<p>We haven’t ever done Vegas, and thought it might be fun for a few days between Christmas and New Years- 3 days</p>
<p>We would go to Hoover Dam and have already toured the grand canyon, but wonder what other ideas people have- we have 16 yo and 18 yo girls---- and will do s show or two but not go crazy…</p>
<p>any suggestions?</p>
<p>Who drives Vegas anymore? My first car was a Vega and it wasn’t so great–I wouldn’t give one to my teen for Christmas.</p>
<p>Las Vegas is sort of Disneyland on steroids. Your kids are too young to be allowed to gamble, so pick a hotel that has something they like - video arcade, golf, or whatever.</p>
<p>My teen hates HATES vegas. He doesn’t feel there is anything for him to do there (he’s not a swimmer so wonderful hotel pools don’t help). Vegas tried a “family friendly” incarnation a few years back and it didn’t work. Now it’s all about the luxe and the decadence (think Paris Hilton at the Palms and $200 martinis).</p>
<p>Husband loved Hoover Dam…I know it’s a great engineering achievement, but I was bored. Hiking in the Valley of Fire was fun except it was 115 degrees. Bring lots of water or a medium-sized camel.</p>
<p>For shows, “Mamma Mia” is lots of fun and it’s at Mandalay Bay, IMO the nicest hotel.</p>
<p>HeliMomNYC,
My kids couldn’t agree with you more. They don’t have any interest whatsoever in visiting Vegas, since they are spending quality time in both NYC and Europe, and can truly appreciate the educational and intellectual forms of art, etc.</p>
<p>A few hours drive past Vegas is Bryce Canyon national park and Brianhead ski area. If you have the time you could swing through Vegas seeing the attractions of the casinos (pirate ship battle, volcano, water show, etc.) and maybe a show or someting then head to Bryce (western side) for a bit of hiking and viewing, then go to Brianhead for an uncrowded ski area (base elevation is 9200 feet).</p>
<p>Consider Death Valley. It’s gorgeous any time of year–and in the winter, it’s cool enough to actually do some of those hikes.</p>
<p>My son likes Las Vegas for the restaurants. My daughter likes Las Vegas only if it’s a hotel with a good pool <em>and</em> I get her a massage.</p>
<p>we went last year over the holidays. we met another family there, so that helped a bit. both of the boys loved the trip–but the reason for our trip was to see cirque du soleil “love” so everyone was quite happy for that. </p>
<p>there is a lot to see–it wasn’t really a problem that the youngest was too young to gamble.</p>
<p>There is plenty to do and I think your girls would love it. It can be quite overwhelming, so pace yourself. The amount of walking (and we are an athletic family) on the Strip is beyond belief. The entries to each hotel seem to be miles long, so prepare… The roller coaster at New York New York is awesome, but expensive. Just going from hotel to hotel and looking at the architecture, fountains and decor is fascinating. The pools at the hotels ARE great. I likes MGM Grand. My daughter hates Vegas, my son would go at any opportunity.</p>
<p>I like the Venetian- the rooms (suites) are large and reasonably priced. And I love their gym/spa. I could spend all day in there. ;)</p>
<p>We would like to go to Vegas with the kids when they are both 21. Not so they can gamble (although I’m sure they’ll do some slots), but because we don’t want to have to worry about hustling them through the hotels/casinos or worry about where we take them.</p>
<p>Be prepared for people to flip escort cards in your faces when you’re walking down the strip.</p>
<p>If you fly in…
You don’t need a rental car, but if you take a taxi from the airport, it might be worth it to pay an extra $25 and have him stop at a grocery store on the way to the hotel- have your list of items and do an express shop. You will make up the added expense if you like to have drinks and snacks at hand, because you’ll pay ridiculous prices at the hotels for a simple bottle of water (as high as $7-10). H and I like to have a cocktail or wine while we’re getting ready for dinner, and we ended up getting another taxi to take us somewhere to buy a stash of adult beverages. There are NO food or beverage stores on the strip.</p>
<p>We are considering doing the same thing with our college aged daughters after New Year! Neither of them likes Las Vegas, but they both want to see ‘The Beatles-Love’ (as wbow mentioned). Somewhere I thought I read that Spamalot was also there (??). We did the Hoover Dam thing in route to another destination. It was interesting to look at, but we didn’t really spend a lot of time there. We went several years ago and just did an Internet search to see what was going to be happening in town during that time. We stayed at the Bellagio and made sure we saw one of the ‘fountain shows set to music’ out front. The Bellagio also had a great Alexander Calder exhibit and an impressionist art exhibit. We saw Blue Man Group - I think they are always there. Kids loved it, H and I were plus/minus. As someone else mentioned, just seeing the architecture was interesting - my brother says the new Wynn Hotel is incredible. Hard Rock hotel has a lot of memorabilia to look at if they are interested in rock music. We went downtown to see the ‘light show’ - maybe okay to see once, but not overly impressed. There is also shopping, if you have “shoppers” - unfortunately I don’t!</p>
<p>I love the Venetian but watch out for their prices. I’ve stayed there for as little as $149/night, but I just checked for a specific set of dates and was quoted $599/night even when I called and explained I was a repeater. I found a deal at the Wynn for $210/night (same dates). Sometimes price depends on who has a conference. My knowledgeable friend (the one who actually gambles enough to get free rooms!) tell me that the Wynn, Bellagio, and Venetian are comparable in luxury levels and I should take whichever’s cheapest on a given date.</p>
<p>There is an outlet mall in north Las Vegas city center that is probably the best outlet mall I’ve ever been to. Went with my cousin (British, and I guess American prices in an outlet mall are good) and her friend who lives in LV–that was kind of astonishing, watching two serious shoppers take apart the outlets. I did find a $500 hand sewn silk skirt (pink) at BCBG reduced to $17… my daughter loves it.</p>
<p>As already mentioned, the LOVE show is great. Window shopping at the Venetian…There is a great Spanish/tapas restaurant overlooking the canal. It’s nice to get lunch there and listen to the gondlier (spelling!) singers, most of whom are opera students without sitting in the boat and feeling stupid.
