Wondering what to do in Las Vegas? If you think your only options are gambling and partying, then think again. Yes, Vegas is known for its casinos and nightlife, but Sin City is so much more! You can plan a trip to Las Vegas for any reason or event. Whether you are planning a solo adventure, a couple’s getaway, a wild girls/guys trip, or a fun family vacation, Las Vegas has something for everyone, both on and off the popular Las Vegas Strip.  Start planning your trip with this list of things to do in Las Vegas:

1. Explore the Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip

One of my favorite parts of our trip was walking along the Las Vegas Strip and exploring the hotels. Each hotel has a different theme, so you will feel as if you are visiting a different city or era.

Here are a few favorites:

The Venetian – Venice, Italy

Naturally, we started with our hotel – The Venetian. Exploring your hotel is a great way to start your Vegas trip, especially if you arrive late at night. The Venetian’s design is inspired by Venice, Italy and features replicas of the city’s landmarks, such as St. Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal.  We immediately felt as if we were in Venice as we walked through the cobble-stoned streets surrounded by beautiful Italian art and structures.

We started our night with a wonderful dinner at Zeffirino’s (an excellent Italian restaurant, which has unfortunately closed). We were seated on the upper level near the balcony so we had a great view of the Grand Canal and the gondolas. After dinner, we took a lovely walk both in and outside the hotel. The highlight for me was the gondolas drifting along the canals. You may want to indulge in the entire Venetian experience and enjoy a gondola ride with an Italian serenade.  Indoor gondola rides are 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Sundays to Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Fridays to Saturdays.  Outdoor rides are from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Prices are around $29 (shared – seats 4) or $116 (private – seats 2) per person.

Caesar’s Palace – Ancient Rome

Journey to Ancient Rome when you visit Caesar’s Palace. This hotel is huge and perhaps the largest hotel on the strip. The décor boasts all the pomp and glory of Ancient Rome through magnificent architecture, statues, and sculptures. This grand hotel is truly a sight to see.

You can stop by The Forum Shoppes to do a little shopping, or just simply take in the entire ambiance.

We probably spent an hour exploring Caesar’s Palace. It’s huge so there is a lot of ground to cover, but well worth it.

The Bellagio – The Conservatory and Fountain

The Bellagio is another favorite. Stroll around the lobby and take in the beautiful decor. Then go see the Bellagio Conservatory. The Conservatory is a beautiful garden decorated with lights, plants, and flowers. There are different themes throughout the year. We visited during Autumn so we saw a lovely Fall display.

After viewing the lobby, make sure you take the time to see the Bellagio Fountain outside the hotel (more on this below).

Paris

Travel to the City of Love and enjoy the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel. You can also see replicas of the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre. After your sightseeing in Paris, stop by Mon Ami Gabi to enjoy classic French cuisine.

Luxor – Luxor, Thebes (Ancient Egypt)

Journey to Egypt and visit the city of Luxor (Thebes). The Luxor hotel is unique because it is a giant glass pyramid guarded by a replica of the Great Sphinx. The Luxor is fascinating during the day, but even more captivating at night. In fact, you cannot miss this hotel at night because of the Luxor Sky Beam, which is apparently the brightest man-made beam of light in the entire world.

When you venture inside the hotel, you will indeed feel as if you have traveled to the Ancient Egyptian city. Make sure you view the magnificent statues and sculptures depicting Ancient Egyptian art.

These were my favorite hotels, but don’t stop there. There are many more hotels to visit that may catch your eye – go see the Statue of Liberty at New York-New York, the Volcano at the Mirage, the Lake of Dreams at the Wynn, and the Flamingos at … you guessed it … the Flamingo. There is also The LINQ, Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, and the list goes on. You will definitely enjoy exploring the hotels on the Strip. Just make sure you wear comfy shoes!

