Family Vacation to LAS VEGAS - Where to Stay? What to Do?

YIKES! In my opinion, Las Vegas is NOT the place for that age kids. Maybe go to Henderson, or somewhere near the outskirts. NICE area. You can go to Hoover Dam and there are some desert areas and national forests close.

What about Oregon? There are lots of great places to visit in Oregon and it's a BEAUTIFUL state.

I am always so surprised that people want to bring their kids to Vegas. I love Vegas. In fact, my husband and I are going with some friends in 3 weeks. I would never want to bring my child there. There are so many other great places to vacation. Why expose them to hookers, smoking and gambling when they are so young?

We stayed at the Excalibur when my kids were small since it looked like a big castle and they loved that. They have magic shows with Merlin and such throughout.. Circus circus is at the other end of the strip but has a lot of fun stuff for the kids worth a visit (never stayed there, heard mixed reviews since it's older.) The M&M store is close to Excalibur and has 4 floors of M&M merchandise which will thrill the kids. MGM has the Rainforest Cafe which is a fun experience for the kids if you haven't been to one before and an area where they can see real lions through a glass walkthrough. Oh and there is a really cool show at Ceasars Palace that happens I think once an hour, but may be a bit frightening for the younger one (really neat though) and a huge FAO Schwarts toy store as well worth visiting. As far as time change, everything is open so late you can keep your little ones up nice and late and hopefully they will sleep a bit longer in the morning! Just be forewarned that walking the strip means your little ones will see plenty of pornographic images as people are passing out flyers everywhere with nude women on them and they end up scattered all over the streets so it's best to stay within casinos and cars when going up and down the strip. A lot of people say Vegas is not for kids but mine have always loved it! Hope you have a great time.

Ditto everything the first poster wrote. I would also check out the bus system. You can get a 24 pass for cheap. It's so worth it if it's really hot out, or if you are going far. The sidewalk can get really crowded and pushing a stroller or even just walking w/ 3 kids can be hectic.

My dd is also an early riser. I suffered being up at 4am w/ her. It's too hard to try and change her sleep routine for a few days. Sure, she can stay up later than her normal bedtime, but then she is up earlier and crankier earlier at night.

I'd have to agree that the Excalibur is good. Look into Circus Circus as well.

I doubt time change will be an issue in Vegas because there is actually no time in Vegas. You'll never see a clock.

I would really re-think Vegas as a family destination. There was a (brief) time when Las Vegas was attempting to market itself as a family friendly place--not so much now.
If you DO want to go--stay somewhere really nice and plan excursions OUT of Vegas--Hoover Dam, etc.

I was going to suggest Circus Circus. I would also stay off the strip. Go to Red Rock Canyon, take the drive to Death Valley or the Hoover Dam. I think there's an abandoned mining town you could see. I went there without the kids, but stayed with friends who did have kids and those are a few things we did.

Either stay at or take the kids to Circus Cirucs! Also take the kids to the fountains at the Bellagio. There are lighted water shows every night that are amazing!

Stay at circus circus. It's a family friendly hotel that has games and entertainment for kids.

My husband and I are going there during spring break too- but for a wedding. We are planning on seeing the Lion King broadway show- it looks really neat. We are staying in a condo/resort type place off the strip but still close- I'm not sure what it's called, he set everything up. Have fun!