Las Vegas can often seem like a 21 and over city, but actually, a family trip to Vegas is a fantastic idea. There are unique things to do all over Vegas. With a number of family-friendly entertainment and activities, the options are endless to plan a fun trip for the entire family. Whether you’re taking your young children to see tigers and flamingos or are bar hopping with your adult children, Vegas can be a great spot for a family vacation. Consider this your ultimate guide on how to plan a Las Vegas family trip.
There is no shortage of great pools in Vegas. For a day that the whole family is sure to enjoy, plan a pool day during your family trip to Vegas. While the kids swim, you can relax with a drink and enjoy the sun from your lounge chair. Not all pools in Las Vegas allow children, but there are plenty of pools that do. But if you do want some time away from the kids, Stadium Swim® is a great place for adult-only time. It’s a great idea to plan ahead and even reserve a daybed if possible.
Mandalay Bay Beach: The Mandalay Bay Beach is quite a unique Vegas pool. With 2,700 tons of real sand poolside, it’s the closest thing to a beach that you’ll find in Vegas. You can reserve chairs or a cabana for the whole family, and as long as your little ones are taller than 48”, everyone can swim. Oh, and one of their pools is a Wave Pool, which is sure to be a hit with the kids.
The Grand Pool Complex at MGM Grand: This pool offers 6.5 acres of splashing and fun with four swimming pools, three whirlpools and a Lazy River. The whole family is sure to love it. Plus, you can order food and drink to be delivered to your lounge chair. Poolside lunch is sure to be a highlight of your family trip to Las Vegas.
The Mirage Pool: The pool at The Mirage is beautiful. It is hidden among the hustle and bustle of The Strip and this oasis is sure to be a hit with the whole family. They also offer complimentary life jackets for little ones upon request, so you can feel confident about your kids being safe. This pool is an especially good spot for little kids, as it’s a bit smaller and you’ll be able to keep a watchful eye on them.
For a unique experience, visit some exotic animals at the zoo or the aquarium on your Las Vegas family trip. There’s nothing quite as exciting as taking your kids to see some fun flamingos or ferocious tigers. There are a surprising number of zoos and aquariums around the city, and they are quite the spectacle.
Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat: Located at the Mirage, Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat lets you come face-to-face with powerful, exotic and majestic creatures. Visit their white tigers, white lions, leopards, and dolphins right on the property of the hotel.
Shark Reef Aquarium: At the Mandalay Bay, visit the Shark Reef Aquarium, a 1.6 million gallon aquarium with over 2,000 animals to see. They also have special animal encounters where you can feed the sharks, feed the stingrays, and even go for a swim in the aquarium.
Springs Preserve: A great way to escape some of the hustle and bustle of the city is to visit the Springs Preserve, a 210-acre preserve with reptiles, amphibians, and rabbits and foxes. The preserve also features a seasonal butterfly exhibit and regularly tends to the beautiful gardens around the property. The family will love it.
Vegas has dozens of classes and workshops that are sure to hone your skills, and they are some of the best Las Vegas attractions for families. No matter how old your kids are, these classes can be fun for all age groups, and it’s a great way to get the whole family involved.
Glassblowing: For something unique and surely entertaining, take a class in glassblowing. It’s probably best to do this with older children, but the company also welcomes families. The private classes will teach you some of the basics, and there will be help from an instructor along the way. The company has also taken ample precautions to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Cooking Classes at Eataly: If you enjoy a good family meal, then a cooking class could be perfect for you. Small group cooking classes at Eataly are another great way to have some fun with the family. The classes will teach some of the basics of traditional Italian cooking, all taught by their expert chefs in their hands-on kitchen. Plus, you’ll get a delicious meal at the end of your class, which is arguably the best part.
Want to learn some cool things while on your family vacation to Las Vegas? Vegas is home to more museums than you think, and in typical Vegas fashion, some of them are pretty unique. Take a trip to the museum, it’s one of the best family attractions in Las Vegas.
Neon Museum: Las Vegas is known for many things, including their iconic neon lights that light up the city. The Neon Museum is a non-profit organization that houses neon signs from Vegas’ past. Come at sundown for a neon spectacle like no other. This museum is a great spot that everyone in the family is sure to enjoy.
Discovery Children’s Museum: A perfect agenda item on your family trip to Vegas, visit the Discovery Children’s Museum. Your kids will love their hands-on exhibits, huge playground, and hurricane simulator. A particular hit with the little ones? The kid-size grocery store at the museum.
Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum: In the mood for a thrill and have older kids that can handle a little bit of spookiness? Visit Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum for an experience like no other. Move through their themed rooms while hearing true stories of ghosts and hauntings.
There are many things Vegas is known for: casinos, live shows, over the top glamor, the list goes on and on. But they are also known for their delicious, world class food. No matter what your family likes (or whether you have a family member who is particularly picky) there is truly something for everyone. So make a reservation, or go on a whim, to some delicious restaurants in the city. A great meal out is sure to please the entire family.
Project BBQ: For a family-friendly spot that is sure to be both entertaining and delicious, visit Project BBQ, DTLV’s only permanent food truck. Project BBQ is serving up some of the best barbecue in the city. And what’s even better? You have a front row seat to all of the action on Fremont Street, right in Circa Resort & Casino’s backyard.
American Coney Island: A quick and casual spot, American Coney Island at the D is open 24 hours a day and sells some of the best hotdogs in the city. Their menu features classic hot dogs and burgers. From the Coney Island Hot Dog to the Chili Cheese Fries, the whole family is sure to be happy and full.
Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, and there are dozens of live shows that will make your Las Vegas family trip truly unforgettable. From residency performances to one-off shows and something captivating everywhere you go, there is no shortage of entertainment in Las Vegas.
Fremont Street Experience: For some true downtown Las Vegas entertainment, visit the Fremont Street Experience. Here, you will find a street full of street performers, window shopping, dining, hotels, and everything that makes Vegas, Vegas. The Fremont Street Experience is also known for its nightly, live shows (that are free!), which are a great Las Vegas attraction for families.
Residency Shows: Las Vegas’ resident artists give some of the best performances in the city. Residency performers have been a hit in Vegas, from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley, Katy Perry and Usher, and so many more. But there’s more than just music. There are also magical performances and acrobatic spectacles that the family will love as well at shows like Cirque du Soleil.
No matter what kind of family trip to Vegas you envision, there are endless possibilities for every day of your visit. Book a room today at Golden Gate Hotel & Casino to be in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. This is sure to be a trip that your family never forgets!