Tourist taking photo of the replica Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas

Popular Places in Las Vegas for Tourists

By Stuart Bak

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

Carful of friends driving past the famous 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign

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

Casino sign at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas

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

Woman playing the slots in a Las Vegas casino

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

A gondolier at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas

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

Walkers at the Grand Canyon

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

The High Roller in Las Vegas at night

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

Fan filming a live show on their phone

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…

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Las Vegas Bachelorette Party Ideas & Tips

Every friend group needs at least one friend to have their bachelorette party in Las Vegas. We put together some of our top tips and ideas for planning the best Las Vegas Bachelorette Party Weekend getaway with the girls, including where to stay, things to do, and where to eat. Tips for Planning Ideal length of stay: 3 days, 3 nights (this is not a hard-and-fast rule, just somewhere to start) Schedule in a little time for some R&R in your hotel room or plan a relaxing activity like a guided day trip, lounging at the pool, catching a show, or pampering at the spa. When planning for a group, let guests pick a couple of their activities (spa day vs. lounging at the pool, etc.) Skip the custom t-shirts and treat yourselves to an activity or extra special dinner instead (nobody ever wears those shirts again anyway!) Book accommodations and activities in advance to make sticking to a budget for the group easier. (Be sure to make any necessary reservations well in advance too.) Tips for saving on a hotel Shop around, look for promotions for Vegas hotels on budget travel sites, consider amenities that save money, such as airport shuttle service, pool access, a kitchenette, free parking, etc. Plan your trip first, and think about amenities you don't need. Booking a limo service to pick everyone up at the airport? Shuttle service might not be as big a draw. Going on a guided Pool Party Tour? Access to the hotel pool isn't much of a perk, etc. Budget Hotels (rooms are just for sleeping anyway, right?): some budget-friendly hotels on the strip to consider are, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Motel 8 Las Vegas, Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at the Flamingo, The Mirage, and Treasure Island. High-Roller Hotels (you only get married once, right?): if you're looking for a little luxury on the strip, some hotels to consider are Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Caesars Palace, The Palazzo, Wynn Las Vegas, and Encore. Bachelorette Party Activities Give your guests an idea of the itinerary before the trip so that they know what to expect (and what to pack). Include the weather forecast when you touch base with all of the ladies right before the trip. For Relaxing Chances are, everybody will need a break from the parties and celebrations at some point during your trip to relax and restore. Schedule in some time to do something relaxing like seeing a show or hitting the spa. Sit back and relax as you glide through the picturesque streetscape on an outdoor gondola ride at The Venetian®. You'll feel like you're traveling through the canals of Venice while your guide serenades you. (Great photo opp!) Don't go to Vegas without catching a show at the famous V Theater . Or, loosen up the crowd and get the laughs going by taking the famous Stripper 101 class -- memories, guaranteed. Head to a luxurious spa for some Vegas-style pampering and professional detoxing. Schedule group massages, check out some hot tubs, or indulge in some mani/ pedis. Check out one of the top 5 picks from SheKnows.com. For Enrichment Explore the Strip. Get out and see the sunshine. It's easy to spend an entire day indoors with all the hotels and casinos have to offer. Explore the Strip on foot (be prepared, the Strip is 4 miles long) or, board a hop-on hop-off guided bus tour. Make sure you see the famous "Las Vegas, Nevada" sign and snap a pic with the whole group as a souvenir. Catch the famous fountain show at The Bellagio, walk over the "Brooklyn Bridge" at New York New York, and more. Where to Dine Otherwise known as: our favorite topic to write about, Las Vegas being no exception. For Brunching Is there such a thing as too many mimosas? Definitely not in Vegas. Head to the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan for bubbles and brunch. Go for the bottomless mimosas, chicken and waffles, and the buffet-style amazing-ness that diners rave about (for good reason). Fans of "the Cake Boss" need to check out Buddy V's, Buddy Valastro's first restaurant. Their brunch menu features classic brunch creations served buffet-style and bottomless libations such as sangria, bloody marys, bloody caesars, and more. If you're like us, on Sundays, one of your favorite activities and checking the #bloodymary hashtag on instagram. Head to Todd English P.U.B. for break-the-internet-worthy bloody marys and some tasty bites. Find out what keeps all of the rave reviews coming at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Culinary Dropout, a trendy establishment with an innovative menu (pretzel fondue, anyone?), inviting atmosphere, and live music on select nights. Looking for classic American fare and a fun tourist-y dining experience? Be sure to check out the Planet Hollywood right on the strip. It's an easy place to go with a big group and the Hollywood movie-inspired atmosphere always promises a good time. The ever-popular In-N-Out Burger is always an option and might be a bucket list item for some of your guests. Located just off the strip on the other side of Interstate 15, it's a little tricky to get to, but we promise it's worth the small trek! Insider tip: be sure to get your double-double with a side of french fries "animal style", trust us, they're amazing. Have you been to a Las Vegas Bachelorette Party? Let us know if you would add any suggestions to our list in the comments below!
Casey Makovich
Spectators watching the Bellagio Fountains by night.
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Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions Comparison

