The 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' road sign at sunset

Things to do in Las Vegas at Night Time

By Stuart Bak

It’s difficult to accurately convey the excitement of Las Vegas after dark. It’s the kind of thing that really has to be experienced, at least once, to be believed. We’re talking kaleidoscopic neon lights that set the night sky ablaze from dusk till dawn, larger-than-life dancing fountains and exploding volcanoes on the Strip, and hands-down the best nightlife on the planet, from mega-clubs to world-class concerts to huge, cavernous casinos. And that’s just for starters. They don’t call it the entertainment capital of the world for nothing, you know! We’ve attempted to distill the very essence of Sin City into just 10 essential after-dark activities. Check out our favorite things to do in Las Vegas at night time below, including:

  • The Strip by bus and by helicopter
  • Flamboyant Bellagio and Mirage hotel shows
  • The Fremont Street Experience
  • A date atop the Eiffel Tower
  • A cacophony of clubs, concerts and casinos
  • The Neon Museum
  • The High Roller observation wheel

Vegas Night Rider

Las Vegas skyline at dusk

A bus tour is one of the easiest ways to get a flavor of Sin City at any time. But it’s particularly special at night, when the desert city transmits its bright neon glow out into the stratosphere and the streets are abuzz with party people. Ride the Strip and marvel at the flamboyant mega-resorts, pause for a night time selfie at the iconic ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign and experience a little old-school Vegas downtown, where you’ll have free time to explore the epic Fremont Street Experience and nab yet more snaps in front of the famous Golden Nugget casino, an essential part of the landscape here since 1946.

Free Strip Entertainment

Crowd of tourists watching the dancing fountain show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas

You can find all the night time entertainment you’ll ever need along the length of Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the Strip, where mega-hotels vie for your attention with increasingly flamboyant live spectacles, perfect for lighting up your Insta. Chief among these must-sees are the Bellagio fountains: great skyscraping jets of balletic water that sway in time with classical music belters and modern pop bangers. Then there’s the volcano at Mirage, complete with leaping flames, eyebrow-singeing fireballs and, um, pina colada-scented smoke. Only in Las Vegas. Both shows run at regular intervals throughout the evening, right up until midnight.

Ride the High Roller

High Roller observation wheel capsule at night

Towering a casual 550 feet above the Strip, the Las Vegas High Roller is second only in height to the Ain Dubai in the hotly contested observation wheel world league. As the sun sets over Sin City, the High Roller is illuminated with 2,000 LED lights, creating an eye-popping display that stands out superbly against the night sky even in this perpetually neon-lit metropolis. Step aboard at the LINQ Promenade for a smooth 30-minute ride that soars over the streets, affording dizzying views along the Strip and beyond. Over 21? Steady vertigo-induced nerves with a Dirty Martini in one of the open-bar cabins.

Feeling Lucky?

Roulette croupier in a Las Vegas casino

Can you even say you’ve been to Vegas if you haven’t spent time in one of the city’s cavernous mega-casinos? No, dear reader, you cannot. Take your pick of the slots or try your luck on the poker, craps, roulette and blackjack tables. There are (obvs) dozens of casinos to choose from (it’s Vegas, baby!) but for pure old-school charm, Caesars Palace and the Golden Nugget are tough to beat. Good luck, and don’t forget to gamble responsibly, kids.

Fremont Street Experience

Casino sign at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas

Easily one of the coolest things to do in Las Vegas at night time, the Fremont Street Experience is an epic downtown entertainment complex that includes fine-dining restaurants, trendy cocktail bars and – because this is Las Vegas – a 1,700-foot-long zip wire with a launch platform that’s designed to look like a slot machine and comes complete with 35-foot showgirls. Highlight of the complex is the utterly bonkers LED canopy; essentially a wraparound video screen that’s the length of five football pitches. Don’t miss its mesmerizing nightly Viva Vision light show every hour between 6PM and 2AM.

See the Strip in Style

Helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip at night

If there’s a better way to see Vegas at night than from a helicopter we’ve yet to discover it. Hop aboard for a whirlwind adventure that takes in the bright lights of the Strip and the sparkle of downtown. Eyes peeled for Vegas giants including the STRAT’s rooftop roller coasters, Paris’s replica Eiffel Tower, the High Roller observation wheel, and the ever-changing facade of the Sphere.

