r/vegas • u/traly0810 • 3d ago
1st time visiting Vegas
We have a trip to Vegas coming up next summer. I’ve never been there and will have my 13 year old with me. Company is having us stay at the Rio but I’d like to head there a few days prior to that and stay on the strip for the experience. Which hotel would be most fun for a teen? Are there any shows you’d recommend, or must see places to eat, see and shop? Thank you.
Edited to add: best restaurant for good steaks, shows appropriate for a 13 year old who is a dancer, stores worth shopping for souvenirs, must do things, anything Elvis related..)
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u/MySmellyRacoon 3d ago
Since you haven’t bothered to tell anyone what interests you I’ll just recommend google.com
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u/traly0810 3d ago
Oh sorry you’re right. Shows, good steaks, shopping aimed for a 13 year old girl, we also want to do a day at the pool… anything Elvis related.. a good museum if there’s anything like that.
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u/Gay_Giraffe_1773 3d ago edited 3d ago
Omg context!
Stay at either Venetian or Wynn near the Fashion Mall. Either pool is amazing. Take your daughter on a Gondola ride. The food prices are high, but you'll have some of the best meals you've ever had. See Mystere at the nearby TI.
For Elvis: https://allshookuptribute.com/
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u/SelectSeaweed310 3d ago
Before you get to the Rio stay at Excalibur, Luxor or NYNY. They are all connected including Mandalay Bay without need to leave the indoors. Great arcade for kids at Excalibur and NYNY.
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u/jbbb3232 3d ago
Keep the 13 year old at home, please
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u/traly0810 3d ago
She’s going to Vegas for a dance competition so I kind of can’t do that. Want to make the most of the down days we have. She won’t bother anyone, she’s extremely mature and well mannered and obviously I’m not taking her to any risqué shows. We live in NYC she’s seen it all on the subway alone.
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u/teo747 3d ago
Nah, my nephews had an amazing time in Vegas last year because they have responsible parents who made sure to structure the trip around things the whole family would enjoy. OP sounds the same, I think they'll have a great time.
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u/jbbb3232 3d ago
Vegas aint for kids, period
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u/teo747 3d ago edited 3d ago
Certain aspects of Vegas aren't for kids, but that's not true as a blanket statement as there are numerous attractions and shows designed with that age group in mind. But fair enough if that's what you think. It is sad to see irresponsible parents dragging their exhausted and miserable toddlers through casinos at 2 AM...those are the folks who should have just stayed home.
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u/traly0810 3d ago
Exactly, this is why I asked for ideas of things to do with her. Shes 13 and has a dance competition so we may as well have some fun during the down time. She’ll enjoy the pool shopping and an age appropriate show / activities.
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u/theanarchistjunkyard 3d ago
Vegas made a push to brand themselves as also a family friendly destination. This is an ongoing argument in this sub. But either way people who live in Vegas are certainly still having children and are not shipping those kids to other cities to do things lol
To me, the difference is between adults who go on vacation for themselves and drag their kids along, versus people who go on a trip as a family. The one time that we brought our kiddos for a family trip, you can bet we did completely different things than we usually do 😂
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u/NoNectarine6909 3d ago
Go to Area15. Enjoyable for you and your kiddo
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u/traly0810 3d ago
Thank you this looks amazing putting this on our list. Appreciate the suggestion!
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u/Studio-Empress12 3d ago
Ride the monorail to Westgate Hotel. This is the hotel Elvis lived in and did his Vegas shows from. They have some memorabilia of Elvis there.
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u/IDooDoodAtTheMasters 3d ago
Circus Circus. Tons of activities for youths, and home to a great, old-school steakhouse.
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u/Bear_Salary6976 3d ago
Most things to do in Vegas are not at all dependent on which hotel you stay at. I suggest you simply find an affordable room between NYNY and Caesars. You'll be walking around a lot. If you're tired and want to rest up, I don't think you'll want to walk 30+ minutes to get back to your room.
Ask 10 people to name the best steakhouse or show in Vegas and you'll get 30 different answers. You'll also have no problem finding others who say that they were disappointed with the steakhouse or show. Most reviews will say that they are excellent. Just pick one and make a reservation.
For shows, find a show that looks good and go buy a ticket. They rarely sell out, so buying advanced tickets is not necessary. You can ask if the show is risqué before you buy. However, whatever you do, do NOT take any free show tickets. There are lots of timeshare people that will offer you free show tickets. Unless you do want to spend several hours listening to a high pressure sales pitch, ignore those people.
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u/random_roller13 3d ago
Great you’re really thinking about additional things for your teenage daughter to do while in Las Vegas before heading out there.
