Las Vegas may be known for casinos, dazzling lights, and round-the-clock partying, but the entertainment capital of the world has plenty more to offer.
From visiting historical places and one-of-a-kind museums to flying over the city on board a helicopter, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. Here’s how to make most of your stay in Vegas.
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Museums in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has over twenty museums to suit every taste. Here’s our pick of a few you shouldn’t miss on your next trip.
The Neon Museum
The museum started as a yard where the Strip's neon signs were stored after being removed from casinos. The attraction now features more than 200 neon signs originating as far back as the 1930s and is the perfect place to learn more about the history of sign design and technology.
Admission: $20 (locals $16)
Website: The Neon Museum
The Mob Museum
Tucked away inside a restored 1930s courthouse and post office building, the Mob Museum showcases the history of organized crime in the United States. Visitors are invited to explore the real events of Mob history through interactive exhibits and law enforcement artifacts.
Admission: $29.95 (locals $16.95)
Website: The Mob Museum
Pinball Hall of Fame
With more than two hundred machines on display—some dating back to the 1950s—the Pinball Hall of Fame is the world's largest pinball collection. Here you can try everything from Ghostbusters and Space Jam to Dr. Dude and His Excellent Ray. Older pinballs are set to 25 cents per play, while newer models from the 1990s will set you back 50 cents per play.
Admission: Free
Website: Pinball Hall of Fame
Kid Activities in Las Vegas
Although Vegas may not come to mind when you think of kid-friendly destinations, the city offers plenty of attractions suitable for young visitors.
Discovery Children’s Museum
This interactive three-story museum located in the Las Vegas Valley is jam-packed with educational hands-on exhibits. The museum also features a life-size pirate ship, interactive Water World, and desert-themed Toddler Town.
Admission: $14.50 (locals $12.50)
Website: Discovery Children’s Museum
Hershey's Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World at New York-New York Hotel & Casino sells a whopping 800 types of Hershey's brand products, from jumbo-sized Hershey's chocolate and Reese's peanut butter cups to Ice Breakers and Jolly Ranchers. As part of the in-store experiences, kids can customize their own chocolate bars and star in a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup TV ad.
Admission: Free
Website: Hershey's Chocolate World
Shark Reef Aquarium
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay features over 2,000 sea creatures like sawfish, giant rays, piranha, rare golden crocodiles, and more than 100 sharks. The aquarium’s interactive animal encounters include shark feeding and the opportunity to touch rays, sharks, or horseshoe crabs at the Touch Pool.
Admission: $29 (children $24)
Website: Shark Reef Aquarium
The High Roller Observation Wheel
The High Roller at the LINQ promenade is the world’s tallest observation wheel, offering unbeatable views of the Strip and the surrounding desert from 550 feet above the ground. The ride takes 30 minutes and includes an audio tour where you can learn more about the Vegas landmarks as they appear during the rotation.
Admission: $23.50-$34.75 (50% discount for locals)
Website: The High Roller Observation Wheel
Famous buffets in Las Vegas
Las Vegas buffets have been a part of the city’s dining scene since the very beginnings of the strip. The choice of high-quality buffets that offer everything your heart could desire is endless.
Wicked Spoon
If you’re looking for a variety, Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan is the place to go. Besides classic favorites, they serve original dishes with plenty of international and regional options, as well as seasonal cuisine. There’s more than enough selection to compose a great meal. Buffet items range from the short rib bone marrow and egg salad toast to pork birria tacos and decadent desserts.
Prices: Breakfast buffet $24/ lunch buffet $45/ beverage buffet $21
Website: Wicked Spoon
Carnival World Buffet
The Carnival World Buffet at the Rio offers more than 300 items to choose from, including 70 desserts and a gelato station. This sprawling buffet is chock-full of dishes like tamales, omelets, potstickers, dim sum, seafood, and ribs and steaks at the carving station that you can sample away to find your favorite.
Prices: Breakfast buffet $20.99/ lunch buffet $22.99/ dinner buffet $30.99
Website: Carnival World Buffet
Historical Places in Las Vegas
Hoover Dam
Built during America’s Great Depression, Hoover Dam is a masterpiece of American engineering and one of the largest dam constructions in the world. Here you can snap a photo of the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, see the imposing concrete walls from two states, venture inside the massive generators, and enjoy stunning views of Lake Mead, the nation's largest reservoir.
