Expert: Laine Wightman - 10/28/2009

Question
Hi Laine,

My husband, 3 year old child, and I will travel to the US for Christmas vacation. We will spend New Year's eve in Las Vegas, what would you suggest to do with such a young kid ? Are there any shows which could be suitable, some safe places to watch the fireworks (may be you have tips for hotels with strip view rooms). Or any other kind of suggestion to spend a nice evening.

We will also be there on December 20 and 21. We plan to go to the Excalibur hotel. Is it a good choice ? What would you suggest to do during the days and evenings ? What are the main restrictions for kids. For example, is it allowed to enter a casino with a child (without gambling) ?

Thanks,

Valérie


Answer
Hello Valerie,
 It will be difficult to experience the Las Vegas New Year's Eve experience with a young child.  The Strip is closed to vehicles starting at around 5pm.  People wander around drinking, and there ends up being a lot of drunks there.  The hotels/casinos close their doors to everyone except registered guests, and the only restrooms available are porta-johns.  It really is a place that locals stay away from on New Years Eve.  On the other hand, if you have a hotel room with a Strip View, you could watch fireworks from your room.  I haven't heard of any plans for fireworks this year, but they announce much closer to December 31st.  Any of the major hotels on the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) have windows overlooking the Strip...........the problem is that those view rooms are much more expensive.  If that is not an issue, I suggest that you book as soon as possible.  
 Two hotels that market to families are Circus Circus on the north end of the Strip, and Excaliber, on the South end of the Strip.  Depending on where the fireworks are set off, you may or may not have a good view from the Excaliber.  The Excaliber does have a neat dinner show that kids love, where you eat with your hands (chicken, etc) and cheer on your favorite participant on horseback.  That would be a good "special" thing to do with your child if he/she is not afraid of horses.   They are in a large arena, and you sit in a row around the outside of the arena with a shelf for a table.  Here's the web site: http://www.excalibur.com/entertainment/tournament_of_kings.aspx

You may enter a hotel/casino with a child, but you must stay on the main walkways, cannot stop, and the child must be kept at least 8 feet away from the machines.  You may not go into the Wynn or the Encore with a child in a stroller or on foot, unless you are staying there.  I would suggest eating mainly in coffee shops, buffets or food courts, as you will not have to wait so long to be served........especially if your little one is tired.  Here are some ideas for you to do..........Las Vegas used to promote itself as family friendly, but it has now changed it's tune and is marketing to adults.  

I don't know if you will have a car, and I will identify those things that are away from the Strip.  

Lied Discovery Childrens Museum {http://www.ldcm.org/}(away from Strip), The white tigers exhibit at the Mirage hotel, the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage hotel, the huge aquarium behind the check in area at the Mirage, The conservatory at the Bellagio has wonderful floral landscape displays for each season, The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, Sams Town indoor light show, evenings, Boulder Highway away from the Strip, the Mermaid Show at the Silverton (away from the Strip), The fountains at the Bellagio features fountains playing to music......fantastic to see from afternoons on every hour or so, Flamingo Hotel Wildlife Habitat......you can walk through, but also the buffet has a great view, The Forum Shops at Ceasars has one of the last big FAO Schwartz toy store and also features statues that "come to life" in various places along the walkways of the mall, the lion habitat at the MGM, the M%26M's world at the Showcase Mall, Ron Lee's World of Clowns Factory and tour (away from Strip, in Henderson), Sirens of TI (Treasure Island)......its a bit adult, but I don't think a three year old would notice.....but they would see the pirate ships and the pirates.  That's also late afternoon on, free, and runs every hour or so, and the Volcano outside the Mirage Hotel.  You will have to ask locally for the times of the free outdoor shows (Bellagio Fountains, Mirage Volcano, and Sirens of TI, as they change throughout the year.  There is a neat overhead light show at Fremont Street downtown, but the area is not very child friendly.  Circus Circus has an indoor amusement park, called the Adventuredome with all kinds of rides for kids of all ages.  Most hotels have an arcade .... Excaliber and Circus Circus are most kid friendly, but the one at New York, New York is huge.  There are roller coasters at New York, New York and at the Sahara.  There are thrill rides (too old for a 3 year old maybe) on top of the Stratosphere.  There are virtual reality rides at Excaliber.  Your hotel MAY have a heated pool for winter swimming, so do ask.
  I hope this has given you some ideas, and that you have a wonderful vacation.  If you have any further questions, please feel free to write again.
                                     Laine