Family Fun , on the cheap, Las Vegas style!!
Written: Oct 01 '02 (Updated Mar 20 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: So much for a family to do!!
Cons: Not many, do some research and pick and choose what you want to do.
The Bottom Line: This town can offer so much that can be free or at reasonable prices.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Las Vegas |
As a family vacation my family went to Las Vegas two years ago. At first there was some doubt as to my mental condition when I first suggested it to my wife. Generally it is my wife who makes the plans. I did indeed go out on a limb!
WHY VEGAS ?
We did go to Vegas years before on one of our cross country trips. At the time, before the 1990's, there were Casinos and Big Shows. That was about it. I explained that the town has smartened up and become more than just a big persons Disneyland. They started putting in things that would attract kids and families.
TWO HOTELS
We read up on Las Vegas through our trusty Frommers guide and the Internet and agreed we were going. We did get some good prices on air fare. We went in the summer. We also got some good hotel rates. We stayed at the Mirage and the Flamingo with a one week break in between when we rented a van and went to three different National Parks. The north rim of Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.
The Flamingo gave us the best "Family" price, just $75. per day per room. We were a total of eight. Our kids were a range of twelve to twenty years old then. The Flamingo was very well situated on the Strip. The older kids were on their own for a few hours each of the last few days we were there. Most of what they wanted to do or see were close by.
Location was also excellent at the Mirage. They did cost more at $125. per night per room. I did just write a review about the Mirage and that's what prompted this one. Now these were pre 9/11 prices. The fact is you can get even better rates now. Due to the economy there are less high rollers and travelers these days. They want your money in Vegas and will give you good deals to get you there.
The Flamingo hotel has a great pool or rather pools for the kids. The pool area was crowded but they had a ball. They have slides at the pools and they went on them endlessly. We felt the kids were safe there also. My children are of age that they can all swim and the slide areas did have life guards and people overseeing the activity.
The Mirage also had a pool that my wife Carolyn and I feel is the nicest looking of them all! The kids had a great time there but it didn't have the slides.
Just a quick explanation as to why two places. We wanted to go to the Mirage so that was first on our list. We also planned to go to three national parks, Grand canyon North Rim, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National park. After four days at the Mirage we went on our ride to the parks, spent a week and then returned to Vegas staying at the better rate of the Flamingo Hilton. I also picked up some points on my Hilton Honors club there.
WALK THERE
Nearby both Casino Hotels were so many places we could just walk to. Many were totally free. Next door to the Mirage is Treasure Island Hotel. Outside every night starting at five-thirty, weather permitting, is a fantastic Pirate show with men swinging and fighting from two ships. It's really a great ten minute show. The price is FREE,. You have to get there early though. It does get very crowded!! We went into Treasure Island and there is a place where you can have a snack and a drink and watch the show. I liked this. They weren't overly priced and instead of waiting around standing we were comfortable. You see the show from the other side.
I should not forget that at the Mirage itself is the Volcano. After dusk it is a continuous show until midnight. It was fun watching it. Whenever we were waiting for valet service to bring our car we would go and witness the event.
Across the street from the Mirage and down the street on the same side from the Flamingo is the Venetian Hotel. Very cool place. Outside is all picture taking opportunities. Inside is fantastic! The kids enjoyed walking around the shops inside. There is a magic shop that continued to draw crowds as they displayed and demonstrated their wares. We bought a couple of tricks. My wife and I just recently were in Venice and this place is such a great recreation! It is very cool seeing Gondolas going up and down canals. In the middle of the square were street entertainers and more photo ops along with a lot of laughs. This is all free.
In all the malls and promenades of the different hotels you can find places to eat at very moderate prices. It was pretty easy keeping a budget on food for a family of eight.
Another freebie we did was walking to the front of the Bellagio hotel at night. Every night at fifteen minute intervals they have wonderful water and light shows set to classic and contemporary music. It is a must!! The fountains are spread over three football fields wide and shoot hundreds of feet into the air!!
Taking a walk in the forum area of Caesar's Palace was great for the kids and us too. The shops are great. Some Very high end places here. I just didn't hit the big jackpot to make a purchase. Carolyn is still waiting for that special something.
