23 Cool Things to Do in Las Vegas |+ Map & Tips |

Best things to do in Las Vegas

Ready to know the coolest things to do in Sin City? We should warn you that this city is endless—you could easily spend days and days doing different things and exploring the surrounding area. It all depends on how much of a party animal you are and your budget!

Here, anything is possible, and there are extreme activities you’d think they couldn’t be real. Imagine coming home and having your friends ask, “What did you do in Las Vegas?” And you reply, “I went to explode cars in the desert, drive excavators, and do some shooting practice.” They’ll probably think the wildness of Las Vegas has gotten the better of you, but these activities are 100% real!

That said, our recommendations are focus on Las Vegas Boulevard and its surroundings—the main avenue that runs through Las Vegas and includes a couple of tourist-friendly sections: the Strip (a 6-kilometer (or 3.7 mi) stretch where the most iconic hotels are located) and Downtown (the historic part of the city, which really surprised us). The attractions are listed from south to north for consistency.

1. "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign

There is no more iconic picture than that of the sign welcoming you to Las Vegas, located at the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard. This neon, Googie-style sign was created in 1959; on one side it reads "Welcome to Las Vegas" and on the other, "Drive Carefully. Come Back Soon."

We're sure that taking a photo here is one of your top priorities. On our first trip to Las Vegas, we didn't have time to stop by, and we felt like something was missing, so on our second visit, it was the first thing we did! And we have a few tips for you:

• There is free parking next to the sign, but there aren't many spaces. You can also get here by taking The Deuce, one of Las Vegas' public transportation options.
• The line to get your picture is huge, but we have a trick that won't make you wait even a minute! Everyone lines up to get their photo taken in the center of the sign, but if you move to the left or right side, there's no one there and it looks just as nice. The photos below were taken from that angle. 😊
• There’s usually someone taking pictures. They’re unauthorized photographers and don’t charge a fee, but they do expect you to tip them.

2. Luxor Hotel and its illuminated pyramid

Let's start with Las Vegas's themed hotels! Anywhere else in the world, visiting hotels might sound strange, but in Las Vegas, it's one of the top things to do. Whether it's to check out the decor, play a few hands at the casino, ride the attractions, or catch one of the shows, you've got to check out a few!

The Luxor Hotel is one of the most unique themed hotels, thanks to its decor inspired by ancient Egypt. Outside, you’re greeted by a massive sphinx with a pyramid behind it, which at night emits a beam of light visible from miles away.

You'll have to walk down the Avenue of the Rams (if you've been to Luxor, you know what we're talking about) and pass by the pharaoh statues to get inside, which is a bit dark but also features some decorations. Here you'll find several exhibitions, such as "Bodies" and the " Titanic: the Artifact Exhibition", which is one of the best attractions on Las Vegas Strip.

3. Excalibur Hotel

The Excalibur, inspired by the legend of King Arthur, resembles a massive medieval fairytale castle. It's undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in Las Vegas, thanks to its affordable prices and family-friendly atmosphere, which makes it ideal if you're traveling with children.

Although its exterior is the main attraction, it’s also worth taking a quick look inside, where the decor and enormous chandeliers stand out. In addition, this is where the Tournament of Kings is held, a medieval-themed show that includes dinner.

4. New York-New York Hotel and its roller coaster

No visit to Las Vegas is complete without a stop at the iconic New York-New York Hotel, where the New York skyline comes to life with its cluster of skyscrapers, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. While we find the exterior to be the most striking feature, inside it feels as though you’re walking the streets of Manhattan: signs, bars, and the city’s signature red-brick houses.

This hotel is home to one of the Las Vegas' most popular attractions: The Big Apple Coaster. This red steel roller coaster wraps around the entire facade of the hotel and features two loops and several drops—fun is guaranteed!

5. Bellagio Hotel, its fountain, and its botanical garden

Welcome to one of the most luxurious and elegant hotels in Las Vegas! The Bellagio Hotel is renowned for its sophisticated atmosphere and takes its name Lake Como in Italy.

