How many times have you heard parents say, “I’ll wait until my kids are older to travel with them”? Well, if you have ever traveled with teenagers, you will know that every age comes with a new challenge.
Teens are a particular sort, with rapidly changing moods and strong opinions (usually opposite of the parents). So how does a parent keep their teen happy while engaging in family travel?
Take them to Las Vegas! I know, I know. You have heard it before. I am obsessed with Vegas family vacations, but it is honestly one the easiest destinations to find something to entertain everyone!
I have a ton of resources on exciting, affordable and free things to do in Las Vegas whether you are pregnant or visiting Las Vegas with kids and babies, but this post is exclusively for the teens!
View this post as a Google Web Story here: Things to do in Las Vegas with Teens
Here’s what’s in this article:
- Piff the Magic Dragon
- Jabbawockeez
- Micheal Jackson ONE
- Criss Angel MindFreak
- Mystere
- Real Bodies at Bally’s
- Mob Museum
- Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum
- Hunger Games: The Exhibition
- CSI Experience
- Voodoo Zipline
- Vegas Indoor Skydiving
- Area 15
- Cool Vegas Pools
- Big Apple Coaster & Arcade
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Las Vegas Shows for Teens
Las Vegas is known for world class entertainment and it would be a sin to not catch a show while you are in town. There are a ton of amazing shows in Las Vegas for families. Although I put together an extensive post showcasing 21 of the best family shows in Vegas, here are five that I feel will be particularly interesting for your teen.
Piff the Magic Dragon
3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Located in the Flamingo’s Bugsys Cabaret, Piff the Magic Dragon may sound like a kid show, but wait. Piff the Magic Dragon is actually a bit cheeky and requires a minimum age of 13. This comedy/magic show features a grown man in a dragon costume accompanied by his chihuahua Mr. Piles. His sharp wit and clever comedy creates non stop laughs while the magic tricks will leave you and your teen in wonder!
Jabbawockeez
3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Jabbawockeez oozes cool! Located at MGM Grand Jabbawockeez Theatre, this show is available for all ages. However, I know teens will find Jabbawockeez particularly entertaining. If you don’t know who the Jabbawockeez are, your teen probably will. They are a premier hip hop dance crew that gained international fame on the show “So You Think You Can Dance”. This high energy performance with extreme dance moves, killer music and even little comedy. Your teens will love it!
Micheal Jackson ONE
3950 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89119
First off, this is not your typical Micheal Jackson impersonator show. Micheal Jackson ONE at the Mandalay Bay is a thrilling cirque du soleil. A story told through thrilling acrobatics that are sure to impress even the most unamused teen. Not only is this a display of raw human talent, but the whole show is set to some of Micheal Jackson’s greatest hits, like “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Bad,” and “Smooth Criminal.” To make it even more exciting, ONE features dazzling pyrotechnics that are sure to level up the wow factor!
Criss Angel Mindfreak
3667 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Teens will love Criss Angel Mindfreak, because it is edgy, immersive, mysterious and mind-warping. The show, which is located at the Planet Hollywood is way more than just a magic show. Mindfreak is a mind-blowing adventure featuring pyrotechnics, live performances, 3D immersive elements and over 75 insane illusions! This show definitely has an x-factor that will keep teens in awe.
Mystere
3300 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
I was personally obsessed with this show as a teenager, which is why I know your teen will probably love it too. A staple at Treasure Island for years, Mystere is cirque du soleil telling a whimsical story through acrobatics, aerialists, crazy clowns, Chinese poles and bungee stunts. It’s filled with thrills, laughs and is just weird enough that teens will find it too fascinating to look away.
Las Vegas Museums & Exhibits for Teens
Vegas is more than just casinos, as you know. There are a lot of really cool and, dare I say, educational attractions in Sin City. Yes, Las Vegas is home to many museums and exhibits. Those listed below will be particularly interesting to your teen.
Real Bodies At Bally’s
3645 S Las Vegas Blvd, Suite A1-A3, Las Vegas, NV 89109
What teen doesn’t love a little shock value? This exhibit is super intriguing, using REAL human specimens to showcase the complexity and yes, even beauty of the human anatomy. There are 11 different galleries focusing on different aspects of the body. The “Breathe” exhibit gives you a deeper look into the respiratory system while the “Love” exhibit teaches you the science behind physical attraction. You and your teen will not only find it hard to look away, but you will gain a greater appreciation for your own being as you learn about the physical, cultural, historical and emotional context of the human body.
Mob Museum
300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Located in Downtown Las Vegas, the Mob Museum takes you on an interactive journey through the shadows of the mob life. It is a darker side to American history and even Vegas history that I think teens as well as parents will find fascinating. Each floor has different exhibits that take you from the start of the mob to modern day headlines. There is even a cool underground floor that takes you back time to the prohibition-era when the mob thrived. The museum also has a crime lab and firearm simulator, so teens can learn enforcement methods for finding and bringing criminals to justice.
Parents, listen up! Now at the Mob Museum there is an underground speakeasy, The Underground. The speakeasy features specialty cocktails, live music and exciting events, like Moonshine Day, Ardbeg Scotch tastings, and more!
