7 Days in Las Vegas with Teens: A Family-Friendly Itinerary of Shows, Nature, and Neon
Las Vegas is more than a city of lights; it’s a modern desert wonder where engineering, entertainment, and the Mojave’s rugged beauty converge. Founded in 1905 and rocketing to fame after the Hoover Dam project in the 1930s, the city now blends epic spectacles with easy day trips to world-class natural wonders.
Families love Vegas for its walkable attractions—dancing Bellagio Fountains, the LINQ High Roller, Shark Reef Aquarium, and immersive playgrounds like AREA15. Teens get the thrill of zip lines, gondola rides, neon museums, and Sphere’s jaw-dropping visuals—no blackjack required.
Practical tips: Las Vegas gets hot most of the year, so hydrate, wear sunscreen, and plan outdoor time early or late. Minors can walk through casinos with guardians but can’t linger on gaming floors. Book shows and major attractions in advance, and build in pool or rest time to keep everyone fresh.
Las Vegas
Think of Las Vegas as an entertainment campus ringed by iconic nature. On any given day you can kayak jade-green coves on the Colorado River, then be back for a Cirque du Soleil show and a bowl of legendary Thai noodles. It’s that contrast—the Mojave and the marquee—that makes a week here truly sing.
Don’t miss the Bellagio Conservatory’s seasonal displays, the Venetian’s canal-side strolls, the High Roller’s 550-foot views, or downtown’s vintage glow at the Neon Museum and Fremont Street Experience. For teens, add AREA15’s immersive art (hello, Omega Mart) and the LINQ zipline.
Where to stay (family-friendly picks):
- Vdara (no casino, smoke-free, kitchenette suites) or The Signature at MGM Grand (all suites with kitchenettes) for easy downtime.
- Mandalay Bay for its beach, wave pool, and lazy river—catnip for teens.
- Red Rock Casino Resort for a quieter resort near Red Rock Canyon, great pools, and easy access to hiking.
- Browse options: VRBO Las Vegas stays | Hotels.com Las Vegas hotels
Getting to Las Vegas (LAS): Most U.S. hubs have nonstop flights (about 1–2 hours from California; ~3–5 hours from the Midwest and East Coast). Typical roundtrips run ~$120–$450 depending on season. Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. Rideshare to the Strip takes 10–20 minutes outside rush hour.
Day 1: Arrival, Pools, and the Bellagio Classics
Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with pool time—Signature at MGM, Vdara, or Mandalay Bay’s lazy river are great for teens. For a late lunch, try Secret Pizza (no sign) at The Cosmopolitan for New York–style slices or the food hall at Eataly (Park MGM) for quick pasta and panini.
Evening: Stroll the Strip’s greatest hits: the Bellagio Conservatory, then the Bellagio Fountains (shows usually every 30 minutes in the evening). Dinner choices nearby: Mon Ami Gabi (Paris) for steak frites and Strip-front patio; Din Tai Fung (ARIA) for soup dumplings; or Yardbird (The Venetian) for crispy chicken. Grab gelato at BRERA/Gelato Messina in The Venetian before turning in.
Day 2: Shark Reef, LINQ Promenade, and a Nighttime Open-Top Bus Tour
Morning: Breakfast at Eggslut (The Cosmopolitan) for egg sandwiches on brioche, or Hash House A Go Go (LINQ) for oversized pancakes teens will photograph. Head to Shark Reef Aquarium (Mandalay Bay) to wander tunnels with sharks, rays, and Komodo dragons.
Afternoon: Make your way to the LINQ Promenade: ride the High Roller (time it for golden hour if skies are clear), try Fly LINQ Zipline if your teens are up for it, and refuel with tacos at Flour & Barley or sundaes from Ghirardelli. Coffee break for parents at Vesta Coffee Roasters (Arts District) if you want a quick rideshare detour.
Evening: See the Strip glow from an open-top bus. Book the Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour (2–3 hours, engaging live guide—great overview for first-timers).
Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus
Day 3: Hoover Dam Mini Tour, Neon Museum, and Fremont Street
Morning: Beat the crowds and heat with an award-winning, short-format dam visit: Award Winning 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour. Expect hotel pickup, Boulder City history, and picture stops above the dam and at Lake Mead overlooks—perfect length for teens.
Award Winning 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour from Vegas
Afternoon: Head downtown for lunch at Pizza Rock (award-winning pies; get the New Yorker or the Sicilian). Then visit the Neon Museum’s Boneyard (timed tickets) to stroll among restored vintage signs—great for photos and Vegas history in bite-size stories.
