Las Vegas, or Sin City, is home to enormous casinos, elaborate hotels, and a wild nightlife scene. If you want to party, Vegas is the place for you to go. But if you wish to experience a calmer side of the city and explore during the quieter hours of the day, keep reading!
While gambling and “shows” are the most popular things in Las Vegas, there are actually so many other things to do here. Whether that’s exploring the Strip’s best activities, making the most of the quieter daytime hours, or relaxing by your hotel’s pool, Vegas has it all.
Nighttime is the busiest time here as this is when most shows take place, the alcohol seriously starts flowing, and the slot machines keep turning.
But you can still have a lot of fun during the day! If you haven’t been to Vegas before, check out my Las Vegas Tips so you arrive prepared. And now, here are the best things to do in Las Vegas during the day!
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Best Things to Do in Las Vegas During the Day
1. Explore 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 Most Elaborate Hotels in Vegas to Explore:
Paris Hotel
New York New York
Bellagio
Caesars Palace
The Venetian
The Flamingo
2. Shopping
Along with admiring the design of the enormous hotels and casinos along the Strip, shopping is a great daytime activity here. From souvenirs to luxury brands, Vegas has it all. My favorite places to shop in Las Vegas are:
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
Bellagio
Wynn Shops
Aria Resort
3. High Roller at the LINQ
Opening at noon, you can catch incredible views of the Strip from the High Roller Ferris Wheel in the early afternoon if you like. This is a fun activity for any time of day, but you’ll probably see shorter lines if you visit earlier in the day.
The trip around this giant Ferris Wheel takes 30 minutes and there are plenty of opportunities for photos. Buy tickets for the High Roller.
4. Ziplining Fremont or LINQ on the Strip
As well as ziplining at the Linq Promenade on the Strip, you can zipline on Fremont Street, also known as Old Las Vegas. This 6-block covered span offers multiple zip lines to choose from. Pick the one that matches your thrill level!
Soar over the whole promenade, or go for a shorter thrill ride. Fremont Street is a vibe and this is such a fun way to experience it. Buy tickets ahead of time for ziplining on the LINQ (the Strip).
5. Fremont Street
Stroll down Fremont Street to see a different side of Las Vegas. While it still has casinos, restaurants, and stores, this is a different vibe than the Strip, and it’s fun to see!
Check out some older casinos like Golden Nugget or Main Street Station, find famous neon signs like the Neon Cowboy, and try some great restaurants like 8 East.
6. Half-Day Trip to Valley of Fire State Park
Located just an hour from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is a natural beauty you don’t want to miss while in Nevada. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, rent a car and go for a half-day or full-day trip to this state park filled with incredible views and fun hikes.
There are many shorter hikes here so you can fit in multiple, even if you’re just visiting for a half-day. Plan your day trip with this complete Valley of Fire State Park guide and itinerary.
7. Bellagio Conservatory
This is a fun daytime activity on the Strip. Head inside the main entrance of the Bellagio and you’ll be on your way to the conservatory. It is a beautiful display and a fun photo opportunity!
It’s free to enter and the display is magnificent. The earlier you go, the smaller the crowds will be. It does get very busy in the early afternoon.
8. Big Apple Coaster
Opening at 11 am, the Big Apple Coaster and Arcade in New York New York is the perfect place to head to after breakfast. Play some games and experience the thrill of the coaster! Did you spot the Statue of Liberty while on this thrill ride?
9. Statue of Liberty
If you ride the Big Apple Coaster, you’ll probably notice the replica of the Statue of Liberty. But you can enjoy this free monument even if you don’t ride the coaster! Head to the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana Ave for the best view.
10. Flamingos at the Flamingo
Did you know the Flamingo Hotel and Casino actually has a live flamingo habitat? This vibrantly pink hotel is complete with its own mascots living in the courtyard.
You can even catch one of the two feeding shows if you’re lucky! Go the day before to see when the shows are and return the following day for the full experience.
11. Swimming
If you’re staying at a hotel on the Strip, you should definitely take advantage of your hotel’s pools. One thing Vegas hotels definitely do right is design pools. Take Caesars Palace for example; there are 6 pools you can swim in. Or grab a cabana for a truly relaxing day. Don’t forget to order drinks and snacks to enjoy while poolside!
12. Afternoon Tea
High tea in Las Vegas? Yes, and it’s a blast! Enjoy this very unique activity on the Las Vegas Strip at the Tea Lounge in Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. Book in advance as reservations do tend to fill up, or see if there are any last-minute openings for afternoon tea. You can find a little bit of Paris, New York, Venice, and now London in Las Vegas!
13. Meow Wolf Omega Mart
Ready for an out-of-this-world experience? Plan a visit to Meow Wolf’s Las Vegas museum: Omega Mart! This giant supermarket is an interactive, fully immersive art museum that will leave you wondering what’s actually real in your life. This can take a couple hours to most of the day depending on how involved you want to be.
14. Atomic Museum
This Smithsonian affiliate museum is a great daytime activity for Oppenheimer lovers exploring Vegas. With various exhibits to explore, you won’t get bored in this science, culture, and history museum.
Learn about how space vehicles collect data, make your way through the pop culture gallery, and marvel at nuclear weapons, rockets, and more at the Atomic Museum.
15. Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
This Vegas classic is a fun and free photo opportunity at the south end of the famous Strip. Head here early to avoid long lines, or show up prepared to wait your turn if you wish to visit in the middle of the day.
TIP: If you visit before sunrise, you’ll get the glowing neon effect and you won’t have to wait long as most people will still be sleeping (or gambling).
16. Gondola Ride at the Venetian
Fun for any time of day, but a great way to make the most of your day in Vegas, is an authentic gondola ride in the Venetian Hotel and Casino!
Slowly cruise down the canal inside this marvelous replica of Venice, Italy, or opt for an outdoor gondola ride if the weather is nice. You’ll even be serenaded by your gondola driver!
How to Get Around Las Vegas
Cheapest: Walking
Most Convenient: Rideshare like Uber
Most Expensive: Taxis
Not Recommended: Renting a car
I recommend walking short distances as you can see more of the Strip this way too. But if you’re visiting in summer or going somewhere off the Strip, like Omega Mart, I recommend using Uber or Lyft. Always compare prices before you book as sometimes one will have a much better rate.
Parking is limited and expensive in Las Vegas so I don’t recommend renting a car unless you plan on going on a day trip to somewhere like Emerald Cave. Even then, a full tour might be worth the price!
Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gambling
While many people come to Vegas to enjoy its nightlife, you can now make the most of your daytime hours in Sin City! With the best things to do in Las Vegas during the day, you won’t be bored waiting until the Strip comes to life at 10 pm.
Wake up early to enjoy Las Vegas in its quietest hours. The nice part about exploring Vegas during the day is how much quieter it is. There will be fewer people on the streets, in restaurants, exploring hotels, and just in general.
Seize the day and make the most of your time in Sin City by enjoying the best things to do in Las Vegas during the day! Book your stay on the Strip so you’re close to all the action, and get out and about before the crowds form.
