Things to do in Downtown Las Vegas

Published: July 18, 2024
The 'Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas' sign at night

Seeking a little respite from the non-stop sensory assault that is the Las Vegas Strip? Then Downtown may be for you. The city’s historic heart promises much the same in terms of top-flight dining, high-stakes casinos and flashing neon signs, but is a much more laid back affair, with street eats, free live shows and an artsy enclave that feels more NYC than Vegas Strip. There are stacks of things of things to do in Downtown Las Vegas, too, and we’ve put together a few of our favorites below, including:

  • Fremont Street Experience
  • Golden Nugget casino
  • Mob Museum
  • Container Park
  • SlotZilla Zipline
  • Neon Museum
  • Las Vegas Arts District

Fremont Street Tour

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A tour of historic Fremont Street is hands-down the best way to find your bearings on your first visit to Downtown Las Vegas (and a great way to discover things to do on Fremont Street once the tour is over). During the tour you’ll follow in the footsteps of the first settlers, see where the Rat Pack used to hang out and learn about Sin City’s past links to organized crime. Your guide will also point out old-school Downtown icons like the Golden Nugget casino and Neonopolis wedding chapel, where you can – should you so desire – be married by Elvis and Gene Simmons impersonators. You’ll also discover the iconic Main Street Station hotel and casino which promises, among its many treasures, chandeliers from the Coca-Cola building in Texas and the Figaro Opera House in Paris, and a section of the Berlin Wall in the, um, gentlemen’s conveniences.

Fremont Street Experience

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The undisputed highlight of the Fremont Street Experience is its absolutely humongous vaulted canopy. At 1,500 feet in length (that’s about four blocks or five football pitches, fact fans) and containing nearly 50 million LED lights, this unashamedly decadent wraparound video screen is the world’s largest. Grab a drink at one of the many bars in this (mostly) pedestrianized part of town and settle in for the mesmerizing light shows that burst out of the big screen every hour. There’s also free live music across three stages here, starting at 6pm every single evening.

The Golden Nugget

You’ll recognize The Golden Nugget from its cameos in dozens of Hollywood flicks down the years, perhaps most notably Bond classic Diamonds are Forever and Elvis fave (yup, you guessed it) Viva Las Vegas. Enter beneath the iconic neon sign and check out the huge Hand of Faith nugget on display in the lobby before trying your luck at the roulette and blackjack tables or just grabbing a cocktail and soaking up the distinctly old-school vibes of this, Las Vegas’s oldest large casino.

SlotZilla Zipline

From high stakes to high wires, the SlotZilla Zipline is pure Vegas, with an 11-story launch deck that’s designed to look like a giant slot machine, complete with cascading coins and a pair of 35-foot showgirls. Incurable thrill-seekers can fly, Superman-style, along the epic (and appropriately named) Superhero-Zoom, which traverses the length of the Fremont Street Experience. The Zip-Zilla is a somewhat less frightening half-length option that flies a little lower and allows you to travel in an upright seated position, for those not feeling quite so dare-devilish.

The Mob Museum

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Practise your best Al Capone impersonations on a visit to the quite excellent Mob Museum, with its plethora of interactive exhibits that chart the history of organized crime in the US, with a focus on mob activity in Las Vegas. See if you can hit the target in the firearms training simulator and visit the rogues’ gallery charting over a century of made men. There’s even an underground speakeasy here serving Prohibition-inspired cocktails to thirsty visitors. Enter via the secret door by the parking lot, but watch out for shady-looking gentlemen in fedoras and pinstripe suits!

Container Park

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A giant metal mantis with flaming antennae and an ear-shattering sound system marks the somewhat apocalyptic entrance to the Container Park, a Downtown shopping and entertainment mecca built out of old shipping containers. It’s a pretty cool hangout, with a little something for people of old ages: there are independent boutiques, bars and live music for the grown-ups, while a huge slide and water-play area in the central courtyard keeps the kids happy.

The Neon Museum

This huge outdoor museum preserves and exhibits that most Las Vegas of art forms: the neon sign. It’s a kind of retirement home for neon signs, giving these masterpieces of the Nevada skyline a second lease of life as part of a major tourist attraction. This is where you’ll find classic old-school signage including sparkling examples from the Stardust, Sassy Sally’s, Lucky Cuss Motel and the Hard Rock Cafe. We recommend visiting the Neon Boneyard at sundown for the most Instagrammable photo opportunities, when the signs are lit up against the fiery desert sky in all their technicolor glory.

