Las Vegas is filled with family fun and adventures, and some of the thrills are even discounted or free. Head to the Nevada strip to entertain the family! Shows abound and there are thousands of events to select from for entertainment. Las Vegas is more than a strip of casinos!
5 Reasons Why to Take the Kids with You to Las Vegas:
- Not all the fun is adult fun
- The excursion prices are very affordable and often free
- There are many buffets and kid friendly restaurants
- The Las Vegas monorail is easy to use and offers discounts
- Expect to find very affordable, yet nice resort accommodations
Things You Need to Know When Getting Ready to Travel to Las Vegas:
- It gets cool at night, even in the summer. Pack lightweight jackets and sweaters.
- At night, the Strip is not safe for kids. The sidewalks are jammed with adults that are either very happy or very sad from their casino adventures. The crowd is simply too large and busy for the kids at night. If you must travel at night, take the monorail.
- You can get a discount card called the M Life at https://www.mlife.com/. You can save money at the resorts, restaurants, and attractions using this card. Get it before you leave for Las Vegas, so you can use it when you check into your room.
- You probably will not need a car for the trip. If you plan on going to Hoover Dam, you can join a tour group for less money than the car rental.
- Your concierge can also get you discounted prices. So stop by at his or her desk after you check in and introduce yourself.
Our 9 Top Recommendations:
The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace
This iconic casino has a premium-shopping forum for all ages. The forum includes restaurants and well as high-end stores such as Louis Vuitton and Armani Exchange, but guess what? There are fun attractions for the kids and they are free!
Take your children to see the humongous 50,000-gallon salt-water aquarium. Play a game with them to see which fish you can identify. Hunt for the Angelfish, the Parrot Fish, and Seahorses among others!
Then at 11:00 am every day, see the Fall of Atlantis Water Show. There is fire, there is water, and there are nine-foot tall animatronic statues and a 20-foot dragon dressed in armor and knight gear! Get there early as the eleven-minute show is always packed. The show is located near the Nike and the Cheesecake Factory (you can go for a sweet treat afterwards). The Forum shops are open every Friday to Saturday from 10 am to 12 am and open Sunday to Thursday 10 am to 11 pm. The address is 3500 Las Vegas Boulevard strip! Roll the dice and have some free fun!
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- Often there are traveling entertainers or musicians at the Forum Shops
- The shops are popular and may be crowded, but the lanes are large enough for strollers
- At night time, the crowd is too rambunctious for children
- This can be an event for several hours and there are dozens of food options
- The shows are free
http://www.simon.com/mall/the-forum-shops-at-caesars/stores
Adventuredome Theme Park
These five acres of indoor fun will make your family very happy. There are all kinds of rides, including the designated “Family Rides” such as B.C. Bus, Circus Carousel, Drifters, and Road Runner. The designated “Junior Rides” are Frog Hopper, Miner Mike, and Thunder Birds.
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- Regular Pass cost $29.95 (48 inches tall or taller)
- Junior Pass cost $16.95 (Under 48 inches tall)
- Hours of operation vary, so check the site calendar
- The indoor theme park is located at the Circus-Circus Resort and Casino
- This can be an all day adventure, hydrate often, have the kids rest frequently, and be ready for them to have a good night’s rest
- There are benches, stroller parking areas, and shaded spots
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
Shark Reef is advertised as a sensory experience designed to make you feel like you are underwater and an acting part of the underwater world. There are fourteen exhibits with the biggest being a 1.3 million gallon shipwreck. There are over 2000 animals including fifteen different species of sharks displayed at Shark Reef Aquarium. Do make sure you check out the touch-pool with the younger ones. They can even touch a small shark!
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- It is air-conditioned for a cool excursion
- The paths are wide enough for strollers and then are benches for resting
- You can buy the tickets on line or you can have your concierge order them for you
- Adults cost: $15.00
- Children 5-12 cost: $ 10.00
- Children 4 and under cost: Free
- Sunday-Thursday hours: 10am-8:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday hours: 10am-10:00 pm
- Last tickets are sold one hour before closing and last admittance is one hour before closing
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
The non-profit museum is dedicated to making sure everyone is educated in the current science trends as well as the history and evolution of the world of science. In the museum you will find the Treasure of Egypt, the Englestad Historic Life Gallery, the International Wildlife Gallery, the Marinelife Gallery, the young Scientist Gallery, the Geology Gallery, and many others. On top of all these different activities, there is a room specifically designed for preschoolers.
In addition to all of these thrills, there are special family activities every single weekend. Check the website for the upcoming events and a full event and exhibit schedule. Plan on a full day and comfortable shoes for this fun adventure.
