Welcome to Las Vegas! The city of enormous casinos, elaborate hotels, crazy nightlife, circus shows, and delicious food, Las Vegas, Nevada is an incredibly fun place to travel to. There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas, I believe anyone can have a great time here.
Walk down the Strip and admire the fancy hotels and casinos, like the Paris Hotel, with its realistic replica of the Eiffel Tower. Dine in high-end restaurants and eat the best dishes of famous chefs like Gordon Ramsey. Try your hand at blackjack, or hit the bars and enjoy the Vegas nightlife.
This desert oasis offers so much, this is your sign to book a trip now. If you’ve never been to Vegas, take a look at my Las Vegas tips before you go so you can make the most of your trip. And now for the fun part, the best things to do on the Las Vegas Strip!
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Before You Visit Las Vegas
Make the most of your time in Sin City! Read my Vegas guides to help you plan your trip.
Best Things to Do on the Las Vegas Strip
Gambling is the number one, most popular activity to do in Vegas. You can’t go more than like 20 feet without seeing a slot machine. And while that’s definitely something you can participate in if you please, there is so much more to Vegas than gambling.
1. See a Cirque du Soleil Show
One of my absolute favorite things to do on the Las Vegas Strip is to catch a Cirque du Soleil show. This jaw-dropping entertainment is a circus-style show of various acrobatic acts. They’re all human performers who have insanely cool skills.
There are multiple Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, such as “Mystere”, the show that brought them fame in Vegas, “O” which is performed in water, as well as other rotating shows. This is a fun activity for any age; you’ll be blown away by what the performers are capable of.
2. Watch a Magic Show
Another popular entertainment option is to catch a magic show. There are generally multiple on at the same time, and I promise you’ll see an advertisement for a couple. Currently, Shin Lim is the most popular magic show to watch on the Vegas Strip, and it does not disappoint.
3. Catch a Concert
Your favorite band or musician might be heading to Las Vegas! Concerts are very popular here too, and many artists will have multiple show dates to accommodate all their fans.
Before you head to Vegas, see who might be performing while you’re there. Or if you’re not too picky and just love a fun concert, find some last-minute tickets for a fun music-filled evening.
4. Try Famous Restaurant Dining
You can’t visit Vegas without eating way too much food, and the best places to do so are the famous chefs’ restaurants you can find along the Strip or well-known restaurants like Tao Asian Bistro or Beauty & Essex.
Some of the most notable are Hell’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsey located by Caesars Palace, and Giada in The Cromwell offering exquisite Italian cuisine. You’ll also find restaurants by chefs such as Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, and Martha Stewart.
I highly recommend making reservations for dinner every night! Most restaurants, even the not so famous ones, fill up so quickly.
5. Visit Cocktail Lounge...or Three
Along with incredible restaurants to choose from, you’ll also find plenty of nice cocktail lounges to sip the night away along the Strip.
The biggest hotels all offer a cocktail lounge, if not multiple. In Caesars Palace, you’ll find Vanderpump, which also has a location in the Paris Hotel, Vanderpump a Paris. In the Cosmopolitan you’ll find Vesper Bar with a vintage style, and Skybar in the Waldorf Astoria with a sleek vibe and Strip views.
6. Venture to the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
Did you know there’s a replica of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel? There is, and you can go to the top for amazing views of the city below you! Plan an evening outing to the Eiffel Tower Deck before or after you go out to dinner.
The best time to go is after the sun is down as the Strip at night looks amazing all lit up. It’s fun to see all the famous hotels, bars, and other places from this high viewpoint. And this Eiffel Tower even twinkles like the real one!
7. Listen to Live Music
You can still find some free live music in Las Vegas. We managed to catch some in the Paris Hotel at Le Cabaret. You can stand at the back and enjoy it for free, or splurge on a delicious cocktail and take a seat at one of the tables.
Another place to catch live music is the Piano Bar at Harrah’s. They have dueling pianos, singers, and acts to switch it up for their audience. Go check it out and see who’s performing! You can also find some live music at some of the restaurants and bars along The Linq Promenade.
8. Enjoy the View From High Roller at the Linq
Looking for more great views of the Strip? Head to High Roller at The Linq Promenade. This modern Ferris wheel has enclosed pods for you to enjoy crazy views from 550 feet in the air!
It takes about 30 minutes to complete the full circle, so don’t attempt it if you’re afraid of heights. You’ll probably go on with other people, but they don’t stuff the pods and there’s space to sit down.
9. Soar on the Fly Linq Zipline
You can even zipline over the Linq Promenade! If you want a higher adrenaline activity, you have to check this out. Glide over the promenade and see it all from a totally different perspective.
