It doesn’t rain too much in Las Vegas, but when it does, you and your family probably don’t want to be outside. The same goes for those scorching hot summer days, too. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Las Vegas on Farm Road is providing you this list of indoor attractions and activities you can take advantage of when the weather is not ideal.
Visit a Unique Museum
“Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by TDelCoro
Vegas isn’t just known for the Strip and all of the casinos — it’s also home to many fascinating museums that are sure to pique the interest of anyone in your family. Plus, there are so many indoor museums with air conditioning, so you can escape the heat and learn a thing or two when you visit.
The Pinball Hall of Fame houses the largest collection of pinball game machines in the world, including machines from the 1950s. And since fun is mandatory at this off-the-wall museum, you can play a few rounds, too. Try your hand at hundreds of differently themed games, from music genres to famous bands, movies, and TV shows to sports and more, all for a few quarters at a time. All of the museum’s profits go to different charities.
If you’re looking for a bit of nature, then you have to check out the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden. This indoor attraction features seasonal displays of plants, flowers, art, and music that you can see, smell, and hear. Professional horticulturists and designers create special displays inspired by each season and even holidays, like Lunar New Year. You and the kids can spend all day in the 14,000-square-foot garden just gazing at the marvelous sites.
Speaking of Marvel, you can take your little superhero or scientist to the interactive Marvel S.T.A.T.I.O.N museum for a deep dive into the history, science, and technology of the Marvel world. During your visit, you “train” as a new agent, build a case file on your favorite heroes, like Captain America and Iron Man, and get up close and personal with artifacts like Cap’s shield, Iron Man’s and Ant Man’s suits, and much more.
Go Shopping
Enjoy a day shopping in luxury stores, seeing stunning fashion-forward displays, and even taking a gondola ride on an indoor canal at these amazing shopping destinations in Las Vegas.
Head to the Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes for an unforgettable shopping experience. Cross over bridges and walk stone pathways that are spitting image of the real-life canals of Venice. Shops the latest styles in dozens of stores, like Banana Republic, Coach, Jimmy Choo, and Burberry. Don’t forget to take a gondola ride, a half-mile adventure complete with site-seeing and a singing gondolier.
Watch models strut down the runway while shopping at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas. This venue hosts many events throughout the week, including themed fashion shows featuring styles from stores within the mall. You can shop clothes, accessories, and goods for your whole family, including kids’ clothes at places like Abercrombie & Fitch, Macy’s, and Nordstrom.
Visit the Animals
If your family wants to see some animals instead of staying inside on a particularly hot or rainy day, then you can take them to some of Vegas’s best zoos and aquariums.
Despite its name, the Shark Reef Aquarium is home to more than just those big-toothed water-based predators. This facility features over 2,000 different animals, from sharks to rays to piranhas to sea turtles and much more. You can also feel like you’re swimming right alongside these animals when you catch a show at the Undersea Explorer VR Theater where you can immerse yourself in a deep-sea adventure like no other. No scuba certification required!
Meet the animals face-to-face during a trip to SeaQuest Las Vegas. Feed animals like sloths, toucans, tortoises, and reptiles of all kinds. Hold a slithering snake or a curled-up armadillo, get a fish pedicure, snorkel with stingrays, or meet a real-life mermaid in person. This zoo experience is a must for aspiring veterinarians and animal lovers of all ages.
Pay a visit to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, located in the Mirage, to see dolphins, white tigers, and other exotic animals at this sanctuary. You can watch the dolphins play with the trainers, or you can have a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience. Book a Paint With Dolphins excursion where you work with a dolphin to create a painted masterpiece or see what it’s like to be a trainer during the Dolphin Trainer 101 events.
Try Some Indoor Sports
Whether you’re hitting golf balls or tossing a bowling ball down the lane, indoor sports are a great way to pass the time while chilling inside away from the rain or heat.
Head to Twilight Zone Mini Golf for a spectacular glow-in-the-dark putt-putt course that’s great for the whole family. Knock your ball around the 18-hole course, which is decorated with Twilight Zone-themed art and props, including characters and backdrops from your favorite classic episodes. And once you’re done playing mini-golf, head to the on-site bowling alley for a few rounds or the arcade to play your favorite space invaders games.
Get more distance on your swing at TopGolf, a state-of-the-art indoor driving range that incorporates some amazingly fun games for the whole family. Play Angry Birds by hitting your golf ball (one of the birds) into the (virtual) structures topped with green pigs. Or, challenge all the golfers in your family to some target practice or a virtual course. Or, send your kids to the KidZone where they learn proper golfing techniques to improve their swing.
Play Around at an Indoor Amusement Park
Climb, jump, and zoom around at an indoor amusement park when it’s just too hot or rainy to play at your local park in Las Vegas. Get some high-flying thrills at the Adventure Dome, where you’ll find rides and activities for kids of almost any age. The youngest kids will love playing at the arcade, trying to win prizes at fair games like basketball and balloon bust, and goofing around during a clown show. Children who are 48 inches or taller can ride the big roller coasters, bumper cars, the swinging ship, and many more. Now that you know some of our favorite places to visit and things to do on a gloomy or uber-hot day, tell us your go-to spots. Did we miss any Las Vegas activities and destinations for families that you love? Let us know, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list.