Looking for all the best attractions in Sin City? Our guide with all the best things to do in Las Vegas is all you need!
Notoriously referred to as “Sin City,” Las Vegas is home to loads of unforgettable famous attractions, wild parties, boisterous celebrations, eventful festivals, and more!
One of the most visited cities in the whole world, Las Vegas is placed in the middle of a desert in Nevada.
There are many popular attractions in Las Vegas. It’s here that many come to gamble on slot machines at the casinos, to liven up a bachelor and bachelorette party spot, or to experience the concerts and parties that feature A-list celebrities.
And that’s not all. The famous “Sin City” is more than just partying and gambling.
There’s more to this enigmatic city than flashing lights, pounding music, and addictive gambling.
That’s why we’ve created this content, to present the magnificence of Las Vegas’ many attractions that are waiting to be explored!
In this article, we list the best 21 things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada, ranging from activities such as hiking Death Valley, the lowest recorded point in all of the Western Hemisphere, and food tours that will entice you to savor world-class cuisine crafted by more than 20 celebrity chefs.
Each attraction we’ve listed below presents essential information that features why these attractions are a must-see, plus fun facts on why the attractions have steadily risen to popularity in Las Vegas as attractions that shouldn’t be missed out on.
Get ready to pack your bags and explore all these Las Vegas attractions after reading this invigorating article on the Best Things To Do In Las Vegas!
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Table of Contents
- The Best Things to Do in Las Vegas
- 1) Walk Down The Eventful Fremont Street
- 2) Visit The Shark Reef Aquarium At Mandalay Bay
- 3) Tour Red Rock Canyon Off-Road
- 4) Visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum & Experience A Traditional Gondola Ride
- 5) Start Cheering For The Local Las Vegas Hockey Team
- 6) Taste The Heat At Death Valley
- 7) Explore Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon National Park
- 8) Ride The High Roller Observation Wheel
- 9) Explore The Titanic Exhibit
- 10) Walk The Grand Canyon Skywalk
- 11) Wager At The Cosmopolitan Race & Sports Book
- 12) Witness An Awe-Inspiring Cirque du Soleil Production
- 13) Visit the National Atomic Testing Museum
- 14) Visit the Neon Museum
- 15) Experience the Flavors of Las Vegas
- 16) Take A Guided Kayak Tour To Emerald Cave and Lake Mead
- 17) Glide Over The Desert On A Hot Air Balloon Ride
- 18) Soak In The Impressive Views At The Eiffel Tower
- 19) Shop At The Grand Canal Shoppes
- 20) Satiate Your Creative Side At The Arts District
- 21) Visit the Famous Casinos
- Where to Stay in Las Vegas
The Best Things to Do in Las Vegas
Featuring 21 of the best things to do in Las Vegas during your visit, this list includes adventurous outdoor activities like hiking and touristy activities like seeing the famous Las Vegas Sign and visiting museums.
Don’t spend unnecessary time scouring the internet trying to figure out what to do in Las Vegas. It’s time to explore our options!
1) Walk Down The Eventful Fremont Street
The Fremont Street Experience is one of the most popular attractions in Fabulous Las Vegas. Located north of the Las Vegas Strip, this famous street is situated in downtown Las Vegas.
The attraction is a pedestrian mall spanning five miles, scattered with entertainers, shops, shows, and drinks.
If you’re not a fan of walking or you simply want a fun thrill, take the SlotZilla Zipline. This slot machine-inspired attraction runs a low zip line down the hustle and bustle of Fremont Street.
Interestingly enough, Fremont Street was the birthplace of Las Vegas. Binion’s Horseshoe and the Golden Nugget are some of Las Vegas’ first casinos, both found on this lively street.
Here on Fremont Street, you can test your luck at the retro casinos, grab a drink at the open-air bars, satiate your appetite with cheap eats, enjoy unique street performers, and witness the world’s largest light and sound shows.
2) Visit The Shark Reef Aquarium At Mandalay Bay
Perfect for families visiting Las Vegas, the Shark Reef Aquarium located at Mandalay Bay features more than 2,000 marine life animals.
From piranhas and green sea turtles to giant rays to sharks, the Shark Reef Aquarium hosts the largest tank in North America holding 1,300,000 US gallons.
With this entry ticket, guests will be able to experience the magnificence of the underwater world. The fourteen exhibits include a touch pool where guests can touch horseshoe crabs, rays, and sharks.
Learn about the conservation and education efforts during your visit to the Shark Reef Aquarium as you absorb the stunning colorful and strange figures of marine life.
- Address: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
- Cost: $29
Read next: Check out all of the best Las Vegas day trips while you’re in town!
3) Tour Red Rock Canyon Off-Road
A fun day trip to try while visiting Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon in Nevada’s Mojave Desert.