In the forum is a fun show where all the statues "come to life" That happens every hour or so. Look that one up. Another thing going on is that the lighting in this indoor place changes from indoor to outdoor effects. That was something that kind of snuck up on us. Very cool!
BACK TO NY
We went to New York, New York, It felt like the real deal inside with the Coney Island style rides and vendors. "Yous gotta bring some of da bucks here doe" "It ain't cheap" but it was fun.
The kids loved the roller coaster. The ride was about ten dollars then. We had a lot of fun in the arcade area. Quarters were flowing quickly and easily.
MORE FUN
One day we took a ride to Circus Circus. After a long walk from the parking lot to the casino we went upstairs and on a platform above all those gambling is an area where you will see shows in the air and on the ground. About twice per hour a show goes on. We saw a trapeze show, a balancing show and a clown show. It was exciting to see them so close up.
Something we did to save a bit of money was to have some snacks and drinks in the car. On our way to a place we would have a snack and be ready to see a show or whatever.
This saved both time and money.
On the other end of town we spent an afternoon at Luxors. Again as with all these places there are picture opts all over the place. Have fun and be very candid!. We have a great time posing for some of these pictures. At Luxors we paid a pretty good deal to see three shows. It was a reduced rate that way. One of the shows was an amazing IMAX show. The kids were thoroughly entertained here. We also ate downstairs at their buffet that was reasonably priced for a family of eight.
A GREAT EXPERIENCE
A free show not to be missed is the Freemont Street Experience. We drove down. This is away from the strip in the original downtown area. We had to park a few blocks away. I suggest you cab it if you are a small group.
This is a couple of closed off streets with pedestrians only. It is completely enclosed. There are street vendors, and entertainers all over the place, a real carnival type of atmosphere. Every hour from dusk till midnight everything stops and the show begins. It is a fantastic light and sound show that goes on for about ten minutes. The kids liked it. I understand they do different themes all the time. Here again some souvenirs were purchased. There are very inexpensive little "junk stores" and food can also be purchased at good prices. There are a few "Seedy" establishments in this area too. Hey this is "sin city". It wasn't too distracting, just wanted to give you a "Heads up"
MAGICAL WAY OF STRETCHING THE DOLLARS
There is more to do if you look up the places. One thing we opted to do was skip the Siegfried and Roy show and do a different magic show instead and I'll tell you why. The S & R Show had prices that started at seventy dollars per person. It's a great family show from what I hear but too pricey times eight of us.
For the same price per person we went to Caersar's Magical Empire This was a fantastic show and dinner to boot!! We all were ushered into a room where we sat family style with other people around a table. About fourteen of us. In come all kinds of characters who put on the patter that is humourous and complete with magic. They got us all into interacting with them and each other. As this was going on we were served our dinner. It was a ton of laughs as each of us got involved in the story. After dinner we were escorted to a small theatre where we were given a close up magic show. This was all done in some old Roman ruins type area. The set was very interesting and afterward we were able to walk around and explore the area at our leisure. No rush around here just a lot of fun and entertainment. This was good family fun!
SIDE TRIPS
I mentioned earlier that we were there for a few days and then left town for the National Parks. This is a fairly inexpensive way of learning more of the beauty and grandeur of our country and a great diversion from the city life. Much closer is Red Rock Canyon. Just a half hour out of town. Very cool and the kids will like it.
MORE GAMES
Another place we all spent time in but did cost was Gameworks. Near the MGM Grand is where this is. We paid a fixed price and are each given a card. We then have run of a complex with all kinds of video games, interactive tech games, rockwalls to climb, and some indoor rides. I don't remember the prices but I do recall it was a good value. Remember my friends, I was doing this On the CHEAP.
There is so much else for a family to do in Vegas. Look up one of the many sites or get a Frommers or Fodders Book. Read up and go!!
Other Vegas reviews by popsrocks
The Las Vegas STRIP, how to do it.
Flamingo Hotel
The Flamingo Hotel A great value
Mirage Hotel It's top notch!!
A couple of good books
Frommer's Guide To Las Vegas Good Information before you go.
1,000 Places To See Before You Die This is a wonderful book for reference and for dreaming.
Nearby National Parks we did side trips to.
Grand Canyon
Bryce Canyon
Zion National Park
Death Valley National
Other Fantastic Cities to visit!!
Key West, Florida
New Orleans
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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