Las Vegas With The Kids

Description:

Circus Circus has been a family-friendly Las Vegas hotel for decades. Its giant circus tent houses a casino, live circus acts, and a carnival midway. Located on the northern part of the Strip, the Circus Circus also has an RV Park and a small amusement park, Adventuredome.

Many of the rooms have been updated, although the accommodations are still basic and budget-priced. A resort fee covers internet access and other incidentals. The RV park has over 300 hookups and includes a convenience store, arcade, a dog park (the RV park is dog-friendly) and playground. They also rent trailers, in case you don't have your own.

The property has a good selection of restaurants, including a buffet and fast food. Two pools are available for guests in the hotel, and one pool is located at the RV Park. The carnival midway in the hotel and Adventuredome are good for smaller kids, but you'll want to go looking for bigger rides for teens. (Fortunately, the Stratosphere, with its thrill rides at the top, is a short drive away.)

Families who want to sight-see along the Strip will need a car if they're staying at the Circus Circus. The hotel casino is family-friendly, but is too far from many of the major hotels to make walking a good option.

Description:

The Excalibur looks like dragons and ladies should live there, and its castle design gives it a family-friendly feeling. Aside from the brightly colored towers and the medieval touches, it has moderately priced rooms, a variety of dining options, and a location on the south Strip. A tram connects it to the Luxor and Mandalay Bay, and kid-friendly activities like roller coasters, malls, and animal exhibits are nearby.

A portion of the standard rooms have been remodeled, adding plasma screen televisions and pillow-top beds. Accommodations are fairly basic in all rooms, remodeled or not, with two queens or one king. Suites are also available. A resort fee covers high-speed Internet access, fitness center access, phone calls, and other miscellaneous incidentals.

The lower level of the hotel has a medieval midway carnival, motion rides, and the "Tournament of Kings" arena, where knights joust every evening and dinner is served with no silverware. The pool area includes cabanas and a café.

The Excalibur is close to several family-friendly activities, like the roller coaster at New York-New York, the lion exhibit at MGM Grand, and the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Other attractions in the area include Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit; Bodies: The Exhibition; and CSI: The Experience.

Description:

Tropical lagoons, sandy beaches and island landscaping await at this premier vacation spot. The standard guest rooms are tastefully decorated and spacious. You will enjoy a large bath with imported stone accents and a soaking tub. The 135,000 square-foot casino is lush with foliage and flowing water. Dining choices include the Border Grill, Rock Lobster, Aureole, Fleur de Lys and Trattoria del Lupo, a Wolfgang Puck experience. Rumjungle provides an exciting and unique night on the town. The Moorea Beach Club located in the premises is open only to guests and offers lots of amenities.

Description:

The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is an attraction that appeals to adults and kids. Tucked away in the back of Mandalay Bay by their conference rooms, the Shark Reef is a small exhibit, but stocked with a very unusual combination of creatures.

The jungle-ish feeling of the Shark Reef is enhanced by mist and faux stone artifacts, which go well with the giant reptiles and crocodiles. You'll see piranhas, eels, and jelly fish, and the baby sting ray display gives you the chance to touch the animals. 

The star attraction is the shark tank, but you'll see more than sharks here. This is where a ship wreck and a submarine meet. Large windows into the aquarium are all around, and you'll see more than one type of shark swimming past. Giant sea turtles are also drifting around in there, and the best way to see everything is to stop and take a while to watch what's swimming above and below you. Don't be afraid to wander back into the galleries before; it does feel like the ride comes to an end too soon, so to speak, so you can go back and take a second look.

The wands that are offered are worth the time it takes to stop and listen to each presentation. You'll learn more than you expected--and in Las Vegas, no less. The Shark Reef is an accredited aquarium, the only one in Nevada, and it's also the only predator-based aquarium in North America.

