inside for most of the day so I could tolerate it.

I was in Vegas for a trade show at the end of August and it was miserable. To make matters worse we had to set up in the convention center with no AC. Evidently they turn it down or off when it is late at night even though some of us were still working. It was stifling..even at night.

Yes, water parks, a show, steaks come up. They are looking to me to curate the entertainment!

I've done that a few times!

Well yes, I wouldn't want to torture them! We are flying back from SFO, so maybe a slow drive through Yosemite or fly to LAX and do Disney then on to SFO. Hmmm.

For the record, this was a VS redemption in Upper Class I booked in the 50% off miles sale in the covid depths of 2020, this is the third attempt to fly due to cancellations, previous dates were not in mid-summer.

My dates to LAS and from SFO are fixed, the bit in the middle is pretty flex so may rethink.

Since you’re coming from England, you could drive to Laughlin and book tickets on the jet boat down to Lake Havasu and see the London Bridge. Note that I’ve never actually done this, but a boat ride on the Colorado River would be one way to “cool down” in July.

A drive to Grand Canyon North Rim (very different vibe than the South Rim) is also a possibility, but lodging (and even campgrounds) there is most certainly already booked solid for July.

I would for sure choose Disneyland over LV for a kid. Have they been out here before? If not, then I think a couple days at the beach is a for sure. You will be hard pressed to make a 6 day trip in Vegas interesting for kids. I am an adult and can spend my evenings at the casino and maybe a show or two but I would go nuts being there that long....especially at that time of year.

when iwas there the highs were 110+ and the lows were ....ing 85.

i woukd have hated that.

the conference is usually in March/ April. Because of Covid it got postponed to summer..

A few years ago I opted to fly out of Vegas on the Fourth of July because although I knew it would be hot, it wouldn’t be as hot as Phoenix, right? Lucky for me both cities maxed out at 118°F that day. Fortunately, my return flight a few days later landed late at night when the temperature had dropped to 102. :cool: