For Those Who Have Been to Las Vegas

I think it all depends on what you want to do.

If you've never been to Las Vegas and are going for the 'Las Vegas' experience, don't stay downtown. Sure, they have the light show at night which is very cool, but downtown is way less 'touristy' than the strip (hence, why it is cheaper). I'm not sure there is a whole lot to do downtown with an almost 2 year old, because you certainly won't be taking him/her to the casinos.

If you want the glitzy, Las Vegas experience then stay on the strip and stay at a theme hotel. Most rooms in Las Vegas are 'relatively' cheap, so pick one ON the strip in the middle of the action and avoid the cheapies on the fringe. If you're looking for things to keep your little one entertained, think about Excalibur (lots of kid-stuff), Treasure Island (they do the pirate show, I think), and Mirage (they have the volcano). I've stayed at the Luxor and Bellagio (last time I was there, it was a 'no-kids' hotel).

Also, consider how much walking you want to do - if you're going to want to do a ton of sightseeing with an almost 2 year old, I would recommend picking a hotel in the middle of the strip. As much as I like the Luxor, it's on the far end of the strip and that's a lot of walking. Avoid cabs if at all possible; while they are soooooo much safer than Chicago cabdrivers could ever hope to be, the meter runs and runs and runs while you sit in traffic (which you WILL sit in traffic). On the upside, valet parking is FREE at every casino (just be nice and tip the dude).

I absolutely love going to Las Vegas - and I don't gamble much at all, maybe $200 on a weeklong trip. I go there for the food and wine (amazing!), the shows, the shopping, and the sightseeing. In other words, there will be plenty of activities other than gambling to keep your family busy and having fun!

Its nice to go with and without kids. We have family there so we go often. We stayed at the Mardi Gras Best Western. Usually we stay at family but this time they were doing reconstruction on their home so it wasn't possible. As for the hotel - it was great. Kitchenetter, spacious, inexpensive, practical with children, comfortable and clean. It also was right off the strip and pretty nice around there just not so loud. We usually rent a car becuase we go around a lot. You can do the usual things everyone does --- shows, gambling, eating out, features in each of the hotels, M&M world, Coca Cola Shop, the Mall, Omnimax, etc. Those things are fun if you've never been there before. You can go broke though if that's your trip. It all adds up. 2-3 days is plenty to answer your question. If you like shows they have some amazing ones. Personally I would not spend a lot of money to stay in a glitzy theme hotel. There are even places that give away free stays as well. Do a little research and I'm sure you'll come up with some good stuff. Enjoy yourselves! On our last trip there I found out I was pregnant - how memorable!

We stayed in Mandalay Bay and loved it. There are differet types of pool: lazy river, wave pool, regular that our kiddos had fun (they were 2 and 1 yo).
3 days is plenty.

I think 3 days is plenty...but I was gambling and that was enough time to lose all my money!! We have stayed at the MGM...which has a great pool area, the Luxor which has alot to do inside the hotel (lobby area.)You should look on expedia or a site like that. They list all of the hotels with what there is to do, show pictures of the rooms and pool area, etc. I'm sure there are some things geared towards kids, but I can not help in that area. Also, it will be VERY hot if you go now on through the summer. Have fun!!

I think 3 days is more than enough. We were in Vegas for a wedding recently and stayed a couple extra days for a vacation. My daughter was 6 months old and loved it. We stayed at the Residence Inn right off the strip so that we had a kitchen to keep her food and breastmilk in. That way we also had a bedroom and a living room so when she was asleep we could be out in the living room. It worked out very well.

You may also want to consider staying downtown. We used to stay downtown all the time when it was just my husband and I becuase the rates are much cheaper and we like that you can more easily walk from casino to casino. Plus they have cheaper tables downtown. My daughter loved it when we spent a day downtown because it is covered and there are all sort of lights and stuff to look at. There were 3 of us so basically 2 would be gambling and 1 would be walking her around. It is really quick to take a cab or drive to the strip from downtown. We got a rental car when we were there with my daughter because of the car seat and drove everywhere. There is a lot of free parking in Vegas!

D.

We just stayed at the Signature at MGM Grand. All of the rooms have kitchenettes, including stove, fridge, sink, microwave, coffee, toaster, and all the pots, pans, dishes, etc. The rooms were huge, and they provide cribs. We booked the room in case we needed to bring our daughter. She ended up staying at Grandma's, but it would have been perfect. The rates are comparable to the mid-range hotels on the strip, and it is attached to the MGM Grand. You have use of the signature's and the MGM's facilities. It was fantastic. Plus, it was quiet and non-smoking which was a major plus after everything else that is Vegas. www.signaturemgmgrand.com we got great rates at cheaptickets.com

It really depends on your budget. I've been to Vegas lots of times, but I usually don't spend a whole lot of time in the hotel room. The Flamingo is an older hotel, but located in the center of the strip. Rates tend to be cheaper, and the pool is actually very nice. Harrahs is another ideal location, a little cheaper, but not so great pool. MGM and Excalibur were okay, but they're located almost at the end of the strip. Venetian is really nice. Treasure Island is good, too. 3 days is plenty of time. You'll do a lot of walking. On my last visit (a few weeks ago) I saw lots of babies in strollers! (Husband was home with mine :) Can't bring them into the casino (except maybe just to walk through - i.e. you can't gamble with your baby). Southwest airlines usually has good deals, but you have to fly out of Midway. I've found good prices on AA, too. Have fun.

Vegas is my fav vacation spot with my friends or my husband and I choose not to bring my daughter I dont think its a good town for kids even tho every time i go there strollers are everywhere...Good luck

We usually stay at New York New York and it is really nice.

2 nights and 3 days is a very short trip since the first day is half gone.

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