A place known as Sin City doesn’t exactly seem like the best place to travel with kids, but Las Vegas actually does have a lot of great attractions you can enjoy with your little ones. From family-friendly places to visit in Las Vegas itself, to outdoor and historic attractions like Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam, there are plenty of things you and your children can enjoy without having to descend into the smoky depths of a casino.
Finding suitable lodgings is also pretty easy. While there are some smoke-free, gaming-free hotels on the Strip, it will probably come as no surprise to learn that Las Vegas’ top family attractions are actually easier to find outside the Strip. Here’s where to look for when searching for places to stay in Las Vegas with family.
Family-Friendly Activities on the Strip
A vacation rental on the Strip puts you and your family right in the thick of the action. Kids will enjoy attractions like the gondola rides at the Venetian Hotel, the replica of the Brooklyn Bridge and a Coney Island roller coaster at the New York, New York Hotel, and the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel. Families can chow down at one of the great buffets in the area before catching a concert or theatrical performance at night.
Things to Do with Kids
- Try visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World for something sweet.
- Head over to Excalibur and check out the Fun Dungeon for some games and fun.
- Take the kids over to the High Roller Las Vegas Strip Observation Wheel for an incredible view of the entire city from 550 feet up!
Where to Stay with Kids near the Strip
There are a ton of incredible neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Look for a lovely single-family home for rent in Anthem. Look for beautiful mission-style homes in Centennial Hills. For a great deal on a ranch or Tudor-style home, check out Green Valley Ranch; this neighborhood is amazing for families. Be careful if you stay here — you might not want to leave!
Pro Traveler Tip: Always have a meeting place for the whole family in the event anyone gets separated from the group. The lobby of a building is usually a good place.
Family-Friendly Activities Off the Strip
The Strip happens to be the place where some of the most famous, opulent casino hotels in Vegas are situated, but it’s far from the only place to find over-the-top luxury and gaming. Off-Strip towns and resorts in the area are great for kids because they tend to be self-contained, with many different things to do under one roof. Options like Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, and Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa offer something for everyone in the family, including parents who might want to let their hair down and gamble a bit.
Things to Do with Kids
- Check out the Springs Preserve, a 180-acre attraction featuring botanical gardens, museums, rotating exhibits, and walking trails perfect for families.
- The Discovery Children’s Museum was built for kids. This interactive museum features exhibits and programs that turn science, history, arts, and health into fun topics that are easy to understand.
- The Pinball Hall of Fame proudly declares that “pinball never died in this Las Vegas arcade.” A great idea for an outing tailored to the whole family, you’ll find over 200 pinball games within its walls.
Where to Stay
Finding a great price at one of these resorts is a waiting game. We’d suggest keeping a close eye on the resorts that you’re interested in because things can change daily. Stay connected during the planning process of your family Vegas trip and make sure you don’t miss out on the best price.
Pro Traveler Tip: When booking your trip, don’t forget to ask if the resort’s pool is heated. This might sound a little crazy in the desert, but if you’re traveling in January, an unheated pool can be chilly.
Visit the Hoover Dam
Straddling the borders of Nevada and Arizona, the Colorado River feeds into the manmade Lake Mead to the north. But right before it does, a Depression-era engineering marvel benefits from the hydroelectricity the river produces. Yes, the Hoover Dam created Lake Mead and has been taming the Colorado River since 1936.
Lake rentals offer easy access to the dam, as are a number of great lakeside resorts that offer elegant accommodations and numerous fun-in-the-sun family activities. Several major hotel chains operate resorts on Lake Mead, and each has special amenities for families.
What to Do at the Hoover Dam
- From its massive scale to the winged, colossal Art Deco sentinels guarding it, visiting the Hoover Dam is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make it even more unforgettable by going on a guided or self-guided kayak tour down the Colorado River.
- If your family is more into learning about science and history, schedule a powerplant tour where you’ll get to walk out on an observation deck.
- The lake itself offers untold opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Camping near Lake Mead
Camping isn’t the first thing that comes to mind in Nevada, but situated around Lake Mead you’ll find the Boulder Beach Campground, which offers a full-service camping site. There’s a ton of great hiking in this area to discover.
Pro Traveler Tip: If you’re looking for fun in the outdoors, consider pitching a tent in this iconic part of the country and exploring all the natural beauty it has to offer.
Check out Boulder City
One neighbor of Las Vegas is the lakeside community of Boulder City, a small town with controlled growth and no gaming allowed. Boulder City is home to Lake Mead, the world’s largest reservoir when at capacity, and the globally renowned Hoover Dam.
What to Do in Boulder City
- Spend a few hours roaming around the Nevada State Railroad Museum. The kids will love all the old trains and locomotives.
- Prepare a picnic lunch and spend the day in Veterans’ Memorial Park, the perfect spot for families with its dog park and playground. Inside the park, the Boulder City Urban Pond is stocked with fish.
- Head to Hemenway Park to see the large heard of bighorn sheep that call this place home. Just make sure you and your kids don’t get too close, as they are wild animals.
