The bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip can be spotted from miles away and attract millions of visitors each year. While the strip is the main draw, there are plenty of awesome family-friendly things to do off the Las Vegas strip! My husband is from Las Vegas so we visit often and have put together a list of our favorite things to do off the Las Vegas Strip with kids.
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13 Fun Things to Do Off the Las Vegas Strip (With Kids!)
Table of Contents
- Visit the Neon Museum
- Operate Machinery at Dig This Las Vegas
- Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
- Pinball Hall of Fame
- Sunset Rail Bike Tour
- Mountain’s Edge Exploration Park
- Downtown Container Park
- Seven Magic Mountains
- Take a Free Tour of the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory
- Las Vegas Chinatown
- Red Rock Canyon
- Discovery Children’s Museum
- Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
- Best Place to Stay Off the Las Vegas Strip
Visit the Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is such a unique family-friendly place to visit in Las Vegas.
It is a boneyard for retired neon signs from casinos and businesses in Las Vegas.
We loved taking a guided tour to learn the history and interesting stories about where each sign came from.
One of the more notable signs is The Stardust. The Stardust Hotel & Casino was built during the era of nuclear atomic testing tourism. They used to do testing above ground in the desert and it was popular to hold atomic testing watch parties.
When The Stardust was built, this sign was put on massive pylons and it was the tallest neon sign in the world. The glow could be seen for 3 miles!
Betty Willis is the neon sign artist who created the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. She also designed this Moulin Rouge sign and modeled it after her own handwriting.
The Chief Hotel Court opened in 1939 and its sign is the oldest working sign in the boneyard.
This sign was from the Steiner Dry Cleaners where Liberaci (the highest-paid entertainer in the world at one time) was a regular customer.
He performed with a cape that had 4,000 rhinestones and each one had to be removed before being dry cleaned and then sewn back on. At least he tipped well and sent lots of customers their way!
This genie lamp is from the old Aladdin Hotel & Casino where Elvis Presley and Priscilla were married. The hotel has now become Planet Hollywood, but the iconic lamp can still be seen here.
It really is a fascinating tour and it’s so cool to see the signs up close. Just be sure to make reservations in advance as tickets often sell out.
They have tours during the day, but the lights are only turned on for the evening and night tours. I would recommend going right before sunset.
The guided tour is about 45 minutes long and DSLR cameras are not allowed, only cell phones.
Operate Machinery at Dig This Las Vegas
One of the most unique things to do in Las Vegas with kids is to visit Dig This, a heavy-equipment playground. Dig This was awarded TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award in 2023 and my boys give it two thumbs up!
At Dig This, kids as young as 8 years old will be able to operate and drive heavy equipment. After learning the basics of operating the machines, they’ll be given different challenges like stacking tires and moving dirt from one pile to another.
The instructor is on the field the entire time communicating through a headset. The parents also have a headset so they can listen too. If there is ever a problem, the instructor can manually disable the machine. The whole experience was safe and so much fun!
There are several different machines to drive, click the link for a list of available experiences and machinery to choose from.
My boys, ages 12 and 15, did the Skid Steere Track Loader Experience and were in heaven. Kids as young as 2 years old can even dig holes with a stationary 1-ton excavator at the Kids Dig area.
Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
The Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is an incredible engineering and architectural feat. It is considered the widest concrete arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
It is also the second-highest bridge in the United States and the highest concrete arch bridge in the world! That’s a pretty impressive resume!
The bridge is aptly named after Arizona Cardinal’s Pat Tillman who lost his life during the war in Afghanistan.
Hundreds of cars travel over the bridge daily, but many do not take the time to stop and take in the incredible view.
However, in my opinion, this is one of the best things to do off the Las Vegas Strip!
To reach the bridge walkway, take US Highway 93 South from Las Vegas to Nevada Exit 2.
After passing through the security checkpoint, follow the road around the bend and you’ll see the parking lot for the bridge walkway on the right.
