If you’re visiting Las Vegas with your family, despite being known for its wide variety of adult entertainment, there are a lot of things to do for the entire family and I’m not just talking about staying on the famous Las Vegas strip. It is also one of the luckiest places in the world, so you might want to put in a ticket in some big lottery like the EuroMillions because it might just get you places. Depending on your tastes, there are dozens of great attractions for a family friendly vacation in Las Vegas, whether you want to see a show, visit a museum or the great outdoors.

1. VISIT THE SPRINGS PRESERVE

The Springs Preserve is located just a few miles from the Las Vegas strip. Named Las Vegas “Best Family Attraction” by the Las Vegas Review Journal, The Preserve features museums, live shows, galleries and interactive exhibits. Outdoors there are botanical gardens and a nice walking trail system through the wetland habitat. The Preserve hosts special events, festivals and outdoor concerts throughout the year as well with special classes on the weekends for children.  There is a Wolfgang Puck cafe on the grounds and a gift shop. For a complete list of activities, visit springspreserve.org.

2. THE ADVENTUREDOME

The Adventuredome is located on the Circus Circus property on the Las Vegas strip. Featuring 25 thrilling rides including a huge video arcade, 18 holes of minature golf, bungee jumping, rock wall and three 4D FX theatre featuring the latest family friendly 4D features.  Voted the “Best of Las Vegas” in 2010 in the Las Vegas Review Journal, the park has rides for all age groups and free clown shows several times a day. It is the only indoor theme park in Southern Nevada and is open year round.

3. RED ROCK CANYON

If you are an outdoor enthusiast or just appreciate the natural beauty of the great outdoors, Red Rock Canyon is a must see.  Located just a few miles outside of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area is home to a variety of local fauna and wildlife including wild burros and the endangered desert tortoise. There are scheduled hikes for ages 12 and up and campsites are available. Ideal times to visit Red Rock are the months of late September through early November, and in the spring months of late March through May.

4. BONNIE SPRINGS RANCH

Bonnie Springs is actually located in Red Rock Canyon, just ten minutes west of Las Vegas. The ranch was originally built in 1843 as a stopover for wagon trains going to California. In 1952 it became a tourist attraction with a fine dinner house, zoo, motel and pony rides for the grandchildren. There is a live outlaw show Wednesday through Sunday and a guided horseback ride all week long. There is live entertainment every Saturday night in the ranch restaurant.  Bonnie Springs is a great place to spend a night away from the city for an old west experience.

5. LIED CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM

Located on Las Vegas Boulevard, the museum is one of the largest children’s museums in the world with over 100 hands on exhibits.  In addition, the museum also hosts a variety of traveling exhibitions throughout the year.  There are several daily and featured scheduled programs throughout the day for kids of all ages. Winner of numerous awards, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday during most of the year and open on Mondays during the summer. For more information and program schedules, contact ldcm.org.

6. SHARK REEF AT MANDALAY BAY

The shark reef aquarium located in the Mandalay Bay offers an underwater view of some of the sea’s most exotic creatures. The 1.6-million-gallon aquarium is home to all kinds of sharks, giant rays, jellies, sea turtles and schools of fish. For the stout of heart, dive certified Mandalay Bay and annual pass guests have the opportunity to dive in the 22-foot-deep Shipwreck Exhibit, surrounded by sharks, rays and other denizens of the deep!  The package includes a video of the dive and a guided tour of the aquarium.

7. TOURNAMENT OF KINGS

This show at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino is open for all ages. There are two options, a three course dinner show (you eat with your fingers!) with children under four free or dinnerless admission. The show features jousting knights, fireworks, medieval melee battles and dancing. The early show is a 6 pm every night but Tuesday. Excalibur also has a large midway downstairs with a variety of games and several motion movie theater rides.

8. PINBALL HALL OF FAME MUSEUM

This is one museum you won’t have to drag your teenage boys to. Since its opening in 2006, the Pinball Hall of Fame houses the world’s largest collection of original, lovingly restored pinball machines. Games range in age from the 1950s up to the 1990s, with a few arcade games from the past.  There are also some rare pinball machines as well, like The Lord of the Rings machine (only 500 were ever produced, and there are two at the museum). A great place to spend time with the family playing pinball. All of the machines in the Hall of Fame are playable with the proceeds going to the local chapter of the Salvation Army.

9. SIEGFRIED & ROYS SECRET GARDEN AND DOLPHIN HABITAT

Located at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, the garden exhibit features some of the rarest wild cats in the world, including snow leopards, black panthers, white lions and white tigers.  The 2.5-million-gallon dolphin habitat is home to several Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. Guided tours are available. For those 13 and up, there is a Trainer for a Day package available that allows you to work with the dolphin care specialists. You’ll get to help train, play and get in the water with them for an unforgettable vacation experience.

10.  SHOWCASE MALL

Conveniently located on the Las Vegas strip, the Showcase Mall is home to M & M World, the Coca Cola Factory and GameWorks.  M & M World offers tons of chocolate themed fun with various M & M themed merchandise. There is a free 3D featurette, “I Lost My M in Las Vegas” that plays on the third floor. The World of Coca Cola is a working factory, producing coke in 10 oz bottles. The shop features the history of the beverage and thousands of Coke themed items. GameWorks is located in the basement of the mall. Developers Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks, Universal Studios and Sega teamed up to create some unique multisensory games based on Star Wars and Jurassic Park.  There is also Virtual Bowling and classic pinball and video arcade games.

