15 Best Things To Do In Las Vegas That Aren't Gambling

From lavish internationally-themed casinos to local bars, spellbinding entertainment to desert-based day trips, there’s something in Las Vegas for everyone. Get more out of Sin City with our guide to the best things to do in Las Vegas.

As a den of debauchery in the heart of the desert, Las Vegas is often considered a decadent dive into a world of opulence; a corrupting force that can sully even the purest of minds.

In a town where you get what you want, a weekend of gambling and non-stop partying is all very achievable.

But Las Vegas is what you make of it, and if you’re looking for something a whole lot more wholesome, then chances are, Sin City has that as well.

We had a great time in Vegas, and we were surprised at just how much there is to do. This guide captures the best of the city, even if you’re not that interested in gambling.

What to Do in Las Vegas

1. Caesars Palace

Bang in the centre of The Strip, Caesar’s Palace is one of the grandest and most palatial casinos in Las Vegas, and one of the biggest attractions in the city.

Although we’re not big shoppers, we had a stroll along the Forum, where luxury brands rub shoulders with contemporary outlets in a Roman-inspired retail strip.

Vanderpump Cocktail Garden whipped up some of the best cocktails we’ve seen in a while.

Caesar’s also has some world-class restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay’s Pub & Grill and Japanese master Nobu.

You can also catch a show in the 4,000-seat Colosseum, which has housed residencies including Celine Dion, Elton John, and Adele. It’s all surrounded by one of the biggest casino floors in Vegas.

2. Bellagio Botanical Gardens & Conservatory

Since it opened in 1998, the Bellagio has been one of the grandest spots on the strip.

The highlight is The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, one of Las Vegas’s best free attractions.

A 50-foot glass ceiling houses an impressive botanical garden, which is updated 5 times a year – Lunar New Year, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter – with a dazzling display.

The gardens are open 24 hours a day and are free to enter. The best time to visit is midweek to avoid the crowds.

Patisserie // The Patisserie next door to the gardens has a 27-foot-tall chocolate fountain – just saying.

3. Minus 5 Ice Bar

One of the coolest things to do in Las Vegas is the Minus5 Ice Bar experience.

Escape from the heat of the Mojave Desert and immerse yourself in a sub-zero world where everything – the walls, the bar, the seats and even your cocktail glass – is made of ice, including the glasses.

Everything is hand-carved by professional ice artists.

You’ll be kitted out with a parker or faux-fur goat and gloves so you don’t need to worry about what you’re wearing.

Children are welcome until 9 PM.

Locations: There’s a minus5 Ice Bar at LINQ Promenade, The Venetian, and Mandalay Bay.

4. Bellagio Fountains

The Bellagio Fountains entertain onlookers every night with a spectacular display of water and light, powered by a system of 1,200 mini water cannons and nearly 5,000 lights.

Set to a rotating song list, the Bellagio Fountains is another wonderful free things to do in Las Vegas.

The fountain performance takes place every 30 minutes or every 15 minutes starting from around 6:30 PM

The entire man-made lake that houses the Bellagio fountain show has plenty of access points to see the show. However, one of the best places to see the fountains is from the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, directly across the road.

5. Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Paris

For a dining experience with a view, it’s hard to go past the Eiffel Tower Restaurant.

The classic French menu is probably best reserved for a special occasion, but the $59 per-person set brunch and the extensive cocktail list are good reasons to go outside the usual dinner hours.

The best time to be there, however, is during the Bellagio Fountains’ sound-and-light show.

Positioned directly across the road from the Bellagio and at just the right height, it’s the best place to see the show while enjoying a cocktail.

6. Duelling Pianos

For an innocent but great fun night out in Vegas with friends, Duelling Pianos is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with raucous sing-alongs, impressive musical skill, and a friendly atmosphere.

Relive some of your karaoke classics – where all reasonable requests are considered – at the best Duelling Piano bars in Las Vegas.

The Piano Bar, Harrah’s – Some of the best pianists on the Strip play at Harrah’s in a lively musical competition held at the popular bar. Shows start around 9 PM.

Big Bang Duelling Piano Bar – Located inside Dick’s Last Resort, Big Bang bills itself as the rowdiest rock & roll duelling piano bar in Sin City. Thursday through Saturday from 9 PM to 1 AM.

Juliet Cocktail Room – All Request Show every Wednesday from 9 PM to 1 AM, where two pianists go head-to-head in a high-energy night, all driven by audience song requests.

Times Square, New York, New York – The Bar at Times Square is a casual neighbourhood bar with well-priced drinks, attentive service, and some of the best duelling piano acts on the circuit. The show starts around 8 PM.

The Chris and James Piano Show at The Cromwell’s Interlude Lounge, which performs every Thursday through Sunday from 9 PM to 1 AM.

7. Cirque du Soleil Show

One of the unmissable experiences in Las Vegas is seeing a Cirque du Soleil performance. We’ve seen a few across the world, but nothing quite compares to the scale of Vegas.

