LAS VEGAS NEVADA – 10 BEST ACTIVITIES
From exhibits to museums, shopping to culinary experiences, all in Las Vegas is grandiose.
There are so many incredible experiences to be had here that no single list could encompass them all.
However, I hope you find my list of the 25 best things to do in Vegas useful in planning your visit to this incredible city.
#1 Drive through the Valley of Fire for a day.
Within an hour of Sin City, you’ll discover a world as dissimilar to the neon lights of Vegas as chalk is to cheese.
When you drive through Nevada’s oldest state park, Valley of Fire, prepare to be amazed at the scale and color of the red rock formations. In bright sunlight, you’ll believe the rocks are on fire.
Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park features red sandstone.
The park’s 10-mile road is designated as a Nevada Scenic Byway. You’ll come across fascinating petroglyphs and spectacular rock formations ranging from a beehive to an elephant. Additionally, you can obtain epic road photographs here.
Therefore, if you enjoy scenic drives, the Valley of Fire should be at the top of your list of things to do in Las Vegas. The Petroglyphs in Nevada’s Valley of Fire are amazing!
#2 At the Venetian, take a gondola trip.
Gondola rides are available at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
From their dresses to their serenades, the Venetian’s gondoliers are very authentic. Additionally, a gondola trip through the casino’s Grand Canal is a fun activity to do while in Las Vegas.
As in Venice, you’ll float under bridges and past cafes and restaurants, with people walking along the paths on either side.
A two-person ride is expensive but well worth it! At the Venetian, you can even take an outdoor gondola ride if you’d rather float on a canal under the real sky. Consider combining a shared gondola trip with a visit to Madame Tussauds!
If you wish to upgrade to a ride for two, you can do so when you arrive for the ride.
#3 Visit Death Valley National Park for a day
We took two days off from our Las Vegas vacation to take in the sights of Death Valley National Park at a more leisurely rate.
However, if you’re willing to leave early and return late, you can do it as a day trip. For many outdoor enthusiasts, a visit to Death Valley is the high point of a Vegas vacation, and it’s easy to see why when you see the park’s stunning otherworldly desert vistas.
Death Valley National Park, view from Zabriskie Point
The majority of the park’s main attractions are relatively close together, given the park’s size of over 3 million acres.
Don’t miss Artist’s Drive with its vibrant canyons, Badwater Basin, North America’s lowest point, and Zabriskie Point, one of the most incredible scenic viewpoints I’ve ever seen.
#4 Keep an eye out for the Bellagio Fountain presentation.
The Bellagio fountain show is a free Las Vegas attraction that, no matter how many times I see it, never gets old for me.
When we visit Vegas, it’s always the first thing I hurry to see. On our most recent visit, we stayed in a Fountainview room at the Vdara, which allowed me to see the show multiple times each night without being surrounded by crowds! The Fountains of Bellagio is a spectacular performance that incorporates water dance, music, and light. It’s a true sensory overload. The display is brief, but those few minutes are filled with wonder. This is an experience that you absolutely must have on your list of things to do in Las Vegas!
Are you looking for the ideal Las Vegas hotel?
The Vdara Hotel & Spa in the City Center is located in the heart of the action, but it is a non-gaming, non-smoking hotel, making it the ideal getaway. Take a suite with a view of the fountains or a city corner suite for a private aerial view of the Bellagio Fountain display!
Prefer to remain in your own home?
Take a look around for an AirBnB home with great reviews and excellent ammenities, ideal for a couples getaway or a small family holiday. Look for a rental home south of the Strip’s southern end with a swimming pool and spa, ideally with a fully equipped kitchen.
#5 Pose for a picture in front of the recognizable Las Vegas sign.
You cannot visit Las Vegas without taking a picture in front of the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign!
Especially if this is your first visit. The sign is located in the median of Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as the Strip.
The most suitable time to take your picture is on your way in or out of the airport, although it looks best when illuminated.
Parking is accessible nearby. The sign that reads “Welcome to Las Vegas.” That sign has been in the very same place since 1959.
It stands 25 feet tall and is one of the city’s most beloved landmarks.
#6 Take a stroll down the Strip and enjoy the facades.
One of our favorite things to do in Las Vegas is to walk the Strip and admire the resort facades. If you walk along Las Vegas Boulevard, a.k.a. the Strip, you can see the resort properties’ eye-catching exteriors. Walking south to north, you’ll pass the giant Sphinx at the Luxor, the Excalibur’s castle turrets, and the New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty in New York, New York. The Excalibur’s castle turrets on the Las Vegas Strip. Further along, you’ll see the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Bellagio’s fountains, and the Venetian, which features a facade modeled after Venice’s Doge’s Palace. The Venetian Las Vegas, Nevada has an exact copy of the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Take a walk both during the day and at night for a variety of experiences.
#7 Drive through (and hike through) Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon State Park is located just 16 miles from Las Vegas., and it is one of the simplest and most beautiful day trips from Las Vegas. Here, you can take the 13-mile scenic drive through the park on a one-way road.
You’ll see breathtaking red sandstone formations and panoramic views. You can pause along the drive to admire the views and take pictures, have a picnic in nice weather, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of the lovely park.
If you’re looking for a more adventurous day, Red Rock also offers hiking and climbing.
If you want to hike, there are over two dozen trails to choose from, but keep an eye out for indigenous flora and fauna.
#8 Fly over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter
A helicopter trip from Las Vegas is an exciting way to see the Grand Canyon. You’ll soar over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam on your way to the majestic Grand Canyon. You’ll adore the expansive picture windows and plush seating!
You can choose a tour that includes a stop at the Grand Canyon’s floor for lunch before returning to Las Vegas. How incredible is that? The helicopter rides are not cheap, but they are absolutely worth it! If your time is restricted but you still want to fly over the Big Ditch, suggest a helicopter tour that soars over the canyon without touching down. You’ll get to fly over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead and take in spectacular aerial views of the Grand Canyon.
Aerial view of Arizona’s Grand Canyon. If you’re planning a day trip to the Grand Canyon, consider an air and ground tour to ensure you have enough time in the park. Driving to the South Rim, the park’s most beautiful section, takes five hours from Las Vegas, making it impractical for a day trip.
#9 Attend a performance
When in Vegas, you must make time to see at least one show, preferably more if time and finances permit.
If you enjoy grand spectacles and suspense, choose the Cirque du Soleil display at the Bellagio. The show takes place on an underwater platform, with actors performing in, on, and above the water. If you’re more interested in the strange and bizarre, check out the Blue Man Group at the Luxor.
Whether it’s music, magic, or drama, you’re sure to find something you enjoy here. Make your reservations well in advance to ensure you get good seats at a fair price. Consider the benefits of The Las Vegas Pass! The card’s free and discounted attractions can end up saving you money, so do the math and, if it makes sense, purchase the card in advance of your visit!
#10 Take a bite out of a Las Vegas buffet
One of the best things to do in Las Vegas is to sample the city’s culinary offerings, and sampling a Vegas buffet should be at the top of your foodie bucket list. The selection will astound you. I’ve never seen such expansive spreads anywhere else.
However, not all Las Vegas buffets are incredible, so do your research before parting with your money.
If you’re a vegetarian, then you’ll appreciate the Wynn buffet’s diversity of offerings that go beyond salads and steamed vegetables.
And if you’re a sucker for sweets, the dessert selections at the Wicked Spoon, the Cosmopolitan Buffet, are out of this world.
Be warned: the buffets are not cheap, and the queues at peak meal times can be very lengthy. Either eat at an unusual time or expect to pay a surcharge for “VIP” access (read: shorter line) when the normal line is long.