Vegas with kids
By Brandi Sjostrom
Flamingo Las Vegas at dusk (Credit: Caesars Entertainment)
Las Vegas may not be the first destination that comes to mind for a family vacation, but you may want to reconsider. The Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is located in the center of the Las Vegas Strip, walking distance from the many attractions that Vegas has to offer. If you wish to travel farther down the Las Vegas Strip, take a ride on the monorail, conveniently located near the parking lot. This hotel was one of the first, opening in 1946, and they stay true to their roots, blending both a retro style with all the comforts of modernity. It’s sure to make a splash with the kids as well, whether they are swimming in the pool, strolling through the Wildlife Habitat, or seeing a show in the early evening.
(MORE: 5 Best Indoor Attractions for Escaping the Las Vegas Heat)
Rooms and Amenities
Beautiful room at the Flamingo (Credit: Caesars Entertainment)
There are 3,545 total guest rooms and suites on this property, providing accommodations to families of all sizes. Every room is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a premium sound system, iPod docking station, and a high-definition TV, as well as luxurious bathroom accommodations that include marble counters, roomy walk-in showers, or a relaxing bath experience.
The FAB Deluxe Room is a wonderful option for a family of four on a budget. This room accommodates two pillow-top queen beds, and has a gorgeous view of the 550-foot High Roller Observation Wheel. Vintage style meets modern in this room with classic Vegas artwork, wood-toned floors and furnishings, and chaise lounges.
The luxurious bathroom in the Flamingo’s Metropolitan Suite (Credit: Caesars Entertainment)
The Metropolitan Suite is perfect for those wanting to splurge in Vegas, accommodating family sizes from 4 to 6. This two-bedroom suite is 1,500 square feet, and goes above and beyond your standard hotel stay. The suite combines Flamingo’s retro style with a modern approach, featuring hardwood floors, three entertainment centers and multiple flat- screen TVs. The main bedroom includes one king bed, while the second room offers two queens, both with marble bathrooms.
Dining
For a unique dining experience, dine at the Paradise Garden Buffet, the only buffet on the Las Vegas Strip to feature views of a 15-acre wildlife habitat. Paradise Garden Buffet also offers a variety of delicious items to choose from, including a salad and fruit bar, seafood assortment, international foods and sweet strawberry cotton candy to end the meal. This array of food choices is sure please any child.
Experience a tropical oasis in the middle of the desert by dining at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. This multiple-level restaurant transports you to the Caribbean, with its island decor and tiki style drinks. Adding to the fun is their nightly entertainment, easily accommodated thanks to the restaurant’s multiple dance floors. The food reflects Jimmy Buffett’s travels and includes seafood selections, grilled sirloin steaks and hamburgers (we love the delicious, and large nachos!)
For a fine dining experience, head to Center Cut Steakhouse where the menu not only includes a prime steak selection sourced from Aspen Ridge Farms in Colorado, but also seafood dishes, salads, sides and desserts.
Family-Friendly Activities
The Flamingo Hotel offers a wide variety of family fun activities, whether you choose to relax that day by the pool or look at Las Vegas Strip from new heights.
The High Roller. It’s a short walk from the Flamingo Hotel to the LINQ Promenade, where the wheel is located. This is the tallest observation wheel in the World, standing at 550 feet. The ride is 30 minutes long, and provides beautiful views of the Las Vegas Strip, whether you choose to ride during the day or at night. Children 12 and under always ride free; and if the kids are with a babysitter or with grandma and grandpa, moms and dads can choose to ride in the Happy Hour Cabin and enjoy an open bar for roughly 30 minutes.
The Wildlife Habitat (Credit: Caesars Entertainment)
The Wildlife Habitat is a free attraction located inside the Flamingo Hotel. The Wildlife Habitat not only includes flamingos. It’s also home to pelicans, mute swans, black-necked swans, Australian black swans, Gambel’s quail, African crowned crane, pheasants, helmeted guineafowl, swans, and several varieties of ducks, as well as many other species of birds. Kids will definitely love exploring it, and it’s an easy way to enjoy some nature in the middle of bustling Vegas.
For a more relaxing day, head to the Beach Club Pool. This all ages pool is surrounded by lush gardens and beautiful Palm Trees, and the cafe serves delicious food and cold beverages. This pool will also provide easy access to multiple waterslides that are opening at the beginning of May. For those wishing to spend all day at the pool, cabanas and daybeds are available daily at an extra cost.
Voted “Best Family Attraction” in 2015, the Jeff Civillico: Comedy in Action show is 75 minutes of pure fun that will have both adults and kids laughing the entire time. Jeff Civillico is a World Class Juggler who incorporates physical comedy and stunts into this family-friendly show, which he takes on the road all over the country.
(MORE: 48 Hours in Las Vegas with Kids)
For Adults Only
For some leisure time away from the kids, adults can enjoy the newly renovated Spa at Flamingo Las Vegas. This spa is 18+ with a co-ed health fitness area as well as both men’s and women’s spas. It features 12 treatment rooms, and offers a variety of massages, facials, body treatments and scrubs. Before or after your treatment, relax in one of three whirlpools, dry sauna, and/or eucalyptus steam room.
Brandi Sjostrom contributed this to MiniTime.
