Mystic Falls Park
At this 25,000 square-foot indoor park, located within the Sam's Town Hotel, you can have a bite, take a walk with the kids or enjoy live entertainment. Designed to look like rugged mountain scenery, Mystic Falls Park features animatronic animals that not only move but also produce sounds. Waterfalls come to life and fountains shoot water eight stories up in the air as the show starts. Then a dance of laser lights and animation projected onto the walls creates the "Sunset Stampede," a chronicle of Western pioneers and wild animal life. The score played in the background was specially recorded for this show by the Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra. The show lasts 10 minutes and happens four times a day (call in advance to confirm times).
Mystic Falls Park
Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall
5111 Boulder Highway
Las Vegas, NV 89122
(702) 456-7777
(800) 897-8696
www.samstownlv.com
New York New York's Coney Island
New York New York designed its Coney Island Emporium to look like New York's legendary Coney Island amusement park. This entertainment complex offers rides, games and attractions for the whole family. Aside from arcade and carnival-type games, Coney Island Emporium features a large laser tag arena, bumper cars and a Daytona Speedway virtual simulator. While this park can't compete with the large complexes offered at other casinos, you can stop by and play some games without having to wait in line for hours. There's also no entry fee and almost all games give you the chance to win a prize.
Coney Island Emporium
New York New York Hotel & Casino
3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
(702) 736-4100
www.coneyislandemporium.com
Planetarium and Observatory
This small planetarium operated by the College of Southern Nevada offers kids a variety of activities, highlighted by guided "tours" of the sky. Sessions focus on a particular area of the sky or celestial object, such as the moon or star clusters. While some planetariums offer recorded images of the night sky, here you can see things in real time, as the projectors reflect whatever stars are out at the moment. Experts are around to answer questions, and the shows are meant for everybody age 3 and up.
The Planetarium
College of Southern Nevada
3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.
North Las Vegas, NV 89030-4296
(702) 651-4SKY (651-4759)
www.csn.edu/planetarium
About The Author
Sarah Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications, including "Woman's Day," "Marie Claire," "Adirondack Life" and "Self." She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.
