Las Vegas

Las Vegas Memorial Day Weekend - 10+ Fun Things to Do in May

How to spend a holiday in Vegas in style

There are endless fun things do in Las Vegas in May, both in the city and the wider Nevada area. Whether you want to party, tick off the big sights or relax at a pool, Las Vegas is a great place to spend Memorial Day weekend.

Looking to get away this Memorial Day Weekend? Consider a trip to sunny Las Vegas. The weather is warm, there's plenty to see and a ton of the popular summer attractions will be up and running, ready for you to enjoy.

So, if you’re looking for Las Vegas Memorial Day Weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities including...

  • Grand Canyon South Rim Tour
  • Hop-on Hop-off Las Vegas Bus Tour
  • Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
  • High Roller Observation Wheel
  • Hoover Dam Tour
  • Eiffel Tower Experience
  • And more!

Save on admission to popular attractions

Regular admission to a number of these attractions is included on Go City® Las Vegas passes. Choose as you go from dozens of Las Vegas attractions & activities and save up to 50% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. 

Please note: Some of these special May and Memorial Day weekend events may be separately ticketed.

Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

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What better way to enjoy the start of summer than with a trip out to one of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders? The Grand Canyon is a marvel to see any time of year, but in the spring and summer months, the greenery is a sight to behold.

Take a bus tour of the South Rim, which boasts many lookout points, museums, Native American artwork, sculptures, and more. Plus, the bus conveniently escorts you directly from Vegas so you don’t need to worry about the hassle of parking (a big relief in the Grand Canyon). 

Getting In: Grand Canyon South Rim Tour tickets are available as a premium attraction option with the Go City® Las Vegas passes.

Hop-on Hop-off Las Vegas Bus Tour

 

If you’re new to the city or haven’t previously seen much beyond the Strip, then a bus tour of Las Vegas is in order. You’ll see many of the top sites throughout the city, from the big hotels on the Strip to the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign, and trendy areas downtown. A hop-on hop-off option is a smart choice, too, because it gives you the flexibility to choose where to stop and explore.

There are two routes to choose from – the Strip Route, and the Downtown Route. Both have buses that run approximately every 20-30 minutes giving you plenty of time to hop off wherever you fancy. 

Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Las Vegas tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas pass.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

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Pay a visit to Las Vegas’ own little slice of Hollywood. A visit to Madame Tussauds is a great option for those who love the glam life and can’t get enough of celebrities and pop culture. Explore several themed areas, from Viva Las Vegas to Music Icons. In addition, several areas focus on majorly popular franchises, like The Hangover films and Marvel Superheroes. 

Getting In: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas tickets are included on all Go City® Las Vegas passes.

High Roller Observation Wheel

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Getting a view from above is always a great idea when you’re talking about a city with a skyline as impressive as Las Vegas. Just picture all the lights, signs, larger-than-life designs, and more –all from the perfect vantage point. Take a ride to the top of the High Roller Observation Wheel for some of the best views in the city.

Enjoy a 30-minute ride up to 550 feet above the ground and snap those perfect Instagram shots. When you're done, explore the LINQ area with its shops, restaurants, and other fun activities. 

Getting In: Las Vegas High Roller Observation Wheel tickets are included with all Go City® Las Vegas passes.

Hoover Dam Tour

looking-atop-hoover-dam

Another great option for getting out of the city and into the beautiful Nevada wilderness is with a trip to the magnificent Hoover Dam. This marvel of modern engineering is a sight to behold and is a can’t-miss attraction for fans of architecture or history. It’s actually a National Historic Landmark and showcases an important time in the history of the American Southwest. 

Insider Tip: walk along the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for the best views and photo ops of the Hoover Dam and Colorado River. 

Getting In: Hoover Dam Tour tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas pass.

Eiffel Tower Experience

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Enjoy a walk through the most scenic areas in Paris without the hassle or expense of a trans-Atlantic flight. Stroll past magnificent buildings like L’Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and of course, the Eiffel Tower itself. Afterward, ride in an amazing glass elevator to another exhilarating observation deck, where you’ll get panoramic views of everything from the Parisian scene below to the farthest reaches of the Strip. 

Getting In: Eiffel Tower Experience tickets are included on all Go City® Las Vegas passes.

Rockstar Pool Party Tour

Channel your inner rock star with a day spent on the Rockstar Pool Party Tour. It’s the start of summer and the timing couldn’t be better in terms of the weather. Make the most of the Vegas heat and get into some of the coolest pool party clubs on this adults-only excursion. There are tons of pool parties in Vegas, so whatever your vibe, there will be something for you.

