34 Must-See Attractions in Las Vegas

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.

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.

The Gold Strike Hot Springs is one of the better-kept secrets about Las Vegas. A 40-minute drive outside the city, the springs offer a unique and transformative experience for those who can rough the approximately 4mi (6.5km) hike, which takes about 3 hours and isn’t suitable for young children or animals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Fancy something a little more different? There are plenty of unusual things to do in Las Vegas as well. Alternatively, why not head out for a few day trips to discover the areas surrounding Sin City? Unwind with a drink at one of the best bars downtown before heading back to your boutique hotel or romantic stay for two.

This article is an updated version of a story created by Lauryn Wilder.