6 Family-Friendly Activities in Las Vegas

Although Las Vegas may be best known as an adult playground, there are quite a few attractions here that are perfect for a family. These include a 4,777-foot roller coaster, the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, a fascinating Titanic exhibit, an aquarium full of sharks, a place to play historic pinball machines and one of the country’s most picturesque drives.

Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York
This roller coaster takes riders on a memorable ride that includes drops of up to 144 feet and speeds up to 67 mph. After you step into cars that have the look of New York City taxis, you will zip past detailed replicas of the Statue of Liberty and other New York structures and enjoy some spectacular views of the Strip’s southern end. The ride includes a pair of inversions and a number of towering drops. Note that the Family Fun Flight for Four provides a substantial discount over paying for four individual rides.

High Roller at the Linq
For those looking for a more relaxed ride, consider heading to the High Roller, which opened at the end of the Linq’s dining, entertainment and shopping promenade in 2014. This 550-foot tall Ferris wheel is the world’s tallest, and it provides some pretty incredible views of the Strip and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley on its 30-minute journey. The cabins accommodate up to 40 people, and there is room for riders to sit as well as stand and walk around. Children 13-17 years old enjoy a substantial discount on tickets while those under 12 ride free.

Titanic – The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor
This fascinating exhibit features 25,000 square feet of artifacts retrieved from the Titanic and a fascinating, detailed recreation of the Grand Staircase. Some of the more interesting relics located here include pieces of luggage and an unopened bottle of champagne, which dates to 1900. However, perhaps the most fascinating artifact is The Big Piece, a 26-foot long section of the ship’s hull, which weighs 15 tons; it is the largest artifact ever pulled up from the ship, which rests on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean about 350 miles southeast of Newfoundland. However, what will likely resonate with you most are the stories of those who took this majestic ship on its fateful journey.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Perhaps this attraction’s most interesting features are its glass-enclosed tunnels, which place you within feet of many of the world’s most interesting forms of sea life. Its waters are filled with sharks, jellyfish, piranha, rays, sawfish and sea turtles. In fact, more than 2,000 animals are swimming around its nearly 2 million gallons of water. The aquarium also offers an opportunity to feed sea turtles, sharks or stingrays for an additional fee.

Pinball Hall of Fame
This is a great place for children and those who are children at heart to play some of its hundreds of pinball machines, which date from the 1950s. Some of the more recent ones are based on films such as “Avatar” and “Iron Man.” Conversely, many who make the trip here are unable to resist its classic video games such as Centipede, Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros. There is no fee to enter this attraction, and the machines cost 25 cents and up to play.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
One of the highlights of this recreation area is its 13-mile scenic drive, which takes drivers through beautiful desert landscapes and within sight of incredible limestone cliffs and picturesque rock formations. The road is also popular amongst runners and bicyclists while several beautiful trails are accessible from it. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area lies about 30 minutes west of the Strip.

Where do you plan to take your family when you’re in Las Vegas for our CME conference later this month? Let us know in the comments below!