Las Vegas has long held its reputation as that glittering city of excess in the deserts of Nevada. It’s a proud one, sure, and well-deserved, but what that tired trope fails to acknowledge is that it’s not just a city for sinning and winning. It’s actually an incredibly child-friendly, super-fun, and magically entertaining destination for families with all ages, be they multigenerational or inclusive of wee ones old enough to appreciate improbable wonders.
In short, Las Vegas is a city of choices, and where visitors decide to stay sets the tone for the kind of vacation they’re going to have.
This is why Excalibur Hotel & Casino and Luxor Hotel & Casino continue to stand out as premier picks for audiences of all ages looking to be entertained in settings that channel the past while keeping guests locked into the present. Both have casinos on site, but for the whole family, they also have their own pool complexes that feature multiple pools, water slides, cabanas, daybeds, and poolside service for when guests need to bring the thrills down a notch for relaxation.
Escape to Excalibur
With its medieval-themed architecture and décor, this hotel is hard to miss. And why would you want to?
With the same whimsical cartoon castle vibes as Bahia Principe Fantasia in Punta Cana, views range from glowing turrents to the sparkling Strip. But staying here means being part of the spectacle, not just looking out at it. This proudly family-friendly Vegas property has shows that vacationers staying elsewhere make the mini trip to take in.
The Tournament of Kings is the headline act, a medieval-themed dinner show that’s become the stuff of legends since it launched in June 1990. The third-longest running show on the Las Vegas Strip, it’s an adaptation of the story of King Arthur, told to an audience of 900 twice nightly Thursday through Monday. Real live horses take to the stage as knights battle it out in scenes modernized by special effects and pyrotechnics. An eat-with-your-hands meal includes roasted chicken, potatoes, corn, apple square, and dinner roll, but dietary restrictions can be accommodated up to 90 days ahead.
The hotel’s theme and family fun continue with the Fun Dungeon Arcade, which offers over 200 games from carnivals, sports, and virtual reality. Guests can also take on a quest of all ten midway games or rack up points for prizes with 106 redemption-style games. And after the adults play hard, they can book a medieval-inspired wellness treatment at the spa.
However, if the 1600s is a step a bit too far in the past, shows like The Australian Bee Gees turn a tribute performance into a multimedia concert events.
FAMILY DINING: For a meal that entertains, don’t miss Dick’s Last Resort, a casual, humorous dining experience known for its sarcastic and playful staff. It’s “deliciously messy cuisine” and live bands give guests license to get rowdy, but they also deliver right to the room if you’re feeling more low-key. The renowned Buca di Beppo is a great way to enjoy dinner family-style with large plates like every pasta imaginable that are meant to be shared. End with a colossal brownie for all. And of course, there’s also The Buffet at Excalibur for when everyone is in the mood for something different.
Illuminating Luxor
Another hotel that’s impossible to escape your notice is this pyramid-shaped tribute to Egypt, which stands out even without projecting the strongest beam of light in the world. Visible from space with the power of 39 Xenon lamps, it crowns one of the most recognizable buildings in the entire city. Within, it houses the largest atrium in the world.
The entertainment there is also destination attraction. The world-famous Blue Man Group has its residency in a theater all their own at the Luxor Hotel & Casino, filling it with sounds and visual effects that have captivated since their first street performance in New York City in 1987.
While this act is incredibly dynamic, for visitors who would rather wander and explore than sit still, this hotel is also host to Bodies, The Exhibition and Titanic, The Artifact Exhibition. The former is an incredible study in biology, where an innovative preservation process makes it possible to view the wonder that is the human body, including visible organs and muscles, from an aspect that helps people really appreciate how incredible our anatomy is.
The Titanic exhibition, on the other hand, provides the culture counter to the science, and has become one of the highest attended in history. On display there are over 250 authentic artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreck site, as well as extensive recreations of some of the most famous rooms from the ship. For fun, rewatch the movie to see how many you recognize!
For something even more interactive, the HyperX Esports Arena will draw in any teen. A state-of-the-art gaming arena that broadcasts active games on a giant LED video wall for spectators to cheer on their players, tournament-style gaming PCs, consoles, and VR setups let gamers choose their tech.
FAMILY DINING: Pyramid Café keeps things casual with all-day dining that offers breakfast and lunch favorites like a pyramid stack of pancakes, and Public House serves up classic American pub food (along with craft beers for the 21+ crowd!) that kids will find familiar but elevated. Think nachos, wings, and a variety of burgers, including the Do It In Public Challenge, which stacks four double cheeseburgers and accompanies them with loaded fries and a milkshake – free for anyone who can down it in half an hour. And for a nice family meal, perfect to kick off or cap off the Vegas vacation, try TENDER Steakhouse & Lounge, where premium cuts and fresh seafood rule the menu. Of note are the Warm Seafood Platter with crab, shrimp scampi, and yellowfin tuna and the coffee-rubbed New York strip steak.
