Things To Do In Las Vegas
This post will show you the top things to do in Las Vegas, including nighttime, family-friendly, as well as free attractions and activities.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS
This section contains our list of the top 10 things to do in and around Las Vegas, Nevada. It includes tours, entertainment, attractions, and dining suggestions.
Don’t forget to check out our other popular Vegas posts:
- Grand Canyon Day Trips
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- Where to Store Your Luggage
1. Go on a Sightseeing Tour
One of the best ways to see more of Las Vegas than the main strip, and to get more insider information, is by taking a tour.
Enjoy the commentary during a Hop-On-Hop-Off tour from Big Bus Tours and you’ll know just where you want to spend more time on day two!
If you want to wait until the cool of the evening to explore the Las Vegas Strip, then the Big Bus Night Tour is perfect for you.
If you’re a foodie, you might want a local to show you where all the best eats are on this Secret Food Tour.
For visitors on a budget, there are pay-what-you-like walking tours in Las Vegas! We have a full post that includes free tours and tours that are included with other offers you might like to take advantage of.
Many of these tours are included in various city passes.
TIP: Las Vegas is close to some other major points of interest! For people who don’t mind day trips, there are plenty of tours that will take you to the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon.
2. Find Your Vegas Team Spirit
Las Vegas is home to an abundance of games, and not all of them are in casinos. If you’re a sports fan, there is probably a game you can enjoy while you’re in town.
- Las Vegas Golden Knights – NHL (October – June)
- Las Vegas Raiders – NFL (September – December)
- Las Vegas Aces – WNBA (October – June)
- Las Vegas Aviators – MiLB (April – October)
- Las Vegas Lights FC – USLC Soccer (March – October)
For some college sports, Las Vegas has two nearby Division I teams.
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels – NCAA Division I
- College of Southern Nevada CSN Coyotes – NCAA Division I
Many of these games are played in the evenings and after dark. For more ways to find nighttime activities, check out the section below.
You can find all the Las Vegas sporting matches and tournaments here.
3. Fly LINQ Zipline
If you’re already close to the LINQ Promenade, check out the Fly LINQ zipline.
You can zoom over the heads of pedestrians on the street below while in an upright seated position or on your stomach superhero-style.
Anyone 40” inches tall can ride! Riders under 13 years old must have an accompanying rider with them on the zipline who is 13 or older.
The Fly LINQ isn’t the only zipline in Las Vegas!
VooDoo is Las Vegas’ highest zipline at 50 stories in the air. And SlotZilla is the popular adrenaline-rush activity to do on Fremont Street.
4. Find Live Music and Entertainment
Las Vegas is synonymous with entertainment. One of the things they’re well known for is their live music.
Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee is a Las Vegas staple with his Elvis impersonation. His tribute shows happen at Harrah’s Piano Bar multiple times a week! Other tribute bands include Legends in Concert and Motown Extreme.
But there are all genres of Las Vegas shows. Blue Man Group gives a unique sound and visual performance as not-quite-a-band and not-quite-dancers.
The popular Friends: The Musical Parody has a theatrical residency and runs continuously.
Looking for magic? Some of the best-known magicians in the country have residencies here:
If you love So You Think You Can Dance, the Jabbawockeez might be more your style.
You can find all the magic, theatre, and comedy shows in Las Vegas here.
5. Taste Your Way through the Las Vegas Food Scene
You definitely won’t go hungry in Las Vegas.
One of the more well-known chains in the area that always seems to have a line in the drive-through is In-N-Out Burger. They have loyal fans wherever they put in a new location!
If you’re looking for somewhere to sit down for a while, Born and Raised is a local sports bar with excellent made-to-order dishes and large screens on which to watch the game.
Whether you’re awake late into the night (or early in the morning), have breakfast any time of day at Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant or Hash House a Go Go at The LINQ Promenade.
El Dorado Cantina is another restaurant open 24/7 and serves upscale Mexican cuisine.
If you still want some help finding the best food in the city, consider taking a Las Vegas Secret Food Tour.
This outing includes a variety of dishes including carbonara, a meatball slider, naan bread, Japanese chocolates, and more!
6. See and Save More with a City Pass
See and do more by purchasing a Las Vegas City Pass that will give you entry into multiple attractions, and discounts to even more.
