Choosing the right Las Vegas hotel casino when you’re traveling with teens and tweens (10-12yrs old) is important if you don’t want to spend your time in Las Vegas frustrated and aggravated because your kids keep telling you, “I’m bored.” 
Stratosphere
The Stratosphere is our first pick. It’s located at the far north end of the Strip and is fairly close to Downtown which is a good thing. Read to the bottom to see why.
For the kids:
The Observation Deck is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S. and at 100 stories high has the best view in Las Vegas.
Thrill Rides at the Stratosphere Tower take thrill to a whole new level…..the upper level. The rides are located high atop the tower for extra scream inducing excitement. Try the “Big Shot”, “X-Scream”, “Insanity” or “Sky Jump”.
Kid Friendly Dining Options are in abundance. You’ve got the Buffet (great for families that can’t agree on what type of food they’d like), Roxy’s Diner (a 50′s themed diner open 24/7 with a singing wait staff), Tower Pizzeria & Creamery (they have pizza, sandwiches, salads and ice cream.) and Level 8 Pool Cafe (convenient when your hanging out at the pool).
Level 8 Pool is located on the 8th floor of course and you’ve gotta have a pool for the kids to cool off if you’re visiting during summer break. That’s a must.
For the Grown-ups:
All of the above. Hey, parents want to have fun too. We like rides and want to go in the pool
The rooms are very nice, great views and easy on the wallet. Note: the rooms are not in the “Tower” but it is connected through the casino.
A Fitness Center is free to hotel guests and is open 24/7.
Roni Joseph Salon & Spa is there to pamper you with a great massage or spa treatment.
Bars and Lounges are scattered throughout the casino, tower and poolside. Live music, DJ’s and specialty cocktails are there to enjoy at a number of venues and face it……if you’re traveling with kids you’re going to need a drink eventually.
Dining without the kids might be an option if they’re old enough. Try Fellini’s Ristorante or Top of the World for a romantic evening. If they can’t dine alone, take them out earlier for dinner, then back to the room for a movie rental on TV (only if they are old enough to be left alone in the room of course) and Mom and Dad have a nice couple hours alone. You deserve it.
Details and Options:
The Buffet is an especially good deal if you have teenage boys, man can they eat, and even better if you sign up for a players card (you can do it in advance) you’ll save 25%!
When I say the rides are going to make you scream I mean it. It may be a little over the top for a lot of kids. (It is for me) 15yr and younger must have an adult ride with them. The rides aren’t cheap, and there is also a charge to ride up to the tower, but they do offer a variety of package deals that make it pretty affordable.
The Stratosphere is close to Circus Circus (also on the Strip) and they have Adventure Dome 
an indoor theme park (great in the hot months) that has terrific rides that are a lot less intimidating for a cheaper price and you can buy an all day wristband.
FREE STUFF: Circus Circus also has free circus acts that are always fun and entertaining. There is also a midway nearby with lots of carnival games (not free) that the kids will love.
Why don’t we pick the Circus Circus as the place to stay? Let me put it like this; if hotels in Las Vegas were stores, Circus Circus would be Walmart. The Stratosphere would be a Kohls, Sears or JC Penny’s.
MORE FREE STUFF: Because the Stratosphere is close to Downtown you can take a short ride over to Fremont Street and check out the Fremont Street Experience, an overhead canopy that is made of over 12.5 million LED modules that put on a light and sound show that is just plain cool and FREE. There is also three stages of live FREE entertainment and it’s a fun place to walk around.
