Las Vegas offers plenty of fun-filled, family-oriented vacation when done right. Many families that want to visit Vegas for the shows and entertainment. For others, it's an arrival or departure point for many guided tours of the west and National Parks. Often, mom or dad may have a business event to attend in Vegas and the family decides to build a vacation around the idea of a free hotel stay thanks to work.
No worries, Las Vegas is a playground for kids too. There are plenty of affordable options for familiesif you know where to find them. Here are a few of our Vacationkids favorites....
Cirque du Soleil- The only thing more fun than watching one of their amazing shows, is taking a behind the scenes tour. Go backstage, meet and talk to these amazing acrobatic performers and learn what goes into creating this event night after night.
Madame Tussauds at The Venetian –This is where movie stars, rock stars and celebrities can all be found in Vegas. While this is suitable for children of all ages, I recommend it for children 4+ who will enjoy the experience.
Indoor sky diving - For those who want to feel like a bird without having to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft. Parents must participate and kids must weigh over 40 pounds.
Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N – An interactive exhibit of original Avengers gear... suitable for superheros and children ages 6+
High Roller at The LINQ – The world's largest observation tower/Ferris wheel that overlooks all of the twinkling lights of Las Vegas
Discovery Children's Museum- one of the largest children's museums in the country offer 3 floors, 9 themed exhibition halls and over 200 please touch exhibits.
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino – Suitable for children of all ages
M&M World and Hershey's Chocolate World -So you know that old saying about "kids in a candy store"? These shops would make Willie Wonka proud.
SkyJump-For thrill seeking teens looking for bragging rights, The Stratosphere offers an 829 foot controlled leap off the side of their tower. SkyJump is brought to you by the same thrill seeking folks who also gave us Big Shot, Insanity and Scream.
Nevada State Museum Las Vegas - Nevada history comes to life with stories about dinosaurs, Native Americans, pioneers, early settlers, miners, railroaders, ranchers and entrepreneurs. Learn about the Hoover Dam, the atomic era and the rise of Las Vegas as the resort capital of the world
The Adventuredome - 5 acres of carnival rides rides under the 'pink top" of Circus, Circus Casino resort. Here you find fun for toddlers to daredevils, midway games and even clowns.
Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Hotel. This is where kids go wild in Vegas. The perfect spot for the animal lovers in your family. This is great for children of all ages and the dolphin show is amazing.
Wet n' Wild - Nevada's largest Water park offering 25 thrilling slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and Splash Island, an interactive children’s area with kid-friendly slides and a giant dumping bucket.
VooDoo Zipline - soar back and forth, 450 feet in the sky between the Rio Resort's towers.There is a height requirement - kids must be 48 inches or taller.
The Neon Museum - Is a quirky way to discover Las Vegas history. It's two acre "boneyard" is home to 200 neon signs, 11 of which have been restored to a 24 hour public art exhibit.
Family Fun Near Vegas
Take a short ride off the Vegas Strip and the landscape and scenery change dramatically. Here are a few ideas for families who would like to extend their stay or get out of Vegas for some local sightseeing...
Nearby Boulder City is home to the Hoover Dam, a magnificent testament to American engineering that families can view from a sky-high walkway.
Created by the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S. and offers a number of family-friendly water activities, including boating and swimming. Rent a houseboat for the week so you can explore the lake at leisure.
Just 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the Strip, Red Rock Canyon is a must-visit attraction for nature lovers. Drive around and spot the wild burros or go for a hike. Trails are appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness. Learn about the native animals, plants and geology at the Red Rock visitor center.
The Grand Canyon is only 120 miles from the Vegas strip. Take an unforgettable helicopter tour and get a bird's eye view tour that many people miss. Better yet, extend your stay, rent a car and drive through the desert so you family can experience The Grand Canyon Railroad. Family vacation packages include hotel stays, narrated guides and a wild west show.
Las Vegas has so much to offer on and off the Strip for families of all sizes and children of all ages. Let VacationKids create a fun and memorable Las Vegas experience for your family.
