Best Things to Do in Vegas (That Don’t Involve Gambling & Partying)
After my sixth trip to Las Vegas, I sat down to write a list of the best things to do in the Entertainment Capital of the World. I started off with a comprehensive list of 25 different things to do.
- See the Fountain Show Outside the Bellagio
- Experience the “Old Vegas” at Fremont Street
- Gamble at a Casino
- Visit the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign
And so on.
My list looked a lot like the other lists on the internet and pretty similar to the list ChatGPT spit out too.
The more I thought about it, I realized that most visitors have a limited amount of time. They don’t want an itinerary packed with 25 different stops. They want a shortlist of experiences that they really can’t miss. So, after some reflection, I wrote a much shorter list of the experiences I enjoyed the most across all six trips.
I also wanted to make a list for the people like me who aren’t into the clubbing or gambling scenes. Many people would include those activities as “must-do” on a trip to Vegas. Nothing wrong with that! But my list will help those who are looking for something a little more wholesome.
So, without further ado, here are my favorite things to do in Las Vegas.
BEST THINGS TO DO
SEE A SHOW
If I had to narrow my “best things to do in Vegas” list down to just one activity, this would be the one that made the list. I’ve seen 13 different shows in Las Vegas and I keep coming back for more. You have to see at least one show while you’re here, and ideally you’ll see 2 or 3.
If you need help deciding which show to see, I wrote a review for each one I saw in this article.
MARVEL AT THE SPHERE
This venue is so spectacular that its shows deserve their own dedicated spot on this list. The Sphere is astonishingly futuristic. If you want to get a glimpse of what mainstream cinema might look like 100 years from now, visit the Sphere.
Alex, his mom, and I saw the Wizard of Oz at the Sphere and we were all blown away (literally, during the tornado scene, but mostly figuratively). The massive LED screen filled our entire field of vision, making the characters appear 3D. The “4D” effects, between the wind, the vibrating seats, the snow raining down from the ceiling and the fire erupting from the floor, made the experience feel that much more immersive. We felt like we had spent the evening in Oz instead of inside a theater in Las Vegas. A new genre of art is officially here at the Sphere: immersive cinema. I felt privileged to get to experience it.
All that to say, visiting the Sphere is a must do in Las Vegas. Afterall, there’s no place like home the Sphere.
WANDER THE STRIP
I’m usually not a fan of “wandering.” I don’t like including it on my “best things to do” lists or itineraries. I know I’m in a destination for a limited amount of time and I’d rather research the highlights than hope I serendipitously stumble upon something great on a walk.
But, Las Vegas warrants an exception.
The streets of Las Vegas are a spectacle. Neon lights brighten up the street. Performers are constantly vying for your attention. The interiors of the major hotels look like scenes from Rome two thousand years ago. There’s a lot to see.
Plan to spend some time wandering around the Strip and inside the mega-hotels. In particular, you can’t leave Vegas without walking through Caesar’s, the Venetian, and the Bellagio.
VISIT THE MOB MUSEUM
Imagine this: your father is a notorious mobster who has murdered almost twenty people. You’re his accomplice to these crimes. After a while, he turns on you. He holds a gun to your head. You decide you want out of this lifestyle and collaborate with the FBI to put him behind bars for life. When he finds out, he puts a $75,000 bounty on your head.
This is shaping up to be a pretty crazy story, right? An unbelievable story. But this is a true story. Frank Calabrese Junior’s story. Told by Calabrese himself 17 times a week at the Mob Museum.
The Mob Museum is a museum dedicated to teaching the public about the history of the mafia and its impact in the USA. There are two floors of self-guided exhibits and a speakeasy in the basement. The exhibits were very informative, but the highlight for us was Calabrese’s talk.
Calabrese talks fast, but we held on to every word he said as he told his story. The details were shocking. It’s a captivating tale.
The Mob Museum is a fantastic way to spend a few hours during the day. I recommend spending an hour or two wandering through the self-guided exhibits on floors 2 and 3 for some context and then attending Calabrese’s 45 minute talk. Be sure to check the schedule in advance to make sure he’s speaking on the day you choose to visit.
The Mob Museum is located right next to Fremont Street. You can wander around here after your visit. There’s a lot to see.
EAT, EAT, AND EAT SOME MORE
If you love Italian food (and really, who doesn’t?) you’re going to want to try Carmine’s. It’s my favorite restaurant in Vegas by a mile. I’ve been to their location inside Caesar’s four times and I’ve eaten at their Times Square location in New York as well. I even ate there twice in one week the last time I went to Vegas. I am obsessed.
I also highly recommend Sushi Ichiban for all-you-can-eat sushi for just $30. It’s an incredible deal and the food is delicious. And, yes, I know Nevada is a landlocked state, but don’t worry, the fish tasted very fresh.
