25 Fun Things to do in Las Vegas (besides gambling)!

Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, is most well known for its’ abundance of world-class casinos. However, if you have vacationed to the area more than once, you will quickly realize that Sin City offers much more. The more I visit, the more unique things I find to do off the casino floor. I am not a gambler, and my itinerary is still jam packed with fun. You can easily spend your entire vacation enjoying various shows, attractions, restaurants, and sightseeing without putting a dime into the slots or a dollar on the blackjack table.

The great thing about this city is that it’s a 24/7 destination with fun attractions for everyone. In my guide, I will highlight some of the best non casino attractions. I’ve included many family friendly and budget attractions to provide a range of activities for everyone.

1. Check out the Mirage volcano show

My favorite show on The Strip is the explosive volcano show at The Mirage, erupting at 8, 9, 10, and 11pm every night. You can feel the heat of the fireballs shooting out of the volcano, in tune with a great soundtrack from The Grateful Dead’s drummer Mickey Hart and Zakir Hussain. The show, like all others, is popular so get there early (especially during the summer season!). I’ll never forget finishing the Rock N’Roll half marathon to the sight of this volcano erupting; what a way to finish a race!

Update: Sadly, the volcano erupted for the last time on July 17, 2024. I am glad that I had the opportunity to see the show on multiple occasions. Honestly, I think they should have kept this iconic attraction.

2. Be dazzled by the spectacular Bellagio Fountain show

Every half hour from 3-7:30pm (Mon-Fri – begins at Noon on weekends) and every 15 minutes from 8pm-Midnight, the fountains in front of the beautiful Bellagio resort dance along to a dazzling musical light show. I recommend seeing this amazing choreographed show both day and night. I recommend getting here early for a front row ticket.

The fountains are quite a sight as they dance along in harmony to all different types of music. From Broadway to Classical tunes, the show is simply spectacular! If you feel like shelling out a few buckets, brunch at the Eiffel Tower restaurant is an amazing experience; we really loved the incredible viewpoint of the fountains from our window seat.

3. Shop ‘Til you Drop at The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace

Caesars Forum Shops is a collection of luxury designer shops located right on-site at this fabulous resort. It’s the most upscale and extravagant shopping area on The Strip. Whether you are looking to indulge in an all day designer shopping excursion or just looking to window shop, it’s hard not to be overtaken by the stunning Roman themed design and beautiful faux starry sky. Here you will find most of the high end retailers like Armani, Gucci, Valentino, and Marc Jacobs. I don’t do much shopping on vacation, but I love strolling around these shops to take in the architecture.

Over 160 shops line this massive 300,000+ square foot mall. I actually got tired from endlessly walking around here. Fortunately, there are lots of great photo opportunities, not to mention restaurants and treat shops if you need a break. As a health food fanatic, I recommend True Food Kitchen.

4. Slide through a shark tank at the Golden Nugget

The unique 200,000 gallon shark pool inside Fremont Streets’ Golden Nugget is most unusual. Here you can slide down a waterslide right in the middle of a Shark tank! It’s worth staying at this hotel just to experience this eclectic swimming pool. A while back, I saw it featured on the Travel Channel in an episode on “the world’s most extreme pools.” Swimming and just lounging around the pool area will also give you a great view. Don’t worry if you are not a hotel guest as pool viewing is open from 8am-midnight to anyone.

5. Take pics of The Strip at night

Sometimes the most basic, overlooked activities end up being the most worthwhile. Simply walking around The Strip at night, taking in all the lights and glamour, is an incredible, memorable experience. This is moreso the case for first time visitors. Nighttime is so much more exciting and dazzling. Everything looks so much more alive and spectacular in company of millions of lights.

Some of the best views and photos can be experienced at the escalator near the Miracle Mile Shops of Planet Hollywood. Note my pic above was taken here. While it was built as a convenient way for tourists to exit North on The Strip, I think of it more as a scenic viewpoint.

6. See a show

The best part about Vegas to me is the wonderful shows. Do not book a vacation here without at least seeing something. There is a great range of shows for any budget, whether you are interested in comedy, music, acrobatics, magic, even ventriloquism (this city has it all and more).

One show I recommend to basically anyone who wouldn’t mind mixing a bit of high end magic with some laughs is the Mac King Comedy show, taking place 2 times each afternoon at Harrah’s. This gifted magician somehow combines comedy and magic, and surprisingly, it works! I was totally enchanted by this show; seriously how did he do some of these tricks? If you see the show, you will know exactly what I mean. Some of the tricks which involved audience participation were outrageous. We got to meet Mac afterwards and got some autographs signed which was pretty cool.

Other great magic shows include: Penn and Teller, Cirque du Soleil, and David Copperfield.

Update: Mac King has moved to the Excalibur.

7. Enjoy some fun in the sun at a flashy pool

When booking your hotel, I recommend researching the pools. As resort’s fees are so high today, the pool is an amenity worth looking into especially when it’s over 100 degrees in the summer. A few resorts known for their fabulous pools include: The Mirage, MGM Grand, The Flamingo, and Mandalay Bay.