Going on vacation is something to look forward to but packing for it isn’t.  The constant balance of what you need versus what you are allowed is something we all struggle with.  Key to this is having the right suitcase – but how do you choose from the many available to ensure you get the right ones?

Suitcase size

The biggest problem any traveler encounters is the size and weight of their suitcase.  Get it wrong and it can cost you quite a serious amount of money!  Your airline should provide clear information about how much luggage you can take and what the weight should be to avoid those extra charges.

Unfortunately, there are no standard measurements as to what counts as a medium or large suitcase.  Then carry-on luggage is a separate area, again with its own measurements from each airline.  Make sure you have all this information before you buy and choose from a website that provides plenty of information about the dimensions of the case.

Suitcase basics

If you visit a site such as Lyst, you can see a huge range of different styles of suitcase as well as hand luggage.  It is usually best to look at suitcases with wheels on for the bulk of your stuff and there are two options here – two wheels or four wheels.

Two-wheel cases are normally known as upright suitcases and have two larger wheels.  Four-wheel styles are often called spinners and use four smaller wheels.  Spinners are easier to maneuver around the airport on smooth floors while upright cases are tougher to handle that uneven ground and bouncing up and down the kerb.  So if you are planning on getting a taxi straight to the airport, a spinner will work well.  But if you are going on public transport, an upright case is tougher.

Hard or soft case?

The material of the case is another consideration and there are both hard and soft styles available.  Hard-sided luggage offers greater protection for items inside like your vaping kit and is often more water resistant.  They are heavier than soft-sided, although there are many lightweight options available.  The glossy finish can be prone to scratching and they don’t have an expandable facility.

Soft-sided luggage is more flexible and easy to store, often with expandable capacity.  They are lightweight and can be less expensive than hard sided styles.  They do offer less protection from items inside and the fabrics may not be water resistant.

Is a handle important?

Trolley handles can be either adjustable or a fixed height.  If you opt for one that is adjustable, then you can make sure that the handle is at the height that is most comfortable for you.  The only downside with adjustable handles is that they often take up room inside the case when they are folded down – so you need to consider what’s more important: the space or the convenience.

Most handles are made from plastic and some will be padded or have an ergonomic shape to them that makes them more comfortable to use.

Yearning to eat your way through Las Vegas but looking to avoid the hefty price tag that comes with a prime casino location?  The off-strip dining scene in Vegas is thriving!  These restaurants, favored by the locals who know fine food and wine, are among the best in the country.

Piero’s

If you are looking for a classic, old-school, Las Vegas dining experience, Piero’s is the place to go.  Located just a short trip away from the strip, this retro style Vegas mainstay is a favorite of celebrities, casino head honchos, and locals alike.  Scenes from the movie Casino were even filmed here.  The menu of traditional Italian favorites has stayed the same since the restaurant opened over 30 years ago, and the wine list is one of the best in Vegas.

Raku

Tucked away in a strip mall in Las Vegas’ Chinatown, Raku is a favorite of the city’s chefs.  The restaurant is small and the atmosphere is nothing special, but the food is the real star here.  Raku means enjoyment, and this restaurant’s goal is for you to enjoy their authentic Japanese food.   Try the homemade tofu, foie gras, or Kobe beef skewers.  After dinner stroll a few doors down to Raku’s sister restaurant, Sweet Raku, where you can sit at the dessert bar and watch the preparation of some delicious, creative concoctions.

Lotus of Siam

Once a hidden gem, Lotus of Siam is now known for serving the best Thai food in America.  The kitchen, headed by James Beard Foundation Award Winner Chef Saipin, serves up authentic Thai cuisine for both lunch and dinner.   Diners can order their dishes on a heat scale rated from 0 (mild) to 10 (Thai hot).  Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner, or diners may choose to enjoy appetizers and cocktails at the bar.  A new location opening on Flamingo Road this November may make coveted dinner reservations easier to come by.

Other Mama

Though it is tucked away in a non-descript strip mall, Other Mama is the restaurant locals seek out when they are craving premium seafood.  Known for their oysters, sashimi, and ceviche, the raw bar is the centerpiece of the 45-seat restaurant.  In addition to the freshest seafood, visitors should try one of the many craft beers or cocktails prepared by the certified mixologists at the bar.

Andiron Steak and Sea

Called the best brunch in Vegas, Andiron Steak and Sea’s plentiful brunch menu features an extremely affordable menu of bottomless bubbles and a build-your-own Bloody Mary Bar.  If that doesn’t make your mouth water, than the plate of donuts served to start sure will.  The a la carte menu features unique dishes, many prepared in the restaurant’s wood burning grill.  The restaurant is also family friendly, with a complimentary all you can eat candy bar for children 10 and under.

So on your next trip to Vegas, eat like a local.  Take a cab away from the neon lights and try a one of the best spots off the strip.

Looking for posh accommodations without the Vegas-strip price? Check out Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino for vacation specials.