SkyPod at the Strat

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Ok ok, so it’s not strictly part of Downtown, but it does command some of the best views of Fremont Street you’ll find anywhere in the city, so we say it counts! Another bonus is that this is one attraction you really can’t miss: just look for the skyscraping observation tower south of Downtown in the direction of the Strip; it's only the second-tallest of its kind in the entire Western Hemisphere! And, should your nerves be able to withstand the head-spinning super-speed elevator ride up to the 108th floor, there are plenty of attractions up here, nearly 1,000 feet above the Strip, to keep adrenaline-seekers occupied for hours. Board the aptly-named Insanity ride, a giant metal claw that dangles (and spins) its victims passengers over the edge of the building and into thin air. Or get even higher on the Big Shot, the vertical drop ride that goes up (and down) the tower’s needle, reaching a gut-churning height of 1,081 feet. Eek, eek and, furthermore, eeeeeeeeeek!

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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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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10+ Things to Do in Las Vegas When it Rains - Popular Indoor Activities

You’ve spent months planning your trip to only to arrive in Las Vegas when it rains. Don’t let the rain get your 'vacation-in-Vegas' spirits down! Instead, experience some fantastic exhibits and experiences only found in Vegas. By the time the sun comes out, you’ll be having such a great time you will barely notice. Choose your pick of these top things to do in Las Vegas when it rains. Looking for fun things to do in Las Vegas when it rains? Admission to all the indoor Las Vegas activities listed below (and some fun outdoor tours and things to do, too!) is included on the Go Las Vegas pass. Choose as you go from dozens of fun attractions and save up to 60% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions, and prices - learn more. Richard Petty Driving Experience: Ride Along Stay dry and live life in the fast lane with the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Las Vegas. Climb in the front seat of an authentic NASCAR race car. Hit max speeds of 165 miles per hour while you feel the force of 600 horsepower. Sit pretty in a Richard Petty Driving Experience as you fly around three exhilarating laps on a professional course. For racing enthusiasts, this is a once in a lifetime experience that will make you forget all about those cloudy skies. Getting in: Richard Petty Driving Experience: Ride-Along tickets are included as a Premium Attraction choice on Go Las Vegas Card All-Inclusive Passes of 3+ days. Blue Man Group Did you know there are only 70 Blue Men in the world? That’s right, and you can meet three of these bald blue men during the Blue Man Group performance in Las Vegas. Join the millions of people around the world who have experienced the Blue Man Group live. At the Blue Man Theater at Luxor Hotel and Casino see paint drums, a tubulum, and the exclusive big drum. The Blue Man Group takes center stage in a raucous display of sound and color that is sure to take your blues away. Getting In: Blue Man Group Show tickets are available as a premium attraction option with the 3-, 4-, and 5-Day Go Las Vegas passes. Additional shows at V Theater are also included with the pass -check our website for more details. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Where can you see all of your favorite celebrities, both dead and alive? Why, at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, of course! Here you can get up close and personal and snap as many selfies as you like, without getting a restraining order. Even if you have experienced another Madame Tussauds wax museum, you still have to set your sights on the Vegas version. Located right along the popular Venetian along the Las Vegas Strip, Madame Tussauds is home to the Marvel Super Heroes 4-D Experience. Spin webs with Spiderman before checking out Viva Las Vegas, showcasing the talent that has made Vegas the show-stopping city it is. Getting In: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas pass. CSI The Experience If you are a true blue CSI fanatic, then without a doubt you’ll be signing up for CSI: The Experience. Transform yourself into a detective ready to solve the murder mystery. Here you have three different murders, three killers, 15 suspects and your CSI skills you’ve been honing from the TV show. For your CSI experience, you are tasked with solving the murder! Start by reviewing the crime scene and gathering evidence. Then you will be sent to work in one of 15 lab stations as you solve the crime. Match DNA and examine bullet casings as you put your own forensic skills to the test. Who knows? You might just find a new calling while trying to make the best of a rainy day in Las Vegas. Getting In: CSI: The Experience tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas pass. Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. The authentic Marvel Avengers STATION (Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) is far more than just a comic book museum exhibit. Here you get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the comic culture of the Marvel characters. Become one with Stan Lee’s greatest creations as you interact with scientific origins and intelligence files related to the Marvel Avengers characters. Learn about their histories and backstories, and see original drawings in real life. For anyone who loved “Black Panther” especially, the Marvel Avengers STATION is the perfect remedy for a rainy day. Getting in: Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas All-Inclusive Pass. Señor Frog's: One-Hour Open Bar Sometimes the best solution for a soggy vacation day is some Señor Frogs. Señor Frogs continues to keep the party hopping at the biggest party locales around the world. Join the masses and become one of the Señor Frog's tadpoles! In Las Vegas, even a trip to the rowdy Señor Frog's needs to be elevated. With the Senior Frogs: One-Hour Open Bar package you get a souvenir Señor Frogs glass along with a full hour in the open bar. In addition, you score 20 percent off of all food and priority seating. Take a taste of Blue Motorcycles, Long Islands, and Pancho Villa while you partake in your hour of indulgence. Just make sure to balance that booze with some of the discounted food! Getting In: Señor Frogs: One-Hour Open Bar vouchers are available on the Go Las Vegas pass. Mob Museum Most people who visit Las Vegas are unaware of its true mobster history. In actuality, the American mob boss scene played a significant role in the development of Vegas as a true town in the wild, wild west. So while you search for a dry place to hang out on a rainy day in Vegas, hit up the Mob Museum. Step back in time with an authentic account of the financial backers and casino owners who started the Entertainment Capital of the World. Stroll through multi-sensory exhibits and artifacts that showcase how prominent organized crime was in the birth of Vegas. Learn about the real Vegas so you can fully appreciate your time here. Getting in: Mob Museum tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas All-Inclusive Pass. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Expand your mind with a tour of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art in Las Vegas. In fact, you’re likely to have your mind blown by the fabulous art in Vegas including works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet. Explore these works of art in this intimate yet equally classically Vegas gallery setting. The Bellagio Gallery keeps up the pace with the curation changing frequently. That means even if you have already been to the Fine Art Museum at the Bellagio, you’ll see something new with each visit. Also, check out the current exhibits that are traveling through the museum for a one in a lifetime chance to see some famous works of art. Getting in: Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art tickets are not included with the Go Las Vegas pass. Real Bodies We are continually amazed by our own bodies as can be seen with the Real Bodies at Bally’s Las Vegas exhibit. Go from seeing embryonic specimens to breathing lungs to a detailed understanding of digestion. Everything you’ve ever wondered about the human anatomy can be resolved with the Real Bodies experience. See an actual body in real life, glimpse at medical cabinets of curiosity from the 19th century, and walk through a chapel of skulls and bones. Why not go ahead and make it a true Vegas tradition by getting married in this chapel fit for pirates? Getting in: Real Bodies at Bally's tickets are included with the Go Las Vegas Card All-Inclusive pass. Explore More of Las Vegas You can save up to 60% on many of your attraction visits with a Go Las Vegas pass, so pick one up today! As you can see, Las Vegas is a lot more than just gambling and showgirls. Expand your mind and explore a major part of the history of the American West with culturally relevant adventures. It's all about getting in as many diverse experiences as possible when you get to Las Vegas only to find the city a downpour in the rain. Spend your time wisely by using our list to start planning your alternative itinerary for a rainy day in Vegas.
Casey Makovich
people enjoying a big bus tour
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September in Las Vegas: Your Ultimate Autumn Adventure