You can get bulk discounts with set packages or build your own, depending on what you want to see.
Some of the attractions included in the city passes are:
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour
- Big Bus Night Tour
- High Roller Observation Wheel
- Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
- Madame Tussauds
For more information on Las Vegas city passes, check out our comparison post here.
7. Visit the Free Fountain Shows
The Bellagio Hotel Fountains are, of course, famous worldwide for the 460-feet-tall water jets and dancing lights that are synchronized to over 30 different songs.
This 5-minute show at the Bellagio lake is best viewed from the edge of the water but also from the sky bridge outside of Bally’s and the Mon Ami Gabi restaurant’s porch.
Perhaps just as impressive is the volcano eruption at The Mirage.
They boast the tallest fireballs in the city. Brace yourself for the explosions – when the volcano erupts there is lots of fire, water, light, and music!
And don’t forget the Lake of Dreams at Wynn! This indoor waterfall features over 4,000 lights, holographic, fog effects, and puppets to go along with the music.
These fountain shows aren’t the only free entertainment on the Strip. Check out our free things to do section below.
8. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
If you’re a fan of the famous, head over to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas to see the music artists, sports stars, and superheroes.
The life-size wax figures cover the most famous celebrities so you can take your picture with Celine Dion or Elvis! Sports fans can pose next to Babe Ruth.
And the kids will love getting up close to The Hulk!
TIP: If you’re looking for other, similar experiences, The Titanic is a cool history lesson and interactive exhibit in one!
9. Play Pinball for Charity
The Pinball Hall of Fame and Museum is open every day from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and completely free to enter.
You might want to have a stack of quarters on hand if you want to play one of the games, however.
(Don’t worry, they have machines that will change your cash for coins!)
The Pinball Museum is completely non-profit, so all proceeds are donated to the local Salvation Army.
The kids will love starting up a family tournament with all the vintage pinball machines!
Find more family-friendly activities down below.
10. Check out the Pedestrian Zones
Of course, Las Vegas wouldn’t be Vegas without the casinos!
But between all the casinos (sometimes connecting multiple casinos) are multiple pedestrian zones with attractions and sights you won’t want to miss.
Fremont Street has a little bit of everything. You can find a zipline and free shows here.
Check the events calendar to see if a big-name artist is playing for free on one of the three open-air stages. The Viva Vision light shows light up the ceiling every night.
The LINQ Promenade is also home to an exciting zipline, as well as the High Roller observation wheel.
You can also find virtual reality experiences, gourmet cookies, dining options, and retail stores.
For more ideas, the free things to do section is right below this one. If you’re looking for evening entertainment, check the nighttime section.
FREE THINGS TO DO
Staying under budget doesn’t have to mean missing out on all the fun in Las Vegas. Here’s a list of our top 10 free things to do.
Our Free Things to Do in Vegas post has even more ideas for the budget-conscious traveler.
11. See the Bellagio Fountains
This is perhaps one of the most popular sites in the whole city, and it has been featured in pretty much every movie about Las Vegas.
The Bellagio has the fountains set up to perform a water show every 30 minutes from 3 pm – 7 pm and every 15 minutes from 7 pm – 12 am.
Hours are extended during holidays and weekends.
12. Watch the Mirage Volcano Erupt
This is another fun attraction you can enjoy for free, and it has also been featured in a lot of movies.
This volcano fires off nightly, on the hour every hour from 8 pm – 12 am. Here’s a video.
There are fewer opportunities to see this attraction each night, so we recommend planning ahead a bit to make sure you arrive on time for this activity.
13. Find the displays of City Center Fine Art Collection
The Las Vegas City Center has a lot of fine art placed in a variety of different locations, which means it can be a challenge just to find every piece.
We recommend using this map to find each piece and enjoy all of this artwork without paying a dime!
14. Enjoy the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
In addition to their fountains, the Bellagio also houses a wonderful conservatory and botanical garden which is free to visit.
This attraction is especially popular during the winter months and holidays because they always put up new festive displays in the botanical garden.
15. Stroll down colorful Fremont Street
There is a lot to see on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, including a lot of bright and vivid casinos such as the Golden Nugget, the Fremont Hotel & Casino, Binion’s Gambling Hall, and more.
