The 8 Best Resorts to Bring Your Kids When Visiting Las Vegas

Sometimes it’s best to keep the Strip at a comfortable distance, especially when traveling with children. The Red Rock Resort is the biggest and best hotel in Summerlin, a master-planned community in the west end of the Las Vegas Valley. The property, named after the nearby Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, has nearly 800 rooms. The hotel tower has a curved, horseshoe-like layout with an expansive pool deck at the center. The casino and other amenities are centrally located, making the entire lobby easy to navigate. The main collection of restaurants frame the north exterior with patios for al fresco dining when the weather isn’t too hot.

Youngsters will gravitate towards the 16-lane bowling alley, Imax movie theater or Kids Quest — an activity center with games, sports and supervised daycare. Meanwhile, parents will stay busy with the slot machines and poolside concerts by national acts. Nature lovers of all ages will relish a trip to Red Rock Canyon with hiking trails, a scenic driving loop and a visitors center that’s almost like a mini-museum.

The hotel is within walking distance to Downtown Summerlin, an outdoor retail and dining complex that includes the Las Vegas Ballpark, a sleek new stadium for minor league baseball, and City National Arena, where hockey fans can ice skate and watch the Vegas Golden Knights practice. If that’s not enough, visit the Strip at your own pace with a shuttle that runs regularly throughout the day.

In a town where hotels come and go quickly, Caesars Palace has managed to stick around for more than 50 years. Credit the classic Roman theme, which never goes out of style. Costumed performers, statues and classic Italian-inspired architecture are welcome touches, yet the property never allows itself to feel worn out. Nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, spread out among five towers, are given regular upgrades and makeovers, including the stylish Nobu hotel-within-a-hotel.

The on-site restaurants are incredible, from the French fine dining of Restaurant Guy Savoy to the casual Italian of Rao’s. Even the food court is impressive, featuring an eclectic collection of casual dining spots from across the country. The Colosseum is a recently renovated mid-size concert hall that includes Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Jerry Seinfeld among its resident headliners. The Garden of the Gods swimming complex is one of the best spots to catch some rays or take a dip on the Strip. The Venus pool was once adults-only with the option for women to go topless, but is now all ages.

As expected, a resort that’s expanded and grown so much over the years has its fair share of sprawl. Expect to do lots of walking – but in return, you’ve got a prime location in the heart of the Strip that’s close to the Bellagio fountains, FlyLINQ zipline and other family-friendly activities. The Forum Shops next door is a high-end retail plaza with the Fall of Atlantis, an animatronic show, featuring a dragon that breathes fire.

Every family is different, but some prefer to keep the gambling away from the children as much as possible. It’s hard to believe, but there are actually a few hotels on the Vegas Strip without casinos. Count Vdara among one of the best. The resort is technically part of the CityCenter complex, despite being on the other side of Harmon Avenue and closer in proximity to the Cosmopolitan and Bellagio. Without slot machines or even any major restaurants in the lobby, Vdara is extremely quiet, which suits most of its guests just fine. Food and drink is available at the Vice Versa lounge (with outdoor fire pit seating) or via a long pedestrian walkway to the array of dining choices at the neighboring Bellagio.

The property has nearly 1,500 rooms — all available as a hotel rental or condo purchase. Designed with livability in mind, the units include full kitchens, dining room tables and comfortable accommodations. Luxurious touches are seen in spa-like bathrooms, sleek modern decor and large windows to reveal sweeping Strip and mountain views. A rooftop pool and two-level spa are a quick, relaxing escape from the troubles of the world. If you’re seeking a low-key lifestyle in the heart of the Strip, Vdara is your place.

The South Point is a rare example of a privately-owned casino resort in Las Vegas. It has a reputation for being locals-friendly, especially at the casino and sports book. Located in the south end of the valley near Silverado Ranch, the South Point is one of the first hotels that drivers from California will see while approaching the Strip on Interstate 15. For those using a car to navigate tourist areas like the Strip and Downtown, the South Point serves as a convenient and affordable home base by the highway.

