Believe it or not, there are things to do in Las Vegas besides casino-oriented activities. For example, there are several museums and a few impressive animal exhibits. Take a break from The Strip and bring the kids along to these family friendly places:

The Atomic Testing Museum and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum are both close to the strip and easy to access in a taxi or rental car. The Atomic Testing Museum is a superbly unique experience that takes visitors on a journey into the dawn of the atomic age and the era when these bombs were tested above and below ground in the deserts north of Las Vegas. Interactive exhibits include video and audio and a plethora of physical objects related to atomic testing. Read naïve literature published by the government intended to allay public fears in the face of the cold war. This one of a kind museum is a hidden Las Vegas gem. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum is also a lesser known attraction. It includes the International Wildlife Gallery, a dinosaur gallery that includes a 35-foot long T-Rex, the Treasures of Egypt exhibit, Wild Nevada Gallery, the Young Scientist Center, and others that exhibit marine life and geology.

For real live animals, visit the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay. Fourteen of the exhibits here are dedicated to dangerous aquatic predators. The most impressive exhibit is the 1.3 million gallon shipwreck themed aquarium with an almost 360-degree view. Visitors walk through glass ceiling tunnels where sharks and large fish swim over their heads. In the Touch Pool guests can touch an assortment of animals including sharks, rays, and horseshoe crabs, depending on the day. Both children and adults will be impressed. For an even more hands-on experience, take the kids to Bonnie Springs Ranch petting zoo just 40 minutes from the downtown, located in a beautiful desert valley at the foot of towering sandstone cliffs. When you’re back on the strip, visit the Mirage Hotel’s, Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat, where visitors can see white lions, leopards, panthers, white tigers, and a family of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. These are just a few examples of family friendly things to do in Las Vegas.