Top 5 family activities in Las Vegas

A must-visit destination on any trip to the western United States, Las Vegas has earned itself a reputation as the city of vice and excess. 

With an image like that, you may well wonder what there is to do with children, apart from hanging out at the hotel pool.

Strange but true, Sin City is in fact quite a family-friendly destination!

So here are 5 activities the whole family will enjoy. 
 

#1. Adventuredome amusement park

• Address: Circus Circus, 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd 
• Hours: Variable - View online schedule
• Rates: Day pass - $33 for 48 inches (122 cm) or taller | $19 under 48 inches (122 cm)
   

Who doesn't love an amusement park? 

This activity is a sure bet for kids and adults alike! 

It has 25 attractions and is inside the Circus Circus resort, making it always accessible, rain or shine. 

In addition to rides, you'll find an 18-hole miniature golf course, a climbing wall, bungee jumping, live shows, a video game arcade and a bowling alley.  

My favourite roller coaster? The Canyon Blaster!

Be careful not to eat before going on it...

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#2. Shark Reef Aquarium

• Address: Mandalay Bay, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays - Click here for details
• Rates: $25 per adult | $19 for children aged 4 to 12 | Free for children under 4
   

The Mandalay Bay aquarium is one of the largest in North America (which should come as no surprise - you're in Las Vegas, after all...). 

Home to more than 2,000 animals, you'll have the chance to see many species of reptiles, fish, sharks and invertebrates. 

In total, Shark Reef is home to more than 100 different species, including 15 species of sharks! 

This unique multisensory experience will immerse you in a fascinating underwater environment.

Don't miss the 14 permanent exhibits, which are sure to captivate the whole family. 

If you don't have time to see them all, make Shipwreck your priority!

#3. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

• Address: The Venetian, 3377 S. Las Vegas Blvd
• Hours: Open from 10 a.m., 365 days a year. Closing times are variable - Check the schedule online
• Rates: Rates vary depending on the day you visit and where you purchase your tickets. You will pay up to $40 per adult. For the best deals, buy your tickets online here. 
   

If your children dream of meeting their favourite celebrities, no need to visit Los Angeles, just take them to the wax museum!

Madame Tussauds displays more than 100 wax replicas of international stars, all intricately designed and extremely realistic. 

Music icons, sports stars, actors… there's something for everyone. 

Each figure has been placed in a custom-made decor, with a setup that borders on perfection. You can almost believe it's real!

Don't forget your camera! You'll be able to immortalize your encounter with Oprah or Jimi Hendrix, and your kids will be happy to show their friends the many selfies taken with their idols. 

Vegas has never been so glamourous!

#4. Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas water park

• Address: 7055 South Fort Apache Rd
• Hours: Opening and closing hours are variable. Be sure to check the schedule before going.  
• Rates: $30 per person | $10 for adults aged 60 and over
   

Located in Spring Valley, about a 20-minute drive from Las Vegas Boulevard, Wet’n’Wild is a great option for hot days!

This gigantic water park features more than 25 attractions including an artificial river, water slides, a wave pool, and more. 

Adrenaline junkies or relaxation seekers, young children or older teenagers, there's something for everyone. 

The more adventurous won't want to miss the Tornado water slide, while the little ones will enjoy the Paradise Falls interactive aquatic playground.

With over 300 days of sunshine per year in Las Vegas, you'll definitely want to note the address somewhere in your roadbook.

#5. STRAT Hotel observation tower

• Address: The STRAT Hotel, 2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd 
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Rates: $20 per adult | $12 per child
   

Take the family to the STRAT Hotel for the best panoramic view of the Strip! 

The hotel's 350-metre-tall tower, a fixture of the Vegas skyline (and almost 50 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower!), has indoor and outdoor observation decks.

In addition to 360-degree views, the STRAT also offers 3 thrill rides, each more heart-stopping (for me, at least) than the last.

That said, note that admission to the observation decks does not include access to the rides.

If you're travelling with fearless teenagers, offer them the chance to try the most heart-pounding activity in Las Vegas: the Skyjump. 

It is an open-air leap, similar to bungee jumping, from the 108th floor of the hotel. 

Do you think your teens will be game? 

And there you go!

Do you know any other great things to do in Las Vegas during a family trip to the United States? Don't hesitate to share them in the comments below.