40 Must-See Attractions in Las Vegas

Of all the productions on the Las Vegas Strip, Mystère stands out as a classic. One of six resident Cirque du Soleil shows, it has made its home at the Treasure Island Hotel since 1993, and it is still going strong. The production is brimming with high-energy performances, including a revamped teeterboard act and the timeless hand-to-hand duo that has been part of the show since its debut. Resident clown Brian Le Petit starts the night off with his mischievous antics before the show narrator, Moha-Samedi, leads the audience on a dreamlike journey that celebrates the beauty, sadness and mystery of life.

Fremont Street is the second-most-popular street in Las Vegas, behind the Las Vegas Strip. Home to some of the older hotels and casinos in Sin City, Fremont Street is also famous for the giant canopy that stretches approximately 1,500ft (450m) over the boulevard. A cast of street performers, vendors, artists and musicians line the sidewalks of Fremont Street every night, adding an eccentricity to the city you won’t find on the Strip.

The Stratosphere is the pinnacle of the Las Vegas skyline. Built between 1992 and 1995, the Stratosphere Tower is the tallest building in Sin City and the tallest freestanding tower in the United States. Developed by the same engineering firm that designed the Singapore Flyer, the tower is home to four thrill rides that draw adventure seekers of all types. Guests can skydive from the top of the tower with Sky Jump Las Vegas or dangle over the edge of the 1,149ft (350m) tower on Insanity.

The High Roller has become one of the most recognizable figures in the Las Vegas skyline since its opening in March 2016. Engineered by the same company that constructed the Singapore Flyer, the observation wheel reaches a height of 550ft (168m) giving visitors an unencumbered, bird’s-eye view of the city. Visitors looking to make the most of their experience can do more than just ride the Ferris wheel; for additional costs, the High Roller offers yoga classes, private parties and weddings.

You can’t come to Las Vegas and not visit the Strip. The approximately 4.5mi (7.2km) stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the most famous streets in the world and is home to the bulk of the hotels and resorts in the Las Vegas Valley. The ever-buzzing boulevard attracts millions of visitors each year, making it an ideal place to do exciting things in Vegas on your own, with kids, with your partner or what have you. The famous boulevard received its name from former Los Angeles vice cop and hotel owner Guy McAfee; he christened the section of Las Vegas Boulevard after the Sunset Strip in his hometown.

While the Strip made Las Vegas famous, Hoover Dam made the city sustainable. Constructed during the Great Depression, the engineering wonder provided desperately needed work to thousands of workers. Visitors can discover both the dam and the power plant through different available tours. The visually striking dam is also functional, providing power to Nevada, Arizona and California through its arched structure.

The Welcome to Las Vegas sign is easily one of the most popular attractions in Las Vegas. Located at the south end of the Strip next to Mandalay Bay and the Little Church of the West, the famous sign has graced Las Vegas Boulevard since 1959. Designed by late local artist Betty Willis, the sign is a must-see and one of the best places in Las Vegas to take a selfie.

Located inside the Mandalay Bay next to the convention center, the Shark Reef aquarium is home to turtles, piranhas, eels, stingrays and 15 species of sharks. The aquarium is a great option if you’re looking for things to do in Las Vegas with kids and is busiest during the summer months. For an additional fee, guests at the Mandalay Bay can get an intimate look at the aquarium through its program Dive With Sharks.

Organized crime and Las Vegas have a long and complicated history, and the Mob Museum in downtown Vegas tells the story of organized crime’s influence not only on Sin City but throughout the United States. Visitors can use an actual Tommy gun in a simulation display or listen to actual wiretaps. The centerpiece of the museum is the bloodstained wall left behind from the St Valentine’s Day Massacre.

While the Mob Museum tells the story of Las Vegas and its relationship with organized crime, the Neon Museum tells the city’s story through neon signs. Next door to Cashman Field off the Interstate-15 highway, the collection of hotel and business signs shows the evolution of Las Vegas, from its early days as a stopping point on the way to California to its status as a top tourist destination. While tours occur daily, they are limited and sell out quickly.

Like many things in Las Vegas, the Bellagio Conservatory draws a crowd. Located across from the hotel front desk, the conservatory changes throughout the year thanks to the over 100 gardeners designing and caring for the facility. Just like the fountains in front of the property and the glass flowers in the lobby, the conservatory and garden make the Bellagio a worthwhile stop on any traveler’s to-do list.

Dig This Las Vegas gives the phrase “adult playground” a new meaning. This expansive dirt lot allows teenagers and adults to operate heavy-duty construction equipment in a safe and controlled environment. Guests can work the equipment alone or in groups, and experiences range from stacking tires to digging holes or even destroying a vehicle.

This mini version of the City of Light comes complete with a lit-up half-scale Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Hotel de Ville. You can wander through the cobbled alleyways, buying souvenirs at charming boutiques and testing your luck on authentic French roulette wheels in the opulent casinos. Top tip: Ride up the glass elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stopping for dinner halfway up at the mid-air French restaurant to soak up the Parisienne vistas with the Strip’s neon lights and desert mountains beyond. Recommended by Rebecca Speare-Cole.

