Las Vegas for Families…Really!

Las Vegas isn’t just for grownups anymore. Over the last decade, it has become a more kid-friendly town that most people think. For those of you who have always wanted to travel to Las Vegas for a family vacation but were reluctant because it didn’t seem to offer anything for kids, the good news is you can pack your bags and head out to the “city that never sleeps” with kids in tow.

Here are some of the more famous attractions which have become classic examples of the myriad of activities the entire family can enjoy.

Circus Circus offers more activities for kids than any other hotel on the strip. Under the big tent, this hotel not only offers circus acts, but includes the carnival midway which has games you may remember as a kid when attending local county fairs. In addition, Circus Circus includes the Adventuredome, which is an indoor theme park and features a roller coaster called the Canyon Blaster, as well as other rides for younger kids.

The IMAX Theatre at the Luxor Hotel offers a seven-story screen with speakers which stretch across the theatre. Kids will love the Dinosaurs Alive in 3D, the Lions 3D: Roar of the Kalahari, Mystery of the Nile, and Deep Sea 3D. These movies afford the entire family the opportunity to experience the past and the present utilizing the most up-to-date 3D eyewear, which will allow you to become fully engaged in each of the aforementioned films.

At Mandalay Bay, the family can visit Shark Reef, which houses one of the largest exhibits of over 1200 species of sharks, exotic fish, sea turtles, water monitors, and piranha. Moving through a dark tunnel, your family will encounter a wide variety of marine life and get up close and personal with some of the gentler species as well. This is a great way to educate your kids on the importance of wildlife conservation and the environment.

The Mirage Hotel offers the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Here, you and your kids can play with and feed the dolphins while being supervised by the local staff. You will also be able to take photos at the habitat, which can also be put on CDs to treasure for years to come.

There are also a wide variety of free attractions in Las Vegas which your family can enjoy, including: the Wild Life Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel, the erupting volcano at the Mirage, M&M’s World at the Showcase Mall, the White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage, and the Lion Habitat at the MGM.

Finally, you can’t leave Las Vegas without stopping at New York-New York hotel and riding the Roller Coaster. The cars are re-created taxis in which you will speed through New York at 67 miles per hour. In addition, the entire family can check out the Coney Island Emporium amusement center, which consists of over 200 arcade games and carnival games as well.