After all those blurry memories of hitting up Vegas when you were 20 something, you may be hesitant to look at it through the new family lens. There are so many things to do in Vegas with kids, you can leave all the “city of sin” hype behind. Bring those teens and tweeners along and discover you can’t get done all you want in one trip. You’ll have to plan to bring them back to tackle what you missed. To help you out we’ve narrowed it down to seven categories of fun. Vegas is the ideal place for a family trip so choose one from each and save the rest for the next trip.
Get Your Travel Goals Newsletter & BONUS Workbook
Table of Contents
Explore the Strip
This is where selection comes in handy as no one knows your kid better than you. We had a kiddo deeply into mythology when we first headed out to Vegas so the Caesars Palace fountain show Fall of Atlantis was cheesy fun. Every hour on the hour from 11 AM to 10 PM the king of Atlantis rises out of the water and shares his dilemma. You might have sibling rivalry in your house but he’ll assure you his troubles are worse than yours. The dialog is hard to hear but the plot is not so deep that you can’t get the gist that a fire-focused brother and water-based sister are vying for control of the throne. My little wanna-be arsonist was enthralled but only for about five minutes then we moved on.
The Bellagio Fountains are another good stop. From 3 PM to midnight the fountains explode to music, every half an hour from 3 – 8 and then every 15 min from 8 – midnight. Saturday and Sunday the show runs more frequently. Even our tweener appreciated the well-timed dance of water to music.
Get Your Travel Goals Newsletter & BONUS Workbook
SlotZilla on Fremont Street is another option. While I know it’s not the strip proper, and some of your “what happens in Vegas” memories may have happened during the Fremont Street Experience at night, SlotZilla is still a family-friendly option during the day. Norman and our oldest had to use the lower zipline due to high winds but each landed with smiles on their faces. It’s a quick experience and both felt getting to zip into the Fremont scene of neon lights and classic hotels under the canopy was worth it. Tip – at the time of writing, the website advertises a $5 discount if you fly before 5 PM.
See a Show
The whole family went out to Vegas for my birthday and I had never seen a Cirque du Soleil show. There are actually quite a few shows that label themselves as family-friendly, so again this is where you have to bring out all that you know about your tribe. Torn between the Michael Jackson One, O, or Mystere, Mystere won the day. The classic Cirque show playing at Treasure Island had everyone amazed at the body-bending gravity-defying talented cast.
The boys recently “discovered” the Beatles (thank you Yesterday) so The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage was a huge hit as well.
Potted Potter is another outside-the-box option. If you have a split house of muggles and wizards then this is the show for you. Those that embrace magic laugh right next to the Dursleys in your house as all seven books are sarcastically tackled in just over an hour. All four of us thought it was brilliant fun.
Get Your Travel Goals Newsletter & BONUS Workbook
Another option for the whole crew that receives high-praise reviews is the Blue Man Group at the Luxor. You can all enjoy the music and humor at this fantastic show! Or catch the interactive Meow Wolf Museum or the immersive Van Gogh, each a fabulous Las Vegas opportunity that shouldn’t be missed!
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Less than 30 minutes away from downtown Vegas is the Red Rock National Conservation Area. A 13-mile scenic drive allows anyone to enjoy the views at the edge of the La Madre Mountain Wilderness. We bookmarked our day trip with two easy hikes and took advantage of two incredibly fun moderately challenging hikes, Calico Hills and Calico Tanks before the day was out. To read more about our boys’ favorite adventure out of Vegas, click on this link.
The Valley of Fire
Get up early to head about an hour outside of Vegas to the Valley of Fire. You can avoid the worst of the heat if you get there when it opens at sunrise. This visually stunning state park offers hiking, camping, and even rock climbing in specific areas. Want to know more about the unique sandstone, petroglyphs, and best hikes to take throughout the park? Then check out our more detailed article here.
