If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly resort on The Strip, Circus Circus is a great option. With its circus theme and affordable prices, it’s the best family-friendly hotel in Las Vegas, especially with young children.
There’s plenty to do on-site, from the popular Adventuredome amusement park and Splash Zone Pool complex to the circus performances and carnival games. And if you want to venture off the property, you’re just a short walk from all the action of the Strip.
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- Circus Circus Review
- Which family-friendly Vegas hotel is best?
- Should I stay at Circus Circus?
- Related Articles
Circus Circus Review
Room Rates: $19-$209/night (see available rooms)
Best For: Families with young children
Overview: Circus Circus is not for everyone, especially if you’re not traveling with kids. It’s a family-friendly hotel on the north end of The Strip. The rooms at Circus Circus are nothing fancy, but they’re affordable. There’s a lot for the whole family to do on-site including the Adventuredome and an epic pool complex. The hotel is over 50 years old and showing its age. It’s also pretty far from popular destinations.
Pros
- Budget-Friendly: You can book room at Circus Circus for as low as $19/night. During the peak season and weekends, rates jump up as high as $209/night.
- Family-Friendly: Even though Circus Circus has a sprawling casino, there are lots of activities for the whole family. The most notable are the Adventuredome theme park and Splash Zone Pool.
- Great Steakhouse: Believe it or not The Steakhouse is one of the best rated steakhouses in Las Vegas. This old-school Vegas joint is worth the trip itself.
- Free Parking: Circus Circus is one of few Las Vegas hotels that offers everyone free parking.
Cons
- Outdated Hotel: Circus Circus is over 50 years old. Though it has had countless renovations, the property feels and look old.
- Bad Location: Resorts World is the only property within a 10 minute walk. If you want to visit other casino properties while you’re in Las Vegas, you’ll most likely have to hail a cab or rideshare. There’s also a Deuce bus stop directly in front of the hotel.
My Experience At Circus Circus
I find myself visiting Circus Circus a lot. When I set out to do some in-person research for this review, I played some craps and video poker. Since then, the hotel sends me a decent monthly free play promo, which is pretty unusual for locals like myself.
I don’t like visiting Circus Circus to gamble for one main reason–there’s a lot of kids. If you aren’t bringing your kids to Las Vegas, there are better places for you. Spend the extra $20/night and stay at Flamingo or Harrah’s.
If you intend to bring your children, Circus Circus is the most family-friendly hotel in my opinion. Below I’ll dive in-depth to the various offerings you’ll find at Circus Circus.
Circus Circus Hotel Rooms & Suites
The Circus Circus Hotel & Casino is one of the most iconic properties in Vegas, but it’s not the best place to stay. Circus Circus is a budget resort that’s over 50 years old. The hotel is dated, but it’s a popular spot for travelers on a tight budget and families with young kids. There are three towers and an old-school motel at the back of the property.
A long walk (about 10 minutes) from the main entrance on The Strip, the Manor Motor Lodge at Circus Circus has some of the cheapest rooms in Las Vegas. The rooms are basic motel rooms with free parking just outside the front door. If you are looking for a cheap place to crash and don’t care about walking long distances, Manor Motor Lodge isn’t a bad choice.
The 15-story Casino Tower is the perfect place for gambling enthusiasts to lay their heads. The tower is located directly above the casino, so you don’t have to go far to try your luck. The rooms in this tower are not nicer than the Manor Motor Lodge, but the real amenity is the location. If you want basic accommodations without breaking the bank, try the Casino Tower.
If you need something a little more comfortable, the refreshed Skyrise Tower rooms may be right for you. The Skyrise Tower is on the north side of Circus Circus Drive near the pool and Manor Motor Lodge. It’s a bit of a walk to The Strip but a great option for guests who want to go to The Adventure Dome and the pool.
The biggest tower on the property is the West Tower. Located directly in front of The Adventuredome, these are the most expensive rooms at Circus Circus. The refreshed rooms provide modern hotel comforts and are a tier above the Casino Tower and Manor Motor Lodge. If you’re not worried about the price but want to be close to all the family-friendly activities, these are the best rooms for you.
Every room at Circus Circus provides all the typical hotel amenities like cable TV, wifi, in-room safe, iron with ironing board, etc. You can also request a crib, mini-fridge, or a cot for an additional nightly fee.
Circus Circus Pool
The Splash Zone pool complex is the place to be for family summer fun! There are three different slides, a water playground with lots of splashy features, and even a food truck. What more could you want?
