Las Vegas

Things to Do in Las Vegas in Summer - Attractions, Activities & More

By Katie Sagal

Las Vegas is a hot destination in the summer – both literally and figuratively. If you’re planning a visit and looking for things to do in Las Vegas in the summer, check out our list of the top attractions and activities going on this year, including:

  • Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
  • Hop-on Hop-off Las Vegas Tour
  • Hoover Dam Tour
  • Grand Canyon South Rim Tour
  • LINQ Promenade & High Roller Observation Wheel
  • Local Summer Festivals

Heading to the area to celebrate Independence Day? Then check out our post on things to do in Las Vegas 4th of July Weekend. If you are in Sin City for Labor Day, here are some things to do in Las Vegas Labor Day Weekend.

Save on Summertime Activities

Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 60% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all Las Vegas tourist passes, attractions and prices. Please note, some of these special Summer events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go Las Vegas Card.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

If you're looking for a fun museum to take the kids to, or just an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon while soaking up some culture, visit Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. This iconic wax museum is filled with informative exhibits and fascinating replicas of famous individuals from many areas of public life. Some of their featured exhibits include "Viva Las Vegas," "The Hangover Experience," "Marvel Superheroes," and more. Getting In: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Las Vegas Tour

bus-interior-straight-front-rear-view

If you're new to the city this summer, then you should seriously consider a ride on Big Bus Las Vegas. This informative tour will give you the ins and outs of the city's most iconic cultural sites, from famous casinos to landmarks and beyond. The flexibility of a hop-on hop-off option can't be underestimated, either -- it's perfect for those spontaneous summer afternoons when you find a restaurant or bar that strikes your fancy. Getting In: Big Bus Las Vegas tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

Hoover Dam Tour

hoover-dam-close-shot-lake

Looking to get out of the city and into the gorgeous southwestern desert? Take a bus trip out to the Hoover Dam and tour this iconic architectural marvel. Take a guided tour to avoid the hassle of driving yourself, and enjoy an informative excursion to this signature attraction. You'll also enjoy mini-tours of Henderson, NV and Boulder City while en route -- a pretty great deal! Do keep in mind that summer is one of the busiest times to visit the Hoover Dam, so expect some crowds. Getting In: Hoover Dam Tour tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

amazing-view-grand-canyon-nevada-usa

Another absolutely must-do activity for those visiting Las Vegas with extra time on their hands is a voyage out to the inimitable Grand Canyon. Take a guided tour of the South Rim -- the most visited area of the National Park, with the most distinctive lookout points and Native American heritage sites. You'll be treated to an air-conditioned bus ride all the way out to the canyon (with an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch stop along the way), then a stop at most of the major landmarks like Mather Point, the Grand Canyon Railway, Hopi House Museum, and more. Getting In: Grand Canyon South Rim Tour tickets are available as a premium attraction option with the 3-, 4-, and 5-Day Go Las Vegas Cards.

Blue Man Group Show & Other Shows

There's nothing more Las Vegas than taking in a show or three. Swing for the fences with the Blue Man Group, one of the most iconic acts in recent history. You'll enjoy their musical stylings alongside their signature makeup and costumes. If you're looking for other options, V Theater is another great venue that offers everything from a variety show to zombie burlesque to pet comedy shows. A perfect choice for families! Getting In: Blue Man Group Show tickets are available as a premium attraction option with the 3-, 4-, and 5-Day Go Las Vegas Cards. Additional shows at V Theater are also included with the pass -consult our website for more details.

LINQ Promenade & High Roller Observation Wheel

high-roller-ferris-wheel-las-vegas

A fun area of the Strip to explore is the LINQ Promenade. This shopping and dining mecca is filled with plenty to explore and much to enjoy, including bars, concert venues, a bowling alley, and more. Another neat thing to do in the area is to ascend to the top of the High Roller Observation Wheel, which will provide excellent views of the Strip below and all the hectic glory of Las Vegas. Getting In: High Roller Observation Wheel tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

CSI: The Experience

If you’re a fan of the TV franchise and have an interest in criminal forensics, then CSI: The Experience is a great thing to do in Vegas in the summer (or anytime really). Learn all about the real techniques and technologies behind CSI’s depiction of a criminal investigation, and even embark on some crime-solving of your own! Getting In: CSI: The Experience tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