Day Trip to Hoover Dam
Impressive architecture and an opportunity to stand in two states at once should not be passed up. The Visitor Center tour ticket was cheap at $10 apiece. We enjoyed learning about the dam’s construction and taking advantage of the observation deck. Of course, the boys were just impressed the place they hid the Decepticon head honcho, Megatron, was real. The influence of Transformers apparently knows no bounds, but I’ll take what I can get. Tip – get there early. By the time we left in the early afternoon, there was a long line of cars at a standstill waiting for entry. Please note that during the pandemic, tours are closed. The outdoor areas, such as Memorial Bridge Plaza and Walkway, as well as restrooms, are open with some restrictions.
Another day trip option that will take a bit more time but is equally as enjoyable is to visit the Grand Canyon. You can experience one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world by taking a tour of Grand Canyon West. It is a four-hour drive or a much shorter, but more expensive, helicopter flight. If you don’t want to have to drive yourself you can definitely join a big bus tour and catch a nap after the long day while your driver gets you safely back to Vegas!
Get Your Travel Goals Newsletter & BONUS Workbook
The Neon Museum
Want to learn more about the restaurant that fed those Hoover Dam construction workers back in the 30s? Then head to one of the best places in Vegas to get a bit of history ~ the Bone Yard, AKA the Neon Museum. Here is where history takes on the form of retired Vegas neon signs that are oh so retro-cool. Admission includes a guided tour of signs from the 30s to the latest edition of the Hard Rock guitar. The stories of life in Sin City as told through neon are what make this experience so don’t skip hearing from a docent. And for the love of all things holy, don’t ignore the umbrellas offered just outside of the gift shop. That sun beats on the 2-acre lot if you enter the exhibit during the heat of the day. You’ll be glad to have shade. Nighttime tours are popular as they light up the signs in the cooler temperature of dusk. But tickets are more expensive for the privilege of seeing them twinkle. Tip: they are open during the pandemic. Timed reservation tickets are used to control the number of people experiencing the museum at any given time so plan ahead. They also have safety protocols in place that can be read on their FAQ page here.
Other museum options that are family-friendly include the Natural History Museum or the Mob Museum. You can also check out the Human Body exhibit at the Luxor.
Pinball Hall of Fame
As long as we’re talking retro let’s not forget to mention the Pinball Hall of Fame. For an authentic old-school arcade feel, you cannot miss this place that the whole family can enjoy! Everyone in our age group has a childhood memory that includes a pinball machine or arcade game. In respect of that history, the Pinball Hall of Fame owner has meticulously restored and given a home to pinball machines from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and even our beloved 80s and 90s. But you can also find the Stranger Things revived arcade classics. Yes, my husband got to relive his Dig Dug days, and let’s just say Mad Max would be proud.
Slide some bills into that change machine and play Star Wars pinball to your heart’s content. This is a 501c non-profit so in case you feel overly indulgent, know that all profits go to charity.
Tip: this is one of our favorite places to visit when in Vegas. They opened their new location on Las Vegas Blvd South on April 15, 2021. It is 2x the size of their old location on Tropicana Blvd. Check out their website and take a 3D tour before you head over.
More Entertainment
First time in Vegas? You’re in luck because here you can take a trip around the world without leaving the United States via the various Las Vegas hotels along the strip!
Enjoy a thrill ride in New York, New York, and ride the Big Apple roller coaster through the New York cityscape. Try a gondola ride at the Venetian or climb the Vegas version of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris!
Be thrilled with an underwater shark tank adventure at the Shark Reef Aquarium or catch a wave at the Wave Pool both at Mandalay Bay. Walk through the arcade at Circus Circus or let the family see the quirky, yet free, animatronic water fountain show Fall of Atlantis at Ceasars Palace while you tackle the Forum shops!
Or let the younger children get up close and personal with Captain America and enjoy Avengers Station at Treasure Island. Upgrade to VIP to get 20% off merchandise and photo packages.
Splurge on sweets at the Ethel M Chocolate factory.
Las Vegas with kids is a good time! The best part is that your kids can embrace a new adventure every time you head to the desert oasis. Each time there is something different to tackle. It’s a reflection I think of the effort the city has put in to appeal to a more diverse audience. We give it a big thumbs up!