15 of the best things to do in Las Vegas

Famously a town built on glitz, entertainment and a seemingly endless list of attractions, Las Vegas has no shortage of things to do. From glamorous casinos, spectacular live shows, quirky local artists and jaw-dropping landscapes just beyond the bright lights, the options are dizzying.

Don't worry. You don't need to spend hours scrolling through all the possibilities. Whether you're here for a long vacation or just a long weekend, these are the 15 best things to do in Sin City.

1. 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 but you can make pitstops for 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.

Planning tip: If you're visiting in summer, when the heat makes any kind of outdoor exertion very difficult, there are plenty of other options for getting around the Strip.

2. Admire the creativity of 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.

3. Discover unique history at a one-of-a-kind museum

All cities with an art, science and history museum feel boring compared to Las Vegas. Take your pick here: there’s an Atomic Museum, a Mob Museum detailing shady Nevadans’ pasts, the Pinball Hall of Fame and, for those feeling sultry, the Erotic Heritage Museum. For retro photo opps, the Neon Museum has 200-plus, now-retired, light-up signs from buildings throughout Vegas’ history in a “Neon Boneyard” to pose with.

Planning tip: While currently on hold due to budget constraints you can normally also apply ahead for tours of the fascinating, high-security Nevada National Security Site.

4. Catch a Broadway-caliber show at the Smith Center

The elegant Reynolds Hall in The Smith Center for Performing Arts has become a Las Vegas must-visit since its 2012 opening. Pair your night at the 2000-seat theater with a pre-show visit to Discovery Children’s Museum next door or a bite at jazz lounge Vic’s. For hit shows, like Hamilton or Moulin Rouge, Reynolds Hall holds big-name performances to rival New York City’s Broadway scene. The Smith Center is also home to the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theatre.

Local tip: The chandeliers in the Grand Lobby are said to be nearly as tall as Washington’s nose on Mount Rushmore.

5. Be entertained by the street performers on Fremont Street

Consider Fremont St Old Vegas’ colorful artery, lined with neon signage, overlooked by 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 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 – make sure to tip them if you want to take a photo.

6. Eat your way around Chinatown

Chinatown offers something unique. Within a five-minute drive west of the Strip, you’ll find the epicenter of this beguiling Vegas neighborhood, with its strip malls packed with family-owned eateries, supermarkets and foot/massage spas side by side.

Planning tip: When hunger calls, pop into 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.

7. Cheer on a sports team or watch Formula One races

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 from October to April.

Las Vegas is also home to the Raiders football team – which plays at Allegiant Stadium between September and January – and the Aces WNBA team, which plays at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay from May to September.

Planning tip: Each November since 2023, Formula One’s Las Vegas Grand Prix has transformed the Strip into a 3.8-mile racetrack.

8. Break away from the crowd 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. Cheaper table games, local charm and quirky attractions are on offer for those willing to venture away from the main drag in Vegas.

Standouts include the Silverton Casino, 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 and has plans for expansion in 2026.

Planning tip: Self-parking is free, but valet services are also available.

9. Head beyond the city for beautiful landscapes

For some, one of the greatest parts about visiting Las Vegas is driving away from the neon lights. The area just outside of the city encompasses Hoover Dam, antique shops in Boulder City, and beautiful landscapes at both Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park.

Planning tip: 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.

10. Learn about the desert 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.

Planning tip: Ideally, you’ll want to spend around three or four hours at the preserve. And if you have a rental car, head next to Red Rock Canyon for an all-out nature day.

11. Indulge in fine dining with the stars 

Sin City is known for its top dining scene and boasts some of the most highly awarded and recognized chefs and restaurants in the US. Those looking for Michelin star-rated Vegas restaurants are in for a treat. For top-notch food and impeccable service, make a reservation at Le Cirque or Michael Mina at the 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.

Local tip: If you're celebrating a special occasion, splash out at Joël Robuchon, the only restaurant in town to receive three Michelin stars.

12. Get a bird’s eye view of Vegas

If you’re not afraid of heights (or feel ready to overcome your phobia), ride the High Roller, the largest observation wheel in the United States. Towering 550ft 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.

Planning tip: When your feet are back on the ground, take a walk along the LINQ Promenade, a 1200ft-long open-air shopping, dining and entertainment promenade.

13. Sink into an immersive entertainment experience

It's difficult to convey if you've never experienced it but AREA15 is a sensory overload in the best possible way. Contained in a 200,000-sq-ft warehouse, it's packed with live shows, interactive experiences, fairground-style rides, zip lining and a wide selection of bars and restaurants. It's free to wander through the space but you need to buy tickets to partake in the fun activities. You could easily spend an entire day at AREA15 – when you need a break from the excitement, hang out at the Asylum Bar with a cold drink and some old-school arcade games.

Planning tip: Buy an experience pass to gain access to multiple attractions for a discount. Just make sure your pass includes Omega Mart, as that’s unmissable.

14. Enjoy a cool reprieve (or go winter skiing) at Mt Charleston

When summer sizzles – it commonly gets up to 110–120°F in Las Vegas – head northwest for cooler climes at Mt Charleston. Come wintertime, and perhaps unexpectedly for right outside Sin City, you can ski, tube, sled and snowboard in this national recreation area. There is over 60 miles of trails winding through the area starting at an elevation of 6000ft.

Planning tip:  Take your hiking shoes, plus plenty of sun protection and water, from spring to autumn. You'll need snow and ice-appropriate shoes to walk here in winter.

15. Enjoy the aerial dance of the Fountains of Bellagio

One of the most iconic attractions in Vegas is the Fountains of Bellagio. The show runs 365 days a year. Known 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 gaze in wonder at the dazzling display and accompanying music. The show at night is even more impressive when lights illuminate the spectacle.

Planning tip: The dancing Fountains of Bellagio runs every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the afternoon and evening.