Vacationing in Nevada with the Family

Although you might think that Nevada is only for adults, Nevada is actually a fantastic place to vacation with the family. From the big city glitz and glamour in Las Vegas to national monuments throughout the state, you really can’t go wrong traveling with the family in Nevada. Here are a few of our favorite picks to do with the kids.

Splash Around in Lake Mead

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a great place to spend the day with the kids and family. Because of the climate, no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find tons of recreation opportunities here along with peaceful scenic drive and picnic spots. There are also dedicated children activities where your kids can earn their Junior Ranger badge.

Go on a Hike

One of the best places to hike in Nevada and the entire country is Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It’s relatively close to Las Vegas, and your kids will have a blast climbing amongst these rocks. You can also visit another hour outside of Vegas called Valley of Fire. This is the oldest and largest state park in Nevada, and you can even spot some ancient petroglyphs sure to dazzle and delight your little ones. If you do find yourself here in the summer when temperatures are easily over 100 degrees, make sure you pack plenty of water and sunscreen!

Visit the Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is a national landmark and the pictures your kids see in their textbooks can’t do this massive landmark justice. We recommend that you take the time to stand at the top of the dam and also go on the Powerplant Tour. This tour will take you and your family inside the dam and bring you all the way to the bottom of the dam into the power generation area. It’s an incredible experience, and you might even learn something new too!

Explore Reno

Reno is one of the main cities in Nevada and is full of tons of family-friendly activities. From the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum to the Wilbur D. May Center, you can have a day’s worth of interactive exploration fun in this city with the family.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Are your kids into ancient dinosaurs and fossils? If they are, you’re in luck! The Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park offers you the opportunity to go on a self-guided tour through the ghost town on Berlin. You can also go on a ranger-led tour of the nearby fossil quarry and even camp at the Diana Mine campground.

Check Out Vegas

No travel guide about Nevada would be complete without Vegas. Sure, you might have a hard time getting your kids into the nightclub, but there are tons of things to do with your family in Vegas. From walking around the Vegas Strip and admiring the buildings to taking them to an entertainment show at night, you can create memories that’ll last a lifetime here.