Description:

Las Vegas poses some challenges for families--namely, what to do with the kids. The Adventuredome at Circus-Circus is the Strip's only remaining theme park, and while it might not have the size or technology of larger theme parks like those in Southern California or Orlando, it's a good place to spend an afternoon with the kids. One of its best features is that it is indoors, a major bonus during the summer. You'll find rollercoasters (including the world's largest indoor, double-loop rollercoaster), laser tag, and miniature golf, all in a small indoor theme park that has the same circus midway feeling reflected in the rest of the property. If you're looking for upscale, top-of-the-line, brand-new rides, you may be disappointed--Circus Circus is known as a budget destination almost as much as a family destination. Circus Circus and Adventuredome are on the northern part of the Strip, closer to downtown and the grittier side of Las Vegas, which may turn some visitors off. But if you're hoping to find a reasonably-priced, G-rated place away from the slot machines and poker tables, Adventuredome has five acres of family-appropriate entertainment. Visitors can purchase all-day passes or buy tickets to individual rides for $4-$7 per ride. Signature rides include the Canyon Blaster, a 55 m.p.h. double-loop rollercoaster; Disk 'O, which spins riders in circles; Rim Runner, the requisite water ride; Chaos, a whirling, spinning ride that sends you in several different directions; and the Inverter, a ride that will flip you over and make you scream.

In October, the Adventuredome loses its family-friendly ambiance when it transforms into Fright Dome. Fog machines, haunted houses, and professional actors come together to turn the park into a place too scary for those under 12. Be prepared for crowds and lines; this attraction is also popular with the locals, especially teens.

Description:

This restaurant has won several "Top Steak House" awards over the years. It offers a cozy, inviting atmosphere and some of the best steaks in town. You can also choose from entrees such as grilled chicken, and other goodies like Black Bean Soup, Caesar salad and Fresh Mushrooms sauteed in a fresh butter, sherry and lemon concoction. Desserts include Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse Cake. It is located at the Circus Circus Hotel. The eatery is open for dinner all seven days of the week.

Description:

Hit this attraction at the right time, and it's one of the best freebies in town. It's a large, multilevel glass enclosure in which various lions frolic during various times of day. In addition to regular viewing spots, you can walk through a glass tunnel and get a worm's-eye view of the underside of a lion (provided one is in position); note how very big Kitty's paws are. Multiple lions share show duties (about 6 hr. on and then 2 days off at a ranch for some free-range activity, so they're never cooped up here for long). You could see any combo, from one giant male to a pack of five females who have grown from cub to adult size during their MGM time. Each comes with a trainer or three, who are there to keep the lions busy with play so they don't act like the big cats they are and sleep the entire time. But obviously, photo ops are more likely to occur as the more frisky younger set tussles, so what you observe definitely depends on who is in residence when you drop by. And, of course, actually seeing anything depends on how many other people think this is a two-star attraction; hordes of tourists are often pressed against the glass, preventing you, not to mention your kids, from doing the same.

Description:

This fun spot is located right in the heart of the MGM Grand entertainment center near Studio 54 and the Lion Habitat. It is a recreated jungle with waterfalls, families of elephants and gorillas, and plenty of excitement. Specializing in exotic jungle concoctions made with rum and other exotic liquors, the cafe also offers milkshakes, salads, pasta, pizza and burgers. Check out the 'Cha!Cha!s' Breakfast Carnival, where you will have the opportunity to watch magicians perform daily from 8a to 10:15a.

Description:

Siegfried & Roy's famous white tigers went from famous to infamous when one of them either did what tigers all do eventually and attacked his beloved owner/trainer, or -- depending on whether you buy the following story -- helped said beloved owner/trainer when the latter was having a medical emergency. Either way this saga is played, it explains why the Secret Garden attraction is still up; no matter what, the tiger is not to blame. We hope this attraction, a gorgeous area behind the dolphin exhibit, stays put for a long time. Here, white lions, Bengal tigers, an Asian elephant, a panther, and a snow leopard join the white tigers. (The culprit, Montecore, may sometimes be on exhibit.) It's really just a glorified zoo featuring only the big-ticket animals; however, it is a very pretty place, with plenty of foliage and some bits of Indian- and Asian-themed architecture. Zoo purists will be horrified at the smallish spaces the animals occupy, but all the animals are rotated between here and their more lavish digs at the illusionist team's home. What this does allow you to do is get safely very close up to a tiger, which is quite a thrill -- those paws are massive indeed. Visitors are given little portable phonelike objects on which they can play a series of programs, listening to Roy and former Mirage owner Steve Wynn discuss conservation or the attributes of each animal, and deliver anecdotes.

