Las Vegas with Kids – Vacation Guide for Families

20 comments on “Las Vegas with Kids – Vacation Guide for Families”

1. Agata from Sydney Australia October 21, 2015 at 9:37 am

   I visited Vegas in January 2014 for 10 days with my husband and two children 16 and 14 at the time. We stayed at the MGM and found this a beautiful and very convenient place to stay on the strip with everything in reach. We will be visiting Vegas again in September 2017 but this time with another couple who have children. So there will be a 20 year old, 18, 15 and 11 year old travelling with us. We would like to try another hotel to sample something different but are unsure whether the MGM is the better choice or is there something else we can try that is just as nice.
2. Joe Filipowicz Post authorOctober 23, 2015 at 5:08 pm

   If you want to stay on the Las Vegas Strip at a hotel that is kid friendly and in a great location, I would recommend staying at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. The Mirage has a beautiful pool that is open and heated all year long, a 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, a beautiful indoor atrium, the amazing volcano eruptions, and The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil show. In addition to all the Mirage has to offer on its property, its great location puts you in walking distance to attractions like the Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat, the Fashion Show Mall, the Venetian gondola rides, Madame Tussauds, the High Roller observation wheel, the Forum Shops at Caesars and the Flamingo Hotel’s Wildlife Habitat. Dining in the area is plentiful as well and you could walk to some great family restaurants like the Bacchanal Buffet, Bouchon, Hash House A Go Go and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria among many others. I hope this helps and feel free to ask any other questions.
3. Kathy February 8, 2017 at 2:25 am

   What hotel do you recommend for a stay in Las Vegas in late March for about 4 nights with children age 10 and 16?
4. Joe Filipowicz Post authorFebruary 8, 2017 at 3:10 pm

   Hi Kathy,

   If you are okay with being off the strip, I would go with the Tahiti Village Resort or the South Point Hotel. Tahiti Village is closer to the strip, has one and two bedroom options and has fantastic pools. The South Point is further away from the strip, but offers a bowling center, an arcade, a 16 screen movie complex and a nice kid friendly pool.

   If you want to stay on the Las Vegas Strip and be in the heart of the action, The Mirage is a great choice. The hotel is beautiful and has a volcano show out front, a saltwater aquarium, a rainforest atrium, tropical pools and one of our favorite Cirque du Soleil shows. With so many attractions, restaurants and sights to see close by, the hotel is a good choice for a family that wants to wander around Las Vegas.

   I hope this helps. Feel free to ask any other questions if you need help planning you family vacation.
5. Michelle March 7, 2017 at 4:41 pm

   If we stay at the Tahiti Village, do we need a car to get to the main part of the strip? Is there a quick & easy bus, etc? Also, any other places with condo/bedroom style rooms?
6. Joe Filipowicz Post authorMarch 11, 2017 at 8:18 pm

   Yes, from Tahiti Village you would need a car or take a bus to get to the main part of the Las Vegas Strip. They do have two buses – The Strip & Downtown Express (SDX) that runs from 9 a.m. to midnight and The Deuce on the Strip that runs 24-hours a day that run from the south part of the strip all the way up to the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas. The Deuce on the Strip has more stops, but won’t get you all the way south near the hotel, so use the Strip & Downtown Express (SDX). The Deuce bus is better once you get on the strip and want to jump around as it makes more stops than the SDX bus. There will be walk of about 10 minutes from your hotel to the bus stop. You can get a 24 hour bus pass for $8. If you want to rent a car, please keep in mind that the hotels on the strip are now charging for parking, which makes it very difficult to hop around the strip without paying a big price or walking everywhere. As far as other places with condo/bedroom style rooms, the Wyndham Grand Desert has 1 and 2 bedroom rooms and is only a 15 minute walk from the strip. Hope this helps.
7. Percy April 13, 2017 at 2:29 pm

   Do Hotels allow you to use their pool even though your not a guest? My child is 20 months.
8. Joe Filipowicz Post authorApril 15, 2017 at 11:12 pm

   Most of the hotels do not allow you to use their pool if you are not a guest of the hotel. A few places sell pool party passes, but that is not what you would be looking for with kids.
9. Raquel April 20, 2017 at 2:58 am