Where to Stay
Find a condo or single-family home over by Whalen Baseball Field. Looking for something a little more upscale. Look for a luxury home to rent by the Boulder City Golf Course. The Hemenway Park neighborhood also offers some gorgeous luxury homes, and the kids will love being so close to the park.
Pro Traveler Tip: This is a small community with an average age of 50. It’s overall a quiet place to stay, and a great option if you and family want a calm basecamp for your Las Vegas getaway.
Cruise through Henderson
Also nearby is Henderson, Nevada, a town that’s earned multiple awards for livability. This is the second largest city in Nevada, bested only by Las Vegas itself. Looking for more ideas about Henderson? Check out this guide for a deeper dive into the area.
Kids Activities in Henderson
- If you make it to the Lion Habitat Ranch, you’ll be able to get up close to lions and giraffes — and even feed them!
- At the Clark County Museum, you’ll learn about the colorful history of Las Vegas and its surrounding communities from as back as prehistoric times.
- The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is one of the best places in southern Nevada to watch birds and dragonflies in their natural habitat. Here you’ll find thousands of migratory waterfowl as well as numerous species of desert bird.
Where to Stay
Some regard the neighborhood of Anthem as especially suitable for families. Find a lovely mission-style home for the whole family in Highland Hills. Also, check out Green Valley South for some truly luxury accommodations.
Pro Traveler Tip: As the second largest city in Nevada, Henderson is a great option for families who want a small city feel to their vacation.
Golfing in Summerlin
Summerlin — an affluent, master-planned community in the area — features 150 miles of trails, more than 450 neighborhood parks, and special events like an arts festival and concert series.
Family Activities in Summerlin
-
- Hit the links at either Highland Falls at Golf Summerlin, the Palm Valley Golf Course, or Eaglecrest Golf Course, 18-hole courses with fantastic views of the city and challenging pars that have been designed to test every club in your bag.
- Check out Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, a popular site for bicycling, and explore all the trails this site has to offer.
- Grab dessert at Menchie’s and enjoy a little frozen yogurt. There’s also a Build-A-Bear Workshop and a Dave & Buster’s.
Where to Stay
Look for some luxurious rental options in Sandalwood. Find a lovely rental in Stone Bridge. Look for some beautiful Spanish-style ramblers in Redpoint & Redpoint Square. If you’re looking for a rental in an area that you and your family can be active in, consider looking for a place in the Canyons, as it’s loaded with walking paths and golf courses.
Pro Traveler Tip: In general, this is a more upscale area. If you’re looking for comfort and luxury, this is the place for you.
North Las Vegas
A separate city from Las Vegas, neighboring North Las Vegas is a particularly affordable area with plenty of attractions of its own. A planetarium, helicopter tours, and the Aliante Nature Discovery Park are just a few.
What to Do in North Las Vegas
- Go bowling with the whole family at Silver Nugget Bowling.
- If you have older kids, considering going on an ATV tour through the desert.
- If it’s really hot, think about seeing a movie in a one-of-a-kind theater at Galaxy Cannery.
Where to Stay
Look for great deals on single-family homes in Centennial Hills. Find the rental home of your dreams in Tule Springs — one of the nicer areas in the city, so expect to pay a bit more. The luxury you’ll find for you and the family is worth it!
Pro Traveler Tip: If being out and about with the kids sounds like the perfect getaway, stay in this area. There is just so much to do.
Laughlin
Situated about 90 miles from Las Vegas is the town of Laughlin. This small town has its own casinos, stretching along the Colorado River, with a water taxi running between them.
What to Do in Laughlin
- Rent jet skis and cruise around the Colorado River.
- Family members can also visit Lake Mohave, make their way through mazes at the Laughlin Labyrinth, and take a 12-mile drive through breathtaking desert scenery at Christmas Tree Pass.
Where to Stay
Find a lovely home or condo right on the Colorado River. Be sure to keep checking back for all the latest options on rentals in this area, as people are constantly adding new properties.
Pro Traveler Tip: This is the ideal area for the family that wants to do a ton of outdoor exploring.
Explore History in Overton
Located on the north end of Lake Mead about 60 miles from Las Vegas is the unincorporated town of Overton. Approximately seven miles southeast of Overton is the intriguing St. Thomas Ghost Town that adventurous families will surely want to see.
What to Do in Overton
- Among the city’s many attractions is the Lost City Museum, focusing on Native American artifacts.
- There’s also the Valley of Fire State Park, pictured above — the largest and oldest state park in Nevada, featuring miles of petrified wood and striated rock formations in addition to petroglyphs, or ancient rock carvings.
Where to Stay
Find great deals on homes in this area. Look for a rental close to Overton Park so the kids have a place to run around and unwind. It’s also a great location for a picnic!
Pro Traveler Tip: Overton is a very small area, and perfect for the family looking for a peaceful getaway with a small-town feel.
Next Steps
There are so many places to stay near Las Vegas, which is so much more than its seedy reputation makes it out to be. Instead of a dearth of options, the Las Vegas area is brimming with family getaway ideas. Compare prices, find what interests you most, narrow down a location, and then start packing!