For a grab-and-go, relatively healthy and inexpensive lunch, I recommend Bar Ito in the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. They serve hand rolled sushi, ramen, and healthy bowls.
If you’re tired of my raw fish restaurant recommendations, try the Mexican food at Nacho Daddy. We’ve eaten there twice and we think it’s great.
Finally, for a delicious dessert (because what list of food recommendations is complete without dessert?), I recommend the cake slices at Junior’s inside the Hilton at Resorts World. I’m drooling right now just thinking about that amazing Oreo cheesecake slice.
ESCAPE THE HEAT AT THE POOL
Las Vegas gets brutally hot, especially during the summer, so spending a few hours by the pool is a great way to escape the midday heat. Many of the major resorts have sprawling pool complexes with multiple pools, waterfalls, lazy rivers, or views of the Strip, making a pool day feel like an activity in itself rather than just downtime between sightseeing.
STILL ON OUR BUCKET LIST
Helicopter Flight
I find helicopter rides to be thrilling so I’m always on the lookout for an opportunity to take a flight. I have my eye on Maverick Helicopters’ Neon & Nature tour where you can fly over the Las Vegas Strip and nearby Red Rock Canyon.
Eiffel Tower Experience
If you’re looking for a way to see the Strip from above but don’t have interest in the helicopter ride, the Eiffel Tower Experience might be a good fit for you. It takes you up 46 stories for panoramic views of the Strip. I definitely have this on my list for my next Vegas trip.
Day Trip to Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire State Park
If you want to escape the bright lights for a few hours, Las Vegas is surrounded by some surprisingly spectacular desert scenery. Red Rock Canyon is just 30 minutes from the Strip and the Valley of Fire State Park is about an hour away, making both options fantastic for a day trip.
WHAT I’D SKIP
ARTE Museum
I wanted to love this experience. I really did. But it fell flat for me. The exhibits didn’t grab my attention for longer than a minute each and we spent less than an hour at the museum in total. There are much better ways to spend your time in Vegas, but if you want to read my full review, check out my article.
The Hoover Dam
It’s…a giant wall of concrete. Yes, it’s an engineering marvel. But from a tourist’s perspective, there’s not a whole lot to do here. You can wander around for 20 minutes, but there isn’t too much to see otherwise. It’s not worth driving out of your way for, in my opinion.
ROAD TRIPS FROM VEGAS
Las Vegas is the perfect starting point for a number of epic Southwest USA roadtrips. We started two separate roadtrips, the first around Utah and the second around Arizona, with a stop in Las Vegas.
For the Utah trip, we drove from Vegas to Salt Lake City, hitting all five Utah national parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches) along the way. We were blown away by Zion, which happens to be just over 2 hours away from Vegas. If you have a week, I would highly recommend splitting your time between Las Vegas and Zion National Park. That would be an amazing trip.
Read all about our favorite experience in Zion, hiking the Narrows Top Down, here.
The following year, we drove from Vegas to Sedona, and later the Grand Canyon. Both were incredible stops, although they’re a little further away (4 hours from Vegas). Next time, we would add a stop at Antelope Canyon as well.
Read all about our experience hiking in the Grand Canyon here.
BEST TIME TO GO
In my opinion, May and September are the best months to visit Las Vegas. It’s still hot enough to swim in the pool during the day but the heat isn’t as oppressive as it is during the summer months of June through August. April and October are also very comfortable temperature-wise, but less ideal for swimming if that’s a priority.
The winter months of November through March are cooler, which is ideal for sightseeing and walking around the Strip. The only months I would actively avoid are the summer months of June through August, when temperatures are frequently in the triple digits (100 degrees Fahrenheit+).
FAQS
Where should I stay in Vegas?
We’ve stayed at the Cosmopolitan, Hilton at Resorts World, Treasure Island, and at an AirBNB off-Strip. Our favorite by far was the Cosmo. It’s located right in the middle of the Strip, making it convenient to get from place to place. It’s also a recently built hotel with spacious rooms.
We’ve stayed a number of times at Hilton at Resorts World too. It’s also modern and spacious, but it’s much further away from the Strip’s best attractions and the food wasn’t nearly as good.
Treasure Island is a budget choice. It’s in need of a renovation, and it appeals to an older demographic, but it’s not a bad option if you’re looking for something affordable. The AirBNB off-Strip was also pretty affordable, but it was more cumbersome getting from place to place.
How many days do I need in Vegas?
I would recommend 2-3 nights for a first trip to Las Vegas.
Do I need to rent a car in Vegas?
No, you do not need a car, especially if you stay on the Strip. The attractions are close together and you can walk from place to place. If you’re staying off the Strip or you want to explore off Strip (Fremont Street, the Mob Museum, etc) I recommend taking a taxi or rideshare.
