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15 of the best things to do in Las Vegas
From incredible live shows and glamorous casinos to stunning hiking trails and artist communities, these are 15 things you can't miss in Vegas.
Famously a town built on glitz, entertainment and a seemingly endless list of attractions, Las Vegas has no shortage of things to do. From glamorous casinos, spectacular live shows, quirky local artists and jaw-dropping landscapes just beyond the bright lights, the options are dizzying.
Don't worry. You don't need to spend hours scrolling through all the possibilities. Whether you're here for a long vacation or just a long weekend, these are the 15 best things to do in Sin City.
1. Gawk at the street performers on Fremont Street
Consider Fremont St Old Vegas’ colorful artery, lined with neon signage, overlooked by a zip line, as well as the large, canopied Fremont Street Experience with video-meets-popular jams shows every hour. This is where Las Vegas’ first casino came to fruition – the Golden Gate, it’s still there – and where the World Series of Poker was born (at Binion’s). East of Las Vegas Boulevard on Fremont Street (aptly known as East Fremont), you’ll find some of the hippest hangouts and bars frequented by locals, like Atomic Liquors and Container Park.
Beyond the buildings, it’s the street performers – spanning sexy cowboys, showgirls, magicians and drum groups – that round out the quirky flair of it all.
Planning tip: You’ll find these characters in designated painted circles throughout – make sure to tip them if you want to take a photo.
2. Get funky in the Arts District
In a town bursting with creatives – spanning Cirque du Soleil acrobats to main stage singing ensembles – the Las Vegas Arts District is a hip hub where talent shines. Fuel your day at the neighborhood coffee shop Vesta Coffee Roasters, then explore the Arts Factory, a massive building with multiple galleries, a theater and quaint bars.
Planning tip: If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, First Friday is a street festival experience, with dozens of artists with tent set-ups, local musicians and Vegas-born food trucks.
3. Discover unique history at a one-of-a-kind museum
All cities with an art, science and history museum feel boring compared to Las Vegas. Take your pick here: there’s an Atomic Testing Museum, a Mob Museum detailing shady Nevadans’ pasts, the Pinball Hall of Fame and, for those feeling sultry, the Erotic Heritage Museum. For retro photo opps, the Neon Museum has 200-plus, now-retired, light-up signs from buildings throughout Vegas’ history in a “Neon Boneyard” to pose with.
4. Rake in the dough at a local casino
Outside of the Strip and downtown Las Vegas, plenty of local casinos add to the dining and entertainment scene in the surrounding neighborhoods. Cheaper table games, local charm and quirky attractions are on offer for those willing to venture away from the main drag in Vegas.
Standouts include the Silverton Casino Lodge, with a 117,000-gallon aquarium and mermaid shows, and Red Rock Resort, with the nearby Downtown Summerlin shopping utopia. South Point is great for equestrian show enthusiasts. Those looking for a new casino can check out Durango in Southwest Las Vegas, which opened in 2023.
5. Catch a Broadway-caliber show at the Smith Center
The elegant Reynolds Hall in The Smith Center has become a Las Vegas must-see since its 2012 opening. Pair your night at the 2000-seat theater with a pre-show visit to Discovery Children’s Museum next door or a bite at jazz lounge Vic’s. For top Las Vegas shows, like Hamilton or Moulin Rouge, Reynolds Hall holds big-name performances sure to rival New York City’s Broadway scene.
6. Stroll the Strip
Where else can you peruse an Egyptian pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, the largest observation wheel in the US, giant fountains and oodles of massive resorts? It's all on the Strip in Las Vegas. Start your wander at the Mandalay Bay and head north to the STRAT. It’s a 4-mile walk but you can make pitstops for yard-long frozen daiquiris en route. The best walks in Vegas are on the Strip, where you’ll have no problem hitting your 10,000-step goal. If you're visiting in summer, when the heat makes any kind of outdoor exertion very difficult, there are plenty of other options for getting around the Strip.
