We know it as the Sin City, but did you know there’s so much more to Las Vegas than the neon lights of The Strip? Before its rep as the Casino Capital, Las Vegas was known for its wilderness and natural desert springs. If dancefloors, gambling, and all-night benders aren’t your scene, no need to fret—there are still heaps of things to do in Las Vegas. There are nature walks, cultural museums, and historical landmarks to visit while you’re here!
To help you with your Las Vegas trip, here are the recent guidelines on how to travel to the US from Australia:
What are you waiting for? Indulge yourself in these things to do in Las Vegas apart from being on The Strip:
- The High Roller
- Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
- Downtown Arts District
- Hoover Dam
- The Mob Museum
- The O Theatre at the Bellagio
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Neon Museum
- Las Vegas Springs Preserve
- Fremont Street
- Route 66
- Seven Magic Mountains
- Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
- Lake Las Vegas
- Valley of Fire State Park
- Las Vegas Chinatown
- Pahrump Valley Winery
- Lower Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
1. The High Roller
If you still want to see The Strip, ride on The High Roller and get breathtaking views of Sin City. See neon lights dancing beneath you and a panoramic view of the glorious Las Vegas skyline as you rise 550 feet above aboard your glass cabin in the world's tallest observation wheel. The High Roller is near The LINQ, so you can enjoy some shopping once you're done.
2. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
Visit the most magnificent wax museum in the world, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Have your share of celebrity fun as you explore the museum to meet your favourite stars—from partying at Coachella with Beyonce to jamming to Jailhouse Rock with Elvis! Outside, it's a Venetian holiday, thanks to the gondola rides you can embark on.
3. Downtown Arts District
Looking for artsy things to do in Las Vegas? Head to the downtown Arts District. It's an up-and-coming neighbourhood buzzing with art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. Visit the Arts Factory, a warehouse with galleries, jewellery shops, and a bistro. If you're in the mood for some improv, new plays, and offbeat revivals, the quirky-named Cockroach Theatre is also located here.
4. Hoover Dam
Formerly called Boulder Dam, Hoover Dam is a Las Vegas icon sitting at the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. It's an arch-gravity dam, which curves upstream, so the water pressure against it strengthens the canyon walls. If that's a bit confusing, there are a variety of tours you can take on the Hoover Dam to see this phenomenon for yourself!
5. The Mob Museum
A fan of The Godfather or Peaky Blinders? Visiting The Mob Museum should be on your list of things to do in Las Vegas! Listen to unique stories of organised crime from films, exhibits, and law enforcement accounts. You can also see different artefacts related to Las Vegas mobsters, such as a vintage electric chair and a piece of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre wall.
6. The O Theatre at the Bellagio
Get ready to feel enchanted watching shows by the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil at The O Theatre at the Bellagio! The water-themed stage production has become a mainstay in the 14th-century European opera house. This marvellous spectacle instantly transforms the stage into an underwater world and features surreal dances and daring stunts.
7. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Discover a different side of Las Vegas and step into nature at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Find yourself amidst rock walls and trails that lead into lovely gullies as you enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. If you aren't keen on breaking a sweat, hop behind the wheel and follow the 13-mile loop through the park!
8. Neon Museum
Unravel Las Vegas's vibrant history with neon signs from old casinos and establishments at the Neon Museum. It's one of the best things to do in Las Vegas, day or night, as it showcases relics of long-gone landmarks that eccentric billionaires roamed. If you visit in the evening, stay for Brilliant!, a 30-minute light display that brings life to these signs.
9. Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Ever wondered how Las Vegas started? Before the slew of casinos and attractions, Vegas began as a valley filled with wild grasses until the construction of the Las Vegas Springs, considered the city's birthplace. It is now The Las Vegas Springs Preserve, which offers tons of fun activities for children, such as bike rentals.
10. Fremont Street
Another fun thing to do in downtown Las Vegas is the Fremont Street Experience. It’ll give you a peek into what old-school Vegas was like, plus it has bright neon lights, iconic murals, and exciting attractions like the SlotZilla zipline and free shows by Hoobastank, Rick Springfield, and more. Make your trip to this pedestrian-friendly hub more fun by having a beer as you stroll!
11. Route 66
Get ready to blast Life is a Highway at Route 66! While fans of Lightning McQueen and the rest of the Cars squad won't find the Radiator Springs here, you would still be able to see familiar places and faces from the movie on the actual highway. History buffs should take a road trip here, as it is one of America's original highways.
12. Seven Magic Mountains
Brace yourself for incredible views when you visit the Seven Magic Mountains. These seven colourful towers of stacked boulders are a desert art installation by Ugo Rondinone. Each totem stands more than 30 feet tall and can be viewed from the I-15 Interstate. Trust us, getting up close when you drive by is tempting, so why not make a quick stopover before you head out?
13. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
Snow? In the Las Vegas Valley? If you're a "seeing is believing" kind of person, head to the Spring Mountain Recreation Area, locally known as Mount Charleston! Drive an hour north of downtown, and soon you'll run into a much cooler area than usual Vegas. When winter peaks, the site gets enough snow for some skiing action!
14. Lake Las Vegas
On the hunt for some peaceful water activities that don’t involve pool clubs? The 320-acre Lake Las Vegas is a beloved site by locals for renting kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddle boards. Even golfers can enjoy some tee time while they're here. The lake is near Reflection Bay, which ranks as one of the top 100 golf courses in the world.
15. Valley of Fire State Park
Nope, there are no dangers of getting roasted in the Valley of Fire State Park—the landscape isn't actually on fire! Nevada's oldest state park got its name from the Aztec sandstone surrounding the 40,000-acre strip. If you plan on visiting, go when the sun is out to marvel at how the rays reflect on the sand formations, which make them appear on fire.
16. Las Vegas Chinatown
Going on food trips is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas and if you're searching where to start, go to Chinatown. Get ready to chow down on all kinds of Asian cuisine, and the most recent food fad in the area is a hype on elevated Japanese cuisine, such as exquisite sushi and quality wagyu. For a change of scenery from the Vegas Strip, Las Vegas Chinatown comes to the rescue to satisfy your dim sum cravings.
17. Pahrump Valley Winery
Raise your glasses to the best Las Vegas trip at Pahrump Valley Winery, an award-winning estate in the Mojave Desert. For a fuss-free experience, private tours are the way to go. All you have to do is hop on a comfy vehicle, travel for an hour to reach the winery, and enjoy a guided tour to learn how they make it from vine to wine. You’ll even have a chance to partake in an expert-led wine tasting where you can sample the reds and the whites.
18. Lower Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
Another nearby nature attraction from Las Vegas is the Lower Antelope Canyon. It's considered one of the most gorgeous slot canyons in the world—every corner is Instagram-worthy! As you hike, let the canyon's natural curves and swirling colours amaze you. Once you're done, you can move to the Horseshoe Bend at the Colorado River.
Written by Elle David