Visitors to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay watch as a turtle and other sea creatures swim beside and above them. Photo by Samantha Clemens.

Some of the best attractions on the Strip appeal to young and old alike, and the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is a good example.

Kids will love the sunken pirate ship where four different kinds of sharks -- tiger, sandbar, white tip reef and nurse sharks -- swim in, out and around the "wrecked" ship. And instead of being admonished not to touch anything, at the Touch Pool they're free to plunge their hands into the water full of baby bamboo sharks, southern stingrays, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs and other sea creatures (but keep hands clear of the Piranha Pool).

That's not to say adults won't enjoy those attractions or the other 12 major exhibits, but they probably will get more of a kick out of learning about the Shark Reef itself. For instance, there are more than 2,000 animals from 100 species on display and there are 1.6 million gallons of water to swim in.

It's called Shark Reef for a reason: 15 types of sharks live at the aquarium and, at 1.3 million gallons, the largest exhibit is devoted to sharks. The Galapagos shark measures about 5 feet long and is the most recent addition to the aquarium. Though they're fearsome-looking, none of the Shark Reef's inhabitants are Great Whites, aka "Jaws."

But if sharks aren't your thing, there's plenty more sea life to see, including a coral reef, crocodiles, monitor lizards, sea jellies and other creatures.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily with the last entry at 10 p.m. Admission for locals with a Nevada identification costs $12.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 5 to 12 years old. Kids 4 and younger get in for free. Regular admission costs $15.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 5 to 12. You can buy your tickets at the box office at 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South or online at www.mandalaybay.com.

Strip Tips is a weekly feature by Sonya Padgett that highlights attractions and activities on the Las Vegas Strip.