It's the perfect place if you want to dine at a fine-dining restaurant, try your luck at its renowned casino, or catch one of the city's most spectacular shows, "O" by Cirque du Soleil—a breathtaking aquatic show and one of the best performances in Las Vegas.

But if there’s one place that really blew us away, it’s the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens—an artificial botanical garden that changes its design every season, depicting the different seasons of the year with plants and animals. We went in the spring, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Once outside, what makes this one of the city’s most famous hotels is the Fountains of Bellagio light and sound show—one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas—where the spectacular fountain comes to life. Show times vary by day of the week:

• Monday through Friday: every 30 minutes from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM and every 15 minutes from 8:00 PM to midnight.
• Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: every 30 minutes from 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM and every 15 minutes from 8:00 PM to midnight.

6. Paris Hotel and its observation deck at the Eiffel Tower

Oh la la! You can even find baguettes, pain au chocolat, and crepes in Las Vegas! One of the hotels with the most impressive decor is undoubtedly Paris Las Vegas—perfect if you're looking for a romantic getaway in the city.

This hotel-casino recreates the Parisian atmosphere with replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Paris Opera House, as well as its distinctive hot-air balloon, inspired by the first passenger balloon launched in France in 1783. The interior is also a marvel, recreating the city with cobblestone streets and a ceiling that resembles the sky.

💡Recommended: Getting Around Las Vegas | Transportation Guide |

If you're interested, this is one of the best observation decks in Las Vegas, as you can go up the Eiffel Tower. Although the replica is half the size of the original, you climb 46 floors and are treated to spectacular views of the Strip, with the Bellagio and its fountains right in front of you. It's open from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, so you can go up both day and night.

7. Flamingo Hotel and its Art Deco style

One of the city’s most historic hotels is the Flamingo Hotel, which opened in 1946 and was owned by a gangster reputed to be one of the most ruthless of his time. It has a tropical aesthetic with an Art Deco style, attracting attentions with the main entrance crowned by pink and yellow palm fronds. All of this makes the atmosphere more relaxed than at other hotels—the kind that really invites you to take a vacation!

One of the main attractions of this hotel is the Wildlife Habitat, a tropical garden with free admission that features waterfalls and various animals, including Chilean flamingos (the hotel’s symbol), pelicans, swans, turtles, and koi fish.

Although they try to convince you it's a little oasis amid the chaos of Las Vegas, we don’t think it’s the ideal place to keep these animals. Aside from the local climate, it’s a small enclosure that gets very crowded, creating an environment we believe isn’t good for the animals. To give you an example, we found the behavior of one of the rescued pelicans there to be unusual. Surely there are many other places in the country where it could be better off!

8. The LINQ Promenade and its Ferris wheel

Strolling along the LINQ Promenade is one of the must-do things in Las Vegas. This pedestrian-friendly avenue right in the heart of the Strip is packed with restaurants, shops, bars, and entertainment options. The truth is, if you want to eat in Las Vegas without breaking the bank, we think this area is ideal, as there are options for every budget. In our post on where to eat in Las Vegas, we’ve included some recommendations here.

At the end of this walk is the High Roller, one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels (even taller than the London Eye). It's, therefore, another of the best viewpoints in Las Vegas, offering breathtaking views.

And as if that weren't enough, there's also the only zipline on the Strip. The Fly LINQ zipline starts at a 12-story tower and crosses The LINQ Promenade ending at the High Roller, reaching speeds of up to 55 km/h (34 mph). In our opinion, the views along the way aren't anything to write home about either.

9. Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace is another of the most luxurious hotel-casinos in Las Vegas, a Roman Empire-themed resort that opened in 1966. Here you'll find statues, columns, fountains, and décor that recreates ancient Rome—the interior is beautiful and very elegant!

One of the highlights is The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, a theater modeled after a Roman amphitheater that hosts some of the city's most major shows.

10. The Venetian and its Grand Canal

We hope you’re not tired of hotels yet—we only have a few more to recommend! As you can see, each one is unique, and The Venetian resort is undoubtedly one of our favorites. Its Venice-inspired decor immediately transports you to this beautiful city, and it’s all down to the attention to detail: here you’ll find Piazza San Marco, the Ponte di Rialto, and Palazzo Ducale (which you can go inside to enjoy the views from the terrace).

The interior is also stunning, with shops and restaurants lining both sides of the canals and a ceiling that resembles the sky and changes throughout the day and night. It’s simply spectacular!

💡Recommended: Where to Stay in Las Vegas | Best Areas and Hotels |

The best is yet to come: here you can take a gondola ride through the canals. But this isn’t just any ride—you’ll be accompanied by a gondolier in traditional attire who will sing a traditional barcarolle for you. And they’re actually pretty good at it! The rides can take place on the canals inside the hotel or outside, but in either case, they last between 10 and 13 minutes. The prices, however, are a bit steep: shared gondolas (4 people) cost $34 per person, and private gondolas (2 people) cost $136 total.

11. The Sphere

Visiting The Sphere is one of the most spectacular things to do in Las Vegas. This quite new attraction opened in 2023 and it's a very innovative entertainment venue which hosts shows, concerts, and other events. It holds the distinction of being the world’s largest spherical structure! As you can see, Las Vegas doesn’t do things by halves!

When you see its facade (known as the Exosphere), especially at night, you’re going to be blown away. Its array of LED screens projects images and animations that can be seen from several miles away! And inside, it’s more of the same—the massive LED screen completely envelops the viewer to create an immersive experience. We think about how much energy is consumed just here and our jaws drop, but that’s another story.

If you'd like to experience one of their shows in person, you can buy a ticket to The Sphere here, which includes admission to one of their immersive shows.

12. Treasure Island and its pirate ships

Treasure Island, known as TI, is one of the most iconic casino-hotels on the Strip and is famous for its pirate theme. It's inspired by the novel "Treasure Island", and features several pirate ships, skulls, treasure chests, and a lagoon.

Although it has undergone several renovations to modernize it, several boats are still on display at the entrance, but the legendary free mermaid show that used to take place there is no longer held. We were lucky enough to see it, and it was well worth it, as it included special effects.

13. Circus Circus and its circus shows

Circus Circus is another of the oldest hotel-casinos on the Strip, having opened in 1968. While it’s true that it’s a bit outdated compared to others, its classic circus-themed decor and family-friendly atmosphere make it one of the best places to visit in Las Vegas with kids.

Live circus performances are held here, and best of all... they're free! The schedule depends on the season, so you can find on their website when they are held during your visit.

Other fun places to visit with the family at this hotel include The Midway (an area with tons of arcade games) and the Adventuredome, an indoor amusement park.

💡 If you want to park for free in Las Vegas, you can do so in this hotel outdoor parking lot, even if you're not staying here.

14. The STRAT, its observation tower, and its attractions

The STRAT hotel-casino (formerly known as the Stratosphere) catches your eye from a distance thanks to its enormous observation tower—the tallest in the United States at 350 meters (1,148 feet)! It offers 360-degree panoramic views, as well as a restaurant at the top.

Here you can also find some of the most fun things to do in Las Vegas. One example is the Sky Jump at The STRAT, an activity that involves jumping off the 108th floor, 253 meters (830 ft) above the ground, reaching speeds of up to 65 km/h (40 mph).🤪 It’s like bungee jumping, but with the city as your backdrop! If you’re up for the challenge, you can book your Sky Jump tickets here.

And finally, you can try one of its two rides: the Big Shot (where you'll be shot 49-meter (160 ft) in the air at 72 km/h (45 mph) while you overlook the majestic Las Vegas Valley) and the X-Scream (a roller coaster that launches you into the air at 265 meters (866 ft) above the ground). You can book the The Strat observation deck + rides package here if you’re up for the full experience.

