Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas

Wild Times

This may be Sin City, but there are plenty of great family-oriented activities. There's wildlife galore, starting with exotic birds at Flamingo and fish and reptiles at Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Next, head to The Mirage to see the white tigers of the Secret Garden and the eponymous mammals of the Dolphin Habitat.

Fast Times

If your family prefers adrenaline-based bonding, scream your way up the Strip, starting at the Big Apple Coaster at New York–New York. Continue north along the Strip (via the Monorail to Sahara Las Vegas Station), stopping at Circus Circus's indoor theme park Adventuredome on your way to the Strat Tower. Here the Big Shot, X Scream, and Insanity–The Ride fly high above the Strip at 1,149 feet. Can't decide between wild animals and wild rides? Go Downtown for both at the Tank at Golden Nugget, where a three-story waterslide includes a ride through a glass tube into the heart of a 200,000-gallon shark tank.

Downtime

For a mellower afternoon, head to The Venetian's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. After posing next to Miley and J-Lo, check out the exploding volcano at The Mirage. Since you're at The Mirage, grab last-minute tickets for ventriloquist Terry Fator's one-of-a-kind musical puppet act. You can minimize your kids' sinful intake by staying at the Waldorf Astoria, posh accommodations that are unusual for being casino-free.