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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

G-rated Vegas

Bill Ordine Philadelphia Inquirer

As a vacation spot that bills itself as an adult playground and has the nickname Sin City, Las Vegas poses a challenge for visitors who bring children.

A perception that stubbornly persists is that the casino town has somehow made itself into a “family destination.” Indeed, that was a notion promoted in the early 1990s with the building of a handful of casino-hotels that had the feel of theme parks, such as the Camelot-style Excalibur and the MGM Grand, which did have a theme park that’s now gone.

But one has to look no further than the advertising catchphrase “What happens here, stays here” to realize that the G-rated, family-friendly pitch has been ditched.

Still, recent tourism surveys show about 9 percent of the folks who travel to Vegas have someone in their party under 21 – the legal age for gambling in Nevada – and it’s astounding to see during summer-evening strolls along Las Vegas Boulevard how many people bring children, even toddlers.

Given that, here’s how to keep the kids happy:

Attractions

The casino that predated the ill-conceived rush to theme-park motifs was Circus Circus, with its pink big top and circus performances. It still has an amusement park, a five-acre indoor layout called Adventuredome. Rides range from the gentle Frog Hopper to bigger-kid stuff, such as Canyon Blaster with double corkscrews and the like. Prices and times are at www.adventuredome.com/default2.aspx.

As much for adults as children is the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. This elaborate homage to the TV – and big-screen sagas of the Starship Enterprise should appeal to anyone with an appetite for science fiction. The main draws are two motion rides, the Klingon Encounter and the Borg Invasion (kids have to be 42 inches tall). There’s a museum of Star Trek props and a restaurant called Quark’s. Tickets that include both rides are sold online for $33.95. Details are at www.startrekexp.com/index.php.

At the Luxor, there’s an Imax theater and three film rides, including one that takes you through a video-game world, another on an adventure archaeological dig, a third through a haunted castle. There are also three Imax movies, including a Tom Hanks-produced moon walk. Tickets for each are $11.99. Details are at www.luxor.com/entertainment/imax_experience.aspx.

At the Venetian, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum presents replicas of the famous. While little ones might be bored, older children may get a kick out of posing for pictures with Hollywood stars and historical figures. See www.venetian.com/attractions/mt_grouptickets.cfm.

Animals

Most children probably will enjoy several animal attractions along the Strip, some of which are free.

The MGM Grand has a free lion habitat where adult lions and cubs often loll around and play. The Mirage has a free white tiger habitat, a vestige of the Siegfried and Roy magic-animal act that ended when Roy Horn was injured by one of the cats. Toward the back of the resort are a dolphin habitat and the Siegfried and Roy Secret Garden. Combined admissions are $15 for adults, $10 for children 4 to 12, and free for children under 3 with an adult.

Mandalay Bay has Shark Reef, an array of aquatic life from golden crocodiles to, of course, sharks. Prices are $15.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 5 to 12, free for younger children. And, at the entrance to the Flamingo’s pool area is a free fish and exotic bird habitat, including flamingos and penguins.

Splashing

If you’re in town in swimming weather, May through mid-October, the hotel pool will be a favorite spot for young ones. The most expansive is at Mandalay Bay, with a wave pool, beach, and lazy river ride. However, Mandalay Bay is one of the pricier hotels. Families on a more modest budget should consider the Monte Carlo, which also has a wave pool and river ride; the Flamingo; and the Tropicana.

Dining

Buffets are a mixed bag for children. The upside is that kids get to pick what they want and there’s often a price break. The downside is that they have to get the food from the buffet back to the table.

A rare dinner-show geared to children is the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur. The food is a capon dinner you eat with your fingers. The entertainment is a medieval adventure with jousting, swordplay and acrobats. There are two shows a night, except for Tuesdays. For times and prices, see www.excalibur.com/entertainment/tok.aspx.

Arcades

These are dotted all over town. The Excalibur has a game arcade called Fantasy Fair Midway, and Circus Circus has its own midway that is close to the casino – some might feel too close. On the south end of the Strip is a non-casino-attached arcade, Gameworks, with all the latest video whiz-bangs including shoot-‘em-ups and sports games. The Sahara has a tie-in to NASCAR with a ride simulation arcade called Cyber Speedway, a restaurant, and a thrill ride. The simulation rides have a 48-inch height requirement.

Retail

With the opening of upscale malls, shopping has become a major part of the Vegas experience.

While kids likely won’t be impressed by Gucci and Fendi, they’ll probably enjoy the FAO Schwarz toy store at the Forum Shops and M&M World on the south end of the Strip near Gameworks. At M&M World, kids get to make their own mix of candy from more than 20 colors, many not found in the little bags at stores.

Thrill rides

Several screamers along the Strip might be for the young-at-heart but not the faint-of-heart. New York New York has its Manhattan Express roller coaster with a “heartline” twist-and-dive maneuver. The Sahara has Speed, the Ride, which accelerates from 35 to 70 mph in two seconds. And the Stratosphere Tower has three rides atop what, at 1,149 feet, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi.

The most recent addition is Insanity – the ads say riders experience “the thrill of being flung over the edge of the Tower and literally facing downward at the City of Las Vegas below.”