Las Vegas, Nevada, has long been known for its adult entertainment such as the casinos, resorts, shows and nightlife. However, Las Vegas has a wide range of activities and attractions that can be enjoyed by the entire family as well. From outdoor recreational opportunities to cultural attractions, families visiting Las Vegas will find that the city has more to offer than the Las Vegas Strip and lives up to its nickname as "The Entertainment Capital of the World."
Cave Tours
Awe at the views of more than 300 rare shield formations including stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and flowstone in Lehman Caves. Take a guided tour of the marble caves and learn about its history, ecology and geology. The Lodge Room Tour is an hour long and travels 0.4 miles, and the Grand Palace Tour is 90 minutes long and travels 0.6 miles. A special, one-hour Candlelight Tour is offered during the summer, which covers a half mile of cave trail by candlelight.
Zoo and Aquarium
Visit the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay and marvel at the more than 2,000 animals including sharks, giant rays, sea turtles, sawfish, piranha, moon jellies and golden crocodiles in 1.6 million gallons of water.
See more than 150 exotic and native wildlife such as chimpanzee, wallabies and ostriches and botanical displays such as cycads and rare bamboos in the 3-acre, Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park. The park, also known as the Las Vegas Zoo, offers desert eco-tours and has an educational facility where you can learn about rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
Bowling
You'll find many bowling alleys in Las Vegas, some of which, such as Gold Coast Bowling Center and Orleans Bowling Center, are open 24 hours. Play in one of 72 Brunswick Pro Anvil lanes in Red Rock Lanes at Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, which also has lightweight bowling balls and handicap bowling ramps. Other places where the family can bowl are South Point Bowling Center, Strike Zone at Sunset Station and Suncoast Bowling Center.
Cultural Activities
Visit Spring Preserve and experience indoor and outdoor entertainment for all ages. View more than 300 interactive exhibits that tell the story of Las Vegas' past, present and future; watch a concert in the amphitheater; and see live dessert animals such as foxes, snakes and lizards. Spring Preserve also has an 8-acre botanical garden, 1.6 miles of walking trails and a children's play area.
At the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, view exhibits in the art gallery, participate in the Children's Summer Concert Series, or take classes cultural arts classes, which is offered to children and adults. The entire family can also attend concerts and live theater productions.
Horseback Rides
Horseback ride on trails in 197,000-acre, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Take a tour on horseback and enjoy a barbecue dinner after the ride with Cowboy Trail Rides, which has a ranch in the conservation area. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, you can horseback ride with a guide through the desert where you can also enjoy a picnic, biking and hiking. It's free to enter the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and it's open daily.
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