Las Vegas Fun Things To Do
Las Vegas gets 40+ million visitors a year and most of them never leave the Strip. That’s fine — the Strip alone has enough to fill a week. But Vegas is also the gateway to some of the most spectacular desert scenery in America, and the city itself has layers most tourists never see.
Watch: Top Videos About Las Vegas
Quick Facts: Las Vegas is in the Mojave Desert of southern Nevada, about 4 hours from LA and 5 from Phoenix. Best time to visit: March–May and September–November to avoid extreme summer heat.
Here’s everything worth doing, whether you’ve got 3 days or a week.
The Strip — From Mandalay Bay to the STRAT
The Las Vegas Strip is 4.2 miles of sensory overload running down Las Vegas Boulevard South. Walking it end to end takes about 90 minutes — but stopping at every casino, fountain, and spectacle turns that into an all-day affair.
The Bellagio Fountains — Free. Every 30 minutes in the afternoon, every 15 minutes at night. Water choreographed to music in front of one of the most iconic buildings in Vegas. The night shows are the ones worth waiting for.
The Venetian & Palazzo — Indoor canals with actual gondola rides, a painted sky ceiling, and some of the best restaurants on the Strip. The Grand Canal Shoppes are worth walking even if you’re not buying.
Caesars Palace — The Forum Shops have a massive aquarium saltwater fish tank (free), the Fall of Atlantis animatronic show (free), and Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen right at the entrance.
ARIA & CityCenter — The modern architecture complex on the Strip. Fine Art Collection is free and scattered throughout the property — works by Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, and others.
The STRAT — The tower at the north end of the Strip has the highest observation deck in Vegas (1,149 feet). If you’re feeling brave, the SkyPod thrill rides at the top — SkyJump, Big Shot, and Insanity — dangle you over the edge of the tower.
New York-New York — The roller coaster wrapping around the fake Statue of Liberty. The ride is genuinely intense — 67 mph with a 180-degree heartline twist. About $20 per ride.
The High Roller — The giant observation wheel at The LINQ. 550 feet tall, 30-minute rotation. The happy hour pods with an open bar are the move.
Fremont Street & Downtown
Downtown Vegas is a completely different energy from the Strip — older, grittier, weirder, and in many ways more fun.
Fremont Street Experience — A 5-block pedestrian mall covered by a 1,500-foot LED canopy that runs light shows every hour after dark. The zip line (SlotZilla) launches you from a 12-story tower over the crowds below. Street performers, live music stages, and $5 blackjack tables at the old-school casinos.
Circa Resort — The newest downtown hotel has Stadium Swim, a massive multi-level pool amphitheater with a 143-foot screen for watching sports. It’s like a pool party and a sports bar had a very expensive baby.
Container Park — An open-air shopping and entertainment complex built from repurposed shipping containers. Features a giant fire-breathing praying mantis sculpture (yes, it shoots real fire) and a treehouse playground.
The Mob Museum — Officially the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement. Three floors of real artifacts, interactive exhibits, and a speakeasy in the basement that serves Prohibition-era cocktails. One of the best museums in Vegas.
Neon Museum — An outdoor collection of rescued vintage Las Vegas signs. The nighttime guided tour is the way to do it — the signs are illuminated and the history is fascinating.
Shows & Entertainment
Vegas is the live entertainment capital of the world. On any given night you can choose from:
Cirque du Soleil — Multiple residencies across the Strip. “O” at the Bellagio (water-based, spectacular), “Mystère” at Treasure Island (the original Vegas Cirque), and “KÀ” at MGM Grand are the standouts.
Comedy — Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM, comedy residencies at various hotels, and surprise drop-ins from touring comics.
Magic — Penn & Teller at the Rio, David Copperfield at MGM Grand, Mat Franco at The LINQ.
Music Residencies — The big amphitheaters and theater spaces host rotating artist residencies. Check what’s playing during your dates.
Tournaments & Fights — UFC events at T-Mobile Arena, boxing at MGM Grand, and the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Restaurants Worth the Trip
Vegas has more celebrity chefs per square mile than anywhere on earth.
Budget: In-N-Out Burger on the Strip (yes, really), Tacos El Gordo on East Charleston, any casino buffet during off-peak hours.
