Affordable Things to Do with the Whole Family in Vegas

Location: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Hours: Mon – Fri from 4 – 11pm, Sat & Sunday from noon to 11pm

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas offers a seasonal, outdoor ice skating rink for all ages from 4:00 – 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 11:00 p.m. on weekends. Admission to the ice rink is $30 per person – $20 for locals, military, and first responders – and includes skate rentals. Families have free access to the venue surrounding the rink is free. Currently the ice rink is closed, it will open back up during the Wintertime.

For a more inexpensive, off-Strip alternative, City National Arena in Summerlin offers open skating at $10 per person ($7 with military ID). Skate rentals are $3. Unlike Cosmopolitan, City National Arena is open year-round and also the training home of the Vegas Golden Nights. VGK training sessions are frequently free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis as well.

Location: City National Arena
Hours: Check calendar for available times

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas offers a seasonal, outdoor ice skating rink for all ages from 4:00 – 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 11:00 p.m. on weekends. Admission to the ice rink is $30 per person – $20 for locals, military, and first responders – and includes skate rentals. Families have free access to the venue surrounding the rink is free. Currently the ice rink is closed, it will open back up during the Wintertime.

For a more inexpensive, off-Strip alternative, City National Arena in Summerlin offers open skating at $10 per person ($7 with military ID). Skate rentals are $3. Unlike Cosmopolitan, City National Arena is open year-round and also the training home of the Vegas Golden Nights. VGK training sessions are frequently free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis as well.

Location: Circus Circus Las Vegas
Hours: Mon: 11am – 9pm , Tues – Thurs: 11am – 6pm , Fri – Sunday: 10am – 12am (subject to change, check website for details)

The AdventureDome at Circus Circus is Las Vegas’ only theme park and one of the largest indoor theme parks in the nation. Designed to look like a large circus tent, the AdventureDome boasts two roller coasters, 25 rides, games, and free viewing of daily circus performances.

This is family-friendly fun for kids and adults of any age. If you are under 48 inches, an all-day ride pass is $20. For those over 48 inches, a regular ride pass is $40. There is also the option to buy individual ride tickets.

Location: New York New York Hotel and Casino
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 11am – 11pm , Fri – Sunday: 11am – midnight

If you are a fan of roller coasters and the AdventureDome is not adventurous enough, the Las Vegas Strip also features an outdoor roller coaster, “the Big Apple Coaster,” at the New York New York. Everyone over 54 inches can go for a ride through the loops and down the 203-foot drop at 67 miles per hour.

A general ride on the coaster is $25 per person during regular hours and $10 for re-rides. For Vegas locals, people in the Military, and First Responders, the ride costs $18.

For more information on packages and rates, make sure to visit their website.

Location: Bellagio Las Vegas
Hours: Open 24 hours

The Bellagio Hotel and Casino is often known for its spectacular fountains. Every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to midnight, the Bellagio’s fountains come alive for a free water and light show unlike any other on the Strip.

However, visitors and locals can find another dazzling attraction in the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens inside the building. Regularly redecorated to match the current season or holiday celebration, the Bellagio’s 14,000-square-foot Botanical Gardens are a treat to visit again and again.

The Gardens are always free to all visitors.

Location(s): M&M World, Coca-Cola Store, Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hours: Check each property website for hours

All within walking distance of each other, Las Vegas Boulevard hosts three major brands’ stores the whole family can enjoy. M&M World is right next door to the Coca-Cola Store and both are across the street from Hershey’s Chocolate World at the New York New York.

Guests can park in one of the two New York New York parking garages for $15 to access these stores.

M&M World features a full wall of M&M colors you can mix and match, the Coca-Cola Store has a Coke bottle-shaped elevator, and Hershey’s has replicas of both the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building constructed entirely out of chocolate.

You may even catch some chocolate mascots at M&M World or Hershey’s Chocolate World while you’re there.

Location(s): Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston
Hours: Check each property website for hours

Believe it or not, Las Vegas has more than just hotels. Home to several national conservation and recreation areas, it offers breathtaking nature adventures that anyone of any age will enjoy, such as Red Rock Canyon and Spring Mountains, better known as Mount Charleston.

Both options feature fantastic views, numerous hiking trails, and picnicking opportunities.

Entry to Red Rock Canyon costs $20 per vehicle, $8 per bicycle, $10 for motorcycles or $5 for pedestrians for the day. It gives access to the Scenic Loop and all of the hiking trails within the canyon. Timed reservations are currently required for vehicle entry through May 31st. Annual passes are also available.

Mount Charleston’s Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon are free to the public and offer a great getaway a quick 30 minutes from Las Vegas. Seasonal campgrounds are available in both canyons for a small fee.