Las Vegas with children: Places to see and stay

<p> The cost of shows, exhibits and theme park rides can add up, but Las Vegas offers plenty of free entertainment, so you can enjoy hours of fun without dipping into your dollars. The Strip is bursting with complementary family-friendly attractions including the famous fountains of <a href="http://www.bellagio.com/amenities/fountains-of-bellagio.aspx" target="_blank">Bellagio, </a>the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">M</span><a href="http://www.mirage.com/attractions/volcano.aspx" target="_blank">irage Volcano,</a> the Sirens of <a href="http://www.treasureisland.com/shows/sirens_of_ti.aspx" target="_blank">Treasure Island, </a>the moving statues at <a href="http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/casino-misc/the-forum-shops-detail.html%29%20and%20M&amp;M%20World%20%28http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/mandmworld.html" target="_blank">Caesar&rsquo;s Palace</a> &ndash; but be warned; whilst entry is free, the kids will want to buy oodles of sweeties.</p>

<p> How many kids wouldn&rsquo;t want to stay in a colourful castle? The casino floor may be a little weathered compared to the shinier new Las Vegas hotels, but Excalibur&rsquo;s refurbished Widescreen rooms are clean, comfortable and perfectly placed for exploring The Strip. The hotel has a &lsquo;fun dungeon&rsquo;, a 4D movie theatre (showing SpongeBob SquarePants daily), an all-ages pool with water slide, a great value buffet and the <a href="http://www.excalibur.com/entertainment/tournament_of_kings.aspx" target="_blank">Tournament of Kings show</a> if jousting, fireworks and eating with their fingers doesn&rsquo;t entertain your brood, nothing will.<br /> <br /> Check <a href="http://www.excalibur.com/" target="_blank">website</a> for room rates and special offers. General admission to the Tournament of Kings starts at $56.95 and includes a three-course dinner.</p>

<p> No family trip to Vegas would be complete without seeing the amazing Grand Canyon. Although it&rsquo;s within driving distance, the best way to see this thrilling natural spectacle is from the air. <a href="http://www.papillon.com/" target="_blank">Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters </a>have exclusive permission to land on the floor of the Canyon, 4,000 feet below the rim, where you&rsquo;ll have a picnic (with champagne for the grown-ups) before flying back to Boulder City Aerocenter. If you&rsquo;re lucky, you might even get to sit next to the pilot.<br /> <br /> The <a href="http://www.papillon.com/popris/show_package.aspx?package_id=19&amp;lang=en-US" target="_blank">Grand Celebration Tour </a>is available every day except Christmas Day and departs at various times. Prices start at $290 per adult and $270 per child.</p>

<p> If your kids like white knuckle rides, save time for a trip to the indoor <a href="http://www.adventuredome.com/" target="_blank">Adventuredome Theme Park </a>at Circus Circus.</p> <p> Children only have to be 4ft tall to ride the double loop Canyon Blaster, and the Rim Runner water chute ride provides soaking-wet fun. While you&rsquo;re at this hotel and casino you can also see circus acts performing daily for free, from 11am on the centre stage of <a href="http://www.circuscircus.com/las_vegas_entertainment/circus_acts.aspx" target="_blank">Carnival Midway.</a></p> <p> <br /> The <a href="http://www.adventuredome.com/" target="_blank">Adventuredome Theme Park</a> opens daily. Regular all day ride passes are $26.95 (48 inches tall or over) or $16.95 for a Junior Pass (under 48 inches tall).</p>

<p> The scenery around Las Vegas is breathtaking and steeped in history. <a href="http://www.pinkjeep.com/" target="_blank">Pink Jeep Tours</a> provide &lsquo;off-road family adventures&rsquo; - and you don&rsquo;t have to drive far in the bright pink &lsquo;Tour Trekker&rsquo; to learn about Native American history and culture and the nature and geology of the desert.</p> <p> <br /> Tours include the stunning <a href="http://www.pinkjeep.com/jeep-tours/lasvegas/eldorado-canyon.shtml" target="_blank">Eldorado Canyon, </a>home to the Techatticup Goldmine, where your tour guide will delight the kids with creepy ghost stories and tales of Wild West lawlessness.<br /> <br /> Prices for the Eldorado Canyon tour start at $89 per person. Check <a href="http://www.pinkjeep.com/index.shtml" target="_blank">website</a> or contact tour operator for further information, including tour times.</p>

