Where-oh-where does a “top things to do in Las Vegas” list end?
In a town built on glitz, entertainment and defying the spectrum of human activities, Sin City has no shortage of things to do. For gamblers, show lovers, club thumpers, history enthusiasts, outdoor trekkers and seemingly everything in between, there is something for everyone. Even unusual activities, like playing with construction equipment in a giant sandbox or perhaps upsetting some ghosts by getting hands-on with haunted artifacts, have a place here.
Of course, there’s only so much you can do on your visit. Here’s how to make the most of your Vegas experience.
1. Gawk at the street performers on Fremont Street
Consider Fremont St Old Vegas’ colorful artery, lined with neon signage and, above, a zip line as well as the large, canopied Fremont Street Experience with video-meets-popular jams shows every hour. This is where Las Vegas’ first casino came to fruition – the Golden Gate, it’s still there – and where the World Series of Poker was born (at Binion’s). East of Las Vegas Boulevard on Fremont Street (aptly known as East Fremont), you’ll find some of the hippest hangouts and bars frequented by locals, like Atomic Liquors and Container Park.
Beyond the buildings, it’s the street performers – spanning sexy cowboys, showgirls, magicians and drum groups – that round out the quirky flair of it all.
Planning tip: You’ll find these characters in designated painted circles throughout, just make sure to tip them if you want to take a photo.
2. Get funky in the Arts District
In a town bursting with creatives – spanning Cirque du Soleil acrobats to main stage singing ensembles – the Las Vegas Arts District is a hip hub where talent shines. Fuel your day at the neighborhood coffee shop Vesta Coffee Roasters, then explore the Arts Factory, a massive building with multiple galleries, a theater and quaint bars.
Planning tip: If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, First Friday is a street festival experience, with dozens of artists with tent set-ups, local musicians and Vegas-born food trucks.
Ready to plan your trip to Sin City? Here’s our guide to the best time to visit Las Vegas
3. Discover unique history at a one-of-a-kind Las Vegas museum
All cities with an art, science and history museum feel boring compared to Las Vegas. Take your pick here: there’s an Atomic Testing Museum, a Mob Museum detailing shady Nevadans’ pasts, the Pinball Hall of Fame and, for those feeling sultry, the Erotic Heritage Museum. For history-meets-Instagram opps, the Neon Museum has 200-plus, now-retired, light-up signs from buildings throughout Vegas’ history in a “Neon Boneyard” to pose with.
4. Rake in the dough at a local casino
Outside of the Strip and downtown Las Vegas, plenty of local casinos add to the dining and entertainment scene in the surrounding neighborhoods. Gambling in Las Vegas can often offer cheaper table games, local charm and quirky attractions for those willing to venture away from the main areas of attraction in Vegas.
Standouts include the Silverton Casino Lodge, with a 117,000-gallon aquarium and mermaid shows, and Red Rock Resort, with the nearby Downtown Summerlin shopping utopia. South Point is great for equestrian show enthusiasts. Those looking for a new casino can check out Durango in Southwest Las Vegas, which opened in 2023.
5. Catch a Broadway-caliber show at the Smith Center
The elegant Reynolds Hall in The Smith Center has become a Las Vegas must-see since its 2012 opening. Pair your night at the 2,000-seat theater with a pre-show visit to Discovery Children’s Museum next door or a bite at jazz lounge Vic’s. For top Las Vegas shows, like Hamilton or Moulin Rouge, Reynolds Hall holds big-name performances sure to rival New York City’s Broadway scene.
Having a hard time deciding which show is right for you? Let us help you choose.
6. Stroll the Strip
Where else can you peruse an Egyptian pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, the largest observation wheel in the US, giant fountains, and oodles of massive resorts? It’s all on the Strip in Las Vegas. Start your wander at the Mandalay Bay and head north to the STRAT. It’s a 4-mile walk, and perhaps you’ll decide to stop sooner due to consuming yard-long frozen daiquiris en route. The best walks in Vegas are on the Strip, where you’ll have no problem hitting your 10,000-step goal.
7. Eat in Chinatown
Chinatown, one of the top Las Vegas neighborhoods, offers something unique. Within a five-minute drive west of the Strip, you’ll find the epicenter of Chinatown. The atmosphere is primarily strip malls, with family-owned eateries, supermarkets, and foot/massage spas side by side.
Planning tip: When hunger calls, pop in CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog for a morsel doused in fried potato cubes or Kame Omakase for an upscale chef’s tasting menu of sushi delights.
8. Cheer on your favorite sports team
The roar you hear on the Strip just north of Tropicana Ave? It’s not the lion statue at MGM Grand. It’s likely ice hockey fans, cheering on the city’s most beloved home team, Vegas Golden Knights. Catch a game at T-Mobile Arena during the NHL season, which runs October to April.
Beyond hockey and in recent times, Las Vegas is now home to the Raiders football team – which plays at Allegiant Stadium September through January – and the Aces WNBA team, which plays at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay from May through September.
9. Hike Red Rock Canyon and/or Valley of Fire State Park
For some, one of the greatest parts about visiting Las Vegas is leaving Las Vegas. The area just outside of Las Vegas encompasses Hoover Dam, antique shops in Boulder City, and beautiful landscapes at both Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park. If you fancy a hike, opt for the 2.2-mile Calico Tanks Trail at Red Rock Canyon, with its stunning sandstone and red rock formations.
Looking to explore more beyond Las Vegas? Here are our top day trips
10. Take in the desert landscape – and learn about it, too – at Springs Preserve
Before the casinos drew millions of visitors a year to Vegas, the water source known as Las Vegas Springs was the main attraction. The site of the springs is Springs Preserve, which is now a multifaceted educational experience. The grounds feel like a true desert garden oasis, where one can saunter through a botanical garden or feel the rush of a flash flood at an immersive exhibit.