One of the top perks of your hotel is the access to the pool area, so choose wisely. After spending several hours walking The Strip in the intense desert sun, the only thing I want to do is jump in the pool and relax for a bit. One of my all time favorite pools was the gorgeous tropical oasis at the Mirage (sadly now closed). An underrated pick is the Paris which features a nice view of the Eiffel Tower Replica. Also, it’s a drive off The Strip but the South Pointe hotel is home to the most amazing hot tub (making it my top winter pick).

8. Explore old neon signs of yesterday

The Neon Museum (also known as “The Boneyard”) is one of the coolest places to visit off the Strip. I recommend a tour for anyone who is looking for something interesting to do outside of the casino action. It’s located just off the main drag, but totally worth the drive or Lyft if you are at all into history. I imagine long time visitors will have a nostalgia field day here.

Your tour guide will give you a nice little history lesson while you gaze at all the beautiful Neon casino signs from years past. It’s a bit sad as all our modern technology replaces all these gems. Honestly, I prefer the old look. The signs were sold bold and attention grabbing, plus I love the retro charm of neon.

Tip – book a night visit – you will get to see many of the signs lit up. You can read more about my experience visiting this awesome museum.

9. Dine at a world-class restaurant

While the city is more known for buffets, it’s also a surprisingly great city for foodies. There are so many chef inspired restaurants to enjoy here, no matter your personal taste. I recently tried the best butternut squash ravioli ever at this place called Il Fornaio located in the NY NY resort. Another great Italian pick is Don Vito’s inside the South Pointe. I enjoyed the creamiest cheese ravioli, followed by a slice of cappuccino cheesecake. It was a nice treat after running the Rock N’Roll half.

10. Head off The Strip for an hour or so to see The Fremont Street Experience

Each night starting at dusk, the Viva Vision Light show treats guests to an amazing free light and music show on the world’s largest LED canopy screen. Right before the show, all the casino lights go off, with only the bright lights of the show brightening up the skies. It is really incredible and the soundtrack is great (The Who, Bon Jovi, and The Doors).

That being said, I am not a big fan of the casinos or atmosphere around Fremont Street. It’s not my vibe but I did love this show. You can also see the shark tank at the Nugget which I mentioned earlier. I’ve also heard from some acquaintances that the zip line is really amazing. I would love to experience this ride one day – I imagine soaring under the lights would be a real adrenaline rush.

11. Treat yourself to a luxury spa experience

I don’t treat myself to a massage or spa experience that often (mostly birthdays), but Vegas is definitely the place to do so. This city is home to some of the best spas in the world, and some are priced as so. One of my favorite mid range options is Drift inside the Palms. The space is so immaculately clean with great amenities. I loved the hot tub and plunge pool, as well as the unique Hammam (co-ed steam room). Update: The spa is now the Spa at the Palms.

12. Stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

One of my favorite free attractions is the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio. Each year, the theme changes to reflect the seasons. My favorite display is the Christmas extravaganza featuring thousands of flowers and beautiful poinsettias. Each time, I stroll the grounds, I am amazed by the amount of dedication and attention to detail put into this incredible display. It’s one to add to your bucket list for sure.

13. Explore the Grand Canal Shoppes

Like Caesars, The Venetian also offers an amazing shopping area. I love just walking around, admiring the architecture and popping into a shop or 2. You will find a lot of high end shops like 7 for All Mankind and Burberry. There are a lot of great restaurants here like Buddy V’s, Bouchon Bakery, and Grand Lux Cafe (basically a comfort food heaven spin off of The Cheesecake Factory). I love stopping for an Americano at Espressamente Illy.

14. Dine like a king at a buffet

It’s not that often you come across the opportunity to dine at a high quality buffet: unfortunately, most of the time you sacrifice quality over quantity. Fortunately, at most casinos in Sin City, you do not have to sacrifice the quality. This city is a buffet lover’s paradise – nearly every casino has one.

Higher end options like The Wynn and The Bellagio offer a luxurious spread, from a champagne brunch buffet to special holiday offerings. Pictured above is the gorgeous colorful dining setting at The Wynn buffet. I’ve never seen a buffet so lavishly decorated. And the food is so amazing! Here’s a pic of some of their fancy dessert selections.

15. Stroll around the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo

The Wildlife Habitat is another great freebie to add to your list. You will get to enter a mini tropical oasis as you stroll by waterfalls, Koi ponds, flamingos, and pretty lush tropical landscaping. I love seeing all the flamingos just roaming about. It’s so nice to take in some nature after walking around smoky casinos. It’s a quiet nature oasis in a city dominated by man-made entertainment. The best part of all is that this rejuvenating activity will cost you nothing!

16. Gaze down at all the action while sipping tea

On the 23rd floor of the elegant Waldorf Astoria (formerly the Mandarin Oriental), you will find an unusual tea lounge, one that offers panoramic views of The Strip! While enjoying a pot of loose leaf tea, you will be surrounded by breathtaking views in every direction. I enjoyed one of their wellness blends one time and the organic Lychee green on another visit. You can also opt for full afternoon tea service. They also serve non caffeinated drinks and champagne.

