If you’re looking for a place to go on your next family vacation, you might want to consider Las Vegas. Some people might be taken aback at the idea of taking their children to “sin city” on the family vacation, but a Las Vegas family vacation is more family-friendly than one might think.

Of course, the most famous attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos, which kids cannot visit – although many casinos now offer child-care facilities for parents that want to visit the casino floor. Las Vegas is a city full of entertainment, so it’s best not to limit your expectations to gambling on the strip.

While you’re in the area of Las Vegas, you might want to seize the opportunity to check out the nearby wonders, including the Grand Canyon. If your family prefers marvels of human ingenuity and engineering, Hoover Dam is not too far away from Las Vegas.

Inside the city limits though, there is entertainment galore! While there are many celebrities and entertainers who make occasional appearances in Vegas, there are dozens of entertainers who call Vegas home, and only seldom go on tour elsewhere. In particular, magicians and musicians abound, including Lance Burton, who performs at the Monte Carlo.

If you are on a tight budget, then Las Vegas is definitely an ideal locations for a family vacation. There are dozens of free activities and shows – more than enough to pack a vacation full of activities and sights to see. There’s the Ethel M Chocolate factory and M&M’s world for those with a sweet tooth. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati, a museum dedicated to the craftsmanship of the Ferrrari. Animal lovers will feel right at home in the White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage, The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo, the Aquarium at the Silverton, and the Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand. Other memorable experiences include the Masquerade Village at the Rio Casino and the Fremont Street Experience, or the famous fountains at the Bellagio.

Some facilities are more kid-friendly than others. Circus Circus, a combination hotel, casino, and permanent circus, is especially recommended for youthful visitors, and features free circus acts that can be enjoyed by all, as well as games of skill and chance on the midway. The Luxor hotel features an impressive IMAX theater, and the New York-New York hotel with its famous roller coaster over a model of New York harbor. And if you wondering about food, there are many atmospheric and themed restaurants, but even the pickiest of eaters will find something they like at one of the many buffets.

Of course there are restrictions on children in some facilities in Las Vegas. For instance, in the Bellagio children must be guests of the hotel, be dining with their family at one of the hotel’s restaurants, or attending a show at one of the hotel’s venues. Infants are permitted on the casino floors only if you are in transit to another part of the hotel – so you’ll need a sitter if you plan on gaming during your stay, no matter how young your children are.

Any Las Vegas family vacation will go smoother if it is well planned. There is so much to do, you might wish to consult with a travel agent while planning your trip. Otherwise, there is a wealth of information available online, and contacting the hotels, restaurants, and attractions you want to do most will help you gain insight to the local schedules, events, and special attractions before you set out on your Las Vegas family vacation. Also, make sure to look for Las Vegas coupons before you head out to Vegas.