Top Eight Activities for Teenagers to Do in Las Vegas

Despite the fact that most people travel to Las Vegas to gamble, there are a lot of family oriented activities and sights to see. However, don't be fooled into thinking everything is for either adults or small children - there are several activities for those members of your family between childhood and adulthood. Here are the top eight things teens will love in Las Vegas, in no particular order:

1. Indoor Skydiving - Talk about something for your teen to brag about to his or her friends! Although a parent must be present during the training session, your teenager can fly alone (or in a group - your choice). This is one of the pricier options listed, but there are so few opportunities like this in the world, it just had to be included. Located on 202 Convention Center Drive.
2. GameWorks Arcade - this is a great place for a teenager to spend an afternoon if he or she happens to like video games. It's a multi-floor complex filled with many different types of video games from pinball to multi-player interactive games. Their PlayPass is a great deal at $35, and both of my teens gave GameWorks a thumbs up - and all other arcades we checked out in Las Vegas were labeled as "lame." Located at 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. South.
3. Production Shows - including Broadway quality theatre shows, magic shows, or your standard Vegas Show Girl show (although use caution with that last type, some of them are adult only). Vegas shows generally have larger theatres than those found in other cities, so the prices are slightly less expensive (but just slightly). There are so many running at once that you are sure to find at least one that your teen will want to see.
4. Shopping Malls - There are many shopping malls right on the strip, and most of them have easy access along the strip monorail. My teen boys personally loved The Miracle Mile Mall (attached to Planet Hollywood) because of its modern look and many, many different stores. Another popular shopping destination is the Fashion Show Mall.
5. Top of the Stratosphere - the rides at the Top of the Stratosphere are a thrill-seeking teen's dream come true. My teenagers spent 4 hours straight up there before I was able to drag them back to our hotel. They'll get shot straight up in the air, tipped over the edge of the building, and swung around in circles - all from the top of a building over 1,000 feet high. I suggest calling ahead first, since the rides do close during bad weather or high winds. 800-99-TOWER
6. Red Rock Canyon - This stunning canyon is just a short drive from the heart of Las Vegas, yet you will literally feel like you've stepped into another world. Your first stop should be the Visitor's Center to get the most current information about the different trails and wildlife opportunities. To make the trip even more meaningful, give your teen a camera to take his or her own pictures of the breath taking scenery. My younger teen became so enthralled with the rock formations and small caves along the trails, we went back for another visit before our vacation was over.
7. Cirque du Soleil - It might take some convincing to get your teen to go to a show that sounds like its nothing more than a circus, but rest assured - the Cirque du Soleil shows are nothing like the circuses of your teenager's childhood! Each show includes amazing feats of strength and balance, outstanding choreography, spellbinding costumes and effects, and many more things that will keep your teen chattering about it for days. My teen boys have already decided which Cirque show they want to see the next time we are in Las Vegas...or rather, which one they want to see first!
8. In-N-Out Burger - I don't think my teenagers are the only ones who think cheeseburgers and french fries make the perfect meal. In-N-Out Burger really does have the best burgers we've ever tasted - and where else can you order a meal called the Double-Double Animal Style? Now, I realize for you West Coast folks, this is no big deal, but we have nothing like In-N-Out here in the east. Even if the novelty doesn't impress your teen, the delicious food will. The one on West Sahara is the closest to the strip, but there are several locations throughout Las Vegas.