More families are visiting Las Vegas with their children, using baby strollers, Ferris wheels, and BTS.

• In 2021, a survey conducted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority revealed a significant increase in the number of visitors bringing children with them, with a total of 4,000 participants.
• In 2021, the percentage of tourists with children increased to 21% from 5% in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
• During school holidays, it's now common to see parents pushing strollers through casinos, even casino executives barely take notice.
• Although families are contributing to Vegas's brand expansion, not all are thrilled about the influx of young tourists.

Las Vegas is becoming a popular family-friendly destination, challenging other destinations.

"What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" was once the slogan for "Sin City," which targeted individuals with a penchant for debauchery. Now, however, what transpires in Vegas may encompass Ferris wheels, sporting events, and family photos worthy of Instagram.

In 2021, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority conducted a survey of 4,000 visitors and found a significant increase in the number of people bringing children with them. Specifically, the percentage of tourists with kids increased from 5% in 2019 to 21% in 2021.

In 2021, Las Vegas had 32 million visitors, a significant decrease from 42 million in 2019, as indicated by a survey. Additionally, the survey revealed that visitors were younger, more ethnically diverse, and more likely to travel from western states within driving distance of Las Vegas.

The pandemic led to a surge in family travel to Vegas, but the authorities believe it was a temporary increase due to limited travel options in 2021. Families chose road trips over plane flights due to Covid concerns and international travel difficulties.

With school out, it's become common to see parents pushing strollers through casinos, even to the point where a casino executive barely notices it. The executive, who requested anonymity, chuckled and shrugged when a CNBC reporter remarked on the sight.

Families from the East Coast also took their children to Las Vegas.

The Campbells, Mark and Lori, reside in North Carolina and have vacationed along the East Coast. For their spring break this week, they decided to take their children, 11-year-old Madison and 14-year-old Miles, to Las Vegas for a change of scenery.

Mark Campbell, while strolling on Fremont Street, said that he knew the kids would be amazed by the city lights, activity, and people.

Younger audiences are increasingly welcomed by the entertainment options in the resort city.

Last weekend, Maisie Rojas, a 15-year-old from Colorado, was ecstatic to attend a BTS concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Her favorite member of the group, V, was the only thing on her mind.

She and her family are frequent visitors here. "It's cool. I like it," she remarked.

Giselle, her five-year-old sister, was more enthusiastic. "It’s amazing!" she said. The lights are her favorite thing about Vegas, she added.

Instead of going to Disney World in Orlando for Easter break, New York parents Anto and Mel Ounanian decided to take their family of four to Las Vegas. This choice was more affordable and less stressful for them, as they avoided the crowds at Disney.

According to Mel Ounanian, Vegas is more laid-back and offers numerous activities for children.

For their first family trip to Las Vegas with their four-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son, the Ounanians opted to stay at the family-friendly Mandalay Bay instead of their usual choice, the Bellagio. The resort boasts an 11-acre "aquatic playground" featuring a wave pool, lagoon, and lazy river.

Mel Ounanian's friends were taken aback by her family vacation plans in Las Vegas, as they believed it to be more suitable for adults.

The Ounanians plan to spend a lot of time at the pool with their family and also include an outing at Tournament of Kings at Excalibur and maybe M&M World.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority prioritizes conferences, conventions, international tourists, and business travelers over families with children.

The city offers a plethora of kid-friendly entertainment options, including the "High Roller" Ferris wheel, an outdoor zipline at The Linq, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the Hunger Games Experience at MGM Grand, a Marvel Avengers Museum, immersive art experiences at Area 15, and colorful shows like Cirque de Soleil.

Chuck Bowling, president of Mandalay Bay, stated that the destination's diversity and abundance of activities, which are unmatched in other locations, particularly in such a small area, are what make it appealing.

The city is gaining popularity as a sports destination, with the NFL, NHL, and WNBA all having a presence in the area. The Raiders franchise plays at Allegiant Stadium, the NFL Draft is taking place this month, and the Super Bowl will be held in 2024. The Golden Knights sell out their hockey games with family-friendly entertainment, and the WNBA's Aces are also based in the city.

Although families can aid Vegas in expanding its image, not all are thrilled about the influx of young tourists.

Scott Roeben, a Vegas news and opinion blogger with 100,000 followers on Vital Vegas, advised his followers not to bring children to Vegas.

Roeben, who is not a parent, harshly judges parents for bringing children to Las Vegas, stating that there are kids asleep in their strollers day and night while adult things are happening around them, and he believes they don't need to be there.

Las Vegas should be the only place where grown-ups and children can both enjoy themselves, either by taking a stroll down Main Street at Disneyland or by stepping on Legos at Legoland. They don't need to be in Las Vegas.

Although families are now drawn to the casino for photos with the famous flower-covered carousel, the casino gained a reputation in its early years for prohibiting strollers on its marble pathways through the casino floors.

In downtown Las Vegas, it is strictly prohibited for anyone under the age of 21 to enter, regardless of whether they are accompanied by parents or not.

Derek Stevens, CEO and owner of Circa, stated that they abandoned their family business, bar mitzvah business, and wedding business to prioritize customer service. He explained that by doing so, they have attracted more customers by eliminating the need for patrons to repeatedly provide ID at the bars and gaming tables.

Officials from the tourism industry and casino executives maintain that they do not desire Las Vegas to transform into Orlando.

Bowling from Mandalay Bay stated, "We're an adult market, and we don't want to swing the pendulum that far. What happens here stays here, and we're proud of it."

Parents who bring their children to Sin City are aware of its seedy reputation.

Anto Ounanian dismissed worries about his children witnessing the seedy aspects of the strip, such as scantily clad performers, drunken adults, and the smell of marijuana.

He remarked that it was similar to the daily routine of living in Manhattan.