Las Vegas is so much fun not only for adults, but also for kids. Here are some things you can do in Vegas with a family.
*We use ads so we can pay for our travels and continue to bring you free travel advice. We also use affiliate links.
If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is known for gambling, casinos, quick marriages and bars open around the clock. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” they say. So why take your kids with you on vacation to such a place? Well, Las Vegas is not only for adults!
Since we live in California and relatively close to Las Vegas, we have visited there numerous times. Flights from California to Vegas are quick and cheap, and it often happens to be on our way when we do road trips.
We have been there both with and without kids, and in both ways we have enjoyed it. There is just so much you can do other than gambling or partying. And honestly, we haven’t done much of either of those in Vegas.
Things to do in Las Vegas with kids
We spent a lot of time in Las Vegas just by walking around and seeing different attractions that the hotels have to offer. Most of them are free which is nice. The Strip is such a lively and busy road and there are many things you can see just by foot.
There are also plenty of other things you can in Vegas or close by with your family. If you have a car there are some amazing parks with great trails in the area, or you can book a guided tour where you don’t have to worry about driving. You can even hop on a helicopter if you want! Yes, Vegas is crazy!
Hotel Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden
My personal favorite of all the attractions in the hotels is Hotel Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden located in their lobby. The flower arrangements are just amazing! Especially if you happen to be there at the holiday season.
They usually have some fun themes; animals or other characters that our kids have absolutely loved. This is a must see while in Vegas with or without kids!
Location: Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World is located in New York-New York Hotel & Casino and is a fun little stop for those who love chocolate. And who wouldn’t? They have some photo ops and you can personalize your own chocolate bar wrappers for example. And buy chocolate of course.
A visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World will not take a whole day, but it is totally free.
Location: New York-New York Hotel & Casino, 3790 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Fountains of Bellagio
Everytime we visit Las Vegas we watch the Bellagio water fountain’s show. It is short, but fun. The show is usually every 30 minutes starting from 3 p.m., and every fifteen minutes after 7 pm.
There are several different kinds of shows and the music varies.
We usually just stand by the fountain to watch the show, but you can also see it at Bellagio restaurants if you ask to be seated at the patio.
In front of the fountain you will most likely run into different kinds of characters who are waiting to get photographed with tourists, but it’s good to know that they will charge for it. It used to be Elvis impersonators, but on our last visit we saw multiple Mickey Mouses, super heroes and show girls.
Location: Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Shark Reef Aquarium
The Shark Reef Aquarium is located in Mandalay Bay Resort along the Strip. The main tank is one of the largest in the country among others has sharks, rays, and reptiles.
They have many species of sharks and a diving program which allows the guests to swim with them. One of the most popular things to do there is to walk through the shark tunnel.
The aquarium has over 2,000 animals in their exhibit along with touch pools were kids can feel some of the sea creatures.
I recommend booking tickets to the attraction beforehand, since it can sell out during the peak seasons. Kids 4 and under are free.
Location: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Gondola Ride at The Venetian Resort
The Venetian Resort is one of those places we visit every time we are in Vegas. It is fun to walk around, or sit in the cafes watching condolas go by in the Grand Canal.
The Venetian Resort also has a nice little shopping area and some funny vending machines that we like to look at. We even found a shoe vending machine for those who need new shoes after walking too much.
You can book a gondola ride for your family and imagine that you are in Italy. Depending on the season, you can choose either an inside or outside ride.
Gondola rides are about 15 minutes long and yes, the gondolier will sing to you while onboard. So fun! Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Location: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(Indoor: Emporio di Gondola Level 2, Grand Canal Shoppes, Outdoor: Gondola Ticket Booth | Doge’s Palace)
pools at Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay has become popular among families because of its huge, 11-acre pool area. They have a total of eight pools, a lazy river and a wave pool.
The best way to enjoy it is of course by staying in Mandalay Bay Resort during your visit. But if you stay somewhere else and want to access the pool area, you can do it by reserving a lounge chair or cabana from the Mandalay Bay Beach.
Location: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
We did the Titanic Artifact Exhibition a few years ago and we thought it was very interesting and well done. I would say it wouldn’t probably be so good for younger kids, but the ones who know about the history of the Titanic would enjoy it for sure.
They have more than 250 authentic artifacts recovered from the Titanic and in parts of the exhibition, it feels almost like you are walking inside the ship. They re-created the Grand Staircase and the outer Promenade Deck for the exhibition for example.
There is a lot to see there, so make sure to reserve enough time for this visit and book your tickets beforehand!
