Should You Bring Your Kids to Vegas?
Let’s be honest: Vegas doesn’t exactly conjure images of family.
Nearly every movie portrays Las Vegas in light of the wild, the sexy, and the sinful. From getting married by Elvis to late nights spent playing poker, it is normal to consider Vegas an adult-only zone.
But the reality is Las Vegas is full of families. It has a thriving community of parents and children who live, work, and play here. That city offers so much more than just adults-only entertainment. Sure, it’s a great place for a wild bachelorette weekend, but it is also great for weekend getaways with the kids and family vacations.
So, should you bring your kids to Vegas? In my opinion, the answer is yes.
Las Vegas has rightfully earned its reputation of being an entertainment hub. And amongst the glittery lights, scantily clad dancers, and slot machines is a truckload of family entertainment options. Famous among those options are the shows.
Did you know most of the shows on the Strip are family-friendly? It’s true. Not every show in Las Vegas has topless women or men in tight pants with six-pack abs (although you can certainly find those, too). Take the Blue Man Group, for example. It is fun and silly, and the whole family will enjoy it. Will you be able to explain what the show was about to your friends? Probably not. But you will have fun trying.
There is also the Tournament of Kings with its medieval-themed jousting and sword fighting (dinner and a show? Yes, please!), Cirque Du Soleil with the most flexible people you have ever seen, and we can’t forget about the magic and talent shows. Honestly, Las Vegas has it all.
If you are trying to stick to a budget (or your kids are too young to sit through a show), Las Vegas has plenty of fun things to do that won’t hurt your wallet and will give your kids the freedom to move around.
Just walking down the Strip is fun and free. Your kids will love seeing the Bellagio Fountain Show, watching the Luxor light up the sky, and checking out the new giant sphere everyone keeps talking about. The sightseeing is endless, and that is just outside.
Walking through the hotels is its own adventure. There is the Forum Shops at the Caesars with the Fall of Atlantis show and its talking statues, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, and The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens with over 14,000 square feet of sensory overload.
Or, if you are looking to get off the Strip, there is the Fremont Street Experience (better visited during the day with kids), the Silverton Hotel with its stingrays and mermaids, or the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory tour, to name a few.
Being entertained is a guarantee if you visit Las Vegas, but that entertainment doesn’t have to be limited to spaces with air conditioners (unless it is the height of summer, in which case, be as close to an AC as you can). For those who enjoy the outdoors, Las Vegas has plenty to offer.
Aside from having the most beautiful mountains and jaw-dropping sunsets, there is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is perfect for an afternoon drive or hike. Mount Charleston and Lake Mead are also nearby if you want to escape the heat. And because people live and raise their children in Vegas, there is no shortage of parks if your kids need a fun place to run.
Another great perk of visiting Las Vegas is the food. Simply put, the food in Las Vegas is exceptional. But just because the chefs here know what they are doing does not mean every dining experience has to be at a five-star restaurant.
In fact, when it comes to eating out with kids, some of the best places to eat are usually the ones where parents are not overly concerned their child will disturb everyone else (am I the only one with a toddler who refuses to sit still?). And that is what is great about this city. In the famous words of my mother, “we have options.” So, plan a few evenings out at some fancier restaurants, but don’t discount the perks of an IHOP.
Las Vegas has so much to do and see, but anyone who has been a parent for longer than a day knows that nap time is sacred. And with so many entertainment options, it is essential to balance enjoying the city and avoiding an overstimulated child in desperate need of a nap.
Dare I say that this is also possible when planning a vacation to Sin City? The truth is, it is. The trick is preparing and planning well. Whether that be planning to regroup at the hotel at noon for a nap or choosing a less stimulating option like the Shark Reef or Body Exhibit so the babies can nap in their strollers, factoring in rest will help keep everyone happy.
So, have I convinced you that Las Vegas is a great place to travel with children? I hope so. The truth is, I believe it. As someone raising her kids here, I can never say there is nothing to do.
Sure, I may have qualms with some of the billboards driving down the I-15, and I wish it rained more, but my family and I are never bored. Las Vegas is full of fun entertainment options for families. And as the city continues to grow with the addition of so many professional sports teams and alternative forms of entertainment, those options keep expanding.
If you are considering a vacation to Las Vegas, don’t let the reputation of Sin City fool you. There are plenty of PG options for families, too.