This hidden gem not only offers one of the best viewpoints, but also gives you the opportunity to sit back and recover before joining all the craziness again! This is one of my favorite date destinations in the city; a perfect place to spend an anniversary.

17. Take a stroll through the enchanting gardens at The Wynn

Similar to The Bellagio, The Wynn features a gorgeous garden area featuring a carousel and hot air balloon made out of flowers! The hanging flower balls (made of over 50,000 flowers) are the highlight of this artistic display. It’s a gorgeous place that I highly recommend checking for a nice relaxing break from all the Strip action. Like Bellagio, the holiday display is also fabulous.

18. Enjoy retro gaming at The Pinball Hall of Fame

Go back to a time where cell phones, Ipads, computers, and video games were not the primary form of entertainment! The old-fashioned Pinball Hall of Fame Museum offers a 10,000 square foot room dedicated to pinball machines, including many limited edition machines from decades ago. I am a fan of everything retro so this was a great find.

I had a blast here – it was a like a trip back in time and a nice break from all the craziness. And keeping in line with the old-fashioned theme, games are only 25-75 cents a piece so you can enjoy hours of old time fun! Bonus: A new larger location just opened on the Strip (across from Mandalay Bay!).

19. Ride the rollercoaster at New York, New York

From this fun coaster, you can take in great views of The Strip (both day and night). After your exciting ride, you can enjoy the variety of games found in the arcade, including more of those fun 80’s claw machines than you could possibly imagine.

20. Enjoy the Venetian painted ceilings

All of the ceilings at the beautiful Venetian resort were hand painted by Italian artists. Even if you are not staying here, I recommend a quick stroll just to check out the amazing artwork. It’s a feast for the eyes that will cost you nothing. Afterwards, you can stroll around the Grand Canal shoppes. One of my favorite restaurants in the city, Grand Lux is located here. They offer a huge menu of comfort foods and they are open 24/7 which is nice. I tried the most amazing app ever here – the double stuffed potato rolls.

21. Have fun at a nightclub

Vegas is just as much an entertainment destination today as it is a gaming hotspot. Every resort has its’ fair share of bars/clubs. One of my favorites which recently closed was Revolution, featuring a fun Beatles design, great 70’s music, cozy seating, and an upbeat setting. Other popular nightclubs include: Tao at the Venetian, XS at the Wynn, and Ghost Bar located on the 55th floor of the Palms (remember this one from The Real World?)

22. Visit the site of the first World Series of Poker

Poker fans will be interested to view the WSOP plaque found inside Binion’s Casino, which hosted the first World Series of Poker competition back in 1970. At the entrance to the poker room, you will find a table top signed by various professionals: the ultimate photo souvenir for poker fans. Today, Binions is known as “the place that made poker famous.” Mike has been a big fan of watching the WSOP for over a decade so this was a fun experience.

23. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Strip via the Eiffel Tower Experience

For one of my favorite experiences, you will get to travel 46 stories up to the top of the famous replica for amazing panoramic views of The Strip. Great views both daytime and night, although a night visit wins the award for one of the more romantic experiences in Vegas.

Tickets are just $25 per person which I think is a steal for the amazing scenery and overall experience. To complete a perfect date night, I recommend a romantic dinner at the Eiffel Tower restaurant located on the 25th floor. This fine dining restaurant features upscale French cuisine and amazing views of the Bellagio fountains.

24. Enjoy a fabulous brunch experience

A great choice for brunch lovers is Bouchon inside the Paris. This upscale casual restaurant by renowned chef Thomas Keller is an amazing pick. I really loved the veggie quiche, lyonnaise potatoes, and French toast here. The service is so wonderful and they offer an amazing patio where you can gaze at The Venetian Pool. Everything was just so exceptional – A+ across the board.

The homemade bread with butter that is served comp before your meal arrives is a nice touch. On our visit, they were sampling treats from their bakery (which were amazing) while we waited. We later picked up some macaroons from the bakery.

25. Get out and explore the natural surroundings

Despite being known as the entertainment capital, Nevada also happens to be home to many natural wonders, parks, biking & hiking trails, and other recreational hot spots. It would be a shame to miss out on these while you are so close by. Within a few hours, you can visit the Hoover Dam, The Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, and many other amazing places (did you know that Nevada is the most mountainous state?). One of the most unique things to do is to plan an all day adventure exploring Goldstrike Hot Springs, an intense 7 mile hike where you can treat yourself to a soak in a natural hot springs.

Pictured above is Red Rock Canyon, located just about 20 minutes off The Strip. This breathtaking natural area features a 13 mile scenic drive and miles of beautiful rustic hiking trails. A perfect place to get away from it all, if just for a few hours!

Also, if you are up for a longer daytrip, the magnificent Grand Canyon is well worth a detour while you are in the area. My favorite thing to do here is hiking the Kaibab trail into the heart of the canyon. You can read more about my experience hiking this thrilling trail.