Things to do in Las Vegas for a Birthday

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Woman wearing sunglasses and a party hat

Birthdays are precious things, a rare opportunity to make a whole day all about you. And, unless you’re the British monarch, you’ll only get to be this self-indulgent once every 365.25 days, a total of maybe 80-90 times in your lifetime. 

Want to smash your special day right out of the park? There’s perhaps no better place to do so than Las Vegas, the hedonistic neon-lit Nevada playground that’s widely considered to be the entertainment capital of the world. Is Vegas fun for a birthday? Heck, you might as well ask if the Pope is a Catholic. Read on for our fun-packed guide to all the best things to do in Las Vegas for your birthday, including adrenalin-fueled activities, spectacular spa days, exciting live extravaganzas and, of course, a spot of birthday roulette.

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #1: Cake!

Colorful happy birthday cupcake

Everything about Sin City feels supersized, technicolored and, well, magnificently and flamboyantly OTT. And the cakes in Vegas are no exception. There are dozens of bakeries on and around the Strip. Follow your nose for delectable French fancies at Patisserie Manon, Délices Gourmand, and Bouchon Bakery at The Venetian. Or pick up a face-sized wedge of the good stuff at the self-explanatory Cheesecake Baker, where the kaleidoscope of flavor options includes tiramisu, matcha, butterscotch and black forest. Rainbows of freshly baked doughnuts are the order of the day at Pinkbox and there are TV-famous gateaux to be had at Freed’s. Heck, it’s your birthday. Go wild, get sinful, and try 'em all!

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #2: Thrills and Spills

Tandem skydivers

Adrenalin junkies rejoice! Las Vegas is where it’s at for high-octane birthday adventures. It doesn’t matter how old you are: the appropriately named X-Scream roller coaster which teeter-totters over the edge of the STRAT hotel some 866 feet above the Strip will make you feel gloriously intensely alive. Likewise the Big Shot, which fires riders straight up the STRAT’s mast to a dizzying 1,081 feet above terra firma. For something (marginally) less terrifying, hit up the SlotZilla zipline at the Fremont Street Experience downtown, or head out on a skydive over the Strip or Grand Canyon. Top tip: all of these experiences are best enjoyed before cake, rather than immediately after, for fairly obvious reasons.

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #3: Next-Level Pampering

Woman relaxing in a pool at the spa

The proliferation of mega-resorts in Las Vegas means football-pitch-sized spa centers are par for the course. Make like an emperor or empress and spend your day fully horizontal in the treatment rooms, snowy Arctic ice zone and balmy Roman baths at Qua Baths & Spa in Caesars Palace, where a 24-karat gold collagen facial massage is just about as decadent as it gets. Or mosey on down to the distinctly 21st-century Spa at Wynn, where the opulent surroundings and broad range of treatments have earned a coveted Forbes 5-star award. Meanwhile, the simultaneous head-and-foot Euphoria massage in The Spa at Encore has to be experienced to be believed. 

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #4: Pink Jeep Tour

Sign at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, the lowest point in the United States.

It’s your birthday, so you’ll want to kick back, put your feet up and make someone else do all the hard work. Which is where Pink Jeep Tours come in. All you have to do is choose your adventure – think in-depth guided drives along the Strip, cruises to Red Rock Canyon, and even 10-hour round-trips to Badwater Basin in Death Valley – climb into the titular shocking-pink 4WD and let your driver take up the slack, leaving you to soak up all the very best of Las Vegas and beyond without lifting a finger.

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #5: Roll the Dice

Red dice in a cocktail glass in Las Vegas

You’re in Vegas and it’s your birthday. Frankly it would be rude not to try your luck in one of the dozens of casinos for which Sin City is famous. Get your glam on at some of the glitziest addresses on the Strip. We’re talking winning streaks at The Wynn, blackjack and bubbly at the Bellagio, and poker in Paris. Or go old school Vegas at Caesars Palace, the Golden Nugget and the Fremont. Top tip: many casinos, including the Wynn, Excalibur, Luxor and MGM Grand, offer free casino credit on your birthday. So grab your ID, stake your claim, and get ready to roll!

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #6: Buy Yourself a Birthday Gift

Gondolier at The Venetian in Las Vegas

Vegas’s arsenal of credit card-melting activities isn’t just limited to gambling, dining and entertainment you know. No! There’s world-class shopping to be had too, much of it with eye-watering Vegas price tags to match. But, hey, it’s ya birthday, so get yourself over to The Venetian, where the Grand Canal Shoppes boast some of the most luxurious brands in town, and gondola rides along the replica of Venice’s Grand Canal might just be exciting enough to distract you from that four-figure designer watch you’ve been ogling…

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #7: The Grand Canyon

Nighttime helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip

Outdoor types will struggle to resist the lure of the Grand Canyon, just a short and spectacular helicopter or plane ride out of Las Vegas (or a long and rather less wow coach trip). For our money, helicopter rides are the best value, affording quite remarkable panoramas and the flexibility to touch down among the canyon's rust-red rocks and wildflowers for bolt-on champagne picnics and other special birthday experiences. The sunset ride back along the Strip against flaming orange and bruised purple skies, as the city lights up with its trademark neon glow, is the kind of unforgettable experience of which Las Vegas birthday dreams are made.

