• Las Vegas has many cheap, family-friendly activities.las vegas image by charles taylor from Fotolia.com
  
  While the aim may be fun, family time doesn't often come cheap. To take a family or three or four out for an afternoon of activity can be beyond some budgets. The situation worsens when you are on vacation. Las Vegas, despite all its glitz and glam, can be a fairly inexpensive place to stay and play, especially if you take advantage of the wide variety of cheap things to do as a family.
  
  

Silverton Lodge Aquarium

• Aquariums are alive with the hustle and bustle of water-dwelling creatures.aquarium fish 8 image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  With 117,000 gallons holding stingrays, sharks, and over 4,000 tropical fish, the Silverton Lodge Aquarium is a glimpse of the sea in the desert. However, there is more to do than stare at the beautiful, curved tank -- there are daily, interactive feeding shows at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; complete with a marine biologist to answer audience questions. Between Thursdays and Sundays families will enjoy the mermaid shows that begin in the afternoon and are repeated until evening. You can get a sneak peak via the aquarium's live webcam. Santa Claus sometimes takes a dip during Christmas.
  
  Silverton Casino Lodge
  
  3333 Blue Diamond Road
  
  Las Vegas, NV 89139
  
  702-263-7777
  
  silvertoncasino.com
  
  

Bellagio Casino -- Conservatory and Fountains

• The Bellagio is a Las Vegas landmark.bellagio image by anupio from Fotolia.com
  
  The fountains of the Bellagio hotel have been featured in several movies and TV shows. They also frequently figure in many Las Vegas weddings as couples jump out of a limo to quickly complete a ceremony in front of the choreographed water show. The lights, water and music are carefully programmed to create an amazing dance of water. Despite a staff of more than three dozen people endeavoring to maintain millions of dollars of machinery, this spectacle is free every day between 3 p.m. and midnight. Shows begin in the afternoon running every 30 minutes and then every 15 minutes after 7 p.m., weather permitting.
  
  While you are in the area, families can explore the world of the Bellagio Conservatory. Open 24 hours with five daily shows, this garden is free. Over 15,000 visitors are greeted daily with a rainbow of colors made up by thousands of plants and trees. The 100-plus horticulturists and staff take their jobs very seriously, always changing up the design and choreography of their shows at least once per season.
  
  Bellagio Hotel and Casino
  
  3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
  
  Las Vegas, NV 89109
  
  702-693-7111
  
  888-488-7111
  
  bellagio.com
  
  

Lion Habitat -- MGM

• Wherever they reside, lions are majestic and facinating.lions image by Leca Isabelle from Fotolia.com
  
  Sea creatures at the aquarium...botanical and water dancing wonder at the Bellagio...how about some lions at the MGM? Family members may be drawn to the majestic lions that roam a glass enclosure at the MGM Grand in Vegas. Sadly these are not the wildest of lions, actually enduring a bath and blow dry before being rotated in and out of their daytime cage every six hours. Still, a lion is not something you see every day and, on top of such close observation of the king of the jungle, visitors may enjoy the plaques of trivia and lion facts that are displayed. One interesting tidbit is that, according to the MGM Grand website, these lions are said to be descendants of the actual MGM lion, whose roar graced many movies in its day. The lion habitat is free and open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feeding times, possibly some of the most action you will see, are at 11:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
  
  MGM Grand Lion Habitat
  
  3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
  
  Las Vegas, NV 89109
  
  702-891-1111
  
  800-646-7787
  
  mgmgrand.com