Is Circus Circus worth it? Honest pros and cons
Short answer: Yes — if you want a budget-friendly, family-oriented stay on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip with free circus acts, an attached indoor theme park (Adventuredome), and pool/water-play access included for registered guests. No — if you expect modern luxury, quiet adult-only spaces, or full spa resort amenities; Circus Circus is value-oriented and geared toward families and casual visitors.
In this guide
Where it is and who it suits
Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park sits at 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S on the north end of the Strip. The location puts you near the Adventuredome (about a 5-minute walk), Fashion Show Mall and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This property is aimed at families and value travelers rather than guests seeking a quiet adults-only resort. It’s a practical pick for people who want on-site entertainment for kids, easy access to family dining, and lower room rates compared with many central Strip resorts.
- Good for: families, budget-minded travelers, visitors attending conventions near the Las Vegas Convention Center.
- Not ideal for: travelers seeking adults-only pools, a large full-service spa, or high-end boutique accommodations.
- Nearby: Adventuredome (~5-min walk), Fashion Show Mall (~15-min walk), The STRAT (~10–12 min walk).
| Nearby landmark | Typical walk/drive |
|---|---|
| Adventuredome | About 5 minutes (attached) |
| Fashion Show Mall | About 15 minutes on foot |
| Las Vegas Convention Center | Under a mile (short walk) |
Family entertainment and theme-park access
The resort centers on family-friendly attractions: the Carnival Midway runs free circus acts and carnival-style games daily above the casino, and the on-site Adventuredome indoor theme park is attached and listed as roughly a 5-minute walk away.
Adventuredome includes a large indoor roller coaster and other rides (suitable for a range of ages); many families choose Circus Circus specifically for those on-site entertainment options.
- Free daily circus acts at the Carnival Midway.
- Arcade and game-room options on property.
- Adventuredome about 500 ft away, with indoor rides and attractions.
| Activity | Cost/Notes |
|---|---|
| Carnival Midway circus acts | Free |
| Adventuredome rides | Separate admission (not included in room rate) |
| Arcade / Games | Pay-per-play |
Pools, Splash Zone and water play
Registered hotel guests receive free seasonal access to the Skyrise outdoor pools and to the Splash Zone water-play area; wristbands are provided per room for entry. The property’s pool complex includes two main outdoor pools, waterslides, a splash pad and two hot tubs.
Pool hours and seasonal schedules vary; the Splash Zone is generally open roughly 9 AM–5 PM with slide towers opening later (hours extend in summer). Children 6 and under must be supervised and some slides have height minimums.
- Two outdoor pools at the Skyrise tower; pool water heated to about 80°F with depths around 3–6 feet.
- Splash pad and waterslides (height minimums: Mat Racer 42", Aqua Tube/Speed Slide 48").
- Towel service, rentable inner tubes/rafts, cabanas available for booking, and a poolside snack bar operate seasonally.
| Pool feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Access | Free for registered guests (wristband per room) |
| Lifeguards | On duty (seasonal) |
| Age/safety rules | Children under 6 must be supervised; slide height minimums enforced |
Rooms and where to sleep
Rooms are basic and value-oriented; standard amenities include WiFi (covered by the resort fee), cable TV, hairdryer, iron/ironing board and an in-room safe. The property lists a variety of room types such as Skyrise Family Tower Room, Manor Room, Casino Tower Room and multiple West Tower options.
If you need a suite or extra space, look for the Casino Tower Deluxe Suite with Refrigerator or Casino Tower Deluxe Suite w/ Sofa Bed/Fridge. There are also West Tower Newly Refreshed Room and West Tower Deluxe with Refrigerator choices for guests who want a newer-feeling room or an in-room fridge.