There are also usually a lot of events taking place on this street, including Viva Vision light shows and holiday activities.
16. Watch a Big Elvis show at Harrah’s Piano Bar
This bar is entirely free to enter, and they host a variety of shows throughout the week, including the popular Big Elvis impersonator show every Friday and Saturday from 2 pm – 5 pm.
You may also want to see the Dueling Piano show on Friday and Saturday from 9 pm – 2 am, and Sunday from 7 pm – 2 am.
You can also catch the Saxman Duo “Classic Soul” on Friday and Saturday from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
17. Car lovers can tour the Shelby Heritage Center
The Shelby Heritage Center, named after beloved car designer and racecar driver Carroll Shelby, offers free self-guided tours to visitors.
It’s entirely free to visit this location, and it’s open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm and Saturdays from 9:30 am – 5 pm.
They also offer a free guided tour daily at 10:30 am from Monday – Saturday.
18. Teleport to Venice at the Grand Canal Shoppes
This shopping center is designed to look like it’s straight out of Venice, with artificial canals lining the stores and creating a wonderful aesthetic.
Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it can be fun just to walk along the canals and see this site up close.
19. Find free gambling lessons
If you’ve never learned how to play poker, blackjack, or roulette, many casinos offer free lessons to show you how these games are played.
Casinos figure that people who don’t know how to play their games won’t be interested in trying them out, so it’s actually in their best interest to teach you how it all works!
20. Celebrate New Year’s Eve every night with the Swarovski Starburst drop
No matter what day of the year it is, the Grand Bazaar Shops of Las Vegas celebrate New Year’s Eve with the illumination of a 4,000 lb Swarovski Starburst.
It’s entirely free to enjoy this event, and you can expect the ball to drop at 9 pm each night.
For more inspiration, check out our Free Things to Do post.
THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT
Las Vegas is known for its nighttime party and gambling culture, but there are plenty of other things to do at night in this beautiful city, and here is our top 10 list.
For more things to do after dark in Vegas, take a look at our Things to Do at Night post.
21. Soar above the crowds on the Fly LINQ Zipline
This is one of the most popular attractions at the LINQ Promenade, and it’s open from 4 pm – 12 am, making it one of the most exciting activities to enjoy after dark in Las Vegas.
The Fly LINQ Zipline is 12 stories above the promenade, so you can expect to get a pretty good adrenaline rush.
Tickets start at around $26 per person, but you can save money using a Las Vegas Tourist Pass.
22. Find a Las Vegas show like Cirque du Soleil
There are a lot of theaters in this city, and there are usually a lot of musicals and other theatrical performances to enjoy throughout the year.
One of the most popular examples is Cirque du Soleil, and they currently have several different shows in Las Vegas.
Many Las Vegas tourist passes offer discounts on these shows, potentially bringing their cost down significantly.
23. See a sporting event
Las Vegas is home to several popular sports teams, and they just became the new home of the Raiders, which means you can expect to see several NFL games here in the near future.
Alternatively, you may also want to see a Vegas Golden Knights NHL game. This city is also home to the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.
If you’re interested in going to a game, check this list of sporting events to see what is happening when you visit.
24. Check out the casinos
This may seem obvious, but with so many different activities to enjoy in Las Vegas, sometimes the casinos that made this city what it was get forgotten in the mix.
There’s no better time to hit the blackjack tables or play some poker than at night, and there are plenty of different casinos to choose from.
If you’re not having luck in one location, walk across the street to another casino!
25. Ride the Big Apple Coaster at night
Located at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, this rollercoaster is one of the most popular family attractions in Las Vegas.
Tickets start at around $17, but you might be able to save money on this activity by using a Las Vegas tourist pass.
While you’re here, make sure to take in the sites in the area which reference New York City, including the replica of the Statue of Liberty!
26. See everything from the High Roller Wheel
This is another interesting attraction, but while the LINQ Zipline and the Big Apple Coaster are more about adrenaline, this observation wheel is all about taking a break to see Las Vegas from above.
Tickets start at around $21, and you can also save money on this activity by using a Las Vegas tourist pass.
27. Enjoy the 24/7 restaurants along the Strip
No matter what time it is, day or night, you can always enjoy a great meal on the Las Vegas strip.
