Amazing Things to See and Do in Las Vegas

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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.

Explore a unique side of American history by visiting the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. Hear true stories about organized crime and law enforcement in this interactive world-class museum. From exhibits on wire-tapping and the Federal Government’s handling of mobs to the way mobs have been portrayed by Hollywood films, the museum is extensive and very visual.

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.

In this five-block entertainment district in downtown Las Vegas, you’ll find all sorts of wild activities, ranging from free light shows every night of the week to SlotZilla, Las Vegas zip line, and a three-story waterslide at the Shark Tank at the Golden Nugget. There are all sorts of bars, restaurants and casinos at the Fremont Street Experience, including Hogs & Heifers Saloon, frequented by many bikers, and Nacho Daddy, where you can try their scorpion shot, featuring an actual scorpion in your shot of choice.

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.

Experience Paris Las Vegas, complete with dining, nightlife and, of course, the lit-up, half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Ride up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, or stop halfway up at the mid-air French restaurant. You can find all sorts of classic French food served here, as well as cute boutiques, as you stroll along narrow and winding alleyways.

Featuring aquatic animals from tropical places around the world, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is an oceanic palace. Rare animals not normally found in zoos include the Galapagos Shark and the Black Piranha. The reef also features endangered fish, such as sawfish and arowanas.

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.

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.

Opened in 2012, the Neon Museum includes the Neon Boneyard where most of its signs, more than 150, are exhibited to inspire everyone, from artists and designers to historians and students. You can take a guided tour of the Boneyard, getting close up to the signs that are loaned or donated to the museum by sign companies, individuals and businesses.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Book into one of the best hotels near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Culture Trip.