Sin City doesn't exactly scream "we love kids," and families looking for a great vacation will likely set their sights on someplace less risque. But believe it or not, Vegas isn't always meant for adults, and the Strip features a number of attractions that kids will love. Many of them are quite inexpensive--even free--which serves as a further attraction for large families on a budget. If you find yourself in Las Vegas with the little ones, take the time to seek out the kid friendly side of town.
Las Vegas is the home of Siegfried and Roy's famous white tigers, which you can see on exhibit at the Mirage casino. Other big cats are on display at the MGM Grand hotel, which has a lion habitat on its grounds. Both of them are free--it's a way of enticing visitors into the casino, and there's nothing that says you can't take a look without playing the slots. If you're willing to spend a little more money, head for the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay casino. It holds a large variety of exotic fish, as well as similar marine animals such as sea turtles and golden crocodiles.
Vegas casinos boast a number of attractions that have more in common with amusement park rides than gambling halls. The most prominent is the Manhattan Express roller coaster at New York, New York casino, which also contains video games and other kid-friendly arcade games. You can find an even larger indoor theme park in Circus Circus called Adventuredome, which features both fast roller coasters and more family-friendly rides such as carousels and Ferris wheels. Circus Circus has arcade games, too, as well as free performances from clowns, trapeze artists and similarly themed entertainers.
You may not think your kids could get an education in Las Vegas, but a number of good museums can be found both in the city and just outside its limits. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area--about 10 miles from the Strip--features a free look at gorgeous geological formations. Over at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, the Barrick Museum covers Native American and pre-Columbian art, with exhibits from dozens of different cultures. If you have a baseball fan among your brood, Vegas' Sports Hall of Fame features signed paraphernalia from a number of historic greats. All three museums offer free admission.