Admission: $10 self guided tour/ $30 guided tour
Website: Hoover Dam
The Liberace Mansion
The Liberace Mansion was the private residence of Las Vegas’s most famous entertainer. The extravagant mansion was bought and restored in 2013 by Liberace fan Martyn Ravenhill, who returned it to its former glory, with many of the original features kept intact. The Liberace Mansion is a private home and is only open for tours by appointment.
Admission: $300 guided tour/ $675 tour with the owner for a group of four
Website: The Liberace Mansion
The Las Vegas Strip
The Vegas Strip is known for its concentration of upscale hotels, neon-lit casinos, and countless attractions.
The Strat
Twice as high as any other building in the city, the Strat Hotel, Casino & SkyPod is the tallest building west of the Mississippi as well as the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. This popular attraction also boasts the world’s highest thrill rides, a 360-seat revolving restaurant and cocktail lounge, eye-catching art installations, and the Observation Deck that guarantees some of the best views of Las Vegas.
Admission: SkyPod Observation Deck $20.00
Website: The Strat
The Fountains of Bellagio
The Fountains of Bellagio is a spectacular display of more than a thousand water fountains accompanied by light effects and music. Shows take place every 30 minutes between noon and 8 pm and then every 15 minutes until midnight.
Admission: Free
Website: Fountains of Bellagio
Other things to do in Las Vegas
Dream Racing
Dream Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, owned by former Formula 3 champion Enrico Bertaggia, has the world's largest selection of exotic supercars. Take your pick among dozens of Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and other cars that have taken part in racing championships and test their limits on an actual road course.
Price: $199-$549 for 5 laps/ $289-$879 for 10 laps
Website: Dream Racing
Helicopter Tour
Get airborne and see the most famous Vegas landmarks from a unique perspective. There are different flight lengths and departure locations to choose from, but all of the tours will take you soaring over the city’s main attractions and beyond.
Maverick Helicopters—Las Vegas Strip Tour
Admire the glittering lights of Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Venetian, and the Eiffel Tower on this nighttime tour aboard the ECO-Star helicopter. The tour departs from Las Vegas Strip Terminal and takes between 12 and 15 minutes.
Price: $94-$124 per person
Website: Maverick Helicopters
Grand Canyon Helicopters—King of Canyons Tour
Get a bird’s-eye-view of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Grapevine Mesa, and the Grand Wash Cliffs before stopping for a picnic with sparkling wine at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The tour takes around 4 hours and includes limousine hotel transfers to the VIP helicopter lounge at the McCarran-Atlantic terminal.
Price: from $549 per person
Website: Grand Canyon Helicopters
5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours—The Strip Tour and Dining
On this tour, you’ll spend around 12 minutes seeing the dazzling lights of the Strip from the air, followed by a meal in Pampas Churrascaria or Gordon Biersch restaurant. Perks include a Champagne toast before the flight, in-flight music, and complimentary hotel transfer.
Price: from $199 per person
Website: 5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
Horseback Riding
Discovering the wild side of Nevada from Las Vegas is easier than you might think. These horseback riding tours across natural desert trails will make a fun addition to your Vegas vacation.
Cowboy Trail Rides
Cowboy Trail Rides is a family-owned and operated horseback riding tour company in the heart of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Experience the area like the early explorers did, when horses were the fastest way to get from one place to another, with the help of professional wrangler guides.
Price: from $69 per person
Website: Cowboy Trail Rides
Wild West Horseback Adventures
Wild West Horseback Adventures offers breakfast and sunset dinner rides for an unforgettable trip into the backcountry. The experience includes complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off, a 1.5 hour horseback ride, and a breakfast or dinner. Tours are suitable for everyone from novices to experienced riders.
Price: from $129.99 per person
Website: Wild West Horseback Adventures
Antelope Canyon Tours
Discover the mesmerizing beauty of Antelope Canyon on exclusive Las Vegas tour. Immerse yourself in the surreal landscape of twisting sandstone formations and stunning light play.
2 Day Grand Canyon Antelope Tour
Join us on the highest rated 2 Day Tour from Las Vegas. Get picked up for your Grand Canyon trip directly from your Las Vegas hotel and whisked away to the most spectacular destinations in the desert southwest. Highlights include the Grand Canyon National Park, Hoover Dam, Horseshoe Bend, and Lower Antelope Canyon. Your tour guide on this small group tour will help you capture photos and memories that will last a lifetime.
Price: from $279-$419 per person
Website: 2 Day Grand Canyon Antelope Canyon Tour