hoover dam las vegas

15+ Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

By Lindsay Eagan

Not being a gambler is no reason to not visit Las Vegas. There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble, you'll forget all about the casinos. To make planning a casino-free trip to Vegas a little easier, we put together a list of top things to do in Las Vegas and none of them involve any bets at a casino. Some fun suggestions include...

  • Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Tour
  • Blue Man Group
  • Grand Canyon Tours
  • TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition
  • BODIES: The Exhibition
  • Hoover Dam Tour
  • Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas
  • Madame Tussauds
  • and much more!

1. Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Las Vegas Day Tour

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

1. Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Las Vegas Day Tour

Explore all the highlights of the Vegas Strip and learn about the city's history with knowledgeable guides as you enjoy a Hop On Hop Off Las Vegas Big Bus Tour! Head to the top of the bus for an open-air experience or stay inside the lower level for shade and climate control. Buses leave the Big Bus Tours Welcome Center every 40 minutes and stop at a number of popular locations for hours of fun activities on the Classic Route.

2. Blue Man Group

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

2. Blue Man Group

Experience the spectacular journey of music, laughter, and surprises as three, bald and blue men put on a show that will rock your world, blow your mind, and unleash your spirit. The Blue Man Group will electrify your night at the specially designed Blue Man Theater at Luxor Hotel and Casino. Over 35 million people of all ages, languages, and cultures have experienced the Blue Man Group – now it’s your turn. Dare to live in full color.

3. Grand Canyon Tours

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

3. Grand Canyon Tours

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas Strip and head to the Grand Canyon. On your way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, knowledgeable tour guides will point out and highlight the must-sees along the historic Route 66 while providing interesting historical facts and fun trivia about the area.

Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon National Park you’ll get a National Park South Rim and Village Tour and have 3 full hours to explore the area at your own pace.

 

4. Las Vegas Downtown - Fremont St. Walking Tour

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

4. Las Vegas Downtown - Fremont St. Walking Tour

What better way to learn about the detailed history of Las Vegas than on a two hour Las Vegas Downtown Walking Tour with a friendly, knowledgeable guide See where it all began at the corner of Fremont and Main Streets and step underneath the largest video screen in the world, then continue past the tallest and most attractive casinos and hotels in the city.

You'll also explore the new hotels, restaurants and shopping areas that are part of the urban revival project taking place on Fremont East, followed with information about the Downtown Container Park, where recycled shipping containers have been used to create an entire open-air shopping and entertainment complex! From the past to the present, the Fremont St. Walking Tour is one of the best ways to experience everything from Vintage Las Vegas sites to the area's most recent developments.

 

5. Hoover Dam Tour

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

5. Hoover Dam Tour

With pick up and drop off service right from your hotel included in the Hoover Dam Tour package, you won't want to miss the most popular sightseeing attraction in the area! Known as a marvel of modern engineering and the "greatest dam ever built", the Hoover Dam is proof that there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble.

If you're fortunate enough to take this tour during the holiday season, you'll even be rewarded with a bonus stop at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Gardens! Enjoy an engaging narration and mini tour of the area on the way to the Dam as told by one of our expert guides You'll then have two hours to explore the sights upon arrival.

Make sure to walk the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge if you want to experience the very best views and photo opportunities! Enjoy the museum, exhibit areas, Visitor's Center and movie room, and/or walk across the Dam and delight in the works of art lying on the Arizona side of this marvel. The choice is yours!

 

6. Gene Woods Racing Experience

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

6. Gene Woods Racing Experience

Anyone who has ever dreamt of sitting behind the wheel of a real race car will enjoy zooming around the challenging half mile race track at Gene Woods Racing Experience. You'll learn tips and tricks from the pros featured on an instructional video which will help you safely maneuver around the turns at top speed while getting an edge on your competition.

Up to 18 laps around the course allows plenty of time to sort out the driving skills of your family members and friends. Racing legend Gene Woods spends time at the track most days and loves to share his own tips and personal experiences behind the wheel as a professional driver. Anyone who believes there are not things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble has probably not had the Gene Woods Racing Experience!

 

7. Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

7. Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas

Experience the romance and charm of Paris within the city limits of Las Vegas! A glass elevator will take you up 46 stories during the popular Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas. On your way to the tower, you'll enjoy French flare and appreciate photo opportunities in front of the Arc de Triomphe, the Paris Opera House, the Louvre and more.