Featuring impressive red sandstone peaks and Native American petroglyphs, Red Rock Canyon boasts panoramic spots along a 13-mile Scenic Drive. Some highlights of the drive include Ice Box Canyon and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.
A great way to explore the area is on a guided open-air Jeep Wrangler off-road tour of Red Rock Canyon.
This thrilling guided tour shows you the natural side of Las Vegas taking guests past the famous Las Vegas sign, up Rocky Gap Road, a former pioneer trail, and up the 13-mile scenic road.
On this exciting trip, guests will be able to see fossilized sand dunes, the brightly colored Calico Hills, and the fiery Red Spring Mountain Range.
4) Visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum & Experience A Traditional Gondola Ride
Available at the Venetian Resort, a resort embodying the culture and excitement of Venice, guests can hitch a ride on a traditional gondola. With both indoor and outdoor sections, the gondola ride transports you to Venice, Italy!
On this guided tour, walk through Madame Tussauds Wax Museum with unnervingly realistic wax figures of famous superstars like Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and Captain America.
Once you’re done living the high life with the superstars, bask in a peaceful gondola ride in the spectacular Venetian Hotel And Casino, a highlight of Las Vegas.
After the peaceful gondola ride, hop on over to the Hard Rock Cafe for decadent and filling eats to end your trip.
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5) Start Cheering For The Local Las Vegas Hockey Team
A professional ice hockey team in Las Vegas, The Vegas Golden Knights got its start in the NHL season of 2017-2018.
Fun fact: the ice hockey team tagged on the “golden” part of its name based on the fact that Nevada is the largest gold-producing state in all of North America.
In their very first season, the Golden Knights were able to reach the Stanley Cup Finals! If that doesn’t present how competitive and athletic this practically fresh team is, then what will?
Buy a ticket and head on over to the arena to witness the athleticism and skill of the Golden Knights hockey team!
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6) Taste The Heat At Death Valley
The lowest, hottest, and driest place in all of the United States, Death Valley has understandably gotten its memorable name for a reason. It is such a unique place, and makes for an epic day trip from Las Vegas.
On this all-day guided hike, guests will be able to explore the desert landscape of Death Valley which proudly adorns the record for the world’s hottest recorded temperature.
The hike starts in the afternoon with relievingly cooler temperatures. Before hiking begins, guests get to enjoy a wine tasting tour from the biggest wine producer in all of Nevada, Pahrump.
Then, guests travel to the scenic viewpoints available in Death Valley including Dante’s View, a Star Wars filming location, and Badwater Basin, the lowest recorded point in all of the Western Hemisphere.
End the hike at Zabriskie Point to absorb the exceptional sunset views, and stargazing as you hike back to the starting point.
7) Explore Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon National Park
Another one of the best things to do in Las Vegas is to continue your exploration of nature and visit these exceptional national parks.
To save yourself the hassle of planning and driving, book this guided excursion to Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park with a qualified local guide.
With its distinguished steep red cliffs, scenic driving routes, and forest trails, Zion National Park is a sight to behold for nature lovers.
Put on your hiking shoes and hike down along the Virgin River to the Emerald Pools which feature a hanging garden and waterfalls. This is just one of the amazing hikes you can fo here.
And then there’s Bryce Canyon National Park, a sprawling reserve featuring crimson-colored hoodoos and lots of famous sights. Some top attractions in the park include Bryce Amphitheater, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point.
Both of these parks are stunning in their own way, making for a fantastic excursion with jaw-dropping views.
8) Ride The High Roller Observation Wheel
Bask in unrivaled high-up views of Las Vegas and the Strip on the High Roller.
A 550-feet tall giant Ferris wheel spanning 520 feet in diameter, the High Roller is located on the Las Vegas Strip. This impressive Ferris wheel is presently the world’s second tallest Ferris wheel.
The air-conditioned compartments are a massive relief during notoriously hot Las Vegas days. On the High Roller, you can enjoy spectacular views of the brilliant happenings of Las Vegas that are otherwise unobtainable.
While on the ferris wheel, an amusing audio tour covers the history of Las Vegas with pinpoint timing of the area’s landmarks as they appear.
After getting off the observation wheel, stop by the many shops, multiple bars, and restaurants located in the heart of the entertainment hub of Las Vegas.
Sit and enjoy a drink, buy a few souvenirs, or satiate your appetite with world-class food as you commemorate the unforgettable experience at the top of the High Roller.
- Address: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Hours: 2pm – 12am
- Cost: Prices range from $8.50 for kids to $60 for adults with Happy Hour included. Check the website to book tickets and see exact prices.
9) Explore The Titanic Exhibit
The world-renowned Titanic Artifact Exhibition explores the tragedy of the famous ocean-liner, the Titanic.
