Las Vegas for Families

No matter what you may have heard, Las Vegas is not a very family friendly town. Sure there are roller coasters and animal exhibits but there are a lot more strip clubs, topless shows, gambling opportunities, places to drink, places to smoke, and places for general debauchery than there are amusements for the wee ones. In addition, most major hotels are no longer offering any discount for children staying in their parents’ room, so you’ll pay an addition $25-40 per night for the visit if you go above double occupancy in your room. Although some families have made trips and come away with a successful vacation, I’ve heard from many more that say they’ll never do it again.

Of course sometimes you don’t have the option to leave the kids with grandma, so if your vacation plans have to include the offspring, the lists below should help guide you toward your best bets for having the best Vegas vacation with your family.

Family Friendly Hotels

The following hotels offer the most choices for kids including pools, arcades, and attractions, while still offering the grown-up fun of a casino. Please note, however, that many of these hotels still offer “adult” oriented entertainment including gambling, drinking, shows that are not appropriate for children.

Circus-Circus
Although most adults would rather stick needles in their eyes than step foot in this place, it really is the only good option for parents with children on The Strip. It has the The Adventuredome amusement park, a Circus Circus Midway, and lots of other family friendly entertainment and dining.

Excalibur
Sure, they have a male strip show and a restaurant where foul-mouthed waiters insult you, but they also have a full game arcade and the kid favorite Tournament of Kings medieval dinner theater experience.

New York-New York
The roller coaster and large game arcade make this one a decent option. Plus there’s the big Hershey’s Chocolate World store out front, which any kid will love. You may not after they get all hopped up on sugar, but…

Orleans
This locals’ favorite hotel has an 18-screen movie theater, a bowling alley, a Kids Tyme play center, a video game arcade, and an events arena plus lots of low-cost dining options.

South Point
Located a few miles south of The Strip, this locals’ hotel has an equestrian events center, two bowling alleys, a movie theater, and more.

Boulder Station
Located on the far east side of town, the drive is a bit of a bummer but the hotel has a movie theater, a video game arcade, and a Kids Quest play center so that may make up for it.

Texas Station
This sister to Boulder on the north side of town has a similar lineup of amenities including a movie theater, a bowling alley, a video game arcade, and a Kids Quest play center.

Sunset Station
Similar to corporate siblings Boulder and Texas above, this hotel on the southeast side of town has a movie theater, bowling, video game arcade, and play center plus an amphitheater for concerts and events.

Las Vegas also has dozens of non-casino hotels that will allow you to be close to the action but not right in the middle of all of it. Google any of your favorite chains (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Comfort, etc.).

Family Friendly Entertainment

The following attractions and shows are the ones that I think kids would enjoy, although you know your kids better than I do so be sure to investigate them thoroughly before attending.

Shows

Mac King
Family friendly comedy and “how did he do that?” illusions make this a great show for adults and kids.

Blue Man Group
The weird antics of the men in blue will probably confuse smaller children but its just offbeat enough that older kids should be entertained.

JabbaWockeeZ
The hip-hop dance crew is a favorite among older kids and adults alike.

Mystère by Cirque du Soleil
Although some of the imagery might be a little disturbing for younger kids, the dreamy stunts and good-natured clowing around should entertain even the most jaded of teenagers.

Michael Jackson ONE Cirque du Soleil
Older kids will probably know who Michael Jackson was and will probably enjoy this tribute to his music.

Tournament of Kings
Horses and knights and fair maidens. Older kids will roll their eyes but younger ones will eat it up.

Attractions

The Adventuredome
This indoor amusement park has roller coasters, laser tag, and plenty of other diversions to keep the kids entertained for hours.

Bellagio Fountains
Although it only runs for a few minutes, the iconic fountains will keep even small children amused.

Circus Circus Midway
This is Vegas’ way of teaching children how to gamble – put down money and you might win something. Still it’s a good diversion and there are free circus acts to watch as well.

Cowabunga Bay
This water park on the east side of town has plenty of wet rides for kids of all ages.

Discovery Children’s Museum
The best family attraction in Vegas is primarily designed for younger kids with hands on exhibits that mix fun with education, but older ones may find themselves drawn into the action as well.

Downtown Container Park
There’s a big play area in the center of this shopping complex that younger kids will love and everyone is amused by the fire breathing praying mantis sculpture out front.

GameWorks
Located in the Town Square shopping center, this facility has tons of video games, a computer game lab, a bowling alley, and more. Plus, bonus! They have a bar for the adults.

High Roller
As long as your kids (or you) aren’t afraid of heights, the views from the world’s tallest observation wheel are pretty cool.

KISS by Monster Mini Golf
Sure, most kids won’t know who KISS is, but they should still be entertained by the day-glo madness of this indoor golf course.

Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
Although the go-karts are the primary attraction, they also have amusements including slides and an arcade.

Madame Tussaud’s Las Vegas
The famous faces cast in wax should be interesting to most kids, especially the Marvel super heroes section complete with a 4-D theater attraction.

New York-New York Roller Coaster
Adventurous kids will love this extreme coaster that winds its way in and around the Gotham themed hotel.

Mirage Dolphin Habitat/Secret Garden
If your kids love animals, this is the best furry and finned friend attraction in town with an opportunity to get up close with dolphins and other exotic animals.

Mirage Volcano
Another one that only last for a few minutes, but the faux-lava show is still spectacle sized entertainment that should have your kids buzzing.

Pinball Hall of Fame and Museum
This might be a little too retro for today’s kids, but the playable pinball and video games will probably amuse the heck out of adults.

Shark Reef
Some of the animals at this aquarium and zoo might be scary to smaller kids (and some adults) but for the most part the younger set should love this place.

Sky Zone
The indoor trampoline center will literally have your kids bouncing off the walls – in a good way.

SlotZilla
Older kids who crave thrills will love this zip line running down Fremont Street. Adults will want to go at night for the cool lights but if you have kids take them during the day because things can get a little rowdy on Fremont after dark.

Springs Preserve
A really cool interactive experience about nature, ecology, and water has enough whiz-bang stuff to keep older kids interested and the animal exhibits should appeal to younger ones.

Stratosphere Tower Thrill Rides
If your kids have a taste for extreme adventure, try out these high flying thrill rides more than 1,000 feet up in the air.

Wet ‘n’ Wild
Another water park, this one on the west side of town.

Childcare & Babysitting

Most major hotels will be able to arrange childcare or babysitting services for you or refer you to reputable companies that service their facilities. This eliminates the worry of trying to investigate an unknown on your own.

Many hotels also have onsite childcare facilities. These include Boulder, Sunset, and Texas Stations located elsewhere around town. Be sure to ask what facilities or services are available when you make your hotel reservation.