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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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