Most people will think about gambling when they hear the word "Las Vegas". But the truth is, Las Vegas doesn't only offer attractions and entertainment in forms of slot machines and poker tables, Las Vegas attractions are much more than that, you can even take the whole family for a fun vacation in this city.
There are so many Las Vegas attractions that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The great thing is many of these attractions won't even cost you money, in other words, they are free. This is against popular belief that you have to spend a lot of money to have fun in Vegas.
Free Shows
Fall of Atlantis: This is a fantastic fountain show that features animatronic figures. This fountain show is telling a story about the myth of Atlantis. You can see this show for free everyday in Caesars Palace. Don't worry, because you don't have to book a room in this expensive hotel to enjoy the show.
Circus Circus: This is the world's largest permanent circus that features various amazing acrobatic acts like the flying trapezes, jugglers, clowns, contortionists, and many more. You can see this show everyday in the Carnival Midway.
Bellagio Fountain: This is probably the most popular fountain in the world because it has been seen in so many movies. Until today, Bellagio Fountain is still one of the best Las Vegas attractions. This fountain is also famous for its water show that runs all day long until midnight. The show features music, light and dancing water, which is remarkably entertaining.
Mirage's Volcano Show: This fake volcano is located right in the front yard of Mirage Hotel. The volcano show usually starts from 8 pm until midnight, complete with sound effects, smoke, fake lava and fire.
The Tournament of Kings Dinner Show: This medieval age fun is being held at the Excalibur Casino. Every 45 minutes, magicians and jugglers will entertain visitors for free in the casino's Medieval Village. You can also continue to see the dinner show afterwards.
Freemont Street Experience: In this open air mall you can see various live performances and also sound and light show everyday.
Streetmosphere: This street performing group's performance can be seen at the Venetian's Gran Canal Shoppes everyday. Usually they will go around in Renaissance Italian costumes and perform short opera.
Lake of Dreams: This has been chosen as one of the top Las Vegas attractions. Lake of Dreams is a show that combines music, lights, water, puppetry, and special effects. It's being held on a lake at the Wynn Resort. It can be seen from many different spots, but usually people will enjoy the show while having a family dinner at a restaurant near the lake.
Mystic Falls: Another amazing water show that combines dancing water, music, and laser light. Mystic Falls Park is located at Sam's Town Hotel.
Flora & Fauna
Bellagio's Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Bellagio hotel is not just known for its fountain, a lot of people also come to this place to see beautiful flora in its Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Additionally there are also live performances that you can see from 5-6 pm.
Caesars Palace's Saltwater Aquarium: Back to the famous Ceasars Palace, you can visit its 50,000 gallon saltwater aquarium that has various tropical fish from clown fish to sharks, kids will love this place.
Flamingo Habitat: This beautiful wildlife habitat can be found at the Flamingo Hotel. But not only flamingo that you can find in this 15 acre of land, there are also various other birds like parrots, pelicans, hummingbirds, etc.
Silverton Casino's Saltwater Aquarium: This aquarium is even bigger than the one in Caesar Palace. It contains 117,000 gallons of water and has a collection of more than 4,000 tropical fish. From Thursday to Sunday you will be entertained by mermaid shows every half hour. There are also interactive feeding shows you can see everyday.
Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat: The first stop of this place is a viewing area where you can look the dolphins in the water. You can see these intelligent animals swimming gracefully in the water and occasionally jumping to the surface. Not far from the dolphin's viewing area there's a secret garden where you can see exotic animals from Siegfried and Roy's collection.
Shark Reef Aquarium: This is the only predator-based aquarium in North America and the only one accredited in the state of Nevada. Besides sharks, you can also find reptiles, jellyfish, and sea turtles. There is a "hands-on" area in this aquarium, which quite popular amongst visitors, that allows you to touch the sea creatures.
Museums
Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History: This free museum is open at 9 am on weekdays and at noon on Saturdays. You and your kids can learn about the history and culture of the ancient Mexican and also the Southwestern American Indian tribes.
Neon Museum Urban Gallery: History can be fun, especially if you're in Vegas. The Neon Museum Urban Gallery is an open air museum that has incredible collections of colorful and unique neon signs. If you love vintage signs this would be a must-visit place in Las Vegas. Before you go there, you might want to download the map of the gallery from their website.
Madame Tussauds: Whether you come to Vegas with your family or with your friends, Madame Tussauds is always a great place to visit. You can have your picture taken next to superstars like Elvis Presley or Brad Pitt.
The Chuck Jones Experience: This museum is attributed to the legendary animation director Chuck Jones who created many famous cartoon characters including the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, and Pepe Le Pew. Besides displaying Chuck Jones' original drawings there are also a lot of interactive learning activities that you can do with your kids. There are screenings of animated films, and you will also be given a chance to create voice overs and sound effects for Chuck Jones Cartoon.
Sweet Treats
Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour: This would be a sweet treat for chocolate lovers in your family. Ethel M Chocolate Factory is allowing anyone who wants to see their factory and you will also get free chocolate samples. Additionally they also has a botanical cactus garden that you can explore.
M&M's World: M&M is probably the most famous chocolate candy in the world. In M&M's World you can see a replica of the M&M race car that was used in NASCAR. There are also a 3D movie theater and a gallery showing the evolution of the M&M characters. Additionally, you may get free chocolate samples too!
Architecture
Replicas of Paris' Landmarks: The Paris Casino has done a great job building replicas of some of the best landmarks of Paris, including Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre.
Hoover Dam: It's a big loss if you don't visit this architectural wonder during your trip to Vegas. Hoover Dam has become one of the best Las Vegas attractions with its groundbreaking engineering feat. This gigantic dam formed the Lake Mead - one of the largest Reservoirs in North America. It's amazing to think that such majestic structure was actually built during the great depression. When you got to this place, just walk around to see the dam and go to the visitors' center.
Stratosphere Tower: Besides being the highest observation platform in the west of Mississipi River, the thrill rides on top also makes this place worth visiting, especially if you're a thrill seeker. There is the Big Shot, X-Scream, Insanity, or you can do the SkyJump. However, your kids must be big enough to play.
Theme Parks
The Adventuredome: This is the largest indoor the park in Nevada that has 25 rides and attractions. It's also the only theme park on the Las Vegas Strip. For an indoor theme park, it has quite a lot of things to offer, there is the Canyon Blaster roller coaster that can reach 55 miles per hour and other premium rides like the spinning Disk'O. There are also some attractions like bumper cars and mini golf course.
New York-New York Roller Coaster: This roller coaster recreates New York in concentrated form. It can reach the speed up to 67 miles an hour.
Adventure
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Las Vegas attractions that you can enjoy are not just man-made attractions. Take your family on an adventure to the west of Las Vegas at the Red Rock National Conservation Area. Your kids will have a chance to learn about the natural uniqueness of the desert area. You can take the kids to climb the rocks, have a picnic and take some pictures with stunning backgrounds.
Las Vegas really is the city of entertainment for everybody, no matter how old you are, including kids. So if you've been wondering where to go on your next family vacation, you can put Las Vegas attractions on your list of options.