Las Vegas Birthday Ideas #8: Showtime!

Concert-goer filming the show on a phone

Fancy taking in a show? You’re spolit for choice in Vegas. Hit up the legendary Colosseum at Caesars Palace to experience some of the planet’s biggest music and entertainment stars up close (Cher, Mariah, Elton, Celine and Adele have all had residencies here), or catch one of the ubiquitous Cirque du Soleil spectaculars at major hotels across town. Then there’s the Blue Man Group at the Luxor and countless other live spectaculars, including magic shows, musicals, comedy, cabaret and more up and down the Strip and beyond. Fill your birthday boots!

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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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Best Museums in Las Vegas

An energetic entertainment hub, Las Vegas is a vacation destination quite unlike any other. And whilst the city is known for its booze-fueled nightclubs and dazzling casino floors, there’s a lot more to Sin City than perhaps first meets the eye. Peek beyond the bright neon lights, and you’ll find one-of-a-kind museums and award-winning collections dotted all across the city. At the Pinball Hall of Fame, visitors can wander through a unique collection stretching right back to the game’s inception. Or, if museums dealing with unusual subjects intrigue you, Vegas hardly falls short, with outstanding exhibits at the National Atomic Testing Museum. And for those looking for the ultimate family-friendly educational experience, we suggest checking out the Neon Museum. With so much to see and do here, it’s always a good idea to conduct a little bit of research before travelling. 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After exploring the institute, we suggest checking out its fully operational speakeasy and distillery in the basement - The Underground. Highly informative and undoubtedly unique, this spot is perfect for anybody who wants to learn a little bit more about organized crime in the U.S. and also the law enforcement personnel who fought it. Another one of our favorite stops in Sin City has got to be the Neon Museum. For first-time visitors to Vegas, this is a great place to start learning about the distinctive background of the city and have fun at the same time! Living up to the unique culture and reputation of Las Vegas, this place features a fantastic and unique repository of neon signs from old casinos and other businesses. Wandering through the institute, you’ll notice that each of the restored signs has a story of who created it and why it is important. With over 800 historic signs spread across 2.25 acres, there’s most certainly a lot to see here. There are three main sections: Restored and Installed Neon signs, the North Gallery, and a fan favorite, the Neon Boneyard, featuring additional rescued signs. Captivating, quirky and educational all at once, this only-in-Las-Vegas attraction is a total must-see. Get Cultured Located along the famous Las Vegas Strip, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is one of the most popular visitor attractions of its kind in the region. It’s only been open since the year 1998, but it has already acquired quite the reputation for its remarkable holdings. Though the institute’s collection is small, it features some of the world’s most compelling and prolific artists. From impressionism and surrealism to pop art and minimalism, this space has it all. Previous shows have featured works by Picasso, Fabergé, Warhol and more. These exhibits are carefully curated and switched up throughout the year to provide something new with each and every visit. You don’t have to be an art aficionado to enjoy the wonderful seminal works displayed in this space. Try Something Different For those visitors of a curious mind, the next item on our list should definitely spark some intrigue. With a concentration on the intersection between science and history, The National Atomic Testing Museum works to inspire excitement for STEM learning. The museum operates as an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, providing fun and engaging exhibits for those of all ages. The institute is home to over 12,000 artefacts covering the history of atomic testing from the first check at the Nevada Test Site in 1951 right through to the present day. Its unique and extraordinary collection includes rare artefacts, photographs, videos, scientific and nuclear reports and more. Breaking away from all of the bright lights and casinos, this unusual little gem is a great way to spend a couple of hours in Vegas. For those who are looking to try something a little different, we recommend checking out the Pinball Hall of Fame. Reflecting the playful nature of the city, this living museum houses the impressive and expansive collection of Tim Arnold. Inside, visitors can enjoy nearly 700 different types of pinball games from past to present. In addition, the museum is home to other classic video arcade games and novelty machines like Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong and Ms Pac-Man. These machines aren’t just there for show, though - show up with your game face on and a whole lot of change to play for a couple of hours! Offbeat, kitschy and fun, this spot is the perfect place to spend a bit of quality time with the family. Las Vegas is often overlooked when it comes to its museums - though it shouldn’t be! From world-class art and fascinating history and quirky little gems, there’s no shortage of spaces to explore. Maximize your travel experience with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
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Vegas skyline on a warm summer night
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Las Vegas in June

