Nightlife

• Cirque du Soleil has a variety of shows, each at a different Las Vegas hotel. Entertainers such as Cher, Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler are frequent Vegas performers; Disney's "The Lion King" and "Jersey Boys" have long-running shows adapted from their Broadway productions. Magicians including David Copperfield and Penn and Teller are often at Las Vegas, and recent comedians have included Howie Mandel and Rita Rudner.
  
  

Gaming

• Families can head to GameWorks, near the MGM Grand, a huge arcade that has features ranging from pinball to the original Pac-Man to motion rides, virtual bowling and a separate lounge for those 21 and older.
  
  If you haven't been to Vegas before, you may be shocked by the mundane appearance of slot machines in the airport and at gas stations. Gambling is limited to those 21 and older. Casinos, mostly in the hotels, are large, loud and brightly lit. Set a time limit for yourself; there is no natural light in the casinos, and the idea is to get you to stay all day and night.
  
  

Hiking

• Less than 45 minutes from Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon offers more than 20 hiking trails, from an easy 1/4 mile to an overlook (and wheelchair accessible) to an amazing, strenuous 11-mile hike with scenic views. Even if you are planning just a two- or three-mile easy hike, be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen, and stop in the visitors center for a trail map.
  
  

Hoover Dam

• The Hoover Dam, 30 miles from Las Vegas, cannot be missed. The visitor's center has a movie about the importance of the dam and interactive exhibits where you can learn all about Hoover Dam. But the best way to experience it is with a tour. The Powerplant Tour takes you down into the canyon; you see the generators and one of the tunnels. The more complete Dam Tour takes you through inspection tunnels and includes everything seen on the Powerplant Tour.