Las Vegas Discovery Children's Museum: Where Imagination Soars
One place that has become a favourite tradition for our family is the DISCOVERY Children's Museum in Las Vegas, NV. We've visited so many times, and our kids absolutely adore it; even during a short 3 day weekend we’ll often go at least twice. In fact, the kids will talk about the museum for months after our visit, begging us to return. We then get to relive the museum when one of their favourite YouTube personalities, Blippi, explores the wonders of the DISCOVERY Children's Museum in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas, known for its glitz and glamour, has a unique appeal even for families. Besides the incredible museum, the city offers many delectable food options. A buffet has options for even the pickiest eater. If we’re lucky the in-laws will join us and sometimes let us catch some fantastic shows. We typically choose to stay at the smoke-free MGM Signature, where the one-bedroom suites have small but full kitchens which we have found is key for keeping the kids happy. The pools at the Signature are a hit with the kids, especially the wading pool with a mesmerizing waterfall feature. But, if your kids are a bit older you also have access to the MGM Grand’s pools. The Signature is connected to the MGM Grand via an enclosed traveling walk way which opens up next to the pool and spa area at the MGM Grand. This walkway also makes it very easy to have quick and air conditioned access to the delectable restaurants the Grand offers as well as the Cirque Du Soleil theatre.
On one of our road trips, we tried something new and stayed at the Main St. Casino RV Park. It's conveniently located, with security frequently visiting the area ensuring a safe environment. While the park isn’t much more than a large parking lot with hook ups. It’s across the street from a fire station which kept our boys entertained, it is also very close to Fremont Street. We love the unique roof with it’s ever changing scenes and the best part was that they keep the lights on all day, allowing us to experience the Fremont Street vibe without the overwhelming crowds, which can be challenging with little ones.
Now, let's dive into the heart of our story – the DISCOVERY Children's Museum in Las Vegas. This place is a dream for kids of all ages. The water play area alone can keep the little ones entertained for a good 30 minutes, and they provide waterproof aprons and large dryers for post-play comfort. Our kids ignore the waterproof aprons and enjoy trying to get as wet as possible. They have a whirlpool, boats, water guns that you can use to hit chimes, and water fountain that you roll balls on to that then get blasted onto a track that runs high over the kids heads. The water fountain/ball thing keeps kids (young and old) delighted for quite a while.
Megas favorite thing at the museum is their impressive pirate ship. Kids can climb both above and below deck, even raising a flag of their choosing. The cannons, which shoot soft cannonballs, are a hit with our little ones. On the opposite side, there's a castle with themed costumes and swords, although it didn't captivate our kids as much.
The central area of the museum boasts a large play structure with multiple levels, each with a unique theme. From a small airplane to a pipe organ, kinetic sand area, slides, and climbing apparatuses, there's no shortage of excitement. However, with so much to explore on multiple different levels, it can be a bit overwhelming for a single parent with multiple kids. I ended up needed to be a bit of buzz kill and not let them use many of the alternative options (slides/ladders/climbing rope) to get from level to level as I couldn’t keep track of both kids. Luckily at the very top if you stay at the bottom of the slide you can let the kids climb up explore “the summit'“ above you freely (but you can still keep an eye on them) and the only way down is either the slide or the stairs which both exit at roughly the same area.
The second floor is a haven for creativity, with a "design your own invention" area ideal for older kids. It also features an occupation area where children can explore roles like car maintenance, grocery store workers, bankers, hospital staff, and even pretend to be a football player, sports caster, or cheerleader in an area sponsored by the Raiders.
On the third and final floor, you'll find a vast art area with rotating themes. Small tables are set up with various art mediums, from building materials to pastels, crayons, glue, scissors, clay, and paint. This is another area the kids spent quite some time as they could stay on something as long as they desired but when got bored could easily move on to a different medium without moving out of my eyesight or having to end the other kid’s fun early. Unfortunately, the museum doesn't have a full restaurant and there isn’t a designated area to eat. Fortunately the nearby park is an ideal spot for a picnic but there isn’t a restaurant so I do recommend bringing some food.
There are two main parking options, both conveniently located across the street from the museum. Whether you choose the garage or the open parking lot depends on your vehicle's height. When we just have a car we typically use the garage but if we have the RV we use the open parking lot. Good news for the open parking lot is that you only pay per license plate not per parking spot, at least as of 2023.
The DISCOVERY Children's Museum is a place of wonder and imagination that our family adores. With so much to explore and discover, it's a destination that keeps us coming back, and we plan to continue our visits for years to come. It's a testament to the magic of this unique museum and the endless joy it brings to our kids.