Whether you just want to kick back with a cocktail, relax, and work on that tan, or you’re interested in playing some fun watersports with your group - you’ll have the opportunity on this tour. Please note that you must be 21 or older to join this tour. 

Getting In: Las Vegas Rockstar Pool Party Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Las Vegas passes.

Fremont Street Walking Tour

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Another delightful way to explore unique areas of the city is with a walking tour. This Downtown-Fremont Street Walking Tour is a top option because it showcases areas of the city many casual visitors don’t get to see. Enjoy a guided two-hour stroll past top landmarks and attractions like vintage Las Vegas sites, Downtown Container Park, and many shops and restaurants. 

Getting In: Fremont Street Las Vegas Walking Tour tickets are included with the Go City® Las Vegas pass.

Best Dam Barbecue Challenge

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly event – and especially one with great food! – stop by the Annual Best Dam Barbecue Challenge. In addition to an amazing professional team BBQ competition, you’ll also find plenty of food to chow down on - we’re talking everything from shaved ice to pulled pork.

There will also be a wide selection of marketplace vendors offering everything from temporary glitter tattoos to barbecue equipment and more. This event runs around Memorial Day and is held in Boulder City's Bicentennial Park. 

Getting In: Admission to the Best Dam Barbecue Challenge is free.

Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival

Here’s one for your music lovers. Head to the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival to enjoy their distinctive take on a summer kick-off concert and events. Enjoy multiple bands per day – including massive faves like Madness, Cock Sparrer, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and more – plus bowling, movies, and poker games. It’s probably best for adults.

The festival runs in May and takes place at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. 

Getting In: The Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival is separately ticketed.

Go Clubbing

Club in Vegas

Of course, Vegas is a great place to have a night out, but even more so during Memorial Day Weekend. All of the clubs have top DJs from around the world bringing the party. There is no shortage of clubs - we're sure you'll have fun!

Getting In: Nightclubs are separately ticketed and are not included with Go City® Las Vegas passes

Save up to 50% on Las Vegas attractions  

Discover our full line-up of Las Vegas attractions, including Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour, Madame Tussauds, VEGAS! The Show, and tons more.

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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The Best Casino Hotels in Las Vegas

There are over 100 casinos in Las Vegas, from Downtown to the Sin City limits, with the majority (nearly 50 of ‘em) congregated in and around the mega-resorts that line Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the all-singing, all-dancing, all-neon Strip. Most visitors to Vegas will want to experience at least one of these glitzy gambling dens, with their cavernous interiors and enticing range of games that runs the gamut from 20c slots to significantly higher stakes at the blackjack, roulette and poker tables. But which are the best casino hotels in Las Vegas, and what sets them apart from the rest? We took a deep dive to find out… Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Beginners Never played blackjack before? Fear not: many casinos in Las Vegas have tables for beginners, where the minimum stakes are lower (generally around $5) and staff are on hand to help you understand the rules of each game and provide tips and guidance on potentially winning strategies. Medieval meets modern at Excalibur, located near Harry Reid Airport at the Strip’s southern end. Like many Sin City hotels, Excalibur is not without its gimmicks, in this case eye-catching technicolor turrets and an epic dinner show complete with knights, kings, horses and a medieval banquet. As well as having some of the most beginner-friendly casino tables in town (including free lessons), there are also – deep breath – four pools, a spa, several shows, and more bars and restaurants than you can shake a very large jousting lance at. Honorable mention: Further into the heart of the Strip, the Bellagio mega-resort is a rather more glamorous and upscale cousin to Excalibur, and offers free lessons as well as other discounts and bonuses for novice players. Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Old-School Charm Opened in the swinging sixties, Caesars Palace has been a Rat Pack haunt, a blockbuster boxing venue and a movie set in its time. In other words, you can expect some real old-school vibes here. And we mean really old-school: as the name suggests the theme is seriously Roman, all flamboyant Corinthian columns, winged cherubs and – yup – a 20-foot statue of Augustus Caesar. The Garden of the Gods pool complex is fit for an emperor; likewise the Qua Baths & Spa (24-karat gold collagen facial massage, anyone?). Guests can have a flutter at the Fortuna pool’s swim-up tables or make for the glitzy casino proper, where well over a thousand slot machines and nearly 200 tables await. This is a resort that has hosted names including Sinatra, Liberace and Madonna down the years, so you just know the caliber of entertainment is going to be high. Dine in decadent restos including Gordon Ramsay and Nobu and decimate your blackjack winnings at the Forum shops, where over 200 luxury boutiques sport the kind of price tags that might make Caligula himself blush. Honorable mention: The oldest continuously operating resort on the Strip, the Flamingo promises old-school charm by the bucketload, plus plenty of pink neon and real-live flamingoes. Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Glamming it Up Bellagio is where it's at if you want to go full Bond and sashay onto the floor in your finest designer three-piece suits and cocktail dresses. Steel your nerves over a classic martini in the plush Lily Lounge, with views of the gaming floor, then head down to hit the tables or – for seasoned high rollers only – make for the exclusive high-limit poker lounge. Of course, the Bellagio is known as much for its spectacular fountain display as its poker tables. Get ringside seats for this epic show at Wolfgang Puck’s flagship Spago restaurant or head over to upscale PRIME for a perfectly seared wagyu filet. And that’s not all. Of course it isn’t! Bellagio also counts a gallery of fine art, a botanical garden, five swimming pools, a Cirque du Soleil show and boutiques from the likes of Bulgari, Cartier and Dior among its many attractions. Glam or what? Honorable mention: Mandalay Bay ain’t no slouch in the glamor stakes either, boasting 20+ ritzy restaurants and cocktail lounges, a nightclub, an 11-acre pool complex and – natch – a sprawling casino. Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for the Pool Scene Should you happen to be in Vegas during party season (March to October) – and, frankly, why wouldn’t you be? – you’ll likely want to spend at least some of your time lounging by the pool, pina colada in hand. Glitzy Mandalay Bay is the daddy when it comes to the Sin City pool scene. We’re talking a whopping 11-acre complex that includes a man-made beach, an absolutely enormous wave pool, the laziest of lazy rivers and oodles of private cabanas and gazebos to rent for your day out. A beach bar and grill and several cocktail bars mean you’ll never be far from your next burger or margarita, and the people-watching opportunities here are pretty much second-to-none. Honorable mention: the legendary Golden Nugget. Sure, there are bigger and better pool complexes all over Vegas, but do any of them have a water slide that goes right through the middle of a 200,000-gallon shark tank? No, dear reader, they do not. Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Entertainment Entertainment in Las Vegas often seems to be a supersized game of one-upmanship. Dancing fountains not spectacular enough for ya? Fear not: there’s an exploding volcano out front of the Mirage, a replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris, and a recreation of Venice’s Grand Canal – complete with singing gondoliers at The Venetian. It’s the last of these sprawling mega-resorts that nabs our entertainment crown, largely thanks to the 2023 addition of Sphere, an eye-popping globe-shaped venue that, with the ever-changing motion graphics that ripple across its facade, is a show all by itself. Sphere’s immersive experiences coupled with A-list names at Voltaire (Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Steely Dan and Kylie, to name just a few) make for quite the roster of top-flight entertainment. Honorable mention: Wynn Encore. Superb theatrical performances, legendary musicians, celebrity DJs, and direct access to the Las Vegas High Roller for the win/Wynn. Save on Popular Las Vegas Tours, Activities and Attractions Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City, and check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest pics, tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Tourist taking photo of the replica Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas
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Popular Places in Las Vegas for Tourists