Things are heating up in Sin City! June is a busy month in Vegas, as the last of the spring clouds are gone, the sun comes out in all its glory and party goers flock to the strip in search of fun and festivities. Most of the excitement is now happening indoors away from the heat, but for those who seek the sun there’s still plenty going on outside – and the pool parties never stop, of course! Hotel prices are at a premium now, especially around the Juneteenth commemorations, but there are some good deals to be had if you come mid-week, or book ahead. Visiting Las Vegas in June Average temperature: 99oF • Average rainfall: 0 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 14.5 hours/day You won’t need many layers in June, as the mercury will hit the 80’s most days and will probably nudge over 100 on some too. It doesn’t cool down much overnight, either – the average low is a very mild 75, so you can look forward to some lovely warm evenings. Plan to be indoors in the air conditioning during the day, and if you are going out wear sunscreen and a hat. There’s almost no rain in June, although the wind does pick up to a breezy 10 miles per hour, so if you’re heading out of the city make sure you have sunglasses to protect your eyes from flying dust. Remember to keep hydrated, and you’ll be fit to keep partying for as long as the sun is up – or down! What’s on in Vegas in June? Juneteenth Juneteenth is an annual commemoration of the official abolition of slavery in the US, which was declared on June nineteenth in 1865. The day itself is marked with special religious services, speeches and family gatherings, and in Vegas is usually accompanied by a festival that takes place on the weekend closest to the day. This uplifting and inspiring holiday is a showcase of the city’s African-American heritage, particularly in the entertainment industry, so expect music, art and plenty of dancing. Sports Most outdoor sporting events wrap up in June, but sports fans can still find some indoor events if they need a break from the gambling and partying. The local WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, plays at the Mandalay Bay Michelob ULTRA Arena, where there’s also some quirky silver art in the lobby that’s worth checking out. Or if you want to keep up with all the sporting action around the country, head to the massive pool complex at Circa’s Stadium Swim, where you can catch all the action on a massive 40-foot-tall LED screen while you’re keeping cool in the pool or sipping cocktails on a comfy sunbed. Where to cool off? When you need a break from the heat of the strip, duck into a casino and enjoy a moment in air-conditioned splendor. You don’t have to be a gambler to appreciate all they have to offer (although if you do fancy a flutter you’ll be spoilt for choice!). Caesar’s Palace is famous for its round lobby with classical marble pillars and renaissance-themed frescoes, the MGM grand has a games and billiards arcade, the Cosmopolitan has a bar famous for its edible cocktails, and Circus Circus has its own family-friendly indoor amusement park, complete with roller coasters, bumper cars and acrobats. For a refreshing twist on things, have a wander through the indoor botanical garden at the Bellagio – stopping on the way to check out their world-recording-holding chocolate fountain, of course. Muse in a museum Despite its reputation for drunkenness and debauchery, there’s quite a bit of culture to be counted up in Vegas. There are several museums, all air-conditioned and ranging in themes from the very traditional Natural History Museum to the surprisingly educational Erotic History Museum. In between there’s a Madame Tussauds, a Mob Museum (where you can explore the history of organized crime and try your own cocktail in an underground speakeasy) and an Illuminarium, which is a 4K, 360o immersive cinematic experience that takes you past the moon and into the far reaches of the galaxy. If that doesn’t cool you off, you might need to try more extreme measures – jumping off the STRAT, perhaps? Party by the Pool A summer trip to Vegas wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least one luxury resort complex and spending a day at the pool. There are plenty to choose from, although keep in mind that some of them charge a fee for non-guests and you’ll probably have to book. Mandalay Beach does a good job of imitating an actual tropical beach, but if you prefer to know you’re in a city then perhaps try the Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan, which overlooks the strip. Others to look out for include the Golden Nugget’s Shark Tank, the uber-luxurious eight-pool complex at the Venetian, or the Mount Olympus-inspired Garden of the Gods at Caesar’s Palace. Keep an ear out for hotels hosting pool parties (which is basically a club, but you can wear your swimsuit) or if you can’t decide, jump on a Rock Star Pool Party Tour and let someone else chauffeur you around from party to party like a proper celeb. Emerge in the evenings When the sun goes down you can finally step outside and breathe in a bit of warm summer air. Stroll down the strip, and maybe try an evening tour from the top deck of a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour – be sure to jump out at the ‘Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign now it’s all lit up, and retrace your steps to the Bellagio Hotel to see the water fountains, which will also now be brightly illuminated. If you’re in the mood for views you can look down on it all from the Eiffel Tower Experience, the Fly LINQ Zipline or even from a helicopter, or you can go for full escapism with a show like Cirque du Soleil’s KA or the Blue Man Group’s bright fusion of color and sound. On the other hand, if you want to keep up the heat, head to Senor Frogs for a sizzling fiesta of Mexican food, drinks and party vibes. Keep things cool with Go City In Vegas, it’s never too hot to have a good time! Be sure to get your Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass, and you’ll get cool savings on all the best attractions in town!
Karleen Stevens

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