Las Vegas may be famous for casinos and nightlife, but it can also be a surprisingly fun family destination. From immersive attractions and kid-friendly shows to resort pools and easy day trips to nearby national parks, here’s what families should see, skip and know before planning a Vegas vacation with children.
Highlights:
- Use Las Vegas as a base for bigger adventures. Renting a car opens the door to unforgettable day trips to Zion National Park, Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and even the Grand Canyon.
- Las Vegas has more family-friendly attractions than most parents expect. From M&M’s Las Vegas and the Bellagio Fountains to Adventuredome, museums and live shows, there’s plenty to entertain kids.
- Timing and hotel choice make all the difference. Visit the Strip during the day, avoid walking it at night and choose a family-friendly resort with pools, activities and kid-focused amenities.
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Las Vegas With Kids – Is It Worth The Gamble?
When our family attended a wedding in Las Vegas, Nevada, I kept asking myself, “Is Las Vegas with kids a good idea?” To be honest, “Sin City” was not high on my list of places I wanted to explore with my children. If you’ve ever walked the Las Vegas Strip at night with its scantily clad women, leering men and generally creepy vibe, you know why. I had always considered Las Vegas to be a girlfriend getaway or a couples-only destination.
But this city has a surprising number of entertainment options geared towards families including fun family-friendly hotels. The bright lights and neon-bright hotels are eye candy for kids (and adults). The wow factor is certainly part of what makes Las Vegas so memorable.
Here, I share with you everything I learned on this trip, my new list of dos and don’ts and the best things we found to do with kids in Las Vegas.
18 Things to Do in Las Vegas with Kids
Now that you have the accommodations figured out, you’re going to want to plan some fun things to do in Las Vegas with kids.
Here are our must-see attractions:
1. M&M’s Las Vegas
My kids loved it at M&M’s Las Vegas. You will have several different floors, each with something new to see. My kids loved the quick show you could watch with your favorite M&M characters. I must admit, I was elated to try all the different M&M flavors. Who doesn’t love chocolate?
If chocolate’s your thing, book a 4-hour tasting tour to taste all the chocolate Vegas has to offer. This is a chocolate lover’s dream!
2. Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
Our kids loved the 460-foot-high observation deck atop Paris Las Vegas’ half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. What a view!
3. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
This is a fun wax museum for kids because they can see some of their favorite Marvel characters at the new Marvel 4D Super Heroes Experience. What kid doesn’t want a selfie with the Hulk?
4. Vegas Shows
You would be surprised at the list of family-friendly Vegas shows you can enjoy with your kids. Although Vegas isn’t known for its PG entertainment options, options do exist! Shows appropriate for the whole family include Mystère, KÀ, Michael Jackson ONE (older kids), Tournament of Kings and the Blue Man Group.
5. FlyOver Las Vegas
Created by the Disney Imagineer who created EPCOT’s wildly popular Soarin’, FlyOver Las Vegas. According to SheBuysTravel Editor-in-Chief Cindy Richards, the attraction’s technology is so good, you’ll feel like you’re taking a helicopter ride. Read about her experience here.
6. The LINQ Promenade
This is a great spot to do some shopping, enjoy a meal and to find some kid-friendly entertainment including an observation wheel and ziplines.
7. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Our family stayed at the Bellagio and while it’s not the most kid-friendly hotel, the Conservatory and Fountain show were both worth seeing.
8. The Infinity Museum
Step inside the Infinity Museum’s seven immersive mirror-and-light rooms — including a walk-in Mirrored Dodecahedron. It’s endlessly photogenic, playful and a hit with kids and grown-ups alike.
9. Circus Circus Adventuredome Theme Park
You won’t want to miss this 5-acre indoor amusement park located at Circus Circus in Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip. There are so many kid-friendly activities: roller coasters, arcade games and even rock climbing and bungee jumps. We always look for a good theme park or amusement park when we travel.
10. The Discovery Children’s Museum
This museum is located downtown and is a fun hands-on interactive museum. You can spend all day exploring this 58,000 square-foot Discovery Children’s Museum.
11. The High Roller Observation Wheel
Ride North America’s tallest observation wheel.. You will soar 550 feet above the center of the Las Vegas Strip. The 360-degree views of Las Vegas are breathtaking.
Skip the line and get tickets online here.
12. Tree House & Play Zone at the Downtown Container Park
If you’re looking for a place to let the kids run around for a while, check out the downtown Container Park. There’s a play zone just for kids.
13. Fremont Street Experience
Every evening you can enjoy seeing the world’s biggest light show on four blocks of Fremont Street. The lights and music are sure to impress the kids. There is also a zip line at the Fremont Street Experience.
This guided tour through Yasvegas.com is a great way to experience the area: Downtown Las Vegas: Fremont Street Walking Tour
14. Springs Preserve
This is a 180-acre attraction in Las Vegas. The website states that “The Preserve features museums, galleries, outdoor events, a colorful botanical garden and an interpretive trail system through a scenic wetland habitat.” This helpful guide tells you how to spend either 1-2 hours, half a day or a full day at Springs Preserve.
