Question of the Day - 28 September 2024

was disappointing when we saw it precovid

I agree with Mr. Mendoza. Go see O rather than Ka

I insist on taking my east coast visitors to the Valley of Fire.
Like going to another planet. And you can't beat the price.
Great day trip. Save the strip for the night.

Another stop could be the Pinball lHall of Fame.  Lots of vintage machines to play.  And, if he is interested, the Atomic Testing Museum.  A throwback to the days when seeing an atomic test was a local attraction!  

It's a few years old and getting bigger and better all the time.

This has to be on the list, along with the burgeoning night life on Fremont East.

Two more things a young man will enjoy are the Zombie Burlesque show at the V Theater in Planet Hollywood — and Frankie’s Tiki Room over on Charleston. Both are close enough to use Lyft/Uber. 

Bellagio, in and out.  The always changing Conservatory inside with the amazing and beautiful display, and the wonderful fountains outside which are especially lovely at night.

It’s worth a trip downtown to see all that Fremont Street offers. Tell him to check out Axehole axe throwing bar — affordable and a lot of fun! (I’m trying to think of what a 12-year-old guy might find entertaining.) And video poker has a good return — I like Four Queens for that. Downtown Grand has the cheapest table game minimums if he’d like to try craps or roulette. 

If either of you are into Kiss or mini-golf there's https://kissminigolf.com/

Batistas hole in the wall is a kickback. Bocca DiPiepo chain is basically a rip off of Batistas.
Get him to a speak easy - there is one in the Durango with a rabbit head over the entrance.
https://vegas.eater.com/2023/8/30/23851097/speakeasy-wax-rabbit-durango-casino-resort-las-vegas-openings

See the themed casinos - these will soon be a thing of the past. Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York. Per NYNY have a Ruben in the deli right in the middle of the food court. Belagio was previously mentioned. Venetian then a walk down to the Vegas eye. You can stop in at Osheas a casino within a casino. 
He is going to want to get to a night club - Drai’s at the Cromwell is fun, Tao is another. 
Might be too late in the season for a day club.
Blackjack at the pool at the golden nugget 
Oscars steak house at the plaza looks right down Fremont.
Heart attack grill is always good for a laugh
Fremont street at night - he can get his picture taken with some questionable lady buskers

I think people forget about this place because it's south strip.  Michael G. took the original room from the Barbary Coast and moved it to South Point.  

The Shelby Mustang Museum is free https://www.shelbystore.com/category-s/2412.htm

and its close to the Pinball Hof F.  It's free to get in but you do have to pay to play.  
Paris is fun to see and take a ride up the Eiffel Tower.  

I would consider my duty as a parent to ensure that he never, ever wants to return to Vegas. Take him to the Strip, and give him a $100 bill and a stopwatch and tell him he can spend it in any way he chooses. Four hands of 6-5 blackjack? A hot dog and a coke (no tip)?
Two beers (again, no tip; there won't be any money left over)? Four minutes at a dollar slot? Then have him click the stopwatch, and he'll have a sense of how much fun $100 gets you in Vegas.

 

I think listing the Observation Wheel as a “thrill ride” is a bit of a stretch.  😏

I take visitors to EthelM cactus garden.

I would also make a Bellagio stop. Bellagio-Caesars is a nice trip to the Strip, if one has to go. For new, I like the Arts District, especially for a pub crawl. Great food down there, too.

Why would a 21 yo want to go with mommy(?) daddy(?) to las vegas, lol? This is las vegas! I think he would have far more fun with those in his own age group to go with and go to things young adults like to do. Like hang out at clubs-bars-nightclubs on the strip, maybe strip clubs, watch games at a sports betting place. Basically enjoy your independence as a young adult with friends your same age. 

In the bigger picture, junior is an adult now. I think it's time to let go and let your son grow up and hang with his friends and discover life and enjoy a place like las vegas without the parent tether. I think parents have to ask themselves a question...when they were 21, would you want to go to a place like las vegas with mommy daddy? I got along great with my parents, but my answer would be no way! 

The Slotizilla zip line on Fremont Street. Area 15 is awesome. If he likes beer,then "brewers row" with Able Baker is great 

The Paradox Museum is about optical illusions.  I'm 73 and just visited it this year, and it was really cool.  Kids of all ages, even 21, should definitely think it's fun.  I don't know any place anywhere that's like it, so he should take advantage of being in its city and visit it.  The whole family should visit it together.

Sorry to have to point this out, but the El Cortez has NOT removed or upgraded all of its interior remnants of old.  The old upstairs area still has the old vibe, although they admittedly appear to have modernized the interior of the original 47 hotel rooms.  There are also a couple of old businesses or services in rooms on the main upstairs corridor.  Just so you know, this old area can only be accessed via the old stairway immediately east of the sports book, by the craps tables, which is why I can't stay in those hotel rooms.

Splurge for a Fountain View room at Bellagio. Tune into channel 22 on the TV and watch/listen to the Fountains from the room, especially at night. As mentioned, much to see at Bellagio (starting with the ceiling in the lobby!), but viewing the fountains from your room is a must do, at least once.

The Paradox Museum was mentioned.  Go to the online Newsletter of Nov 23, click on the CONTINUE READING associated with Paradox. In fact, if you/your son haven't already, spend some time cruising as many issues of the Newsletter as you can, click on those links to get good previews of sights, shows, dining, etc, what he might like to do or pass on.  While in Vegas you won't have as much time as you'd like, so it is good he has you to show him around and conserve time (and energy!).

Circus Circus and Slots-a-Fun just to see them and maybe have a hot dog.  Have a wonderful time!

Candy

We did bring our sons for a 21st birthday celebration, barely 2 nights, but we packed in as much as possible. Since it was nearly 20 years ago, though, a lot of things named here didn't exist.  We did spend an afternoon at Bill's Gambling Hall (now the Cromwell) teaching them and their girlfriends to play craps. Gave everyone $100 (it was a $5 table back then).  Told them if they won they could pay us back; if not then they could keep whatever was left. It was a fun, if somewhat exhausting, trip. Wouldn't change a thing!

you could have help out dad teaching his son about value you have    said about the bogof at the strat just 2 mention 1

u donot have to hit ajackpot in vegas u alredy hit it with your son  sittingbeside u

Neon Museum, Mob Museum (including the speakeasy in the basement)
Four Queens or Fremont casinos
El Cortez--closer to the "old days" than anything else
Fremont Street Experience at night
Bellagio fountains and Conservatory
Hugo's Cellar--Straight out of the 60's-70's
Shows--Didn't care much for Ka, far preferred Mystere; Mac King for an afternoon comedy/magic show; Paranormal or Iluminate for a mid-price show
Pinball Hall of Fame
Hoover Dam

I brought a first-timerin July. Came in late Sunday night to South Point. 
Day 1; Hung out at South Point, pool,casino etc. Top of Strat at sundown. Hit the Strip and a few local casinos. 

Day 2; Henderson, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Downtown. 

Day 3 Pinball Museum, Moved to Mirage, Beatles LOVE (one of it's final shows)

Day 4; Mirage pool, checkout, Red Rocks, Mt Charleston, Bob Taylor's for dinner, to airport.
I tried to show him as much as possible, mission accomplished.