Nearly every movie portrays Las Vegas in light of the wild, the sexy, and the sinful. From getting married by Elvis to late nights spent playing poker, it is normal to consider Vegas an adult-only zone.
But the reality is Las Vegas is full of families. It has a thriving community of parents and children who live, work, and play here. That city offers so much more than just adults-only entertainment. Sure, it’s a great place for a wild bachelorette weekend, but it is also great for weekend getaways with the kids and family vacations.
So, should you bring your kids to Vegas? In my opinion, the answer is yes.
Shows
Las Vegas has rightfully earned its reputation of being an entertainment hub. And amongst the glittery lights, scantily clad dancers, and slot machines is a truckload of family entertainment options. Famous among those options are the shows.
Did you know most of the shows on the Strip are family-friendly? It’s true. Not every show in Las Vegas has topless women or men in tight pants with six-pack abs (although you can certainly find those, too). Take the Blue Man Group, for example. It is fun and silly, and the whole family will enjoy it. Will you be able to explain what the show was about to your friends? Probably not. But you will have fun trying.
There is also the Tournament of Kings with its medieval-themed jousting and sword fighting (dinner and a show? Yes, please!), Cirque Du Soleil with the most flexible people you have ever seen, and we can’t forget about the magic and talent shows. Honestly, Las Vegas has it all.
Sight Seeing
If you are trying to stick to a budget (or your kids are too young to sit through a show), Las Vegas has plenty of fun things to do that won’t hurt your wallet and will give your kids the freedom to move around.
Just walking down the Strip is fun and free. Your kids will love seeing the Bellagio Fountain Show, watching the Luxor light up the sky, and checking out the new giant sphere everyone keeps talking about. The sightseeing is endless, and that is just outside.
Walking through the hotels is its own adventure. There is the Forum Shops at the Caesars with the Fall of Atlantis show and its talking statues, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, and The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens with over 14,000 square feet of sensory overload.
Or, if you are looking to get off the Strip, there is the Fremont Street Experience (better visited during the day with kids), the Silverton Hotel with its stingrays and mermaids, or the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory tour, to name a few.
The Outdoors
Being entertained is a guarantee if you visit Las Vegas, but that entertainment doesn’t have to be limited to spaces with air conditioners (unless it is the height of summer, in which case, be as close to an AC as you can). For those who enjoy the outdoors, Las Vegas has plenty to offer.
Aside from having the most beautiful mountains and jaw-dropping sunsets, there is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is perfect for an afternoon drive or hike. Mount Charleston and Lake Mead are also nearby if you want to escape the heat. And because people live and raise their children in Vegas, there is no shortage of parks if your kids need a fun place to run.
Food Options
Another great perk of visiting Las Vegas is the food. Simply put, the food in Las Vegas is exceptional. But just because the chefs here know what they are doing does not mean every dining experience has to be at a five-star restaurant.
In fact, when it comes to eating out with kids, some of the best places to eat are usually the ones where parents are not overly concerned their child will disturb everyone else (am I the only one with a toddler who refuses to sit still?). And that is what is great about this city. In the famous words of my mother, “we have options.” So, plan a few evenings out at some fancier restaurants, but don’t discount the perks of an IHOP.
Rest Time
Las Vegas has so much to do and see, but anyone who has been a parent for longer than a day knows that nap time is sacred. And with so many entertainment options, it is essential to balance enjoying the city and avoiding an overstimulated child in desperate need of a nap.
Dare I say that this is also possible when planning a vacation to Sin City? The truth is, it is. The trick is preparing and planning well. Whether that be planning to regroup at the hotel at noon for a nap or choosing a less stimulating option like the Shark Reef or Body Exhibit so the babies can nap in their strollers, factoring in rest will help keep everyone happy.
PG Fun
So, have I convinced you that Las Vegas is a great place to travel with children? I hope so. The truth is, I believe it. As someone raising her kids here, I can never say there is nothing to do.
Sure, I may have qualms with some of the billboards driving down the I-15, and I wish it rained more, but my family and I are never bored. Las Vegas is full of fun entertainment options for families. And as the city continues to grow with the addition of so many professional sports teams and alternative forms of entertainment, those options keep expanding.
If you are considering a vacation to Las Vegas, don’t let the reputation of Sin City fool you. There are plenty of PG options for families, too.