Things to Do in Las Vegas

The Best Things to do in Las Vegas

The question when visiting Las Vegas is not so much what to do but rather what not to do! From the innocence of face painting with clowns to high-rolling strip clubs, if you can think of it, chances are you can find a place to do it in Las Vegas. There are plenty of free attractions in Sin City, but you’ll have to pay for the really cool ones. Ticket prices, however, are reasonable considering the quality of the entertainment.

The Las Vegas Strip is the centre of the entertainment universe in this city. This is where the top shows are held, the best casinos are located and the most entertaining attractions are found. Chances are you will be staying right on the Strip, so it’ll be easy to access all these fun things to do without spending much time or energy. With so many choices, the best strategy is to do your research ahead of time and pick one or two activities per day (or night) that you simply can’t miss.

From headlining acts like Barry Manilow to surreal circus performances courtesy of Cirque du Soleil, catching a Vegas show should be part of your plans. The world’s top illusionists, magicians, crooners, comedians and performers are here, performing every day of the week. Live music and Broadway musicals round off the selection and of course, every resort has a lounge or two with varying levels of talent on display.

They don’t call Vegas ‘Sin City’ for nothing, so expect plenty of adult entertainment as well. From legendary strip clubs like Crazy Horse to classic Vegas-style topless revues, sex is an unavoidable component of much of this city’s entertainment. Women have shows to enjoy, too, featuring sculpted men performing for the crowds. If you bring kids along, don’t worry. A quick check with the concierge will let you know which shows are sexy and which are great for the young ones.

Las Vegas is the world’s premier gambling destination and every kind of game imaginable is open for a punt. The resort casinos on the Strip range from magnificent to downright depressing, so if you enjoy gambling it’s best to choose a casino with some pizzazz. Unfortunately, you’ll be hard pressed to find any cheap blackjack tables anymore. Most casinos have minimum table and slot rates that can be pricey.

If gambling isn’t enough of a thrill, you can ride the roller coaster at New York New York or venture to the northern end of the Strip and scare yourself on one of the Stratosphere’s adrenalin rides. Taking a gondola cruise around the canals of the Venetian offers a more tranquil and romantic way to get off the pavement for a while. Then there’s the Eiffel Tower in Paris with its awesome views from the top observation deck ― particularly inspiring after dark.

Just to prove Las Vegas has an intelligent side, visitors will find a number of interesting exhibits and museums around the Strip. The Luxor offers Bodies: The Exhibition, an astonishing educational look at real human cadavers as well as Titanic: The Exhibition, showcasing real artefacts and even a section of the ship. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and its life-like celebrities is always good fun, while the wildlife at Mandalay’s Shark Reef and the Mirage’s Dolphin Habitat and Secret Garden is spectacular.

Vegas is a shopping mecca, especially if you have an eye for high-end retailers and fashion. The top shopping venues on the Strip are the Forum Shops at Caesar’s, the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, Crystals in City Center and the arcade at Palazzo. Even if you just browse, there’s some serious luxury on sale here.

The nightlife along the Strip is also top-flight, with an amazing array of nightclubs and bars in the resorts. Drinks aren’t cheap in posh bars like The Bank or MGM Grand’s Tabu, and you may never even get past the queue at Caesar Palace’s PURE nightclub, but the scenes are undeniably cool.

Be sure and set aside some extra money to enjoy a couple of meals at one of the Strip’s top restaurants. Many of the world’s leading chefs are either cooking in Vegas or have opened restaurants under their names. Joel Robuchon can be found at his restaurant in MGM Grand, while Wynn Las Vegas and the Bellagio are each home to more than one award-winning venue. Meals here don’t come cheap, but Vegas is all about indulging yourself. Just be sure and make your table reservations months in advance or you’ll be stuck with the hotel buffet.

Take note that there are lots of fun things to do in Las Vegas off the Strip. Wonderful hiking, biking and rock climbing is possible at Red Rock Canyon and Valley of the Fire State Park. You can ride horses at Mount Charleston or Bonnie Springs, or head to Lake Mead for water sports or boating. Las Vegas is also home to stunning desert golf courses, nearly all of which are open to the public. Guests of Wynn Las Vegas can enjoy its exclusive state-of-the-art course located just behind the Strip.