You’ll need to climb quite a few stairs to reach the bridge, but the view is phenomenal.
The bridge spans across the Colorado River on the border of Nevada and Arizona. From here you can gain a unique perspective of Hoover Dam and a glimpse of Black Canyon.
You can also take a tour of the Hoover Dam where you will hear some pretty incredible stories about its construction and learn how it operates.
Pinball Hall of Fame
Kids these days are so glued to electronic games that you might be hesitant to spend your vacation at an arcade. However, the Pinball Hall of Fame is not your typical arcade.
You won’t find graphic and violent video games, but what you will find is the world’s largest collection of retro pinball machines.
The games range from vintage 1950s games to nostalgic 1980s-era games that you’ll recognize from your own childhood. You will even find a few classic arcade favorites like Pac-Man and Frogger.
All of the older games are .25 cents to play and the newer games are .50 cents. This is a non-profit museum so any excess funds are donated to various organizations.
It really is a great place to enjoy some good old-fashioned classic family fun!
Sunset Rail Bike Tour
Rail Explorers offers a variety of rail bike tours and it is one of our favorite things to do off the Las Vegas strip!
If you are visiting in the summer, I highly recommend the sunset tour.
The tour departs from the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City where you can check out the vintage train cars before climbing aboard your 4-person rail bike.
The tour is 8 miles round trip and is 1 1/2 hours long.
The rail bikes are equipped with electric powdered pedal assist so it doesn’t take much effort.
You’ll cruise along the old railroad through the warm breeze while you watch the sun set below the mountains, it really is magical.
At the halfway point, they have a sitting area where you’ll wait for about 20 minutes while they turn the bikes around. Bring a snack and drink to enjoy while you wait.
We loved the tour, but the time on the rails did seem short. Between the safety briefing and turning the bikes, you’re only on the rails for about 40 minutes of the 1 1/2 hour tour, so just keep that in mind when booking.
Mountain’s Edge Exploration Park
Mountain’s Edge Exploration Park is our favorite park in Las Vegas.
The playground consists of an 80-acre western-themed park complete with an imaginative play area, slides, climbing boulders, a watchtower, and a splash pad.
It also has a 3,000-foot tall mountain with hiking and biking trails. The top of the mountain offers the best panoramic views of the Las Vegas skyline.
*Related post: For a fun day trip, check out Death Valley National Park only 2 hours from Las Vegas.
Downtown Container Park
The Downtown Container Park is located near Fremont Street and is a unique open-air mall and entertainment district.
The city has converted 39 shipping containers and cubes into restaurants and shops.
Your kids will get a kick out of the barbershop located inside of a train car. Of course, they will also love the gourmet popcorn shop, cupcake shop, and old-fashioned candy shop.
The magic shop was also a hit where you can see a free magic demonstration.
Of course, they will want you to purchase the $39 kit so that you can replicate the trick at home. But the trick did leave my kids completely stumped!
The Pixel Sticker Room is also a fun and whimsical little spot.
When you make a purchase at any of the container shops you will be given a sticker that you can add to the sticker room.
The real star of the show is the Treehouse playground with three different slides and various play equipment.
Plenty of outdoor seating is located near the playground if you want to grab lunch and eat while your kids play.
There is also a stage and outdoor seating for live performances and summer movies.
Be sure to visit the second level where you can peak out of the “Container” letters and get a view of the street below!
While you’re near Freemont Street, take advantage of the Freemont Street Experience. For more information about the experience, see our guide 13 Fun Things to Do on the Las Vegas Strip with Kids.
This free show consists of a canopy of 2 million lights synced to music. The show is held every hour on the hour beginning at dusk. The last show is at 11 pm on weekdays and at 12 am on weekends.
Seven Magic Mountains
The Seven Magic Mountains are a large-scale art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. The towering colorful rocks add a pop of color to the barren desert outside of Las Vegas.
The colorful rocks will be on display through May 2027, unless the contract is extended again as it was back in 2018. If you haven’t had a chance to visit this spot yet, you should plan a trip soon!