Here are Cirque du Soleil shows currently playing in Las Vegas.

O at Bellagio – The romantic surrealism of O celebrates the concepts of water and infinity in a lavish, submerged production. With incredible acrobatics and synchronised swimming, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Mad Apple at New York – Celebrating New York City, Mad Apple is a high-flying spectacle of music, dance, magic and comedy. There’s a cool on-stage bar and a live band pumping out classic NYC hits.

KÀ at MGM Grand – KÀ is a theatrical masterpiece featuring a dynamic vertical stage and an epic tale of love and conflict.

Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay – This is an electrifying fusion of acrobatics, dance, and visuals, immersing the audience in the world of Michael’s music.

8. See a Spiegelworld Show

Spiegelworld, the home of cheeky and irreverent adult entertainment, has several shows that mix circus acts with burlesque performances and a generous dose of comedy.

Here are the current productions running in Las Vegas.

Absinthe at Caesars Palace – A foul-mouthed MC sets the scene for a mad-capped performance featuring exhibitionists, artists and the unnaturally flexible. The tiny stage overflows with raucous entertainment.

Atomic Saloon Show at The Venetian – A purpose-built boozy saloon features a riotous western-themed romp by morally questionable, yet talented folk. Expect incredible acrobatic feats, mild nudity and a couple of hours of well-choreographed slapstick.

9. The Venetian Grand Canal

Another of the grand casinos, The Venetian, is an opulent nod to Venice’s finest architecture.

Admire the hand-painted ceiling of the Grand Colonnade, stroll St Mark’s Square, and be engrossed by the Campanile Tower.

One of the hottest experiences in the Venetian is the Grand Canal Shoppes. As the premier destination for luxury brands in Vegas, give your credit card a battering at Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors or Burberry.

Ceilings painted with drifting clouds, cobbled laneways, and the thoroughly believable canal transport you back to the heart of Venice.

10. Wave Pool at Mandalay Bay

Voted as one of the best pools in the US, the Beach at Mandalay Bay is a great option when you have a few hours of downtime during the heat of the day.

There are several different pools at Mandalay Bay.

Moorea Beach Club // An upscale pool experience with a great selection of cabanas and day beds in a beautiful setting, Moorea Beach Club is open to adults 21 and older.

Wave Pool // Hire a surfboard or a boogie board and take to the waves on the 1.6 million gallons of water that make up the Mandalay Bay Wave Pool. The waves are around 6 – 8 feet, so it’s perfect for different levels of experience.

Daylight Beach Club // For a beach club experience, Daylight Beach Club has a 4,400 square foot main pool with two additional private pools and resident DJs to ramp up the party mode. Cocktails and snacks are available to order.

Lazy River // If you’re feeling completely lazy, hire a tube and float around Lazy River, a quarter-mile circular course with cabanas on either side.

11. Pinball Hall of Fame

We absolutely loved the Pinball Hall of Fame, which might say more about our age than anything else. Still, we highly recommend it for something a little different in Vegas.

Located just near the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, the Pinball Museum is the world’s largest pinball collection.

It’s pure old-school fun with machines from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s – the heyday of American pinball.

Across a 25,000-square-foot space, you can play any of the reconditioned, yet utterly authentic, pinball games.

Some of the classics include King of Diamonds (1967), Big Casino (1981), and Quick Draw (1971).

• Hours: 10 AM to 9 PM Sunday to Monday; 10 AM to 10 PM Friday & Saturday
• Cost: Free.

12. Little Church of the West

The oldest and original wedding chapel in Vegas, The Little Church of the West, has been churning out happy marriages since 1942.

This charming, elegant chapel, just off the quiet end of the Strip near the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign, is a great photo spot, even if you’re not planning to use its services.

If you do want to get married, you can have the ceremony performed by Johnny Cash, Elvis or – if your budget doesn’t stretch too far – Little Elvis.

Weddings can be performed in the chapel, under the Las Vegas Sign or in the Harley-Davidson store.

13. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was designed by graphic designer Betty Willis, who is credited with shaping the city’s visual identity.

She created a sign that was unique at the time incorporating elements of both the state and the city with the word “welcome” in silver coins a nod to the city’s gambling habit, and Nevada’s nickname, the Silver State.

There are now dedicated parking spaces for cars, buses and limousines, and a paved walkway to the sign, which is in the middle of the road.

14. Fremont Street Experience

Located in Downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street is the city’s birthplace.

The oldest and most iconic casinos are here, including The Four Queens, the Golden Nugget, and Binion’s Horseshoe.

The Fremont Street Experience is a 6-block pedestrianised street which hosts Viva Vision, the world’s largest digital display featuring mind-blowing visuals to music.

Shows take place every hour from 6 PM to 2 AM.

Along the buzzing thoroughfare, there are open-air bars, plenty of cheap eats, street performers, and live bands every night on 3 stages.

Freemont is also home to some of the most famous neon signs in Vegas, including Glitter Gulch and Vegas Vicky.

