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When most people think about a vacation to Nevada, they think of Sin City and all the debauchery and trouble it brings. But there is so much more to the state than Vegas.Of course, you can spend a weekend partying in Las Vegas, but the city has become incredibly popular among families with children. Vegas and Nevada can become pretty expensive, but if you find deals and ask the experts, you can find a bunch of fun stuff to do without breaking the bank.
1. National Automobile Museum
The National Automobile Museum in Reno is a car lovers paradise. You and your family will have a blast checking out over 200 rare and one-of-a-kind automobiles from the past century. There is even a kid’s interactive area with life-sized Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater from the Walt Disney and Pixar Studios movie Cars.
2. Attend a Baseball Game
Nevada doesn’t have a major league baseball team yet, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying some hot dogs at the ballpark. The Greater Nevada Field in Reno is the triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, where the future big league stars perfect their skills. Tickets can cost as little as $10 per person, so the whole family can root for the home team!
3. The Immersium Escape Room
This is different from your ordinary escape room experience. This company claims its puzzle rooms are part movie, part escape room. They have diverse storylines as teams board an ancient pirate ship to forage for clues and keys to unlock the mystery. You will forget you’re in Reno when you and your family are immersed in this addictive and captivating experience.
4. Discovery Children’s Museum
Just off the strip in Las Vegas is this three-story museum for kids ages three and up. The first floor is home to Toddler World, where smaller kids can learn about animals, shapes, and colors and have fun in a crawl-only space. The second floor is more hands-on, with a shrunken-down Eco-City, where kids can learn how a city functions and operates. Lastly, the third floor has daily crafts and artwork classes geared toward older kids.
5. Pinball Hall of Fame
Another great place to take the kids is to the Pinball Hall of Fame, right on the strip of Las Vegas. The massive facility has some of the most iconic pinball machines from the 1950s to the 1990s. Parents can dust off their skills and teach their kids how to play these ancient video games. Entry to the arcade is free, but bring some quarters to keep those pinballs bouncing and score climbing.
6. Ethel M Chocolate Factory
Just outside of Las Vegas, Henderson is the home of Ethel M Chocolate Factory. This experience will surely delight both parents and children. Parents can enjoy a chocolate and wine pairing, while kids can pick their favorite milkshake or chocolate-coated treat. Afterward, you can stroll through their cactus garden, which becomes a winter wonderland in the desert with lights and visits by Santa!
7. Shark Reef Aquarium
Las Vegas is nowhere near the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience a trip under the sea here. Located in Mandalay Bay, visitors can walk through a 1.6-gallon aquarium where over 15 different species of sharks call home. You can’t get closer to these predators than that. Tickets cost around $25, but seeing these sharks swim 5 feet above your head is worth the thrill.
8. The Springs Preserve
Escape the chaos of the Las Vegas Strip to the Springs Preserve. Here, you can get some fresh air that Las Vegas isn’t necessarily known for. There are beautiful botanical gardens, on-site museums, and butterfly habitats where you can check out colorful butterflies as they land on your hand. It’s an excellent getaway from the crowds, giving you time to relax before returning to the busy city.
9. Dino Safari – A Walk Through Adventure
Your kids will be bragging to their friends about the life-like dinosaurs they saw on their vacation to Las Vegas. These animatronic dinos look like the real deal, and from my research, I am not convinced that they aren’t real! You will feel like you survived an excursion through Jurassic Park when you walk out of this wildly entertaining exhibit.
10. Fountains of Bellagio
One of the coolest experiences in Las Vegas is free and right on the strip. The Bellagio Hotel puts on a fantastic water and light show with over 1,000 fountains moving and swaying to a choreographed song. Get your spot early to catch a glimpse of this entertaining show. If you missed it, don’t worry; another one will start in about 30 minutes.
11. Freemont Street Experience
Old Town Las Vegas on Freemont Street is a short ride from the strip. They have built up this part of town, and it’s now a great spot for families. The block has various street performers, live music, zip lines, delicious street food, and classic casinos. The real draw is the 130,000-square-foot LED canopy that puts on an amazing light and sound show that will make you want to pull out your phone and take a video.
12. Lion Habitat Ranch
There really isn’t much you can’t do in Las Vegas. Getting up close and personal with lions is luckily on the list of things to do. The conservatory is located in Henderson, a quick drive from the strip. Family rates are as cheap as $60, and you and your family can observe these big cats who were rescued by the conservatory. The park is also home to rescued parrots, emus, ostriches, and giraffes.
13. The Mirage Volcano
Who wouldn’t want to see a volcano erupt with fire, smoke, and lava right in front of their hotel? Well, that is exactly what this volcano does. Every night on the hour from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., you’ll see a show unlike any you have ever seen before.
14. Fun Dungeon at Excalibur
On the south end of the Las Vegas Strip is the Medieval-themed hotel Excalibur. Stop in for an arcade containing over 200 games for kids of all ages. It is a perfect way to escape the heat and chill in an air-conditioned building while you and your kids play all the games, including the world’s biggest Pac-Man game.
15. Circus Acts at Circus, Circus
This Circus-themed casino is bound to do one of two things. One, It will entertain your kids with plenty of free acts like trapeze artists, magicians, hula hoopers, and circus clowns. Or two, it will give them a deeply rooted fear of clowns that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. It’s a gamble, but that’s why you come to Las Vegas, right?
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