Are you traveling to Las Vegas with your teenagers in tow? Are you looking for things to do in Las Vegas with your teenagers? If so, you’re in luck! This vibrant city offers plenty of activities to keep your teens entertained and engaged. With so many great family friendly attractions, it is hard to narrow it down to just a few things to do. But, after a fun family trip to Las Vegas, Buddy and I are sharing our top picks for fun things to do when visiting Las Vegas with teenagers including activities both on and off the Las Vegas strip!
We visited Las Vegas when we tagged along with Sal (aka Dad) during a work conference. Buddy and I got to play during the day while Dad worked. Unfortunately, our trip was during early June, the hottest time of the year in Las Vegas! For that reason, we adventured out either early in the morning or during or after sunset. We also drove off the Las Vegas strip to visit some friends. And where did we stay? The Luxor because it was one of the conference hotels.
Pro tip: Folding family travel into work trips is a great way to save some money on travel!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate , Going, and Get Your Guide, we earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products that we have used ourselves. As a member of Travelpayouts affiliate network, we earn an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases from Travelpayouts program partners such as Booking.com and Tripadvisor. And sometimes I share my Stitch Fix referral link. No worries, none of these programs come at an additional cost to you! These affiliate links support this blog and keep it running. Thanks for your support. All opinions expressed here are our own. All photos are our own and remain the copyright of MPA Project Travels.
The National Atomic Testing Museum provided us with free tickets for our visit, and The Neon Museum provided us with 50% off discounted tickets for our visit, however all views and opinions expressed in this post are our own and based on our first-hand experiences.
5 Things to Do When Visiting Las Vegas with Teens
1. Play at the arcades on the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas has a huge selection of arcades! Whether you’re looking for classic games or the latest VR experiences, you’ll find it all in Las Vegas. And teens generally love arcades, which makes them a great place to spend some time when you visit Vegas with teens.
There are so many family-friendly arcades to choose from! Below is a list of just some of the arcades on the Strip in Las Vegas.
- Fun Dungeon at Excalibur
- Carnival Midway at Circus Circus
- The Big Apple Rollercoaster and Arcade at New York New York
And many of the hotels have their own smaller arcades. If you are staying at a different property and do not feel like walking to another hotel to visit an arcade, check out the place you are staying. Chances are, they may have an arcade. And arcades are fun for the whole family!
When we visited Las Vegas, we went to the Fun Dungeon at Excalibur and the Big Apple Arcade at New York New York to play arcade games. We wanted to visit the Midway at Circus Circus but ran out of time. Unfortunately, we did not play games at the arcades we visited. Buddy wanted to save his pennies for other activities.
Buddy, our in house teen travel expert, says “The arcades in Las Vegas, I honestly think they are kinda cool. But we didn’t play at them because we were saving money for our other summer family trip.”
2. Ride the Big Apple Rollercoaster
The Big Apple Rollercoaster at the New York New York is a fun family-friendly attraction perfect for families with older children, teens, and adults alike! The thrill ride zips through the Las Vegas version of New York City taking riders speeding by recreations of New York’s iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. Teens will enjoy the Big Apple Rollercoaster & Arcade. It is one of the few attractions in Las Vegas that is geared specifically towards teens.
Buddy and I rode the Big Apple Rollercoaster at sunset during our most recent trip to Las Vegas. Having spent time on the coasters in Circus Circus on earlier trips to Vegas, this was Buddy’s first time on the coaster in New York New York. Next trip, we will check out the thrill rides on the STRAT!
Buddy says, “The Big Apple coaster was pretty thrilling. Honestly, I was a little bit scared because I have been out of practice with riding coasters, but it was fun! My number one tip is don’t be afraid like I was. I recommend this roller coaster for teens. Just don’t eat before you go on the ride! And stay and play in the arcade afterwards.”
When I was a teenager, my brothers and I went through a roller coaster afficionado phase. I definitely enjoyed riding the Big Apple Rollercoaster with Buddy! I may have enjoyed the ride even more than he did. It was a great adrenaline rush! And we took our trip as the full moon was rising over the Strip in Las Vegas. It was an amazing view to see before the coaster’s first 76-foot drop!
For the most up-to-date information on the Big Apple Rollercoaster, check out the website! And here are your tickets to ride!
3. Spend the day at Area 15
For our next recommendation, we are heading off The Strip to the nearby Area 15.
Area 15 is an experiential entertainment district in Las Vegas that offers something for everyone. From interactive art installations to live music and restaurants, the district is also home to a variety of activities and attractions. And with its convenient location just off the Las Vegas Strip, Area 15 is a great place to visit with teens. Just make sure you visit before 10pm! After 10pm Area 15 becomes 21+ and teens are no longer allowed.
There are many fun things to do and see at Area 15. From the Mega Mart to Wink World, to the Van Gogh Immersive Experience, to the Birdly Virtual Reality Flight Simulator, to the Emporium Arcade! In addition to the attractions, there are also places to eat on site as well as stores with candy and sodas from all over the world. If you are looking for a way to keep your teens entertained in Las Vegas, Area 15 has something for everyone.
