Ultimate Las Vegas Bucket List

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
Las Vegas Skyline

Las Vegas looms large in our cultural imagination for so many reasons. Spur-of-the-moment weddings, blockbuster films, exhilarating evenings, and enchanting days—it’s impossible to pinpoint why we all love Sin City. However, we don’t all have the time, means, or inclination to visit Las Vegas multiple times.

For those of you looking to narrow down the must-see Vegas attractions, we’ve put together this ultimate Las Vegas Bucket list to inspire your trip.

Ultimate Las Vegas Bucket List 1-10

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  1. Get your photo with the Las Vegas sign. We all love this sign, and it’s the perfect Insta shot to prove you were there. A hop-on hop-off bus tour can get you there no problem.
  2. Gamble at the iconic casinos. A little bit, that is. You can’t leave Vegas without trying your hand at slots or a nice game of blackjack.
  3. Soar over the strip on a helicopter. Seriously, what can be cooler or more romantic than a nighttime chopper ride?
  4. Watch the Bellagio fountain show. This fun free thing to do is easy to work into a memorable night.
  5. See the Blue Man Group. Or, really, any other high-profile show in Vegas. It’s more than worth the price of admission to enjoy top-notch entertainment, and the Blue Man Group is exactly that.
  6. Visit Paris—in Vegas. You don’t need to hop aboard an Air France jet to see the Eiffel Tower—just visit Paris Las Vegas.
  7. Hit up a Vegas buffet. Vegas is renowned for its food scene and buffets are a big part of that. Stuff yourself silly at top choices like the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar’s Palace.
  8. Reserve a day for the Grand Canyon. If you’ve got any extra time at all, you’ll be repaid a thousand-fold for spending a day on a trek out to the Grand Canyon.
  9. Relax at a luxury spa. While much of your vacation might be spent on the go, it’s important to leave some time for serenity. Vegas’s unparalleled spa scene is ready for you.
  10. Hit up a nightclub. Even if you aren’t normally a club-hopper, the Las Vegas club scene is worth one night spent partying like a rock star.

Ultimate Las Vegas Bucket List 11-20

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  1. Zipline over the Strip. Yes, it’s possible, and yes, it’s awesome. Take a zipline ride over part of the Strip for the ultimate thrill.
  2. Visit the Neon Museum. A quirky option among Las Vegas’ already intriguing museum scene, this homage to the preferred means of signage is worth an hour or two.
  3. Laugh your butt off a comedy club. Las Vegas theater is more than just flashy effects and spectacular dancing—comedy clubs are a big hit, too!
  4. Take in a sporting event. Whether it’s the Las Vegas Lights USL soccer team or the Golden Knights NHL team, there are plenty of athletic options to enjoy.
  5. Play your heart out at Topgolf. Among the more unique entertainment options in the city is this multi-level golf paradise.
  6. Ride a roller coaster through NYC. Sort of. The Big Apple Roller Coaster at NY, NY is a great opportunity to zip through a replica of NYC at high speed while enjoying Las Vegas scenery.
  7. Scope out the home of the nuclear bomb. The National Atomic Testing Museum isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s an important piece of our history.
  8. Tan and splash at a pool party. If you’ve ever wanted to fully channel your ability to relax while sipping an adult beverage, then a pool party is your top target.
  9. Scream and cheer at a boxing match. You haven’t experienced Vegas until you’ve screamed yourself hoarse at a title bout.
  10. Get married in a chapel by Elvis. Should you be disinclined to pomp at your wedding, getting married by an Elvis impersonator at a Las Vegas chapel can’t be topped.

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Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Spectators watching the Bellagio Fountains by night.
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Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions Comparison

