Quick Hits: Three Ways To Act Like a Kid in Las Vegas

Despite a reputation as a place for gambling, nightclubs and bottle service galore, Las Vegas still has ways to act like a kid or even bring out the child in any adult.

Circus Circus just revealed an enhanced pool experience for hotel guests with the Splash Zone, with three water slides, water features for all ages, new seating options and a mobile food truck. The hotel’s two existing pool decks even received a refresh with a refurbished snack bar, new restrooms and showers, and a pool area dedicated to guests 18 and older.

Designed by WhiteWater, an award-winning global manufacturer of water slides, multi-level water play structures and interactive play stations, Splash Zone’s slides and water features are favorites of sun lovers worldwide. Highlights include a 50-foot slide tower features three, colorful water slides — the four-lane Mat Racer, Aqua Tube and Speed Slide; height restrictions apply

The Splash Pad features a water playground with interactive components including water cannons, spill buckets, waterfalls and water jets

Shade structures to accommodate couples or families, new lounge chairs along with 15 umbrellas for individuals or families help everyone cool off.

Guests can head to one of 19 gazebo-style cabanas available for full or half-day rentals.

A new mobile food truck offers a selection of family favorites.

Splash Zone is available only to Circus Circus hotel guests. Each reserved room will receive up to four wristbands per night’s stay for access to the slides. Additional wristbands may be purchased for $20 each per day. Guests of The RV Park at Circus Circus may purchase wristbands for $15 each per day. Reserved seating at the 18 and older pool is $20.

In celebration of World Oceans Day, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay and Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage invite guests to learn about protecting the world’s oceans and what can be done to make a positive impact on them and their marine life inhabitants. This year’s theme is “Our Oceans — Our Future” with a focus on encouraging solutions to plastic pollution and preventing marine litter.

At the Shark Reef Aquarium guests can visit green sea turtles, sawfish, sharks and more than 2,000 other animals in the exhibit while learning about the importance of sustainable seafood and keeping the oceans clean. Representatives from leading conservation groups, such as The Nature Conservancy and Reef Check, will be on site to talk with guests about the world’s oceans and what can be done to protect them.

Educational activities will be located throughout the aquarium, including live artwork demonstrations by the Las Vegas Art Guild, aquatic artwork displays by Wyland Galleries and children’s art projects made from recycled products. Participants of the Better Bag Challenge and those who post a “Selfie for the Sea” will receive reusable Shark Reef Aquarium market bags.

Polar Journey, an interactive experience that opened in March, focuses on the Polar regions and how climate change is having an impact on the animals living there. Through staff and interactive exhibits, guests learn how to make a difference through small changes.

All takes place on Thursday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $25 for adults; $19 for children (4-12); children 3 and younger are free; includes Shark Reef Aquarium and Polar Journey. Nevada residents with a valid ID receive discounted admission.

Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat brings educational activities, such as “Seaside Search and Find,” with a focus on water conservation and marine debris. Other activities include creating reusable tote bags; trash and bottle cap art; story time; and a water color activity to contribute to the habitat’s mural entitled “What a Healthy Ocean Looks Like.”

Informational stations will provide guests with knowledge on plastic pollution, marine debris, water facts and how their daily decisions can greatly impact the world’s oceans.

Children 12 and under wearing a tee shirt with a marine life design or anything referencing marine debris and water/ocean conservation will receive complimentary admission.

All takes place from Thursday, June 8, to Sunday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $22 for adults; $17 for children (4-12); children 3 and younger are free.