Most of the restaurants are routine by Vegas standards, but the prices are much more favorable than what you’ll find at most Strip resorts. The exception is Michael’s Gourmet Room, a romantic steakhouse that’s popular among South Point regulars. Parents will enjoy the supper club-style food and service while the kids play a few games at the 64-lane bowling alley or catch a movie inside the 16-screen Cinemark movie theater. However, what truly makes the South Point special is the on-property equestrian center, which hosts shows and competitions throughout the year. If your kids love horses, the venue will provide endless entertainment.

Just east of the Strip, the Tuscany Suites and Casino is an attractive and efficient resort that’s low-key and affordable without sacrificing location. Instead of trudging through a high-rise tower, guests park their cars close to their rooms in smaller, individual buildings — a much easier experience for those with young kids or extra luggage. Families can upgrade to a two-bedroom suite at a fraction of the price found at hotels less than three blocks away on the Strip. You can even take advantage of washing machines to round up a fresh load of laundry.

The hotel, as the name suggests, has a low-key Tuscan theme and a lot of charm. Adults will appreciate the casino, jazz lounge and beer hall. Kids will be happy hanging out by the pool or eating at one of the chain restaurants across the street.

Located on the far south end of the Strip, Mandalay Bay is a big, flashy resort that will appeal to guests of all ages. The property has a splashy tropical theme with loads of attractions. See Michael Jackson ONE (a Cirque du Soleil production based on the late pop star) or visit thousands of underwater creatures at the Shark Reef Aquarium. The Mandalay Bay Events Center hosts concerts and home games by the Las Vegas Aces WNBA team. Mandalay Bay Beach is the most impressive pool complex on the Strip with 2,700 tons of sand, a massive wave pool and a lagoon-style lazy river.

Mandalay Bay is part of a large complex that includes the Delano boutique hotel, Four Seasons resort and Shoppes at Mandalay Place. A free train connects the property to the Luxor and Excalibur. Rooms are in line for Strip standards and price, but unusually bright and colorful. Outdoor trees and waterfalls provide the perfect backdrop for vacation photos.

Hotel New York-New York makes the most of its Big Apple theme. Modeled after the city that never sleeps, the 2,000-room resort puts its own spin on iconic New York City landmarks. The exterior includes replicas of the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge. There’s even a Coney Island-style roller coaster that loops in a circle above the Strip. Take the ride to another level with virtual reality goggles that simulate an alien invasion while in motion. If that’s not enough fun for the kids, there’s also a video arcade on the second floor above the lobby and Hershey’s Chocolate World, a playfully interactive candy shop.

The rest of the casino floor, which includes shops and casual restaurants, takes inspiration from Times Square and Greenwich Village. The entire resort feels like a New York-themed amusement park and it’s right next to the T-Mobile Arena, home to the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team.

The Egyptian-themed Luxor is one of the most iconic resorts in the Las Vegas skyline. The main tower is a large black pyramid with a Sphinx out front and a 315,000-watt beam of light that shoots from the very top, visible from nearly 300 miles away. The property has more than 4,000 rooms, all of which have seen their share of renovations over the years. With the exception of Tender Steakhouse, most of the food is on the casual side. However, the resort shines the most with attractions and entertainment.

Teenagers will spend hours at the HyperX Esports Arena, a large venue for playing video games in a competitive, high-stakes environment. When it comes to shows, Carrot Top and Blue Man Group are a lot of fun and a safe bet for the entire family. (The Fantasy topless revue is strictly adults-only, however.) Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition shows off items recovered from the doomed ocean liner with a surprisingly large piece of the hull on display. To maximize the family fun, the Luxor is next door to the Camelot-themed Excalibur resort, which has a large arcade of carnival games and the Tournament of Kings dinner theater experience.