CSN Planetarium

The CSN Planetarium at the College of Southern Nevada's North Las Vegas campus is the kind of hidden gem that makes locals feel vindicated for living here. While families spend $25+ per person at the Discovery Children's Museum or Strip attractions, the CSN Planetarium offers a genuinely immersive full-dome planetarium experience for $5-8 per person at community college pricing.

A full-dome planetarium is one of those experiences that simply cannot be replicated at home. When the lights go down and the entire ceiling becomes the night sky — stars, planets, nebulae, the Milky Way — even kids who've been unimpressed by everything else that day tend to go quiet and stare. The immersive 360-degree projection format means you're not looking at a screen; you're inside the scene.

Shows cycle through different topics in astronomy and space science, with some designed specifically for younger audiences.

The big caveat: CSN Planetarium is only open Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon and evening shows. If your schedule doesn't include a Friday or Saturday, this isn't an option. But for families who can make it work, it's one of the most memorable affordable family activities in the Las Vegas metro.

Book tickets in advance — shows fill up because word has gotten around about both the quality and the price. Arrive 15-20 minutes early to get your choice of seats. Located on the North Las Vegas campus with ample free parking.