The Insider: Traveling to Las Vegas With Family

Las Vegas is considered by many as an adult playground but if you are planning on bringing the family with you, here are some things you may want to consider when planning your next trip.

First off, if your children are over 21, well, Las Vegas is fair game and make the best of your visit and take full advantage of all the casinos, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and more there is to do in Sin City.

For those traveling to Las Vegas with children under 21, here are a handful of tips and suggestions for your family vacation.

Hotels:

• When reserving a room, call and ask for connecting rooms.
• If you are looking to just get one room, consider The Venetian Las Vegas, The Palazzo Las Vegas, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay which have sofa beds (but again, call when making your reservation).
• Consider looking into New York-New York, Excalibur and MGM Grand Las Vegas which may also be ideal places to stay with the family.
• Off The Strip, Red Rock Las Vegas and Green Valley Ranch are excellent options as well.

Activities:

• Arcades: What child doesn’t love arcades and video games?  Luckily there are still a handful of resorts that feature this type of family fun including the Fun Dungeon at Excalibur, Midway at Circus Circus, New York-New York has Coney Island Emporium and The Sporting House.
• Shows: Depending on the age of your children, this may sway what show you see.  Blue Man Group at The Venetian Las Vegas is a dynamite show for all ages while Phantom The Las Vegas Spectacular also at The Venetian Las Vegas and Mystere by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island Las Vegas are two can’t miss shows.  Plus there are a heap of magic shows at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas throughout the day.

Free Attractions:

• Sirens of TI at Treasure Island Las Vegas features a fun-filled pirate song and dance show every 90 minutes beginning at 7 p.m. in the Spring/Summer.
• Fountains of Bellagio Las Vegas is the quintessential free attraction in Las Vegas where choreographed water shows occur every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening.
• Fall of Atlantis at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Las Vegas is another fountain show great for the family and has a show every 30 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. daily.

Pools:

• Mandalay Bay Beach may be the best place in Las Vegas for a pool day with the kids. Located on 11 acres, Mandalay Bay Beach provides the ultimate in aquatic relaxation.  This world-famous playground offers a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools, jogging track and 2,700 tons of real sand.
• MGM Grand has four pools and a lazy river over 6.5 acres of waterlife for you and the family to soak up the sun and have a ball.
• Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas offers an array of activities outside of the water including video games, foosball tables, pool tables, ping pong tables and more.

Off The Strip:

Get ready for some action and adventure.

• Taking a Pink Jeep Tour to the Grand Canyon is a must for any adventurous family.
• If your family is not afraid of heights, a Maverick Helicopter ride out to Hoover Dam followed by a tour of the modern day marvel is a great sightseeing tour.
• Red Rock Canyon is a quick 30 minute ride off The Strip and provides beautiful scenery, hiking and biking trails.