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SIN CITY — The city of Las Vegas has long been used by Utah families as a convenient stopping point for road trips to southern California. But the city has much more to offer than just cheap hotel rooms. Here's a list of eight ideas that might make your next trip to the Las Vegas area a little more amazing.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
This under-the-radar museum boasts some world-class collections. With two floors to explore, your kids can easily spend a couple of hours taking it all in. It's especially nice on summer days, as you can escape the heat and enjoy some relaxing fun. The place is rarely crowded on weekdays and it's not unusual to have an entire section of the museum to yourself.
The museum also hosts special events each month, like music performances, workshops and dances for the whole family.
Get ticket information and directions here.
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
Did you know that the first permanent, non-native settlement in the Las Vegas area was built by missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1855? The adobe fort was next to a creek, which provided water for orchards and crops.
This site is now a state park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There's a visitor's center and picnic area, making it a great place to stop for a quick history lesson and lunch.
Get ticket information and directions here.
The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
While the Las Vegas Natural History Museum and Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort are outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown, you may find yourself on the Strip and need a quiet place to relax. The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, located in the Flamingo resort, offers four acres of gardens with streams and waterfalls. Your kids will enjoy spotting the resident flamingos, pelicans, fish and turtles.
There's no charge to visit the habitat and no reservations needed. Each day at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., there are presentations to help your family learn more about the resident wildlife.
Get information and directions here.
The Big Apple Coaster
If your children are a little older and looking for a thrill, the Big Apple Coaster might be just the ticket. Exceeding 67 miles per hour and featuring a 203-foot drop, this roller coaster is one of the best in the entire state. Just be aware that your kids need to be at least 54 inches tall in order to ride.
Once you've finished the coaster, you can hit up the Big Apple Arcade. There are lots of newer games to check out, as well as some classic carnival-style games.
Get ticket information and directions here.
Town Square Children's Park
If you're only making a short pitstop in Vegas, you should think about swinging by this charming little park. There's a shaded play space for children, with slides, a climbing cube, and a trampoline. And the mist from the splash pad will cool you down on even the hottest days. The park is free to visit.
There are numerous restaurants within walking distance of the park. The best might be Lazy Dog, which has an awesome kids' menu.
Get information and directions here.
Shark Reef Aquarium
This attraction might not be as expansive as our own Living Planet Aquarium, but it still boasts thousands of animals, such as sharks, sawfish, jellyfish, crocodiles, rays, green sea turtles, piranhas, and a massive Komodo dragon. And the 1.3-million-gallon main tank is one of the nation's largest and is home to dozens of sharks.
Your tickets will also include the "Undersea Explorer" virtual reality experience, which is an absolute blast. Once you put on the headsets, you'll be able to take in 360-degree stereoscopic VR. The seats move in sync with the movie, making you feel as though you're on a real dive expedition.
Get ticket information and directions here.
Bacchanal Buffet
Many people consider this buffet, located in Caesar's Palace, to be the best in Vegas. Based on the quality and selection, I have to agree. One thing's for sure —boasting more than 25,000 square feet of space, it's the largest buffet in the city.
Bacchanal Buffet features a superb seafood section and cutting station. Plus, there are plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Even if your children aren't interested in the more exotic flavors, such as the Laotian, Filipino, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese dishes, there are delicious pizzas and pastas that will get them excited. And the dessert selection is downright incredible.
Get reservation information and directions here.
Mandalay Bay Beach
Ranked among the best pools in the nation by Tripadvisor, Mandalay Bay Beach is definitely a Vegas highlight. It covers 11 acres and features a 1.6-million-gallon wave pool, a Lazy River with waterfalls and multiple pools.
Only Mandalay Bay hotel guests are allowed in the pool area, but if you're staying in town overnight, it's well worth the cost of a room in order to get access. The massive wave pool is perfect for older kids, while the kiddie pool and lazy river are baby-friendly. Plus, there's high-quality sand covering much of the area. So you can just put down a blanket and let your kids play to their heart's content.
Get hotel information and directions here.