Depending on what you want to do or see, there are different price points for Area 15. You can purchase experiences a la carte and you choose the activities that most interest your teens and best suits your budget! Area 15 even offers a free entry pass. While you can purchase tickets to experiences on site, purchasing online ahead of time is recommended in case things sell out.
We visited Area 15 with the free entry pass. But Buddy ended up paying for two attractions. Here is what he had to say.
Buddy’s Thoughts on Area 15
“I liked the free tickets to Area 15 but most of the attractions are not free. The attractions are really cool and high tech, and I am disappointed we did not go to them because we had free tickets. But I paid for Particle Quest and Brainstorm. It was $14 for both. The Particle Quest was $8, and Brainstorm was $5.
The Brainstorm is legit! It will read your brain waves! It’s kind of scary at first but it is kind of cool.
I do recommend both Particle Quest and Brainstorm. And I I highly recommend Area 15 for teenagers. Not just highly, super recommend.
My number one tip is to pay for some attractions because they are really cool and if you kind of feel left out if you don’t pay for anything. Also, if you want to go to the Mega Mart you need to buy your tickets in advance. Things add up but it is worth it.”
Yvonne’s (aka Mom) thoughts on Area 15
I agree with Buddy. Tickets to the larger experiences in Area 15 would have been nice. But I chose not to splurge on the experience this time around. The prices on the experiences at Area 15 can add up quickly. It is nice to have a free option. And I was pleased with our free entry tickets this time around.
My favorite thing at Area 15 were the interactive mirror installations inside and the sculptures and artwork outside. I recommend checking out the sculptures at dusk because there is enough light to see the sculptures that are not lit up but enough darkness to admire the ones that are.
I also loved the mini house of mirrors in the sculpture garden of Area 15! So much so, we filmed a Movement Postcard on site!
We spent about 2 hours at Area 15 and as Buddy mentioned, he only did two activities! If you plan on doing a more immersive experience, plan on spending more time there. You can definitely spend all day at Area 15! Honest parent moment, it was a little bit boring as a parent to sit and watch him do the Quest. But watching the Brainstorm was fun. Parents, you may want to splurge and buy yourself the activity ticket as well!
For the most up-to-date information on Area 15, check out their website.
4. Visit the National Atomic Testing Museum
The National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas is a great off the strip family-friendly attraction Visitors can learn about the history of atomic testing in the Nevada desert, see interactive exhibits on the science of nuclear weapons, and even experience simulated nuclear blasts. This is a really great place to visit with teens who are interested in science, engineering, and history. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the National Atomic Testing Museum is definitely worth a visit.
But don’t take my word for it, here is what Buddy had to say.
“I do recommend people visit the National Atomic Testing Museum; you will learn a lot. I learned how the whole nuclear thing works and how the Nevada Test Sites we built and done. It was a good experience.”
“The number one thing I recommend people to see in the museum is the video, the ground zero video. That’s where they have a thrilling presentation with steam, lights, and strobes. The film is about a nuclear blast, and it gives you a lot of contexts about what is going on during a blast and the history of the Nuclear Test Site. So, I liked that. The video was very thrilling.”
“My favorite thing about the National Atomic Testing Museum was literally almost everything. It was a good museum. Yes, if you are a teenager interested in nuclear testing and nuclear devices in general, you should visit this site.”
Buddy and I have a blog post dedicated to the National Atomic Testing Museum sharing our Top 4 Reasons why Families Must Visit the Museum. And for the most up-to-date information including hours of operation and ticket prices, visit the website. If you want to visit this museum as a part of a larger tour of the city, check out the Las Vegas: Go City Pass.
5. Visit the Neon Museum
The Neon Museum in Las Vegas is a must-see for families visiting the area. The museum features an extensive collection of iconic neon signs, many of which were once installed on the famous Las Vegas Strip. It is also a great place to see the bright lights of Las Vegas with older kiddos and teens. And it is open in the evenings when other attractions might be close to visitors under the age of 21.
Buddy loves The Neon Museum. Here is what he had to say.
“I liked the guided tour. It was pretty astonishing to see all neon signs. And how they told the story about Vegas. It kind of made me want to learn more about the history of Vegas and the neon signs as well. And Brilliant! was kinda cool. It was kinda cool to see the old signs come back to life. I recommend it. My favorite thing about Brilliant! was that the lights were synched to the music.”
“I do recommend it for teenagers, especially if you are into lighting and into Vegas history itself. And yes, I would go back and visit again.”
We loved visiting the museum and seeing all the neon lights! Interested in visiting The Neon Museum? Check out our blog post 5 Tips for Visiting the Neon Museum for more information. And for the most up-to-date information, visit the website.
We are big museum fans! We hope you enjoy these museums as much as we did! Museums are a great place for the whole family!
A few more things to do with teens in and around Las Vegas!
Is Fremont Street good a good spot to visit with teens?
