It’s summertime in Las Vegas — and that means school’s out. For many families, it’s a reason to spend some quality time together. But in a city built for tourists, packed with luxury hotels and big-ticket entertainment, what is there for locals — especially families — to do?
A lot, believe it or not, from indoor escapes to outdoor adventures, according to two local experts on the matter.
For instance, families looking to cool down and burn off some energy can escape to the pool. Russell Thompson, recreation and cultural specialist for Clark County, recommended a variety of swimming pools to check out.
“We have the Desert Breeze Community Center’s aquatics facility, they have great outdoor pool activities going on throughout the week,” Thompson said. “There’s also the Hollywood Aquatic Center and the Cora Coleman Senior aquatics facility, so whether you want to get your tan on, or maybe go on some slides, there’s something for everybody.”
Summer camps are always a solid option for keeping kids active and engaged, Thomson said, adding there are many camps offered across the city at the county's community center, with each one offering a unique combination of activities.
“For example, we had the Vegas Golden Knights come out to Desert Breeze Community Center on June 4th, and they taught our participants the fundamentals of hockey," he said. "The public library will come out and teach the importance of reading. We have sports, arts and crafts, board games, etc.”
For families looking to get outdoors, hiking is still on the table — if you time it right. That's according to Reannon Muth, a Desert Companion magazine contributor and organizer for the popular Facebook group Tiny Hikes and Adventures in Las Vegas. Muth recommends getting out early to avoid the worst of the heat.
“Red Rock has ranger-led hikes at 7:30 a.m. that you can do with kids. They also have a cool scorpion hike where you can go out with a black light and look for scorpions right after sundown,” Muth said.
For those who can't get out early and prefer to stay indoors, Muth recommends ”Uptown Jungle, in part because it has a really affordable membership. For $20 a month you can visit unlimited (times). And it's great for older kids too. They have rock climbing and trampolines.”
She added, “Ninja Kidz Action Park is also great and that one is also only $20 a month.”
After families have had enough playtime, they can find cultural and educational activities at well-known places like the Springs Preserve and the Children’s Discovery Museum. As for lesser-known options, Muth suggested The Clark County Museum. “It's a very small, cute museum, but I really like it because it's not crowded, even in the summer. ... It has [historical Vegas] houses that you can tour and see how people used to live.”
Clark County’s Russell Thompson added The Clark County Wetlands as another unexpected indoor option. “They have a learning center that can include encounters with live desert creatures, crafts, activities, and a full range of interactive exhibits,” he said.
Links to visit:
Clark County Parks and Recreation
Guests: Russell Thompson, recreation and cultural specialist, Clark County; Reannon Muth, organizer, Tiny Hikes and Adventures in Las Vegas Facebook group
