Destination
Nevada, Family-Friendly Adventures
Nevada is so much more than Las Vegas.
While the Strip may be one of the state's most recognizable destinations, there is an entirely different side of Nevada waiting to be explored beyond the bright lights — from colorful desert landscapes and historic ghost towns to massive dams, scenic lakes, and wide-open road-trip country.
Whether you are planning a Las Vegas family vacation, a Nevada road trip, or simply looking for unique places to explore with your kids, this page is where I am collecting our favorite Nevada destinations, attractions, scenic stops and family-friendly adventures, with more added as we keep exploring.
Destinations
The Map
Tap a pin to jump to that stop. Pink marks the places we have been; teal is still on our list. Almost everything here sits in the southern corner within about an hour of the Strip, so those pins step out to the side of their true spots — and then there is Ely, four and a half hours north, which tells you something about Nevada.
Best Time to Visit
Nevada runs on two opposite calendars, and which one applies depends on how far north you are going.
For southern Nevada — the Strip, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Nelson — October through April is the season. Summer here regularly runs past 110 degrees, and the red rock at Valley of Fire holds the heat: anything outdoors in July or August needs to happen before mid-morning, with far more water than feels necessary. Spring and late fall are close to perfect.
For the north and east — Ely and Great Basin — flip it. Ely sits above 6,400 feet, so summer and early fall are the comfortable months and the high roads through Great Basin close with snow. Winter has its own draw, though: Ely's Polar Express train runs in December, which is exactly the kind of thing worth building a trip around.
Planning the Hoover Dam visit is worth a minute. There are three options, and they are not equal: the self-guided Visitor Center, the Guided Powerplant Tour, and the Guided Dam Tour, which goes deepest into the structure. The Dam Tour cannot be bought online — it is sold in person, routinely sells out, and does not allow strollers or motorized wheelchairs — so if that is the one you want, arrive early. Anyone under 16 needs an adult with them, and the visitor center runs 9 to 5 with the last tour leaving around 4:10.
If Great Basin makes it onto your list, the Lehman Caves tours are ticketed through recreation.gov and need booking ahead. The park is also one of the darkest night skies in the country, which is its own reason to stay after dark.
What to Expect
Nevada is deceptively large, exactly as you would guess from the map above. From Las Vegas, Seven Magic Mountains is about 25 minutes, Hoover Dam and Nelson roughly 45, and Valley of Fire about an hour. Ely is four and a half hours, Great Basin nearly five, and Reno closer to seven. The southern cluster is a comfortable few days; anything north of it is a separate trip.
Getting there: Harry Reid International sits a few minutes from the Strip, which makes southern Nevada unusually easy to land in and start exploring.
Getting around: a car for everything outside the Strip itself. Basin-and-range driving means long empty stretches between towns — fill the tank when you see a station, carry water in the car, and expect gaps in cell service.
US-50 through Ely is signed as the Loneliest Road in America, which is half marketing and half accurate. It is a beautiful drive and a genuinely remote one.
Heat: desert heat dehydrates kids faster than they will say so. Hats, real water bottles, early starts, and a shaded midday plan.
Budget: Las Vegas swings hard by day of the week — the same room can cost a fraction midweek compared with a Friday or Saturday. Everything outside the city is inexpensive by comparison.
Things to Do in Nevada With Kids
Nevada is an especially fun state for road trips because you can go from busy city streets to wide-open desert landscapes surprisingly quickly. And some of the most memorable stops aren't necessarily the destinations you expect to find on a traditional family vacation. Here is what I am covering so far, with full guides on the way.
The Las Vegas Strip
Southern NevadaLas Vegas might be famous for nightlife and casinos, but there's plenty for families to see and experience along the Strip.
The incredible hotels and resorts, elaborate architecture, fountains, attractions, shops, restaurants, and larger-than-life displays make simply walking around the Strip an experience in itself.
For families, Las Vegas can be a surprisingly entertaining destination when you know which attractions and activities are worth adding to your itinerary. We've made many trips here & always find something new to do. Stay tuned for the guide to find out more about kid-friendly Las Vegas activities!
Coming soon: exploring the Las Vegas Strip with kids, family-friendly attractions, photo opportunities, and tips for making the most of your visit.
Seven Magic Mountains
South of the cityJust outside Las Vegas, Seven Magic Mountains is one of those roadside attractions that makes a great addition to a Nevada road trip.
The enormous, brightly colored stacked boulders stand out dramatically against the surrounding desert landscape, making this a particularly fun stop for photos.
It's also a great example of the kind of unexpected attraction that can turn a drive into an adventure.
More Seven Magic Mountains tips and photo-op information coming soon!
Nelson Ghost Town
El Dorado CanyonIf your family enjoys history, unusual destinations, or places that feel like they've been pulled straight out of an old Western movie, Nelson Ghost Town is worth adding to your Nevada adventure.
Located southeast of Las Vegas, this historic site offers a completely different experience from the modern energy of the Strip.
It's the kind of destination that can make a Nevada road trip feel like a real adventure.
Coming soon: visiting Nelson Ghost Town with kids, what to expect, photo opportunities, and tips for planning your visit.
Valley of Fire
An hour northeastValley of Fire is one of Nevada's most spectacular natural destinations.
The park's dramatic red sandstone formations create an incredible landscape that feels almost otherworldly.
For families, it's a fantastic place to experience Nevada's desert scenery, take photographs, explore scenic areas, and add a memorable outdoor stop to a road trip. We highly recommend being there for sunrise or sunset!
More Valley of Fire family travel tips coming soon!
Hoover Dam
Black CanyonHoover Dam is one of those destinations that's impressive even when you aren't particularly interested in engineering or history.
The enormous structure, surrounding canyon scenery, and views of the Colorado River make it an easy addition to a Nevada itinerary. I took a tour of the facilities when I was in college; it was pretty impressive!
Its location also makes it convenient to combine with other Las Vegas-area adventures.
Coming soon: visiting Hoover Dam with kids, what to see, family-friendly tips, and how to incorporate it into a Las Vegas or Nevada road trip.
Ely
Eastern NevadaFarther north, Ely offers a completely different look at Nevada.
This historic community provides a glimpse into the state's mining and railroad history and makes an interesting stop for families exploring Nevada's more remote areas. But the best part of all? During the winter, they have a Polar Express themed, family-friendly train ride excursion!
Ely is also a reminder that there's a whole lot of Nevada beyond Las Vegas and the major tourist destinations.
More Ely adventures and road-trip tips coming soon!
Henderson
Next to Las VegasLocated just outside Las Vegas, Henderson can be a convenient and family-friendly base for exploring southern Nevada.
Its location provides easy access to many of the area's attractions while offering a different pace from the Las Vegas Strip.
Whether you're using Henderson as a home base or simply passing through, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area.
Coming soon: family-friendly things to do in Henderson, places to explore, and tips for incorporating it into your Nevada itinerary.
Lake Mead
Behind the damLake Mead offers a completely different way to experience the Nevada desert.
The contrast between the dry desert landscape and the expansive blue water makes the area particularly beautiful — and creates opportunities for boating, sightseeing, photography, and outdoor recreation.
For families who enjoy getting outside, Lake Mead can be a great addition to a southern Nevada road trip.
More Lake Mead adventures, scenic stops, and family travel tips coming soon!
Nevada Family Travel Guide — Coming Soon