11. Go skiing or enjoy a cool reprieve at Mount Charleston
When summer sizzles – it commonly gets up into the 110°Fs and 120°Fs in Las Vegas – head northwest for a 20°F drop at Mt Charleston. Come wintertime and perhaps unexpectedly for right outside of Sin City, you can ski, tube, sled and snowboard the mountains, too.
12. Act like a local on East Fremont Street
East of Las Vegas Boulevard on Fremont Street (aptly known as East Fremont), you’ll find some of the hippest hangouts and bars frequented by locals, like Atomic Liquors and Container Park.
And while you’re down there, don’t miss the free light show that runs every hour between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.. Ninety feet above Fremont Street is the world’s largest video canopy, sure to dazzle and delight all ages.
13. Observe the Largest Dam in the U.S.
While not technically inside Las Vegas, the largest reservoir in the United States by volume, the Hoover Dam is only a 45-minute drive from the Strip. Many companies offer tours from the Strip, including Canyon Tours, for those who want to avoid renting a car.
Since 1935, the Hoover Dam has provided power to Nevada, Arizona, and California. An impressive sight on its own, it is even more remarkable from the observation area inside the visitor’s center, where you can see Lake Mead and the Colorado River. While the attraction is free, plan to pay the $10 for premium parking and enter the visitor’s center.
14. When in Vegas, Experience Rome
One of the most famous hotels, Caesar’s Palace, has welcomed visitors since the 1960s. With architecture that plants you into ancient Rome, visiting Caesar’s is like walking back in time. After you’re done gambling along the massive columns and frescoes (a type of painting done quickly on wet plaster), take what money you’ve made and head to The Forum Shops. With 160 shops, including a mixture of high-end, outlet, and everything in between, The Forum Shops will surely please any shopper.
15. Dine with the stars
Vegas is known for its top dining scene with some of the most highly awarded and recognized chefs and restaurants in the U.S. Those looking for Michelin star-rated Vegas restaurants look no further. For top-notch food and impeccable service, make a reservation at Le Cirque or Michael Mina in Bellagio. If you prefer a private dining experience, check out the Krug Chef’s Table inside Restaurant Guy Savoy, which has its own menu and bubbly pairings from House of Krug.
For one of the best dining experiences in Las Vegas, check out Joel Robuchon, the only restaurant to receive three Michelin stars. Enjoy the neighboring restaurant, Atelier, with its wraparound bar and open kitchen for a more laid-back dinner.
16. See Vegas from a bird’s eye view
If you’re not afraid of heights (or ready to overcome it), ride the High Roller, the largest observation wheel in the United States. Towering at 550 feet above ground, up to 40 people can ride inside one of the air-conditioned cars for up to 30 minutes. Those adventurous enough to jump aboard will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the Strip, city and desert beyond. When finished, walk along the LINQ Promenade, a 1,200-foot-long open-air shopping, dining and entertainment promenade.
17. Get lost inside the immersive entertainment district
It’s hard to articulate if you’ve never been, but AREA15 is one of those places you must see to believe. Held inside a 200,000-square-foot warehouse, AREA15 is known as the immersive entertainment district, and it would be hard not to be entertained there. Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, an interactive art experience, is worth the trip to Area 15 alone.
Also inside AREA15 are zip lining, virtual reality arcades, ax-throwing, a flight simulator, and other cinematic immersions. When your head needs a break from all the mind-bending entertainment, head to the Asylum Bar + Arcade for a cold drink and some old-school arcade games.
18. Fly high at a Cirque du Soleil show
With five different shows scattered across the Vegas Strip, Cirque du Soleil delivers thrilling acrobatic stunts, dazzling light shows and unparalleled artistic performances. Shows include the “O” at Bellagio, KA at MGM Grand, Mad Apple at New York-New York, Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay and Mystere at Treasure Island.
19. Take in the Bellagio Fountains
One of the most iconic attractions in Vegas is the Bellagio Fountains. The show runs multiple times a day, 365 days a year. As one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas, you’re likely to see a steady stream of visitors line the sidewalk to “ooh and ahh” over the dazzling fountains and accompanying music. The show at night is even more impressive when lights illuminate the spectacle.
20. Take a breather at the Wynn
Let’s face it, Vegas can be exhausting. Between the plethora of entertainment and activities, loads of walking, and late nights, staying in Vegas can take a lot out of a person. When you need a break from the noise and lights, visit the Wynn, known for its sophisticated surroundings. Step inside and admire the eye-catching floral displays, perfect for capturing a selfie.
The Wynn holds the only 18-hole golf course on the Strip, complete with lakes, streams and mature trees. If you need to relax further, the Spa at Wynn was the first spa in Vegas to receive a Forbes 5-Star Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth going to Vegas for 3 days?
Yes, it is worth going to Vegas for three days. With a well-planned Las Vegas trip itinerary, you can experience a variety of top attractions, take in a show, and visit the city’s renowned dining and nightlife options.
If you have more than three days, extra time allows you to explore beyond the main tourist spots, like taking a Las Vegas day trip to Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam and enjoy a more leisurely pace.
How can I find the best shows and performances in Vegas?
To find the best shows and performances in Vegas, check official tourism websites and concierge services at your hotel, who can provide recommendations and help with reservations, acting as your local guide to Las Vegas.
What is the best way to get around Las Vegas?
The best way to get around Las Vegas depends on your plans and preferences. For those who prefer not to walk, the monorail, rideshare companies, and taxis run along the strip. A bus service runs 24/7 along the Strip and downtown for those looking to save money. If you plan to head outside of these areas, renting a car may be best.
This article was first published May 20, 2021 and updated Aug 30, 2024.