The newly expanded pool experience at Circus Circus offers two pools plus an all-ages play area complete with waterfalls and bucket sprays. The 50-foot slide tower has 3 exciting slides: one that twists, another that drops, and a set that you can rase your friends. Perfect for adrenaline junkies or those who need something quick to cool off during their visit.
Circus Circus also offers Cabana rentals that have lounge chairs, TV, mini-fridge, and more.
Circus Circus Restaurants & Bars
Circus Circus has a variety of restaurants that will please any appetite. The Steakhouse at Circus Circus is renowned for its tradition of serving the finest quality Midwestern beef, dry-aged to perfection, in a glass-enclosed room viewable from the main dining hall. Prime cuts are cooked over an open hearth mesquite charcoal broiler on display and can be viewed by diners passing through.
Blue Iguana is the perfect place to satisfy your taco and enchilada cravings. From tacos and burritos to nachos with all of your favorite fixings – it’s hard not to find something that will delight your taste buds!
Circus Circus offers a variety of casual eats. The Pizzeria has a delicious menu of piping hot, freshly baked pizzas made to order with your favorite toppings, calzones, and salads. Westside Deli is a 24-hour deli that offers various fresh breakfast options and hearty lunch items. The hotel also has popular chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Tasti D-Lite, and Auntie Anne’s.
There are three bars at Circus Circus. West Bar and Slots A Fun Bar are open 24/7 and feature everything you need–from beers and wine to cocktails. Big Chill will help you cool down with frozen beverages or draft and bottled beer.
Things To Do At Circus Circus
There is family fun at every turn. From the Free Circus Acts to The Adventuredome, you’ll keep the whole family entertained at Circus Circus. Every day, the center stage of the Carnival Midway features high-flying circus acts, daring feats, and great presentations.
The best part is your whole family can experience the world’s largest permanent circus for free! Shows start at 1:30 PM on the weekdays and 11:30 AM on Fridays through Sundays.
Experience every twist, turn, drop at The Adventuredome! This massive dome packs an assortment of attractions, from family-friendly rides to exhilarating adventures fit for the bravest souls! Whether you’re looking for ways to spend time with your kids or want some big thrills in Vegas, there’s something here that will make it happen.
Get your game on at Circus Circus’ Carnival Midway, where you can find all the games and prizes a kid or adult’s heart could desire. The midway is home to some of today’s most popular video games and yesterday classics like Pac-Man and Galaga!
Circus Circus Casino
The Circus Circus casino is one-of-a-kind. The property has three casino areas–the main casino, a smaller casino on the west side, and Slots A Fun adjacent to the front entrance on The Strip.
You can play slot machines ranging from $0.01 to $25, including coin-operated slots machines in the main casino. They offer over 40 table games, including all the crowd favorites. They also offer free lessons each day for new gamblers.
The casino has a full-service William Hill Sportsbook where you can bet and watch all the games. The Circus Players Club is the casino rewards program that offers gamblers complimentary rooms, dining credits, special events, and more.
Which family-friendly Vegas hotel is best?
We wrote an article on the best kid friendly hotels in Las Vegas and named Circus Circus the best. The two runner-ups are Luxor and Excalibur.
Circus Circus
Circus Circus is on the north end of The Strip, home to The Adventuredome, Midway Arcade, Carnival games, and free circus performances. It’s best for families with young kids.
Luxor
Luxor is just south of Excalibur on The Strip. There’s a lot to do on-site including HyperX Esports, Blue Man Group, America’s Got Talent Live, and a gigantic pool complex.
Excalibur
Excalibur is on the south end of The Strip, home to the Tournament of Kings. It’s close to popular family shows and attractions like the Big Apple Coaster, M&M’s World, and Terry Fator.
The answer to which family hotel is best depends on the age of your children and your budget. If you have young children (under 12 years old), Circus Circus has the most amenities for their age.
If you have older kids (12+), Luxor is a great options because of the HyperX Esports Arena, museum exhibits, and shows like Blue Man Group and America’s Got Talent Live. Excalibur also offers guests with kids of all ages a range of amenities and shows like the Tournament of Kings.
Should you stay at Circus Circus?
Circus Circus is a great place for budget-minded travelers or those with young children. It’s affordable, has plenty to do on-site, and is located on the north end of The Strip.
While it’s not for everyone, Circus Circus is perfect for those who want a fun and family-friendly resort while in Las Vegas.
If you’re looking for a more upscale experience, however, you may want to consider staying elsewhere.
