An age-appropriate rundown of the best attractions for kids, teens and families together in adult-oriented Las Vegas.

Although Las Vegas is rarely the first choice of the traveling family, and many consider the idea of a Vegas 'family vacation' to be downright ludicrous, the city will surprise parents with how much there is to offer young vacationers. Families with younger children should be aware that many attractions are within casino hotels; since gambling is illegal for anyone under 21, many hotels post age restrictions forbidding non-guests to even enter the premises. Always check with your hotel's concierge before planning a visit. All such casino-based attractions are marked with an * below.  For ideas on places to stay, see Las Vegas Hotels.

Great Fun for the Kids

(Toddler to Age 8)

Circus Circus Adventuredome
2880 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
877/224-7287
Situated just behind the Circus Circus Casino, this small indoor theme park is a good place to bring kids to let them burn off a little energy. The small indoor theme park has several rollercoasters, water rides, motion simulators, Hot Shots Laser Tag, food vendors, and roaming clowns.

Sunset Stampede
Mystic Park Falls
5111 Boulder Hwy
Las Vegas, NV 89122
702/456-7777
This free 10-minute exhibition is a big hit with kids, performed four times a day in Mystic Park Falls at 2,6,8, and 10 pm. The show includes detailed audio effects, water geysers and laser-light animals that stampede across the prairie.

Fun for Older Children

(Up to Age 18)

BODIES...The Exhibition
3900 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
800/288-1000
This intimate exhibition allows you to get up close and personal with real full-body corpses and carefully preserved organs. While it sounds weird, the Bodies traveling museum show has been popular worldwide and in Vegas, it has found a permanent home. To provide a stimulating and informative experience of the anatomy of the human body, the presentation showcases 13 whole-body specimens and more than 260 organs and partial body specimens.

Cirque du Soleil's "O"
The Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702/693-7722, 888/488-7111
One of the most celebrated circus troupes of all time has developed "O", which reunites many of Cirque du Soleil's acclaimed creators from past productions in their most visionary project to date. Inspired by such concepts as the circle of life and infinity, "O" uses 1.5 million gallons of water as its stage. The audience of "O" enjoys a revolutionary new theater, specifically designed for the production, as well as 85 incredible performers from around the world.

Las Vegas Cyber Speedway at the Sahara
2535 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702/737-2111, 888/696-2121
For those who've always dreamed of driving in the Grand Prix, here is the next best thing. Kids love this attraction, with a 3D motion theater which allows them to choose between being a passenger of a wild driver in either the Indy Challenge, Petty NASCAR, or the off-road Iron Man, or driving your own Grand Prix Race car. The ride is restricted to kids 48 inches and taller. Simulated speeds are high, watch out!

Ethel M. Chocolate's M&M World
One Sunset Way
(Corner of Sunset and Mountain Vista)
Henderson, NV 89014
800/471/0352
Little chocolate lovers will love the chance to visit the Ethel M. factory where many of the world's most famous candy bars are created every year, including Snickers, Milky Way and M&Ms. Tours which visit each stage in the making of these candies are augmented by video presentations along the way to explain the process.

Gameworks
3785 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702/432-4263
The late hours and central location of this arcade make it a popular choice for older kids. Along with more than 250 arcade games, this multi-level facility offers a lounge with televisions and pool tables.

Tournament of Kings
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
3850 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702/597-7600
This dinner show featuring Medieval sets, lavish costuming and dramatic jousting and sword fighting has become one of the hottest new production shows in Las Vegas. While the audience feasts, knights and heroes partake in battle with dragons, beasts and fire-wizards, all showing at the recently renovated King Arthur's arena. Shows are at 6pm and 8:30pm nightly.

Fun for the Whole Family

Stratosphere Tower
2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89104
800/998-6937
At 1,149 ft. it's the tallest free-standing observation tower in America. An indoor/outdoor viewing deck offers up beautiful panoramic views of the expansive desert and the world-famous sparkling Vegas strip. The most impressive view is at night. Admission fee: $13.95 for adults, $10 for children under 12. Additional tickets for rides at the Stratosphere Tower can be purchased separately.

Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
MGM Mirage Hotel
3400 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702/791-7188, 702/791-7588
More than 20 years ago, the noted magicians Siegfried & Roy established a conservation and educational foundation that has been housed at the MGM Mirage Hotel since 1991. This garden-like zoo ("We felt compelled to create a safe environment - an environment in which these animals could live in serenity," says Roy) is the tropical home of royal white tigers, white lions, golden tigers, black panthers and white leopards. Although seeing the zoo's inhabitants in their "natural" habitats delights children, the 2½-million-gallon Dophin habitat may be the most fun for the whole family. Educational activities and trainer-for-the-day programs about Atlantic bottlenose dolphins for all ages can be booked in advance; guided tours for the public are conducted daily throughout the day.

The Bellagio Fountains
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
888/987-6667
At 900 feet long with 1,200 nozzles and 4,500 lights, this nightly outdoor display is impressive from any direction. The water literally dances in five different choreographed shows.

Hoover Dam
30 miles SE off Las Vegas on US Hwy 93
702/494-2517
About two to three thousand people daily visit the largest artificial reservoir in the country, Hoover Dam, making it one of the most popular day-trip options from Las Vegas. The dam's construction began in 1931 when it was decided that the Colorado River must be tamed; it is 726.4 feet high (221m), 1,244 feet wide (379 m), 660 feet (203 m) thick at the base, 45 feet (13 m) thick at the top, and cost $165 million dollars to build. We've heard it currently holds back 50 trillion gallons of water in Lake Mead. Touring the dam provides unique glimpses of its awesome functions, including a chance to see the largest water pipes ever built and 17 turbines that provide electricity for the entire Southwestern United States.

Imperial Palace Automobile Collection
3535 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
702/794-3174
Each family member will find something worth their while at this car show that offers more than 200 antique and classic cars. It's open daily from 9:30am-9:30pm. There are numerous rare cars, including antique cars owned by former Presidents, famous world dictators and celebrities.

Caesar's Palace Shopping
Caesar's Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
800/449-2894
Caesar's Forum is a shopping mall featuring mock Roman architecture and behind the columns, more than a hundred restaurants, video attractions, merchants, talking fountains (true! this is fun) and a free light and laser show.

Red Rock Canyon
1000 Scenic Loop Drive
Las Vegas, NV 891616
Near Old Nevada, just 15 minutes outside of town on the west side
702/515-5350
Red Rock Canyon, situated in the heart of the Spring Mountains, is a very well known destination for hikers and mountain climbers alike. Take highway 159 west from the city until you reach the Bureau of Land Management Visitor Center. Don't forget to take in some of the beautiful scenery en route.

The Liberace Museum
1775 E. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702/798-5595
Founded by "Mr. Showmanship" himself on April 12, 1979, this museum features the jewel encrusted cars, pianos and costumes of Liberace. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students with school ID and free for children under 10. The Liberace Museum is closed on Mondays.

The Fremont Street Experience
425 Freemont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Downtown Las Vegas
702/678-5777
This five-block-long region was enclosed under a canopy of more than 2.1 million lights, closed off to automobile traffic, designed as a large pedestrian mall, and given high-tech audio and air conditioning systems in a $70 million attempt to attract more people into the downtown area. Every single casino along Fremont Street turns off all of their outdoor lights exactly on the hour at appointed times each night (check with your hotel concierge), immediately followed by the canopy's "Sky Parade," a free light and sound show that will go over big with the kids.