Las Vegas for the 21-and-Younger Crowd

Las Vegas always receives the unwarranted slap of notoriety for being the “Sin City.” However, this sleepless town of carefree ideals has a world of possibilities for fun-filled activities no matter what age you are. For those under the age of 21, a trip to Las Vegas doesn’t have to be a drag. Whether it’s a night out on the town with the pals or a day out with a loved one, Las Vegas has something tailored for everyone’s taste. 

Games and Rides

Most hotels on the Las Vegas Strip are chock-full of arcades that are entertaining even to adults. Some notable kid-friendly favorites include the Gameworks arcade (next to the MGM Grand Resort), the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, and the New York-New York Hotel and Casino. Take on that alter ego as a race car driver or gun slinging zombie killer -- it’s a great way to get some adrenaline pumping. Gameworks, found inside the Showcase Mall, is a whopping 55,000-square-feet arcade and can hold up to 3,000 people. Loaded with practically every game imaginable, this mega-arcade from Sega Enterprises and Universal Studios features more than 200 games and charges $1 per game on a debit card. 

Circus Circus is a family favorite with its extensive selection of midway games and cuddly prizes. Every hour there are live performances from trapeze artists, clowns, and acrobats. Circus Circus also has an indoor theme park known as the Adventuredome, which is loaded with thrilling rides.

New York-New York’s Coney Island Emporium arcade is also a repeated winner of ”Best Arcade” awards, with more than 200 games to keep you busy for hours on end. The hotel’s laser tag game also makes a great alternative and is a good way to burn off calories from the local buffet. New York-New York’s roller coaster, which wraps around the casino’s facade of sky scrapers, makes several gut-wrenching turns and loops. 

If you enjoy a good dose of altitude, head to the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. Just a mere 900 feet above ground, there are several rides like the Insanity, X-Scream, and Big Shot to get your blood pumping. Pushing customers over the edge is the Stratosphere’s specialty. Insanity, the ride, is a gigantic mechanical arm extending 64 feet over the edge of the tower that twirls its passengers with varying tilts. X-Scream is essentially a teeter totter that dangles over the edge of the building. Big Shot is a vertical ride that shoots it passengers up toward the sky to a breathtaking 1,081 feet. 

Shows

Although they may be pricey, Vegas shows are well worth the investment. Individuals under the age of 21 have no need to fret about getting into shows as most are for all ages. One popular show attraction is the Blue Man Group with its visual feast of colors and incorporation of comedy and music. Not to be missed for any die-hard Beatles fan is LOVE, which celebrates the musical legacy of the fab four; anticipate psychedelic visuals and amazing acrobatics to interpret the songs’ meaning. Other notable shows with acrobatics include Cirque du Soleil’s “O,” Mystere, and the sexually-charged performance of Zumanity (for the 18-and-up crowd). Shows with more of a plotline are also readily available for ticket purchase. 

Pools

Las Vegas is a desert. And on summer days when the thermometer goes past 100, the best way to beat the heat while having a great time is relaxing by the pool. There are plenty of hotels to go pool-hopping at, but only a few stands out above the rest. Although Las Vegas isn’t on the coast, Mandalay Bay provides a believable alternative with its 11 acres of beach environment, which includes three pools and a river. Routinely ranked one of the best pools in Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay does not disappoint.  Its pools of water are surrounded by palm trees and leafy greens that cool down the area. With more than 1,000 chair lounges, 400 chairs, and 100 gazebos and cabanas, living like royalty is almost mandatory. Sand and surf are all readily available at its 1.6-million-gallon wave pool with a sand beach. 

Also worthy of a visit is the Golden Nugget’s pool incorporating an enclosed tank of sharks as its centerpiece, which allows guests to practically swim with the sharks. The Golden Nugget has a three-story water slide, and plenty of comfy wicker sofas and chaises. 

Whether you plan to stay for a day or an entire week, individuals 21 and younger can still have just as much fun to make it a memorable trip.