Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, was built on gambling. But if you are like me and not much of a gambler or just don’t want to lose your money (there is a reason casinos are in business), Vegas has plenty to offer. Here are the best attractions.
1. The Shows and Residencies
2. The Las Vegas Strip
3. Pool Parties
4. The Mob Museum
5. The Neon Museum
6. Thrill Rides
7. Sports
8. Restaurants
9. Resorts (where to stay)
Shows & Residencies
Vegas has a multitude of quality shows to choose from. From music concerts, to comedy to magic and dance to circus acts and tribute shows (Elvis, Michael Jackson, Motown).
Also many major artists are doing long term residencies. These residencies typically take place in the showrooms of major resorts. The venues are designed to provide an intimate yet grand experience, with amazing sound systems, lighting and staging where you can see your favorite artists in an intimate setting.
To see what shows are playing and get tickets check this site: Vegas Shows
The Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an attraction itself. The boulevard is a display of neon lights, architectural extravagance, displays and characters. it is packed day and night. Each of the hotels along the Strip has its own unique theme.
The Fountains of Bellagio
The top attraction on the Strip are the famous fountains of the Bellagio Hotel. The Fountains spray from 1,200 spritzers in the middle of an 8.5 acre pond, shooting water up to 460 feet in a dance choreographed to music.
The show takes place every 30 minutes, from 3 pm-7 pm Monday through Friday and every 15 minutes from 7 pm-12 am. On weekends and public holidays, the show is scheduled every 30 minutes from 12 pm-7 pm and every 15 minutes from 7 pm-12 am.
Gondola ride
The Venetian Hotel has Italian Gondola rides.
Its a little pricey but if you are going for the big romantic play this is the one for Vegas. The ride is 10-13 minutes and runs from 10am to 11pm (to 12am Friday & Saturday).
Price:
Shared Gondola $39 per person (maximum 4 persons)
Private Gondola $159 for 2 persons
Rides on the Strip
There are also a number of rides along the strip
The High Roller
The High Roller is a 550 feet tall ferris wheel that provides awesome views of Vegas from inside the glass cars.
The circuit takes around 30 minutes to complete and you can book a private car or get drinks for your ride.
Zipline
There is a zipline in the Linq Promenade shopping mall, the zipline reaches speeds of 35 mph and races 12 stories over the Strip.
On your walk down the Strip, you will meet a lot of characters; show girls, superheroes, rappers, Brazilian dancers. They are there to take pictures with, for a tip of course.
Pools & Pool Parties
The high end resorts on the Strip have great pools with all the amenities; restaurants, bars, cabanas and day beds with waiter service. Its a great place to relax or mingle
Of course there are the famous Vegas pool parties with world renown DJ’s. These can be from very chill events to over the top insane parties depending on the resort and DJ. The pools turn into dance floors with the beautiful people in stylish swimwear downing cocktails.
For info and schedule on the pool parties and DJ’s see: Vegas Pool Parties
Thrill Rides
At the end of the Strip is one of the most iconic buildings in the Las Vegas skyline, the Stratosphere Aka the “STRAT” which is a 1,149-foot observation tower; the tallest building in Las Vegas (and, the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US).
But more importantly it is where the top thrill rides in Vegas are.
The three thrill rides at the top of the STRAT are: Big Shot, Skyjump, and X-Scream. All open daily 2pm to 10pm.
BIG SHOT
The Big Shot catapults 16 riders from the 921-foot-high platform 160 feet in the air up the tower’s mast to a height of 1,081 feet at 45 miles per hour in a few seconds and then down again. Great views of Las Vega, at least for a few seconds!
SkyJump
SkyJump is a free fall bungee jump from 829 feet above the Strip. You fall toward the landing pad at speeds of 40 mph.
X-SCREAM
This roller coaster ride teeters you over the edge of the Strat from 866 feet high, propelling riders head first 27 feet over the edge of the tower. After being shot to the edge, you are dangled before being pulled back and propelled again.
The Mob Museum
Located in downtown Las Vegas, the museum is housed in the historic former federal courthouse.
There are amazing exhibits cover the rise of Mafia, law enforcement and the founding and history of Vegas. The museum covers prohibition, the roaring twenties, and the battles between law enforcement and the mob.
While the exhibits are great, my favorite part was the 2 interactive experiences:
Firearm Training Simulator
Law enforcement style firearm instructions, then a live video experience to test your skills against a video simulation. Lastly there is a real live actor who you simulate an encounter with.
Crime Lab
An instructor brings you through DNA and finger print analysis, medical exams and forensics and a few games to test you.
General Admission is $22.95-34.95, depending in day and time, and $41.95 – 54.95 with the two interactive experiences.
The Neon Sign Museum
The Neon Museum, also known as the Neon Boneyard, is an outdoor exhibition space that displays the retired neon signs from various Vegas hotels, casinos, and businesses.
The museum offers guided tours that provide insights into the history of Las Vegas and the significance of these signs in the city’s culture. As the neon is more vibrant against the night sky, the Neon Boneyard at night is more vibrant and rich experience.
Sports
Vegas is well known for major boxing fights but recently it has added a number of major sporting teams and events. Vegas now officially have an NFL football team, the Las Vegas Raiders, an NHL ice hockey team, the Golden Knights, a WNBA woman’s basketball team, the Las Vegas Aces, and a soccer team, the Las Vegas Lights.
On top of that, at various times of the year, Vegas hosts many of the UFC mixed martial arts bouts and Nascar races and this year will host a Formula 1 race.
For a full list of teams and events see: Vegas Sport
The Restaurants
Las Vegas dining has everything; celebrity chefs, buffets, themes restaurants and a diversity of world class dining experiences.
There are way to may options to cover here so I will just recommend a few of my favorites:
For Steak- the opulent Jean Georges Steakhouse, Aria Resort
For Italian- old school charm- Carbone, Aria Resort
For Seafood- Amalfi, Caesars Palace
For more extensive coverage of the Vegas dining scene check this site: Vegas Dining
Resorts (Where to Stay)
There a ton of options for hotel and resorts. This depends on your style and budget and again there are too many to cover here so my recommendations would be:
Modern and Stylish: Aria
Old School Luxury: Bellagio
Cool: The Cosmopolitan
Budget friendly: New York, New York
For a great extensive coverage of the hotels see this great article on 17 of the top hotels by The Points guy: Vegas Hotels
Conclusion
Las Vegas is like no other place on earth. From a tiny way station in the middle of the desert to the World’s playground. While it blossomed from gambling, it is now Disneyland for adults with a huge number of leisurely activities to choose from.
Enjoy and remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (and if you avoid the casinos your money won’t stay there too).
Let me know if you have any comments.