7. Eat in Chinatown
Chinatown offers something unique. Within a five-minute drive west of the Strip, you’ll find the epicenter of this beguiling Vegas neighborhood, with its strip malls packed with family-owned eateries, supermarkets and foot/massage spas side by side.
Planning tip: When hunger calls, pop into CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog for a morsel doused in fried potato cubes or Kame Omakase for an upscale chef’s tasting menu of sushi delights.
8. Cheer on your favorite sports team
The roar you hear on the Strip just north of Tropicana Ave? It’s not the lion statue at MGM Grand. It’s likely ice hockey fans, cheering on the city’s most beloved home team, Vegas Golden Knights. Catch a game at T-Mobile Arena during the NHL season, which runs from October to April.
Las Vegas is also home to the Raiders football team – which plays at Allegiant Stadium between September and January – and the Aces WNBA team, which plays at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay from May to September.
9. Head outside the city for a wealth of delights
For some, one of the greatest parts about visiting Las Vegas is driving away from the neon lights. The area just outside of the city encompasses Hoover Dam, antique shops in Boulder City, and beautiful landscapes at both Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park. If you fancy a hike, opt for the 2.2-mile Calico Tanks Trail at Red Rock Canyon, with its stunning sandstone and red rock formations.
10. Take in the desert landscape – and learn about it – at Springs Preserve
Before the casinos drew millions of visitors a year to Vegas, the water source known as Las Vegas Springs was the main attraction. The site of the springs is Springs Preserve, which is now a multifaceted educational experience. The grounds feel like a true desert garden oasis, where one can saunter through a botanical garden or feel the rush of a flash flood at an immersive exhibit.
11. Go skiing or enjoy a cool reprieve at Mount Charleston
When summer sizzles – it commonly gets up to 110–120°F in Las Vegas – head northwest for cooler climes at Mt Charleston. Come wintertime, and perhaps unexpectedly for right outside Sin City, you can ski, tube, sled and snowboard in this national recreation area.
12. Dine with the stars
Sin City is known for its top dining scene and boasts some of the most highly awarded and recognized chefs and restaurants in the US. Those looking for Michelin star-rated Vegas restaurants are in for a treat. For top-notch food and impeccable service, make a reservation at Le Cirque or Michael Mina at the Bellagio. If you prefer a private dining experience, check out the Krug Chef’s Table inside Restaurant Guy Savoy, which has its own menu and bubbly pairings from House of Krug.
Local tip: If you're celebrating a special occasion, splash out at Joël Robuchon, the only restaurant in town to receive three Michelin stars.
13. Get a bird’s eye view of Vegas
If you’re not afraid of heights (or feel ready to overcome your phobia), ride the High Roller, the largest observation wheel in the United States. Towering 550ft above ground, up to 40 people can ride inside one of the air-conditioned cars for up to 30 minutes. Those adventurous enough to jump aboard will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the Strip, city and desert beyond.
Planning tip: When your feet are back on the ground, take a walk along the LINQ Promenade, a 1200ft-long open-air shopping, dining and entertainment promenade.
14. Sink into an immersive entertainment experience
It's difficult to convey if you've never experienced it but AREA15 is a sensory overload in the best possible way. Contained in a 200,000-sq-ft warehouse, it's packed with live shows, interactive experiences, fairground-style rides, zip lining and a wide selection of bars and restaurants. It's free to wander through the space but you need to buy tickets to partake in the fun activities. You could easily spend an entire day at AREA15 – when you need a break from the excitement, hang out at the Asylum Bar with a cold drink and some old-school arcade games.
15. Enjoy the aerial dance of the Fountains of Bellagio
One of the most iconic attractions in Vegas is the Fountains of Bellagio. The show runs multiple times a day, 365 days a year. Known as one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas, you’re likely to see a steady stream of visitors line the sidewalk to gaze in wonder at the dazzling display and accompanying music. The show at night is even more impressive when lights illuminate the spectacle.