The gardens at Bellagio are always worth seeing, especially at Christmas time. The fountain/light show at Bellagio, (both are free). The impressionist paintings at Bellagio, the museum at the Venetian.<br>
There is a lot more than gambling but you really have to search it out. You might also go to the trip advisor website. There are some good pointers there.<br>
The shops at Caesars Palace and the ever popular Cheesecake Factory for dinner.</p>
<p>You mention Hoover Dam - nearby - but the Grand Canyon is a long way away. Too far during a 3 day trip, unless you pay for one of those helicopter trips. My friends’ daughters did that and threw up repeatedly. </p>
<p>I think 3 days with teens would be enough in Vegas. After you see the aquarium at Mandalay, eat at Rainforest Cafe at MGM, ride the roller coaster at NY NY (something like $12 PER RIDE), watch the fountains at Bellagio, shop at Caesaers, wander through Madame Troussaud’s at the Venetian, and go up the Eiffel Tower at Paris; you’ll be out of stuff that’s legal for teens to do. Except for laying by the pool and catching some rays. Shows are great but PRICEY, and many sell out in advance (especially the Cirque du Soleil shows).</p>
<p>Well - I’m sure this will sound stuffy, but Las Vegas is not a good place for teenagers. You walk down the street and are hustled with advertisements for brothels and gun shows. Not anywhere close to a place I’d want to celebrate Christmas.</p>
<p>Better the real Disneyland (just my opinion).</p>
<p>I’ll be in Vegas for Christmas, but only because I live there…</p>
<p>Really, though, there’s nothing to do if you’re not 21, and besides, Vegas with your parents sucks. Trust me, I lived in Vegas for 14 years… it’s not a fun family destination. </p>
<p>But if you do go, see Love. It’s AMAZING. And go to the Fashion Show Mall.</p>
<p>we are only going for 2 nights and three days, and one day is Hoover dam, I think we can find something to do for 2 days</p>
<p>we have done many other vacations- snow, sun, Grand Canyon, San Diego, Mexico, but just have a short time, and you couldn’t pay me to hang out in LA again</p>
<p>so we figure, do stuff first day, second day, do hoover dam, third day, lay around and leave in the early evening</p>
<p>as for brothels and guns, come on. we live in SF, if we haven’t seen it here, well…</p>
<p>The draw really is to see tacky stuff, look at over priced clothes, see some art, and Hoover Dam</p>
<p>Someday, my H wants to go to Utah and see the Morman Tabernacal for the archetecture- sounds fun…</p>
<p>D has gone many times, once under 21 with friends (she did undergrad at ASU and everyone makes the road trip).Pretty much lots to do there,but they do hustle you out of the casino areas if underage,and many times you are passing through casino areas to get to other hotel attactions. Lots of excellent pool/spa options if your D’s are into that. Lots of people watching/gawking at over the top architecture.Excellent shows to see,make sure and spring for one.On top of the Stratosphere is a really cool thrill ride.
we took D back to celebrate her 21st birthday.Had a good time with us but…
shes had a much better time going since turning 21 LOL.
But,its a fun place to see at any age I think,especially since so much of what you see are landmarks of sorts ,so recognizable from TV.
Theres a tram running along the back sides of the hotel strip,it saves lots of walking time.
If you do rent a car, parking is free at the hotels (they want you to come inside and spend $$).</p>
<p>IMO…Vegas can be lots of fun with teenage girls. We traveled with another family-and the girls spent time at the wave pool, shopping, the Stratoshpere, the nY roller coaster, saw the “O” show-Cirque du soleil (sp?), the Pirate ship-free show on the strip, we had some kind of dinner show that was set in a 'castle"…life is what you make it-play nice and have fun!</p>