Discovery Children's Museum

The basics

Exhibition spaces include Toddler Town, where little ones can play in the Crawl Zone and other structures designed to enhance socialization skills; Eco City, which teaches kids how to live and work together in a community; and Water World, featuring a model of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Bypass Bridge. The Summit is a 70-foot-high (21-meter-high) climbing structure that stretches through all three floors, where kids tackle suspended platforms, slides, and crawl spaces on their way to the top while learning about energy, air pressure, and movement.

Things to know before you go

• The museum is designed for children aged 0-12.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult, and admission tickets are required for visitors ages 1 and up.

• You can buy refreshments at the museum store.

• The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available to borrow for free.

How to get there

The Discovery Children’s Museum is adjacent to The Smith Center in downtown Las Vegas. From the Strip, you can either drive there in around 10 minutes—parking at the museum is free with a validated ticket—or you can jump on the northbound Deuce (public bus), though the trip could take up to an hour, depending on where you get on.

When to get there

The museum is open every day except Monday for most of the year; during summer break, it’s open seven days a week. Weekends and school holidays are typically busiest. If you want to take your time exploring each exhibit without the crowds, plan for a midweek visit. The museum is closed on major national holidays.

Downtown Container Park

While you’re in the neighborhood, take the kids to Downtown Container Park on Fremont Street. Though it’s best known for its dining and shopping options, the complex also has a large treehouse-themed park in the center. Bear in mind that Downtown Container Park is restricted to adults only after 9pm.