If you’re looking for things to do in Las Vegas, you most likely will find the quintessential casinos and shows experience.
There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of the glitz and glam vacation that most people associate with a trip out to the Sin City. However, there are more things to do in Las Vegas than just high stakes games and spectacular shows.
You can visit Vegas and see a whole different side that’s just as adventurous and fun.
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7 Best Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gambling & Shows
Below are the 7 best things to do in Las Vegas that doesn’t involve gaming or seeing a show.
1 – Wonder AroundFremont Street
If you’ve been to Las Vegas before, you’ve probably seen Fremont Street. It has a unique canopy that is lit up with video boards. On either side, lining the streets are lots of flashing neon signs.
Also known as Glitter Street, this pedestrian-only walkway has zip lining across the ceiling, live shows, restaurants, stores, a light show, and tons of things to do.
If you’re looking for something fun to do in Las Vegas that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, this is a great place to walk through and look around.
2 – Visit theNeon Museum
This is where all the famous signs and light boards from Vegas go to retire.
Looking like something out of a dystopian movie or book, this place has some of the coolest unique signs and history from the strip. However, it doesn’t end there. They have an annual ball in the boneyard, and they offer tours along with a ton of events.
It’s definitely worth checking out to see a part of Las Vegas history in a very different way.
3 – Be Impressed with the Hoover Dam
Even though it’s a little way outside of the city, it’s worth checking out one of the most amazing feats of engineering in the US.
The Hoover Dam holds back around 10 trillion gallons of water. Depending on what you want to do at Hoover Dam determines if you’re going to spend any money.
You can park for free if you don’t mind walking half a mile up to an observation pedestrian way on the Colorado Bridge, which is a great location to take pictures and see the Dam. You can also drive across the Dam for free.
They offer various tours that you can take for a fee; however, tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
4 – Discover the Relation between Vegas’s Pop Culture and Gaming at the Center for Gaming Research
There’s a lot of pop culture that surrounds Las Vegas and a lot of history.
In a recent article, Martin Harris, an author and authority on pop culture in Las Vegas, recommended the Center for Gaming Research as a great place to visit.
It’s of interest if you enjoy learning the history behind the pop culture in Vegas and of the casinos.
They have just about everything you would like to know on the history of Las Vegas and pop culture.
So, if you enjoy geeking out over insider knowledge, visiting the Center for Gaming Research is one of the most unusual things to do in Las Vegas.
5 – Learn About America’s Nuclear Weapons at The National Atomic Testing Museum
Part of Nevada’s history is how the land was used for atomic testing. While it does seem a bit bleak if you enjoy learning about the location, this museum is a great place to visit.
Here guests can see an exact replica of the Control Point where testing took place. They also have a theater where you can experience what an above-ground test was like.
You can learn about how Atomic Testing is portrayed in pop culture and the events that led up to the creation of the atomic testing sites.
If you enjoy learning about the more interesting facts of atomic bomb’s history, then this is a great place to spend your time.
Visiting the National Atomic Test Museum is one of the off beaten path things to do in Las Vegas that you should’t miss.
6 – Dine at Top of the World Restaurant
Perched more than 800 feet above the city on the top floor of the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, the Top of the World Restaurant is not only the highest restaurant in Vegas, but the highest building.
If you’re after a dinner with a view then there’s no better place to get yourself a table.
This fine dining restaurant offers unparalleled views of the city and is equally beautiful for landmark spotting by day, or watching the city lights by night.
Take your seats and over the course of 80 minutes, you’ll experience a full 360 degree view of the city.
Many revolving restaurants rely far too heavily on their views and that can sometimes be to the detriment of the food, however Top of the World Restaurant is a hard hitter when it comes to cuisine.
They’ve won numerous awards for their culinary offerings, including 2018’s Best of, Las Vegas Award for Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Restaurant with a View (no surprise!) and finally the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 22 years in a row, from 1996 to present.
That’s quite a list of accolades, so be sure to book yourself a spot as it is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas.
7 – Get Some Adventure at TheAdventure Dome
Ride one of the most awesome rides in Las Vegas at the Adventure Dome.
It is the only indoor theme park in the Sin City and undoubtedly one of the best adventurous things to do in Las Vegas!
It features an indoor rollercoaster, a swinging ship, and all kinds of other rides that are sure to bring a thrill to your day.
Located in Circus Circus, you will have to enter a casino for this experience, however, it is worth the visit if you want to get some good, clean thrill-seeking in.
You also don’t have to worry about an off-season with this one because it is open seven days a week, so you can enjoy this location any time you like.
While there are more things do in Las Vegas that aren’t your typical experience, these are just the highlights of what this multi-faceted city has to offer a part from gaming and shows.
With a little something to suit everyone’s interest, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t plan a trip to Las Vegas just to experience life outside of the typical casinos and shows.
It really is one of the best cities to visit in the US and should definitely be on your America bucket list.
Safe travels and enjoy Las Vegas.
- Book Your Flight Find deals on airlines on my favorite search engine: Skyscanner. Be sure to read my How to find cheap flights article.
- Rent A CarRental Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal.
- Book AccommodationBooking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. But Hotels.com and Hilton Hotels have very interesting reward programs. If you prefer to rent locals’ apartment, the best option is undoubtedly Airbnb. Here is US$ 30 credit towards your first booking.
- Protect Your Trip Don’t forget travel insurance! I always use World Nomads for short-term trips and SafetyWing for long-term ones. Find out why Travel Insurance: Much More Than a Precaution, a Necessity.
- Book Tours in Advance Book unforgettable experiences and skip-the-line tickets with GetYourGuide or Viator .
- Book Ground TransportationBookaWay offers a stress-free experience with secure payments and no hidden fees. You pay online and receive your itinerary by email.
- Luggage Solutions Rent your luggage with Cargo or if you need to drop off your own luggage and enjoy your time without dragging it all over a city, find a LuggageHero shop here.
- Get a Travel CardRevolut Card is a pre-paid debit card that enables cash machine withdrawals in 120 countries. I’ve been using my Revolut Card for over a year and never paid foreign-transaction fees again. Get your Revolut Card with free shipping here.
- Packing Guide Check out my How to Pack a Carry-on Luggage For a Five-month Trip to help you start packing for your trip. Don’t forget your camera, chargers and other useful travel accessories.