Las Vegas has always been referred to as an adult playground. This reference has stuck with Sin City for good reason: much of the entertainment is adult in nature, and while there is no official “keep out” sign for children, the rated nature of much of this entertainment does make it appear that the younger set is not as welcome. Of course, Vegas insiders know that Las Vegas is a one stop vacation spot for everyone in the family, no matter what their age may be. Granted, it takes a bit more finesse to traverse the city with the kids in tow, but with a bit of planning this may very well be the vacation of a lifetime for everyone involved.

Here are some spots to consider when bringing along everyone in your family:

§ Enjoy your food. Bringing children along does not automatically sentence you to breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the local fast food joint. Sure, you will probably at some point in time visit the golden arches to appease your children and your wallet, but family dining can also take place in style at such venues as Bertolini’s in Caesar’s Palace where large portions and complimentary bread will feed even the hungriest bunch, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at the Flamingo where burgers rule, or at P.F. Changs’ China Bistro at the Aladdin.

§ While the Circus Circus is a casino, it does offer some special attractions for the kids. There is the indoor theme park that is specifically designed with children in mind. Arcade games, miniature golf, and even a rollercoaster will be sure to entertain the children for hours on end. Another casino that has games and attractions for kids – well away from the slot machines – is the New York New York.

§ For a family outing away from the glitz and pinging noise of the machines is Red Rocks Canyon where you will be able to rock climb, ride on horseback, hike, or even take a bike tour. This area is close enough to Las Vegas to make for a perfect daytrip, yet far enough away to give you a break from gambling. This is a wonderful place for a family outing.

§ For the experienced golfer in your midst there is the Bear’s Best Golf Club designed by Jack Nicklaus and sporting a par 72. Green fees could be considered to be a bit steep at $200 plus per game, but because of the expertise that went into the course design it is worth every penny! For the more fee conscious golfer there is the Desert Rose Golf Club which offers a par 71 and reasonable fees at about $75 per round of golf.

§ For the shop a holic in your group there are the fashion outlets of Primm Valley, which is located at the state line of California. If you want to shop while in Vegas, there are still plenty of outlets, such as the outlet mall named – appropriately – Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

§ For seasoned gamblers – and those who want to be – there is the casino at the Mandalay Bay. Large, well ventilated, and with plenty of waitresses ready to bring you free drinks, this is one of the nicest gambling establishments around. If you have a heavy pocket full of nickels, however, you will want to try the games at the casinos around the Circus Circus. These slot machines are aimed at the gamblers, who like the lower denominations, and the games are fun, the feel is family like, and you will always be able to get a good hot dog and a cold beer to sustain you.

Give us your rating of this article below to help us improve!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS