10 reasons you should visit Vegas even if you are not a gambler
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Once upon a time, Vegas lived up to its’ reputation as a place solely for the over 21 gambling and drinking crowd. Today, this is no longer the case. Vegas now reigns as “the entertainment capital of the world.” Award-winning celebrity chef restaurants, opulent themed resorts, spectacular shows, luxurious spas, and designer shops line the 4 mile jam packed extravaganza known as The Strip. Visiting Vegas as a non gambler is now more fun than ever with endless opportunities to enjoy The Strip excitement without ever pulling a slot or betting on a Blackjack table. I am not a gambler, but I do enjoy visiting Vegas to take advantage of the great dining, resorts, and shows!
And, let’s not forget about all the beautiful natural sights which lie just outside of the city! With over 300 mountain ranges, Nevada ranks second only to Alaska in terms of most mountainous states.
Today, it’s really easy to spend an entire weekend in Vegas without giving a second thought to gambling. In fact, by cutting back on the gambling, you will save so much money that you can treat yourself to more memorable activities like world-class shows, spas, and dining. If anything the question is not what can you do, but rather what can you not do in Vegas? So much to do, so little time!
Below are 10 reasons why you should visit Vegas even if you do not intend on spending much time on the gaming floors.
1. The shows are incredible!
Back in the day, Vegas was most famous for its’ lounge shows. Visitors could see Elvis and other emerging talents for as little as 5 bucks. The entertainment offerings eventually became flashier and more extravagant as time went on. Vegas today offers the most diverse lineup of shows anywhere in the world. From stand up comedy acts, to enchanting Cirque du Soleil productions, to big name musicians of today and yesterday, to classic magic acts like David Copperfield, you can find a wide range of entertainment offerings any given weekend.
Cirque du Soleil offers a number of fun shows at any given time. One of my favorite experiences was seeing the Beatles Cirque du Soleil. Besides incorporating many of the best Beatles hits, this show was so entertaining, visually creative and featured incredible acrobatic acts. The best budget friendly show in Vegas is definitely the Mac King Comedy Show. Mac is an extremely talented magician/performer who perfectly combines comedy and magic. Mac King’s show is quick witted, filled with laughs, and most of all, loaded to the brim with incredible magic feats that will keep you guessing long after the show ends! Really, some of his tricks seemed truly impossible: I loved this show!
Take a look at the the lineup of current Vegas shows.
Tip: Discount show tickets are available at various Tix 4 Tonite booths throughout the Strip.
2. The resorts are amongst the most lavish in the world
If you are the type of person who likes to have a lot of ritzy amenities on hand while vacationing, then Vegas is your type of place. In a city with unlimited glitz, it’s no surprise that these massive casino/hotel resorts offer the same luxurious appeal. Award-winning restaurants, elegant spas, casinos, designer shops, and multiple pools, are just a few of the convenient amenities you may find on-site. Today, you could literally spend your entire vacation at a single resort without ever feeling the need to leave.
In a city not known for holding back, most casinos are themed with extravagant over-the-top decor. Fortunately, you do not have to be a high roller to enjoy these grand resorts. While there are some luxurious options that are very nice like The Wynn, there are options for every budget.
Where to stay?
From the Roman themed Caesar’s Palace, to the Mediterranean inspired Venetian, to the tropical oasis The Mirage, there are just so many fabulous options to consider. If you are looking for something casual, the laid-back decor and tropical ambiance of The Mirage will surely please. If you are going for romantic, the sophisticated, architecturally impressive Palazzo and Venetian are contenders. For all around luxury, you really can’t top the classic Bellagio resort. Great budget friendly choices include Palms Place, the Flamingo, and the Paris hotel.
Update: The Mirage closed its’ doors in July of 2024. A new Hard Rock will be taking its’ place. I am sad to see the wonderful volcano show go.
3. Every resort has an amazing pool
In Vegas, it is well over 100 degrees on average 70 days of the year. Assuming your visit falls during the summer season, you can bet on it being insanely hot. The pools are there waiting for you when you tire of getting blasted by a hair dryer every time you step outside. Fortunately, Vegas resorts are home to some of the best pools anywhere in the world.
Lazy rivers, swim up bars, lush landscaping, waterslides, even a real sand beach…these are no ordinary pools! In fact, the pools are just as marvelous as the resorts themselves. Guests of The Venetian/Palazzo will have access to 10 unique pools! In recent years, swim up blackjack has made a comeback with casinos like The Flamingo, Tropicana, & Caesar’s Palace getting into the action. Whether you are seeking an elegant place to sunbathe or a trendy daytime pool party, you can find it in Vegas.
More fabulous pools to consider:
- A mini vacation to the tropics – The Mirage pool features lush palm trees, a large hot tub, waterfalls, pool side bars, and cabanas. You will definitely feel as if you have left the desert and entered a tropical oasis.
- A day at the beach – At the Mandalay Bay, you can dig your toes into a real sand beach! This 11 acre aqua oasis features 2700 tons of real sand. And the lazy river is the perfect place to waste away a hot summer afternoon.
- The most unique – Slide down a shark tank at The Golden Nugget’s eclectic indoor pool.
- Most gorgeous architecture – Caesars Palace with its’ Roman style pools and amazing architecture.
- Best Pool parties – MGM Grand and The Wynn.
4. Unique attractions abound both on and off the Strip
Who says you have to stay on the Vegas strip to have fun? Today, this is no longer the case. In fact, some of the best attractions are located off-the-beaten path. Have you ever wondered where the retired Vegas neon signs end up? The Neon Museum, aka the Neon Graveyard, is officially “where Vegas signs go to die.” Here you can see all the classic retired neon signs from yesterday via a guided tour, available both day and night. History buffs and old-time Vegas fans will definitely want to put this near the top of the bucket list! I never got to visit Vegas back in the old days, so I loved the opportunity to image what it was like! Personally, I think they should have kept the classic neon.
Love the retro arcade culture of the 80’s? Go back in time and test your old fashioned gaming skills at The Pinball Hall of Fame (Update – now located on The Strip across from Mandalay!). Even the suburbs offer their own host of amenities. In Henderson, you can tour a working chocolate factory, sign up for tastings, and stroll around one of the largest cactus collections.
5. Mesmerizing natural wonders lie just outside the city
As soon as you leave the bright lights and glamour of The Strip behind, the wide open vistas of the Nevada desert surround you in every direction. The scenery is really surreal, a striking contrast to the man-made splendor of The Strip. All too many tourists come and go without exploring the tranquil natural side of Nevada. Numerous state and national parks lie within easy daytrip distance. If you can pull yourself away from The Strip excitement, even for just an hour or 2, there really are some spectacular sights to see while you are out here.
Red Rock Canyon is one of the quickest and most picturesque places to add to your bucket list. Located just 20 minutes from The Strip, this beautiful recreation area includes a 13 mile long picturesque drive and miles of hiking trails. Towering rock formations jut out amongst the surrounding flatter desert landscapes for a truly out-of-this world setting.
Another gorgeous escape nearby is Lake Mead. Whether you feel like taking a relaxing cruise or simply enjoying a picnic, the lake is a prime place to escape The Strip congestion for a bit.
A bit further, but worth the trek!
If you are up for a longer drive, Zion National park is one of the country’s most mesmerizing preserved spaces. The park’s abundant colorful rock formations make Zion a prime place for hiking and biking. The Zion Canyon scenic drive features some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Southwest. A bit of a trek at 2.5 hours, but totally worth it!
And although it’s quite a drive at 4.5 hours, a daytrip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon may be worth the trek if you do not envision yourself making a separate trip at any point in time. More time would be obviously preferable. However, if that’s not a reality, it’s better to see it once real quick, then never at all! Here’s my guide visiting the Canyon.
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