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- This will involve a lot of walking, but the areas are stroller friendly
- During the summer you may have to contend with kiddie camps
- Plan on staying two-three hours
- Adults cost: $ 10.00
- Children Age cost 3-11: $ 5.00
- Children Under Age 2 cost: Free
- Location: 900 North Las Vegas Boulevard
- Open daily from 9:00 am-4:00 pm
- Opens at 12:00 pm on Easter and New Year’s Day
- Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving
Cirque de Soleil
Most of the shows are very kid friendly. Check the website for an offering of the different available shows and a review so you can see if the show is appropriate. You can buy the tickets online, but you won’t get your M Life or concierge discount. Use the website for reading up on the different shows, such as:
• Chris Angel, Believe
• Michael Jackson, One
• Mystere
• Ka
Everyone in the family will love the thrilling acrobatics and high-flying dramas of Cirque de Soleil.
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- The shows run about two hours, younger children may get restless
- Not all shows are appropriate for children, carefully read the reviews or chat with your concierge
- Prices will vary for show and seating location
Hoover Dam
View of hoover dam from the air
Located in the Black Canyon, some 35 miles (56 kilometers) outside Las Vegas, Hoover Dam (taking its name from the US 31st president, Herbert Hoover) is a great attraction for families with older children. This is the highest concrete dam in the area and one of the America’s largest hydroelectric power producers.
A more recently constructed bridge standing 900 feet (275 meters) above the Colorado River gives visitors a splendid view over the surroundings. It is also the meeting place of two US states – Arizona and Nevada.
The place has a tremendous importance for the American people, history, politics and overall economic system and is a huge, impressive structure, a must see is you have the chance to get in the area.
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- Access is only possible by car;
- Due to high strategic importance, high security levels are applied and all vehicles are subject to careful inspections;
- Children under 8 years of age are not allowed;
- Tickets cannot be purchased online, just personally from the ticket’s office; so mind the lines;
- There are two nice tours to take: visiting the Power Plant and the New Dam Tour, with an interesting view of the inside dam.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Just a stone’s throw from Hoover Dam and about 30 minutes’ drive from Las Vegas, on about 1.5 million acres, tourists can find one of the biggest man-made lakes in the world. It is an oasis with spectacular views and attractive colors, best for an escape from the crowded, glamorous city.
Blue waters, a specific ecosystem with a wide variety of plants and animals, the red soil and black lava stones (remains of the extinct volcano Fortification Hill), these are just some of the reasons why you shouldn’t miss it, especially if you are travelling with your children.
The areas nearby the three marinas offer tourists anything necessary for having a great time –equipment for sports, fishing tools and bait, lodging, showers, bars and restaurants, grocery shops, even laundry.
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- Various recreational activities and sports are available around the lake, you can choose the one(s) best fit according to your children ages and family preferences;
- Wear something to cover your heads and high level sunscreens if you travel from spring to autumn; although the place can make you forget about it, you are in a desert area, with high temperatures;
- Book for one of the cruises available and you will have a time to remember, plus professional information about the place.
Discovery Children’s Museum
Las Vegas is not all about glitter and gambling. It is a city very much children-oriented and can be a great option for travelling with your family. One of the places where you can spend some 3-4 hours without fear of kids getting tired or bored is Discovery Children’s Museum.
The three-levels, 58,000-square-foot museum offers children a playful experience and lots of interactive exhibits that smoothly lead the little ones into the world of art, culture and science.
Nine permanent exhibitions (the Summit, Water World, Fantasy Festival, Toddler Town, Mystery Town, Patents Pending, Young at Art, It’s Your Choice, Eco City), as well as traveling featured shows make this museum one of the greatest choices when you want to balance fun, sport and education.
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- Suitable for kids of all ages, even for strollers, as the building has functional elevators as well;
- Although the place is safe for children and specially designed for them, it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on them, especially on the small ones; the place can get crowded and in their real euphoria, kids might get separated from you;
- Restrooms are easy accessible, available at every level of the museum.
http://www.discoverykidslv.org/
Red Rock Canyon
Just 25 km outside Las Vegas, there is a scenic place, where the kids will feel free and happy. They can explore the desert and sandstone landscape, follow the interpretative trails available, enjoy a bike tour or a picnic. This is a good opportunity to learn about plants, animals and rock formations in the area, while enjoying a beautiful natural environment, with fantastic views.
The Red Rock Visitors Center is also a great stopping point, exhibiting in its four sections tremendous information about the place history, geography and biology. And the children will certainly want to take a peak at Mojave Max, the great desert tortoise – symbol of the Center.
Important to Know When You Are Taking the Kids:
- There are wild animals in the area, so keep up the marked paths and follow the instructions given at tourists information centers;
- Place is opened for the whole year, but due to wild landscape we suggest to check the weather in advance;
- Red Rock Canyon is a great experience for the whole family, but children should be at least 5-6 years old; we do not suggest it for babies and toddlers;
- Especially if you are visiting in summertime, make sure you have some water with you, you keep your head covered and wear sunscreen protection, as the temperatures can get really high and the sun brights fully;
- Adequate equipment is highly recommended.
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