Planning a Las Vegas trip? A trip to Las Vegas isn't complete until you've seen the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. There are more family activities on the Las Vegas Strip than you might expect.
I don't enjoy most of Las Vegas' “adult” entertainment, but I still think it's a fascinating place. There are lots of great shows, restaurants, and other things to see that you won't find anywhere else.
It's not for everyone, though. You cannot entirely avoid the Strip's “Sin City” reputation – especially after dark. Gigantic signs promote risque shows for mature audiences. Small ads for strip clubs litter sidewalks. Walking through casinos is unavoidable. It's the definition of “overstimulating.”
You'll still see plenty of families in Las Vegas. My kids (ages 11 and 14) have been there several times and we have enjoyed a variety of family activities. Here are our favorite family activities on the Las Vegas Strip.
Unique Attractions
Las Vegas Sign – You'll find the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign just beyond Mandalay Bay at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. There is a parking lot. Expect a line, and probably someone offering to take photos with your camera for tips. This activity is free.
Fountains of Bellagio – This is my favorite activity on the Las Vegas Strip, and it costs nothing. It's a huge water show choreographed to music in front of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. It runs every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening until midnight. Shows start at 11 or noon on weekends and 3 PM on weekdays. www.bellagio.com
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden – When you finish at the fountains, head inside the Bellagio to see the seasonally-changing Botanical Gardens, which are also free to the public. Turn your eyes upward to the Fiori di Como art glass chandelier as you pass through the lobby. It features over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers. www.bellagio.com
Volcano Las Vegas – This longtime staple of the Strip is fun for visitors of all ages to see. Volcano Las Vegas at The Mirage erupts several times each evening. It's totally free. www.mirage.com
Related: Tips for Visiting Hoover Dam
Shows
Blue Man Group – This show was a big hit with everyone in my family. It's music and comedy and audience participation in a way you've never seen it before. See it at Luxor Resort and Casino. Blue Man Group is included with a 3, 4 or 5-day Go Las Vegas Card. www.blueman.com
Cirque du Soleil: Mystere – Mystere is the original Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. It has been running for nearly 30 years and it's family-friendly. I was wowed by the acrobatics in this classic Las Vegas show. See it at Treasure Island. www.cirquedusoleil.com/mystere
Related: 9 Ways to Do Las Vegas on a Budget
Rides
Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York-New York – We got an unlimited wristband for this big coaster and rode it 3 times, with short waits every time. This is a thrilling ride for older kids and adults, with great views of Las Vegas. We found the restraints uncomfortable and the ride a little rough. It's included in the Las Vegas Pass and MGM Resorts 3 for $57 Package Offer. www.newyorknewyork.com
Adventuredome at Circus Circus – The Adventuredome is a 5-acre indoor amusement park with 25+ rides and attractions. With roller coasters, bumper cars, midway games, arcades, and circus acts, this is definitely one of the most family-focused destinations on the Las Vegas Strip. https://www.circuscircus.com/the-adventuredome
Animals
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay – Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef has fourteen exhibits that display more than 2,000 animals. There aren't many other places where you can safely get this close to a shark. It's smaller than most aquariums we've visited, but well done. It's included in the MGM Resorts 3 for $57 Package Offer. www.sharkreef.com
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat – The Flamingo Hotel and Casino's Wildlife Habitat features a lush garden and stream where visitors can see swans, ducks, koi, turtles, and of course, pink flamingos. This is a fun, free and fast activity that is especially good for younger children. www.caesars.com/flamingo-las-vegas/things-to-do
Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat – This paid activity at The Mirage allows visitors an up-close look at white tigers, lions, panthers, leopards and a family of dolphins. It's included in the Las Vegas Pass and MGM Resorts 3 for $57 Package Offer. www.mirage.com
Related: What to Expect at Shark Reef Aquarium in Las Vegas
Arcades
Fun Dungeon at Excalibur – Years ago, this arcade was a good opportunity for us to let our young children loose for a few minutes. We didn't even give them money; they were just happy to pretend to play the games for a little while. Expect top-of-the-line games and old favorites. www.excalibur.com
Arcade at New York-New York – We walked all the way through this arcade every time we rode the Big Apple Coaster. It's big, and filled with fun games for all ages. www.newyorknewyork.com
Related: Tips for Visiting the Pinball Hall of Fame
Shopping
Coca-Cola Store – It costs nothing to visit this flagship store, but I recommend that you spend a few dollars at the Beverage Bar on the 2nd floor. My family loves sharing the Tastes of the World tray. You'll get samples of soda flavors from around the globe. Some were delicious and others were strange, but all are fun to try. One order is more than enough for my family of four. www.cokestore.com/stores/las-vegas
M&M's World Store – This fun store is located next to the Coca-Cola Store. It has four floors of fun photo ops and merchandise. Families will enjoy “I Lost My M in Vegas.” It's a free 10-minute 3-D movie starring Red and Yellow. www.mymms.com/category/store-locations
Hershey's Chocolate World – You'll find this flagship store just inside New York-New York. We were treated to Hershey's Kisses samples on our way in and out. Inside is a candy lover's paradise featuring Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, giant Hershey's bars and an 800-lb. chocolate sculpture of the Statue of Liberty. https://hersheyschocolateworldlasvegas.com/
Conclusion
There are plenty of family activities on the Las Vegas Strip if you know where to look. I hope this list gives you lots of ideas for planning your Las Vegas trip.
