FAMILY TRAVEL: 9 LAS VEGAS ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS

by Troy Pattee

We all know Las Vegas can be fun, but can it be fun with kids? There was a time when the thought of visiting Vegas with your teenage son sounded about as enjoyable as having an emergency root canal in front of a live studio audience. But oh how things have changed. Last week my 14-year-old and I traveled to Las Vegas for a father and son end-of-summer adventure and it was memorable for all the right reasons. Today’s Las Vegas is so much more than gambling. Here’s a short list of 9 Las Vegas activities for teens—and this just scratches the surface!

1. OFF-ROAD DESERT DRIVING ADVENTURE

It’s no accident that this one is at the top of my list for Las Vegas activities for teens. Courtesy of the pros at Zero1 Desert Adventures my son and I spent a good chunk of our day in a Polaris RZR racing through washes, launching across gullies, and throwing rooster tails of sand 30 feet into the air. My son rode shotgun as I piloted us on our adrenaline-fueled excursion. The members of our group were given brief (but thorough) instructions on safety and communication protocol, and then we were all outfitted with radio-equipped helmets and escorted to our RZRs.

Our guides led the way with one vehicle in front, and made sure we were all present and accounted for with another vehicle that took up the rear. The pros were there to keep us safe and pointed in the right direction, but not for a minute did it feel like they were there to limit our fun—which is amazing when you consider that we were all driving $30,000 custom desert toys. When one of our group got a flat tire, the guides jumped into action like a Richard Petty racing pit crew and had the tire repaired in minutes. We had more fun than a father and son duo could have ever imagined and we’ve both been wearing smiles ever since.

2. ON-TRACK EXOTIC CAR RACING

Of course I had always wanted to drive a Ferrari 173 mph, but I didn’t have any illusions that it might actually happen. But one day it really did happen. As part of a trip sponsored by Toyota, a few dad bloggers and I were treated to an intensive review and experience with the Toyota Sienna minivan. Part of the experience was riding with professional drivers in a Sienna as they pushed the minivan to its max around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (it did very well, by the way). But as fun as that was, the brand took it up several notches by then allowing us to drive Ferrari F430 Scuderias around the track.

As part of the experience offered by Dream Racing we first trained on simulators that were amazingly realistic. We then rode along with a professional driver as they showed us what the Ferraris could really do on the 1.2 mile, 9-turn road course located in the center of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. And then, to our surprise, they turned us loose. We each spent a couple of hours racing the Ferraris around the course with the pro drivers riding shotgun and pushing us to squeeze every ounce of horsepower out of the machines. One of the dads hit 175 mph so my 173 wasn’t the fastest of the day, but it was the fastest I’ve ever driven and was one of the most exciting experiences of my life.

On yet another one of our trips to Las Vegas, both my tween and teen sons rode along with professional drivers in a “drifting” experience. At U-Drift they raced around corners of the track at 60 mph while in $75,000 Corvette C6. The grins on their faces and the look of horror on my wife’s made it worth every penny.

3. ROLLER COASTERS

If your teen is crazy for coasters you’ve got several options right on the strip. The big three are the Big Apple Coaster at New York New York, and the Canyon Blaster and El Loco at Circus Circus. I haven’t personally tried any of these rides due to um, time constraints…but how can you go wrong with a roller coaster? There used to be a coaster at the top of Stratosphere as well, but it has been replaced with new, more thrilling rides (see below).

4. THRILL RIDES AND ZIP LINES

There is much more than roller coasters if you’re looking for thrilling Las Vegas activities for teens. Circus Circus has an entire theme park called Adventurdome that is filled with stomach-dropping rides. Stratosphere has at least three major rides with X-Scream, Big Shot, and Insanity. If your teen doesn’t turn green from these attractions then try one of the zip lines. The Voodoo Zipline soars 490 feet between the two towers of the Rio Hotel, and the Slotzilla Zipline is part of the Freemont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas.

5. OUTDOOR WORLD AT BASS PRO SHOP

The Las Vegas location of Bass Pro Shop is so much more than just shopping. The 40,000 gallon freshwater aquarium and authentic trout stream are worth the trip alone, but might not quite fit the bill for Vegas activities for teens. For that I recommend the indoor archery target range and the shooting range and rifle tube. If for some reason shooting arrows and bullets still leaves your teen wanting there are also special events that take place throughout the year. When I was there last a large pool had been set up in the parking lot and we participated in an exciting kayaking competition.

6. MUSEUMS— VEGAS STYLE

Where else but Las Vegas can you find such unique and fitting attractions like the Neon Museum—a 6-acre collection of signs from old casinos and other businesses—and the Mob Museum? My son, who is a car nut, had wanted to visit the Shelby Museum for years and we finally made it as part of our father and son adventure. No matter what your teen’s tastes it’s likely Las Vegas’ selection of uncommon exhibits will pique his or her interest. Is she a fan of history? Try the Natural History Museum or the National Atomic Testing Museum. Is he more into fine art? Take him to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art where there is currently an amazing Picasso exhibit. Other fun Vegas activities for teens can be found at the Pinball Hall of Fame and Madame Tussauds wax museum.

7. FOOD AND MORE FOOD

When it comes to restaurants, Las Vegas has something for everyone. From inexpensive yet extensive buffets, to top line dining experiences you’ll find it in Vegas. If your teen wants lots of food try a buffet; two of the best are Bacchanal at Caesars Palace and Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan. For themed restaurants, if it exists anywhere you can rest assured you’ll find one in Las Vegas. Consider Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, or House of Blues to get you started.

My son and I had an unforgettable experience at Chef Akira Back’s Yellowtail Japanese restaurant at Bellagio. One of our hosts was a personal friend of Chef Akira Back, so he visited with us several times as we were eating (Observation: I noticed this personable chef also visited a few other tables, but I’m sure that ours was his favorite). We literally tried every item on the menu—and several that weren’t—and each one was simply delectable. My teenager is not a big fish or sushi fan normally, but there was nothing normal about this meal and he couldn’t get enough. Our view from the patio overlooking the Bellagio fountains was an experience unto itself, but every time a new course was presented the food had my teen’s undivided attention.

8. DIG SOMETHING

If you’re still not convinced that there a Las Vegas activities for teens of every persuasion, dig this: Teens (and non-teens) can drive real bulldozers and excavators in the only heavy equipment playground in America. Dig This is located just off the Strip and you and your teen can dig trenches, build mounds, and play in a giant sandbox. This is one of those experiences that will leave you saying, “Only in Las Vegas,” while shaking your head with a huge smile on your face.

9. INDOOR SKYDIVING

If your teens has ever wanted to fly, Vegas Indoor Skydiving is where it can actually happen. In this vertical wind tunnel in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip guests earn their wings and experience bodyflight during a simulated sky dive experience. Your teen can feel the free-fall aspect of skydiving with the addition of a mesh trampoline floor and foam padded walls. Much better than that time he jumped off the roof with his mom’s favorite bedspread. Expect to hear phrases like, “Amazing,” “Insane,” and “Best. Parents. Ever.”

If you’ve been putting off that trip to the desert because you were worried about finding Las Vegas activities for teens, you no longer need to worry. Vegas has something for kids and adults of every age, and teenagers are no exception.

DISCLOSURE

The kind folks at Zero1 Desert Adventures and Choice Hotels paid for our recent trip and some of the activities described in this post. Any comments, embellishments, and opinions are my own.