Freemont Museums // Catch more memorabilia at the Neon Museum and the Mob Museum, both near Fremont Street.

15. Skypod at the Strat

Get a high-altitude adrenaline rush at SkyPod, the 1,149-foot-tall observation tower at the Strat Casino.

There are unbeatable views across the Las Vegas Valley and a wide range of entertainment options, making it a great alternative to gambling.

Observation Deck // Occupying levels 108 and 109, the indoor/outdoor observation deck has sweeping views of the Vegas skyline and a bar to grab a cocktail and a bite to eat while you watch the sun go down.

Thrills Above the Strip // Level 109 and 112 have Big Shot, where you’ll be shot into the air at 45 miles per hour; Insanity, where you’re dangled 900 feet above the ground, and X-Scream, a roller coaster teetering over the edge of the tower.

Top Of The World Restaurant // For something more sedate, you can try the Top of the World restaurant on level 106, which might be a great place for your reception after you get married in the chapel on level 103.

Logistics & Practicalities

Getting There

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), formerly McCarran International, serves the city with direct flights from most major cities worldwide.

The airport is 20 kilometres south of The Strip and takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Rideshare (Uber or Lyft) is probably the most convenient and costs roughly $15–25 to The Strip.

Where to Stay

We recommend booking accommodation well in advance, especially for weekend visits or during peak seasons.

Hotels on The Strip are way more than properties a few blocks away. We have a detailed guide on where to stay in Las Vegas, including options off the Strip.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Wynn Las Vegas ($$$$$) – a luxurious resort packed with amenities including an 18-hole golf course, designer boutique shops and an oasis swimming pool. 
• Paris ($$$) – Cobblestone arcades, a world-renowned spa, and recently updated rooms in regal aesthetics. Paris can be surprisingly affordable off-season.
• The LINQ ($$) – The perfect place to stay in Las Vegas for great value accommodation in the heart of the action.
• Downtown Grand ($) – An affordable hotel just a few minutes from Fremont Street. The relatively peaceful resort is a respite from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Vegas.

Getting Around Las Vegas

Navigating Las Vegas efficiently requires understanding the various transport options and their respective advantages.

The Las Vegas Monorail – Operating along The Strip, the monorail is the quickest way to travel between major casinos. Single journeys cost approximately $5–6, with day passes priced at $15–20.

Walking – At around 6 kilometres, the Strip is not exactly compact. Walking is feasible between nearby casinos, but they are quite spread out. Even getting from one casino to the next can feel like a long way on foot.

Rideshare services – Uber and Lyft operate throughout Las Vegas. Short journeys within the Strip area cost $8–15, so they are relatively economical for groups. Keep an eye out for nasty surge pricing during peak hours and major events.

Taxis – Traditional taxis operate throughout Las Vegas but are generally more expensive than rideshare alternatives. Taxis cannot be hailed from the street in most areas; you need to use the designated taxi stands at hotels.

Rental cars – We parked at our hotel because we planned to drive to some of the day trips (see below), and this was not an issue. Parking at hotels typically costs $10–20 per day, though many casinos offer free parking for guests. We used rentalcars.com.

Day Trip Tours from Las Vegas

Las Vegas makes an excellent base for exploring some of the American Southwest’s most iconic natural landscapes.

Grand Canyon South Rim – About 250 kilometres southeast of Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is the most visited section of this natural wonder. This guided tour has excellent reviews. You might also like our guide to the best Grand Canyon viewpoints.

Valley of Fire State Park – Located just 60 kilometres northeast of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire offers striking red sandstone formations and ancient Native American petroglyphs. This tour includes the Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon.

Red Rock Canyon – A scenic conservation area just 30 kilometres west of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon features stunning sandstone cliffs and excellent hiking opportunities. See the tour listed above.

Hoover Dam – Approximately 45 kilometres southeast of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel spanning the Colorado River. This tour is extremely well-rated.

When to Go?

Las Vegas is a year-round destination, but timing significantly impacts your experience.

From June to August, you can expect scorching temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C (104°F) . Hotel rates tend to be lower during this period as many people avoid the extreme heat.

March to May is much more manageable with temperatures around 20–28°C (68°F-82°F). This is the perfect time for outdoor experiences, in our opinion. However, it will be busier, and hotel rates will reflect that.

September to November is around 15–25°C (59°F-77°F), and the crowds thin considerably

December to February ranges from 8–15°C (46°F-59°F). December brings holiday crowds, whilst January and February offer quieter conditions with lower accommodation rates.

More USA Guides

• Our 2-week Arizona & Utah road trip itinerary covers 6 National Parks.
• See the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon and try our favourite South Rim hikes.
• See the buttes and mesas captured in so many films with our guide to Monument Valley.
• Enjoy the under-visited Canyonlands National Park and spend a day in Arches National Park.
• Experience the amazing slot canyons in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
• See all the beautiful hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park.
• Try our favourite things to do in Las Vegas, including a few less-visited attractions.
• Book your stay with our guide to the best places to stay in Las Vegas.