Las Vegas is one great big tourist theme park. Here’s where you can experience capitalist excess writ large against a backdrop of flashing neon signs, chiming one-armed bandits and dancing fountains that soar to over 30 stories high. It’s an eye-popping extravaganza of OTT attractions where tourists vie for those perfectly poised Instagram selfies and the hotels that line the Strip seem to scream for attention with their increasingly flamboyant facades and showstopping visual gimmicks. Join us on our whistle-stop tour of the most popular places in Las Vegas for tourists… Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas No trip to Sin City would be complete without nabbing a photo or seven at the iconic ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign at the Strip’s southern end. Strike a pose for posterity then join a hop-on hop- off bus tour or board the Deuce service for a cheap’n’easy way to see the best of Nevada’s most celebrated thoroughfare in blissful air-conditioned comfort. Fremont Street Downtown is where it’s at for a flavor of vintage Las Vegas. Join a walking tour to follow in the footsteps of the Rat Pack, the Mob, the Golden Nugget gamblers, and the countless couples who’ve been wed by Elvis and Gene Simmons impersonators at the legendary Neonopolis wedding chapel. Right at the heart of the action is the Fremont Street Experience, an ultra-modern shopping, dining and entertainment complex that includes among its many attractions a slot machine-inspired zipwire ride and an utterly bonkers wraparound LED canopy the size of five football pitches, which ramps up the glitz with an epic light show hourly between 6PM and 2AM every night. Casino Crazy Tourists flock to the legendary Las Vegas mega-casinos in search of that elusive slot machine jackpot or big win on the blackjack tables. There are (as you’re probably aware) dozens of casinos to choose from. Play high stakes roulette in the glamorous surroundings of the Wyn, the Bellagio or Mandalay Bay, or put on your best poker face at old-school faves like Golden Nugget and Caesars Palace, stars of Viva Las Vegas and The Hangover movies respectively. New to the gambling game? Hit up Excalibur for free lessons in poker, craps, roulette and more beneath those fairytale red-and-blue spires. Minimum stakes here are also a fair bit lower than some of the more upscale resorts on the Strip, ideal for beginners. Strip Gimmicks Galore Some of the most popular tourist hotspots in Las Vegas are… wait for it…. absolutely gratis! We’re talking the likes of Mirage’s exploding volcano, which comes complete with leaping flames, fireballs and pina colada-scented smoke, and the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, great soaring plumes that seem to dance in time to their spirit-lifting soundtrack. Having to fork out upwards of $60 for a 15-minute experience doesn’t seem to have affected the popularity of gondola rides along the Venetian’s replica Grand Canal. Sure, it’s a bit of a tourist trap, but what price those ‘Venice’ views, a singing gondolier and the opportunity to snag some of the best selfies in Sin City? Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Las Vegas tourists will find the lure of the Grand Canyon almost as inexorable as the blinking lights of all those thousands of slot machines. A helicopter tour is far and away the finest way to see this awesome natural wonder, with stunning aerial views of its rust-red landscapes and the added bonus of pausing for a wander (or, should you so desire, a champagne picnic) among the wildflowers on the south or west rims. Time your tour to enjoy an evening swoop over the Strip on the return leg; seeing those bright lights and towering skyscrapers against flaming sunset-orange skies is quite the intoxicating Sin City experience. The Mob Museum Unleash your inner Al Capone at the fascinating Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Interactive exhibits at this comprehensive history of organized crime include a rogues’ gallery of old-school mobsters, a firearms training simulator and an actual working distillery. Vamp it up in pinstripes and a fedora for visits to the museum’s own speakeasy, a secret Prohibition Era-style subterranean drinking den that’s accessed via an unassuming door in the parking lot. Las Vegas High Roller Las Vegas doesn’t do ‘small’, so it should come as little surprise that its 550-foot-high observation wheel is one of the planet’s tallest. Indeed, for several years it was the tallest, until the absolutely ma-hoo-sive Ain Dubai (820 feet!) came along in 2021 to spoil the party. Hop aboard at the LINQ Promenade and steel yourself for a leg-jellifying 30-minute rotation above the city streets. Daytime tickets to the High Roller are included with Las Vegas attraction passes from Go City, which also include many other top tours and activities, like Madame Tussauds, Grand Canyon tours, and Cirque du Soleil shows. Find out more here. Scares at The Strat High above the Strip, some 108 floors up the aptly named Strat (or, officially, the shouty STRAT) Hotel, Casino and Tower, teeter a terrifying selection of thrill rides, the very thought of which would make the blood of most normal people run cold. Up here in the clouds, adrenalin junkies can ride the (also aptly named) X-Scream, a death-defying roller coaster that dangles riders right over the roof’s edge. Then there’s Big Shot, a vertical-drop beast that catapults passengers up to a dizzying 1,081 feet before plunging 160 feet back down to the roof. Something of a rite of passage for first-time visitors to Vegas, these rides are very much not for the faint of heart. Take in a Show One of the most popular tourist activities in Las Vegas is going to see a show. Well, you’re in Vegas, baby, so it would be kind of rude not to. And boy can Sin City put on the ritz! Take your pick from eye-popping Cirque du Soleil extravaganzas at Mandalay Bay, the MGM Grand and elsewhere, catch the Blue Man Group at the Luxor, or seek out some of the best comedians and conjurors on the planet. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and MGM Grand are where it’s at for the biggest names in rock and pop – between them they’ve hosted, Adele, Britney, Celine, Elton, Mariah and Sinatra, to name-drop just a few… Save on Popular Las Vegas Tours, Activities and Attractions Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City, and check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest pics, tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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