As a side note, when the boys asked if they could climb on the rocks I looked around and didn’t see any signs prohibiting it.
However, on the way out there was a note on the information board asking visitors not to climb the rocks. So if you plan to visit, please don’t climb on the rocks!
For directions to the Seven Magic Mountains, head south on I-15 approximately 20 miles south of the Las Vegas strip near Jean Dry Lake. Take the Sloan Rd exit then follow the signs leading to the parking lot
From here you’ll take a short dirt trail to reach the art installation. Admission is free and there is also a Guide-by-cell tour option available if you call 702-381-5182.
There are no restrooms available at the site. Be sure to bring plenty of water as it can get hot in the summer and there is no shade.
Also, keep your eye out for rattlesnakes as they are native to this desert region.
The exhibit is open from 6 am to 8:30 pm daily. Food vendors are sometimes available at the entrance.
There is also a great option to take a small group Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas that includes a stop at the Seven Magic Mountains, as well as the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam.
Take a Free Tour of the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory
It’s not quite Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but it’s still fun to take a free tour of the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory to see how chocolates are made.
Ethel M. Chocolates was born here in the desert over 40 years ago by Forrest Mars, the creator of M&M’s and Milk Way bars.
His world-famous chocolates were named after his mother, Ethel Mars.
Today, visitors can take a free tour of the factory where you can watch the chocolate makers hard at work behind the windows.
Your kids will find it fascinating to watch the process of how the chocolates are made and you’ll even get a free chocolate sample.
You’ll also find a cactus botanic garden with walking trails in front of the factory.
During the holidays, the cactus plants are wrapped with over a million lights as the garden is transformed into a holiday wonderland.
Las Vegas Chinatown
Chinatown is a unique area of Las Vegas with a wide variety of foods to try. Whether it’s picking up some fresh dragon fruit at 99 Ranch Market, or ducking into a hole-in-the-wall joint for the best dim sum.
One of our favorite places to go in Chinatown is Shanghai Plaza. Here you’ll find a selection of Korean restaurants and shops.
CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog is my boys’ favorite. You can build your own Myungrang Hotdog (a fried panko-covered corndog) by choosing the filling, condiment topping, and seasoning.
My boys like the classic Cheese & Sausage Hotdog with ketchup or honey mustard and topped with parmesan cheese.
I prefer mostly vegetarian dishes, so I love the potato and mozzarella drizzled with a parmesan garlic sauce. We tried the Rice Cake dusted with honey butter, it is similar to mochi but we thought it was too bland.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat after eating at CrunCheese, stop next door at SomiSomi for the best soft-serve ice cream!
This Korean dessert is called Ah-Boong. It is a fish-shaped waffle cone filled with Nutella, custard, or other fillings, and topped with your favorite ice cream flavor and a variety of toppings.
We loved the Nutella-filled shell with Cookies & Cream ice cream topped with crushed Oreos. The custard-filled shell with strawberry ice cream and sprinkles was also a favorite!
For more recommendations, see our guide to the Best Places to Eat in Las Vegas!
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is only 30 minutes from the strip and offers a breath of fresh air.
Take the 13-mile Scenic Drive Loop to discover the best hiking areas and scenic lookouts.
A few of the more popular stops include Calico Hills, High Point Overlook, Lost Creek Children’s Discovery Trail, Ice Box Canyon, Pine Creek Canyon, and Red Spring at Calico Basin.
Be sure to stop at the visitor center for information about hikes and programs, and to see the tortoise habitat.
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Red Rock Canyon is through a guided E-Bike tour where you can soak in all the scenery.
And if you love this canyon, you’ll definitely love Valley of Fire State Park less than an hour away!
For more information, see our guide Red Rock Canyon: A Las Vegas Hidden Gem!
Discovery Children’s Museum
This three-story museum is filled with interactive exhibits that will keep your kids entertained all day.
The exhibits are designed to fuel imaginations through experiments, artwork, fantasy play, scientific inventions, water play, investigations, and even a pint-sized city.
