Sin City is not your typical family destination. While there are plenty of family-friendly activities to be found up and down the Strip — think big-name entertainers, circus acts, magic shows and roller coasters — Las Vegas is best known for its wild parties, gambling and excessive amounts of adult fun.
That doesn’t mean families should, by any means, stay away. A well-planned Vegas trip can offer the perfect balance of adult-themed entertainment and family fun when you incorporate some of these family-friendly side trips.
The Hoover Dam, located on the border of Nevada and Arizona, is one of the crowing achievements of 20th-century engineering. About an hour from the Las Vegas Strip, this man-made concrete dam is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. The site offers fun and educational tours of the dam and the power plant that harnesses the energy of the water. The tour provides amazing views from the top of the dam with photo opportunities too good to pass up.
Hoover Dam. Photo: Tupungato | Dreamstime.com
Colorado River Water Sports
If your family enjoys water sports, explore the Colorado River via kayak or canoe as it winds through the Black Canyon in the shadow of the Hoover Dam. Companies like Blazing Paddles, LLC offer tours with shuttle service to and from Las Vegas. Professionally guided tours give you a fun way to experience the river and the natural beauty of the desert.
Half-day tours are great for families with small children and those with no previous kayaking experience. Full-day tours are also available for those with higher endurance levels and each month during the full moon a night tour is available which offers an unusual kayaking opportunity. Glow-in-the-dark kayaks start out at 6 p.m. and stop downriver to toast marshmallows and watch the sunset.
© Rixie | Dreamstime.com
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Located just a short drive west of the strip into the desert — 17 miles to be exact — is the unique geological attraction that demonstrates the natural beauty of the desert. The Canyon is filled with colorful rock formations and native wildlife. Visitors can spend just a few hours enjoying the 13-mile scenic drive through the park or spend an entire day hiking the trails and exploring this natural playground. There is even a campground for those who want to spend more than just a day exploring the unique landscape; however, it closes during the summer months due to the extreme desert heat. The park itself is open year-round.
Read This Next
5 Family-Friendly Museums in Charleston
Destinations / North America
Aug 22, 2024#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedHotels
Sep 15, 2026Club Wyndham Welcomes Families for Fall Travel
Just because summer is nearly over doesn’t mean family travelers can’t pack up and explore a new destination. In fact, a Club Wyndham study recently found nearly eight in 10 parents feel like they’re running out of time to travel with their kids, and 80 percent of parents wish they had taken more vacations with their children.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Destinations / North America
Sep 15, 2026This Delaware Train Ride Pairs Fall with Family Fun
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Watching little ones play in piles of colorful leaves brings me back to memories of my own childhood, and the feeling is priceless. So, anything that celebrates the feelings of fall and brings the family together is a win in my book, and Delaware has a train experience fitting the bill.
Destinations / Latin America
Sep 14, 20264 Family Beach Towns to Visit in Brazil
For a winter getaway at a tropical beach with a carefree Latin American vibe, consider a spot along Brazil’s more than 4,000 miles of Atlantic coast. The colorful, laidback town of Porto de Galinhas is a natural choice for family travelers.
Sponsored Content
Celebrating 25 Years of The Peninsula Chicago
June marked The Peninsula Chicago’s 25th anniversary, commemorating a quarter century for the hotel as a pillar of luxury on North Michigan Avenue.
Hotels
Sep 14, 2026Bahia Principe Launches Happiness Sale
Families and multigen travelers looking to get a trip on the books this autumn can take advantage of the new Bahia Principe Happiness Sale, offering savings up to 50 percent at Bahia Principe properties. Available to book until Sept. 17, this offer complements free stays for the travelers’ first child at properties in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
ShareThis