Evening: Explore the Fremont Street Experience canopy shows, live music, and street performers. Dinner at Carson Kitchen (American small plates—bacon jam, cacio e pepe) or Le Thai (spicy waterfall beef). Teens who like arcade fun can pop into the Pinball Hall of Fame earlier or another night.
Day 4: Day Trip to Grand Canyon West (Skywalk + Hoover Dam Stop)
Make this a full-day adventure to one of the world’s great landscapes with convenient hotel pickup and time at Eagle Point and Guano Point. The optional glass-bottom Skywalk thrills without needing to reach the South Rim; many tours add a Hoover Dam photo stop on the way.
Grand Canyon West with Hoover Dam Stop and Optional Skywalk
Expect an early start (around 6–7 a.m.) and a return by early evening. Pack snacks and layers; weather can change fast. Back in town, keep dinner easy: Best Friend (Park MGM) for Korean-Mex comfort dishes, or Eataly’s quick counters if everyone’s pleasantly wiped.
Day 5: Emerald Cave Kayak + Show Night
Morning: Trade neon for clear water on a guided Colorado River paddle to a glowing grotto—manageable for beginners and loved by teens. Hotel pickup available on many departures.
Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup
Afternoon: Pool-and-reset time. Mandalay Bay Beach, Resorts World’s pool complex, or your hotel’s cabanas are ideal for a recharge. Parents: a quick espresso at Sambalatte (Boca Park or Molasky) hits the spot.
Evening: Choose a family-friendly show: Blue Man Group (Luxor), Mystère by Cirque du Soleil (Treasure Island), or Jabbawockeez (MGM Grand). Pre-show dinner ideas: Lotus of Siam (Sahara Ave) for northern Thai (order crispy garlic prawns and khao soi) or Yardbird for a comfort-food feast.
Day 6: Red Rock Canyon, Summerlin Bites, and AREA15 Immersion
Morning: Grab breakfast at BabyStacks Café (red velvet pancakes) en route to Red Rock Canyon’s 13-mile Scenic Drive (time-entry reservations recommended on busy weekends). Short hikes like Calico Tanks or Petroglyph Wall bring big views without marathon miles—go early for cooler temps.
Afternoon: Lunch at Downtown Summerlin (Lazy Dog for something-for-everyone menus; Jiwa Thai for quick noodles). If you prefer an educational interlude, the Springs Preserve offers interactive desert exhibits and botanical gardens that younger and older teens both enjoy.
Evening: Dive into AREA15, the city’s immersive arts-and-adrenaline hub. Explore Omega Mart by Meow Wolf, try the LIFTOFF balloon-viewing ride, or play at Five Iron Golf’s indoor bays. Dinner at The Beast by Todd English (shareable BBQ, burgers, and bowls). Dessert idea: Black Tap’s CrazyShakes (The Venetian) on the way back.
Day 7: Gondolas, Last Bites, and Departure
Morning: Brunch with a view at Sadelle’s (Bellagio) overlooking the Conservatory. Ride the Venetian’s indoor or outdoor gondolas and wander St. Mark’s Square; it’s kitsch in the best way and perfect for parting photos.
Afternoon: Last-minute souvenir run at Forum Shops at Caesars or Fashion Show Mall. If time allows, pop into the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Depart for the airport (15–25 minutes by rideshare); compare any last-minute schedule changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
Food and snack shortlist (family-approved): Eggslut (breakfast sandwiches), Hash House A Go Go (pancakes), PublicUs (downtown coffee), Urth Caffé (Wynn Plaza), Secret Pizza (Cosmo), Tacos El Gordo (late-night win), Din Tai Fung (dumplings), Carson Kitchen (downtown), Lotus of Siam (Thai), Best Friend (Korean-Mex), Flour & Barley (pizza), Black Tap (shakes).
Good-to-know: Summer temperatures are serious—carry water and consider cooling towels for outdoor days. Many attractions have age or weight minimums (ziplines, some rides); check ahead. For the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon, closed-toe shoes and sun protection make a big difference.
In one week, you’ll have sampled the neon dazzle and the desert’s grandeur—Bellagio’s ballet of water, Fremont’s retro glow, the Grand Canyon’s arid cathedral, and the Colorado’s emerald hush. It’s a Las Vegas itinerary that treats spectacle as a starting point, with enough downtime and flavor to keep teens and adults equally happy.