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Traveling with kids in Las Vegas

by Gail Bertram

There is far more to Las Vegas than adult entertainment, despite the reputation the desert metropolis has earned since its heyday. With hundreds of attractions set against the fantastic natural backdrop of the Nevada desert, It is easy to entertain the whole family if you know where to look.

Outdoor Activities Suitable For All Ages

The Eiffel Tower Experience

Address: 3645, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109.
Telephone: (702) 946-7000
Website: www.parislasvegas.com

See the best sight in Paris without ever leaving the country! The half-scale replica of the world-famous Eiffel Tower offers a breath-taking view of the city, as well as a fantastic dining experience for the whole family.

Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park

Address: 1775, North Rancho Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89106.
Telephone: (702) 647-4685
Website: www.lasvegaszoo.org

Open year-round, this shady three-acre park is just a short distance from the Strip. It offers children and adults alike a wonderful opportunity to see hundreds of rare plants and animals in a beautiful habitat, and is a must-see for any nature lover.

Springs Preserve

Address: 333, South Valley View Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89107.

Telephone: (702) 822-7700

Website: www.springspreserve.org

Springs Preserve is a unique cultural experience, including stunning desert botanical gardens, outdoor events and museum galleries. Additionally, there is an indoor theater, historic photo gallery and beautiful walking trails through the scenic environment.

Las Vegas Sport Park

Address: 1411, North Rampart Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89134.

Telephone: (702) 233-3600

Website: www.lvsportspark.com

Catering for a wide range of sports, from soccer to fencing, martial arts to paint ball, the Las Vegas Sports Park is a fantastic location for the whole family to get active and burn off that extra energy.

Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix

Address: 1401, North Rainbow Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89108.

Telephone: (702) 259-7000

Website: www.lvmgp.com

This is the perfect place for motor-heads and thrill seekers alike. Whether it's riding the roller coasters or racing in the karts, your kids are guaranteed to have fun, and so are you!

Floyd Lamb State Park

Address: 9200, Tule Springs Road, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89131.

Telephone: (702) 229-6297

Website: www.wildernet.com (search Floyd Lamb State Park)

With fishing, picnic areas and walking trails, this park is a great place for to unwind and relax after a busy day.

VivaVision

Address: 475, Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101.

Telephone: (702) 678-5777

Website: www.vegasexperience.com

Located in the heart of down-town Las Vegas, on the street that started it all, is VivaVision. See the incredible light display on the world's biggest T.V. Screen, and take in the essence of Vegas in this historic and dynamic district.

Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden

Address: 3400, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109.

Telephone: (702) 791-7188

Website: www.miragehabitat.com

Meet lions and tigers face-to-face, and have a VIP tour of the Secret Garden. Siegfried and Roy are known across the world, and this is the perfect opportunity to see the educational philosophy behind their amazing show.

Indoor Activities Suitable For All Ages

Lion Habitat

Address: 3799, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109.

Telephone: (702) 891-7777

Website: www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/lion-habitat.aspx

Who can forget the mighty lion of MGM? To honor the king of the beasts, Metro-Golden-Mayor has created a stunning lion habitat in eight-and-a-half acres of ranch-land. Open to visitors of all ages, it is a perfect opportunity to get up close to these magnificent creatures.

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Address: 3950, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109.

Telephone: 702-632-4555

Website: www.sharkreef.com

Featuring more than 2000 animals in fourteen exhibits, the shark reef is a stunning environment in which sharks, tropical fish and sea turtles can all be seen. This aquarium is breath taking, and visitors are brought into the under-water world of some of the seas most fascinating inhabitants.

Cirque Du Soleil

Address: 3300, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 796-9999 Website: www.cirquedusoleil.com

There is nothing more stunning than seeing the Cirque Du Soleil perform. Grab the hottest ticket in Vegas and be prepared to see one of the greatest shows on earth. With performers from all over the world, this show is sure to blow your mind.

King Putt Miniature Golf

Address: 7230, West Lake Mead Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89128. Telephone: (702) 823-1519 Website: http://jungle.kingputtlv.com/

Grab your putter and enjoy a wonderful indoor miniature golf course filled with exotic plants and animals. The perfect activity for a rainy day.

Caesar's Palace

Address: 3500, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 369-4008 Website: www.caesarspalace.com

Take a trip back to ancient Rome as you dine, shop and take in the sights of one of Vegas' premier hotels. With non-gambling areas open to everyone, this is the ideal place to take in some of the culture of Vegas.

M&M's World

Address: 3785, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 736-7611 Website: www.mymms.com

With bright colors and upbeat music, M&M's world is pure chocolate heaven. Take in the history of one of America's favorite candies, and prepare for a sugar rush!

Las Vegas Museum of Natural History

Address: 900, Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101. Telephone: (702) 384-3466 Website: www.lvnhm.org

Aiming to provide an understanding of the world's wildlife, cultures and ecosystems, this if the ideal location for a relaxing day.

