<p>I’m going with my husband and 16 year-old son for Spring Break. So far we have tickets to see Elton John and plans to puy tix for Phantom and one of the Cirque du Soleil shows (feel free to weigh in on which). What about a tour of the Hoover Dam–is it worthwile? We do also want to see the Grand Canyon–but not hike it–ideas about that are welcome also. Is there anything we just shouldn’t miss (we’re not likely to ever go back)? Who better to ask for suggestions than the CC Cafe dwellers???</p>
<p>The best Cirque Du Soleil show by far is O. Enjoy!</p>
<p>To me, the highlight of Vegas is the restaurants. It has outposts of everything from NY deli’s to Michelin starred French restaurants. Many require advance reservations. So if you’re a foodie it’s heaven. You son might like a place called the Burger Bar and if you’d like suggestions, tell us the type of food and price range.</p>
<p>I always love to catch a comedy show, there’s typically a major comedian in town every weekend.</p>
<p>Ditto for O! We enjoyed brunch at the Parisian also, worth the wait in line!</p>
<p>I love the spa and the shopping, but I’m not so sure 16 yo son would. That time of year Vegas will be hopping because of SB and March Madness. If Son is into sports, you could try ESPNzone over at New York New York to catch some games. The best place is the Sports Book, but I’m pretty sure it’s only 21+.</p>
<p>I totally recommend Phantom and O. Both are great and appropriate for teens.</p>
<p>The roller coaster at New York New York is fun for teens. It’s expensive, though. My kids liked just walking from one huge hotel to another and looking around. It is pretty amazing, especially at night with some of the outdoor fountains, pirate ship shows etc. There is a LOT of walking involved in doing this. MGM Grand is worth a look (takes forever). I would definitely go to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam if you can fit it in.</p>
<p>Another vote for “O” .
Hoover Dam can get VERY crowded.</p>
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<p>Not for interesteddads though. I’m not sure I’ve ever been so terrified. What was I thinking? Warning to dads. Don’t let the “moment” lead you to write a check your heart can’t cash! Volunteer your wife!</p>
<p>We did the long hard-hat tour of Hoover Dam. It was a fun afternoon. Also drove out to the Grand Canyon (south rim if I recall). It was the dead of winter, so we had the place to ourselves. Had lunch in fancy park service restaurant. Definitely a fun day as well.</p>
<p>I ditto MOWC - wander around the large hotels since most of them have some kind of attraction to draw people in. These attractions are often free or inexpensive. There are a number of amusement park type of rides including ride simulator motion machines that can be fun. </p>
<p>Depending on time and your willingness to venture out, you could head north on I-15 into Utah (about an hour drive to Utah) and then stop by Zion National Park, then to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The north rim has some different views than the more commonly visited south rim but it’s also considerably less crowded. If you drive there, watch out, the Indian res police usually have their radar guns out. </p>
<p>If you haven’t been to the southwest or the desert, I’d say heading for a drive out of Vegas to see some of it is something not to miss since you’ll be so close.</p>
<p>My girls hated the Hoover Dam tour. Thought it was very boring. They like more active things like heading over to Calloway driving range to hit a bucket of balls, shopping, boating on Lake Mead or hikes out in the desert. Definitely hit MGM if they still have the free shows at all the stages. We also liked visiting RIO for their “sky” show (free) where the performers are above you. We walked for ever just looking around. When they were younger we did the dinner show at Excaliber. Hilarious to watch your kids rip a cornish hen apart with their hands because there was no silverwear back in the age of knights. The horses were beautiful and we had lots of fun. Now they like the finer things like designer shopping. 
Oh, don’t forget to head down to Fremont Street to see the lights!</p>
<p>Favorite breakfast—at Bouchon (The Venetian). It,s a Thomas Keller restaurant and worth the trip just for the brioche and croissant.</p>
<p>favorite dinner experience: L’atelier de Joel Robuchon (MGM) expensive…but great
Fois Gras mini hamburgers! what more can I say.</p>
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<p>I love roller coasters but I’m not really supposed to go on them. I make exceptions for things like space mountain, the matahorn, and splash mountain. The ones I’m most fearful of are the old-wooden-big-hill kind–is the roller coaster at New York, New York one of those? I don’t HAVE to go on it, but since son has given up on the Stratosphere (honestly, my palms sweat just typing the name! It’s the height, not the ride), another roller coaster would be great. I didn’t know there was another.</p>
<p>NorthMinnesota, son is not at all enthused about Hoover Dam–has seen it on the History Channel and that’s enough for him–but husband wants to go. May have to facilitate some negotiations on that one.</p>
<p>Hmom5, we are impossible foodies with a super-lowfat vegetarian, a normal vegetarian and an omnivore (me). We’ll do fine as long as there’s no shortage of restaurants that don’t pre-prepare. We do best at Italian and Thai restaurants.</p>
<p>ESPN Zone is a great suggestion and “O” it is! Thanks!</p>
<p>interesteddad- I agree. I got talked into the NYNY roller coaster (back then I think it was $12 which was a lot- God knows what it costs now…) and I was terrified. I hated every minute of it.</p>
<p>If you can’t see O, try Ka at MGM (I think that is the best)</p>
<p>I’m the Queen of things to do in Vegas without spending a fortune.
Here’s my quick list:
don’t miss the gardens at the Bellagio…the water fountain show at the Bellagio, the shops at the Forum are great to stroll through. Right outside The Cheesecake Factory is the statue that talks…can’t remember the name of it right now…
I love the restaurant Taqueria Canonita at the Venetian that is right over the gondolas. I never pay for the gondolas but for the price of a margarita and chips you can hear the singing.
The Treasure Island show if you don’t mind crowds…if you go to see it be sure to keep a good hold on your purse and keep an eye on the other people with you.
I really enjoyed LOVE at the Mirage.</p>
<p>Ooh forgot to mention I always get up early one morning and go through the shops at Paris. The bakery has great chocolate croissants and coffee. I love Vegas in the early morning 7am or so…before everyone else gets up.</p>
<p>NYNY roller coaster…did it once and spent the rest of the evening nauseated and throwing up. Never again!!! We were at Bellagio many years ago around Easter. The flower display was unbelieveable! That was when they had the Van Gogh exhibit there. It was a wonderful experience!</p>
<p>ebeeee- You mean "just after everyone else has gone to bed!
:)</p>
<p>Musicamusica, the foie gras burgers, unbelievable! And although the restaurant is expensive, you can eat those bites of heaven in their bar for the price of a bad buffet!</p>