When you think of a family vacation, Las Vegas may not be the first place that pops into your head. But it’s not all gambling, casinos, drinking, five-star dining, and lavish performances. Las Vegas might have The Hangover vibes for adults only, but there are plenty of family-friendly events and extracurriculars to do at all times of the day and evening if you know what to look for.
With its beautifully sunny and warm weather that lasts almost all year long, a trip to Vegas can always be on the books. If you have kids, there are countless things to do in Vegas with teens that parents will approve of. Here are just a few activities that will capture your teen’s interest that the entire family will think is cool.
For the teen who wants entertainment
The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum’s outdoor exhibit, the Neon Boneyard, is a must-see spot for teens to walk through a bit of Las Vegas history. With over 40 non-operational signs that once hung around the city, the whole family can learn about the artistic and historical importance and preservation of these treasures that date back to the 1930s.
Madame Tussauds
If your children have a favorite celebrity, take them to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Wax Museum to let them snap a picture with all of the stars. It will be a fun experience for everyone because you know your teens will be brutally honest if they think the wax version of their favorite actor looks good or not.
The Museum of Selfies
What teen would say no to visiting the Museum of Selfies? Located in the heart of the Strip, let your teen take as many selfies as they want in this family-friendly interactive museum. Even if your child doesn’t have social media, the unique exhibits will bring out the adventurous side of the whole family, plus you will be left with the most photographic memories of the trip.
Blue Man Group
Teens of every range will have a blast watching the Blue Man Group. A Blue Man Group show is nonstop fun and excitement that will captivate your teen the entire time. And who knows, maybe your teen will get picked to participate in the show. If you get tickets in the front splash zone, know you will walk out with a souvenir of paint and possibly other materials all over you.
For the outdoor-loving teen
Grand Canyon
Your outdoorsy teen can’t go near Las Vegas and not see the absolutely entrancing views of the Grand Canyon. A chance to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World shouldn’t be passed up. Between the history, the landscape, the cultural significance, and the multitude of activities to do at Grand Canyon National Park, your trip to Vegas has to have a day to spend there.
Red Rock Canyon
If your teen loves stunning desert scenery, you must take them to Red Rock Canyon for 13 miles of gorgeous, vibrant, and unique sights. There are plenty of places to stop and take hikes to get close to the breathtaking colors and striking rock formations, but you could also have a picnic or go horseback riding. Whatever your teen is into when it comes to nature, Red Rock Canyon has it.
Hoover Dam
You can’t go near Las Vegas and not visit the Hoover Dam. The hydroelectric power plant and concrete arch-gravity dam that separates Arizona and Nevada might give your teen a glimpse into how much larger the world is than themselves. It doesn’t matter if your teen doesn’t quite understand the engineering behind the dam; it is still quite a breathtaking sight to see that shouldn’t be missed.
Good, clean, touristy fun for teens
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
In place since 1959, your teens have to take an obligatory picture in front of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign to remember the trip. The 25-foot iconic sign gets busy during the day, so try to get your picture as early as possible before you head to your other attractions.
Fountains at Bellagio
From Ocean’s Eleven to Jason Bourne, the Fountains at Bellagio is an iconic spot in and out of the movies. Your teens will get a kick out of watching over 1,000 fountains dance to music during its nightly show on the Vegas Strip. And with how much everything else costs to get in and see, this free show should be at the top of your list of things to do.
Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
If your kids want to see the entire Las Vegas Strip in one swoop, take them up to the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck. A 460-foot high, half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this attraction will let your teen take it all in, see the skyline from a unique angle, and maybe get a few cool photos to show their friends.
It’s not just Sin City. Las Vegas is so much more than its adult entertainment side, with plenty of teen and family-friendly spots that shouldn’t be missed. When the teens are happy and entertained, the vacation can’t be anything less than amazing. Give Las Vegas a new meaning when you take on all the things to do in Vegas with teens and see how many activities your kids get into.