The Mob Museum

This delightful experience is a hit with visitors of all ages. Explore interactive exhibits and fascinating artifacts. Learn about the significant role that organized crime has played in American history, and focus on the stories of some of the most famous criminals in the country. They also host a number of special events throughout the summer, ranging from community safety events to book signings and beyond. Check out their website for specifics. Getting In: Mob Museum tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

Summer Stage Concert Series

Summerlin Every Wednesday (except July 4)

This delightful summer concert series on Summerlin's Lawn takes place every Wednesday evening from early June - mid July. Nightly entertainment includes a varied schedule of events beginning at 5 pm with a DJ and kid-friendly activities and concluding at 9 pm with a band performance. A tentative lineup for these events might include Rockie Brown and Jase Neron, likemelikeyou and Cameron Calloway, and several more. Getting In: Summer Stage Concert Series events are free.

Amazing Las Vegas ComicCon

Las Vegas Convention Center June

A fan of comic books and all things pop culture? Then spend some time at this multi-day convention dedicated to the “best and brightest” of contemporary and classic pop culture. Enjoy an exhibition hall, an artists’ gallery, a video game arena, costumed attendees, and much more. Some of the highlights of this year's con include Rob Liefeld (creator of DEADPOOL, CABLE, DOMINO, and X-FORCE), Charlie Cox as DAREDEVIL, Jason David Frank as Green Power Ranger, Brianna Hildebrand from DEADPOOL 2, and lots more! Getting In: Amazing Las Vegas ComicCon tickets are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

Hamilton

The Smith Center May to June

Curious what all the Hamilton fuss is about? You're in luck if you're planning a trip to Las Vegas this summer. And, you won't be disappointed. Snag some tickets for when this Broadway smash is coming to Las Vegas and experience one of the most entertaining accounts of important American history at this Tony Award-winning musical. Getting In: Hamilton tickets in Las Vegas are separately ticketed and not included with the Go Las Vegas Card.

Las Vegas Golden Knights

T-Mobile Arena (or any sports bar) May to June

Who would have bet that the newest expansion team, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, would make it all the way to the NHL Stanley Cup Finals during their first year as an established team? If you did bet on them to go all the way, your bet would definitely have paid off! If you're not lucky enough to score tickets to the actual games, place your bet at a casino and belly up to a sports bar and cheer on the local team during the Stanley Cup Finals, the locals are sure to do some partying to celebrate their team! Getting In: NHL Stanley Cup Finals tickets are separately sold and not included on the Go Las Vegas Card.

Let's Recap

So there you have it. Our picks for some of the top things to do in Las Vegas in the summer. Please note, the summer events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go Las Vegas Card. Plan to visit some of these top attractions during your trip. Whether you are traveling with your family or a couple of friends, we're sure you will have a great time.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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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
The Grand Canyon
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Things to do Outside Las Vegas City

