Best Places To Take Pictures Of Your Kids In Las Vegas

Las Vegas may be known as the world’s adult playground, but casino resorts try equally as hard to entertain toddlers, tweens and teens alike. And at almost every turn in most properties, you will find plenty of thrill rides, exhibitions or a 3-D something-or-other. So the next time your children complain of never doing anything fun, you can capture those special moments on film. Here are a few top options. – Marco Medrano

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

The Venetian Resort, Hotel & Casino
3377 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 2001
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 862-7814
www.madametussauds.com

Not only is this a fun attraction for all ages, but also one of the best (and most fun) ways to incorporate historical icons, Hollywood celebrities, sports stars and pop royalty into your children’s repertoire — via the most accurate wax figures in the world. At Madame Tussauds, you create one of the most memorable photos of your kids’ auditioning for Simon on “American Idol,” celebrate victory in the UFC Octagon alongside Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell or capture your teenage daughter being the lucky gal to walk down the aisle with George Clooney. Heck, the adults can even hold court with Hugh Hefner! Photo ops abound. Buy your tickets online and save 25 percent. Hours: 365 days a year; Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing time.

Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

5200 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 892-7575 (Las Vegas Visitors Authority)
www.visitlasvegas.com

OK, what better way to kick off your trip than with a family photo in front of the world-famous sign itself — the “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas” landmark? Brushing up against just-married couples on a Harley Davidson motorcycle or a local Elvis impersonator are sure to set the tone for the rest of the trip. Sign hours: 24 hours a day, baby! Phone operators available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nascar Cyber Speedway

Sahara Hotel & Casino
2535 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 737-2654
www.saharavegas.com/nascar/cyber-speedway

This is one exciting venue that even the accompanying adults will enjoy. Where else can kids of all ages discover the heart-pounding speeds of up to 220 mph in front of a 20-foot wraparound screen — hosting realistic racing simulators? F-U-N! Your best Kodak moment is while the kids are behind the wheel of a hydraulically lifted Indy car (7/8 the actual size), shifting through a replica Las Vegas Motor Speedway race against several other drivers. The realistic effects and screeching audio sound effects put you right in the race. Even better, each driver (or parent) can adjust the levels of skill, risk and speed to keep you in the driver’s seat. Recommended is the all-day pass ($22.95) for ongoing excitement, where Speed — The Ride is also included. Speed is a famously fast roller coaster that catapults its riders from 35 mph to 70 mph in just two seconds. Hours: daily, noon to 10 p.m.

Insanity — The Ride

The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower
2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 380-7777
www.stratospherehotel.com/Tower/Rides

Not only is the top of The Stratosphere Tower the highest point in Las Vegas, it houses America’s tallest freestanding observation tower at an eye-popping 1,149 feet into the air. If the photo of your kids standing atop all of Las Vegas isn’t enough, well, then introduce them to 3 Gs of “Insanity — The Ride.” At more than 900 feet high, a mechanical arm can extend your spinning troupe 64 feet beyond the edge of The Tower while an automated photograph is snapped for you — right at the perfect point of insanity. Incidentally, there are three similar heart-stopping attractions guaranteed to remove the “I’m bored” from their vocabulary. You’ll have the pictures to prove it. Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Eiffel Tower, Las Vegas

Paris Las Vegas Hotel, Casino & Resort
3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(800) 722-5597
(702) 946-7000
www.parislasvegas.com/casinos/paris-las-vegas/casino-misc/eiffel-tower-detail.html

Bonjour! A trip to France not in the family budget? Although you can purchase tickets to ride up the Eiffel Tower elevator, a photo of your kids pitched directly in front of the landmark Paris icon (an exact one-third replica of the French original) is just as effective. And the money you just saved will afford you lunch (and the best pomme frites) at the curbside cafe, Mon Ami Gabi. Au revoir. Hours: from the street level, 24 hours a day.