Try it at night if you’re feeling daring. It closes at 10 pm, but you can still do this after the sun goes down.
10. Stop by the Museum of Selfies
This art museum is the perfect place to snap fun photos, whether they’re selfies or group pics. There are several exhibits you can enjoy in this interactive museum on the Strip.
It’s a fun activity for everybody, whether you’re solo traveling, in Vegas with a friend, or on a family adventure! The Museum of Selfies is a great place to explore at any age.
11. Get a Crepe at the Paris Hotel and Casino
Wandering around the enormous hotels and casinos was another one of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas, and it doesn’t cost a penny! One of the prettiest and most intricate is the Paris Hotel.
Enter through the doors under the Eiffel Tower and see the details for yourself. Even the casino is pretty and transports you to Paris. Keep heading through the casino towards Le Boulevard at Paris.
It feels like you’re walking down a side street in Paris lined with shops and restaurants, and even a creperie! If you’re hungry, try one of the crepes at La Creperie, the butter sugar one was my favorite.
12. Visit the Flamingos at the Flamingo
The Flamingo is one of the biggest, most popular hotels and casinos on the Vegas Strip. Did you know they actually have a live flamingo exhibit along with koi fish, and some other animals?
Make your way to the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat located inside the hotel and admire the pretty pink birds. There are also two feeding times you might be able to catch. And the best part is this is a free exhibit!
13. Head to the New York, New York Roller Coaster
You can visit New York City while in Vegas too! The New York New York Hotel and Casino is designed to look like you’re walking through a neighborhood of NYC.
Make your way through the streets of New York to the Big Apple Coaster. Ride through the skyscrapers of the city while catching views of the Strip below you and fulfilling the thrill you didn’t know you were seeking in Vegas!
14. Admire the Statue of Liberty
You’ll catch a view of the Statue of Liberty if you ride the Big Apple Coaster, but if you don’t want to spend the money on this, you can still see this realistic replica.
Down on the Strip, on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana Ave, you can see the Statue of Liberty for free! And it’s a cool photo opportunity with the coaster and “skyscrapers” behind it.
15. Go Shopping on the Strip
Shop til you drop on the Vegas Strip. There are so many shops to choose from along Las Vegas Blvd. From souvenir shops to luxury brands, they have it all.
Some of the best indoor shopping options on the Strip are the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, The Bellagio, and Wynn Esplanade. You’ll find some designer stores at these shopping centers.
16. Watch the Bellagio Fountain Show
You can’t miss the Bellagio Fountain if you’re making your way from one end of the Strip to the other. From noon until night, catch a fountain show to a different song every 15 minutes!
It’s fun to see the fountain show during the day as well as at night. This free activity lasts the length of the song playing, you don’t want to miss it.
17. Stroll Through the Bellagio Conservatory
Along with the fountain at the Bellagio, you can go inside this hotel and head to its own little conservatory. The Bellagio Conservatory is a free activity, and it’s a great photo opportunity.
The large greenhouse room houses tons of flowers made into incredible displays. This is well worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Las Vegas for free!
18. Catch the Volcano Show at the Mirage
Along with the Bellagio Fountain show, you can’t miss the volcano show outside The Mirage. Located on the strip, you’ll see people starting to line up about 15 minutes before each show time.
These happen on the hour from about 7 to 11 at night. If you want a good view, make sure you arrive early, but be warned that it does get very hot as it’s real fire used in the show.
19. Go for a Gondola Ride at the Venetian
Pretend you’re in Venice, Italy and book an authentic gondola ride at the Venetian. You can choose an indoor ride and make your way down the canal, or opt for an outside ride for a view of the beautifully designed hotel’s exterior.
If you choose to go outside, I highly recommend going at night so it is cooler and you can see the hotels lit up really well along the Strip. The gondola drivers even sing to you!
20. Stroll Through Hotels & Casinos
Spend your morning strolling through some of the biggest hotels on the Strip. There are quite a few to walk through, some being more elaborate and highly decorated than others. But each offers its own vibe and design; it’s fun to admire the pretty hotels in Vegas.
The Venetian is my top pick as it really feels like you’ve been transported to the streets of Venice with all the shops and restaurants along the canal topped off with gondolas. I mentioned the Paris Hotel above, which is another one of my favorites.
The other most notable are New York New York, Wynn, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, and the Cosmopolitan.
21. Go Bar Hopping
If you’re looking to party, Las Vegas is definitely the place for you to be. You can find all kinds of bars along the Las Vegas Strip; there are so many you couldn’t possibly run out of options.
