Places in Vegas that'll make kids feel lucky

Philadelphia Inquirer

Even in recently re-sinful sin city, there are things to do for kids and families:

• The casino that predated the ill-conceived rush to theme-park motifs was Circus Circus, with its pink big top and circus performances. It still has an amusement park, a five-acre indoor layout called Adventuredome. Rides range from the gentle Frog Hopper to bigger-kid stuff, such as Canyon Blaster with double corkscrews and the like. Prices and times are at www.adventuredome.com/default2.aspx or 877-434-9175.

• As much for adults as children is the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. This elaborate homage to the TV- and big-screen sagas of the Starship Enterprise should appeal to anyone with an appetite for science fiction. The main draws are two motion rides, the Klingon Encounter and the Borg Invasion. Kids have to be 42 inches tall. There's a museum of "Star Trek" props and a restaurant called Quark's. Tickets that include both rides are sold online. Details are at www.startrekexp.com/index.php or 888-732-7117.

• At the Luxor, there's an IMAX theater and three film rides, including one that takes you through a video-game world, another on an adventure archaeological dig, a third through a haunted castle. There are also three IMAX movies, including a Tom Hanks-produced moon walk. Details are at www.luxor.com/entertainment/imax_experience.aspx or 702-262-IMAX.

• At the Venetian, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum presents replicas of the famous. While little ones might be bored, older children may get a kick out of posing for pictures with Hollywood stars and historical figures. See http://www.venetian.com/attractions/madame_tussauds.cfm or 877-883-6423.

• Most children probably will enjoy several animal attractions along the Strip. Some are free. The MGM Grand has a free lion habitat where adult lions and cubs often loll around and play. The Mirage has a free white-tiger habitat, a vestige of the Siegfried and Roy magic-animal act that ended when Roy Horn was injured by one of the cats.

Toward the back of the resort are a dolphin habitat and the Siegfried and Roy Secret Garden. Mandalay Bay has Shark Reef, an array of aquatic life from golden crocodiles to, of course, sharks. And, at the entrance to the Flamingo's pool area is a free fish and exotic bird habitat, including flamingos and penguins.

• If you're in town in swimming weather, May through mid-October, the hotel pool will be a favorite spot for young ones. The most expansive is at Mandalay Bay, with a wave pool, beach and lazy river ride. However, Mandalay Bay is one of the pricier hotels. Families on a more modest budget should consider the Monte Carlo, which also has a wave pool and river ride; the Flamingo; and the Tropicana.

• Buffets are a mixed bag for children. The upside is that kids get to pick what they want and there's often a price break. The downside is that they have to get the food from the buffet back to the table. A rare dinner-show geared to children is the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur. The food is a capon dinner you eat with your fingers. The entertainment is a medieval adventure with jousting, swordplay and acrobats. For times and prices, www.excalibur.com/entertainment/tok.aspx or 702-597-7600.

• Arcades are all over town. The Excalibur has a game arcade called Fantasy Fair Midway, and Circus Circus has its own midway that is close to the casino — some might say too close. On the south end of the Strip is an arcade that's not attached to a casino, Gameworks, with all the latest video whiz-bangs, including shoot-'em-ups and sports games. The Sahara has a tie-in to NASCAR with a ride simulation arcade called Cyber Speedway, a restaurant and a thrill ride. The simulation rides have a 48-inch height requirement.

• With the opening of upscale malls, shopping has become a major part of the Vegas experience. While kids probably won't be impressed with Gucci and Fendi, they'll probably enjoy the FAO Schwarz toy store at the Forum Shops and M&M World on the south end of the Strip near Gameworks. At M&M World, kids get to make their own mix of candy from more than 20 colors, many not found in the little bags at stores.