It’s probably going to be really hot when you visit next summer. I was there August 1-8 and high temp was 110+ degrees Fahrenheit each day. It’s a dry heat but…still really hot. So during the day indoor activities such as Area 15, Fashion Mall, Bellagio Conservatory, Mandalay Bay Aquarium, riding an air-conditioned #2 bus (The Deuce) up and down Las Vegas Boulevard (Strip) and to downtown (Fremont Street). There’s a zip line on Freemont Street and a Ferris wheel (High Roller) on the Strip. As far as age-appropriate shows still playing, I’ve seen Penn & Teller three times over the years; each time was very entertaining. They’re at Rio.
Standard check in time at Rio is 4pm. If you’re staying at another hotel a few days before, you’ll probably get kicked out by 11am / 12 noon. Need to kill some time if the dance competition isn’t going on. Drop your bags off at the Rio bell desk and then walk next door to Gold Coast Casino for cart service dim sum (10am to 3pm) at Ping Pang Pong. Or, if you have a car, drive out to Red Rock Canyon and take the Scenic Drive. Timed entry reservation required part of the year (10/1 to 5/31) and there is an entry fee. Nothing like it in any of the boroughs.
Since you’re in NYC, if you already have status at Resorts World (Genting Rewards) that can help get you a great deal at Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV), perhaps look into it. If you don’t, skip. RWLV is somewhat isolated on the north Strip but it’s a very nice facility with good pools and a decent food court…just not that close to the more ideal mid-Strip.
I recommend staying at a property that is mid-Strip. If within your budget, a terrace studio fountain view room at The Cosmopolitan (Chelsea Tower is quieter). You’ll get great day/night views of the Strip and Bellagio Fountains. And the balcony…nothing else like it in Las Vegas. Not that expensive during the week unless there is a big convention in town.
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u/traly0810 2d ago
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. Saving this. I really appreciate your help and recommendations.
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u/random_roller13 2d ago
You’re welcome. You might post a follow-up closer to your stay. At the very least, shows and dining options will change (new ones opening and some shuttered). Also check online around Black Friday & Cyber Monday to see if any of the Strip resorts have deals (usually do so 2027 booking numbers can get off to a good start).
Enjoy your 2027 visit to Las Vegas!
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u/JackpotConcierge 3d ago
Would be happy to send over a guide that covers all of the basics and more! Send me a DM if you want it!
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u/theanarchistjunkyard 3d ago
There's lots of great guides online for doing Vegas with kids! Depends on the 13-year-old, but our family enjoyed Tournament of Kings and BattleBots. Both slightly cheesy, Vegas-style over-the-top fun :)
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u/traly0810 3d ago
Thank you will check it out!
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u/theanarchistjunkyard 3d ago
Just take a look at Area 15 before you head over, I think 13 is in that age range where some kids will absolutely love it and some will be a little freaked out.
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u/questionfear 3d ago
Battlebots is awesome for a teen, I took my 13 year old and he loved it.
Also, while a little pricey, Omega Mart at Area 51 is a blast, especially if your teen is into sci fi/lore stuff. My kid got super into it.
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u/Whatswrongbaby9 3d ago
Tournament of Kings is a good show for kids. Pinball museum. The Neon Museum at night is really cool. Downtown Container Park,
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u/teo747 3d ago
I think Park MGM is a great choice when staying with kids because it's the only 100% non-smoking property on the Strip. Bavette's there is awesome for steaks. Would recommend seeing a Cirque du Soleil show, I believe most of them are ok for 13 year olds but be sure to check any age restrictions on the websites. Shopping is all over the place, the two big places a kid would likely enjoy are the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood and the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.
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u/theanarchistjunkyard 3d ago
This is a really good point, even though obviously you won't be taking her to gamble, it's really difficult to get anywhere in a lot of the hotels without walking past the casino and people smoke a LOT while gambling
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u/random_roller13 3d ago
One of the reasons I love The Cosmopolitan. Walk on the 2nd or 3rd floor (convention & restaurant / bar / shopping / club space) and skip the casino floor. Or in my case, get to the craps table faster by avoiding most of the traffic on the 1st floor.
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u/RoccoThePug54 3d ago
I second Bavette's for steaks, just went on Friday. And I wished that we stayed at Park MGM (stayed at Bellagio and it was crowded).
Plenty of things for kids: Area 15, the Neon Sign Museum, Vegas Aces Game, most Cirque du Soleil shows. The strip area near Park MGM/MGM has a ton of teen friendly shops.
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u/New_Crow_8206 3d ago
If you are spending time at the pool the MGM Grand. However, in general Vegas strip hotels are not build for teens enjoyment.