The 460 foot, adrenaline inducing ride up the glass elevator will take you to an observation deck where your jaw will drop at the site of the incredible 360 degree views of the city. Ambassadors who spend their days on this deck will cheerfully point out all the famous landmarks of the stunning Las Vegas skyline and will answer questions about the tower's history. Touted as one of the most romantic and memorable things to do in Las Vegas, you won't want to miss this one!

 

8. Vegas Rockstar Club Tour

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

8. Vegas Rockstar Club Tour

Guests over the age of 21 can enjoy the Vegas nightlife like a VIP from the inside of a luxurious limo party bus on the seasonal Vegas Rockstar Club Tour. Your VIP host will serve you drinks from the complimentary open bar while you tour some of the top clubs in the city. All cover charges are included in the tour and you won't have to deal with any lines.

After picking you up at some of the best ultra-lounges in Las Vegas, you'll get VIP entrance privileges at three of the top Vegas clubs. While the club lineup varies each night, you'll likely be clubbing at some of the following hot spots:

  • Light at Mandalay Bay
  • Body English at the Hard Rock
  • Chateau at Paris
  • The Bank at the Bellagio
  • 1OAK at the Mirage
  • Tao at the Venetian
  • Lavo at Palazzo
  • and other top clubs!

9. Rockstar Pool Party Tour

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

9. Rockstar Pool Party Tour

For a daytime experience as a VIP, guests over 21 can spend their time poolside and touring the area in a Limo Party Bus during the seasonal Rockstar Pool Party Tour. A perfect way to spend a day after a long night out, you'll begin at a relaxing party pool complete with daily drink specials.

Next, hop on board a Limo Party Bus complete with a daiquiri bar which will take you on a tour of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Following the tour, you'll get the pleasure of enjoying Las Vegas sunshine at one of the area's hottest party pools. Your VIP status allows you to bypass cover charges and any lines at one of the following:

  • Sapphire Pool & Day Club
  • Liquid Pool Lounge at Aria
  • Wet Republic at the MGM Grand
  • Venus Pool Club at Cesar's Palace

10. Catch a Show

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

10. Catch a Show

Experience The Beatles' iconic songs like never before with this multi-sensory spectacle. Watch as your favorite songs are reimagined through inspiring choreography, impressive aerial acrobatics and immersive visuals. With 360-degree seating, you'll experience this amazing show from all angles – it's really like nothing you'll have ever seen before!

11. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

11. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

Step onto the red carpet and get up-close photos with all your favorite celebrities (or at least their very convincing life-like wax figures) to fool your friends back home. Pose for the paparazzi with Lady Gaga, relive a crazy Vegas night with Bradley Cooper, and fight crime alongside Nick Fury all at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Don't miss your favorite Marvel Super Heroes brought to life in the Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience too.

12. Crack the Case at CSI: The Experience

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

12. Crack the Case at CSI: The Experience

Think you have the skills it takes to be a forensic detective? Head to CSI: The Experience at MGM Grand to try your hand at cracking the case. You'll work your way through three simulated crime scenes, evaluate evidence in crime labs, and more.

13. The Mob Museum

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

13. The Mob Museum

Did you know that Las Vegas was essentially built by notorious mobsters? Hear both sides of the story from the notorious battle of the law enforcement against organized crime and walk away with a new appreciation for Las Vegas's unique history at The Mob Museum. Real stories are brought to life with engaging, multi-sensory exhibits, rare artifacts, and exclusive insights from people on both sides of the ongoing battle.

14. Ride the High Roller

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

14. Ride the High Roller

For some of the best views in of the Strip, take in the amazing, panoramic views of the Strip and beyond on the High Roller Observation Wheel, the world's largest observation wheel at 550 feet above ground level. Grab a drink before boarding at the wheelhouse at the base of the ride and be sure to spend some time exploring the LINQ outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area.

15. Stratosphere Observation Deck

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

15. Stratosphere Observation Deck

Head to the iconic Stratosphere Observation Deck one the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States at 1,149 feet tall for 360-degree views of the city and beyond.

Outdoor deck: Scan the city through viewfinders or watch a desert sunset. The outdoor observation deck sits atop the Stratosphere building and is the tallest observation deck in the United States.