At this exhibit, are more than 250 artifacts that have been recovered from the wreck site of the Titanic, including recreations of some of the rooms in the Titanic.
With this pre-booked ticket, guests will be able to explore first and third-class cabins, the famous Grand Staircase, and will be able to walk the decks and into the cabins of the Titanic.
An unforgettable moment in history, the fall of the Titanic was made famous in the film featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
Witness the grandiosity of the Titanic in its fallen glory at the Titanic Artifact Exhibition, one of the most fun things to do in Las Vegas!
- Address: 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Hours: 11am – 8pm daily
- Cost: $24 for kids, $32 for adults
10) Walk The Grand Canyon Skywalk
Step over the edge of the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders well-known for its format of layered red rock, on the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
This first-ever 4,000-foot high glass bridge is located in Grand Canyon West easily accessible from Las Vegas.
The 10-foot wide glass bridge is horseshoe-shaped, stretching 70 feet over the rim of the Grand Canyon. On the Skywalk, the clear unparalleled views of 4,000 feet below to the Grand Canyon floor and beyond boast a thrilling experience of nature’s wonders.
On this guided tour of Grand Canyon West, guests will be able to witness wondrous views of the Grand Canyon, snap pictures of the Mighty Hoover Dam, and drive through the 2,000-year-old Joshua Tree Forest.
Get your phones and cameras ready to take awe-inspiring photographs of the natural wonders of Las Vegas!
11) Wager At The Cosmopolitan Race & Sports Book
Place your wagers at the Cosmopolitan Race & Sports Book, the hot spot for prime sports watching and wagering.
Located on the Las Vegas Strip, the full-service Race and Sports Book is situated inside the Cosmopolitan, a unique luxury resort hotel and casino.
At the Cosmopolitan Race & Sports Book, get a taste of victory at this spacious and comfortable setting. There is an upgraded experience that features mobile-wagering technology, lounge-style seating areas, LED video walls for both sports and race, and a multitude of other luxurious features.
You’ve picked your team. What’s your wager?
- Address: 3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South
- Hours: Betting window is open 8am – 10pm Sun-Thurs, 8am – 11pm Fri & Sat
12) Witness An Awe-Inspiring Cirque du Soleil Production
The largest contemporary circus production in the world, Cirque du Soleil is famous across the globe for its impressive feats, stunning shows, and acrobatic displays.
Take a seat at the “O” show by Cirque du Soleil located at Bellagio—a hotel famous for its dancing water fountain that is synchronized to music.
During this production, viewers will witness the stunning elegance and beauty of water. Through the act of synchronized swimmers, courageous divers, and acrobats that flip and twist gracefully through the air, you will be amazed the entire time.
Undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in Las Vegas, experiencing this iconic production is an unforgettable venture.
13) Visit the National Atomic Testing Museum
In the desert north of Las Vegas lies the National Atomic Testing Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution that documents the history of atomic testing.
While exploring the museum, observe the impressive collections of nuclear history involving the Cold War, the Nevada Test Site, atomic testing, and more.
Materials such as videos, artifacts, rare photographs, and nuclear reports make up some of the unique items waiting to be explored during your visit.
At the museum, their mission is to educate the public on the history of the nation’s nuclear testing program. During your visit, you’ll be able to explore the many findings that span over 65 years and over 3500 artifacts.
- Address: 755 E Flamingo Rd
- Hours: 9:30am – 3pm, closed Wednesdays
- Cost: $24
14) Visit the Neon Museum
With a focus on collecting, preserving, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs, the Neon Museum explores the creative take on the iconic neon signs through educational, historic, artistic, and cultural enrichment.
Take a night tour of the Neon Museum to bask in the radiant neon lights of the neon boneyard, scattered with old signs and informational Las Vegas history.
The signs are displayed on over 2.5 acres and the visitors center is a restored lobby shell from the far-gone La Concha Motel. The Neon Museum is a wondrous and unique collection masterpiece.
It’s a special piece of history that is one of the best Las Vegas things to do.
- Address: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N
- Hours: 4pm – 12am daily
- Cost: $23, Tickets sell out quickly so book yours online in advance.
15) Experience the Flavors of Las Vegas
Another one of the most fun things to do in Las Vegas is learning about the local culture and history through a food tour!
Learn about the history the iconic shrimp cocktail, a favorite in Las Vegas. Savor world-class cuisine created by more than 20 celebrity chefs.
Ever wondered what kind of food celebrities ate? This is the way to experience high-class food by hand-crafted assortments and selections by world-renowned chefs.
Experience the magnificence of Las Vegas’ outstanding cuisine, the impressive food history, how Las Vegas has influenced food, and more on this one-of-a-kind food tour!
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16) Take A Guided Kayak Tour To Emerald Cave and Lake Mead
A reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States due to its massive water capacity.
