In 2004 we (as a family) flew to Las Vegas and stayed at Circus Circus. Our two kids were in the 11th and 12th grade. We wanted to have have one last vacation together before the oldest graduated high school and potentially, moved out. So we went.
We were there for 3 days (4 nights) and never spent a single penny on gambling. There was so much to see and do (back then), it was amazing! Since then they've added attractions and things to do that will keep you busy for weeks. And, everything we did, didn't cost anything, except for food and the gondola ride at the Venetian.
Just walking through the motels, their shopping areas is an amazing adventure all by itself. The Arabian shopping area is fascaniting. While you are walking the simulated Arabian city street, the ceiling is painted like the sky and the lighting changes from day to night and back to day, including thunder storms and sunny days.
The Venetian is set up like a street in Venice, complete with the gondola ride down the middle.
We went to the M&M store and watched the movie: Who stole my "M" in Vegas. We visited the Harley Davidson store, the Stratosphere (which now has one horribly awesome roller coaster ride on the top now!... too exciting for my blood though.)
There was the outside show at the water feature at the Treasure Island. We never made it to Hoover Dam. We bought passes so we could ride the trolley cars unlimited, but never did ride the monorail.
When we left, we are at the airport and in the terminal was a slot machine. I asked my wife if I should drop a quarter so we could say we at least tried gambling ONCE while in Vegas. She said No, let it go. So I never did.
Now, both my kids had a blast. We turned them loose with the understanding they had to be back to the motel by a certain time, and we had different check points.
Turns out, my daughter spent her time collecting the "greeting cards" from all the "ladies of the night" advertising their "services" on the street corner. She had all these card she showed us and I had NO CLUE. I asked her where they came from and she said, everywhere! Funny, I never say any of that, or I guess I was so pre-occupied with everything else, that "form of entertainment" in Vegas just never caught my eye.
My son came back with a story that we all laughed at. Turns out the two of them were inside on one of the motels, on the 5th or 6th floor over looking the lobby area when they started closing off the area below. WThey just stayed there watching and then the "paying" guests came filing in from the street. And then the topless floor show started. Well, he was already behind the payed entrance, so my two kids just went down and began mingling with the crowd. No one challenged them, asked for their tickets, or even questioned their age (My daughter was 16, my son was 17). Well, when they returned to the motel room, my son just rambled on and on and on about what he saw! This was the first time he ever saw a full grown woman topless! For a 17 year old, he had the best vacation of his life! We STILL to this day, laugh about his experience!
Oh my, there is now even more. I did a very quick Google search and came across this page. I couldn't believe all there is to do now. And if you do it right, you can probably participate in many of these events, places, and activities for no or minimal cost:
Click here and dream on!Remember.... what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