The Dolphin Habitat is more satisfying than the Secret Garden. It was designed to provide a healthy and nurturing environment and to educate the public about marine mammals and their role in the ecosystem. Specialists worldwide were consulted in creating the habitat, which was designed to serve as a model of a quality, human-made environment. The pool is more than eight times larger than government regulations require, and its 2.5 million gallons of human-made seawater are cycled and cleaned once every 2 hours. It must be working because the adult dolphins here are breeding regularly. The Mirage displays only dolphins already in captivity -- no dolphins are taken from the wild. You can watch the dolphins frolic both above and below ground through viewing windows, in three different pools. There is nothing quite like the kick you get from seeing a baby dolphin play. The knowledgeable staff, who surely have the best jobs in Vegas, will answer questions. If they aren't doing it already, ask them to play ball with the dolphins; they toss large beach balls into the pools, and the dolphins hit them out with their noses, leaping out of the water, cackling with dolphin glee. You catch the ball, getting nicely wet, and toss it back to them. If you have never played ball with a dolphin, shove that happy child next to you out of the way and go for it. There is also a video of a resident dolphin (Duchess) giving birth (to Squirt) underwater; her fourth calf (30 lb. and 3 ft. long) was born just before Mother's Day in 2003. You can stay as long as you like, which might just be hours.

Description:

California Pizza Kitchen situated in Mirage Hotel, offers unique hearth-baked pizza. The chef is open to experimenting and usually comes up with delicious innovations. The Pastas and salads available are just as mouth-watering as their Portobello Mushroom and Thai chicken pizzas. Soups are also served. For dessert, the Chocolate Banana Royale Cake is sumptuous treat.

Description:

The Stratosphere is America's tallest observation tower (1,149 feet) and one of the tallest structures west of the Mississippi River. At the very top, the daring get their adrenaline going on one of the thrill rides: The Big Shot, which shoots its riders into the air; the X-Scream, a teeter-totter that dangles you over the side; the Insanity, which spins you over a thousand feet of thin air; and the Sky Jump, where you can free-fall your way to the bottom.

You don't have to be a thrill seeker to visit the top of the Stratosphere. A rotating restaurant, the Top of the World Restaurant, takes advantage of the view to offer a memorable meal. You'll also find bars and lounges here.

Tickets to the top of the Stratosphere are $16. An indoor and outdoor observation deck are available. The Stratosphere's wedding chapel also offers services at the top.

Description:

Atop the 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower are three marvelous thrill rides. There used to be four, but they closed the roller coaster to make way for something even more stomach-churning. That's okay -- it was the least thrilling of the thrills. The Big Shot is a breathtaking free-fall ride that thrusts you 160 feet in the air along a 228-foot spire at the top of the tower, and then plummets back down again. Sitting in an open car, you seem to be dangling in space over Las Vegas. We have one relative, a thrill-ride enthusiast, who said he never felt more scared than when he rode the Big Shot. After surviving, he promptly put his kids on it; they loved it. Amping up the terror factor is X-Scream, a giant teeter-totter style device that propels you in an open car off the side of the 100-story tower and lets you dangle there weightlessly before returning you to relative safety. And now they have the aptly named Insanity, a spinning whirly-gig of a contraption that straps you into a seat and twirls you around 1,000 feet or so above terra firma. Insanity is right. Note: The rides are shut down in inclement weather and high winds.

Description:

Magic acts are a dime a dozen in Vegas of late. Along with impersonator acts, they seem to have largely replaced the topless showgirls of yore. Most magic shows seem more than a little influenced by the immeasurable success of Siegfried & Roy. So when someone pops up who is original -- not to mention charming and, yes, actually good at his job -- it comes as a relief. Handsome and folksy (he hails from Lexington, KY), Burton is talented and engaging, for the most part shunning the big-ticket special effects that seem to have swamped most other shows in town. Instead, he offers an extremely appealing production that starts small, with "close-up" magic. These lovely, precise tricks, he tells us, are what won him a number of prestigious magic competitions. They are truly extraordinary, we are told by other professional magicians. We swear that he tossed a bird up in the air, and the darn thing turned into confetti in front of our eyes. Really.

Burton doesn't have patter, per se, but his dry, laconic, low-key delivery is plenty amusing and contrasts nicely with other performers in town, who seem as if they have been spending way too much time at Starbucks. He does eventually move to bigger illusions, but his manner follows him -- he knows the stuff is good, but he also knows the entire thing is a bit silly, so why not have fun with it? His longtime support act is comedian/juggler Michael Goudeau, who is not only perhaps the only genuinely funny and talented support act on the Strip, but who also can juggle a beanbag chair, a chainsaw, and a peanut M&M all at once. His presence is just further proof of how right Burton's show is overall. All this and extremely comfortable movie theater-style plush seats with cup holders. Tuesday and Saturday at 7 and 10pm, Wednesday through Friday at 7pm.