Location: Luxor Hotel & Casino, 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
a family photo at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
The most famous landmark of Las Vegas is absolutely the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign at the end of the Strip. There is usually a line to get in front of it, but it goes pretty fast.
If you can’t wait though, you can take your picture slightly from the side of the sign. There can be someone in front of the sign but they wont be in your picture.
The earlier you get there in the morning, the fewer people there are in the line of course.
There is a small parking lot where you can park, since the sign is in the middle of the main road. You can’t leave Las Vegas without getting your photo taken here!
Location: 5100 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119
a show
Vegas is full of great shows and performers. One of the most popular ones must be Cirque du Soleil which has many different shows around the city, the Blue Man Group and David Copperfield.
All shows of course, are not meant for kids, but you can definitely find some good ones. Tournament of Kings for example is perfect for anyone interested in knights and horses. The show includes a dinner package and is at the Excalibur Hotel.
A full list of different shows can be found here.
Fun Dungeon
Fun Dungeon is located inside the Excalibur Hotel & Casino and it has over 200 games for all ages. Most are arcade games but they also have sports and redemption games, and a section for smaller kids.
Fun Dungeon is open daily.
Location: Excalibur Hotel & Casino, 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
dinner at Rainforest Cafe
When it comes to Las vegas restaurants, there is so much to choose from. Almost every casino-hotel has their own buffet, but they also have other restaurants in them.
One of our kids’ favorites is the Rainforest Cafe on the Strip. Not only do they have a lot to see for kids, but they also have pretty decent food too.
It is like being in the jungle where different animatronic animals are moving and making noises. They recommend walking around the restaurant in order to see them all. Read more about our experience at Rainforest Cafe from here.
Location: 3717 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Neon Museum
Neon Museum is a very unique and interesting place. It is located off the Strip close to Fremont Street which is the old downtown area of Las Vegas.
As Vegas is famous for its neon lights, this is the cemetery of all the light installations that are not used anymore.
I recommend getting your tickets to Neon Museum beforehand as the museum is often sold out. If you go in the evening time you can see most of the lights lit, but the best time for photos is at dusk.
Many of the signs have a lot of history behind them and there is definitely no other museum like this!
Location: 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam, one of the biggest dams in the U.S. is interesting to visit especially if you have bigger kids. It is located in the border of Nevada and Arizona, about 37 miles (60 km) from Las Vegas. You definitely need a car for this visit.
Even though Hoover Dam is so close to Las Vegas, a visit there will take some time. When you enter, there is usually a line to get in and they inspect cars for security. But a walk up the Memorial Bridge Plaza is worth the wait!
Read more details about visiting Hoover Dam from here.
Location: Hoover Dam, Nevada 89005
Are you looking for a rental car? This is the rental company we use.
Valley of Fire
If you are into hiking and you have a car, I recommend heading out of the city and visiting Valley of Fire State Park.
They have great trails for every level and the nature is just stunning. You will be able to see ancient petrified trees and petroglyphs, and some amazing rock formations.
Valley of Fire is about an hour drive from the Strip. The fee is per vehicle and the park is open from sunrise to sunset.
The part that we enjoyed the most at Valley of Fire State Park was that it is not as crowded as national parks. We had plenty of space to enjoy the nature.
Location: Valley of Fire State Park, Moapa Valley, NV 89040
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon is a beautiful park just a few miles from the Las Vegas Strip. The views are quite similar to Valley of Fire and it’s a great place for hiking, biking or camping. Or you can just do the Scenic Drive if you don’t want to get out in the nature.
The conditions at Red Rock Canyon vary depending on the season as the summers are extremely hot, but at winter time the temperatures can get below freezing. So plan accordingly.
Fees are per vehicle, and if you plan to drive the 13 mile long Scenic Drive, you will need a reservation between October 1st to May 31st.
Location: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161
Grand Canyon
If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, then this should be on your list! It is One of the Seven Wonders of the World and definitely something you will remember the rest of your life.
Most people choose to drive to the Grand Canyon which is about 125 miles (201 km) from Las Vegas. This is to the west entrance at the Hualapai Indian Reservation.
If you are heading to the actual national park which is further away, I recommend staying a night or two closer to it. But the west entrance can easily be done as a day trip.
The quickest way to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is a helicopter tour. They are quite popular so make sure to book the tickets early.
More details about visiting Grand Canyon can be found here.
Ready tours from Las Vegas:
Family friendly hotels in las Vegas
Planning a vacation in Las Vegas starts by choosing a hotel that fits your family’s needs. We always want to stay right on the Strip, the main road of downtown Las Vegas. Otherwise, you will have to drive over to experience it.