No-one ever said that someone who is tired of Las Vegas is tired of life. And that’s because, quite frankly, Sin City can be *exhausting*: the 24-hour hustle and bustle; that constant neon glare; all those glitzy casinos, shows, restaurants, pools and rooftop bars vying for your attention; the overwhelming chaos of the Strip. It’s no surprise that, after a couple of days of high rolling, frazzled travelers often find themselves ready to recharge. The good news is that there are plenty of great things to do outside Las Vegas city. Hey, just because it’s in the middle of a desert doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of eye-popping natural (oh ok, and man-made) attractions to discover, many within an hour of the Strip. Indeed, its desert location is what makes it such a fine destination for out-of-town excursions. The best of both worlds, if you will. So saddle up and join us on our rundown of some of the best day trips from Las Vegas, including: The Grand Canyon Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Seven Magic Mountains Red Rock Canyon Mount Charleston The Grand Canyon There are a number of ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Indeed, you may well be able to pap it from your flight into town (assuming you’re sat on the right side of the plane, that is). But can you really say you’ve ‘done’ the Grand Canyon if you haven’t set foot in it? No, dear reader, you cannot. So go on: book yourself a thrilling helicopter ride for spectacular (and close-up) aerial views as you cruise over the south or west rims of this epic natural wonder, before touching down among its iconic rust-red rocks and hardy desert wildflowers. You’ll have plenty of time for a wander and/or to stuff your camera roll full with enough selfies to fill your Insta feed for a year. Many operators also offer bolt-on experiences like champagne picnics and birthday celebrations for those ultimate #humblebrag souvenir snaps. The sunset ride back into Vegas ain’t too shabby either, as you soar over the neon-lit Strip against a backdrop of blazing desert skies. Magical. Seven Magic Mountains You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve been hitting the mescal too hard when you first lay eyes on the Seven Magic Mountains, a trippy Mojave Desert art installation by Swiss sculptor Ugo Rondinone, around 30 minutes south of Las Vegas. The sculpture consists of seven gravity-defying towers of boulders, some teetering as high as 35 feet tall! But that’s not all: these desert totems are painted in a kaleidoscope of colors – sky blue, mint green, flamingo pink – making for quite the eye-popping sight against those big azure desert skies. The installation is visible from Interstate 15, but is far more impressive up close. Take a good pair of walking boots and get there early to beat the crowds. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area You probably didn’t come to Las Vegas expecting snow. But snow is what you can have on a trip out to the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, or simply Mount Charleston as the locals know it. This is one of the (ahem) coolest things to do outside Las Vegas city limits, and is only about an hour north of the Strip. Temperatures here tend to run around 20-30 degrees lower than the city, making this fine natural wonder and Mount Charleston, its frequently snow-capped star, an excellent choice for escaping the Las Vegas heat. The scenic drive out of town is impressive enough in its own right, as the landscape transforms from those heat-hazed Martian reds to a coole, greener alpine environment. But the park’s lush wilderness, all pine forests and crashing waterfalls, is nothing short of spectacular.  There’s a vast variety of hiking opportunities here, and it’s also where you can spot gnarly bristlecone pines, among the most ancient living trees on the planet, some of them many thousands of years old. Take the relatively unchallenging Bristlecone Loop, or steel yourself for a 16-hour round-trip ramble to Charleston Peak, nearly 12,000 feet up in the clouds, where views, on clear days, of Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada, and Las Vegas, provide quite the stunning reward. Red Rock Canyon There’s a variety of ways you can enjoy the epic natural wonder that is Red Rock Canyon: 200,000 prehistoric acres of rust-colored sandstone stacks and cacti-crammed valleys. The canyon’s location just a few miles west of downtown makes it one of the easiest things to do outside Las Vegas. Rent a pink Cadillac and cruise there in less than half an hour (top down and ‘Viva Las Vegas’ blasting out at maximum volume, natch). There’s a scenic 13-mile driving loop, from which it's possible to access most of the hiking trails, from short casual rambles to steep, glute-straining ascents. You can even book guided half- or full-day horseback hacks through this extraordinary wild landscape, keeping peepers peeled (and camera at the ready) for hidden waterfalls, ancient Native American petroglyphs, and the twitching ears of curious jackrabbits along the way. Check out some of the hiking trails here. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead The Hoover Dam is one of those feats of early 20th-century engineering and ingenuity that will leave your jaw on the floor from the moment you set eyes on it. The dam’s shapely curves aren’t just there to look good either: it’s an arch-gravity dam, which means the pressure of the water against its specific curvature actually makes it stronger. Impressive. As with most out-of-town Vegas attractions, there’s a whole menu of ways to visit the Hoover Dam and its reservoir (the biggest in the United States, fact fans), Lake Mead, where its possible to go boating, swimming, water skiing and more. You could take a helicopter ride for aerial views, or get there by coach and set foot on the thing, taking in panoramic views from the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge some 905 feet above the Colorado River. The latter is available with the Go City Las Vegas attractions pass, which includes access to dozens more Sin City bucket-listers for one money-saving price. Check it out here. Save on Tours, Attractions and Activities in Las Vegas  Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Las Vegas
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10+ Things to Do in Las Vegas in Winter

Are you not entertained? Despite being in the desert, Sin City has winter activities galore, from fascinating circus shows to unique museums and side trips to the stunning Hoover Dam.
Casey Makovich

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