Las Vegas makes a surprisingly great choice for a family vacation: you'll be amazed how many things you can do with your kids in the city. See our list of the 7 best family hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, and enjoy some great time time with your family.
Sin City may not seem the ideal pick for a kid-friendly vacation — but Las Vegas actually offers more family-oriented entertainment, with all its shows and attractions, than just about any other American city.
Of course, some Las Vegas resorts are a better choice than others, but with the highest number of hotel rooms of any city in the US (over 150 thousand!), you are sure to find the perfect one for your family.
Our hand-picked favorite family-friendly hotels in Las Vegas offer all the essential amenities for traveling with kids: great swimming pools, children entertainment facilities, rooms large enough to house all members of the family, tame party going clientele, and in some cases even day camps and other organized activities for kids.
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
One of Las Vegas’s most famous resorts is without a doubt The Venetian, with its unique small-scale reproduction of Venice, Italy, complete with canals and gondola rides. Luxury style meets comfort for a great family experience: kids will love the 3 rooftop pools, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and a variety of traveling shows. The convenience of this huge complex, which is paired with the neighboring Palazzo hotel, means you can get a fantastic Las Vegas family vacation without even leaving the resort, which offers more than 20 restaurants and dining choices. Roomy suites which sleep up to 5 people and the possibility of booking communicating rooms for larger groups round out the great features that make The Venetian a top pick for families.
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
Conveniently located on the Strip, the medieval-themed Excalibur Hotel is a fantastic budget option for a fun-filled stay in the heart of Vegas. The kitschy, over-the-top decor and entertainment are legendary, and kids love the whole themed dinner show complete with knights in shining armor, high-energy jousting and eating with your fingers! Add in an old-fashioned video arcade, midway, and great multi-pool area with water slide, and this castle in the heart of Las Vegas has everything to make this a memorable vacation with the kids.
Do keep in mind that this is a 3-star hotel, so don’t expect top luxury accommodation, but if you’re looking for an affordable stay in a great location and lots of fun for the kids, The Excalibur is a solid choice.
Circus Circus Las Vegas
The fun theme of this iconic hotel is unmistakable: from the Big Top-inspired architecture to the built-in amusement park and swimming pools, Circus Circus is one of the most family-oriented hotels in Las Vegas. Free circus shows are offered all day long, and one of the features that makes this a favorite of children and parents alike is the possibility for kids to run around without constant supervision, as the complex is a member of the Code Adam program — if you are interested in trying a bit of gambling while the kids blow off steam, this may be the ideal setting.
It is located on the northern end of the Strip, but still within easy walking distance of plenty of shopping and eating spots nearby; a free bus shuttle to downtown makes the rest of Las Vegas’s attractions just a quick ride away.
Tip for a quiet room: pick accommodation in one of the towers, rather than the Manor Lodge, which is often filled with noisy party goers. Top floors also get a great view of the city skyline.
Mandalay Bay
Even if you’ve never been to Las Vegas, you’ve probably seen pictures of the Mandalay Bay resort: it is often used as a setting for film and TV shoots, such as CSI and Ocean’s Thirteen.
Mandalay Bay is no ordinary hotel: this luxury resort is one of the most family-friendly hotels in Las Vegas, with generously sized rooms and an array of attractions that have made it world-famous.
Your kids will absolutely love the Shark Reef Aquarium, where you can see not only sharks but also sea turtles, piranha, golden crocodiles, moon jellyfish, a sawfish and giant rays. But what will make your vacation truly memorable is Mandalay Bay Beach, the impressive pool area that includes a huge wave pool, relaxing lazy river, and a real sandy beach area. It’s been rated as one of the very best pools in the U.S., so don’t be surprised if your family spends most of their time here.
MGM Grand
One of Las Vegas’s oldest and most iconic properties, the MGM Grand is downright massive, offering such a dizzying array of attractions that there is definitely something for everybody. The pool complex is one of the largest in town, including 4 outdoor pools, 3 whirlpools and a lazy river with waterfalls and tunnels. The variety of shows hosted by the MGM Grand, both long-running and traveling, make it easy to find entertainment that the whole family will enjoy.
Dining options range from high-end eateries to a food court for quick bites, while the Rainforest Cafe features jungle-themed decor, artificial rain showers (don’t worry, they’re more of a light sprinkle!) and animatronic gorillas. Children of all ages will also love to visit a number of kid-friendly stores, such as M&Ms World, Everything Coca-Cola, AKA Sports and CBS Television City.
Stratosphere
If your family includes some serious thrill-seekers, then look no further than the Stratosphere. Its landmark tower offers a one-of-a-kind panoramic view of Las Vegas; a revolving restaurant 800 feet above the ground is sure to make your dinner experience truly unforgettable.
Thrill rides include the SkyJump, a harnessed “controlled free fall” from level 108 of the tower, and 3 seated rides that spin, tilt and whiz you around, all suspended over the city at dizzying heights. The Stratosphere also features a midway, with a 1958 Ferris Wheel, kids’ rides, virtual bowling and classic skill-based midway games.
Of course, no Las Vegas family hotel is complete without a dip in the pool, and this hotel features 2: one on level 8, with an ample deck great for lounging while the kids splash around, and one on level 25, perfect for enjoying the daily Sunset Happy Hour.
South Point Hotel
For those looking for a quieter, suburban setting, try the South Point Hotel, a few miles past the southern end of the Strip. This resort offers a great Las Vegas family experience, slightly out of the lights and bustle of downtown, yet offers an exciting range of entertainment options for everyone! The South Point Hotel complex includes a 16 screen movie theater, 64 lane bowling alley, arcade, and of course great kid-friendly swimming pools for fun in the sun.
Rooms are spacious, with the 2 bedroom junior suites a consistent guest favorite: kids can have their own room to sleep in, while parents can stay up and unwind in the living room. Overall, a great compromise between Las Vegas-style fun and relaxing vacation with the family.
If you’ve never thought about Las Vegas as a family friendly vacation city, think again: with a huge choice of entertainment for all ages, this classic USA destination is so much more than casinos and shows. Truly fun for the whole family!
Top tips for enjoying Las Vegas with kids
The best times for traveling to Las Vegas with your family are spring and fall: attractions are less crowded and the weather is great. Try to avoid holidays and big convention events, when crowds flock into town and prices skyrocket.
If you do visit during the summer months, make sure to drink lots of water, minimize long outdoor walks, and make time for plenty of pool activities — don’t forget, Las Vegas is in the Mojave desert!
A great location for your family hotel in Las Vegas is right on the Strip, the city’s busy main road and entertainment hub, so you’ll never be far from countless attractions as well as great food choices. Resorts outside of the Strip may be quieter and offer better room rates for multiple-bedroom suites, so make sure to pick a hotel that matches your style.
