| You can’t miss the giant pink dome. One of the more popular rides is the Inverter, which whirls the rider backwards and upside down in a full 360 degree loop for around two minutes.
The Aquarium at the Silverton
The Silverton is located south of the Strip on Blue Diamond, catering mainly to locals but also a popular place for tourists. Their aquarium is 117,000 gallons and features 4,000 tropical fish.
Stratosphere
For some just going to the top is enough, but once up there try the Big Shot which launches the rider an additional 160 ft in two seconds or their roller coaster that flirts perilously on of the edge. Insanity is only for crazy people, your typical merry-go-round with a twist. It hangs over the edge of the largest building west of the Mississippi.
CSI: The Experience
Any fan of CSI knows that the Las Vegas CSI is the original and the best. Located at the MGM Grand tours are scheduled every 10 minutes. Through 3 cases find out how the pros really work.
Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden
On Sunset and Mountain Vista about ten minutes southeast of the Strip, see how your favorite candies are made and check out the Cactus Garden. If you are looking for a great way to kill a few hours and have a great time with the kids visit Ethel M Chocolate factory and the Botanical Cactus Garden.
Floyd Lamb Park
Only 20 minutes north of the Strip on 95 but it looks like a world apart from all of the lights and excitement of the city, Floyd Lamb Park features picnic areas, grills, areas to hold events and parties, and Tule Springs Ranch, home of all kinds of prehistoric mammal fossils from mammoths to bison. This area has been popular for tens of thousands of years due to the natural springs and much cooler temperatures than the surrounding desert.
GameWorks
Everyone loves an arcade, especially kids. GameWorks is 55,000 sq ft of excitement with every type of arcade game imaginable, from the classics to high-tech racing or shooting games. GameWorks is also a great place to host events or parties, with a full grill which can cater to anyone’s taste and optional guest appearances by the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog and other popular characters.
Gondola in the Venetian
Usually thought of as an attraction for romantic couples, during the day kids love to ride up and down the Grand Canal Shoppes. This attraction is so popular in fact that they had to hire more gondola operators, and they still sell out every single day.
Lake Mead
Most don’t come to the desert for the lakes, but Lake Mead is a popular spot no matter who you are. In fact Lake Mead is one of the most popular Spring Break spots in the country and has been featured on programs like MTV’s Spring Break... maybe Spring Break isn’t the best time to bring children to Lake Mead, but the rest of the year it’s perfect for the whole family.
Sahara
Not the desert, the casino. Located on the north end of the Strip on Las Vegas Blvd and Sahara, Sahara has a great rollercoaster and the Las Vegas Cyber Speedway, which is a virtual speedway that really gives the feeling of being in NASCAR.
Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
Take 95 north from the Strip and get off on Rainbow Blvd. Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix will get everyone away from the Strip for a bit for some fast and furious go-cart fun, arcade games, and other fun things for kids. Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix is great for parties too.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
On Las Vegas Blvd and Washington Ave (North of the Strip) get your fill of nature. Here there are dozens of exhibits from the African savannah to a 3,000 gallon fish tank.
Madame Tussaud’s
Inside the Venetian, Madame Tussaud’s is your classic wax museum, filled with favorite star likenesses from the past and the present. Part of the attraction is the interactive nature. Visitors are encouraged to touch the wax characters and take pictures.
MGM Grand Lion Habitat
Like cats? How about really big cats! Right in the center of the MGM is the Lion habitat; some of the Lions hear weighing more than 500 pounds. When not on display the Lions are cared for on a private ranch 12 miles from the Strip.
Mount Charleston
At 12,000 ft, this is the third highest mountain in NV. Mount Charleston features ski resorts and miles upon miles of beautiful nature trails. The serene environment is only 35 miles from the Strip and on the way there are many cozy places to stop for a hot chocolate or something to eat. One of the main attractions is a 100 foot fall, Mary Jane falls.
Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Siegfried and Roy are no longer doing shows, but you can still catch the white tigers at the Mirage at the mini-zoo Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Check out the lions and tigers, bears and elephants, and even swim with the Dolphins with a trainer during specific hours.
Shark Reef
More wildlife can be found at Mandalay Bay, of the ferocious type. This massive aquarium is the only accredited aquarium by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in Nevada. Watch scuba divers interact with 5 kinds of sharks and over 1,200 other marine species.
The Roller Coaster at New York-New York
If you want a real Coney Island experience, the upper level of New York-New York is worth the visit. Tons of arcade games, and of course the roller coaster whose patrons can easily be heard yelling in excitement every 10 minutes right on the Strip.
Other Stuff to See
There is a surprising amount to see and do for kids in Las Vegas. Some other free things worth checking out that the whole family will love are the Volcano in front of the Mirage, the Bellagio water show from the Strip, and the Fremont Street Experience. You can also check out top 10 things to do in Vegas with Kids.
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