Park MGM Las Vegas is the newest destination resort, completed in 2019 on the southern end of the Strip. It’s void of gimmicks and flashiness, offering visitors a recess from Vegas’ sensory overload. It’s also perfect for taking a lunch break from the Strip, trying tasty pasta dishes at the popular Italian marketplace Eataly, or tucking into a succulent sirloin at Bavette’s Steakhouse. For those who fancy gambling without the thick clouds of cigarettes, Park MGM has just become the Strip’s first entirely smoke-free casino. Recommended by Rebecca Speare-Cole.

The Strip has its own version of the worldwide wax museum where the velvet ropes have been removed, so you can strike a pose next to Elvis or sit on Hugh Hefner’s lap. You can also mingle with Thor or Black Widow before you join the action – getting sprayed with water or hit by wind tremors in the Marvel Super Heroes 4D cinema experience. Top tip: Nurse your hangover at the Hangover Bar, where you can order themed drinks inspired by the Wolf Pack. Recommended by Rebecca Speare-Cole.

Located just 17mi (27.4km) outside of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is worth a visit to get outdoors and explore beyond the typical Las Vegas Strip scene. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the 19 marked trails through the park, taking in the splendor of the crimson rock formations and vibrant desert colors. Occupying 195,819 acres (79,245ha) within the Mojave Desert, Red Rock features breathtaking geological masterpieces like cliffs of Aztec Sandstone. Recommended by Sarah Lantz.

Located inside the Bellagio hotel and casino, the gallery holds paintings by Monet, Rembrandt, and Andy Warhol. If you’re looking for something fun and unusual to do, try the Art & Wine event in the evening for an interactive wine-and-art discussion. Recommended by Sarah Lantz.

In association with the Smithsonian Institution, the National Atomic Testing Museum is a science and history museum, designed to tell the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site. You’ll find all sorts of interesting exhibitions, including the opportunity to experience a simulated atmospheric bomb blast, an exhibit on the creation of the atomic bomb and one on radiation. Recommended by Sarah Lantz.

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve is an oasis of nature away from Las Vegas’s neon lights and bustling casinos. You’ll find all kinds of things to do in this area, from a visit to the Nevada State Museum – that will fascinate you with its massive mastodon skeleton – to a tour of the botanical garden, which is home to the largest collection of Mojave Desert cacti and succulent plants. Recommended by Sarah Lantz.

When drawing up your “things to do before turning 30” list, bar-hopping in Las Vegas should feature high. Start at Commonwealth: a 6,000sqft (557sqm) downtown tavern with a rooftop terrace, live DJs, a banging dance floor and ever-changing cocktail menu. From here, hop between dive bars, seedy cocktail lounges and speakeasies such as the Downtown Cocktail Room, Atomic Liquors (the oldest bar in Vegas) and Corduroy. Hangovers are a guarantee. Recommended by Lauryn Wilder.

Lee Canyon is one of the more picturesque places to visit in Mount Charleston. An hour outside of Las Vegas, the ski resort offers skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking in the summer. Due to its scenic appearance, the area is also popular among couples for weddings in the spring and summer months.

The Pinball Hall of Fame is just one of the many offbeat museums visitors will find in Las Vegas. Located just minutes away from the Strip, the museum pays tribute to the classic arcade game and houses over 100 pinball machines from the 1940s up to 2009. Stop by the museum for a fun night. The entrance is free.

Close up of a pinball | Wes Hicks / Unsplash

VooDoo Zipline at the Rio Hotel is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Open 23 hours a day, seven days a week, VooDoo Zipline offers a unique view of the Las Vegas Strip through a thrill ride at 33mph (53kph). The ride takes off at the VooDoo Lounge and allows visitors to ride alone or with a friend.

Chocolate lovers and the young at heart will love M&M World, next door to the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. Passers-by are drawn in by the chocolate aroma and the bright colors in the window display. Inside, visitors can get lost on four floors of souvenirs, movie posters and candy displays. Guests can also personalize their own M&Ms, which makes for a great treat to take home.

Close up of M&Ms | Amit Lahav / Unsplash

Every pool on the Strip hosts spectacular pool parties, but the pool at the Cosmopolitan is really something special. Throughout the year, the pool stays open not only for hotel guests but for special events and seasonal activities you can’t find anywhere else. During the summer, the pool hosts its Dive-In Movies series, featuring a variety of current and classic films. The hotel extends the festivities by offering a winter wonderland during the colder months, complete with an ice rink, s’mores and Christmas lights.

Woman relaxing at a pool | Anna Demianenko / Unsplash

Thrill-seekers and horror-film fans will love the Basement, which began in Los Angeles and is part of the growing trend of escape-room attractions in the United States. Guests have 45 minutes to navigate a room of their choice – the study or the basement – to escape from Edward Tandy, the serial killer with a taste for human flesh. Single tickets are available, but the experience is far more enjoyable in a group.

