[Imnothere]

hubby got free ticket to las vegas and I want to come along. but also bringing kids. so besides the "adventuredome" in circus hotel is there anything I should not miss? also I am interested in high energy activity. for example the rock climbing park? is it close to the circus circus hotel? is the weather hot in las vegas? are there good water parks for kids? what can I see and show my boys?

[swagger]

Red Rock
Red Rock Canyon

Springs Preserve
Springs Preserve - Official Web Site

Atomic Testing Museum
The Atomic Testing Museum and the NTSHF

Rachel, NV (if they're into aliens & know about "Area 51" - probably too young)
Rachel, Nevada Home Page

A trip to Mt. Charleston is always pleasant.

As for the weather, it depends on when you'll be here. It's hot from about mid May through mid September. For about 4-6 weeks on either side of summer, it's quite nice. The rest of the year it can be pretty chilly. Right now, it's 61 outside (3:30pm).

[Imnothere]

thanks, before I look into all the links I gotta ask: I will not have a car in vegas so are these places close to the "strip"? also the weather sounds great! it's snowing cats and dogs here

[MomMom]

Definately Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. The Aquarium, (I think it's called Shark Reef or something similiar) at Mandalay Bay, the talking statues at Caesars (although I've seen some kids cry at this, lol)

There is a rock climbing attraction inside the Adventure Dome at Circus Circus, and yes it gets very hot here in Las Vegas in the summer.

We don't have any water parks, but the hotel pools are usually pretty good for kids, depending upon which property you're staying at and at which time of the year you're coming to visit.

Those ages that you stated for your kids, are tough ones. They are too young to really understand a lot (and in some instances that's a good thing) and might become over-tired and bored at walking in and out of hotels all day.

If you can venture off the Strip at all, the Lied Children's Discovery Museum is wonderful, the Museum of Natural History (both of these on Las Vegas Blvd, North) there is a rock climbing place on West Charleston Blvd., mini-putt putt golf on So. Fort Apache Road/Patrick, the Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix to name a few things your kids would enjoy. Unfortunately, they are not located on the Las Vegas Strip and you'd need a car to get to any of these places I just mentioned in this paragraph.

Give me more time, I might think of a couple more incidental things kids that age would be interested in, on the Strip, but there ain't much.

In my opinion, (and it's only my opinion) is that the best thing to do is leave the kids at home with a caregiver and you and hubby take a wonderful Vegas vacation!

[swagger]

Originally Posted by Imnothere

thanks, before I look into all the links I gotta ask: I will not have a car in vegas so are these places close to the "strip"? also the weather sounds great! it's snowing cats and dogs here

Nope, none of them are anywhere near the strip.

You should consider renting a car. There are some things you can do with the kids on the strip, but I don't know if there's enough to occupy days worth of time.

I'm also not big on little kids being on the strip - there's a lot that they can see/hear there that they probably shouldn't.

Oh, I forgot to put Hoover Dam in my list.
Bureau of Reclamation: Lower Colorado Region - Hoover Dam

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by swagger

I'm also not big on little kids being on the strip - there's a lot that they can see/hear there that they probably shouldn't.

Finally we agree on something. I cannot tell you how many times I have actually been yelled at by parents on the strip with their children for bad language, bumping into them, etc, etc... Hello, it is the adult playground by the name of Las Vegas, not Disneyland LOL.

[Imnothere]

OK, so I see. Las Vegas is a serious "adult place"
...
and I agree. I definately do not want my kids to see/hear things that are inappropriate. so here is the problem:
I don't drive.
so
is tere a hotel near, say, red rock canyon? and is red rock canyon a walking distance from the childrens museum or the rock climbing...?

[dynimagelv]

you really need to look at a map....Redrock Canyon is an easy walk....if you are a serious hiker....

[Imnothere]

were you kidding about rachel?

[mresort]

Some local tourist agencies offer Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam tours.
They pick you up from the strip.
If you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, you may try it.