(BLACK PR WIRE) – Las Vegas, Nevada is an oddity of a city, being a major metropolitan area in the middle of a desert. While the media often depicts Las Vegas in terms of casinos and wedding chapels, in reality the city offers numerous activities for a wide variety of interests. Many of these attractions are ideal for a family vacation.

As in any large city, the major hotels and resorts in Las Vegas offer four-star service in their various amenities. What is unique about the area is the number of hotels hosting attractions – many with no admission fee – right on their property, in addition to offering shopping, fine dining and live entertainment. Your experience can feel like a mix of Times Square and amusement park without ever leaving your hotel.

The Bellagio hotel contains an onsite conservatory and botanical garden, a mammoth-size horticultural display of plants and artistic decorations. The conservatory’s theme regularly changes with the seasons and for special occasions. If watching human performers doesn’t interest you, take in the Fountains of Bellagio, an intricately choreographed show of lights, music and water fountains. The hotel also contains galleries of fine art and glass sculptures.

How would you like to get your picture taken with your favorite athletes, entertainers and historical figures? You can at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, a museum of lifelike wax images of famous personalities, located at the Venetian hotel. As the name suggests, Venice, Italy is the hotel’s theme, and you can take a leisurely Venetian-style gondola ride down a canal built into the hotel premises.

If you prefer more wild rides, visit the New York, New York hotel and take a spin on a roller coaster ride in coasters modeled after New York City’s iconic taxicabs. Need more thrills? The Adventuredome at Circus Circus is an indoor amusement park offering a variety of rides and activities for all age groups.

After all this sightseeing, your family could use a snack by now. Get your fix at M&M’s World, a four-story complex dedicated to the candy and its products, located in the Showcase Mall. Be sure to take a jacket or sweater with you for the evenings. Even with hot summer temperatures, the desert climate cools down considerably at night.

There are many more sights to see on your Las Vegas trip, including animal shows and exhibits, museums, and a rotating lineup of Broadway musicals, celebrity performers and tribute shows. The options are endless when you stay in Vegas.