There are many reasons to visit Las Vegas and many things to do there, and the locals know the city offers much more than just casinos and exciting hotels. There are many outdoor attractions nearby and options more suitable to the entire family if that’s what you need. And, while most people don’t associate Vegas with wildlife, there are some fun attractions and places for people of all ages to see animals of all sorts.

If you’re looking to see some large cats, sea creatures, and more, here are the places you need to stop for a visit.

Camel Safari

You don’t need to go across the world to get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures. Camel Safari is around an hour to the north of Vegas, and they have camels, llamas, sloths, and more. It’s possible to get near the camels for a fantastic photo opportunity.

They are also a ZAA-accredited zoo, so you can feel good knowing they are focusing on education and outreach between humans and the other animals on this planet.

Shark Reef Aquarium

While Camel Safari might sit in the desert, which is fitting for the creatures that live there, you can take a quick trip back to Vegas for a completely different animal habitat. Located on the Strip, this aquarium sits inside the Mandalay Bay hotel.

If you need to beat the heat, Shark Reef is a good option for the entire family. The whole place is set up like an ancient jungle getaway, and there are around 2,000 animals. One of the most notable elements of this attraction is the shark tunnel, but you can see other animals like crocodiles and snakes, too.

Springs Preserve

KTNV recommends checking out this local spot to learn more about the natural habitat and animals found in the Vegas area. It’s only a few miles away from downtown and contains 180 acres of things to do. There are museums, botanical gardens, tortoise habitats, walking trails, and more.

So, if you want to see fossils, plants, and animals while learning about the history of Las Vegas, this spot is a must-see. With a great rating on Tripadvisor, people from all over clearly enjoy Springs Preserve.

Clark County Wetlands Park

While the other three places on this list include a guarantee of seeing animals, the Clark County Wetlands Park is less controlled nature. You will likely see some of the local wildlife roaming around, but they aren’t being explicitly kept for people to see them. However, if you prefer to see animals in the wild or just want to enjoy a nice outdoor day, it’s an excellent place to visit.

There is a Nature Center with exhibits and many hiking trails around. It’s only about 20 minutes by car to get to the Wetlands Park from the center of Las Vegas, so you can take some time as a tourist to unwind there. Locals can also enjoy the park whenever they need to experience nature and get away from the city.

Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

The Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat is probably the most well-known animal-related attraction in the area. It’s located in the Mirage hotel and casino and features encounters with dolphins and exhibits of big cats.

Because the attraction is on the Strip, it’s another place that’s easy to get to if you’re visiting some of the more iconic Vegas hotspots. While prices for the dolphin encounters can be expensive, it’s also possible to just watch the animals in their exhibits.