Opened in 2009, this vast and beautifully sleek urban complex in the heart of the Strip stands tall across 67 acres (27ha). CityCenter’s glassy modern architecture comes as a stark contrast to the garish neighbouring resorts. The Crystals shopping centre offers a cool respite from the Nevada heat. Inside, stop by the Gallery to marvel at Dale Chihuly’s spectacular glass masterpieces at the Gallery. Next, head to the Chandelier bar and order the “We’re All Mad Here” cocktail – a drink that changes colour when stirred and is paired with an edible flower that makes your tongue tingle. Recommended by Rebecca Speare-Cole.

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Las Vegas Boulevard South | davidvives / unsplash

With all sorts of rides and attractions, including rollercoasters like the Canyon Blaster (the world’s only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew rollercoaster), you won’t be bored here. Adventuredome is a great place to take the whole family, offering junior rides for the younger kids. Recommended by Sarah Lantz.

Close up of rollercoaster | cdetempe / Unsplash

The Summer League Games are a highlight on the Las Vegas calendar. Former and current NBA basketball players play in the four-tournament-style games. You can watch slam dunking legends alongside undrafted rookies courtside while escaping the searing desert heat outside. The games traditionally take place at the Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack Center, both on the official UNLV campus. Recommended by Lauryn Wilder.

Brooklyn Bowl started out in 2009 as a music venue, bowling alley and Blue Ribbon restaurant in Williamsburg, New York, housed inside an old iron works warehouse. It’s now a massive music venue on the Linq Promenade in Las Vegas and the place to catch rock, indie and hip hop concerts, plus themed dance party nights and tribute shows. Past performers include Ellie Goulding, Beck, Jimmy Eat World and Tinie Tempah. Recommended by Lauryn Wilder.

Musicians playing on stage | sammoghadam / Unsplash

Las Vegas can be an expensive city for young people, but the laughs are free. The Dirty at 12:30 is a free-entry, late-night stand-up comedy show every Friday at the Southpoint Hotel and Casino. Safely assume from the name you’ll get more than dad jokes here. Hosted by Gabe Lopez, the night often draws in 350 people (there’s seating for 185). Expect regular celebrity cameos, unbilled walk-ons by established comedians and sets by upcoming comics. Recommended by Lauryn Wilder.

Allow a lazy afternoon melt into evening at this ever evolving community-driven festival in the city’s Arts District that pulls together art, music, food and fashion in a laid-back space. Watch a live gig, eat delicious bites from food carts and browse various stalls. The event is underpinned by the First Friday Foundation, which works with the local community to harness creativity in the city. If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, you’ve no excuse but to head down. Recommended by Lauryn Wilder.

The Summer League Games are a highlight on the Las Vegas calendar. Former and current NBA basketball players play in the four-tournament-style games. You can watch slam dunking legends alongside undrafted rookies courtside while escaping the searing desert heat outside. The games traditionally take place at the Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack Center, both on the official UNLV campus. Recommended by Lauryn Wilder.

For a real “throwback Thursday,” drive out to the West Wind Drive-In Theater. It’s one of the few drive-ins left in the US and is ideal for group outings. It’s the cheapest movie theater to go to in Las Vegas, and you can bring food and drinks inside. Recommended by Lauryn Wilder.

People at an open air cinema | Coline Haslé / Unsplash

Experience the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas Strip from above on a breathtaking helicopter flight. Soar over famous landmarks like the Bellagio, Luxor, and the Stratosphere, taking in unparalleled aerial views. Upgrade with VIP transportation for a seamless experience. Perfect for a romantic evening or a special occasion, this tour offers a stunning perspective of the city’s world-famous nightlife.

Paddle through the stunning Black Canyon on this guided kayak adventure to Emerald Cave. Marvel at the vibrant green waters, towering canyon walls, and local wildlife along the way. Your guide shares fascinating insights into the area’s history and natural beauty. With optional hotel pickup, this half-day tour is perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a peaceful escape from the city.

Feel the thrill of adventure as you ride an ATV through the breathtaking Las Vegas dunes. Navigate rolling sand dunes and rugged desert trails on this adrenaline-pumping off-road experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, expert guides ensure a safe and exciting ride. Perfect for those looking to add a dose of adventure to their Vegas trip, this tour offers unforgettable desert scenery.

See Las Vegas come alive at night on this open-top bus tour. Cruise past the city’s most famous landmarks, from the neon-lit Strip to the dazzling Fremont Street Experience. Enjoy live commentary as you take in the sights, lights, and energy of Sin City after dark. This tour is perfect for first-time visitors and those looking to experience the magic of Las Vegas at night.

Take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grand Canyon on this thrilling helicopter tour. Fly over the rugged landscapes of the West Rim before landing at an exclusive location for a celebratory champagne toast. Marvel at breathtaking views of the Colorado River and towering canyon walls. This unforgettable experience combines adventure and luxury, offering a once-in-a-lifetime perspective of one of the world’s natural wonders.

Discover the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley on this stunning sunset and stargazing tour. Watch the desert sky transform into a breathtaking palette of colors, then experience one of the darkest night skies in the world. Visit iconic spots like Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point, while your guide shares fascinating stories about the area. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers, this tour offers an unforgettable journey into the wild.