<p> At the southern end of The Strip you&rsquo;ll find two fantastic exhibits for kids. All ages will love the Luxor&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.luxor.com/entertainment/titanic.aspx" target="_blank">Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition </a>and it is literally next door to <a href="http://www.luxor.com/entertainment/bodies.aspx" target="_blank">Bodies: The Exhibition </a>where biology-hungry children get the chance to see real human organs and hold a brain (it&rsquo;s more fun than it sounds!)</p> <p> Both exhibits can be seen in one day &ndash; and if you take a break for lunch, pop into the <a href="http://www.rira.com/rira/las_vegas.html" target="_blank">Ri Ra Irish Pub at Mandalay Place</a> for a friendly atmosphere, great food and a fab kids&rsquo; menu.<br /> <br /> Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition opens daily, 10am-10pm. Tickets are $28 per adult, $21 per child (4-12 years), free admission for children 3 and under.</p> <p> <br /> Bodies: The Exhibition opens daily 10am-10pm. Tickets are $32 per adult, $24 per child (4-12 years), free admission for children 3 and under.</p>

<p> The choice of Las Vegas shows is extensive, but kids will enjoy every second of <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/love/default.aspx" target="_blank">The Beatles LOVE </a>by Cirque du Soleil.</p> <p> A firm favourite with British families, it celebrates the music and legacy of The Beatles in song, colour and amazing aerial acrobatics. Showing at <a href="http://www.mirage.com/attractions/secret-garden.aspx" target="_blank">The Mirage,</a> you can combine a visit to LOVE with a peep at Siegfried and Roy&rsquo;s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat .<br /> <br /> Performances of LOVE are held Thursday to Monday at 7pm and 9.30pm. Tickets start at $93.50 per person. Check <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/love/default.aspx" target="_blank">website</a> for further details on performance dates and times.</p>

<p> When you&rsquo;re ready to take another break from the buzzy Strip, the Hoover Dam is a great landmark to visit &ndash; particularly for fans of the original Superman movie. The best way to see the Dam is on an exhilarating <a href="http://blackcanyonadventures.com/" target="_blank">Black Canyon river raft tour.</a></p> <p> Make sure you book the day trip which includes a leisurely motorized raft ride down the beautiful Colorado River and a delicious picnic on its rocky banks. Pack plenty of sun screen &ndash; and ponchos.<br /> <br /> Tours with <a href="http://blackcanyonadventures.com/" target="_blank">Black Canyon</a> start at 9.30 am daily from the Hacienda Casino outside Las Vegas, or you can book round trip transportation from your hotel for an additional charge. Prices start at $87.95 per adult, $82.95 per child (13-15 years) and $53.95 per child (5-12 years).</p>

<p> At the north end of The Strip, the <a href="http://www.stratospherehotel.com/Tower" target="_blank">Stratosphere Tower</a> is one of the most iconic landmarks in Las Vegas. Standing at 1,149ft it affords some of the best views of The Strip - and if there are any thrill-seekers in the family, it also boasts four white knuckle rides including the Big Shot, catapulting 16 riders up the Tower's mast to a height of 1,081ft&hellip;then back down again.<br /> <br /> Open daily. Tower tickets are $16 per adult and $10 per child. Rides are charged separately or you can buy a Tower Admission plus All Day Unlimited Rides pass for $34. Check <a href="http://www.stratospherehotel.com/Tower/Rides" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp; for height restrictions and further information.</p>

<p> Going to the Wynn resort is an experience in itself, but if you have children over-five, seeing the spectacular Le R&ecirc;ve &ndash; an &lsquo;aqua theatre in the round&rsquo; - is a must.</p> <p> This show has everything including love, drama and comedy, plus heart-stopping special effects. Audience members young and old are left spellbound by the unlikely combination of dance, magic, acrobatics, high-diving and synchronized swimming. Mind-blowing doesn&rsquo;t even come close.<br /> <br /> Performances of Le R&ecirc;ve are held Friday to Tuesday at 7pm and 9.30pm. Tickets start at $99. Under-5s not permitted. Check <a href="http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/shows/le-reve?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp; for further information on times and prices.</p>