Planetarium and Observatory

Address: 3200, East Cheyenne Avenue, North Las Vegas, Nevada, 89030. Telephone: (702) 651-4759 Website: www.csn.edu/planetarium

There are more stars in Vegas than the rich and famous. See the universe in a whole new way as the cosmos is projected onto a massive domed ceiling for your viewing pleasure. It is an experience that it is truly out of this world.

Tournament of Kings

Address: 3850, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 597-7600 Website: www.excalibur.com/entertainment/tournament_of_kings. aspx

Enjoy one of the most fantastic dinner shows in Vegas. With fireworks, jousting and knights in armor, you'll be transported to a time of legend and fantasy that will amaze and astound your entire family.

GameWorks

Address: 3785, Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 010, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 432-4263 Website: www.gameworks.com

Located in the Showcase Mall, this attraction-filled arcade has something for everyone. With over two hundred interactive games, be prepared to stay all day!

Silverton Aquarium

Address: 3333, Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89139. Telephone: (702) 263-7777 Website: www.silvertoncasino.com (under the entertainment menu)

Free to the public, this is an aquatic show that won't break the bank. With an artificial reef providing a home to four million tropical fish from all over the world, stingrays and sharks, the aquarium at the Silverton hotel is well worth a visit.

Fashion Show Mall

Address: 3200, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89190. Telephone: (702)784-7000 Website: www.thefashionshow.com

Go to one of the nation's largest shopping destinations and treat yourself to something memorable. More than two hundred and fifty shops grace the complex, so you are bound to find whatever you're looking for.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

Address: 3900, Las Vegas Boulevard South , Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119. Telephone: (702) 262-4400 Website: www.titanictix.com/

This incredible exhibition of relics from the Titanic has found a permanent home at the Luxor hotel. These fragments are all that remain of the ship of dreams, and this educational and thought-provoking experience is one you and your family will always remember.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Address: 3377, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 2001, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 862-7800 Website: www.madametussauds.com/LasVegas/

Catching sight of a celebrity is not hard in Vegas, but at Madame Tussauds you can find them all under one roof. Whether it's race drivers or movie stars, politicians or rock gods, they are all here, and so life-like that you will hardly believe your eyes!

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Address: 7000, Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89115. Telephone: (702) 644-4444 Website: www.lvms.com

A day at the races can give you and your family a thrilling time. Watch the drivers compete for the title as you enjoy premium seats and cheer on your favorite.

Nevada State Museum

Address: 700, Twin Lakes Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89107. Telephone: (702) 486-5205 Website: http://nevadaculture.org

See the historical and cultural wonders of Nevada in this purpose built complex, and enjoy exhibits of all facets of the state's history, from its Native American origins to the heady thrill of modern day Las Vegas.

Lied Discovery Children's Museum

Address: 833, Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 982-3445 Website: www.ldcm.org

Hundreds of hands-on exhibits make this museum a fantastic learning experience for people of any age. With both ongoing and seasonal showcases there is always something new to see!

Age Restricted Outdoor Activities

Papillon Helicopter Tours (Ages 2 and up)

Address: 275, East Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109. Telephone: (702) 736-7243 Website: www.papillon.com

It's easy to forget that there are some spectacular natural monuments just outside of the city. See the Grand Canyon fro the air or take a helicopter tour of the Nevada wilderness with this Vegas-based tour company.

The Roller Coaster: New York, New York (54" or taller)

Address: 3790, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, Telephone: (702) 740-6969 Website: www.nynyhotelcasino.com (under the "entertainment" menu)

For the ultimate thrill seekers, this roller coaster has it all. Set right in the heart of Vegas, you can plunge, dive and twist as you let the good times roll!

Age Restricted Indoor Activities.

The Adventuredome (33" or taller)

Address: 2880, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, Telephone: (702) 794-3939 Website: www.adventuredome.com

Located at Circus Circus, the Adventuredome offers five acres of indoor entertainment. With exciting rides for children and adults, free shows and great games, there's enough to keep even the most active family going for hours.

NASCAR Cafe (48" or taller)

Address: 2535, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, Telephone: (702) 737-2750 Website: www.saharavegas.com/NASCAR

There's more than just food on offer at the NASCAR cafe. This interactive experience puts you right at the heart of the speedway action with a simulated racing experience, arcade games and a roller coaster to keep the kids entertained while you refuel the family.

Big Shot at the Stratosphere (48" or taller)

Address: 2000, Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89104. Telephone: (702) 380-7777 Website: www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills/big_shot.cfm

Not for the faint-hearted, the Big Shot lets you see Vegas like never before, if you dare open your eyes! Shoot over 1000 feet in the air and get the thrill of a lifetime as the world sprawls at your feet. This really is what it feels like at the top.

Vegas has hundreds of activities for all the family and, even if you never set foot in a casino, you'll still come away from this holiday destination feeling like a winner.

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