Yes! Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas is a fun place to walk around, watch street performers, and listen to live music. And best of all, it is free! We cover that in 5 Fun and FREE Things to Do in Vegas with Kids. We share our recommendations for places both on the Strip and in the Greater Las Vegas area.
What about visiting Hoover Dam from Las Vegas?
Yes! Hoover Dam is a great day trip from Las Vegas. If you are looking for more information about vising Hoover Dam with your family, we have you covered with Travel Made Easy: What to Know Before Visiting Hoover Dam.
What about visiting Death Valley National Park, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, or the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?
Yes! These sites all offer great outdoor adventures and can be a great day trip from Las Vegas.
But it really depends on what time of year you visit. We do not recommend visiting these places in the summer because it is dangerously hot!
If you plan on visiting Death Valley, we have an entire series on that! This is a great place to start.
What to Bring When Visiting Las Vegas with Teens
If you are visiting the fabulous Las Vegas with Teens, here are our suggestions for what to bring.
The Teenager’s Recommendations
Mom’s Recommendations
- A reusable water bottle
- Comfortable shoes or sandals
- Sunscreen for the teens (or this sunscreen that you can take in your carry-on if you are flying in)
- Sunscreen for mom
- A hat
- Lip balm
- Sunglasses
Las Vegas is known for its gambling and nightlife, but there are fun activities for teens to do while visiting this exciting city on a family vacation. There are many ways to have an unforgettable experience in Sin City with your kiddos. Are you planning a trip to Las Vegas with your teens? What activities are you planning on doing when you visit Vegas?
Do you have questions about family travel or traveling with teens? Feel free to reach out! We are happy to chat and share our experiences! We look forward to connecting with you.
Planning a trip to Las Vegas with Teens? Check out our blog post series on Las Vegas!
- Visiting Vegas with Teens: 5 Fun and Interesting Things to Do
- 5 Fun and FREE Things to Do in Vegas with Kids
- 4 Great Reasons Families Must Visit the National Atomic Testing Museum
- 5 Great Tips for Visiting The Neon Museum
- Travel Made Easy: What to Know Before Visiting Hoover Dam
- 5 Interesting Things To Do in Vegas off the Strip
Pin this post for later!
Planning a trip to Vegas?
Find things to do!
Never overpay for flights again with Going!
Going is our absolute favorite place to find cheap flights! We have been using Going since 2017 and with Going our family of three has flown from Arizona to Paris, London, and Hawaii for under $900 round trip total! There are so many options for trips, it is hard to pick the few that fall in the time of Buddy’s schools holidays. We highly recommend Going for families looking to stretch their travel budgets!
These are great ideas not just for kids but for adults too haha ok maybe not the roller coaster 🤢
These are all great suggestions. I actually rode the roller coaster at the New York New York Hotel it was really fun. I’ll make sure to check out some other sites mentioned on the list.
The New York New York Coaster is really fun! I liked it too!
Las Vegas looks like a fun city to spend the weekend! Thank you so much for sharing this 🙂
Vegas with teens, what an interesting take! Thanks for sharing this guide 🙂
You are welcome!
Such a perfect post to help families out there! I never thought there were that many options in Vegas for teens, but you have proved me wrong! Thanks 🙂
You are welcome!
I had never heard about the National Atomic Testing Museum or Neon Museum until you shared about them, but now I’d love to visit both!
Happy to share! Please let us know if you do get the chance to visit!
Wow. Looks like there’s plenty of fun for everyone in Vegas!
Oh these are great activities for teens and people of all ages, especially if you aren’t into gambling. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome! And yes it is good for non-gamblers. We aren’t gamblers and since we often travel to Vegas with the kiddo, we are always looking for different things to do.
Neon museum looks like an interesting place to visit. I would love to.
Great post! I’m a bit too old to be a teenager, but I think I’d still love to do all of these activities! The Neon museum looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome!
I love this! I really enjoyed Vegas with my husband – and we never gambled once. But I never thought about all the things our girls would enjoy, too. It’s a whole paradigm shift on Vegas!
Thank you Meg!
Love these suggestions! I’m such a big kid so want to do all of them! Area 15 looks really cool, even if you do have to pay for some of them. I enjoyed the recommendations from Buddy!
Thank you for sharing so fun recommendations for our upcoming vacation to Vegas!!
You are very welcome!
I’d do all of these except for the rollercoaster. Why should teens have all the fun, haha. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely – why should the teens have all the fun! And the rollercoaster wasn’t that bad – it was actually a lot of fun!! You are welcome!!
The neon museum would be my first choice. What a unique experience!
It is a lot of fun! I love seeing the historical photos.
The atomic museum sounds great! Visiting Red Rock Canyon is another teen friendly activity in Las Vegas if they like being outdoors, climbing, or hiking.
Vegas offers something for everyone! Great recommendations on all the fun things to do with teens!
Great ideas on interesting things to do in Las Vegas not only for teens but adults too! I love the big apple rollercoaster and the atomic testing museum. I have visited Las Vegas many years ago and I should make another visit soon. 🙂
I too love the Big Apple Rollercoaster and the National Atomic Testing Museum was fascinating!