   What would be an appropriate hotel for kids bw the ages of 10-15 during the pool party season. Our kids have a cheer competition in May where we have been told that that it’s when the pool parties begin.
10. Joe Filipowicz Post authorApril 22, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    If you are okay with staying off the Las Vegas Strip, I would recommend Tahiti Village Resort. It has one of the best kid friendly pools in all of Vegas, is away from all of the partying, is a quick drive to the strip and the rooms are like small apartments with kitchenette/kitchens.
11. Caroline May 30, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    We are thinking of going to Vegas next April (2018). Do you think Vegas is okay for a 7 year old? I have read that there is plenty to do but some people have suggested walking down the strip is not ideal for young children. Also, which hotel would you recommend? I have read that the Mandalay Bay is a good option for kids but I see you have suggested The Mirage to a few people. Thanks.
12. Joe Filipowicz Post authorJune 5, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    I do think Las Vegas is okay for a family with a 7 year old, but it all depends on when and where you go during your visit. Walking along the Strip or Fremont Street during the day as opposed to the night is a different experience all together – with the morning to early evening being the most appropriate times to walk the along the Strip. There are spots along the Strip that should not be missed, but most of the Strip is now just to a walkway to get from point A to point B and you wouldn’t want to walk the long strip with younger kids anyway. Pick out the spots of interest that you want to visit along the Las Vegas Strip and plan visits to a few that are in close proximity to each other. Most families with younger kids are usually out and about during the day anyway and that is the best time to go out and explore Vegas with kids. There are plenty of family friendly activities off the strip as well, so take a look at our Ultimate Las Vegas Bucket List that has activities listed by location. Some family activities that I think would be fun to do with younger kids: Hike and Climb At Red Rock Canyon, Hiking In The Valley Of Fire, Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas, Indoor Skydiving, Pinball Hall of Fame, Aquariums (Silverton and Mandalay Bay), Adventuredome theme park, The Bellagio Conservatory, Container Park’s Treehouse Playground and see a family friendly Las Vegas Show.

    As far as hotels go, it depends on your wants and needs for lodging. Mandalay Bay and The Mirage are both great hotels to stay at and both have family friendly pools and activities. If you want to be at the heart of the Strip, I would go with the Mirage and if you like a little less activity, Mandalay Bay is at the bottom of the strip and gives you quicker access to off-strip activities. If you are open to staying off the strip, there are a few great family friendly hotels to stay at that will give you a bit more room and amenities. We love the Tahiti Village Resort because of its one and two bedroom rooms with kitchens, its amazing pools and its location that is a short drive to the strip. I hope that helps. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions or need help planning out your Las Vegas vacation.
13. Benita Ryne June 17, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    I saw on TV that families could view a rehearsal of Mystere for free for children. Now I cannot find anything about this. We are going to the strip with two granddaughters that would love this, but are too young for the entire show (which we did last year with their older sisters). Can you provide any information on this?
    Thank you.
14. Claudia July 3, 2017 at 6:13 am

    Hi!
    We’re planning on taking our 4 kids ages 3-6-9-11
    Not sure if we should book at MGM OR MANDALAY BAY
    What do you recommend and what’s your best advice for traveling with so many children?
    THANKYOU!!!!!!
15. Joe Filipowicz Post authorJuly 10, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    Staying at the MGM will have you walking distance to a couple of kid friendly activities and restaurants on the Strip. Mandalay Bay is on the south end of the Strip with fewer things within walking distance, but does have a slight advantage when staying put in the hotel. Both resorts have great family friendly pools, but we think Mandalay Bay might get the nod there as well. If hoping in a car or taxi to explore Las Vegas is not a big deal, we think Mandalay Bay might be a better fit for your family.

    Taking into account the kids ages, here are a few things we recommend seeing and doing when in town with your kids: Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio, Mirage Hotel’s Volcano Show, Aquarium and Atrium, the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel, Circus Acts and Carnival Midway at Circus Circus, the Bellagio’s fountain show, Adventuredome theme park at Circus Circus, Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage hotel, Container Park’s Treehouse Playground, Silverton Hotel’s Aquarium, get a family picture at the Las Vegas Welcome Sign and Wet ‘n’ Wild water park. These family activities in Las Vegas were pulled from our Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas article.

    Here are some tips for visiting Las Vegas with the kids: With all of the free kid friendly activities the city offers, families can fill up their itinerary for very little out of pocket expenses – so take advantage of those as they are not only free but some of the best fun that can be had in Vegas for family. Make sure to space out your activities so that you don’t exhaust the kids too quickly. Plan your activities in close proximity to each other so you are not running all around town on the same day. There is a lot of fun off the Las Vegas Strip as well.
16. Joe Filipowicz Post authorJuly 10, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    Yes, Mystère by Cirque du Soleil does offer a free viewing of a 30 minute rehearsal that is open to all ages. It currently takes place on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. at the Mystere Theatre in the Treasure Island Hotel.
17. Tyson May 25, 2018 at 7:34 am

    I’m heading to Vegas this July with my 12yr old son for a basketball tournament at the convention center. It’s during the week and his first time in Vegas. Any recommendations on where to stay. Looking for pool, shows, access to convention by tram or taxi
18. Joe Filipowicz Post authorJune 4, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    Taking in your need to get to the convention center by tram, I would recommend staying at the Mirage or Bellagio resorts. They are both across the street from the Las Vegas Monorail stops that go to the Las Vegas Convention Center, are family friendly hotels and have great locations on the Strip.
19. Renee September 8, 2018 at 2:08 am

    Do any of the hotels have game systems like PS4 or XBox in the rooms for kids to use?
20. Joe Filipowicz Post authorSeptember 14, 2018 at 7:22 pm

    I don’t believe that any of the hotel rooms have these gaming consoles in the rooms. The Aria does however have a Game Room featuring gaming stations that are equipped with 50” televisions, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with various games.