I went on two girl’s trips to Vegas, and we did the 21-and-over version of Vegas. Going back as a family trip, with our toddler in tow looked a whole lot different, but still a whole-lot-amazing! What are you going to Vegas for? Name it. You want to see shows? You can see anything under the sun. You want to gamble? Yup…there’s lots of that there. You want to eat, eat, eat? Take your pick of cuisine! You want to dance on tables? Very much allowed! You want to hang out in the pool and drink (or not drink)? That’s most certainly available too. You want to bring your kids and make it a family affair? Totally do-able. I’m sure you get my point. Vegas has a little bit of everything. You may leave with dry eyes and a sore throat from the lack of sleep and immense amount of smoke (yup, I’m more than ready for that to no longer be allowed in casinos…how is that still allowed, for real??), but you’ll have some memories to be sure. So, let’s break it down!…
[Let me add, while usually I mostly share what I’ve experienced personally on my travel guides, for this one, I also wanted to share what came highly recommended from other families who have travelled to Vegas with children!]Activities
Shows
The shows are endless, so really you can take your pick. Whether you want to see Cirque du Soleil, singers, dancers, or magicians, it’s all there. If you’re going sans kids, take your pick. From me today, here are a few suggestions that will hopefully be evergreen content and are also great for kids:
- The Cirque du Soleil
- Brooklyn Bowl The Rock n Roll Playhouse
- Mat Franco Magic Reinvented Nightly
- Tournament of Kings Dinner Show
Indoor Things
- Discovery Children’s Museum
- Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
- Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
- MGM Conservatory
- Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum
- Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
- M & M Store & Hershey’s Store
- There’s always plenty of shopping, if that’s your thing
Outdoor Things
- Bellagio Fountains (check link for fountain display times!)
- The High Roller Ferris Wheel
- Town Square Children’s Park
- Downtown Container Park (for all ages)
- The Park (envisioned as a microcosm of the Mojave Desert; this was one of our favourite spots!)
- And of course, I hope you have a hotel that allows you to swim, swim swim!
Explore Afar
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Lake Las Vegas
- Red Rock Canyon (Ice Box Canyon Trail)
- Seven Magic Mountains
- Ethel M’s Botanical Cactus Garden
- Springs Preserve
- Fremont Street (second most popular street to the downtown strip)
Sports
- See your favourite hockey team take on the Golden Knights
- Catch some football with the Raiders
- And check out other Las Vegas sports here
Now to the Food…
Breakfast
It’s sad how many times I’ve been to Vegas, and how little I have for you in the realm of breakfast, but breakfast for us has usually either been at the hotel or a grab-and-go, such as Starbucks.
Lunch
- Gordon Ramsay Burger – burgers
- Walburgers – burgers
- Eataly – Italian; always so many options to choose from in Eataly to dine in or take out
- Canyon Ranch Grill – gluten-free & vegan options, also good for breakfast
- True Food Kitchen – a chance to eat clean in Vegas, and you may keep going back for more!
Dinner
These are mostly finer-dining places. We definitely brought our kiddo to these places, but just a heads up!
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
- TAO Asian Bistro
- STK Steakhouse
- Spago
- Catch
- Eataly – it needed to be mentioned again!
Grab & Go
Tea
Some would say I’m ridiculous to want tea in Vegas of all places, but I do me, okay?! Ha!
- Tea Lounge (Waldorf) – high tea
- Petrossian Bar (Bellagio) – high tea
- The Alley (Venetian/Palazzo)
- Cafe Lola
Hope you party hard, even if it’s family-friendly style!