Our Local Expert Says:

Spectacular desert scenery, hiking trails, biking, rock climbing, and a scenic drive.

Description:

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's towering cliffs look similar to the colorful rock formations in Nevada's Valley of Fire or Utah's Zion National Park, but while it's reminiscent of other areas, Red Rock stands by itself, a lone island of mountains and springs in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

West of Las Vegas, Red Rock sits off State Route 159 (follow Charleston Boulevard west and it will turn into SR159). Admission to Red Rock is $7 per vehicle, and includes admission to the new visitor's center, a map/newsletter.

The visitor's center integrates information, art, and the environment of Red Rock itself. Most of the displays are outside, which is fine for the vast majority of the year in Southern Nevada. Mojave Max, the center's desert tortoise mascot, lives here, along with a few of his friends. The hands-on displays explain the forces that created Red Rock: fire, wind, water, and earth. Keep your eyes open for the colorful birds flying in and out of the inside of the exhibit--the center of the displays is planted with native vegetation.

A one-way scenic drive takes visitors into Red Rock, and it has several places to stop for a hike or to take in a scenic vista; one area, adjacent to the Children's Discovery Trail, has a picnic area next to some springs. Water is plentiful here, so look for wildlife early in the morning and late in the day. You'll see lots of birds, but also look for burros and big horn sheep. Consult the map/newsletter to find a trail that fits your fitness and schedule. Short hikes, like the Children's Discovery Trail, can be completed in under an hour, while a trip to the top of Turtlehead Peak will take you half a day or more.

Winter is a great time to explore Red Rock. Temperatures are generally mild, but the mountains are covered in snow during the coldest months (dressing in layers is highly recommended). Spring and fall are short, but beautiful, with plenty of water from the snowmelt in the streams. Summer is usually far too hot for exploring Red Rock, although short hikes in the very early mornings are often doable. Remember to always bring plenty of water with you, no matter what the time of year, and sunscreen and lip balm are advisable. 

Hikers, bikers, and rock climbers flock to Red Rock. As you drive along the loop, look for the climbers dangling off the rocks of the Calico Hills, and always be on the lookout for bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadways.

This area was settled in the late 1800s, and you can find remnants of its prior history. At Sandstone Quarry, you can see where the blocks of sandstone were carved, and at Pine Creek, a short hike will take you to the foundation of an old homestead. Agave roasting pits and petroglyphs are evidence of far earlier inhabitation.

Description:

An outpost of the much-beloved Austin barbeque spot, this looks both not at all like the Driftwood original and yet related in a double-first-cousin kind of way, with the same heavy pine wood tables and more importantly, the same heavenly smell. Many believe Salt Lick serves the platonic ideal of barbeque. That's not the case here. The meat is smoky, and the dry rub has its kick, but the results aren't as tender or as memorably flavorful. The sausage and ribs are better than the brisket, which is sublime back in Texas. Still, the all-you-can-eat plate is a good deal, and you can do takeout either on your way to a picnic in Red Rock Canyon or to munch back in your hotel after a long day of hiking.

~2010: This restaurant is closed~

Description:

From the colorful Mexican tiles to the bold chrome and Mexican music, this is a very authentic and trendy eatery. The tacos range from the traditional beef to the more exotic grilled mushroom tacos. Gorditas, Tostadas, Quesadillas, Platos and Tamales are all cooked to perfection, with a slightly southwestern flair. For dessert, try the Sweet Potato Flan or Margarita Mousse with tequila strawberries. Full bar service is available. Located inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel.

Description:

At the Excalibur Hotel, it is army against army and knight against dragon in this dinner performance straight from King Arthur himself. Enjoy a wonderful three-course dinner as you cheer on your jousting knight. It is an exciting evening that includes pyrotechnics, unparalleled horsemanship and amazing special effects. Bar drinks are available for an extra charge. Tickets are available by phone up to six days in advance.

Description:

Kids and adults alike love the party atmosphere of the Blue Man Group, playing at the Venetian on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip! Combining music, comedy and multimedia theatrics, the Blue Man Group is a totally unique form of family-friendly entertainment.

