We all know that Las Vegas is known as a playground for adults, but it can also be a fun destination for a family vacation if you know where to go! My husband is from the Vegas area so we are there ALL the time with our 4 kids and I've compiled a list of all of our favorite family activities to do both on and off the strip!
On the strip
My kids love riding the Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York New York. It's $15/ticket, but a fun splurge every once in a while. For the thrill seekers, The Stratosphere offers the Sky Jump, Insanity and the Big Shot as well as a restaurant with an amazing view.
The High Roller Observation Wheel also offers great views of the strip and is fun for all ages
Spend a day walking the strip catching all the main attractions like the Bellagio water fountains. The schedule for the water show is:
MONDAY-FRIDAY: every 30 minutes from 3-8:00pm and every 15 minutes from 8:00pm to 12:00am
SATURDAYS & HOLIDAYS: every 30 minutes from 12-8:00pm and every 15 minutes from 8:00pm to 12:00am
SUNDAYS: every 30 minutes from 11:00am to 7:00pm and every 15 minutes from 7:00pm to 12:00am
The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is great for kids and for cooling off from the heat.
The Casinos are fun to walk through, The Luxor and Caesar's Palace are my kid's favorite, especially watching the free show Fall of Atlantis and looking at the fish in the aquarium.
Be sure to snap a picture of the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign at the south end of the strip. There is always a long line to get a picture standing under it. If you don't want to wait just aim your camera up and grab a quick shot of the sign itself without anyone in it.
The Hershey's Chocolate Factory, M&M World and the Coca Cola store are total tourist traps, but my kids still love looking around, getting a sampling of the different flavors of Coke and spending their allowance on overpriced trinkets. The photo booth is a fun souvenir, though.
The city really comes alive at night, the bright lights are mesmerizing, but some of the street entertainers (ahem, I'm talking to you painted ladies) aren't always kid friendly so use caution when taking your little ones out.
Other recommendations on the strip
Catch one of the many amazing shows! Some family recommended ones are:
-The Blue Man Group
-David Copperfield
-Michael Jackson One
-Terry Fator
-The Beatles Love
See here for ticket information
Also recommended:
-Tournament of the Kings dinner and show at Excalibur
-Madame Toussads
-The Las Vegas Hop on and Hop Off bus tour
-Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage
-The Adventure Dome at Circus Circus
-CSI: The Experience at MGM Grand
-Marvel Avengers Interactive Exhibit at Treasure Island
-The Slotzilla Zoomline on Fremont Street
Where to eat
Shake Shack is always a family favorite. Here are a few more:
-Giordano's for Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
-Hash House a Go Go for good old fashioned comfort food
-Gordon Ramsay BurGR
-Grimaldi's Pizzeria for NY style pizza
-800* Pizza for Italian hearth stone fire pizza
-Sprinkles Cupcakes
-Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate shop
-Earl of Sandwich for hot signature subs
-Garrett's Popcorn Shop for Chicago style Popcorn
Where to stay
There are always deals to be found for hotels on the strip, some of our favorites for families are:
The Paris- fun to swim in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower
Mandalay Bay- home of the aquarium and great pool with lazy river and wave pool
Golden Nugget- Can't top a 3 story water slide through a shark tank!
The Orleans- pools, arcades and a movie theater that is almost always empty
The Mirage-nightly eruption of the man made volcano, home of the Siegfried and Roy Secret Garden
MGM Grand-5 pool complex with waterfalls, grotto and pool river
For staying off the strip I would highly recommend the Lake Las Vegas resort either at the Hilton or the Westin. The atmosphere is relaxing, the pools are great for the kids and they have other activities like renting paddle boards or kayaks for the lake.
Off the strip
There is plenty of fun to be had off the strip too. Like taking in the incredible views of the Hoover Dam from the bridge, or taking a tour of Hoover Dam itself
Or spending quarters for nostalgia's sake at the Pinball Hall of Fame
The Town Square Outdoor mall south of the Strip has a great splash pad and playground with a hedge maze and all. The movie theater there also offers free summer movies, they are old releases but a great way to get out of the heat for free. It also has the best Baby Gap and Old Navy stores.
Other Recommendations:
Behind the scenes tour of the TV show Tanked
Adventure Canyon at Buffalo Bill's
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Kayaking the Vegas Black Canyon
You might like these travel guides as well (click on an image):
Phew! That is quite the list and should definitely give you plenty of options for your family Vegas vacation! Let me know if you have any more suggestions or questions!