2. View the Fountains of Bellagio Show

You must see the Fountains of Bellagio Show at least once during your trip. During the show, the Bellagio fountain water is synchronized to music at various intervals throughout the day. The show takes place Mondays to Saturdays every half hour between 3:00 p.m. (12 noon on Saturdays and holidays) and 8:00 p.m.; and every fifteen minutes between 8:00 p.m. and midnight. Sunday showtimes are 11:00 a.m. every half hour until 7:00 p.m., then every fifteen minutes from 7:00 pm. to midnight. Best of all … it’s free!

3. Take a Ride on the High Roller and Other Rides

You can’t miss the High Roller. It is a huge ferris wheel located on the Strip right outside the LINQ hotel. Try to see it during the day and also when it lights up during the night. Tickets to ride the High Roller are available at different prices during the day and night.  If you purchase the Happy Half Hour option, you will get a personal bartender in your pod for the entire 30 minute ride.

If you are up for it, you can also enjoy other rides such as the Big Apple Coaster at the New York-New York, the Big Shot at the Stratosphere, and a variety of attractions at the Circus Circus Adventuredome park.

4. See the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay

The Shark Reef Aquarium is a huge public aquarium at the Mandalay Bay hotel. The Aquarium displays a wide array of fish, sting rays, sharks and other aquatic life. You can see over 2000 aquatic animals; feed stingrays, turtles, and sharks; nd if you are adventurous enough, you can even dive with the sharks. The highlight of the Shark Reef Aquarium, was of course, the shark tunnel (no I did not dive with the sharks).

5. Go to a Concert

This was another highlight of our trip. Vegas has a large selection of celebrity concerts. We decided to see Carlos Santana (love him!) We bought discounted (50% off) tickets from the TIX4TONIGHT ticket booth at Casino Royale on the morning of the concert. You can also get tickets online at TIX4TONIGHT  if you don’t want to wait until the last minute.

The show was at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay. We also added a 2 for 1 buffet at that hotel. All you can eat dinner followed by a Carlos Santana show! It couldn’t get any better than that.

6. See a Vegas Show

You must experience at least one of Las Vegas’ big-stage performances. There are a wide array of shows such as Le Reve, Cirque du Soleil’s O, and Absinthe. You can buy discounted tickets for these shows on the same day at a TIX4TONIGHT booth or online at TIX4TONIGHT. You may also buy online from the shows’ official website in advance (if you don’t care about the discount). Tip: If your show of choice is at your hotel, always check to see if you are eligible for a discount.

7. Have a Blast at Pool Parties and/or Night Clubs

Partying in Vegas is on a different level. If you are in Vegas for a wild, party-filled weekend, you can’t go wrong with the Vegas pool parties. Check out Daylight Beach Club (Mandalay Bay); Encore Beach Club (the Wynn); Tao Beach (the Venetian); Rehab (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino); and Liquid (Aria) for a few of the popular ones.

You can then party the night away at Vegas’ famous night clubs such as Tao (the Venetian); Omnia (Caesar’s Palace); Light (Mandalay Bay); 1 OAK (the Mirage); Hyde Bellagio (the Bellagio); XS (Encore/Wynn); Marquee (Cosmopolitan); and Jewel (Aria).  Experience top Djs, hit music, and a fun, vibe-filled atmosphere like no other. Enjoy!

8. Gamble

I mean, it’s Vegas. You can’t go all the way to Sin City and not try your hand at a little gambling. If black jack or poker aren’t your thing, take a shot at the slot machines. They are easy enough. Plus you never know what luck may bring!

9. Visit the Mob Museum

Explore the criminal underworld with a visit to the Mob Museum. Located in downtown Las Vegas, this Museum showcases the history of organized crime in Las Vegas and throughout the United States. Must-see exhibits include part of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre wall and the speakeasy section in the basement.

10. Hang out on Fremont Street

Fremont Street is a popular entertainment district in downtown Las Vegas. The original center of Sin City, this famous street is located between Main Street and Sahara Avenue. Check out the old, classic casinos like the Golden Nugget. Stroll around, grab a drink at an outdoor bar, and enjoy the street performers and the musical light shows.