The 70-foot tower that ascends all three floors of the museum is also a favorite. The tower is comprised of 12 levels with a variety of interactive activities, slides, and ladders.
Check Groupon for discounted tickets.
*Related Post: if you’re driving from Phoenix to Las Vegas, be sure to make a pit stop in Kingman and check out our guide, 7 Unique Things to Do in Kingman AZ!
Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
The Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix has three different go-kart racing tracks, including the longest go-kart track in Nevada.
They even have Euro high-speed karts that go almost 50 mph. You must be 14 or older to drive the Euro karts.
Unlimited 1-hour ride wristbands are available and my boys loved it! I thought the price was a pretty good deal for go-karts. The Euro karts are an additional fee.
Several other rides and activities are also included with the wristband. In addition to the rides, there is an arcade and cafe.
It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon with the kids, but you’ll want to avoid going in the heat of the summer!
Best Place to Stay Off the Las Vegas Strip
If you’re looking to stay off the strip and away from the casinos, Lake Las Vegas is a resort-style master-planned community in Henderson, about 25 minutes from the strip.
At the center of the community is a 320-acre man-made lake, it’s a true oasis in the desert.
There are a few different hotel options at Lake Las Vegas, including the Westin, Hilton, and MonteLago Village Resort.
We have stayed at The Westin a few times and the kids always love hanging out at the pools and going down the waterslide.
The rooms could use a refresh, but overall the hotel and grounds are nice.
They have on-site dining options with outdoor patio seating and fire pits overlooking the lake.
They also have a small sandy beach with paddleboard and kayak rentals.
The Hilton Hotel is located by Lake Las Vegas Water Sports where you’ll find a wakeboarding cable park and a seasonal inflatable obstacle course.
A Few More Things to Do Off the Las Vegas Strip With Kids:
- Town Square Mall: This outdoor mall just south of the strip is one of our favorite spots to let the kids get some energy out. You’ll find a fun splash pad and playground complete with a hedge maze. The AMC movie theater at the mall also offers free summer movies.
- West Wind Drive-in Theater: Drive-in movie theaters are hard to come by, so take advantage of this unique opportunity while you’re in town! Pop the trunk, grab some pizzas, and catch a double feature for a memorable family night!
- Tanked Tour: Take a 70-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the hit TV show “Tanked”.
- The Mob Museum: This interesting museum is full of history, artifacts, and hands-on exhibits about organized crime and how it shaped the city. It is located near the Container Park and is recommended for older kids.
- Silverton Casino Mermaid Show: Visit the 117,000-gallon aquarium inside the Bass Pro Shop where you can see thousands of fish, including sting rays and sharks, along with free choreographed mermaid shows.
- Las Vegas Natural History Museum: Museums are the perfect rainy day or hot summer day activity. Enjoy the curated exhibits of just about every wild animal under the sun!
- Lake Mead boat rental: Escape the crowds and spend a day playing on the lake.
- ATV Tours and Buggy Rentals: Take an ATV tour for an unforgettable off-road adventure in the desert!
- Kayak to the Emerald Cave: Take a guided kayak tour to the Emerald Cave, a beautiful hidden gem!
- Arizona (Ringbolt) Hot Springs: This hike is a little longer and may not be suited for younger kids, especially since clothing is optional. The 6-mile round trip trail ends at secluded hot spring pools. Closed in the summer due to heat.
- Gold Strike Hot Springs: This challenging 5.3-mile out-and-back trail involves scrambling over boulders and rope ascents, but your effort will be rewarded with beautiful hot springs!
- Nevada Southern Railway: Take a 35-minute ride in an open-air car or air-conditioned coach to the Railway Museum as you learn the history of the railway. Located in Boulder City.
- Zipline tour of Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City: Zipline over the Mojave desert on a series of 4 ziplines.
I hope this list will help you find fun things to do off the Las Vegas Strip with your family, enjoy your vacation!
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