Circus Circus has stood the test of time – A rarity in Las Vegas, a city that loves to implode its icons.
An idea of Jay Sarno, Circus Circus first opened its doors in 1968, as a circus-themed casino without a hotel.
The property’s footprint has grown substantially, and the resort now boasts over 3,700 guestrooms.
A value-oriented property, Circus Circus will never be accused of being luxurious. While far from opulent, Circus Circus instead excels when it comes to value. In fact, Circus Circus easily ranks among the cheapest hotels on the Strip.
Although the hotel hasn’t been high on my “to-do list”, I finally stayed in one of Circus Circus’ West Tower rooms, which was fine, albeit uninspiring.
Considering Circus Circus caters to families, offering numerous kid-friendly activities, I wanted to point out some notable things to do at the resort and nearby on the Strip.
Things To Do at Circus Circus Las Vegas
Adventuredome Theme Park: Circus Circus’ signature kid-friendly activity is the indoor Adventuredome Theme Park. Inside, you’ll find 25 rides that range from tame to thrilling.
Passes for those over 48″ tall are $60, and the price drops to $30 if you measure in under that mark.
I stopped into Circus Circus’ Adventuredome recently, and remain impressed. It’s the best-maintained part of the resort, and legit fun.
Midway and Arcade: At the midway, get your competitive juices flowing by playing your favorite carnival games for prizes.
Circus Circus also has one of the more popular arcades on the Strip, with over 200 games available.
I recently stopped into the Arcade at Circus Circus and thought the game selection, prize options, and overall vibe were excellent, albeit in a “shabbier” setting.
Waterslides: Hotel guests can enjoy Circus Circus’ revamped pool deck, featuring a 50-foot-tall waterslide tower with 3 distinct waterslide experiences, a splash pad, and traditional pools.
Free Circus Acts: Among the more budget-friendly things to do at Circus Circus is catching one of the free circus acts that are scheduled throughout the day.
While there’s a rotating calendar, you can expect to see trapeze acts, juggling, unicycles, balancing acts, and other physical feats.
Dubbed by Circus Circus as “The World’s Largest Permanent Circus”, the show is worth catching if you’re at the resort, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.
Play Coin Slots: Slots that dispense real tokens are slowly going extinct.
For those who crave that metallic “ting, ting, ting, don’t mind grimy hands, and enjoy toting around a bucket full of tokens, Circus Circus is the only resort on the Strip that still offers the experience.
You’ll find the 20+ machines at Slots A Fun in both $1 and $5 denominations.
Eat at a Cheap Buffet: While many buffets never reopened post-pandemic, Circus Circus’ has, and easily ranks among the cheapest buffets on the Strip.
This isn’t high-end. Rather, a buffet you go to maximize caloric intake per dollar spent, or to appease your kids.
On top of traditional buffet fare, Circus Circus’ buffet also offers kid-friendly items like corn dogs and chicken strips.
My experience at Circus Circus’ Buffet is best described as “fine” although I don’t recommend going out of your way for it.
Eat a Great Steak: While Circus Circus is often looked down upon as a bit rough around the edges, THE Steakhouse is an island of greatness in that sea of value-oriented mediocrity, and has been for over 30 years.
Grab a Cheap Bite: I ventured back to Big Top Eats at Circus Circus to sample their menu for my article detailing cheap eats on the Strip, and full disclosure, I expected to hate it.
This was my $12.55 philly cheesesteak, which was hot, tasty, cheesy, and quite good!
Drink Cheap: Circus Circus’ West Bar offers happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm and again from 3 am to 6 am, Monday through Friday.
Included in the deal are $5 mimosas, $6 bloody marys, $6 Jim/Jack & Coke, and $8 bottled beer + a shot.
See History: This one’s for the nerds. A tower labeled “BUNGY” can still be seen at Circus Circus (to the right of the hotel tower in the image below).
It’s been dormant for years, but people used to take a leap off faith off that bad boy from 200 feet up.
A tram that debuted in 1981, connecting the manor to the casino, ceased operations in 2004 and is still visible too.
Play Bingo: Circus Circus brought bingo back, and it’s played the way God intended – On paper. The room can hold up to 255 players and session packages (14 games) start at $30.
Things To Do Near Circus Circus
Visit STRAT: If you’re looking for additional kid-friendly activities near Circus Circus, take a quick ride to STRAT.
There, you can experience the observation deck and rides atop their SkyPod tower, which is one of my favorite attractions in Vegas.
An observation deck ticket typically cost around $20-$30, and a ride can be added for just $5 extra. A great value.
The two rides atop Strat that either shoot you straight up or dangle you off the edge of the building. They easily rank among my favorite non-gaming things to do in Vegas.
If you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, you can even jump off STRAT’s SkyPod in a controlled free fall for around $150.
Visit Resorts World: Located just steps away from Circus Circus, Resorts World is packed with worthwhile food & drink options and a casino that won’t leave you feeling… gross (all due respect, CC).
Their Famous Foods Street Eats is an upscale food hall offering 15+ diverse, high-quality dining options ranging from Asian to fried chicken and Texas BBQ.
Located within the Famous Foods Street Eats is the Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den speakeasy, which is hidden behind the facade of a functioning restaurant.
If you crave a view of Las Vegas over a cocktail, check out Alle Lounge on 66. The drinks cost about $25, but the view is worth it.
Explore Fontainebleau: After sitting incomplete and vacant for over 15 years, Fontainebleau is finally open across the street from Circus Circus.
Inside is a gaming floor that reeks of luxury and numerous food and drink options spanning the price/quality spectrum.
Experience Tacos El Gordo: Among my favorite spots to grab cheap eats on the Strip is Tacos El Gordo, which is across the street from Resorts World near Circus Circus. Tacos are made on the spot when you order, and it’s as authentic as it gets. Highly recommended!
Hopefully, I was able to help you identify a few things to do at Circus Circus Las Vegas and at nearby resorts that work for your itinerary!
Recognized as one of the more kid-friendly resorts in Las Vegas, Circus Circus tends to be a go-to for families.
Related: Things To Do at Every Strip Resort.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.