Indoor deck: Take in views of the Las Vegas Valley from inside the Stratosphere. With uninterrupted 360-degree views, your fear of heights will still be tested.

 

16. BODIES: The Exhibition

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

16. BODIES: The Exhibition

This immensely popular exhibition is one for all those interested in science, and for anyone curious about how the human body works. Stroll through nine galleries featuring respectfully presented human remains, from skeletons to preserved organs and beyond. You'll learn a great deal about how the human body works, and get an up-close look inside the skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and other systems of the human body.

Knowledgeable docents will also make the experience that much more informative, so don't be shy to ask questions! Check out the interactive elements, too.

 

17. TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

17. TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition

For anyone with a fascination for history, and particularly the history of this tragic event, TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition is a must-see attraction in Las Vegas. Here you'll find genuine artifacts recovered from the wreckage of this mighty ship, from luggage to floor tiles to window frames.

You'll also get to wander through scale recreations of the signature areas of the ship, like the Grand Staircase and the outer Promenade Deck. See what life was like for both the rich and the less fortunate aboard this vessel, and learn about the history of the Titanic from construction to her sad end.

18. X-Scream at the Stratosphere

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

18. X-Scream at the Stratosphere

Thrill seekers of all ages will love the X-Scream at the Stratosphere. Buckle up and get ready for a headfirst jolt 866 feet up in the air and right over the Stratosphere's edge. The ride takes you both forwards and backwards and provides the feeling of weightlessness as it seemingly defies the laws of gravity. You'll also be rewarded with striking views of the Las Vegas skyline and the Strip below. Do you still believe there aren't plenty of things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble?

19. Insanity at the Stratosphere

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

19. Insanity at the Stratosphere

Daredevils and anyone who wants to force themselves past their fear of heights can climb on board the Insanity at the Stratosphere for a truly memorable experience. Insanity the Ride will take you 64 feet away from the edge of the Stratosphere Tower and 900 feet above the ground, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sites below, if you're willing to keep your eyes open! First, the ride tilts guests at a 70 degree angle, but while spinning, visitors will be pointing straight down and experiencing speeds producing 3 'G's of force. Do your best to open your eyes, if even for a second, as you won't find another opportunity to view Las Vegas from a perspective like this!

20. Big Shot at the Stratosphere

Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

20. Big Shot at the Stratosphere

Located at the top of the Stratosphere and taking you 1,081 feet up in the air (higher than any other thrill ride in the world!) is the Big Shot at the Stratosphere. Starting from the top of the tower, you'll be vertically propelled 160 feet into the air at 45 mph and with a force strong enough to generate 4 'G's. Keep your eyes open while moving up for breathtaking views of the Las Vegas skyline far below, then enjoy a split second of weightlessness at the very top of the ride before dropping straight back down. hink you've caught your breath at the bottom? Think again, as the ride sends you back up for a second round!

Save on Attraction Admission

There you have it - some great alternatives for things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble. We've got you covered with ideas ranging from amazing tours, exciting thrill rides, to world class shows and performances. Best yet, you can save on combined admission to many of these fun alternatives with a pass.

There are taxis everywhere in Vegas but they can get expensive. The hop-on hop-off Vegas Bus Pass travels up and down the strip, which can get you easy access to many of the top attractions and things to do in Vegas during the day.

Admission to many of these top Las Vegas attractions & activities are available with a pass by Go City®. Choose as you go from many top attractions and save on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Trust us, you'll walk away a winner. So grab a Las Vegas pass and get exploring!

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The 'Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas' sign at night
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Things to do in Downtown Las Vegas

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 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 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 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 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 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! 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
Couple kissing in front of the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign
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Las Vegas in February

