Where to See Animals in Las Vegas

The Mirage’s Secret Garden has closed — but the valley is still full of great places to get up close with sharks, lions, flamingos, and desert wildlife.

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The Mirage & the Secret Garden Have Closed

The Mirage Hotel & Casino permanently closed in July 2024, and Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat closed with it. The dolphins were moved out of Las Vegas and the big cats were relocated as well, so this attraction is no longer open to visit. Everything listed below is a current, operating alternative.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

This is the one I’d send most families to first. Shark Reef is a walk-through aquarium home to thousands of animals across roughly 100 species — multiple kinds of sharks, green sea turtles, stingrays, a Komodo dragon, crocodiles, and more. There’s a shipwreck-themed tunnel and plenty to keep kids busy for an hour or two. Tickets and hours vary by season, so check the official Mandalay Bay site before you go.

Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

Tucked into the middle of the Flamingo, this free garden oasis is home to Chilean flamingos along with koi, turtles, and waterfalls — a shady, peaceful break from the casino floor. It’s open to the public at no charge, and there’s typically a daily keeper talk if you want the kids to learn a little. Because it’s free and centrally located, it’s one of my favorite quick stops on the Strip.

Lion Habitat Ranch

If your family missed the big cats at the Secret Garden, this is the closest thing we have now — and it’s a rescue sanctuary, not a show. Out in Henderson you can see lions up close, plus ostriches, parrots, and tortoises. Many of the animals here are rescues or surrenders living out their lives in a safe home. It’s only open certain days of the week, so check the official ranch site for days, hours, and any special experiences before you drive out.

Springs Preserve

This is my pick if you want to see our native desert wildlife rather than exotic animals. Springs Preserve has live exhibits with Gila monsters, snakes, lizards, and a gray fox, plus wetlands where you can spot herons and owls, a seasonal butterfly habitat, and a desert tortoise habitat that’s home to Mojave Max. It’s part museum, part botanical garden, part trail system — a genuinely local experience. Hours and admission vary, so check the official Springs Preserve site.

A Few Quick Tips

The Strip spots (Shark Reef and the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat) are easy to pair with other attractions in a single day. The off-Strip picks (Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson and Springs Preserve near downtown) are worth a dedicated trip and are best with a car.

Hours, ticket prices, and days of operation change — and a couple of these are only open certain days — so always confirm on the venue’s official website before you head out.

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