Las Vegas

Thanksgiving in Las Vegas - Things to Do in November & More

Vegas is bound to razzle-dazzle everyone this holiday season.
By Katie Sagal

Whether you're visiting for the first time or you've got family descending on Vegas for Thanksgiving, we've got your holiday activities all wrapped up.

Las Vegas is a city of lights year-round. So how do you find something particularly festive to do in time for the Thanksgiving holiday? While there are certainly plenty of concerts, buffets, and casinos to fill up your time, we’ve put together a selection of other activities for Thanksgiving in Las Vegas.

Whether you're a visitor touring the city or a local in search of something out of the ordinary, we've got an idea for you. Some top things to do for Thanksgiving in Las Vegas include...

  • Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
  • Black Friday shopping
  • Grand Canyon Tour
  • Hoover Dam Tour
  • See a show
  • Bellagio Conservatory
  • Cactus Garden Holiday Lights
  • Magical Forest
  • And more!

So check out these suggestions for local activities and more seasonal things to do in November.

Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

For new visitors to the city, there's nothing more effective as an introduction to Vegas than a tour. Choose a hop-on hop-off option like this one from Big Bus Las Vegas to help you make the most of the experience. Stay on to enjoy the informative narration, and disembark at something that interests the family.

Along the way, you'll pass all the major neighborhoods and sites of interest, so you'll leave feeling like you got a good overview of the city. Or, if you're a local who's entertaining visitors, a ride aboard this bus can be an excellent way to show them around your hometown without the stress of driving them around yourself.

Black Friday shopping

LINQ Promenade 

illuminated-welcome-las-vegas-sign-on

Make the most of the Black Friday sales and pick up some deals before Christmas. There are dozens of shops to choose from, spanning everything from clothing and shoes to high-end luxury goods. Arrive early to take advantage of special sales! There are also plenty of delicious restaurants around, should you choose to stop for a bite to eat in the middle of all that intense Black Friday shopping.

And don’t forget about the High Roller Observation Wheel – it’s a great way to unwind and enjoy the sights of the city after a long day of shopping.

Tour the Grand Canyon

orange-sun-lights-pass-though-grand-canyon

A wonderful Grand Canyon Bus Tour experience is the centerpiece of any fully-rounded Vegas vacation. When you've had your fill of casinos and shows, head out to commune with nature in one of the most beautiful places in America. This time of year is perfect for seeing the Grand Canyon because you're avoiding summer crowds.

It could be a bit chilly, but your tour bus will be heated and you can always pop on a scarf when you get out to take pictures. You'll also be enjoying an extra special experience: this ticket includes meals, park entry fees, and tours of some of the best spots of the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village.

Visit the Hoover Dam

looking-atop-hoover-dam

If you're looking for more outdoorsy fun while in Vegas, a tour of the Hoover Dam is an excellent option. It's also a good opportunity to explore more American history during a time of year when we particularly reflect on our heritage.

Visit this National Historic Landmark and learn all about its history, how it was built, and the future we envision for it. You can explore their many exhibit spaces, see an informative film, take tons of photos, and much more. If you're interested in taking the power plant tour, there's a small upgrade fee – worth it!

Catch a Show at the V & Saxe Theaters

If there's one cultural thing you have to do in Las Vegas, it's to see a show at one of their iconic theaters. The V & Saxe Theaters offer plenty of opportunities to see a wide variety of performances and genres, including magic, comedy, percussion, dance, and even grand productions like "Vegas: The Show."

If you're a music fan, you may also like The Beatleshow Orchestra or All Shook Up: Tribute to the King. There are plenty of kid-friendly options, too, including Popovich Comedy Pet Theater and the Nathan Burton Magic Show. Many Las Vegas shows will have performances over the Thanksgiving weekend. However, it is likely to be busy so consider reserving tickets ahead of time.

Harvest Display at the Bellagio Conservatory

bellagio-conservatory-botanical-garden-passionate

Enjoy the beauties and bounties of fall with a trip to the Bellagio Conservatory. Talented decorators put together a delightful arrangement of leaves, pumpkins and squash, cornucopias, and other seasonal plants. It’s a grand display that fills the entire space, from arches of autumnal leaves to sculpted trees and floral designs. Flowers adorn the much-loved giant mushroom sculptures.