Romance, Europe-Style

Gondolier at the Venetian in Las Vegas

Looking to impress your date? A night ride along the Venetian’s replica Grand Canal, complete with singing gondolier, is sure to set hearts aflutter. Afterwards, head over to the Paris resort’s glitzy Eiffel Tower facsimile, where a ride up in the great glass elevator is rewarded with fine French dining far above the Strip. Bon appetit!

See the Bright Lights

Glittery stiletto-shaped sign at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas

The Neon Museum is a quite astonishing al fresco boneyard that preserves and showcases that most Las Vegas of art forms: the neon sign. Check out retired masterpieces of the Sin City skyline including signage from Sassy Sally’s, the Stardust, the Hard Rock Cafe and the Lucky Cuss Motel. This is a favorite night time activity in Las vegas, so be prepared to queue for those all-important Instagrammable photo opportunities, with the signs lit up against the desert sky in all their technicolor glory.

Take in a Show

Concert-goer filming a show on their phone

Las Vegas doesn’t half know how to put on a show. Magicians, musical icons, comedians, theatrical groups: there’s something for everyone here. Check out one of the many spectacular Cirque shows at resorts including the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay, catch the legendary Blue Man Group at the Luxor, or go old school at the Coliseum in Caesars Palace, where mega stars including Cher, Adele, Mariah and Elton have all held long-running residencies.

Get Your Boogie On

Club DJ

The club scene in Las Vegas is legendary, from night time pool parties to cavernous clubs like Hakkasan at the MGM Grand where superstar DJs such as Calvin Harris and Tiesto bring the beats. Hit up Omnia in Caesars Palace with its huge outdoor terrace, or enjoy some of the best people-watching in town at Mandalay Bay’s upscale LIGHT venue. It’s Vegas, so naturally there’s also the option of joining a VIP nightclub tour, an ideal entry point for the uninitiated.

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

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.
Katie Sagal
Welcome to Las Vegas sign in the sunshine
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Las Vegas in May

Tucked away in the Nevada desert, surrounded on all sides by sand, rocks and an occasional cactus, is a bright pocket of color, sound and neon lights. It never sleeps, and it’s never stopped, since some plucky miners and their railroad brought wealth to the region more than a hundred years ago. The city, of course, is Las Vegas. Today, no matter the time of day or year, weary travelers and adventure-seekers alike still seek their fortune here – though one of the best times to come, for weather, crowds and partying till the small hours, is the charming spring month of May. All you need to know includes: Weather in May What's on Day trip ideas Pool parties Las Vegas in May Average temperature: 89oF • Average rainfall: 1 day/mth • Average sunshine: 13 hours Things begin to heat up in Vegas in May, as the days get longer and the clouds dissipate, leaving clear blue skies as far as the eye can see. There’s almost no rain – average rainfall for the whole month is 0.12 inches – but it’s not unheard of for an isolated thunderstorm to roll in, so check the forecast before you head out. It gets warmer as the month goes on, with temperatures regularly reaching the mid-90s and potentially ticking over 100 degrees, so be prepared for heat – particularly in the middle of the day. It’s still quite cool in the evenings, averaging a brisk 66oF overnight, so a light jacket or coat is recommended if you’re heading out and about after dark. Keep in mind, also, that many of the hotels and casinos have dress codes and don’t allow shorts – though fortunately they’re all air-conditioned, so you’ll be fine once you get there. What’s on in May There’s no shortage of fun to be had in Vegas in May, though if you’re here on a festival weekend you can expect to pay premium rates for hotels. On the other hand, if you miss them, your chances of getting a great deal are pretty good. Around the middle of the month is the annual Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, when the city fills up with rockstars and people who want to get a glimpse of them. Recent performers and recipients have included Ed Sheeran, Kanye West, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, to name a few. If that’s not your thing, escape the hoards by whisking yourself up to the Eiffel Tower observation deck, or seek sanctuary on the High Roller Observation Wheel in a soundproofed, climate-controlled pod. The last Monday of the month is Memorial Day and in Vegas this marks the unofficial start of the summer season. Most of the hotels get their festival vibes on with pool parties lasting all weekend; clubs, bars and restaurants will also have special events and offers. Or if you’re looking for a family-friendly event you could attend The Best Dam Barbeque Challenge, a two-day annual event in which teams compete to produce the best ribs, pork, brisket, and chicken. For spectators, as well as the obvious chance to taste a lot of grilled meat, there’s music, a car show and barbequing lessons for the kids. Or if you’re into Punk Rock and bowling, go for the obscure but fun Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival, which is pretty much exactly what it says it is. Day trips from Vegas May is a great time to explore the regions around the city, as the days are getting longer but the heat hasn’t yet become extreme. If it’s your first time in the area make sure you visit the Grand Canyon and tick a natural wonder of the world off your bucket list. The trip begins and ends with a smooth ride in an air-conditioned coach, and in between you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating stop at Lake Mead, cross the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge into Arizona and spend three hours exploring the Canyon’s stunning South Rim on a guided tour. If you prefer wonders of engineering, you could visit Hoover Dam, where you can peer from the dam itself into the depths of the Black Canyon and spend some time exploring Boulder City. Or if you prefer a more elementary escape, why not try a combined trip to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon? Here you can enjoy a scenic drive over mountain passes and red cliffs, see unique rock formations at Chequerboard Mesa and walk the rim of a canyon with stunning natural vistas. Wherever you choose to go, be sure to have your camera fully charged! Vegas Pools When you’ve been out in the desert all day, or hitting the shops of the Vegas Strip, there’s only one way to cool off – in a luxury Vegas hotel pool. This is nothing like your local swim center – these are mind-blowingly lavish and often magnificent bathing resorts, each attempting to outdo the others in theme, extravagance and sheer ingenuity. Choices include 11 acres of beach, tropical island and wave pools at Mandalay Bay, the Mount Olympus-themed Garden of the Gods at Caesar’s Palace, or actual sharks in the titanic-sized tank at the Golden Nugget. Pool season lasts from March to October and most of them stay open from 7am to 7pm. Many of them host pool parties – although you’ll hear them referred to as ‘day clubs’ - because they’re basically an all-day party with music, drinks and crowds of young people letting their hair down. Before you head to your chosen oasis, be aware that many of the hotels have strict rules about who’s allowed in, and in what manner, so make you check before you bathe. One or two – like the LINQ Influence Pool and Planet Hollywood – are free at certain times, but most have to be booked and paid for unless you’re staying at that hotel, and pool parties are strictly adults-only. If you’re not sure which one to pick – or want to try more than one – jump on a Rock Star Pool Party Tour which will take you to two of the best ones on a limo with complimentary drinks. When the pools close, follow it up (if you’ve got the stamina) with a Rockstar Club Tour, which gets you into four of the most exclusive clubs in town. Yes, you ‘May’ have it all! May is the perfect month to visit Sin City. Save money with a Go City Las Vegas Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass, and make sure you don’t miss a thing!
Karleen Stevens
The Seven Magic Mountains art installation in the Mojave Desert south of Las Vegas
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5 Days in Las Vegas

