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Viva Vegas

Where to Stay With Kids When Visiting Vegas

Where: 3850 Las Vegas Blvd S [map], Las Vegas, nv, United States, 89109

January 11, 2008 at 9:15 AM | 1 Comment

HotelChatter's newest contributing editor NatalieWW knows a thing or two (or more) about kids and traveling with 'em. Here she lists her fave fam-friendly spots for Sin City.

Las Vegas may not be the first place that comes to mind for a wholesome family vacation. But between the Shark Encounter at Mandalay Bay and the erupting Mirage volcano, and the ongoing kiddie-fest that is Circus Circus, there are plenty of options for families.

Best hotel bet: The Excalibur Hotel & Casino. Loosely patterned after the architecture of castles from England, Scotland, and Germany, it's full of family-friendly attraction and dining options.

Now, we wouldn't want to condradict ourselves by saying Excalibur is off the Crapping Out list, but considering the new rooms (with pillow-topped mattresses and 42" plasma TVs) and the special considerations bringing the kiddies adds, we maintain that the Excalibur is a great choice for family fun.

If simply staying in a "castle" isn't enough to thrill the wee ones, there's the Fantasy Faire Midway, a very large (and dark) room filled with carnival games, and the Court Jester's Stage, where magicians and puppeteers entertain. Younger kids will have fun climbing on the dragons outside the Sherwood Forest Café.

There's also the new Spongebob Squarepants 4D Special FX ride (which joins the existing Extreme Log Ride and Dino Island 4-D rides). Kids and adults alike will enjoy gawking at the killer views from Tower 2. The Tournament of Kings is a blast -- including dueling knights, costumed prancing horses, and an evil wizard --- and we think, worth the price of admission.

Of course, you will have to steer clear of the nearly-naked Aussie men downstairs, that is, unless you hire one of the babysitting services the hotel can set you up with. Hey, this is still Sin City.