Check out an outdoor to-go style bar like Purple Zebra, make your way to an indoor bar like Bugsy’s in the Flamingo, or relax at a cocktail lounge like Vesper mentioned above.
22. Visit the Museum of Illusions
Looking for something unique to do in Las Vegas? Check out the Museum of Illusions on the Strip between the Cosmopolitan and the Shops at Crystals.
This immersive experience takes you through a world of various illusions both big and small. It’s fun for all ages and has some great photo opportunities!
23. Photos at the "Welcome to Las Vegas" Sign
This is a Las Vegas must! Head down to the southern end of the Strip, towards Luxor Hotel & Casino and past Mandalay Bay. Here you will find the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign!
You might have to wait your turn in line to snap some cute photos. Or plan on visiting early in the morning to avoid the crowds. If you’re also a crazy person, go super early before the sun even rises to catch it glowing in all its neon glory.
24. Join a Helicopter Tour
Want to splurge on a cool experience? Get ready to see Las Vegas from new heights. Literally! A fun and popular way to get some crazy views of the city is by helicopter.
See the strip shining bright in all its neon glory at night. But be aware this is not for those afraid of heights! There are also tours that leave from Las Vegas and fly over the Grand Canyon and other notable areas like Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
25. Enjoy an Afternoon Tea
Dress up and take yourself out for high tea on the Las Vegas Strip. This underrated activity is so much fun, it’s actually one I look for in every city I visit. Sip on tea and enjoy small bites at a lovely afternoon tea.
The best place to go in Vegas is the Tea Lounge at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They open at 11:45 am so this is the perfect place to have lunch and enjoy a different side of the Strip!
26. Relax With a Pool Day
If you’re staying at a hotel on the Strip and it’s hot out, you should check out your hotel’s pool. We planned a whole afternoon at the pools at Caesars Palace and it was a blast!
Chances are you’ll be able to order food and cocktails by the pool, or even rent a cabana for your stay. Some pools also allow you to buy a day access pass, such as Mandalay Bay Beach or Influence, the Pool at the Linq.
27. Shark Spotting at Mandalay Bay
Want to get up close and personal with some sharks and other aquatic life? Head to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay for a fun day activity!
You can’t go wrong with a visit to an aquarium, and this one is great for all ages. Check out Mandalay Bay Beach pool while you’re here; the beach-style entrance and size of the pool really reflect the ocean vibes.
28. Try FlyOver Vegas
This fully immersive experience is found right on the Strip. Similar to a coaster ride, complete with special effects, FlyOver allows you to “soar” over some of the world’s most iconic destinations.
There are three rides you can choose from: Wonders of the American West, Iceland, and the Canadian Rockies. It seriously feels like you’re flying around the world!
29. Explore Meow Wolf - Omega Mart
This one isn’t quite on the Strip, but it’s just a quick Uber ride away. And it’s so worth it! Step into the world’s most incredible supermarket at Meow Wolf-Omega Mart.
Walk through this completely immersive art museum to follow the story of a small grocery store-turned-supermarket. It’s not a real store, but the artists who have worked on it have done an incredible job and will leave you wondering if you actually were in another universe.
30. Reserve a Lane at Brooklyn Bowl
You can go bowling on the Strip at Brooklyn Bowl! With over 30 lanes, this bowling alley is huge. And far from an “alley.”
They even have concerts here! How can you go wrong with bowling, live music, food, and drinks? This will be especially fun if you’re traveling with a group.
31. Go Golfing in Vegas
Want to get outdoors and be a little active while in Vegas? Try your hand at golfing! Or if you’re already a seasoned pro, check out what the Vegas golf clubs have to offer.
Some of the biggest and most popular are Wynn Golf Club, Las Vegas Country Club, and Bali Hai Golf Club. They’re immaculate golf clubs located just off the Strip.
Summary: Best Things to Do on the Vegas Strip
Las Vegas is a city like no other. Known for its gambling and entertainment, you won’t get bored in Sin City. Catch a show after enjoying a delicious dinner at one of the famous chef restaurants, and wander through the enormous hotels and casinos in awe of the intricate details.
If you’ve never been to Vegas before you should read these tips before your trip. And now you know the best things to do on the Las Vegas Strip! Experience the best of this crazy, fun city and leave knowing you fit in all you possibly could.
If you’re looking for nightlife, unlimited drinks, gambling, and live entertainment, you’ve come to the right place. But if you want a calmer experience, Las Vegas still has something for you. Just come see for yourself! Book your stay at one of the best hotels on the Strip, and have fun exploring the best of Vegas.