Nothing says romance like gazing into your partner’s eyes over a tense game of roulette. Yes, it’s Valentine’s month in Las Vegas and temperatures are rising in all the right places, whether you’re here for a sizzling weekend of romance or simply to come in from the cold in the rest of the Western Hemisphere, as Sin City declares winter well and truly over (well, nearly). Check out our guide to what’s hot in Las Vegas in February. Visiting Las Vegas in February Average Temperature: 53°F • Average Rainfall: 6 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day February is a fine time to visit Las Vegas, with daytime highs in the low 60s meaning you might even get away with shorts and tees outdoors, if only during the mild afternoons. The city’s relative warmth makes for busy flights and full hotels, but there are still good deals to be had, particularly in the latter half of the month once the excitement of Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl has died down. Clear, sunny days with cool mornings and cooler evenings are still par for the course here as winter ebbs away, so make sure to pack layers: jumpers, jeans and light jackets remain essential gear if you’re planning to spend time exploring the Strip’s many brightly illuminated attractions after dark. Likewise if you plan to go hiking out in the desert canyons, where warm, sturdy footwear is also a must. Top tip: falling on the third Monday in February, Presidents’ Day is one of Vegas’s least crowded holiday weekends, meaning there are plenty of good deals to be bagged from the hotels, leaving you with plenty of pocket change for the one-armed bandits! Things to do in February “I’m just the devil with love to spare... viva Las Vegas!” So sang Elvis on his hip-wiggling ode to the city that never sleeps. And, whether you’re a little devil or an old romantic, there are plenty of activities in Vegas that will ignite the flames of passion. What better time to give them a spin than in February, the month when Valentine’s Day sends the whole planet gaga with grand romantic gestures. Sweep your better half of their feet (literally in some cases) with Sin City’s dizzying plethora of mile-high activities. A private pod on the High Roller Observation Wheel is a great place to start. Book yours with a glass of bubby to add some serious sparkle as you watch the sun set over the Neon City and desert beyond from a heart-fluttering 500 feet up. Not high enough for ya? Attractions at the top of the Strat hotel’s SkyPod tower include the aptly named Insanity ride, in which a giant metal claw dangles and spins you out into mid air 900 feet above the Strip. You can also bungee jump from way up here on the 108th floor. Or perhaps just take in the views from the observation tower as helicopter tours zip past at frighteningly close range. You could also hop aboard one of those helicopter rides yourself. After all, cruising the Strip’s neon-lit length by chopper at nightfall is arguably way more romantic than hurling yourself off the top of a skyscraper. As romantic as Vegas may be, you’ll be hard-pushed to find anyone who’d claim it’s a patch on Paris or Venice. Yet, not to be outdone, Vegas of course comes with its very own Paris-themed resort, complete with replica Eiffel Tower. Take your beau or belle on a thrill ride to the top in the glass elevator, before gorging on caviar, steak tartare and escargots in the tower’s panoramic restaurant 100 feet above the Strip. Ooh la la! Then head over to the Venetian for a neon-lit gondola ride along the resort's swoonsome replica of Venice’s Grand Canal. Layer up and take a walk to see some of Vegas’s most impressive free spectacles. There’s the dancing fountains out front of the Bellagio – a must-see on any Vegas bucket list – as well as the Mirage’s incredible exploding volcano. But it’s also worth getting ‘off Strip’ and into downtown Vegas for the Fremont Street light show. Here, millions of LED lights hang over the street’s pedestrianized section, creating an eye-popping display when the sun goes down. There’s also (free) live music and some fine bars and restaurants to explore down this way. And if all that fails to impress, there’s always the Erotic Heritage Museum, where thousands of curious artifacts chart the history of sex across the centuries. Think lingerie, celebrity sex tapes, erotic Peruvian smoking pipes and, um, an interactive 10-foot vulva. What’s on in February? Sporting Events Local heroes the Golden Knights’ hockey season is in full swing in February, attracting sports fans to Sin City in their droves. Catch them in action at the Strip’s huge T-Mobile Arena. February is also, of course, Super Bowl month, when venues across the city (including hotels and casinos) screen the big event, bringing a real party spirit back to the city for the first time since the Strip’s OTT New Year pyrotechnics. Expect it to be off-the-scale in 2024, when the Super Bowl takes place in Vegas itself! Taste and Sounds of Soul Festival This free event takes place downtown at the Fremont Street Experience and is one of the biggest Black History Month events in Nevada. The three-day party fuses live music from local bands and DJs with banging BBQ and Creole flavors from the Deep South. Chinese New Year Las Vegas celebrates Chinese New Year with the same restraint it does every major festival. So expect a city-wide extravaganza complete with parades, floats, enormous dragons and, naturally, some of the best Chinese food on the planet. There will also be themed displays in major hotels including the Bellagio, Venetian and MGM Grand as well as most of the major shopping malls. 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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