11. See the Red Rock Canyon

Get away from Vegas’ flashing lights and take a 30-minute drive to visit the Red Rock Canyon. Take a breath of fresh air while you enjoy the serene view of the desert. You can choose between a scenic drive or enjoy the peaceful hiking trails. Entry fees are $15 per vehicle ($5 for pedestrians or bicycles). You can also sign up with one of the many available tours.

12. Tour the Hoover Dam

If you have time, take a tour of the Hoover Dam and learn about one of the nation’s most amazing engineering achievements. Constructed during the Great Depression, the Hoover Dam holds Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S.  Not only is the dam a major sightseeing destination with a stunning view, but it also generates enough power each year for Nevada, Arizona, and California.  The Hoover Dam is located approximately 30 minutes from Las Vegas, but I recommend you set aside a day to enjoy a complete tour.

A Few Tips

Hotels

Any hotel on the strip is ideal, but your choice depends on your own personal taste and preference. I loved the Venetian, but I would also stay at the Bellagio, the Palazzo, Aria, or Mandalay Bay. Make sure you look into the resort fees for your hotel, which run between $20-$30. This fee is usually unavoidable. Also keep in mind that hotels on the Strip, while convenient are generally expensive. That said, you should definitely search for a great deal on your Las Vegas hotel.

Food

I’m not going to go into much detail here because there are way too many options. You can eat at various restaurants within your hotel or along the strip – from fast-food, to fine-dining, to the popular buffets. Same goes for drinks – there are numerous bars and lounges along the Strip. You can enjoy it all. Make sure you check restaurant hours and make reservations ahead of time, especially if you are going to a popular restaurant.

Getting There and Getting Around

Flight

There are numerous flights to Vegas throughout the day. Always try to compare airfare and book your flight in advance.

Transportation to and From the Airport

Depending on your hotel, you can take an airport shuttle from McCarran’s International airport for a fee (that’s what we did). You can also take a cab or Uber. The airport is close to the Strip so the cab/Uber price should be reasonable, unless of course traffic is heavy, then your fare will be higher.

Map of the Strip

I found this printer-friendly Vegas map very helpful when planning my trip. Basically, I made a list of all the things I wanted to see and do in Vegas (see above) and planned everything according to the locations on the map.

Walking

The best way to see the Strip is on foot. However, the Strip is long and you will get tired. Pace yourself and try not to do too much in one outing. We saw part of the strip in the day, another part at night, and then finished seeing the rest the following day. We would have spaced it out more if we had more time.

Cabs/Uber

More than likely you will get tired of walking. Cabs and Uber are always an option. Just remember that there is usually a lot of traffic on the Strip. Cabs and Uber will definitely be more expensive, but if you have been walking all day and are exhausted, it is definitely worth it. Your feet will thank you.

Trams/Monorail

A few hotels offer free tram service, take advantage of these if you can:

• • The Aria Express Tram (service between: Aria, Crystals retail and entertainment district, and the  Bellagio)
  • The Mandalay Bay Tram (service between: the Excalibur, the Luxor, and Mandalay Bay)
  • The Mirage – Treasure Island Tram (service between the Mirage and Treasure Island hotels) – this tram is currently closed for renovations until September 2018

The Las Vegas Monorail

Another convenient way to get around the Strip is the Las Vegas Monorail. Check out the link for more info or to buy tickets.

Traveling off the Strip for Tours

There are several tours for the Red Rock Canyon and the Hoover Dam that will organize transportation. You may want to select a tour that organizes transportation to and from your hotel (or at least from along the Strip).

Car Rentals

I would not recommend renting a car in Las Vegas, especially if you plan to stay on the Strip. You will pay hefty parking fees and find that you can cover most of the ground by just walking. On the other hand, a car may come in handy if you want to do a day trip outside of the Strip, for instance to the Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon. It totally depends on you. If you decide to rent a car, you might as well get a good deal and rent your car here.

Las Vegas is quite the experience! There is a lot to do and something for everyone. With proper planning you can get it all in. One thing is for sure, there is no other city like Vegas!