Zak Bagan’s The Haunted Museum
600 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Maybe I am alone in this, but especially as a teenager, the spookier, weirder, creepier something was the more I loved it! I think many teens find something captivating about a haunted museum. Many are familiar with Zak from his television show “Ghost Adventures,” which takes viewers on a spine-tingling journey to haunted places around the world. Now you get the chance to experience all that is spooky right here in Las Vegas! The historic building which houses the Haunted Museum was built in 1938 is also said to be haunted in addition to the many objects in which it holds. As you wander through creepy dark hallways and secret passages, you will find yourself surrounded by one fascinating artifact after another.
Hunger Games: The Exhibition
3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
This unique exhibit gives you an interactive and immersive experience into the world of the Hunger Games. You can view many famous props and costumes from the films as well as test your skills at archery at Beetee’s Training Lab. There are 11 set recreations to explore and you can even make your own propaganda film to keep!
CSI Experience
3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Test your skills at being a crime investigator at the CSI Experience. You and your teens will love exploring different crime scenes, analyzing evidence in the crime lab and attempting to solve the case! You will be having so much fun participating in the forensic investigations that you won’t even realize your teen will be getting an educational experience. The exhibit promotes critical thinking skills and awareness in advances in science and technology.
Unique Las Vegas Attractions for Teens
Las Vegas is a giant playground for the young and old. Teens especially will find many of the attractions perfect for their thrill-seeking, high-adrenaline needs.
VooDoo Zipline
3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
I don’t know about you, but my kids LOVE ziplines. The VooDoo Zipline at the Rio is not for the faint of heart. It soars over the city at 500 feet in the air going 33 miles per hour! Yeah, crazy. There are other ziplines in Las Vegas, but the VooDoo is the tallest and fastest in the city and you know teens are about being extreme. There is no age requirement during the day, but you do have to be over 21 after 7:30pm.
Vegas Indoor Skydiving
200 Convention Center Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89109
If your teen loves adrenaline rushes, then they might enjoy Vegas Indoor Skydiving. This is a body flight simulated skydive experience with the safety of a trampoline floor and padded walls. Teens will get to feel what it is like to freefall from an airplane through a vertical wind tunnel. The whole experience takes about an hour, but the rush lasts for hours.
AREA 15
3215 S Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89102
This attraction just opened 2020 and I am so excited about it! This is Meow Wolf’s latest immersive experience and it is going to be awesome. We first experienced Meow Wolf at their House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe and I can’t wait to see what they came up with for Area 15 in Las Vegas. This will be a retail and entertainment complex complete with art installations and interactive experiences. It will definitely be out of the world and something you should check out with your teenagers when it opens.
The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade
3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
This isn’t just any roller Coaster, this roller coaster soars above the Las Vegas Strip surrounding the New York New York Hotel & Casino. As if that isn’t intense enough, you can upgrade your experience with virtual reality head devices that make you feel as if you are in a galaxy battles with Aliens. After you ride, your teen might be interested in hanging out at the attached arcade for some more fun and games.
Vegas Pools
During the day the pool is the place to hang out in Las Vegas, especially during the summer. Who doesn’t love a good pool, right? Well, there are a ton of fantastic pools in Las Vegas, but I think teens will most enjoy the pools at Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. Teens will love the sandy beach-style pool at the Mandalay Bay, which has a wave pool, a lazy river and a lagoon. The Mirage pool, which has always been my favorite pool all around, has a beautiful tropical setting complete with lagoons, bridges and cascading waterfalls. Keep in mind that you do have to be a guest of the hotel to use the pools, so you will want to look into this before booking your stay.
That’s a Wrap!
See!? You can have fun in Las Vegas with teens! The vibe of the city alone is enough to make any teenager’s tummy flutter with excitement. I hope my article helped you find some awesome ideas for your next Las Vegas family vacation with teenagers.
For help planning the ultimate Las Vegas family vacation, check out our other detailed guides.
- Ultimate Guide to Las Vegas with Kids
- Family-Friendly Las Vegas Dinner and Show Packages
- Celebrity Chef Restaurants Las Vegas
- Best Shows in Las Vegas for Kids
- Best Cirque du Soleil Shows for Kids & Teens
- Las Vegas Vegas Strip Walking Guide
- Las Vegas Strip Map
- Best Family Hotels in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas Hotels with Balcony Rooms
- Accommodations in Las Vegas for Big Families
- Best Airbnb Properties in Las Vegas
- Free Things to do in Las Vegas with Kids
- Affordable Activities for Kids in Las Vegas
- Best Family Pools in Las Vegas
- Family-Friendly Restaurants in Las Vegas with Live Music
- Cool Weekend Road Trips from Las Vegas
- Awesome Day Trips from Las Vegas
- FAQs Visiting Las Vegas with Kids
- FAQs Visiting Las Vegas with Baby
- Insider Tips for Planning Family Las Vegas Trip
- Pregnant in Las Vegas -Mother’s Guide
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