Modern-day Las Vegas is also a family-friendly town and a happening spot for youngsters. There are countless attractions to thrill fearless young hearts and restaurants to please the more finicky palates. Kids revel in the wonders of Las Vegas and ride out every minute until they drop from exhaustion.

Together with my best friend, her son and my two little boys, I set out to dispel the negative images from my mind. The first matter of business was to choose a hotel. There are countless lodging opportunities in Vegas, but I gathered information on the ones I deemed most kid friendly.

Several hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard welcome children. Room rates vary depending on season and room availability. I chose Treasure Island for our destination, and I’m glad I did. Treasure Island holds a bounty for children. The exterior alone – with its rock façade, pirate ships and mote – offers mystery and the promise of adventure. The huge skeleton face can be seen smiling from blocks away. The creators of Treasure Island obviously went to great lengths to ensure the authenticity of a pirate lair when they created the walls and dock outside the hotel.

A tram runs from Treasure Island to its sister hotel, The Mirage, every four minutes. The ride is smooth and the vehicle is clean. All three of our little boys were always thrilled to be passengers.

The exterior of The Mirage is enough to provide lengthy entertainment for children. Its waterfalls, dolphin statues and wishing ponds please passersby. The entranceway is filled with aquariums, streams and magical mist. Children and adults alike are charmed by its passageways.

Dining Out – Kid Style!
Once we hit town, the most important matter of business became finding suitable places to take our small children to eat. Rather than migrating toward the typical tourist spots, we found it easier to feed our youngsters at buffets. Almost all of the major hotels offer buffet-style dining. Of the five we visited, the average cost for adults was $10 and only $5 for my 6-year-old. Children younger than 5 ate free. We were quickly seated each time and able to get food to our kids within a few minutes. It was definitely the easiest way to dine.

Entertainment for All!
A don’t miss for families is Mandalay Bay Shark Reef. Walking into the Shark Reef is like taking a step into a warm rain cloud: steamy, foggy and inviting. White crocodiles hover in the waters just inside the entrance, eels lurk behind boulders and great white sharks circle the tanks at the far end of the reef.

These creatures are truly impressive, but the highlight of the visit was the petting pool. Within its shallow depths, leopard sharks swish by, horseshoe crabs scuttle about and starfish cling to the bottom. Each visitor is allowed to gently stroke each animal and snatch photos. Sleeves may get soggy in the process, but having such a personal encounter with marine animals is worth it. The cost is $14 for adults; children younger than 5 are free.

The dolphins at Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden are fabulous! Via underwater windows it is easy to glimpse these playful mammals in action and just as easy to observe them from above. The tour guides are knowledgeable and make the visit informative. After the dolphin encounter, visitors proceed to the lairs of the white tigers and lions. These huge cats are stunning in their unique whiteness, but watch out for the male white lion – he has a bad disposition and loves to empty his bladder on unsuspecting tourists. Adult admission is $10; children younger than 10 are free.

Circus Circus holds many adventures for children. Under the pink "big top" you’ll find a roller coaster ready to provide countless rides to make children shriek with joy. Teenagers will especially enjoy the huge arcade.

Feel like splurging? Take your family to see Mystere at Treasure Island. This performing group is fabulous and will please children of all ages. This circus-like show is spectacularly unique, but expensive. Tickets are $88 for children and adults alike.

The Ghiradelli Chocolate Shop and creamery is right on the strip and offers the tastiest ice cream and desserts. The prices are reasonable and the selections will make you drool. Make sure you take your kids in for a sundae!

Free – Yes Free! – Entertainment
Throughout the day it is easy to catch a water show at the Bellagio. Just stand on the sidewalk in front of the hotel and wait for the excitement to begin. The Bellagio Water Show is synchronized to music and is worthy of your wait. If you are patient enough to return at dark, the show takes on a new intensity.

No tickets or appointments are necessary to watch the brilliant erupting volcano at The Mirage. But patience and an early arrival are required to get a good spot to see the eruption. Explosions occur frequently after the sun goes down.

The Pirate Show at Treasure Island begins at 4 p.m. daily and continues every hour and a half until midnight. The intricate scenery sets the stage for nightly pirate battles. The actors are handsome, burly fighting men, and the ships are equipped for battle. With gunshots and fires it is a skirmish not to be missed. Children of all ages cluster at the pier to watch the display. Get there at least a half-hour before show time to guarantee a good viewing spot.

Don’t miss jousting in Excalibur! Each night the entertainment begins as knights clang their swords together and twirl around in battle. Bring your cameras.

New acts grace the stage at the Circus Circus big top every hour. The performers are professional and know how to please an audience. There is no charge, but make sure you are there at least a half-hour before show time to get seats. Otherwise you can look forward to watching the show while you stand. Performances begin daily at 11 a.m.

Freemont Center is "pedestrian only" and hosts countless street vendors. The spectacular light shows begin at sundown. A new brilliant light display rockets across the night sky every hour. Free to all attendees, the Freemont Center is at the northern end of the strip in the older part of town. It has been renovated and is clean and kid friendly.

Finally, load the kids into the car and drive the strip at night. The colorful lights are better than New York City on Christmas Eve!

Can I Get Away Without the Kids?
Yes! Almost all of the larger hotels offer babysitting services. The sitters are trained and reliable, but they are not cheap. If you would like an evening out without the children, you can rest assured they will be in goods hands, but your pocket book will feel a nasty sting.

Be Prepared…
All the hotels in Vegas are built to lure visitors into the casinos. When you enter any hotel be prepared to wade through slot machines and betting tables on the way to your excursion. For example, walking our way to the Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy we had to trek at least 10 minutes through the casinos of The Mirage. During your trek, don’t let your kids linger at the slot machines or guards will immediately approach and ask you to remove your children.

It is never easy traveling with three small children. But our trip to Las Vegas was memorable. Although we were completely exhausted by the end of each day, my friend and I left with countless memories of our little boys as they marveled at the wonders of Las Vegas!

Want to see more?

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• Kids Wanted: How to Find a Child-Friendly Hotel
• Talk about it!