The Blue Man Group are best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts. Stunningly visual, hysterically funny, wildly inventive and interactive, the Blue Man Group will keep the whole family entertained. Currently, their live stage shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Oberhausen, and the newest addition in Orlando.

One of the great things about seeing the Blue Man Group is their all-ages appeal. Kids love the lights, color and spectacle, while adults enjoy the humor and social commentary. While the spectacular show appeals to a wide audience, it is not recommended for children under five years of age.

Please refer to the VIEW MAP link below for the theater layout and references to the RED and BLUE seating zones.

Description:

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve rests on the site of the original desert spring that the city was founded on and which dried up in 1962. The 180-acre preserve has both historical and educational significance, reminding people that the area was once abundant with water and nature. The preserve's gardens include more than 400 species of plant life, plenty of trails, art displays and educational exhibits such as the Origen Experience and the Desert Living Center.

Description:

It's too easy to say "you've seen the movie, now see the exhibit." But that is sort of the case; if you were captivated by the Oscar-winning epic, you will definitely want to take in this exhibit on the unsinkable luxury liner that sank on its maiden voyage. While it's a can't-miss for buffs, it might still be of some interest for those with only marginal feelings about the massive 1912 disaster. It's a strangely somber subject for Vegas, but what can you do? It features displays explaining the ship's ill-fated maiden voyage; relics salvaged from the sunken liner; and even recreations of sample cabins from first, second, and third class, including atmospheric conditions, giving you a sense of how it felt to travel aboard what was an incredible vessel. There is even a large chunk of real ice standing in for the culprit berg. It's tastefully done, except for the proposed adjoining bar wherein patrons will be lifted into the establishments via lifeboat. Let's hope that one doesn't come to pass.

Description:

The New York-New York Las Vegas has wonderfully imitated the city of New York and its attractions. And the Manhattan Express Roller Coaster takes you for a joyride past the replicas of the Big Apple; Empire State Building, Chrysler Building to name a few. Speeding upto 67 miles per hour, the ride specialises in a 203-foot drop. The hotel also offers packages, which include, unlimited rides, souvenir T-shirts, food and drinks, and clown dolls. As for the experience - absolutely dizzying!

Description:

CLOSED MAY 2011

Auto racing is the fastest-growing spectator sport in America, so it's no surprise that these two attractions at the Sahara are a popular stop. The first is an 8-minute virtual-reality ride, Cyber Speedway, featuring a three-quarter-size replica of a NASCAR race car. Hop aboard for an animated, simulated ride -- either the Las Vegas Motor Speedway or a race around the streets of Las Vegas (start with the Strip, with all the hotels flashing by, and then through the Forum Shops -- whoops! There goes Versace! -- and so forth). Press the gas and you lean back and feel the rush of speed; hit a bump and you go flying. Should your car get in a crash, off you go to a pit stop. At the end, a computer-generated report tells you your average speed, how many laps you made, and how you did racing against the others next to you. It's a pretty remarkable experience.

Speed junkies and race-car buffs will be in heaven here, though those with tender stomachs should consider shopping at the well-stocked theme gift shop instead.

SPEED: The Ride is a roller coaster that blasts riders out through a hole in the wall by the NASCAR Cafe, then through a loop, under the sidewalk, through the hotel's marquee, and finally straight up a 250-foot tower. At the peak, you feel a moment of weightlessness, and then you do the entire thing backward! Not for the faint of heart.

Description:

For our money, here's the best Mexican food in town. This big, cheerful space (like a Romper Room for adults) houses a branch of the much-lauded L.A. restaurant, conceived and run by the Food Network's "Two Hot Tamales," Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. This is truly authentic Mexican home cooking -- the Tamales learned their craft from the real McCoy south of the border -- but with a nuevo twist. So don't expect precisely the same dishes you'd encounter in your favorite corner joint, but do expect fresh and fabulous food, sitting as brightly on the plates as the decor on the walls. Stay away from the occasionally bland fish and head right toward rich and cheesy dishes such as chiles rellenos (with perfect black beans) and chicken chilaquiles (a sister to the taco), or try new items such as mushroom empanadas. Don't miss the dense but fluffy Mexican chocolate-cream pie (with a meringue crust).

In Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S. tel. 702/632-7403. www.bordergrill.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses lunch $15-$24, dinner $21-34. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-11pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-10pm.