17 Month Old in Vegas

just to add to the other posts, stop in at Circus Circus and see the show. It is free and pretty good.

First I would check with the hotel concierge. The discovery museum is great for children. It is in a older neighborhood, but once you are in, the museum is filled with all sorts of scientific discoveries. http://www.ldcm.org/

Here are the state parks: http://parks.nv.gov/ I suggest calling them and asking them about Calico Basin. It is a very easy path hike of beautiful red rock. Email me and I can show you some shots of the area. ____@____.com You would definitely need a rental for this one. There is also Old Nevada/Bonnie Springs. It is an old ghost town where they have a shoot out and a very very small old petting zoo. They also have horse back riding there.

I love the aquarium at the Mandalay Bay, but it freaked out my little girl at that age and we had to get her out of there.

There is a Walmart on Eastern and Russell near the airport and not far from the strip that may come in handy while here.

Here is the link to Kid Quest at the Palms near the strip. http://www.kidsquest.com/kqcenter.php?id=13 You can leave the kiddo behind while you get some adult time in. Be sure to bring his immunization records. Call them for all the details.

Have fun.

The shark exhibit at Mandalay Bay is very cool. Also, the dolphin exhibit at the Mirage is well worth seeing as well as the volcano that erupts outside. The Bellagio always has beautiful floral gardens (free), plus the fountains outside are awesome too. I would highly recommend taking a cab or if you're renting a car just go from hotel to hotel and valet park. It's free and you only need to tip a couple bucks when you pick up your car. Otherwise it's ALOT of walking! A trip downtown to see the Freemont Street Experience light and music show (again free) is a must! The Wynn has an amazing light and water show (also free!) Finally, the Venetian has a gondola ride you can take through the hotel while they serenade you and it is breathtaking. Have a great trip...Vegas is an awesome place for grown-ups and kids alike!

Don't take this the wrong way, but Vegas is no place for children. The strip is full of loud, obnoxious people looking to get drunk and gamble. Do you really want to expose your child to this? At 17 months, your child will not remember the trip, but I would never take my baby or older children to Vegas. It really is "sin city" and anyone who tells you it makes for a great family vacation is fooling themselves. Save your money and take a trip to the Dells instead.

You've got some great ideas here already that I may end up repeating since I haven't read all the responses. We were in Vegas over New Year's with our then 27-month old and 16-month old since my parents have a timeshare there. Luckily, the timeshare was walking distance from things. There's the new CityCenter shopping area that is connected via free tram to Monte Carlo and Bellagio. In the CityCenter there was a cool piece of artwork that used water and lights that entertained our kids for a good amount of time. We went to see the lions at MGM, looked around the Rainforest Cafe shop (MGM), watched and threw pennies in the water wall and fountain at the new Aria casino, watched the cars under the bridges, road the free tram between Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, and the Luxor, tried to check out the acts at Circus Circus but it can get crowded so be ready. Also, Bellagio has a nice indoor garden that is usually done up and great for pictures. Our joke while on our trip was that you know you're traveling with toddlers in Vegas when every water fountain and free tram ride become the big highlight. And during the day when I assume you'll be doing most of your walking around, there isn't that same crazy drunk crowd that someone else wrote about. And I was there for New Year's! We did travel with our carseats using the Go Go Kidz Travelmate but to only get through the airport and used the carseats in my parents car. I don't know if the carseat is as necessary for a cab ride, especially if you can walk it with a stroller. Certainly, Vegas is different with a young child but doable. Have a good time!

Having traveled by plane with twins that age, I would advise that you rent a car. It is just too much to concern yourself with in an unfamiliar city; toddler, diaper bag, purse and car seat. The crime rate is up every where. Don't forget your stroller. If you do rent the car, you can go to the Dam and other atttractions in the area more easily.
I used to go to Vegas every year before we had the twins, so I have never gone with children, but I do remember a few things. The resort in the shape of a castle has quite a few things for children. The Mirage has a dolphin show and exhibits the white tigers and other animals, like a small zoo. This area is in the back by the pool. Your child may even get a kick out of all of the orchids. Circus Circus is also fun for children and there is a children's museum. Just time by the pool with Mom is fun for any child. Have fun and stay safe.

Hi,
Just for starters, I saw the post that someone said that Vegas is not for children, etc... Well, obviously you are going, so you weren't asking that opinion! ha!!! (From someone who thought the same thing, and then ended up taking my 3 year old there), and we actually had a wonderful time! Before I couldn't stand that there were so many strollers, etc., but nowadays there are so many scooters now (and believe me, from lots of people who don't truly need them, but for the convenience)!!!! ha! Anyway, we did all the things that everyone mentioned! She truly loved Circus Circus alot, and the Mirage with the animals. Heck, my hubby & I go every year to gamble and see grown up things, so we were able to see stuff that we hadn't in years!!!! We also had the luxary of going with a set of grandparents as well, so at night, we were able to do some grown up stuff too!!! A stroller is must, or course!!! I was glad that we had the car seat for the plane, just because she knew she couldn't get up, so that was helpful. But as far as Vegas and the cabs, we did not use a car seat at all. I either buckled her on my lap, or buckled her herself.... (ONLY in Vegas would I do this)! ha!

They have a mall there too, if you just want to walk around - don't recall seeing a play area though. At Caesars they also have the statues talking - your little one may love it or hate it! At TI, they have some sort of pirate thing that may be interesting! One thing though, very important, if you do go to Fremont, don't go LATE at night. It is really nice and cool early on, but at night, it truly gets very seedy. My hubby and I were not even comfortable!

Make the best of it, and you will have so much fun (just as if you were trying new things here at home)!!! And for the record, we were there for 4 days, and NO ONE ever stopped us one time. It wasn't like I threw a quarter in when I was pushing my little one!!!!

Have fun - would love to hear how you enjoyed yourselves when you come back!!!!

All the best,
M.

We took my daughter with us to Vegas at 13 mos. old, and used a cab or walked up and down the strip. I did not have her in a car seat in the cab, as I didn't have one with us. :( We had a rental car for only a day while we were there, and rented the seat from them. As far as things to do, we spent alot of time walking the strip. We came across a really cool shopping area/strip mall that had a magician there & someone that had trained birds doing tricks. My daughter LOVED it! The aqaurium at Ceasars was cool & well worth seeing. I'd say just check for family things once you get there, that was all we had time for on our short 2 day stay. Have fun!!!

If I remember correctly, there is a bus or tram type thing you can get on and off whenever you want on the Strip...You might check out the M & M store near MGM...it's the only one in the world and lots of cute things in there.

if any of the attractions are in an area that makes you have to cross through a casino, be prepared to be stopped and told that no one under 21 can be in that area...

I went ot vegas with my 2 year old neice and my 7 year old daughter and we ewent to Circus Circus . They have a arcade and shows taht are free every hour. He might enjoy that ..

The aquarium at Mandalay Bay is outstanding!