- Room types to note (exact names): Skyrise Family Tower Room; Manor Room; Casino Tower Room; Manor Motor Lodge Room; West Tower/Dog Friendly Room; West Tower Newly Refreshed Room; West Tower Deluxe with Refrigerator Room; West Tower Executive with Refrigerator/Coffee Maker Room; Casino Tower Deluxe Suite with Refrigerator; Casino Tower Deluxe Suite w/ Sofa Bed/Fridge; Run of House; Skyrise Executive W/ Refrigerator and Coffee Maker Room.
- Some West Tower rooms are marketed as dog friendly; pet policy is inconsistently reported so confirm before booking.
- Expect practical, no-frills furnishings rather than luxury finishes.
| Room class | When to pick it |
|---|---|
| Skyrise Family Tower Room | Families needing two Queen Beds |
| Casino Tower Deluxe Suite with Refrigerator | Travelers wanting a suite layout and a fridge |
| West Tower Newly Refreshed Room | Guests who prefer a recently updated room |
Dining, bars and event spaces
Dining ranges from quick-service outlets to a signature steakhouse. THE Steakhouse serves dinner with a classic steakhouse menu and set dinner hours; the Circus Buffet offers breakfast/brunch and dinner station service. Big Top Eats operates 24 hours for grab-and-go or late-night meals.
There are several casual options (Pizzeria, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Burger King, Popeyes, Einstein Bros Bagels, Pick Up Stix and Cocolini) and bars like West Bar and Big Chill for drinks. The property also has meeting rooms and ballrooms for events of different sizes.
- THE Steakhouse: dinner-only, recommended smart-casual dress; hours listed on the property site.
- Circus Buffet: breakfast/brunch and dinner service; family-friendly.
- Big Top Eats: open 24 hours with deli-style menu.
| Dining option | Type / Typical hours |
|---|---|
| THE Steakhouse | Steakhouse — dinner only (evening hours) |
| Circus Buffet | All-you-can-eat — breakfast/brunch and dinner |
| Big Top Eats | 24-hour deli-style dining |
Practical matters: fees, check-in and policies
A mandatory daily resort fee applies to rooms and covers in-room WiFi, unlimited local/toll-free calls, airline boarding-pass printing and fitness-center access for guests 18 and older. The property also places a refundable incidental deposit/authorization at check-in.
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM with express check-in available and the front desk open 24 hours; check-out is at 11:00 AM. The minimum age to check in is 21; the person checking in must present photo ID and the credit card used to book.
- Resort fee: mandatory (covers WiFi, local calls, boarding-pass printing, fitness access for 18+).
- Incidental deposit: a refundable authorization is taken at check-in (amounts reported variably).
- Check-in: from 3:00 PM; Check-out: 11:00 AM; front desk staffed 24 hours.
- Parking: self-parking complimentary for registered guests; valet available for a fee.
- Pet policy: inconsistent public reporting — some room types in the West Tower are listed as dog friendly; confirm with the hotel before traveling.
| Policy | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Minimum check-in age | 21 years (ID and card required) |
| Cancellation window | Full refund requires 72 hours notice per hotel FAQ |
| Fitness center access | Included in resort fee for guests 18 and older |
Strengths and drawbacks — quick summary
Strengths: Family-friendly entertainment (free circus acts, Adventuredome nearby), budget-oriented room options, convenient casual dining and 24-hour deli, and included pool/Splash Zone access for registered guests.
Drawbacks: Not a high-end or quiet luxury property — rooms are basic, there is no full spa facility beyond The Salon, the resort fee and incidental deposit add to cost, and pet-policy details are inconsistent publicly (confirm before booking).
- Pros: Good value for families; lots of on-site kid-focused entertainment; free circus acts; pool and Splash Zone access included for guests.
- Cons: Basic rooms and finishes; extra mandatory fees (resort fee, incidental authorization); no full-service spa; not aimed at travelers seeking adults-only amenities or high-end luxury.
| Aspect | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Family entertainment | Strong |
| Room quality | Basic / value-oriented |
| Resort extras (spa, luxury) | Limited (salon only; no full spa) |
