NOON
MONTE CARLO
Modeled after the Palace Du Casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco, my older 
kids, Chloe, 14, and Alexander, 11, were impressed by the Monte Carlo's royal architecture: marble floors,
oversized arches and gilded statuary. As we registered, Seiji, 6, noticed the pool showcased
behind the front desk. His eyes gleamed: Now this has promise. Prodded on by his older siblings, he asked if we could swim first. Actually, it didn't take much prodding--we were all ready for a dip in the water. 3770 Las Vegas Blvd, South. Call 800-311-8999 or click here.
1 P.M.
HOTEL POOL
"Well, we could just stay here the whole time," Chloe said as we 
entered the 21,000 square-foot pool area. What captured the kids' imaginations most were the wave pool and the Easy River Ride, which included two waterfalls and a swift kick around a corner. The ensuing eddy made the kids lazily spin and turn like floating leaves before hustling them off downstream. "I'm Eeyore!" said Alexander. "I'm a Pooh stick," said Seiji. Chloe just floated, a dozing mermaid. It wasn't hard to be convinced that we should spend the afternoon there.
5 P.M.
DINNER AT THE BREWERY
For dinner, we headed to the Monte Carlo's family-friendly restaurant, The Brewery, where
my husband Alan and I sampled the brews and the menu could please any palette.
We ordered a full rack of ribs, steamed clams, kid's pasta and a
Cuban sandwich, eating family style. Then the waiter offered to select a
dessert for us, arriving with a huge platter of bread pudding laced with raspberry syrup.
Bread pudding? We were skeptical until the first bite--and then gobbled up the rest. 3088
East Sunset. Call 702-433-5955.
7 P.M.
LANCE BURTON
Although neither the most expensive nor the most heavily promoted, Lance Burton Master Magician 
is generally admired as the most skillful magician in a town full of magicians. His sleight of hand is what he is most noted for, but when he pulled a gaggle of geese from thin air, it was hard to believe it wasn't really magic. Alexander hauled Seiji up on stage with him when the magician called for kids. They put their hands on a bird cage and it disappeared while they futilely clutched the wires. "Can we go again?" Seiji asked as we filed out. Lance Burton Theater at the Monte Carlo. For reservations call 877-386-8224.
9:30 P.M.
NIGHTTIME ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP
We caught a cab and headed north past the fountains of Caesar, past neon lights, past the fiery volcano and endlessly imaginative glitter and glitz. Then we reached the lighted canopy of the Freemont Street experience, a cluster of old-time casinos at the north end of the Strip. More outrageously entertaining than our wildest fantasy, the Strip at night is the epitome of Vegas camp and creativity. We made a circle to head back to the hotel on the freeway and got a little, but not too much, distance on the back side of the same view.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.