Caesars Palace and the Bellagio are two of the titans of the Las Vegas Strip, each with close to 4,000 rooms and oodles of high-end bars, restaurants, shops, pools, spas and more. That, fact fans, puts both comfortably inside the top 10 most supersized hotels in town (and inside the top 20 on the entire planet). But which is better? There’s only one way to find out! We pitted these two Sin City heavyweights against each other to find out how their many and varied attractions measure up. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: The Must-Sees In terms of the kind of must-see attractions that will leave your Insta followers green with envy, it’s fair to say the Bellagio is your best bet. Sure, Caesars has a certain allure, thanks to its flamboyant Greco-Roman style architecture, Corinthian columns, winged statues, fountains and 20-foot likeness of Augustus Caesar. Strip first-timers are sure to adore its old-school glitz, while movie mavens will enjoy re-enacting scenes from the likes of Dream Girls and The Hangover, both of which were filmed here. But does it have its own fine art museum and botanical garden? It does not. And that’s before we even get started on the Bellagio’s world-renowned fountain show... Surely the biggest and best free show in town, this watery extravaganza sees skyscraping jets of balletic water swaying in time with classical music belters and modern pop bangers, and runs at regular intervals from 3PM to midnight daily. Head inside to take a peek at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, with ever-changing exhibitions that have included works by some of the biggest names in 20th-century art, among them Picasso, Warhol and Lichtenstein. There are yet more blooming wonderful works of art on display in the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. These colorful and hopelessly flamboyant horticultural displays change with the seasons and culminate in a hugely camp and over-the-top festive spectacular at year’s end. Meanwhile, Dale Chihuly’s vibrant glass Fiori di Como sculpture (pictured above) is in bloom year round, and dominates the Bellagio’s main lobby area. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Entertainment and Nightlife Make no mistake: Caesars Palace is an absolute titan of the Las Vegas entertainment scene. It’s legendary Colosseum theater has hosted performances and residences from some near-mythical music makers over the years. We’re talking Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Elton John, Celine Dion and the mighty Liberace. Add to this the epic Omnia nightclub, 75,000 square feet of multi-level dancefloors with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and an awesome 11-ton kinetic chandelier centerpiece, and you have the beginnings of quite the evening out. They love a bit of water-based entertainment over at the Bellagio so, in addition to those dancing fountains, Cirque du Soleil’s resident show takes place over a 1.5-million-gallon pool. O – pronounced ‘eau’ not ‘oh’, darling – has been wowing audiences with synchronized swimming, daredevil diving and various other acrobatics since the hotel opened in 1998. It’s good, but it’s not quite Sinatra, so the smart money’s on Caesars in this round. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Having a Flutter Opened way back in 1966, Caesars Palace is the place to catch some genuine old-school vibes, with 1,324 slot machines (at last count) on which to try your luck, as well as 185 table games that keep it real with classics like roulette, blackjack and Texas hold ‘em poker. High rollers hit up the Bellagio for up-to-the-minute slot games. There are more than 2,300 reel, video reel and video poker games on the casino’s slot floor as well as, of course, the usual glut of table games, many of which can be played in the exclusive high-limit lounge. Sports fans are in for a treat at both hotels. The Caesars sportsbook is an absolute corker with a whopping 143-foor HD screen while the Bellagio’s mammoth venue has multiple (not-quite-as-big) screens and around 100 individual racing monitors. We’re talking two of the very best betting facilities in the West here, so you’re not really taking much of a gamble by choosing one over the other. Let’s call it evens. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Bars & Restaurants Neither hotel is short of a celebrity chef. Nor indeed a cocktail lounge or six. Whether you’re in the market for a prime steak filet, gourmet Italian food, a flamboyant floral cocktail or, you know, just a decent cup of joe, Caesars and the Bellagio have you more than well covered, with something like 50 bars and restaurants between them. The Bellagio just edges it in terms of sheer number and variety of eateries but – in-keeping with its overarching bacchanalian theme – Caesars has more (and better) bars. Caesars highlights include celebrity hotspots like Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen with its decadent signature beef wellington, and the foliage-festooned Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, where you can sip – if you’re feeling brave enough – on imaginatively named drinks including Checkmate Bitch, Cold Blooded and Puff the Magic Dragon. Smokin’! Meanwhile at the Bellagio it’s all about late-night liquor in the lavish Lily Lounge overlooking the casino floor. Take a break for steak at PRIME or dine in style at Wolfgang Puck’s flagship Spago restaurant, directly overlooking the Strip and dancing Bellagio fountains. Odds are that, again, you’ll have a good time in either hotel. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Shopping It should perhaps go without saying that a city that effectively exists for big spenders and high rollers is going to have some of the best shopping on the planet. But prices are often not for the faint-hearted. That’s perhaps especially true along elegant Via Bellagio, where luxury designer brand after luxury designer brand will have your bank manager coming out in a cold sweat in no time at all. We’re talking – deep breath – Bulgari, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Prada and Valentino, to name just a few. Perfect, in other words, if you’ve recently won big on the craps tables. The shopping at Caesars Palace is an altogether more extravagant affair, with around 200 chic boutiques and speciality stores. Here, amid soaring marble columns, Romanesque courtyards, burbling fountains and statues including a life-sized replica of Michelangelo’s David, you’ll find more of the world’s biggest fashion brands, as well as high-end chocolates, glittering jewelry and unique Vegas souvenirs. For those reasons, we’re betting on Caesars for the win in this round. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: R’n’R An afternoon spent sipping margaritas and people-watching by the pool should be considered all but essential on any Vegas vacation. Set around Mediterranean-style courtyards strewn with luxurious cabanas and daybeds, the Bellagio’s five pools are ideal for just such an activity. Caesars ups the ante in its modestly monikered Garden of the Gods, where epic Romanesque columns, statues and fountains surround seven pools. Have a flutter at the Fortuna pool’s five swim-up blackjack tables, take the kids for a splash at Jupiter pool or join the all-day bacchanalia at Neptune. If you prefer to spend your day mostly horizontal, you can even have a massage in your poolside cabana courtesy of the hotel’s sprawling Qua Spa. Our verdict? Caesars seizes the crown in the R’n’R stakes. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions Comparison: Conclusion So, while the Bellagio is where it’s at in terms of sheer visual spectacle and must-see attractions including the Bellagio fountains, Museum of Fine Art and Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Caesars Palace more than holds its own in many of the other categories, notably entertainment, nightlife and the kind of extravagant pool scene that would make Caligula himself blush. Save on attractions 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
New Year's Eve in Las Vegas
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New Year's Eve in Las Vegas

