Las Vegas for kids?

[Guest]

we were thinking of going to Las Vegas next yr for our 25th wedding anniversary. we would probably spend a few days in Vegas before moving on to somewhere else. Now we may have our 15 yr old nephew with us, and his parents and our 18 yr old dd. is there anywhere the youngest wouldnt be allowed to go to like casinos etc? or is it a child friendly place?
Thanks!

[BevS97]

I haven't been , but they are definitely not allowed in the casinos or anywhere there are gambling machines (which I believe is nearly everywhere inside)

[mickchick]

Las Vegas has some kiddie attractions, but nothing much for teenagers. They won't be allowed anywhere near the gaming tables or the slot machines - not even to stop and watch you play. The security people in every hotel are very vigilant because the casino can lose its licence if under-21s play - even if the casino didn't know they are under age.
And you have to walk through the casino in every hotel just to get anywhere - to the lifts, the front desk, the restaurants, etc. They will be told to keep on walking.
What they can do, is to stay around the pool area, and go to the various outlet shops if that interests them.
There are a couple of roller coasters in the New York New York hotel and few attractions like that, but really not enough to keep teenagers occupied for more than a few hours.
Although Las Vegas is trying to promote itself as family friendly, and to a great extent it is much more so than in the past, nevertheless the whole place is still geared entirely to gambling.

[fudgesky]

Been to Vegas (kid free) for New Year. I agree it is not really a kid friendly place, even your 18 year old wouldnt be able to get in most places you can here and ID is required for everything! Even buying a pair of trainers I was asked for ID. I know others who will dissagree that kids would have a great time but you will be very restricted as to where you can go. Can you not meet up with the other family and your daughter after the two of you have had a week on your own?

[Guest]

hi,
we went to vegas 2 years ago when our youngest DS was 15 and to be honest there wasnt that much a teenager could do a few rides but thats about it, they are not allowed onto the gaming floors and seeing as every other building has a casino in it its not that good for teenagers really. you could go boating on lake mead or quad biking or atv roding there is also helicopter rides but all this will be costing extra pennies.
we only stayed in vergas for 4 nights so it wasnt really long enough for our DS to get bored, but any longer of a stay and he would have been.
hope this helps
winnie97

[Guest]

The hotels/casinos are super strict on this, it is really difficult just to find somewhere to sit down together and have a relaxing drink as you will be asked to move on by security/waitresses etc.

Hotels ID everybody, outside on the strip it was alittle more relaxed for buying alcohol.

If you stop on the casino floor with minors, you will be asked to move on.

Pools are better but if you go to the bar, dont bring your kids as you will not get served until they are away from the bar/seating area.

It can be quite difficult, especially as we are used to a more tolerant system in the UK. (Not casinos obviously)

[Diamonddog2801]

To clarify - under 21's are allowed on casino floors. But they cannot gamble, and they cannot loiter in any gaming area. And they must be accompanied by an adult at all times whilst on the floor.

And loitering in Vegas means about 10 seconds - seriously.

[N52939]

Vegas were trying to promote themselves as family friendly but that has been ditched and the advertising slogan is now 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas'. We were in Vegas a month ago after a 4 year gap since the last visit and it has most definitely moved back to being an adult focused destination.

[Guest]

Netty,Vegas is fine for 15 year and 18 year old,plenty to see and do for them,we had 13 year old DD ,wth us and she loved it.I do not remember her saying she was bored any time during our week stay.

some choices :
Freemont
M&M world
Shark Bay at mandalay bay
Adventure park at Circus Circus
Dolphin and tigers at Mirage
Lions at MGM
Roller coaster at NY NY
Stratosphere rides plus observation tower
4d ride at Excalibur
fountains at the bellagio
TI show
Volcano at Mirage
Gondola ride at venitian
Shops at Miracle mile and Cesars Palace
Eating out
Hard rock cafe
rainforest cafe
House of blues
ESPN
+ scores of shows


Go for it ...
PS Its also our silver wedding anv/ next year 18th May...

[Guest]

Originally Posted by pheersy

Netty,Vegas is fine for 15 year and 18 year old,plenty to see and do for them,we had 13 year old DD ,wth us and she loved it.I do not remember her saying she was bored any time during our week stay.

some choices :
Freemont
M&M world
Shark Bay at mandalay bay
Adventure park at Circus Circus
Dolphin and tigers at Mirage
Lions at MGM
Roller coaster at NY NY
Stratosphere rides plus observation tower
4d ride at Excalibur
fountains at the bellagio
TI show
Volcano at Mirage
Gondola ride at venitian
Shops at Miracle mile and Cesars Palace
Eating out
Hard rock cafe
rainforest cafe
House of blues
ESPN
+ scores of shows


Go for it ...
PS Its also our silver wedding anv/ next year 18th May...

See more...

ours is 3rd August-where did all those yrs go? !

thankyou all for all the info, i was planning on just staying in Vegas for 3 or 4 nights, so the kids wont be bored then i suppose! we then want to drive up towards san francisco etc, but we are still in the very early stages of planning, so nothing is set in concrete yet!