15. Gondola Rides at the Venetian
Not only are the gondola rides family-friendly but taking a family photo with one of the gondoliers makes the best souvenir.
16. Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
This is a great FREE option for families. You can escape the busy streets of Las Vegas and enjoy this 15-acre garden. There you will find streams, waterfalls, exotic birds, turtles and fish.
17. Cowabunga Vegas Water Park
A things to do in Las Vegas with kids list wouldn’t be complete without a water park. This one is located in Spring Valley, about 20 minutes from the heart of Vegas. (And another good reason to have your own transportation!)
18. Botanical Cactus Garden
Ethel M Chocolate Factory’s Botanical Cactus Garden is Nevada’s largest. How often do you get to see a garden full of cactus?
Dos and Don’ts for Las Vegas with Kids
Do Rent a Car
It’s best to have your own transportation, especially if you plan to stay off the Strip. If you can, drive to Las Vegas. If you fly in, plan to rent a car. Ultimately, that means you will save money. Prices for food and drinks along the Strip can be very expensive. Even budget-friendly places like CVS pharmacy and McDonald’s have unusually high prices. Next time, we will stay off the Strip and have our own transportation.
Don’t Visit the Strip at Night
This street becomes a whole new world after dark. Every day we would get up early and walk the Strip. The Las Vegas nightlife is geared towards adults so when it got dark, my family could be found relaxing in our hotel. Try to plan your activities early in the day. If you are going to see a show at night, take a taxi and avoid walking the streets. If you’ve ever visited New York City with kids then you know that the nightlife can be very overwhelming for young kids.
Do Visit the Bellagio
Stick around the Strip just long enough to let the kids watch the dancing waters in front of The Bellagio. The show is mesmerizing during the day. It’s magical at night.
Do Choose the Right Hotel
We’ve all heard of The Bellagio, Wynn Encore, and Venetian-Palazzo hotels; they have been featured in movies and are a staple of the area. They’re some of the greatest in Vegas, right?
Well, not necessarily if you are traveling with your kids. The best advice I have from our recent trip is to pick the right accommodations. Our family stayed at the Bellagio, and while this hotel was stunning and watching the Bellagio fountains at night was spectacular, I still would have preferred staying someplace that claimed to be a little more kid-friendly.
So where should you stay in Vegas with kids? We walked through several hotels during our stay and I spoke with my fellow SheBuysTravel writers. Here are some of the recommendations if you want to stay on the Strip:
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Shark Reef Aquarium is a must-see! In addition to the awesome aquarium, the hotel has a giant pool complex that includes a wave pool and a lazy river. Another thing I noticed was the abundant kid-friendly food options at the hotel’s 20 restaurants. Mandalay Bay must know that kids love a good pool and food!
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Pools, waterfalls and river pools are sure to please any family.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The Big Apple in Las Vegas Hotel New York-New York claims to be kid-friendly, but many have said to avoid staying here with kids. Just a heads up.
Explore the World Around Las Vegas
The best part of our Vegas trip wasn’t actually Vegas itself. I’m so glad we took the time to rent a car and explore the gorgeous desert landscapes near Las Vegas. Did you know it’s only a 2 1/2 drive to Zion National Park from Las Vegas, Nevada?
The days we spent at Zion were among my favorite travel memories to date. Read all about our trip to Zion National Park.
There are so many other nearby places that you’ll want to see like Red Rock Canyon which is only a 20-minute drive from Vegas. Hoover Dam is only a 40-minute drive. Even the Grand Canyon is only a short 4-hour drive from Las Vegas. .
If you don’t want to rent a car, Get Your Guide offers some great tours that include transportation to these recommended destinations around Las Vegas. Here is a list of these tours:
- Las Vegas: Bryce and Zion National Park Tour
- Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon and Seven Magic Mountains Trip
- Hoover Dam: 3-Hour Small-Group Tour
- From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon West Sunset Tour
FAQs
Yes, Las Vegas is generally safe for kids. However, it’s important to keep an eye on your children, especially on The Strip at night.
Yes, there are plenty of kid-friendly attractions in Las Vegas, including the Adventuredome Theme Park, the Shark Reef Aquarium, and the Discovery Children’s Museum.
Yes, there are many shows in Las Vegas that are appropriate for kids, including Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystère,” as well as the Blue Man Group.
Some of the best family-friendly hotels in Las Vegas include the Circus Circus Hotel & Resort, the Excalibur Hotel & Casino and the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
Be sure to pack sunscreen, comfortable shoes for walking and plenty of snacks and water. It can get hot during the day, so dressing in layers is also a good idea.
Yes, there are many free attractions in Las Vegas for kids, including the Bellagio’s dancing fountain show, the Mirage’s volcano show and the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo.
Read More:
- Take the Family: Day Trips from Las Vegas
- Fun Things to Do in Santa Fe with Kids
- National Parks in Nevada: Where the Unexpected is Expected
- 10 Best Hotels Near Grand Canyon for Families
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