This past weekend I flew to Las Vegas to try and find a place for Mallory and me to stay while she does her second clinical fieldwork rotation at the Southern Nevada VA Hospital this fall. This got me to thinking, there is so much to do in Las Vegas and within a couple hours drive that unless you want to, there is no need to spend any time in those crowded casinos! Let me know your favorite Las Vegas activities on our Facebook Page!
There are plenty of Las Vegas activities that are family friendly these days. Here are a few that are sure to be a hit with both kids and parents.
Located in downtown Vegas, the Children’s museum is full of hands-on activities that will not only educate but entertain your kids too! Admission is just $14.50 and their hours can be found here.
With more than 10 exhibits and plenty of opportunities to touch and feed animals this massive aquarium is a perfect way for families to get out of the Las Vegas heat. You can even feed one of the over 100 sharks! Tickets start at $20.
I know when I was growing up I dreamed of being one of King Arthur’s knights and have always been fascinated by Medieval history and entertainment. The Tournament of Kings dinner show will have you cheering for your favorite knight as they battle right in front of your eyes. Your ticket includes a huge feast, so come prepared to eat! Book your royal experience here!
Sin City is also the magic capital of the world and Las Vegas activity that everyone will enjoy. With so many famous magicians performing nightly shows there will definitely be one to suit your schedule and budget! I remember visiting Las Vegas when I was younger and seeing Sigfried and Roy perform and being mesmerized. Taking in a magic show is the perfect family activity in Las Vegas. Check out the up and coming Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream by getting your tickets in advance here
Who doesn’t love cooling off in a nice pool during a hot sunny day? Ok, here is an even better question who doesn’t love water slides!? Another perfect daytime activity for your family in Las Vegas is the Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park that has more than 30 slides and attractions to keep those kids busy all afternoon! Tickets start at $29.99.
The last thing any photographer wants to do is bring their gear along and not have a chance to use it. Luckily Las Vegas and its surroundings are full of gems that will make any photographer smile! Since we will be based out of Vegas for a few months I’d love to hear about your favorite Las Vegas locations for travel & lifestyle photoshoots!
We made it to the Seven Magic Mountains in Las Vegas just as the sun began to set!
Although it is a “temporary” art exhibit, the colorful stacked rocks may become a permanent fixture of the desert just outside Las Vegas. Their website says they will definitely be there through 2018, but negotiations are in the works to have them stay longer. We visited just before sunset and nearly had the place to ourselves!
Exploring this neon sign graveyard is a perfect afternoon las vegas activity
In downtown Las Vegas you’ll find the Neon Museum, home to hundreds of retired neon signs. The only way to see the Neon Museum is through a guided tour.This 2.5 hour walking tour will show you the best of downtown Las Vegas including the Neon Museum.
Just a little of what you can find at Nelson Ghost town a fun Las Vegas Activity for photographers!
Nelson was once a thriving town during the gold rush, but once the mines dried up, the people left. Full of old buildings, cars, and quite a scenic location. Nelson Ghost Town is a perfect place for a late afternoon photo mission. Its only about an hours drive from the strip, so its a spot you don’t want to miss.
Head over to the canal shoppes at the Venetian and trick your friends into thinking you spent the weekend in the beautiful Italian city of Venice. One thing Vegas sure is good at is photo worthy hotels – The Venitian, Bellagio’s Famous Fountains, Caesars Palace all you have to do is walk up the strip to find your next shot.
It may be a bit cliche, but it’s still an iconic place to spend 10-15 minutes shooting. We stopped on our way back from the Seven Magic Mountains.
I was absolutely stunned by how many state and national parks are within just an hour’s drive from the craziness of the strip. I only had a chance to visit one of these on my weekend stay but this time of year the hiking is incredible because it’s not too hot yet. Las Vegas is actually a great place to fly into for adventures to Utah, Arizona, or California state and National Parks!
Located about 40 miles northeast of Las Vegas the Valley of Fire State Park was the only park I had a chance to visit during my weekend stay. There are over 40,000 acres of land you can explore full of amazing red rock formations and wildlife. I only spent a few hours exploring but was blown away and can’t wait to go back and spend some more time here.
Red Rock Canyon is less than a half hour from the strip. There is a one-way scenic drive that takes you through the conservation area that features hiking, camping, and even climbing.
Lake Mead is a lake on the Colorado River about 30 minutes east of the Las Vegas Strip. In terms of water capacity, it is the largest reservoir in the United States. There is plenty to do on Lake Mead – check out the Hoover Dam, there is hiking, boating, fishing just about any outdoor activity you can imagine.
A little further than an hours drive, Grand Canyon West is about 2 and a half hours east of Las Vegas. There are several helicopter companies that offer scenic flights from Las Vegas over to the Grand Canyon and back. Here is one option for Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
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The driest and lowest place in North America is about 2 hours west of Las Vegas. The otherworldly landscape of Death Valley is another great place to visit for hiking. If you’re lucky you might catch one of the Death Valley Superblooms where millions of wildflowers bloom.
Get a taste of the wild west by becoming a cowboy for a day. There are several places that do trail rides and have antique towns, but Sandy Valley Ranch is devoted to giving its guests an authentic wild west experience.
The Stratosphere Hotel and Tower took it up a notch when they introduced their latest attraction, Sky Jump. Jump from over 800 feet above the strip in the world’a highest controlled descent. If that wasn’t enough there is also a roller coaster
on top of the tower!
Fly through the air at more than 30 miles per hour between the two towers at the Rio Hotel on the Voodoo zip line.
Ever wondered what it would be like to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari or Lamborgini? You can get behind the wheel and see how those ponies gallop on Las Vegas Motor Speedway with an Exotic Car Driving Experience
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With all the epic landscapes around, I can’t think of a better place to jump out of a perfectly good airplane! Vegas Extreme Skydiving offers tandem dives and should be on any Vegas thrill seeker’s to do list.
I know this one won’t be for everyone, but there is something exhilarating about shooting experiences.Tons of “machine gun experiences” have popped up near Las Vegas, but there are a couple that give you real instruction while you till have fun unloading some lead in a safe environment.
Las Vegas definitely knows how to do hotels and resorts. Search for and book your Las Vegas Hotel from this search box below!
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[…] say try to limit yourself to no more than 9 hours of driving each day. Our trip from Tampa to Las Vegas ended up being about 9 and a half hours per day of driving, which wasn’t too bad. We both still […]