30 Best Things to Do in Las Vegas, On and Off the Strip
From the Bellagio fountains and the Sphere to Fremont Street, Red Rock Canyon and the Hoover Dam – the best things to do in Las Vegas, with practical tips.
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"Go big or go home" could be the city's motto. Las Vegas is famous for casinos and late nights, but it's also a city of free shows, world-class food, immersive art and some of the most dramatic desert scenery in America – all within an hour of the Strip. Here are the 30 best things to do, from the classics to the day trips most visitors miss.
On the Strip
1. Watch the Bellagio fountains
The dancing fountains in front of Bellagio are the most famous free show in town. Water jets choreographed to music rise up to 140 metres (460 ft), every half hour in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening. The best views are from the lakeside railing or from the Eiffel Tower across the road.
2. See a show at the Sphere
The Sphere, which opened in 2023, is the city's newest landmark: its outside is covered with a giant LED screen, and inside, a wraparound screen and immersive sound make films and concerts feel like nothing else. Even if you don't go in, watch the exterior light up after dark.
3. Ride the High Roller
The 167-metre (550-ft) observation wheel at The LINQ takes about 30 minutes to make one full turn, with views up and down the Strip. Go at sunset, and consider the "happy half hour" cabin with an open bar if you're over 21.
4. Go up the Eiffel Tower
The half-scale replica at Paris Las Vegas has a viewing deck that looks straight down onto the Bellagio fountains – the best place to watch a show from above.
5. Get your thrills at The STRAT
The STRAT's SkyPod is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US. The brave can ride thrill rides that dangle over the edge of the tower, or try the SkyJump, a controlled free fall down the side of the building.
6. Ride the Big Apple Coaster
The roller coaster at New York-New York loops around the hotel's skyline of replica skyscrapers, with a 180-degree "heartline" roll and fine views of the south end of the Strip.
7. See a Cirque du Soleil show
Las Vegas has more Cirque du Soleil shows than any other city. "O" at Bellagio, performed in and above a huge pool, is the most spectacular; "Mystère" at Treasure Island was the first and is still a favourite. Book ahead for the best seats.
8. Stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory
The glass-roofed conservatory changes its giant floral displays with the seasons, from spring gardens to Lunar New Year and Christmas scenes. Entry is free and it's open around the clock.
9. Visit the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Chilean flamingos, pelicans, turtles and koi live in a garden behind the Flamingo – a calm, free escape from the casino floor.
10. Take a gondola ride at The Venetian
Singing gondoliers steer boats along the indoor canals of the Grand Canal Shoppes, under a painted sky. There's an outdoor route too, by the hotel's front lake.
11. Have a drink at the Chandelier
The three-level bar inside The Cosmopolitan is wrapped in millions of crystal beads. Head to the middle level and ask about the off-menu Verbena cocktail, which comes with a flower that tingles on your tongue.
12. Feast at a buffet
The Las Vegas buffet is an institution. The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace is the best known, with hundreds of dishes cooked in open kitchens. Go for a late lunch to avoid the longest queues.
13. Spend a day at the pool
From spring to early autumn, hotel pools become the city's living rooms. Big resorts have lazy rivers, cabanas and wave pools, while dayclubs turn pool afternoons into parties.
14. Shop the Forum Shops at Caesars
Roman-style streets, a painted sky that changes from day to night and free animatronic fountain shows make this mall an attraction in itself.
15. Pose at the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign
The famous 1959 sign sits at the south end of the Strip, with a small free car park. Go early in the morning to avoid the queue for photos.
Downtown Las Vegas
16. Walk Fremont Street
The Fremont Street Experience covers five blocks of old Downtown with a vast LED canopy that comes alive with light-and-music shows every evening. Fly underneath it on the SlotZilla zip line, or simply people-watch.
17. Visit the Mob Museum
The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement tells the story of the mob and the city in a former federal courthouse. There's a speakeasy and a distillery in the basement.
18. See the Neon Museum
The "Boneyard" is a collection of vintage casino signs that tells the city's history in neon. Book an evening tour, when some of the restored signs are lit.
19. Explore the Arts District
South of Downtown, the Arts District is full of galleries, vintage shops, breweries and some of the city's best independent restaurants. On the first Friday of each month, it hosts a big street festival of art and music.
20. Have fun at Downtown Container Park
This open-air shopping village is built from shipping containers, with a giant treehouse playground for kids and a fire-breathing praying-mantis sculpture at the entrance.
Sport and immersive fun
21. Cheer on the Vegas Golden Knights
The city's NHL team won the Stanley Cup in 2023, and home games at T-Mobile Arena come with a medieval-themed pre-game show.
22. Watch the Raiders
The NFL's Raiders play at Allegiant Stadium, just west of the Strip. Even on non-game days, the stadium hosts concerts and big events.
23. Lose yourself at AREA15
AREA15 is a warehouse of immersive art and experiences. Its headline attraction, Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, starts as a strange supermarket and opens into surreal hidden worlds.
24. Take a night helicopter flight
A short helicopter ride over the Strip at night is the ultimate Vegas splurge – and it often costs less than a show and dinner for two.
Day trips from Las Vegas
25. Drive Red Rock Canyon
Just 30 minutes west of the Strip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has red sandstone cliffs, a 21-km (13-mile) scenic loop drive and great hiking. A timed-entry reservation is required for the scenic drive for much of the year.
26. Explore Valley of Fire State Park
Nevada's oldest state park, about an hour north-east of the city, is a landscape of fiery red rock formations and ancient petroglyphs. Hike to Fire Wave and Elephant Rock early in the day, before it gets hot.
27. Visit the Hoover Dam
About 45 minutes from the Strip, this 1930s engineering wonder straddles the Nevada-Arizona border. Take a guided tour inside the dam, then walk across the bypass bridge for the classic view.
28. Get out on Lake Mead
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, next to the Hoover Dam, offers boating, kayaking and scenic drives along the shore.
29. See the Grand Canyon
The West Rim and its glass Skywalk are about two and a half hours by road; the South Rim is a long day trip or, better, an overnight stay. Helicopter tours can get you there and back in an afternoon.
30. Hike in Mount Charleston
When the Strip is sweltering, locals head to the Spring Mountains, about 45 minutes away, where pine forests and trails are often 10–15°C cooler than the city – and there's snow in winter.
Practical tips
Walking the Strip takes longer than it looks – hotels are huge, and a "short walk" can take 20 minutes. Use the Las Vegas Monorail along the east side of the Strip, the Deuce bus, or ride-hailing apps. Drink plenty of water, especially from May to September, and check whether your hotel charges a daily resort fee before you book.
Heading to the national parks while you're in the area? Our guide to the best national parks to visit in winter covers the Grand Canyon and Death Valley.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Las Vegas?
Three to four days is ideal: two days for the Strip and Downtown, and one or two for day trips such as Red Rock Canyon, the Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire.
What is free to do in Las Vegas?
Plenty: the Bellagio fountains and Conservatory, the Fremont Street light show, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and simply walking the Strip at night all cost nothing.
When is the best time to visit Las Vegas?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) have the most comfortable weather. Summer is extremely hot, and hotel prices jump during big conventions and events, so check the calendar before you book.
Is Las Vegas good for families?
Yes, if you plan for it. Kids enjoy the free shows and gardens on the Strip, AREA15, the High Roller and the national parks nearby. Casinos are 18+ or 21+, so families usually stay at hotels with big pools and non-gaming attractions.
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