September in Las Vegas is the city’s best-kept secret. The temperatures mellow just enough to explore outdoor adventures, poolside lounging is still going strong, and the event calendar packs in entertainment of every kind. Whether you want to see legendary stars on stage, chase adrenaline at attractions, or snack on creative bites from world-class kitchens, Vegas never slows down. Ready to plan a September trip you’ll be bragging about long after you leave? Here are our top recommendations for things to do next month in Las Vegas.  Our favorite things to do in Las Vegas in September include:  High Roller Observation Wheel  The Mob Museum  The Neon Museum  Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Classic Daytime Tour  The Big Apple Roller Coaster  Las Vegas Hiking Adventures by Love Hikes  Sweet Sin Bakery & Cafe at the LINQ Promenade  Strip Highlights Night Flight on Papillon Helicopter  Pool Parties on The Strip  Exploring Fremont Street  High Roller Observation Wheel: See the Strip in Style  Kick off your September adventure high above the action on the High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ. Why do we love it? It’s like being in your own private sky lounge. Picture yourself 550 feet above dazzling neon lights, with a 360-degree view that sweeps from the glimmering Strip to desert peaks far beyond the city’s edge. Gleaming glass pods mean the ride feels cool and comfortable no matter how warm the September afternoon gets. Whether you time it for sunset and the whole valley glows gold, or hop on after dark for a riot of city lights, the High Roller is equally spectacular. It’s the ultimate group selfie spot, too—grab your friends, snap those panoramic shots, and toast your Vegas adventure with a drink from the full bar pod if you’re feeling festive.  The Mob Museum: Discover Vegas’ Sinful Side  Step off the famous Fremont Street and dive deep into the stories that made Vegas famous—the ones with a little extra grit. The Mob Museum takes you straight into the heart of organized crime history. The former courthouse setting, complete with Prohibition-era artifacts, interactive exhibits, and dramatic true tales, makes you feel like you’re living in the thick of it all. Special highlights include a speakeasy hidden in the basement (yes, you’re encouraged to try their housemade spirits!) and an authentic crime lab experience. The ambience is a mix of intrigue and old-school Vegas glamour. Every visit brings new discoveries, whether you want to geek out over forensic science or hear whispered legends of casino moguls and mobsters.  Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Classic Daytime Tour: Stress-Free Exploring  Why choose just one highlight when you can zip around to all of them? The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Classic Daytime Tour lets you curate your perfect September day, with open-air double-decker rides and lively narration. The fresh breeze and shaded seating make sightseeing easy, even when the sun is shining. Stop where you want—maybe a quick stroll down the Strip, lunch at a celebrity chef spot, or a vintage shopping detour downtown. With buses running smoothly between major hotels, must-see casinos, and local gems, you can cover lots of ground without breaking a sweat or your step count.  The Big Apple Roller Coaster: Adrenaline with a View  When you need a break from table games, switch up your routine with a few corkscrews and a view of the Las Vegas skyline. The Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York-New York delivers big thrills and a surprising sense of nostalgia. Board your red train outside a replica of Lady Liberty, then hang on tight as you loop, twist, and drop at speeds over 60mph. The backdrop? Replica skyscrapers, buzzing crowds, and overhead glimpses of the Strip. It’s equal parts exhilarating and hilarious—especially if you convince your travel buddies to do a group shot coming down the first drop. Go at dusk for sparkly city lights as you race by.  Las Vegas Hiking Adventures by Love Hikes: Epic Trails Close to the Action  September brings ideal hiking conditions—warm, sunny mornings, but not the midsummer scorch. Love Hikes offers guided excursions just minutes from the city, but worlds away in vibe. Picture sculpted red rock canyons, wild Joshua trees, and wide-open desert horizons. Your guide will handle the logistics, share fun local lore, and point out hidden photo ops along the trails. It’s a refreshing contrast to Vegas’ manmade thrills. If you want to see a side of Southern Nevada most visitors never discover, Lace up and get out there—don’t forget water, sunscreen, and a charged camera.  Strip Highlights Night Flight on Papillon Helicopter: Vegas From Above  Nothing compares to seeing Las Vegas as the sun dips and the Strip snaps to neon life. Papillon’s helicopter flight whisks you high above the casinos, fountains and legendary nightclubs. The ride is smooth, the pilots narrate, and the views include everything from the Bellagio Fountains to towering hotels twinkling against the night. If you’re looking for that unforgettable “only in Vegas” experience for a special September trip, this is it. The whole thing feels cinematic—from check-in to touchdown—and creates lifelong memories in less than half an hour.  Pool Parties on The Strip: Endless Summer Vibes  September is prime time to soak up Vegas’ legendary pool parties. The weather’s perfect—warm but no longer sweltering—and DJs keep the energy up all day long. Spots like Encore Beach Club, Wet Republic, and Daylight Beach pop off every weekend, with shimmering pools, plush cabanas, and craft cocktails galore. Whether you want to go all out with bottle service or rock your sun hat on a lounger just steps from the water, you’ll find your perfect spot. Pro tip: check each venue’s calendar for special guest performers and themed events all month long. Swimwear required, inhibitions optional.  Exploring Fremont Street: Old School Vegas With a Modern Twist  End your September adventure where Las Vegas first found its sparkle—downtown’s Fremont Street. This pedestrian wonderland is part free entertainment, part visual spectacle. Live bands blare from open-air stages, dazzling LED canopies overhead light up with hourly shows, and classic casinos showcase Vegas history at every turn. Street performers, zip lines zooming overhead, and the electric buzz of the crowd make every night a little different. Pop into a funky bar for a craft cocktail, grab a late-night taco, and stroll past neon signs glowing with stories from the city’s early days. Just minutes away, you’ll also find The Mob Museum and The Neon Museum if you want to keep the fun rolling.    Ready to fill your September in Las Vegas with energy, excitement, and a dash of glam? This city always has one more surprise around each corner—and this month it’s all yours to discover!    Enjoyed this? Check out our picks of the best casino hotels to call home on your Vegas adventure, and   Step up your sightseeing with Go City®  We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®– just choose a pass to get started! 

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