There are dozens of restaurants in this city that literally never close, ensuring everyone who visits will be fed.
28. Join the free street party at Harrah’s Carnaval Court
This is essentially an open-air street party that takes place both day and night in Las Vegas. Live bands and DJs keep the atmosphere fun and inviting.
There are also bartenders here in case you want to grab a drink.
Whatever you choose to do, this is a fun place to stop while walking around the Las Vegas Strip.
29. Explore what Chinatown has to offer
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, there are several great restaurants in Chinatown that you may want to consider, including Yui Sushi, Harbor Palace Seafood, and Sam Woo BBQ.
Even if you don’t plan on eating anything, this is still a fun place to visit and snap a few photos, as the decor is all inspired by Asian architectural design.
30. Watch the Lake of Dreams at Wynn fountain and light show
This is another great fountain show you can enjoy in Las Vegas, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
This fountain show runs nightly every half hour beginning at dusk.
In addition to the fountain and lights, there is also music, a background screen with interesting visuals, pine trees, and even puppetry.
To see everything there is to do at night, check out our full post.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO
Las Vegas has plenty of family-friendly activities. Here is our top 10 list for things to do with kids.
You can find more details and family-friendly activities in our full post on things to do with your kids.
31. Watch a mermaid swim at the Silverton Aquarium
Many have said that this is the best free attraction in Las Vegas. Located at the Silverton Casino, this mermaid show features real actors who swim around dressed as mermaids in their 117,000 gallon aquarium.
If you have any young children who love mermaids and other magical creatures, this is sure to be a hit with them.
32. Visit the Bellagio Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio is home to more than just a casino, as they also have a beautiful conservatory and botanical garden. During the holidays, they typically put up a lot of festive displays in celebration.
Not only is this a great family-friendly attraction, it’s also entirely free to visit!
33. Be a hero at Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
This attraction is absolutely perfect for fans of the Marvel franchise and all of their heroes in the Avengers.
Tickets start at around $35 for kids and $45 for adults, but you can save a lot of money by using a Las Vegas tourist pass.
34. See one of the Las Vegas fountain shows
There are some pretty great fountain shows in Las Vegas, but two in particular are very popular attractions for families.
The most notable example would be the Bellagio fountains, but you may also want to check out the Lake of Dreams at Wynn, and both of them are entirely free to enjoy!
35. Ride an Adventuredome Theme Park ride
Circus Circus has a wide variety of different amusement rides and attractions including roller coasters, bumper cars, carousels and more.
They also have more than one arcade, an escape game, clown shows, and 4D Theater which features rides like Spongebob Squarepants: The Great Jelly Rescue and Angry Birds: The Ride.
36. Attend a sporting event, like a hockey game
Depending on when you visit, your family might have an opportunity to see a live sporting event.
Las Vegas is home to the NHL team the Golden Knights, the NFL team the Raiders, and the WBNA team the Aces.
37. Taste Coca-Cola from around the world
The Las Vegas Coca-Cola store has a variety of different soft drinks that are typically only sold in other parts of the world, giving your family the opportunity to taste Coke from all over the globe.
They also sell a lot of souvenirs, and depending on when you come, you might have an opportunity to meet and take photos with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear!
38. Explore the LINQ Promenade
There are a lot of great things to see and do at the LINQ Promenade, including the High Roller Observation Wheel and the Fly Zipline.
During the holidays, the LINQ Promenade typically celebrates with beautiful lighting displays, concerts, and other fun & family-friendly events.
39. Have fun at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
World renowned as one of the most beloved wax museums, the Las Vegas branch of Madame Tussauds houses many excellent wax figures.
In addition to well known celebrities like Elvis and Beyonce, they also have rooms dedicated to Marvel superheroes and The Hangover.
40. Play at the Pinball Hall of Fame
This museum houses 10,000 square feet of nothing but pinball tables. This is a great opportunity to show your kids what games were like back in the day, and every machine can be played for 25-50 cents!
Find some of your old favorites or discover classic pinball tables you never even knew existed.
Find even more things to do with your kids in Las Vegas on our full family-friendly post.
THINGS TO DO BY MONTH
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About the author
Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers.
Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.