Mid-Range: Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas (outdoor patio on the Strip — the view is the real draw), Nacho Daddy on Fremont, Hash House A Go Go (portions are absurd).
Splurge: Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand (most Michelin stars in Vegas), Bazaar Meat by José Andrés at the Sahara, Nobu at Caesars, é by José Andrés (8-seat counter, prix fixe, reservations are nearly impossible).
Buffets: The Bacchanal at Caesars and the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan are considered the two best on the Strip.
Day Trips From Vegas
The desert surrounding Vegas is staggeringly beautiful. These are all doable in a day:
Grand Canyon (South Rim) — About 4.5 hours by car, or take a helicopter tour that includes a landing on the canyon floor. The helicopter tours are expensive ($300-500+) but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Grand Canyon (West Rim / Skywalk) — 2 hours from Vegas. The glass-bottomed Skywalk extends 70 feet over the canyon edge. Operated by the Hualapai Nation.
Hoover Dam — 30 minutes from the Strip. Free to drive across and see from the bridge. Tours of the dam interior are $15-30 and worth it. The engineering is mind-blowing.
Valley of Fire State Park — 50 minutes northeast. Red sandstone formations, petroglyphs, and desert scenery that looks like Mars. $10 per vehicle. One of the most underrated parks in Nevada.
Red Rock Canyon — 20 minutes west. A 13-mile scenic loop drive through red and cream sandstone formations. Hiking trails from easy (Calico Tanks) to strenuous (Keystone Thrust). $15 per vehicle.
Death Valley National Park — About 2 hours west. The lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level). Best October through April — summer temperatures regularly exceed 120°F.
Zion National Park — 2.5 hours northeast. Angels Landing, The Narrows, and some of the most dramatic canyon scenery in America.
Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
Vegas doesn’t have to be expensive:
- Bellagio Fountains show (every 15-30 min)
- Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (changes seasonally)
- The Mirage volcano (nightly, free from the sidewalk)
- Fremont Street Experience light shows (every hour after dark)
- Fall of Atlantis show at Caesars Forum Shops
- ARIA Fine Art Collection (walk-through)
- Wynn Lake of Dreams (nightly show)
- People-watching on the Strip (endlessly entertaining)
- Downtown Container Park (free entry, praying mantis fire show)
Getting Around
Walking — The Strip is walkable but long. Wear comfortable shoes.
Monorail — Runs behind the east side of the Strip from MGM Grand to the STRAT. $5 per ride or $13 for a day pass. Useful but the stations are inside the casinos, which means a lot of walking through casino floors.
Rideshare — Uber and Lyft work well in Vegas. Pickup zones are at designated spots at each casino (not the front door). A Strip ride is typically $8-15.
Deuce Bus — The double-decker bus runs the entire length of the Strip 24/7. $6 for a 2-hour pass, $8 for 24 hours. Slow but cheap and you see everything.
Rental Cars — Only worth it for day trips. Parking on the Strip now costs $15-20+ per day at most casinos.
Las Vegas Resorts — Stay for Less
Vegas has multiple timeshare and vacation club properties where you can get a multi-night stay at a fraction of the normal rate through promotional deals.
Available Resort Properties:
- Tahiti Vacation Club — Polynesian-themed resort on South Las Vegas Blvd with lazy river pool and full kitchens
- WorldMark Tropicana — Wyndham property on Tropicana Ave, close to the south end of the Strip
- Shell Vacations Club at Desert Rose Resort — East of the Strip with suite-style rooms and full kitchens
- Club Wyndham Desert Blue — Wyndham property with pool, hot tub, and easy Strip access
- Club De Soleil — Independent resort near the Strip with affordable suite accommodations
Promotional stays start from $237 for 4 nights / 5 days for up to 4 guests. You attend a 120-minute presentation about the resort’s vacation ownership program, then enjoy the rest of your trip however you want.
View Las Vegas Timeshare Promotions →
Vacation Deals
💰 Save on Your Las Vegas Stay
Qualified visitors can stay at resort-quality properties in Las Vegas for a fraction of the retail rate — in exchange for attending a 90-to-120-minute vacation ownership preview.
Packages from $237
Call (888) 988-2256 — Check Availability
Must be 26+, meet household income requirements, and attend a presentation about vacation ownership. No obligation to purchase. Full details →
View Las Vegas Timeshare Promotions →