These days, there are a bunch of great things to do in Las Vegas with kids. From the family-friendly Stratosphere and Circus Circus at the north end of the Strip to the wonderful Mandalay Bay, the MGM Grand, and the Excalibur at the south end, you have many, many wonderful choices both for places to stay and for things to see and do.
Many of the hotels on the Strip now have family friendly attractions, and there are a number of great things to do off the Strip as well. Here is a list of some of the best things for kids and families:
- Shark Reef Aquarium
- Roller Coaster (NY, NY)
- Dolphin Habitat (Mirage)
- Eiffel Tower Ride
- Lion Habitat (MGM)
- Mystere (T.I.)
- Stratosphere Tower
- Stratosphere Rides
- Mirage Volcano
- Tournament of Kings
- Adventuredome
- Blue Man Group (Venetian)
- KA (MGM)
- Indoor Skydiving
- The Fountain (Bellagio)
Eiffel Tower, Paris Las Vegas
This list is by no means complete, and there are many other great things to see and do both on the Strip and around the city for families with kids young and old.
Both the Cirque du Soleil shows listed above, Mystere at T.I. (Treasure Island) and KA at the MGM Grand, are absolutely wonderful circus shows that blow any traditional circus you have seen out of the water. The acrobatics and tumbling are beyond belief, and the costumes and sets are even better. Kids will love them and you will too.
X Scream Ride Atop the Stratosphere
The free exhibits such as the Fountains at Bellagio and the volcano out front at Mirage are huge kid favorites, and they can really save you some money too. The same holds true for the lion exhibit at the MGM and the shows in the Forum Shops at Caesars, which involve animatronics, fog, lasers, and lighting.
You can also save a lot of money and keep your kids very happy by staying at one of the hotels with great pool areas. These include the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and, to a lesser degree, the Monte Carlo.
In addition, there are a couple of inexpensive museums off the Strip that are worth checking out. The first is the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, located just north of downtown at 833 N. Las Vegas Boulevard.
The second is the Atomic Testing Museum, which is just off the center Strip at 755 East Flamingo Road and which is best for teens who are interested in science or history, but which is a really fascination museum.
Things to Do Off the Strip
There are also a number of attraction a bit further afield that are great opportunities for a complete change of pace from the action of Las Vegas Boulevard and which give kids a chance to get outside, run around, and explore.
The closest place to go is Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is located just 20 miles west of the Strip and which is truly spectacular, like a little slice of Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
Red Rock has cliffs up to an amazing 3,000 feet high made of beautiful red sandstone. There are a number of great hikes in the area, from short hikes to 13 mile all day affairs. Or you can simply drive through and take in the views from your car – but make sure you have a full tank of gas and lots of water before venturing out.
The second area is Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. This is a simply breathtaking structure, and the lake is absolutely beautiful too. You can take tours inside the dame, which are incredibly fun and interesting too.