Metropolises the world over dub themselves ‘the city that never sleeps’ on a near-daily basis. But none have turned that tired old cliché into a neon-lit reality with quite the show-stopping aplomb of Las Vegas, where the entertainment – regardless of what time of year you visit – stays turned up to eleven 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Five days in Las Vegas is just about enough time to get a taste of this unique desert city’s hedonistic lifestyle and visit some of its most memorable attractions: the Strip’s mega-hotels, the laidback downtown neighborhood and the Grand Canyon being among the most essential. We’ve put together a suggested 5-day itinerary to help guide and inspire you on your Sin City adventure. So put on your best poker face, cram your pockets full of dollar bills and dive in! Viva Las Vegas! And may lady luck smile upon you... Day 1: Vegas in a Nutshell Kick off your Vegas experience with a spin aboard the hop-on hop-off bus tour. It’s a great introduction to the city’s many pleasures and, best of all, requires minimal effort from you. The tour calls at iconic landmarks along the Strip and Downtown, including the famous ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign, the Strat’s skyscraping SkyPod observation tower and Fremont Street. You can hop off anywhere you like to start filling your Instagram feed with classic Vegas selfies, or stay on for the full two-hour loop to get a proper introduction to Sin City – there’s no better way for a newbie to experience the Strip than from the comfort of an open-top bus, as the supersize hotels and neon-lit casinos roll past. Book a private pod with a decadent glass of bubbles aboard the High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Hotel and watch the sun go down over the Strip and surrounding desert from a sweaty-palmed 550 feet up. Then, suitably emboldened, it’s time to hit the blackjack and roulette tables and one-armed bandits in your first (of what will no doubt be many) Vegas casino experiences. We favor the old-school glitz of Caesars Palace for first-timers – movie mavens may even recognize its cavernous interiors from the likes of The Hangover and Dream Girls. Stick around for a show at its Colosseum theater, which has hosted megastars including Madonna, Elton and Sinatra in its time, or head to the Bellagio, Mirage or MGM Grand for one of Vegas’s ever-popular Cirque du Soleil spectaculars. Day 2: A Spot of Culture Anyone who tells you Vegas is purely about high rolling and horrific hangovers is missing a trick. Did you know, for example, that Sin City also boasts some pretty great galleries and museums? Fill your pockets with quarters and get down to the Pinball Hall of Fame, where you can try your luck on over 150 antique machines. Or don a fedora, pinstripe and your best Al Capone face and get yourself made at The Mob Museum, a fascinating journey into the US’s history of organized crime, with interactive exhibits that include a rogues’ gallery of gangsters and a shooting range simulator. There’s even a working distillery and Prohibition-style speakeasy tucked away in the basement. Meanwhile, the National Atomic Testing Museum explores Nevada’s explosive past when, in the 1950s, atomic weapons were detonated out in the desert here with alarming frequency. Check out the ever-changing program at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, which has hosted exhibitions focusing on the work of Warhol, Picasso, Lichtenstein and others. And step inside the mind of a Dutch master at The Immersive Van Gogh experience, where spectacular set designs by Tony-nominated David Korins of Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton fame make you feel like you’re walking through his best-loved paintings, including Starry Night and Sunflowers. Spend your evening in the neon boneyard at the excellent Neon Museum. Here, retired Vegas signs of yore including iconic examples from the Stardust and Lucky Cuss Motel are given a second lease of life. Day 3: Downtown! Often overlooked by visitors here for the higher octane thrills and spills of the Strip, Vegas’s laidback Downtown has many charms of its own. Get yourself down to the Fremont Street Experience, where an arched canopy over the mall area doubles as a giant video screen. And when we say giant we mean length-of-five-football-pitches giant. Expect spectacular hourly light shows as you browse the shops and sip cocktails in the bars below. Stick around for live music across three stages, kicking off at 6pm every evening. Downtown is also where you’ll find the Las Vegas Arts District aka the 18b. Soak up the boho vibe and shop 18 blocks of art galleries, unique independent stores, vintage clothing boutiques and craft breweries. An arts walk on the first Friday of every month showcases eclectic local art and features live music, fire breathers, fortune tellers and other such Vegas entertainments. Afterwards head over to the nearby Strat, where the Skypod and its utterly terrifying 108th floor thrill rides await nearly 1,000 feet above the Strip. Day 4: Get Outta Town! We get it: the constant noise, bright lights and general chaos of the Strip can get a little overwhelming. We recommend a relatively soothing day out to the Grand Canyon. Charter a helicopter to the South Rim in the afternoon. You’ll soar over the epic Hoover Dam en route and get the opportunity to take a short hike among the wildflowers and rust-red rocks before returning along the Strip at sundown, as the desert skies turn a bruised purple and the Neon City is at its picture-perfect best. Or rent a Cadillac, put the top down and cruise south along Interstate 15 to the wildly incongruous Mojave Desert art installation that is Swiss sculptor Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains. These gravity-defying tall stacks of boulders – some as high as 35 feet – are painted in a rainbow of trippy colors. Then make for the nearby Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon’s diminutive sibling which, at a mere 200,000 acres, still offers plenty of hiking opportunities. Look out for hidden waterfalls and ancient Native American petroglyphs among its towering sandstone crags and deep, cacti-filled valleys. Day 5: Go Hotel-Hopping Vegas’s mega resorts are attractions all of their own, and no Vegas vacation would be complete without spending a day wandering the Strip and taking in essential attractions like the dancing fountains outside the Bellagio, or the Mirage’s exploding volcano. If you’re here during pool party season (March to October), get yourself along to Mandalay Bay’s sprawling Daylight Beach Club with its enormo 4,400 square foot pool, massive man-made beach and winding lazy river. Dive in, or grab a cabana and pina colada and people-watch the day away. Major exhibitions at the Luxor are always worth a couple of hours of anyone’s time and the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are a horticultural marvel, with exhibits that change with the seasons and culminate in a hugely over-the-top festive display at year’s end. You’ll also want to ride the gondolas at the Venetian, with its faithful replica of Venice’s Grand Canal, and ride the glass elevator in the Paris hotel’s glitzy half-size Eiffel Tower facsimile. While you’re there you might as well stop to gorge on caviar, steak tartare and escargots in the panoramic restaurant 100 feet above the Strip. Bon appetit! Save on attractions in Las Vegas Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak

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