Thirty years ago, people would have never even consider taking their children to Las Vegas, but much has changed since that time. Las Vegas is now a playground for children of all ages, and your kids are no exception. Not only is it more wholesome than ever before, it is also an incredibly cheap vacation as well. The truth of the matter is that there are more family oriented attractions and activities in Vegas than anywhere else in the World. The attractions that were created to lure the gamblers to the casinos can prove to be your key to a great vacation. There are just too many attractions in Las Vegas to list in one article, but these are some of the best things to do in Las Vegas with your kids.
1. The Fountains at the Bellagio. Most people will agree that the number one free attraction to see in Las Vegas are the fountains at the Bellagio. These fountains are totally free, and you don't even have to enter the Casino to see them. Shows are usually every 15 to 30 minutes and attract thousands of tourists for each show. The fountains are rocket powered and can reach amazing heights. It is an set to music, and is guaranteed to be a highlight of your trip. After you watch the show, it is also worthwhile to check out the Botanical Gardens inside the Bellagio as well.
2. The Sirens at Treasure Island. This is a free show that also attracts thousands of tourists. Show times vary, so check with your concierge to find out when the next show begins. This is a pretty amazing show to see with your kids, and the price is right. There are some women dancing in some skimpy outfits, so this is something you may want to consider if your kids are not ready for this. Crowds can also be a problem, so try to go early to get a good view.
3. The Fremont Street Experience. This is the old strip of Vegas that has been transformed for tourism. The main attraction is a huge canopy that spans a number of blocks. The canopy is made of millions of lights that have to be seen to be believed! Shows occur regularly, and are best experienced at night. The double-decker bus called "The Deuce" will take you from the main strip to Fremont Street for a small fee. In addition to the canopy, there are also many very talented street performers that can be seen on Fremont Street as well. The spray paint artists never fail to amaze, and always attract a crowd.
4. Shop til you drop. There are many great shopping experiences available in Las Vegas. The Fashion Show Mall is located directly on the main Strip, and is a world-class mall that has more stores than anyone should need. In addition to this, Caesars Palace and the Pallazo have some of the greatest high-end shopping available. There are also two outlet malls in Las Vegas for the people that are looking for deals. In the end, if you are interested in shopping, Las Vegas offers some of the best shopping around.
5. The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, or The Secret Gardens at the Mirage. Either of these is a great investment of time. They are both an animal lover's dream. You can see many exotic animals that you would likely never be able to see anywhere else. The Shark Reef is more focused on ocean life, and the Secret Garden contains dolphins and many rare tiger and lions. If you are with your kids, both are worthwhile.
6. The Paris Las Vegas. This is the next best thing to going to Paris, France. This hotel is amazing, and as almost anything else in Las Vegas must be seen to be believed. There is a small fee for going to the top or the Tower, but it is well worth the cost. Obviously, this is best to do at night, and proves to be one of the most beautiful places in Las Vegas. Aside from this, the inside of the Paris Las Vegas is fun to see.
7. The shows. Las Vegas has so many shows that it is almost impossible to choose which one to see. Most people would agree that the Cirque Du Soleil shows are often the best, but it depends what else is going on at that time. Talk to your concierge, and chances are that you will find a show that you want to see. If you are lucky, there may just be a major show or event in town and you could be a part of history!
8. The Canals at the Venetian. The Venetian as a hotel is an incredible experience in itself. When you are inside the hotel, it is just like walking outside in Venice. The roof looks like the sky, and the inside was made to look like the outside of an Italian Villa. The most amazing thing about this is the this hotel truly captures some of the romance of Italy. It is a sight that must be seen to be believed. For a fee, you can get a romantic ride in a Gondola (Italian boat) and the incredibly accurate gondolier will even sing to you in Italian.
9. Take a tour. Las Vegas is in the heart of some of the most beautiful country in America. There are many tours available that will allow you to see some amazing things. Some tours include: Hover Dam, The Grand Canyon, and many nature refuges. These do come at a cost, but are worth every penny. The sky is the limit with these tours, there is even a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon that will allow you to eat lunch right inside the canyon.
10. Enjoy the sun. Of course this depends on what time of the year you are in Vegas, but this is an essential part of a great vacation for most people. Almost all of the hotels in Las Vegas have great outdoor pool areas. This is something to be taken advantage of. Most people do not know that some hotels will actually allow the general public to use their pools as well. Some are private, but many are not. Enjoy the sun, but always keep in mind that Las Vegas is the only city in the World where water is more expensive than alcohol.
11. Go to an arcade. The Excalibur is the quintessential family resort in Vegas, which includes an arcade and games area in the basement. This is some great family fun for kids, and can be fun for everyone. Besides, what kid hasn't dreamed about visiting a giant castle? There are also many other arcades in Las Vegas, including one in the New York New York, as well as one in the M&M World (across the street from the Excalibur).
Las Vegas is more family friendly than ever before. There are hundreds of activities available for kids at very little or no cost at all. This article has featured only a few of the incredible things that you can do in Las Vegas with your kids, keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and that there are many other attractions and activities available as well.
A couple of words of caution that you should keep in mind if you are taking your kids to Vegas; First of all, everything is bigger than it seems. If you plan on walking anywhere, be sure your children can handle the walk. If they are smaller, you may want to consider buses and cabs. The Las Vegas Strip may seem small, but it is actually very large and can take hours to walk. Secondly, there are some people that still go there for the "sin" aspect of the city. Make sure your kids are mature enough to understand this, and you will have a great vacation.