This is a TravelingMom sponsored Post
My memory of life before children is a bit hazy, but I do recall a trip to Las Vegas with my husband. We drove out from L.A., and I remember the lights of Vegas suddenly rising up, as if out of nowhere. Considering it was Sin City, our visit was pretty tame. We saw a show, had a few nice meals, and had some modest losses at the tables.
Despite the relatively tame nature of the trip, at no time did I think “Wow, this would be a great place to take kids someday.” Not once. So it surprised me when a new friend recently told me what a great place Vegas was for families. I was skeptical, but she made a pretty good case. There’s lots to see and do during the day when the partiers are safely hidden sleeping off their hangovers. It’s close to some pretty cool family friendly attractions, like Hoover Dam. And best of all, it’s a budget-traveler’s dream.
To hear some people tell it, the casinos keep hotel rates low because they expect you to pay them back when you gamble. Other people argue that it’s not so much the gambling as the sheer number of rooms that keep rates low, with hotels ready to accommodate thousands of conventioneers. Whatever the reason, Vegas can be done on a budget without being done cheap.
As the Wynn Las Vegas review says on Oyster.com, “Vegas is probably the only cities in the world where an ultra-luxury hotel can appear on the best values list.” That pretty much sums up Vegas on a budget. Imagine what you would pay for a great room in a “normal” city, then expect to pay a lot less (or, to get a lot more for the same price).
Of course, it is very possible to pay out the nose in Vegas, as anywhere. And certain times of year can mean much higher rates, times that may not be obvious. For example, when major conventions roll in, expect to pay more, or during major gambling events, like the NCAA college basketball tournament.
For a good place to start (and finish, for that matter) your search find an affordable room, check out Oyster.com’s guide to “Best Value Hotels in Las Vegas.” These places aren’t the Motel 6. For less than $50 a night you can score rooms at major, resort style hotels, many of which even cater to families, like the medieval-themed Excalibur. Spend a little more and you can stay at places like the Egyptian-themed Luxor or even the Trump International Hotel and Tower – and even still be under $100. Spend just a little more…well, you get the idea.
Even the cheesiest hotels on the Strip have something to offer families. As long as you get a clean hotel in Vegas, you can enjoy a great weekend.
Vegas may not be the obvious choice for a family vacation, but if you’re looking for a (wholesome) good time, and don’t want to break the bank, you’ll be surprised how far a dollar goes in Sin City.
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