No matter what, there will be a lot of walking involved in Vegas, so we like to be close to the attractions.
During the summer, Vegas can be very hot, so a kid friendly pool area is a good idea, but during the winter, outside pools are closed. Check the opening times and also other amenities the hotel offers before booking it.
Many hotels on the Strip have a theme, or at least an attraction to bring people in. Theme hotels are popular even though many of them tend to be a bit old and run down.
One popular hotel among families with kids is the Excalibur Hotel which looks like a castle. They have a medieval theme throughout the hotel and our kids loved it.
Excalibur is one of the older casinos and you can often find great, budget friendly deals for it. You can read our full review of the Excalibur Hotel here.
We have also stayed at the Luxor right next to the Excalibur Hotel. The Luxor is shaped like a pyramid and has an Egyptian theme.
Their elevators are famous since the building is shaped like a pyramid, the elevators travel from floor to floor diagonally. They are actually called inclinators.
Just like Excalibur, Luxor is an older hotel and a little outdated, but they have a great selection of entertainment.
The other theme hotels are New York New York, Paris and the Venetian with its Italian theme.
If you are looking for something newer and more “luxury”, the Cosmopolitan and Wynn are good, but they have no real theme. We really liked Cosmopolitan, but it did not offer anything special for kids.
🎲🎲🎲
Las Vegas is always so much fun no matter if you are there with or without kids. It can be hectic and noisy, but there is just so much to see there.
It is also a great stop along your road trip between California, Arizona and Utah. If you are on your way to the Grand Canyon or Death Valley National Park, it is just along the way.
Among all our trips, we think that we have seen all of Vegas, but then we end up going back later and find new things. There is just something special about it and people either love it or hate it.
Las Vegas is a place that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime!
🇺🇸 OUR USA TRAVEL RESOURCES 🇺🇸
🗝 Hotels & Vacation Rentals: We usually find the best hotel deals here and also check this site.
Vacation homes and condos we book through VRBO.
🚗 Car Rentals: We compare rental car prices on DiscoverCars to find the best deals worldwide.
🗺 Tours & Activities: We usually book tours through Viator or GetYourGuide.
Both have huge selections and easy cancellation.
🎫 Concerts & Events: We buy event tickets through Ticketmaster, one of the most reliable platforms.
✈️ Flights: AirHelp has helped us claim compensation for delayed and canceled flights.
It can sometimes help finding better prices and also protects Wi-Fi when traveling.
📞 Travel eSIM & Data: For mobile data abroad, we use Yesim so we can navigate and stay connected.
🩹Travel Insurance: We always travel with insurance and use SafetyWing on our trips.
Have you been to Vegas with kids? What was your experience like?
Hahaha!!! I have a 1 yr old kid and I can totally relate to this! Its funny how the typical ‘things to do’ at a place, totally turns 180 when you travel with a kid! I’m happy to know that even in Las Vegas there are things you could do with a kid! Oh wow! I’m astonished that such a complex floral work and water fountain show is actually free!!!
We are putting together a list of places for a future trip to the US and honestly, Las Vegas does not feature in it as we would be travelling with our kiddo in tow. But, looks like we were wrong like other travellers in thinking that this city is all about casinos and adult entertainment. Much like how we thought of Pattaya but proved wrong! Thanks for giving a different perspective of this place and also mentioning various free activities at hotels.
I agree, when you travel with kids or even otherwise (with no plans of partying all night and gambling your evening away) Vegas can still be fun. A different bright and surprising kind of fun! Bellagio fountains and conservatory, Caesar’s God’s tale show and Venetian’s gondola ride – all really amazing experiences for kids like you have mentioned! 😀 Loved the article! Brought back some really fun memories.
We have a 6-year-old and that is one of the reasons we have never made it to Las Vegas yet. I had no idea one could do so much even with kids around. For starters, my kid would be thrilled in that Botanical garden. Such beautiful arrangements.
Lots of great tips for visiting Las Vegas here, looks like you had a great time with your family. I would love to go back one day, I was actually surprised how much fun it was, certainly much more to do than just gambling.
This article brings back so many lovely memories of the amazing Las Vegas! I love your tips, I made the same experiences, especially all the offers from the hotels for free are already spectacular! Also, the shows are a must see, I totally agree. We saw Cirque du Soleil and it was absolutely spectacular. Beautiful impressions as well, very nice article.
You had a really fun time in las vegas. The free entertainment in hotels look great and a quality way to enjoy time. Loved the bright and mirthful pictures of your family trip