Las Vegas is often described as like Disneyland for adults but with so much going on there it can be pretty difficult to decide what to do with your time there.
Essentially every hotel, restaurant, gas station has a casino or a bank of slot machines so you’re never far away from an opportunity to risk a buck or two but I wanted to share some of the other things to do.
Away from gambling, Las Vegas is a city absolutely packed with word-class shows, concerts, museums, shops, restaurants and more. Here are just 10 of the best…
The Bellagio Fountains
The Fountains at The Bellagio are probably the most famous sight in all of Las Vegas and their central location on the strip always makes them a popular spot.
The show is completely free and runs at least a couple of times an hour and features a choreographed sequence of ‘dancing’ fountains to a backdrop of popular music. There are many sequences on rotation too so it’s unlikely that you’ll see the same one twice.
Opium (or any of the Spiegelword Shows)
Selecting a variety show to see on the strip is tricky. You have the likes of Cirque du Soleil, The Blue Man Group and loads more to choose from but my absolute favourites are the Spiegelworld Shows – especially Opium.
Opium is an adult-only show and runs most nights at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Expect a mix of top-class cabaret, acrobats, risqué comedy, magic and a whole lot of camp fun from start to finish.
Eataly
Located at the entrance to the Park MGM hotel, Eataly is home to all of the culinary delights of Italy. Inside there’s a food marketplace, pizza and gelato stand’s, 2 sit down restaurants and even an Aperol spritz bar.
If you’re into authentic Italian tastes and flavours, then this place needs to be your Las Vegas go to!
Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum
Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum has been voted the top attraction in Las Vegas many times and having recently taken the tour myself I now know why.
Located in downtown Vegas, the haunted mansion was built in 1938 and houses 30 rooms filled with haunted and creepy objects.
The tour takes you around the building and is a must-do for paranormal enthusiasts or ghost hunters wanting to see pieces from the “Demon House,” Dr. Kevorkian’s death van, and even the Dybbuk Box.
This is not one for the easily scared!
The Neon Museum
I bet you never expected to see a bunch of museums on a Las Vegas list, did you? Believe it or not, there are quite a few worth checking out but if you only have time for one, I’d recommend the Neon Museum.
The Neon Museum is a great look into the history of the Las Vegas strip and as aside from the fantastic pieces on display, your guide will tell the story of the town and how it came to be.
This attraction is outdoors and if you’re visiting in summer, it gets incredibly hot so it’s good to keep this in mind. Early morning or evening tours are sensible options.
Hoover Dam
As great as Las Vegas is, getting away from the lights for a day is also a fantastic idea. There are loads of outdoor activities to check out in the surrounding area but if I could choose one, I’d recommend hiring a car and heading up to the Hoover Dam.
There are lots of organised tours that will take you there, but I think it’s better to drive yourself then you’re on your own clock. You can stop off when you want, detour if you want and it’s generally a lot more fun.
Human Nature Sings Motown
Maybe I’m biased as I’m a big fan of the Motown sound but I rate the Human Nature show very highly. It’s a sleek and professional show and features all of the classic Motown tracks.
Human Nature perform at the Sands Showroom in the Venetian. it’s a lovely hotel so I’d recommend making an evening of it. Grab a pre-show cocktail at The Dorsey (just off the casino floor) and if you’re feeling romantic head upstairs and have a gondola ride along the indoor canal afterwards.
Check out a Pool Party
The pool party season in Las Vegas normally runs from the end of May until the end of August and most of the Vegas pool parties are headlined by some of the world’s top DJ’s so you should expect to pay a hefty fee for admission.
Last year, the NoMad at Park MGM launched their new pool party called Jemaa, the vibe is more chilled than most, the surroundings luxurious and the cocktails are tasty as heck. I’d recommend checking it out.
Hell’s Kitchen
Fans of the TV chef Gordon Ramsay will already be aware of the Hell’s Kitchen brand but even if you’re not this place should be on your list for the food alone.
You’ll find Hell’s Kitchen Las Vegas just outside Ceasar’s Palace and adjacent to the strip. Have the beef wellington, you won’t regret it!
Fremont Street Experience
Last but not least on my list is the Fremont Street Experience. Fremont Street is the ‘old’ Las Vegas strip and is located in the heart of downtown. under a huge LED covered roof, you can soak up the atmosphere and watch some of the live bands.
This is where you can catch a glimpse of the iconic Las Vegas cowboy neon too.
If you do happen down to Fremont Street, it’s worth popping into Commonwealth for a drink too. It’s a very cool bar which seems a million miles away from the madness of this city.
Of course, these are just 10 of the great things to do in Las Vegas but as we have established the list is endless.
What’s your Las Vegas highlight? Let us know in the comments below.