Pools Galore
Water is one of the biggest attractions at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. First, there's the Shark Reef, an aquarium that focuses on predators such as piranhas, giant rays and sharks. Then there's the hotel's amazing beach. It's an 11-acre swimming area with a river, wave pool, three other pools and a sandy beach.
The hotel features several dining options with family appeal. Choices include cafes, a burger bar, a noodle shop and a delicatessen.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
(877) 632-7800
www.mandalaybay.com
The Castle
Want your kids to have fun on vacation? Take them to The Excalibur Hotel, with its video-game arcade, midway games and 4-D movies. The hotel's swimming area is popular, too, with a shallow part for young children, a water slide for older kids and a relaxation pool for adults.
The Excalibur also caters to families when it comes to eating, with a McDonald's, a Sherwood Forest Cafe and a Round Table Buffet.
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
3850 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 597-7777
www.excalibur.com
At the Circus
Circus Circus is one of the best known family hotels in Las Vegas for its continuous circus acts and for The Adventuredome, its large fun center. Older kids love rides such as the corkscrew roller coaster, and younger ones enjoy calmer ones including a runaway coal train. The Adventuredome also has remote control cars, bungee jumping, rock climbing and midway games.
The hotel's restaurants appeal to children, too. Choices include a pizzeria, deli, cafe and bagel bar.
Circus Circus Las Vegas
2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas Nevada 89109
(702) 734-0410
www.circuscircus.com
Wild Rides
Kids get a natural high at the Stratosphere, which features an amusement park located at the top. The rides include the "Big Shot" that shoots straight into the air, and "Insanity, the Ride," a mechanical arm that lifts people high above Las Vegas.
The Stratosphere also has a pool area, plus six restaurants including an Italian eatery, a buffet, a diner and a cafe.
Stratosphere Las Vegas
2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(800) 998-6937
www.stratospherehotel.com
On the Lake
It's 17 miles out of city, but the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas attracts families with its lively outdoor activities. Located right on the lake, the hotel features sports such as fly-fishing, kayaking and swimming. There are also supervised kids' activities that may allow parents time for a game of golf in Henderson or nearby Boulder City.
Dining choices include the Medici Cafe and Terrace (steak and Italian food), the Firenze Lobby Lounge (lighter meals) and the Poolside Cafe (hamburgers and wraps).
The Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas
1610 Lake Las Vegas Parkway
Henderson, Nevada 89011
(800) 241-3333
www.ritzcarlton.com
About The Author
Barbara Dunlap is a freelance writer in Oregon. She was a garden editor at "The San Francisco Chronicle," and she currently specializes in travel and active lifestyle topics like golf and fitness. She received a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a Knight Foundation Fellow.
