Las Vegas is a place full of gamblers trying their luck just as much as it’s a place full of non-gambling related activities.
Outside of the gaming world, we’ve already covered a wide variety of museums to check out including Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum and the National Atomic Museum, but there is much more to explore in the form of shows, outdoor tours, and memorable dining experiences. Read on to learn about some extracurricular activities to consider next time you want to spend a moment outside of the casino.
Explore The Outdoors
While this is something I was notoriously bad at, something you should consider next time you are in Las Vegas is taking some time to explore the surrounding outdoor areas like Red Rock Canyon or the Valley of Fire State Park. It is sometimes easier said than done to remove yourself from the gaming floor but once you do, there are some amazing views and experiences to soak in. If heat is an issue, consider making your plans for the early morning or during the cooler Vegas months.
Exploration Recommendation: One of my favorite outdoor activities that I did make time for was Scootcity Tours. As the name eludes, Scootcity Tours is a company that provides tours on motorized scooters. These aren’t the Razor Scooters of 90s youth, Scootcity uses what look like buggies that you drive on the city roads before entering Red Rock Canyon. If the main city roads sound scary, those feelings are validated but also rest assured that the roads are in a suburb (Summerlin) and you won’t be traversing eight lane highways. Once you get into the Canyon, there is very little traffic and your tour guide takes you around making various stops for pictures and fun facts.
See a Show
What is Las Vegas without shows? You’ll probably need to ask someone else about that because believe it or not, I have only seen one true Vegas show (excluding concerts). My indifference aside, I can easily acknowledge that Las Vegas does have a wide variety of highly talented acts to choose from when you’re planning your next adventure out west. There are shows that rival Broadway productions, smaller more cabaret options for an intimate production, and high energy magicians that keep the literal Vegas alive.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority does a great job listing shows on their website that then allows you to search for something of interest within your desired dates.
Show Recommendation: The one show that I have seen is Piff The Magic Dragon, of “America’s Got Talent” fame and beyond, in the Flamingo Showroom. In fact, I saw Piff before my husband and I even officially moved to Vegas. It was the one thing we did for fun when we first came to Las Vegas to scout out a place to live. I was drawn to Piff because tickets were affordable, and still are, plus his brand of humor is more up my alley compared to some of the other acts around town. I also grew up with a gaggle of pomeranians, so the fact that Piff adores the creatures and (lovingly) features them in his show doesn’t hurt.
Luxury Experiences
Vegas can truly be a fancy place with top of line amenities and experiences to indulge in. Luxury looks different to a lot of people. It can include booking private transportation, a five course dinner, or splurging for a spa treatment. Depending on what you are looking for, there are both places on The Strip and beyond that offer up truly memorable experiences.
Experience Recommendation: Hands down, the first thing I tell people to do when they ask for things to do in Vegas, is always high tea at The Waldorf Astoria. This is the only activity that I will willingly do time and time again despite its central Strip location. I really love the calm atmosphere, variety of foods I otherwise would not choose to eat, and gorgeous views of iconic Vegas sights.
The panoramic views alone are enough to make it worth the price. The tea service takes place in Peacock Alley which sits on the 23rd floor of the luxurious building. The views are impressive and memorable, stretching from the hustle of the Vegas streets to the serene mountain landscape.
Reservations are highly encouraged! In better attempts to get near a window, I recommend trying to make a booking for right when the space opens. You can also try your luck at requesting a window seat in the note section of the reservation. While window seats are not guaranteed, they truly make all the difference, so why not try and increase your odds?
Embrace The Free
Las Vegas also offers up some free activities to help your daily budget stretch just a little bit farther. These activities are often Vegas staples including the two famous stops at The Bellagio to see the fountains and the conservatory. Taking in what the city has to offer for free gives your wallet a break and can serve as a reset for the rest of your day.
Experience Recommendation: If you haven’t been to Seven Magic Mountains yet, this is a great option to break up the scenery of the more populous hang outs. Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation practically in the middle of nowhere. When making plans, make sure to think about how you will get there and back. Rideshare might get a little pricey and if you are renting a car, make sure you are comfortable driving it on a little bit of gravel.
Regardless of how you get there, that middle of nowhere location lets the surrounding mountains shine and offer up incredible juxtaposition to the brightly colored stacked rocks. Like with most outdoor activities in Vegas, you’ll want to plan to get there either earlier in the day or right before sunset.
Dinner With a View
Vegas is a place for making memories! Even some of the fancier spots in town offer up Happy Hour menus or specials to try and entice visitors to come in for a bite. When you’re planning your next adventure, ask yourself what you want to eat and what you want to see. Use those answers (and the internet) to find a location with a gorgeous and equally entertaining view. This could look like reserving an outdoor patio table at Oscar’s in Downtown Las Vegas, visiting the Top of Binions Steakhouse, or snagging one on the balcony at Ole Red on The Strip.
Experience Recommendation: One more place to consider when planning your next Vegas adventure is The Strat. This Vegas mainstay is a great contender for people looking for a few things including food, sights, attractions, and, of course, gambling.
While the level of service can be a little hit or miss in my opinion, one of the things you should do at least once is dine at Top Of The World. This is the upscale, steakhouse located at the top of the building. The floor of the restaurant slowly rotates, providing sweeping views of The Valley in all directions. This is especially beautiful at night when the city’s neon and bright lights come alive. I’ve celebrated my engagement, birthday, and even a Christmas at this sky high location.
Like with tea, recommendations are highly encouraged. Because the restaurant makes a full rotation roughly every 80 minutes, there isn’t as much pressure to try and ask for a specific table.
