Going to Las Vegas but don't want to spend all your time (or any time) in the casinos? Here I'll show you many things you can do in this unique city!
When we went on our 10 day road trip in the American Southwest we spent 4 days in Las Vegas. We don't gamble, we hate being around people who are smoking and we have an 11-year old daughter. But still, we really wanted to go to Vegas (Isabella was the most excited!) and as you will see here, there are great things to do, as a family, not only in the city, but also nearby.
It's time to show you what you can do in Las Vegas. Plus, I'll give you some tips for a great family trip!
What to do in Las Vegas
Visit the Hotels
Visiting the hotels is a must when you go to Las Vegas! Our favorites were Luxor, Bellagio, Paris, Venetian and New York New York.
Have you booked your hotel in Las Vegas?
We always choose our hotels as soon as we set the travel date to get great prices. And to do this we use Booking.com. It is the easiest way to search for available hotels, best location, and of course, the best price.
Eat at the Buffets
If you enjoy eating, Las Vegas is a great place to go! There are so many options to choose from that you need to narrow down your choices. Going to buffets was a must for us! We went to two, the Wicked Spoon, at Cosmopolitan and The Buffet at Aria (2024 update: this one is no longer available). We chose them according to reviews and price. We had brunch at Wicked Spoon. We arrived almost at dinnertime so it was actually lunch and dinner for us! And we had dinner at The Buffet. It was the gourmet dinner on Sunday. The price is a little steep but children under 12 don't pay, so it was a good deal for us!
Did we like the buffets? Very much!
Family friendly activities
You may not know, but there are many family-friendly activities in Las Vegas. Some examples are: The Adventuredome at Circus Circus, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay and Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at The Venetian.
Day Trips
Red Rock Canyon
Just 20 minutes from the Strip, the Red Rock Canyon is a national park. And what a park! Don't think that just because you are so close to the city that you will not get spectacular views! We've been there twice, and we can't wait to visit it again! In our opinion, visiting the Red Rock Canyon is a must!
Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire is a state park about 1 hour from Las Vegas and it's another must see! I have a post (click here) where I share tons of pictures of this incredible place!
Some tips for a great family trip in Las Vegas
Enjoy daytime on Strip
We felt that the Strip and most hotels were much more family-friendly during the day. At night things can change a little. Also, Las Vegas is full of convention centers so at the end of the day people that are attending these conventions want to enjoy the city, drink and relax. The streets get more crowded and louder, and at some moments, it was a bit too much for us.
The best area in the evening for families is between Bellagio and New York New York hotels
If you want to stay on Strip in the evening with your family I suggest this area: between Bellagio and New York New York hotels. Sidewalks are wider so you don't feel it's so crowded. We didn't enjoy the area around Flamingo and the Venetian at night. The sidewalks are too narrow and there you'll find many people smoking and drinking.
Don't stay on Strip
We know there are many cool hotels on Strip but they are way more expensive, the smell of smoke is everywhere you go and you also have to pay resort fee. Depending on the hotel the resort fee can be as expensive as the hotel room!
Before starting our road trip we stayed at Best Western Plus Las Vegas South, in Henderson, 15 minutes from the Strip and we loved it! At the end of the trip we stayed at The Carriage House, one block from Strip, 10 minutes from the airport. This hotel is non-smoking, they don't charge resort fee and we also recommend. We liked the first a little more (not just because of the free breakfast!) but the second is a great alternative if you don't have a car or if you really want to stay within walking distance from the Strip.
Well, that's it! How about you? Do you have any tips to share with us?
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