Itinerary feedback (two adults and 10 year old)

Question

Hello, we are two adults and a 10yo, visiting this April for an afternoon and two full days. Staying in the Paris hotel. This is our draft itinerary, based on things we'd enjoy as a family. My husband and I don't gamble at all, and we don't care about fancy shopping or restaurants. We haven't been to Vegas ourselves in 20 years, so I'm not really familiar with any of the current stuff. Any feedback is welcome on these plans. Thank you!

Arrive Thursday afternoon,

- Not sure if the Eiffel tower viewing deck or the Venice gondola ride are worth it. But looking at the pics of the Venice gondola ride, we might at least go in there for a meal at one of those cafes by the canal. Or anywhere else that would be fun/interesting like that, for our first dinner?

- Otherwise just roaming around the Strip, enjoy the lights and sights, Bellagio fountain, etc.

Friday

- Big Apple Arcade and Coaster

- High Roller Ferris Wheel

- Battle Bots show in the evening!!! Tickets are purchased.

Saturday

- Day pass at the Mandalay Beach area, which seems possible for nonguests? My son still raves about a wave pool we visited on another trip.

- Shark reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay

- Evening at Fremont Street? Is it family friendly?

Sunday - fly home.

Maybe it would be fun to do one typically vegas buffet, without breaking the bank. And I'm thinking about the Tape Face show, or Shin Lim (we love AGT), but with only a few evenings and already seeing one show, we will probably want the remaining evenings free to explore.

Answer

Your itinerary sounds like a great mix of family-friendly activities, and it looks like you have some fantastic options lined up for your trip to Las Vegas! Below is some feedback and suggestions to help make your trip even more enjoyable:

Thursday (Arrival Day):

It’s a good idea to start by roaming the Strip and soaking in the lights and sights of Las Vegas, especially if you haven’t been in 20 years. The Bellagio Fountains are always a hit, and the area around the fountains is a great place to relax and watch the show. As for the Venice gondola ride, it's charming and fun, but it might be a bit overpriced for what it offers. The gondola ride itself is nice but can be a little short. If you do decide to go, grabbing a meal at one of the canalside cafes in the Venetian would be a good option. You can people-watch and enjoy the ambiance, but there are also some other fun options if you're looking for something different:

Paris Hotel (since you're staying there) has the beautiful Eiffel Tower viewing deck which is a great way to see the Strip from a different angle. It's a fun experience, and the views are stunning, especially at night.
Caesars Palace Forum Shops also has some nice spots to walk around, and you can check out the animatronic show in the Roman Plaza, which might be fun for your son.
Hotel Pools: Many hotels (like the Venetian, Bellagio, or your own Paris) have stunning pool areas where you can relax and get a taste of Vegas without the hustle and bustle of the Strip.

Friday:

Great choice with Big Apple Arcade and the roller coaster! The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York is definitely a must for thrill-seekers. Your 10-year-old will love it, and it’s one of those iconic Vegas experiences. As for the High Roller Ferris Wheel, it's a solid choice for great views of the city, and it’s fun to do with kids. You could consider getting a cabin with a bar or one that includes a “Happy Hour” option to enjoy drinks while you’re up there, though it’s also fine without. The BattleBots show should be an exciting highlight of your trip, especially since tickets are already purchased! It’s a fun, unique show and will be an experience your son will remember.

Saturday:

The Mandalay Bay beach area and Shark Reef Aquarium sound like perfect activities for Saturday. The Mandalay Bay beach does indeed offer a day pass for non-hotel guests (depending on availability and season). Your son will definitely enjoy the wave pool, and it's a great way to cool off and relax before the evening. The Shark Reef Aquarium is another solid choice and is both fun and educational for kids. It has a wide variety of sea life, including sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles, and it’s a relatively peaceful activity to do after the excitement of the beach.

Evening at Fremont Street: Fremont Street is absolutely family-friendly, especially during the earlier hours. The light show on the Viva Vision canopy is a spectacle, and while there are some areas with more adult-themed entertainment, the main strip is full of music, street performers, and family-friendly activities. If you go later in the evening, it does tend to get a bit busier, but it’s still a great experience for all ages.

Sunday:

If you’re looking for a buffet, a great option that won’t break the bank is The Buffet at Bellagio, which offers a great variety of high-quality food for a reasonable price compared to the more extravagant options. Another popular but more affordable buffet is the Flamingo Buffet, which is a good family option without going overboard on price.

As for shows, both Tape Face and Shin Lim are excellent choices if you enjoy America's Got Talent acts. Tape Face is a quirky, comedic performance that's really unique and can be a hit with kids, while Shin Lim offers a visually stunning magic show with amazing sleight-of-hand tricks. Since you already have BattleBots lined up for Friday, you may want to keep the evenings free to explore or enjoy some of the other fun sights and sounds Vegas has to offer. If you find you want another show, you could always look into seeing one of the free shows like the Bellagio Fountains or the Mirage Volcano before heading back.

Overall, your itinerary looks well-rounded with plenty of exciting activities that will keep both adults and your 10-year-old entertained! Since you’re staying at the Paris Hotel, you're also in a good location to explore various nearby attractions easily. Make sure to allow time for some spontaneous fun, as there’s always something new to discover in Las Vegas. Enjoy your trip!

Itinerary feedback (two adults and 10 year old)

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