More Las Vegas Tips
Need a place to stay? We have stayed in several Las Vegas resorts, but Tahiti Village – not far from Shark Reef Aquarium – is my favorite so far. Click the button below to see rates and availability for Tahiti Village and other Las Vegas hotels on TripAdvisor.com.
Robyn
We have never done any of these things and would enjoy trying them with our children. Thanks.
Tracy
Are children under 5 not permitted to attend the Cirque du Soleil performances?
Allison
Hi Tracy! It depends on the show. According to the FAQs on the official website, children under age 5 are not allowed to attend Beatles Love. The minimum age for Zumanity is 18 years. However, children of all ages are welcome at other shows like Mystere and Luzia. Here is the link to the official site where you can find the official age requirements for each show. https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/beatles-love/faq
jana
I have never heard or done any of those things except the fountains. Those are great ideas and I’d like to try those out. The strip is beautiful at night, sans the low-life peddling filth. We like to go to get away from crummy weather and the hotel pool is a major attraction for us.
Jessica
I really think my kids would enjoy Vegas. There is just so much to do, even for kids. Thanks for linking up!
Lisa
Great tips! I’ve been thinking for a while now that we should really take our kids to Las Vegas for a weekend – it does seem like there’s a lot to do and I just would like to be able to say that I’ve seen it.
Andi at The Particular Traveler
How funny…my post for Tuesday Travel Tips today was also about going to Vegas with kids! 🙂 We loved the Bellagio’s fountains and Botanical Gardens. But yes, the ads on the sidewalk were a turnoff…definitely not family friendly. I’m glad my baby was too young to see them!
Allison
That was a funny coincidence! I thought your suggestions were especially helpful for families who want to avoid the gambling and risque side of Vegas entirely, but still see some of what makes Vegas famous and appreciate other attractions the area has to offer. We also enjoyed Hoover Dam and I’ll post my two-cents on that soon. For curious readers, here’s Andi’s post: http://theparticulartraveler.blogspot.com/2012/03/vegas-with-kids.html.
Mary @ The World Is A Book
Great Vegas tips! Living in Southern California, Vegas has become a popular weekend getaway for us. These are all the wonderful things and reasons why my kids love going here. One of the first places we visit is always the Bellagio Conservatory. It puts everyone in a happy mood after the long drive.
Allison
I’m sure you have a lot of great tips for Vegas too. I’ll have to check your blog to get ideas next time we are headed that way.
Entertainment Center Las Vegas
Great tips on Las Vegas. I have visited Gameowrks Las vegas with my kids. They just love to play different games and we all had a blast…..
Gwenn Williams
what is the average price for most of the better arcade games? my son is thirteen
Allison
Hi Gwenn. We don’t play a lot of arcade games, so I can’t offer much personal experience here. However, here is some information that may help.
Nearly all the arcades use credits instead of quarters. You purchase a number of credits and play until they run out or you buy more. At the Big Apple Arcade, $1 equals 10 credits. I’m guessing that the better games cost more than 10 credits each. Looking at a package deal offers more clues. The $45 package includes one ride on the Big Apple Coaster, 300 game credits, a plush toy and a hot dog (with beverage purchase). I’m hopeful that 300 credits (about $30) would be enough for at least 1-2 hours of gameplay on the better games for one person.
Some of Las Vegas’ better arcades are located off the Strip. These include Game Nest, Gameworks and the Pinball Hall of Fame. Game Nest charges by the hour instead of the game, at $10 for the first hour and $5 each for additional hours. Gameworks offers a variety of tempting weekday deals, like Half Price Monday or 3 Hours for $15 on Wednesdays.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is one that my family has visited, though it is farthest off the Strip. This no-frills museum/arcade is filled with all kinds of pinball games, some rare and some newer. These games take quarters and cost the same amount as when they were originally built, starting at 25 cents. The average cost per game is $.75-1. Thirty dollars was enough to entertain my family of four for 1-2 hours.