15. Shows in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of the best cities in the world for shows, musicals, and concerts. There’s a huge selection, and the quality is usually very high—so why not make the most of your stay by attending one of them?

We've already mentioned a few shows on the Strip, but there are plenty of others—like Michael Jackson ONE and David Copperfield's show —that are incredible. We'll tell you about these and more in our post on the best shows in Las Vegas.

16. Gold & Silver Pawn Shop

Once you're off the Strip, you can stop by the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. You probably won't know what we're talking about, but if we say "Rick's Pawn Shop," you might recognize it.

This family-run business, located at 713 Las Vegas Boulevard, has become the world’s most famous pawn shop thanks to the History Channel’s reality show "Pawn Stars". Here, viewers can get a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of this business, which opened its doors in 1988 and is currently run by Rick Harrison and his son.

Visiting this store is completely free, but it has become so famous that there are even guided tours of the Pawn Stars set so you can experience it as if you were on the show.

17. Wedding chapels in Las Vegas

One of the most iconic things to do in Las Vegas is to get married—and if Elvis Presley can sing some of his famous songs while you’re at it, so much the better! And yes, getting married in Las Vegas (or renewing your vows) is completely legal (if you pay the extra fee of about $100), but you can also have a mock wedding if you just want to have some fun.

There are many wedding chapels in Las Vegas: the Paradise Wedding Chapel, the Chapel of the Flowers... But without a doubt, the most popular is the Graceland Wedding Chapel, as it was the first to host weddings with Elvis Presley. Several celebrities have gotten married here, including Jon Bon Jovi! Don't forget to stop by whether you're getting married or not, it's very pretty on the outside.

18. Fremont Street Experience

One of the most famousattractions in Downtown Las Vegas is undoubtedly the Fremont Street Experience, a place where the word "madness" truly comes to life. This pedestrian promenade, with a ceiling covered by a massive LED screen, leaves no one indifferent, as here you’ll find historic casinos, bars, free concerts, street performers, a zip line that runs the length of the street, the famous music and light show... Not to mention the Hearts Attack Grill restaurant, one of the best restaurants to eat in Las Vegas.

Fremont Street is always bustling, though it’s best to go in the afternoon or evening to really experience the place as it should be enjoyed. We’ll tell you more in our guide to visiting the Fremont Street Experience.

19. Neon signs in Downtown

On Las Vegas Boulevard (in the Downtown area), a piece of the city’s history remains: the iconic neon signs. If you take a stroll down this avenue, roughly from Clark Avenue to past Fremont Street, you’ll see original neon signs from old hotels and casinos, such as those that belonged to the Clark Inn Motel, the Golden Inn Motel, the Apache Motel, and the Hacienda Casino (the legendary sign featuring a horse and rider).

These signs are part of Las Vegas' cultural heritage and serve as a reminder of a time when hotels and casinos competed with one another to see who could have the most eye-catching, brightest, and largest neon sign, in order to attract visitors to the city.

When you come across one of these signs, look down at the ground. You’ll find a plaque listing the business name and a bit of its history, along with its actual location. It’s an open-air museum that we personally really enjoyed!

20. The Mob Museum

• 🕧 Opening hours: daily from 9 AM to 9 PM; The Underground (which features a speakeasy and a distillery) is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM and Friday through Saturday from 11 AM to midnight.
• 💵 Price: $34.95.

If you enjoy visiting museums, The Mob Museum is one of the most interesting in Las Vegas. Also known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, here you can explore the history of organized crime in the United States and its connection to the development of Las Vegas.

You’ll find exhibits, original artifacts, police wiretaps, and immersive experiences that will give you insight into the rise of the mafia in Las Vegas (linked to Prohibition and casinos) and the fight to combat it. There’s also a recreation of a speakeasy and a distillery on the ground floor; admission is restricted to those 21 and older, and alcoholic beverages are served.

