Las Vegas is often billed as the Entertainment Capital of the World, and anyone who has visited this unique city will attest to the validity of that title. Vegas is a 24-hour city where attractions and activities wait around every corner, from iconic hotels and casinos to world-class eateries, a bustling and historic “downtown,” and more. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a Vegas veteran, you will not be short of things to do. Here are five must-do activities to add to your Las Vegas itinerary.
Visit the Famous Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip, called simply The Strip by locals, is the heart and soul of Las Vegas. Bright lights and neon signs stretch as far as the eye can see; the Strip is synonymous with glitz, glamour, and nonstop entertainment. The best hotels and restaurants are dotted around the 4.2-mile-long road; it should be your first port of call.
The Strip is home to iconic hotels and casinos, such as The Bellagio, with its elegant fountains and botanical gardens, ancient Rome-inspired Caesars Palace, or The Venetian, which transports you to Venice with its canals and gondola rides. If you don’t fancy getting dressed up and frequenting the casinos at these hotels, you can order some of the best room service on the planet and enjoy the best Las Vegas online casino games from the comfort of your lavish room.
Vegas is renowned for its entertainment options, and the Strip is the epicenter of this scene. Magic shows, comedy acts, and concerts occur all year; something is always happening. Cirque du Soleil has residencies in several Vegas Strip hotels, offering spectacular shows that amaze you with their breathtaking acrobatics.
Food connoisseurs are well-catered for on the Strip, with dozens of dining options. Tuck into gourmet cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs or enjoy a sophisticated cocktail. Whatever you want to eat or drink, you can bet your bottom dollar that Las Vegas has it.
Experience the Bellagio Fountains
While on the Strip, you should experience the Bellagio Fountains. These choreographed water shows have to be seen to be believed. The show uses 1,214 water nozzles and almost 4,800 lights, with water pushed up to 460 feet in the air to accompanying music against the backdrop of the Bellagio resort.
The Bellagio Fountains show runs every 30 minutes in the afternoon and evening and every 15 minutes from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Best of all, watching the show is free—and hardly anything is free in Vegas!
Head to the Historic Fremont Street
Vegas has not always been on the Strip; it started life downtown on Fremont Street. Hop on The Deuce – a 24-hour bus that only costs $2 to go anywhere – or hail a cab and head to Downtown Las Vegas for an experience like no other. While downtown lacks the glitz and glam of the Strip, it is packed with history and has an eclectic vibe.
The Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian mall, features the Viva Vision light show, a canopy that runs the length of the street and displays stunning light shows synchronized to music.
Along Fremont Street, you’ll encounter street performers from all walks of life, from magicians and musicians to acrobats and artists. The street has several stages where bands and DJs perform nightly, adding to the party atmosphere.
Downtown is also where you find some of Vegas’ oldest and most iconic casinos, such as the Golden Nugget and Binion’s. These casinos offer a nostalgic glimpse into the city’s past while providing the modern gaming options you’d expect.
Just off Fremont Street, you’ll find a biker bar called Hogs & Heifers Saloon Las Vegas. It is not a drinking venue for the faint-hearted but an experience nonetheless.
Visit the Neon and the Mob Museum
Step back in time by visiting the Neon Museum, whose collection includes meticulously restored and displayed neon signs from old casinos, hotels, and businesses. Each sign has a story and helped define Las Vegas over the decades.
The Mob Museum is an incredible journey through time, too. The Mafia ran Vegas many years ago – they don’t call it “Sin City” for nothing – and the Mob Museum shows you how the Mob got a foothold in Las Vegas and their ultimate demise.
Head to the underground speakeasy once your tour finishes and sample some lesser-known cocktails from yesteryear.
Take a Day Trip to the Grand Canyon
Although not located in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon is close enough for a day trip and is a must-see for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. This natural wonder offers stunning views, photography opportunities, and hiking trails.
Several tour options exist, including bus and helicopter tours. Most bus tours leaving from Las Vegas stop by Hoover Dam on their way to the Grand Canyon, an incredible engineering feat that is worth seeing. The Grand Canyon is approximately a four-hour drive from the Vegas Strip, so pack some snacks and drinks for your journey.
Conclusion
Las Vegas has something to offer everyone, regardless of their age or interests. Although it is home to some of the most famous hotels and casinos, like the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and the Venetian, there is much more to Vegas than gambling and gaming.
The city is a haven for foodies, with restaurants of all cuisines preparing mouth-watering dishes, some by celebrity chefs. Dive bars, nightclubs, and cocktail bars await you to explore and sample their wares.
Vegas is also steeped in history, mainly in the Downtown area where you find Fremont Street and the Mob Museum. Downtown may not be as state-of-the-art as its more famous cousin (The Strip), but the festive atmosphere makes up for it.
Visitors can also see one of the world’s natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. Combine a day trip to the Grand Canyon with a brief stop at the Hoover Dam for an experience like no other; just ensure you take your camera with you!