It's nearly time to ring in the new year. It's about time too. The last 12 months have been full of ups and downs, victories and tragedies. I guess it's the same every year, right? So, if you're heading to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve, you'll need to know about all the events in the city. In our guide, you'll learn everything you need to know to have the time of your life. Read on, take notes, and see you next year! Including: When is New Year's Eve in Las Vegas? Where is New Year's Eve in Las Vegas? Things to remember over New Year's Eve in Las Vegas Things to do on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas When is New Year's Eve in Las Vegas? It may sound like a silly question, but New Year's Eve celebrations in Las Vegas tend to stretch from December 30 - December 31, so if you want to make the most of your time, you can get in on the action early. Where is New Year's Eve in Las Vegas? You'll find things to do and ways to celebrate all across the city. That's just a little tease, because we need to talk about some dos and don'ts before we explore the Strip's NYE offerings. Things to remember over New Year's Eve in Las Vegas We're all for having a good time, but if you're celebrating your first New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, there are some things worth mentioning. Firstly, from 6AM on December 31 to 6AM on January 1, you cannot hold glass or aluminum containers on Las Vegas Blvd. This is to ensure people stay safe, while limiting the amount of dangerous litter that can accumulate throughout the day. It's also worth noting that large bags and purses, coolers, luggage of any kind (briefcases, backpacks, or cinch bags), computer and camera bags, strollers, and carts are also banned on the Strip and Downtown. Even children under 18 are not allowed on the Strip or Downtown throughout this time. And, given the above, you can't even sneak them in with a stroller. All jokes aside, the cops take these rules very seriously, so don't give them any reason to kick you out! Things to do on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas Now we've got all the boring - yet necessary - stuff out of the way; let's talk about something fun! What kinds of things can you get up to on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas? Whether you're looking for thrilling sit-down performances, fireworks, clubbing, or otherwise, we've got you covered. Check out our recommendations below! Image courtesy of mariakray/Shutterstock Blue Man Group This tireless trio of extraterrestrial entertainers will be at it one New Year's Eve too, bringing their liberally messy sound and color show to the Luxor Hotel & Casino at 2PM, 3PM, and 8PM. If you've never been to a Blue Man Group show, then you're in for a treat. Landing somewhere between a music performance and an art installation, the three blue-migos combine paint and drums to bring their performance to life. And they also have a 'drumbone', an instrument that's half-drum and half-trombone. It might not make sense now, but when you see it, you'll understand. It's worth noting that a combination of drums and paint is bound to make a splash. That's why we recommend that you take a waterproof and easily-washable clothes with you. There are dedicated splash zones, where punters are kitted out in stain-free gear, but you should always be wary of splash damage. The Blue Man Group takes no prisoners. Image courtesy of Marti Bug Catcher/Shutterstock Vegas Strip New Year's Eve Fireworks If you want to be out and about when the clock strikes 12, then you can't do much better than the New Year's Eve Fireworks. One of the most impressive fireworks displays in the country, you'll join thousands of other explosion-seekers as they gather around the Strip to ring in the new year. As all eyes are drawn to the sky, a magnificent barrage of fireworks will be fired off from the top of eight casinos surrounding the Strip. Over the course of ten wonderful minutes, over 80,000 fireworks will crack the sky, lighting up the whole of Vegas. But they're not just fired off with reckless abandon. Instead, they're timed to music that will blare out across the crowd. So, if you've never seen a choreographed firework display, you won't want to miss it. If you get there early, don't worry. The entire Strip becomes a pedestrian-only zone when the sun goes down, turning Vegas into one massive block party. Nice. Image courtesy of Jeffrey J Coleman/Shutterstock Fremont Street Party If you prefer pyrotechnics at eye level, then you'll find a similar block party at Fremont Street. While it may not boast the bangs of the fireworks on the Strip, it does come with some other exciting bonuses. For one, you'll see live performances from the likes of Sugar Ray, Bush, Sugarhill Gang, and Julian Marley and The Wailers. Secondly, it being an adults-only party, you're free to revel in all the boozy goodness us adults tend to love. So, if you aren't bringing the little ones with you and prefer bands over bangs, then check out Fremont Street Party. STARDUST at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center If you're an EDM junkie and want to ring in the New Year on a neon-soaked dancefloor, check out STARDUST at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Headlined by none other than the famous disk spinner DEADMAU5, you'll have hours upon hours of boogies to woogie. Doors open at 5PM, and will stay open long into the January night. And if the mouse-headed man doesn't cut it, preceding him are equally funny-named DJs like REZZ, RL GRIME, Ghost RYDR, Marauda, Noizu, and Versa. Very cool. And that's it! Everything you need to know about New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, all tucked up into one handy guide. Whatever you decide to do, have a happy new year! But why stop there? After the dust has settled and the hangover's dispersed, why not make the most of your trip? Vegas still has plenty to offer, and with Go City, you'll experience the very best of the city for one low price. Check out our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass to see which works for you!
Dom Bewley

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