The Harvest-themed exhibition will be displayed until mid-November. So, you'll have to make your way over there a little before Thanksgiving to make sure you can marvel at its beauty before they switch to Christmas décor! You'll also enjoy the yearly appearance of the enchanted talking tree – made of plant materials! 

It's free to enter the Bellagio Conservatory.

Cactus Garden holiday lights

Ethel M. Botanical Garden, Henderson, NV. 

Cactus holiday lights Vegas

There’s nothing quite like the holidays in Nevada – after all, where else will you see Christmas lights on a cactus? If you’re looking to enjoy this unique spectacle, then head to Ethel M.’s Chocolates for a chance to see a gorgeous botanical garden all decked out for the holidays. It's the perfect Thanksgiving in Vegas attraction.

The cactus garden is open nightly, is free to enter, and is a big favorite with local families. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up some thoughtful (and delicious) gifts.

Magical Forest

Opportunity Village 

Get yourself psyched for the holiday season with a visit to the marvelous Magical Forest at Opportunity Village. It’s jam-packed with holiday attractions, including a seasonally decorated train, an enchanted carousel, Rudolph’s Raceway, and of course, the magical forest itself – hundreds of trees strung with brilliant, dazzling lights. It’s a southern Nevada tradition dating back years, and a visit here is a chance to participate in local holiday culture.

Getting In: Admission to the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village is separately ticketed and is not included with Go City Las Vegas passes. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the attraction website.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in Vegas!

So whether you’re gearing up for the holidays or just enjoying a leisurely time in November with friends and family, grab a Las Vegas attraction pass and dicover the wonders of Vegas for yourself! Please note, some of these special November events may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go City Las Vegas passes.

Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions? 

Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect!  

☀️Compare Las Vegas passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

 

Katie Sagal

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One Day in Las Vegas Itinerary - Experience Vegas in a Day for Under $100

Heading to Las Vegas with limited time to explore and wondering what to do? You’re in luck, because we have some great advice for where to go and what to see if you have only one day in Las Vegas. We put together a sample one day itinerary designed to showcase a few of the best Las Vegas highlights with limited time. This one day itinerary includes: Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Las Vegas Sightseeing Tour High Roller Observation Deck at the LINQ Fountains at Bellagio (free!) Show at V Theater Spending more time in Sin City? Then take a peek at one of our weekend in Las Vegas or popular 3 day itineraries. Save on Attraction Admission With a 3-Choice Las Vegas Explorer Pass you can visit these great attractions all while saving on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. Remember, this one day itinerary is just one of many ways to experience Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Explorer Pass gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Stop #4: Show at V Theater Take advantage of being in the “Entertainment Capital of the World” and catch one of the amusing and engaging shows Las Vegas is famous for. Choose from the huge variety of shows at the V Theater, located right on the Strip. Owned by the famed Las Vegas producer David Saxe, the V Theater is home to some of the most entertaining, award-winning performances on the Strip. Shows you can choose from include: V - The Ultimate Variety Show: A little bit of everything Vegas packed into one, award-winning show featuring some of the best talent for a fun and memorable experience. VEGAS! THE SHOW: Experience all of the glitz, glamour, and extravagant costumes that make Vegas the 'Entertainment Capital of the World' - a must-see show for all ages. The Mentalist: This show features mind-blowing magic, mind-reading, and comedy from the TV show phenomenon, Gerry McCambridge. and more! Each show creatively pays tribute to the spectacle that is Las Vegas’ unique entertainment culture. No reservations required. A Go Las Vegas Explorer Pass grants you general admission seating only. Located inside Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Getting In: Vegas Shows at the V Theater are available as an option on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass. Let’s Recap This One Day in Las Vegas Itinerary features the perfect selection of activities and attractions to experience some of the best Las Vegas has to offer in a limited amount of time. Saving on things to do in one day in Las Vegas is easy. If you visit the stops mentioned in this Las Vegas itinerary you can save up to 55% off combined admission prices with a 3-Choice Go Las Vegas Explorer Pass. The pass offers flexibility to pick attractions you want to visit from over 10 choices, making it the perfect way to explore Las Vegas for any length of stay.
Casey Makovich

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