Not Just Sin City
While Las Vegas is most
widely known for its opulence, excess, gambling, and all-night partying,
more and more families are taking their vacations to the desert in
Nevada.
In today's economy, Las Vegas offers some
irresistible bargains for families looking to stay on-budget, but still
enjoy a great vacation. Often, the biggest cost on a vacation is
the lodging - Las Vegas offers some incredible rates on hotels - even
ones right on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The next-most expensive
cost on a vacation is usually the food - especially if you have a large
family (and who can forget those picky kids finicky about what they want
to eat)! Vegas offers the full myriad of dining opportunities from
the most extravagant to the bargain-conscious. This article spells
out the best family-friendly attractions in Vegas that is sure to
entertain and will not break your bank.
The Excalibur Castle, Hotel and Casino
Vegas Bargains
Looking to spend a little bit more for your
family vacation? We recently spent a week at the Mandalay Bay and
this is a wonderful family-friendly hotel. The draw here is their
massive pool resort complex with five separate pools including a
gigantic wave pool, the lazy river, huge hot tubs, and several free-swim
pools. And the beach area is actually covered in mounds of
beach-sand! Additionally, the Mandalay Bay offers the enchanting
Lion King show and their Shark Reef Aquarium. Check out more
Las Vegas Discount Tickets.
Good Eats
There is no shortage of trough-style buffets in Las Vegas. Most of
the hotel buffets will offer a lower rate for kids under 12 and most
will let kids 4 and under eat for free - now that is a good deal!
Recently, most of the major hotels on the strip are allowing patrons to
purchase "all day all-you-can eat" tickets - this means, at a deeply
discounted rate of $20-50 an adult can eat three meals at a number of
different hotel buffets - three adult meals for $50 or less is pretty
good!
The Adventure Dome Indoor Amusement Park at Circus Circus
Things to Do
The Vegas Strip
Take a stroll down the strip with your kids - they will be fascinated by
the towering glitzy hotels, the ornate statues and fountains in front of
each resort, and the kiddy-themes such as the pyramid at Luxor or the
Castle at Excalibur. The swash-buckling pirate scene in front of
Treasure Island will captivate young and older kids alike. Riding
on a monorail is always an exciting event for the younger kids - and in
Vegas, the trams and monorails offer you an easy way to travel the city
while granting you sweeping views of the Strip.
Adventure Dome Indoor Amusement
Park
The Adventure Dome is a fabulous indoor amusement park located at the
Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. It offers a great day of fun for
young and older children. You will find the traditional
carnival/state fair type of games and arcade games intermixed with fun
rides including a rip-roaring roller coaster that zips between the
canyon scene above. There is also a rock climbing wall, bungee
jumping, a lazer tag arena, and plenty of carnival food. For kids,
about $14 will buy an all-day wrist band where they can ride as many of
the rides as they want - a real bargain. 4-6 year olds will enjoy
the Adventure Dome as much as the big kids because they offer a slew of
rides catering to the younger kids.
Lied Children's Museum
Most large cities have a Children's Museum to pique a child's curiosity
and interest in make-believe and science. Vegas is no exception -
the Lied Children's Museum (soon to move from northwest of the strip
down to the Vegas Outlet Center) offers a blend of make-believe and
role-playing scenes such as the grocery store, performing stage, and
airport; science-oriented interactive displays such as hydro-dynamics
air pressure and pulleys; and brain-teasers such as mazes and puzzles.
Festival Fair Arcade
In the lower-level of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino is the Festival
Fair Arcade area. This place reminds me of the traditional video
game arcades of yester-year (remember the Fun Factory?) Here you
will find plenty of the video games of the past including the
traditional two-player shoot-em-ups, the flight simulators, and plenty
of carnival-style games such as ring toss, balloon-pop, and more.
And most of the games offer your kids an opportunity to win either
prizes or tickets to be redeemed for prizes. There is also the
Sponge Bob 4-D Ride. Downstairs from the Festival Fair is the
Medieval Nights Dinner Show which offers an entertaining evening of
dueling and jousting knights and dinner fare.
Vegas Shows
Beyond the risqué, Vegas offers a variety of family-friendly shows such
as the Lion King, Cirque de So lei, Blue Man Group, Criss Angel
Illusionist, and more. These shows are full of movement, mystique,
and will captivate - but their prices will leave likely empty your
wallet, especially if you take your whole family. Check out our
deep discounts on
Family-Friendly Vegas Tours and Shows.
Big Kids' Roller Coasters
Many of the attractions in Vegas cater to bigger kids, and kids at
heart. This includes the myriad of roller coasters that,
unfortunately, do not allow youngsters on board (minimum height
requirement). Some of the most memorable roller coasters are at
New York New York, Circus Circus, and the Stratosphere.
Outdoor Adventures
The greater Las Vegas area offers fantastic outdoor adventures for kids
and adults. Venturing not too far from the strip you will find
Lake Mead National Recreation Area with opportunities to go swimming
in the clear waters, kayaking, boating, hiking and sightseeing. To
the west lies the famous cliffs of Red Rock Canyon - great for
sightseeing or rock climbing. About 45 miles to the northwest is
the 12,000 foot peak of Mt. Charleston with a restaurant at its
summit and a ski resort in the wintertime. Further to the east,
about 4 hours drive is the majestic Grand Canyon. To the
southeast are Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu. Need some
supplies for your outdoor excursions?
REI is conveniently located off of Green Valley Ranch Road in
Henderson, just minutes from the Strip. A short
helicopter ride away is the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon;
Grand Canyon tours depart Las Vegas and are very popular.
