By Kirk Brown
Activities for Kids in Las Vegas
Though primarily known as a playground for adults,
Las Vegas is also loaded with entertaining attractions and activities for kids of all ages. Children can go fishing and see wildlife on and off the Strip or check out indoor amusement parks, a continuous circus and a feast fit for a medieval king. Budget-minded families don't have to spend any money to gape at dancing fountains, an erupting volcano and statues that come to life.
Fishing in Las Vegas? You Bet!
With its cottonwood trees, lush lawn and four fishing ponds stocked with rainbow trout, Floyd Lamb Park presents a stark contrast to the dominant desert landscape in Las Vegas. Within the 2,000-acre park, visitors also can view the fossils of bison, camels, giant sloths and mammoths. Admission to the park is $6 per vehicle or $1 per person as of 2009. Anglers must obtain a Nevada fishing license and they are limited to 3 fish per person.
Floyd Lamb Park
9200 Tule Springs Road
Las Vegas, NV 89131
(702) 229-6297
Where to Find Wild Things
Located just 15 minutes from the Strip, the 3-acre Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park features chimps, eagles, emus, flamingos, parrots, reptiles and the last family of Barbary apes in the U.S. There are also exhibits of gems and displays of cycads and bamboo. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for kids ages 2-12 and no charge for children under 2 as of 2009. Visit the park's website for a $2 kid's discount coupon.
Several casinos also have created wildlife habitats. Some of the best include: The Silverton Casino Lodge has a 117,000 gallon aquarium featuring sharks, stingrays and mermaids. Admission is free. The Mirage has dolphins and other rare creatures at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for kids between 4 and 12 years of age and free for those 3 and under. The MGM Grand Las Vegas is home to a one-of-a-kind habitat for lions. Admission is free.
Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park
1775 N. Rancho Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89106
(702) 647-4685
LasVegasZoo.com
Silverton Casino Lodge
3333 Blue Diamond Road
Las Vegas, NV 89139
(866) 946-4373 or (702) 263-7777
www.silvertoncasino.com
The Mirage
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
( 702) 791-7111
www.mirage.com
MGM Grand Las Vegas
3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 891-1111
www.mgmgrand.com
Indoor Amusements
Circus Circus hosts free circus acts with performers from around the globe every day from 11 a.m. to midnight. Next door to the casino is the Adventuredome, America's largest indoor theme park with 5 fun acres of rides and attractions.
Play more than 250 video games and challenge the world's tallest freestanding rock-climbing wall at GameWorks, which is next to the MGM Grand Las Vegas on the Strip.
Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas NV 89109
(702) 734-0410
CircusCircus.com
Gameworks
3785 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 432-4263
Gameworks.com
Free Fun on the Strip
Some of the best shows in Las Vegas can be seen for free from sidewalk vantage points near upscale casinos along the Strip. The dancing fountains in the Bellagio's 8-acre lake create choreographed water magic every afternoon and evening and The Mirage has a volcano that erupts nightly. Moving indoors, large statues come to life in the mythical Fall of Atlantis show in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(888) 987-6667
Bellagio.com
The Mirage
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 791-7111
Mirage.com
Caesars Palace
3570 S. Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(866) 227-5938
Caesarspalace.com
Medieval Dining
Be prepared for dancing maidens, jousting knights and fireworks at Excalibur's popular Tournament of Kings dinner show. Just don't expect any silverware to come with your meal. After tall, this is dining medieval style. Reserved seats are $61.21 as of 2009.
Tournament of Kings dinner show
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
3850 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(877) 750-5464
Excalibur.com
About the Author:
Kirk Brown is an award-winning freelance writer with two decades of diverse media experience. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he also was managing editor of an acclaimed scuba diving magazine. Brown has written scripts for more than 50 half-hour TV programs focusing on technology and health topics.
Photo Credits:
http://76.162.212.126/images/LasVegas.jpg
