20 Things to Do in Las Vegas in Your Twenties

Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is often billed as an adult’s playground. Between its nightclubs, casinos, and live entertainment, the city is geared toward the enjoyment of young adults. While you have to be at least 21 to enjoy most of what Las Vegas has to offer, if you are of age, the sky is the limit. Here are 20 things everyone in their twenties can enjoy in the city.

Everyone in their twenties will find something to love in downtown Las Vegas. It has reinvented itself as the cultural center of the city. Besides its burgeoning art community, the area features colorful and kitschy bars popular with the younger crowds. For a relaxed atmosphere, try La Comida or the Commonwealth. If you’re into a more intimate setting, stop at The Griffin or the Downtown Cocktail Room.

Sports lovers of all ages love going to the Summer League Games. Former and current NBA players show up to watch and participate in the series that takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center. The event is praised for its accessibility for fans, and it is a great way to escape the Las Vegas summer heat.

While nightclubs are popular year-round in Las Vegas, hotel pools and pool parties are a close second. Young people of all ages come to the city for spring break and summer vacation to sit by the pool, cocktails in hand, and enjoy the music of world-class DJs including Dash Berlin, French Montana, and Steve Aoki.

Everyone of drinking age will find something to love about the Brooklyn Bowl. From the food to the games and concerts, Brooklyn Bowl is a fun place for young people to hang out on a weekend night.

The High Roller is one of the newer additions to Las Vegas and offers a unique perspective on the city and the Strip. Grab a drink at the bar and hop inside the 500-foot (152-meter) Ferris wheel; the ride takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish, so when you’re done, you can continue exploring the shops and restaurants inside the LINQ.

You can find an Italian restaurant at almost every turn in Las Vegas, but Maggiano’s sets itself apart. Inside the Fashion Show Mall, Maggiano’s is an excellent way to end a day of shopping and exploring the Strip. Most dishes average about $20 a plate, but with such large portion sizes, every penny is well spent.

Ice skating might not seem possible in the desert, but the Ice Rink begs to differ. The Ice Rink on top of the Cosmopolitan attempts to inject a little winter wonderland into the Las Vegas desert. Grab your friends, hot cocoa and some s’mores and enjoy the 4,200-square-foot (390-square-meter) rink to the sound of classic Christmas tunes.

Las Vegas can be an expensive city to visit for young people, but if you know where to look, you can find many budget-friendly options. The Dirty at 12:30 is a nightly comedy show that takes place at the South Point, and features a range of local and mainstream acts every night. Hosted by Gabe Lopez, the Dirty at 12:30 is a fun night out for anyone in their twenties.

If you happen to be in town during the first week of the month, make time to stop by First Friday. The ongoing cultural event takes place every first Friday of the month in the Arts District in downtown Las Vegas. With its food carts, art, and live performances, it’s popular among locals who are in their twenties.

Mount Charleston and Lee Canyon are ideal for young, outdoorsy types. Whether it’s hiking, camping, snowshoeing or skiing, it has something for everyone to enjoy throughout the year. If you visit Las Vegas during winter months, check out the slopes at Lee Canyon; Rabbit Peak is ideal for beginners, but if you’re in search of a challenge, try the Slots Alley, Snake, or Flying Home runs.

The ultimate college drinking game has a permanent home at O’Sheas. Located inside the LINQ on the Strip, anyone can walk in and join a game. While you wait, you can enjoy the live music or try one of the 50 types of beer on tap (if you’re not into beer, try an Irish Bloody Mary or Pot of Gold). The cheap drinks and the multitude of table games make O’Sheas a favorite of Las Vegas’ younger crowds.

The kid inside you will come alive atop the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. The tallest building in the city boasts three thrill rides at its peak, each designed to thrill and terrify its patrons. If that’s not enough of an adrenaline rush for you, try skydiving; SkyJump holds the world record for highest decelerator descent at 829 feet (253 meters).

People come to Las Vegas as a getaway, and that’s exactly what you must do in an escape room—get away. Whether it’s in the basement of a serial killer, an abandoned prison wing, or a mob hideout, Las Vegas has embraced the escape room phenomenon with open arms. Escape rooms are best for large groups, but individuals and couples can join the fun too.

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 U.S. and is ideal for group outings. It’s the cheapest movie theater to go to in Las Vegas, with tickets at $7 for adults, and you can bring food and drinks inside.

Anyone staying at the New York New York or Monte Carlo will have easy access to The Park. It’s a dining and entertainment district—marked by a 40-foot (12.1-meter) statue known as Bliss Dance—that sits between the two properties and has become a popular place to visit, especially during events at the T-Mobile Arena. When concerts aren’t going on, you can find live artists, music, and performances taking place in and around the park.

Nightclubs are perhaps the most popular places to go for those in their twenties. For every hotel and resort on the Las Vegas Strip, you can find at least one nightclub inside. They are as unique as the hotels in which they reside, from the high-flying ladies at Light inside Mandalay Bay to the resident DJs that frequent Hakkasan inside the MGM.

For a high-flying thrill, check out Slotzilla in downtown Las Vegas. Patrons have a choice between the traditional “Zipline“ or the “Zoomline,” a much higher and longer ride down the entire length of Fremont Street. Once you’re done there, check out the brand-new interactive Fear the Walking Dead experience.

If you’ve got the time and the money, check out Cirque du Soleil’s MJ ONE, which pays tribute to the life and career of the great Michael Jackson, complete with high-flying acrobatics and intricate choreography. Millennials will instantly recognize numbers from the soundtrack such as “Billie Jean,” “Dirty Diana,” “Bad,” and “Smooth Criminal.” Tickets aren’t cheap, but well worth every penny.

While Las Vegas may be new to the world of professional sports, it’s not when it comes to college basketball. The UNLV Men’s Basketball team has long been Las Vegas’ answer to its lack of a professional sports team; people of all ages turn out to support the Running Rebels. With the addition of Brandon McCoy and Amauri Hardy to the roster, the team hopes to return big wins this year.

If basketball doesn’t interest you, head out to Cashman Field during baseball season to watch the Las Vegas 51s. As the feeder team to the New York Mets, 51s’ games are perfect for small or large groups. If your interest in the games starts to wane, then stay for the dollar beer specials and hot dogs.