On this guided kayak tour, visitors will paddle through Lake Mead to reach Emerald Cave, a small cave tucked into Black Canyon.
Emerald Cave is termed after its rich emerald-colored waters that shimmer and glisten like emerald jewels.
During this trip, kayakers will be able to observe bald eagles, desert bighorn sheep, and blue herons going about their business in their natural habitat.
This is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas and enjoy the scenery of the Colorado River and the Hoover Dam.
17) Glide Over The Desert On A Hot Air Balloon Ride
Named after the Mojave people, the Mojave Desert spans 25,000 square miles to connect to the Great Basin.
On this exceptional one-of-a-kind experience, climb aboard a hot air balloon and fly over the desert. Soar across the sky at 10,000 feet, sometimes higher!
The outstanding views of the wildlife below, along with the Nopah Mountain Range, Eastern California, and the Spring Mountain Range proves to be a worthwhile trip.
After your balloon ride is over, enjoy a traditional champagne toast combined with a lesson about the history of hot air ballooning.
18) Soak In The Impressive Views At The Eiffel Tower
An iconic attraction situated on the city skyline, the Eiffel Tower is a viewing deck that replicates the world-famous landmark in Paris, France.
Tremble at the elevation as you travel up 46 stories, the replica that is surprisingly only half the size of the original tower in Paris.
At the top, bask in the pleasing views of the Las Vegas Strip. This spot is a must-see for romance as it is widely known as the perfect romantic spot in Las Vegas as well as a must-see attraction.
19) Shop At The Grand Canal Shoppes
Located at the Venetian Resort, a lavish Italian-themed resort and casino settled on the Strip, the Grand Canal Shoppes is the perfect attraction to visit for any and all wishing to relieve the shopping “itch”.
Featuring indoor canals that embark guests on gondola rides across the mall, these shops presents an upscale shopping scene.
Whether it be shopping or dining, this destination is a necessary Las Vegas attraction to visit.
- Address: 3377 Las Vegas Blvd S
- Hours: 10am – 9pm daily
20) Satiate Your Creative Side At The Arts District
A colorful and diverse cultural hub, the Arts District is located in downtown Las Vegas. Scrunching together indie art galleries, shops, bistros, the Art Square, and the Cockroach Theater, this is never a boring place to visit.
Whether it be bars serving craft cocktails in a bohemian setting or inspiring plays featured at the Cockroach Theater, there is always something to do at this popular Las Vegas attraction.
Arts and cultural festivals are often presented in this artistic district area, so if the time is right you can witness like-minded individuals coming together for a fun, creative, and inspiring celebration.
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21) Visit the Famous Casinos
Las Vegas is famous for its casinos, so of course we have to mention them. While strolling along Las Vegas Boulevard, you are sure to see casino after casino and wonder which ones to visit.
The Bellagio Hotel & Casino is one of the best, with an 8-acre lake that displays dancing water fountains. And though that might seem pretty spectacular and unique to some, the Bellagio goes a step further with its Conservatory and Botanical Garden.
And five times a year, the Bellagio Conservatory team constructs and presents a full-blow floral production for the Chinese New Year, spring, summer, fall, and winter.
The MGM Grand is another big one. This hostel and casino also hosts sporting events, comedy shows, nightclubs with famous djs, and more.
The Venetian is also a stunning hotel with two casinos inside: The Venetian and the Palazzo. With its Italian-style landscaping and decoration, it’s a truly beautiful spot in Las Vegas.
The last luxury hotel and casino we’ll mention is Caesars Palace. Caesars, along with the other three mentioned, make up the most famous casinos in Las Vegas. Even if you can’t afford to stay here, pop in to gamble at the casinos, get a drink, or watch a performance.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas
Now that we’ve figured out the best things to do in Las Vegas, it’s time to figure out where to stay!
After exploring amusement parks, thrill rides, casinos, national parks, and more in the Entertainment Capital of the USA, you’ll want a cozy place to rest your head.
Best Hostel in Las Vegas
Check out Sin City Hostel, the best hotel in Las Vegas! The best and longest-running hostel in Las Vegas, Sin City Hostel hosts weekly events like club crawls, trips to sporting events, and backyard BBQs to welcome all who book a stay at this magnetic and vibrant hostel.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Las Vegas
Situated in the heart of Las Vegas, the Polo Towers By Diamond Resorts features an excellent location along with mountain and city views.
Providing concierge staff available to arrange transportation for attractions, this mid-range hotel boasts warmly decorated suits along with its prime location on the Las Vegas Strip.
Best Luxury Hotel in Las Vegas
At Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino, guests can live in luxury during their stay in Las Vegas.
With 24-hour room service, celebrity-owned restaurants, an upscale spa, seven swimming pools, and The Palace casino, staying at this exceptional hotel is worth the money.
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