Plus, it's located in a beautiful building that was constructed in the 1930s. If it catches your eye, you can buy your ticket to The Mob Museum here.

21. Neon Museum

• 🕧 Opening hours: daily from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM (subject to change depending on the season).
• 💵 Price: $25 during the day and $35 at night.

We’ve already talked to you about the importance of neon signs in Las Vegas and how they’re part of the city’s identity. If this topic interests you, then you have to visit the Neon Museum, one of the most unique places to visit in Las Vegas. This museum preserves and displays neon signs that once belonged to businesses that no longer exist, thus preventing them from being lost when the buildings were demolished.

The site features 250 unrestored signs and 28 restored ones, distributed among a visitor center located in the lobby of the former La Concha Motel, the Neon Boneyard (an open-air plaza and the museum’s main attraction), and the North Gallery.

Although the opening hours vary by season, it’s best to visit in the evening to see 30 of the signs on the grounds light up.

22. Container Park

Also in Downtown, you can visit an open-air shopping center made up of old shipping containers. At the entrance, you’re greeted by a massive mantis that shoots flames from its antennae at night.

Once inside, you'll find all kinds of small independent shops (tattoo parlors, clothing stores, jewelry shops, etc.), as well as restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops, making it one of the best places to eat in Las Vegas. There's a playground in the center, so it's also one of the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids.

23. Outlets in Las Vegas

If you're thinking about going shopping in Las Vegas, head to one of the city's two outlet malls: Las Vegas North Premium Outlets (near Downtown) and Las Vegas South Premium Outlets (near the Strip). We've been to the one in the north twice and have always found something to buy because you can find good deals on brand-name items (if you look hard enough).

If you're driving, keep in mind that parking is paid at both outlets (it cost us $5 one morning). You also have the option of taking The Deuce bus—one of Las Vegas' public transportation—to the southern outlets, and bus 401 to the northern outlets (you can catch it at the Bonneville Transit Center stop).

Las Vegas nearby attractions

Although it might seem like there aren't many attractions near Las Vegas—a city located right in the middle of the desert—you'd be wrong! The rock formations of Red Rock Canyon, the spectacular Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam and its engineering marvel... You'd better check out our post on what to see around Las Vegas so you don't miss a thing!

Map of things to see in Las Vegas

On this map, you can see all the themed hotels, observation decks, rides, outlet malls, and other attractions we've mentioned:

Things to do in Las Vegas in 1 Day

If you only have one day to visit Sin City, you'll need to get right to the point and prioritize what to see. Here's what we would do to see the highlights of the Strip and Downtown:

☀️ Morning:

• Welcome to Las Vegas sign
• Luxor Hotel
• Excalibur Hotel
• New York-New York Hotel (optional: ride the Big Apple Coaster)
• Paris Hotel (optional: go up the Eiffel Tower)

🌆 Afternoon:

• Bellagio Hotel (interior with the Botanical Garden)
• The LINQ Promenade (optional: ride the High Roller)
• Caesars Palace Hotel
• The Venetian Hotel (optional: a gondola ride)
• The Sphere

🌙 Night:

• Light and sound show at the Bellagio Fountains
• Fremont Street Experience

Things to do in Las Vegas in 2 Days

If you have two days to visit Las Vegas, then it’s best to spend one full day on the Strip and the other in Downtown. Here’s the itinerary we’d follow:

Day 1 in Las Vegas: The Strip

☀️ Morning:

• Welcome to Las Vegas sign
• Luxor Hotel
• Excalibur Hotel
• New York-New York Hotel (optional: ride the Big Apple Coaster)
• Paris Hotel (optional: go up the Eiffel Tower)

🌆 Afternoon:

• Bellagio Hotel (interior with the Botanical Garden)
• The LINQ Promenade (optional: ride the High Roller)
• Flamingo Hotel
• Caesars Palace Hotel
• The Venetian Hotel (optional: a gondola ride)
• The Sphere
• Circus Circus Hotel

🌙 Night:

• Light and sound show at the Bellagio Fountains
• The STRAT observation deck and/or a show like "O" by Cirque du Soleil

Day 2 in Las Vegas: Downtown

☀️ Morning:

• Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
• Graceland Wedding Chapel
• A stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard, taking in the neon signs and ground plaques
• Container Park

🌆 Afternoon:

• The Mob Museum
• Neon Museum

🌙 Night:

• Fremont Street Experience

Things to do in Las Vegas in 3 Days

With 3 days in Las Vegas, you'll have plenty of time to see everything the city has to offer and explore some of the surrounding areas.

For the first two days, we’ll follow the same itinerary as in the "Things to do in Las Vegas in 2 days" and for the third day, we’ll give you several options so you can choose the one you like best:

• Hoover Dam ➡️ All the information about Hoover Dam here (how to get there, what to see, prices, etc.)
• Light aircraft flight over Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon ➡️ Book it here
• Red Rock Canyon + outlet shopping ➡️ You can drive there yourself or book this Red Rock Canyon guided tour.
• Valley of Fire + outlet shopping ➡️ You can visit on your own or take a Valley of Fire guided tour like this one.
• Grand Canyon (West Rim) with the option to visit the Skywalk ➡️ You can book a Grand Canyon West tour here.

FAQs about things to do in Las Vegas

Is Las Vegas worth visiting?

Yes, Las Vegas is a one-of-a-kind destination with a wide range of entertainment and shows, offering experiences you won't find anywhere else.

What are the must-do things in Las Vegas?

Stroll along the Strip, visiting its themed hotels (Luxor, Excalibur, New York-New York, Paris, Venetian, Bellagio, and Caesars Palace), the Bellagio Fountain Show, and the Fremont Street Experience.

What are some free things to do in Las Vegas?

There are plenty of free activities, such as the Bellagio fountain show, the street performances on Fremont Street and its light and sound show, visiting the themed hotels, watching a circus show at Circus Circus, and checking out the neon signs in Downtown.

When is the best time to visit Las Vegas?

Spring and fall are the best times to visit because of the milder temperatures. Summer can be extremely hot.

Is Fremont Street worth a visit?

Yes, it offers a very different atmosphere from the Strip, with light shows and live music under its famous LED screen. We'll tell you more in our guide to visiting Fremont Street.

Is it possible to walk Las Vegas Strip?

It's possible, but the distance from one end to the other is 6 km (3.7 mi), so it's best to combine short walks with some of the city's public transportation options. Check out our post on how to get around Las Vegas.

What are the best themed hotels in Las Vegas?

The hotels with the best decor are The Venetian, Paris Las Vegas, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur, and Caesars Palace.

What are the best shows in Las Vegas?

The most popular shows are those performed by Cirque du Soleil (O, Michael Jackson, KÀ, etc.).

What to do in Las Vegas with kids?

Although Las Vegas is known for adult entertainment, there are also family-friendly activities such as shows, attractions, and themed hotels. Some of the highlights include the circus shows at Circus Circus and the Adventuredome amusement park, the Discovery Children's Museum, the roller coaster at New York-New York, and the High Roller. We'll tell you more in our post on what to do in Las Vegas with kids.

What are the best viewpoints in Las Vegas?

The observation deck at The STRAT, the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel, and The High Roller.

What are the best rides in Las Vegas?

The High Roller, the Fly LINQ and Slotzilla zip lines, the Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York, and the rides at The STRAT (Sky Jump, Big Shot, and X-Scream).

What are the best day trips from Las Vegas?

The most popular destinations include the West Rim of the Grand Canyon (with the option to visit the Skywalk), Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and the 7 Magic Mountains.

We hope you enjoy all the places to visit in Las Vegas!