10+ fun things to do with teens on your Las Vegas vacation

Take to the streets in these awesome high-speed go-karts at the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix! Kids (and their grown-ups) are fully kitted up before getting behind the wheel at the chequered flag, then it's 3, 2, 1... go!

There's a choice of tracks for all ages, but big kids (14 years and older) will delight in the Euro High-Speed Track where you get to race around in advanced go-karts. After a few hair-raising laps, head to the Games & Arcade room for a debrief and more lively competition; choose from a mix of retro arcade game classics and more up-to-date options, including air hockey, skee ball, basketball and more. Bonus: Las Vegas pass holders also get a pizza and soft drink thrown in.

Do your teens gush over celebrities like it’s their job? Perhaps a visit to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is in order. It’s may just be the closest they can get to meeting their favorite celebs from the worlds of film, music,and more in person.

Say hey to a show-stopping Lady Gaga, pose with Miley Cyrus and her wrecking ball, meet the Marvel superheroes and Hangover bar hangers-on, and schmooze with RiRi, Kourtney Kardashian, Jacob Elordi and pals in the old-school speakeasy. Wax or not, the experience throws up dozens of pretty great photo opportunities, and your teens will surely thank you for the mega-boost to their Instagram likes.

There are few things as glamorous as the Las Vegas Strip. So why not give your teens a shot at that perfect Vegas Instagram snap by taking them to one of the city's frighteningly high observation points. Were talking the mighty High Roller Observation Wheel at LINQ. Only the tallest wheel of its kind in the Western Hemisphere (some 550 feet high), it's sure to provide the kind of vacation memories that last a lifetime. Likewise the platform atop the Tower at the STRAT. At more than twice the height of the High Roller, this one delivers incredible far-reaching views but requires nerves of absolute steel. In other words: your teens will absolutely love it, even if it leaves you feeling a little fint, with trembling knees, chattering teeth and a somersaulting stomach. 

Pick just one, or do both with your Las Vegas pass from Go City. Bonus tip: your pass also gets you $20 of credit to spend on sinful desserts at LINQ's Sweet Sin after your High Roller ride.

Do your teens love cheering for the bad guys in their favorite movies? Then a visit to Vegas' very own Mob Museum might be an awesome option. The Mob Museum is the ideal place to explore the seedy (yet oh-so-fascinating) underworld of organized crime.

You'll learn about the famous criminals who inspired some of the great mob movies and the law enforcement officials who worked against them. Interactive exhibits include a fascinating rogues' gallery of ugly mobster mugs, plus a distillery and speakeasy with real Prohibition-style cocktails to try (alcohol-free for the kiddies, obvs). 

While teens might cringe at the thought of an umbrella-wielding tour guide, there's something fun and different about a Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Las Vegas tour. It's easy to disembark at places of interest, resulting in a truly customizable tour experience, plus views from the open deck up top mean plenty more opportunities for those essential Instagrammable landmark shots (hello, Bellagio Fountains!).

You can let older teens hop off to explore on their own, or give them the freedom to choose where the whole family goes next. Don't skip a photo op at the iconic 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada' sign – professional photo shoots here are also included with the Las Vegas pass, should you fancy bagging a cool family souvenir that will remain a talking point in your living room back home for years to come.

The Hoover Dam is one of the most significant landmarks in the greater Las Vegas area and beyond. It's a marvel of early 20th-century engineering and was the largest structure of this type at the time of its construction.

Even the most jaded of teenagers won't fail to be wowed by the sheer scale of the thing, albeit you might want to pack a few books, games and devices to make the coach trip there and back more bearable. Be sure to walk over the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for the best views of the Dam and the Colorado River.

Curious teens will relish the opportunity to explore the fascinating Real Bodies exhibition at the Horseshoe. Featuring carefully preserved human bodies, from bones to organs and beyond, this respectful and informative attraction teaches visitors all about the inner workings of the human body.

There are a number of dynamic, interactive exhibits to explore, like the ones highlighting the comparisons between healthy and diseased body parts. It's a great excuse to get your teens to think about their own choices, even if they might be too busy being disgusted by the inner workings of these human bodies to pay the blindest bit of attention to your cringey sermons.

Along with massive hotels, super-casinos and steak restaurants, one thing Las Vegas isn't short of is glitzy shows. Sin City has been hosting musical megastars – looking at you Madonna, Sinatra and Elton – for decades, and every hotel worth its salt has a comedy performance, magic show or acrobatic spectacular for the whole family to enjoy.

You'll find several such great nights oit included with the Las Vegas pass, from the balletic stunts of the Cirque du Soleil gang at the MGM Grand and New York-New York to the Wow Vegas Spectacular at the Rio and fantastic illusions from Nathan Burton at FlyOver.

For teens who enjoy exploring new neighborhoods and getting to see some of the lesser-spotted parts of town, a Fremont Street Walking Tour is a great idea. Join up with a group to explore downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street on a two-hour tour that covers some amazing highlights, from the popular Downtown Container Park to urban revival projects.

The whole family will enjoy the sights, and your teens are bound to appreciate the fun and funky vibes of the Downtown Container Park!

The Grand Canyon requires little introduction but hey, were going to give you one anyway. One of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the country – nay, on the entire planet – this great gorge was carved into the earth by the Colorado River over millions of years, revealing bizarre rock formations and technicolor walls. In other words, it's quite the visual feast, and even the most skeptical teen can't fail to be inspired by its mesmerizing, almost ethereal beauty.

Take a tour of the South Rim  to tick off the Canyon's most famous sites and viewpoints, plus the Colorado River and many of those magnificent rock formations. The photos and videos your teens nab here are bound to impress their friends when they show them off back home.