Las Vegas Strip | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Las Vegas is not necessarily known for being a family destination, but with so much to do I can assure you it is. With a little guidance, you can easily plan a kid-friendly trip. Just remember to keep the little ones hydrated and sun protected, because Vegas can get hot! To get you started, check out my three-day sample itinerary to help you plan a fun family weekend in Las Vegas.
Day 1 – Get Ready to Have Fun!
Most visitors will fly into McCarran International Airport just south of the Strip. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are all available to take you to your hotel. If you are staying on the Main Strip you can be at your hotel within 15 to 20 minutes.
Family-Friendly Hotels in Las Vegas
Plan to stay at a hotel kids will enjoy like the Golden Nugget downtown on Fremont Street or Mandalay Bay near the airport. The Golden Nugget is an affordable option for most budgets and has an aquarium built into the pool where kids and parents can swim alongside sharks! Mandalay Bay has a wave pool and a lazy river kids will enjoy. If your family wants to avoid casinos stay at the Trump Hotel, where every room has a kitchenette and the entire property is smoke free.
Topgolf
Hopefully you were able to arrive early enough in the day to squeeze in some fun. Because as soon as you are settled into your room, it’s time to head out and start having fun! To kick off the family fun head to Topgolf, where you can play golf games together. Located right off the Strip behind MGM is the largest Topgolf in the United States. To help you get there, Topgolf offers a free shuttle from nearby MGM Grand. Golfing experience and equipment is not needed to have an awesome time at Topgolf. Families get their own climate-controlled bay where they can hang out with each other on couches and take turns playing one of the golf games. Plan to have lunch while you play. Wait staff will take your order and deliver your food right to your bay. Families can also enjoy playing cornhole or shuffleboard together on the second floor. Kids are only allowed on the 1st and 2nd levels. Expect to spend around two hours here.
Topgolf with the kids | Photo by Meagan Wristen
After Topgolf, head over to the High Roller Observation Wheel. The High Roller is the second largest Ferris wheel in the world and gives you sweeping views of the Strip and surrounding areas. It takes 30 minutes to complete once you get into a pod.
Dinner
Tonight, dine at Lotus of Siam. The Thai food here is outstanding, which is no surprise since Chef Saipin Chutima is a James Beard award winner.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment & Milkshakes
After dinner, go to a show. Mystere by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island is family friendly and there are no bad seats in the theater. If your family is in the mood for a sweet treat after the show, head to the Sugar Factory in the Fashion Show Mall. Here parents can indulge in a decadent chocolate martini while kids enjoy insane milkshakes.
Wet n’ Wild Las Vegas | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Day 2 – The Fun Continues!
Breakfast
Kick off your day with breakfast Hash House A Go Go. The servings here are massive, great for sharing. This is one of those places where the food is so over the top you will never forget eating here.
Get Wild
After breakfast, venture over to Wet n’ Wild water park. With temperatures often in the 80’s, 90’s, or 100’s, you will want to spend as much time as possible in the water. Wet n’ Wild has over 25 attractions, including body slides, tube slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. If possible, rent a cabana for the day to ensure your family gets some shade.
Dinner & Dessert
For dinner, take the kids to family-friendly Serendipity 3 in front of Caesar’s Palace. Here families can enjoy choices like hamburgers, fried chicken and waffles, or pasta. Whatever you decide to eat, leave room for dessert! The highlight of dining here is polishing off your meal with one of their monster-sized desserts.
Outrageous Banana Split Coward’s Portion at Serendipity 3 in Las Vegas | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Free Activities
After dinner, walk across the street to the Bellagio to watch the water fountain. The water performs along with music and lights every 15 minutes between 8 p.m. to midnight, reaching as high as 460 feet into the air. While there, be sure to go inside the Bellagio to see the Conservatory as well, it’s free. The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is changed seasonally and always stunning. This is the perfect spot to take a family photo. It is located near the lobby.
The Conservatory in the Bellagio | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Day 3 – The Fun (and Food) is Not Done!
Croissant French toast | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Breakfast
Start the day at DJT Restaurant and Lounge located in the lobby of the Trump Hotel. You’ll want to try the croissant French toast, made with La Belle Terre croissants, candied pecans, glazed bananas, and Las Vegas Distillery whiskey syrup.
Sharks
After breakfast, it’s time to see some sharks! Head to Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef, where you can see lots of sea life including 15 types of sharks. At the touch pool, kids have the opportunity to touch sharks and sting rays.
Lunch & Shopping
For lunch venture over to Town Square shopping center just south of Mandalay Bay, where there is a Brio Tuscan Grill, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, and many other restaurants. Kids can play on the playground or do some gaming at Gameworks, while mom works in some shopping.
Animal Show
If you have an evening flight, take the kids to a pet show over at the Miracle Mile Shops behind Planet Hollywood. Popovich Comedy Pet Theater has a show every Sunday at 4 p.m. Kids always get a kick out of seeing animals perform.
Now that you’ve done a variety of family activities and enjoyed some of the best food in Vegas, it’s time to go home. Until your next adventure!
Meagan Wristen
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