If you have never visited Las Vegas, Nevada, you may be wondering where you should stay, what shows you should see and what else there is to do besides visit casinos and see shows. You may also want information on accommodations and entertainment that are more suited to families or to people who prefer a tame environment.
On Las Vegas Boulevard, or the Strip as it's more commonly knonw, there are numerous hotels that are considered family-friendly but also provide entertainment and reasonably priced accommodations for adults. These include the MGM Grand, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, and Mandalay Bay.
The MGM Grand has eliminated some of its more child-oriented amenities. It no longer has an amusement park, and it has deviated from its original theme, which was based on The Wizard of Oz. However, Circus Circus has an amusement park and other child-friendly activities, and Mandalay Bay's pool area is also geared toward families.
You may prefer to stay off the Strip, while at the same time remaining close enough to take advantage of all that Las Vegas has to offer. If that is the case, you can choose from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino or the Atrium Suites, both of which are located one mile off the Strip, or the Embassy Suites, located 1.5 miles from the Strip.
No visit is complete without taking in a Las Vegas show. A sample of the shows include the Blue Man Group, Penn and Teller, and The Lion King. The production of the latter is based on the Disney movie.
Blue Man Group and The Lion King are family-friendly. If you are not familiar with Penn and Teller, you might want to check first to determine if you consider their show appropriate for children.
If you find yourself wishing for something to do besides gamble and see the shows, there are other attractions available. One of them is the Las Vegas Zoo, just a few miles away from the Strip. It is a very interactive zoo, encouraging kids to buy bird seed and pygmy goat food. It is also the only place in the United States where you can see a family of Barbary apes
Another attraction, located at the MGM Grand Casino and Hotel, is the Lion Habitat. Live lions are on display during the day.
