5 UNIQUE KID FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN THE CITY DESIGNED FOR ADULTS
Would Las Vegas be my first choice as a family vacation? Probably not. Did I have a blast with my 8-year old exploring sin city? Hell yes I did.
Truth be told, my husband and I went to Vegas several years ago and it isn’t exactly my cup of tea. The smokey casinos, packed streets and crazy party goers don’t exactly equate to a relaxing vacation (in my personal opinion). I actually told myself at the time that I would never be back. Jokes on me considering I am currently sitting in Caesars Palace on the strip right at this very moment. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for a work conference; however, my stance on returning has changed.
Surprisingly, Las Vegas has become increasingly kid friendly over the years. Vegas obviously targets adults; however, the tourist industry has evolved and created a wide range of activities for children as well. So why not go enjoy both?
WHAT TO DO WITH KIDS IN VEGAS?
1. EXPLORE HOTELS
Vegas has some of the most interesting resorts that I have come across. Many are designed to replicate famous landmarks across the globe. Stroll through Caesar’s Palace until you make your way to The Forum Shops. You’ll be wondering whether you just stepped foot into Rome as you walk along cobblestone paths and look up to a blue sky. Stop at the Trevi restaurant for delicious Italian food with hefty portions. Mangia Mangia!
Head over to The Venetian where you can pretend you are exploring the streets of Venice while you watch gondola’s float by. Your kids will be in awe of the replicated Venetian waters that flow throughout the hotel.
Don’t forget about the Paris hotel, where you can travel to the Eiffel Tower viewing deck and experience the best view of the city.
Exploring the hotels in Vegas is like taking a mini European tour for half the cost.
2. EAT EAT EAT
Vegas is certainly known for some of the greatest chefs and lively restaurant scene. My daughter and I are both big foodies and couldn’t wait to explore the cities vast food options.
I highly recommend Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris hotel for brunch. The service was impeccable and the Parisian atmosphere was on point. And even better…the food was beyond delicious. I had the lemon berry crepe special with date glazed bacon (drool) and my daughter devoured blueberry waffles with a homemade blueberry syrup.
One of my daughter’s dreams was to visit a Gordon Ramsey restaurant. So what better place than Hell’s Kitchen? We had fun dressing fancy for the evening and trying several items off the menu. If you don’t have an adventurous eater there are still plenty of options available. In addition to high quality food, they have fantastic cocktails! Get yourself a table by the window to have a great view of the Las Vegas strip at night.
If you are in Vegas with kids, stopping at the Rainforest Cafe is a must. The atmosphere is unlike any place I have ever been before. To be honest, the food is nothing special so we solely went for the experience. My daughter had a blast in the immersive rainforest adventure so it was all worth it. Get yourself a cocktail and sip away while you listen to the jungle sounds and simulated thunderstorms. It was also a fun place to pick up souvenirs for her siblings.
3. CHILL OUT IN AN ICE BAR
No matter the time of year, it is a unique experience to visit the Minus5 Ice Bar! I would imagine it would especially be a nice break from the Vegas heat in the summer months. Your kids will get a kick out of everything being made out of ice. We opted for the kids VIP experience package where my daughter received a yummy mocktail in an ice glass and a hat to bring home! It is quite chilly inside, but don’t worry because they equip you with a coat and gloves to keep you warm.
4. SHOPPING
Vegas is certainly known for some of the best shopping in the country. They have just about every high end store you could imagine. It is fun to look around, but let’s be honest-it isn’t affordable. If you want some fun, unique places to shop with kiddos on the strip I would recommend M&M World, Coca-Cola store and I Love Sugar. These are all kid friendly places that your kids can get sugared up at-literally.
A little gem we found at our hotel is Nectar Bath Treats. They have stores scattered throughout the city. Everything is made right there in Las Vegas and is cruelty free. They had bath bombs, soaps, lotions, sugar scrubs, you name it! The best part? They were in the shape of cakes, pies, macaroons and donuts! This was such a fun store to bring kids to. We bought a package of treats that we were able to customize with our own scents. Luckily, they have a website and we can order from home!
5. SEE A MAGIC SHOW
How can you go to Las Vegas and not go to a show? Kids love magic, so what better than seeing one of the most famous magicians, David Copperfield at the MGM Grand. This was probably the highlight of the trip for my daughter. My husband and I saw him several years ago and he definitely doesn’t disappoint. The show is suitable for kids, although it does have some innuendos here and there to keep the adults laughing. It is Vegas after all. We don’t have any images since phones and cameras are prohibited, so you’ll just have to go see for yourself! Purchase your tickets HERE!
MORE TIPS:
- Food is insanely expensive in Vegas. Pack snacks in your suitcases for you and the kids!
- Bring a water bottle to fill in your hotel. Water bottle prices are outrageous and not worth it.
- Ubers/Lyfts are also pricey. Pick up points are tricky as well since rideshares aren’t allowed to pick up right off the strip at hotel entrances. We opted for a taxi a couple times which ended up being cheaper and brought us exactly where we needed to go.
- Make reservations ahead of time. Vegas is always a busy place and restaurants fill up quickly. The last thing you want to be doing is waiting for hours with your hangry children while you wait for a seat.
- Bring comfy walking shoes. We averaged 8-10 miles per day just walking around the strip.
- Plan activities for the daytime. It is no secret that Vegas can be R rated. We aimed to be inside by the time it got dark each night to avoid some of the craziness.
- Laugh it off. Even though we tried to avoid the nighttime inappropriateness, we still encountered some interesting individuals on the strip during the day. Be prepared to explain to your kids why there are half naked cowboys and women without shirts on walking around.
- Other activities worth checking out: Bellagio Fountains, Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, & Cirque de Soleil.
Would you take your kids to Vegas?!
Looking for more things to do while in Vegas? Check out GetYourGuide !
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