Caesars Palace and the Bellagio are two of the titans of the Las Vegas Strip, each with close to 4,000 rooms and oodles of high-end bars, restaurants, shops, pools, spas and more. That, fact fans, puts both comfortably inside the top 10 most supersized hotels in town (and inside the top 20 on the entire planet). But which is better? There’s only one way to find out! We pitted these two Sin City heavyweights against each other to find out how their many and varied attractions measure up. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: The Must-Sees In terms of the kind of must-see attractions that will leave your Insta followers green with envy, it’s fair to say the Bellagio is your best bet. Sure, Caesars has a certain allure, thanks to its flamboyant Greco-Roman style architecture, Corinthian columns, winged statues, fountains and 20-foot likeness of Augustus Caesar. Strip first-timers are sure to adore its old-school glitz, while movie mavens will enjoy re-enacting scenes from the likes of Dream Girls and The Hangover, both of which were filmed here. But does it have its own fine art museum and botanical garden? It does not. And that’s before we even get started on the Bellagio’s world-renowned fountain show... Surely the biggest and best free show in town, this watery extravaganza sees skyscraping jets of balletic water swaying in time with classical music belters and modern pop bangers, and runs at regular intervals from 3PM to midnight daily. Head inside to take a peek at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, with ever-changing exhibitions that have included works by some of the biggest names in 20th-century art, among them Picasso, Warhol and Lichtenstein. There are yet more blooming wonderful works of art on display in the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. These colorful and hopelessly flamboyant horticultural displays change with the seasons and culminate in a hugely camp and over-the-top festive spectacular at year’s end. Meanwhile, Dale Chihuly’s vibrant glass Fiori di Como sculpture (pictured above) is in bloom year round, and dominates the Bellagio’s main lobby area. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Entertainment and Nightlife Make no mistake: Caesars Palace is an absolute titan of the Las Vegas entertainment scene. It’s legendary Colosseum theater has hosted performances and residences from some near-mythical music makers over the years. We’re talking Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Elton John, Celine Dion and the mighty Liberace. Add to this the epic Omnia nightclub, 75,000 square feet of multi-level dancefloors with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and an awesome 11-ton kinetic chandelier centerpiece, and you have the beginnings of quite the evening out. They love a bit of water-based entertainment over at the Bellagio so, in addition to those dancing fountains, Cirque du Soleil’s resident show takes place over a 1.5-million-gallon pool. O – pronounced ‘eau’ not ‘oh’, darling – has been wowing audiences with synchronized swimming, daredevil diving and various other acrobatics since the hotel opened in 1998. It’s good, but it’s not quite Sinatra, so the smart money’s on Caesars in this round. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Having a Flutter Opened way back in 1966, Caesars Palace is the place to catch some genuine old-school vibes, with 1,324 slot machines (at last count) on which to try your luck, as well as 185 table games that keep it real with classics like roulette, blackjack and Texas hold ‘em poker. High rollers hit up the Bellagio for up-to-the-minute slot games. There are more than 2,300 reel, video reel and video poker games on the casino’s slot floor as well as, of course, the usual glut of table games, many of which can be played in the exclusive high-limit lounge. Sports fans are in for a treat at both hotels. The Caesars sportsbook is an absolute corker with a whopping 143-foor HD screen while the Bellagio’s mammoth venue has multiple (not-quite-as-big) screens and around 100 individual racing monitors. We’re talking two of the very best betting facilities in the West here, so you’re not really taking much of a gamble by choosing one over the other. Let’s call it evens. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Bars & Restaurants Neither hotel is short of a celebrity chef. Nor indeed a cocktail lounge or six. Whether you’re in the market for a prime steak filet, gourmet Italian food, a flamboyant floral cocktail or, you know, just a decent cup of joe, Caesars and the Bellagio have you more than well covered, with something like 50 bars and restaurants between them. The Bellagio just edges it in terms of sheer number and variety of eateries but – in-keeping with its overarching bacchanalian theme – Caesars has more (and better) bars. Caesars highlights include celebrity hotspots like Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen with its decadent signature beef wellington, and the foliage-festooned Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, where you can sip – if you’re feeling brave enough – on imaginatively named drinks including Checkmate Bitch, Cold Blooded and Puff the Magic Dragon. Smokin’! Meanwhile at the Bellagio it’s all about late-night liquor in the lavish Lily Lounge overlooking the casino floor. Take a break for steak at PRIME or dine in style at Wolfgang Puck’s flagship Spago restaurant, directly overlooking the Strip and dancing Bellagio fountains. Odds are that, again, you’ll have a good time in either hotel. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: Shopping It should perhaps go without saying that a city that effectively exists for big spenders and high rollers is going to have some of the best shopping on the planet. But prices are often not for the faint-hearted. That’s perhaps especially true along elegant Via Bellagio, where luxury designer brand after luxury designer brand will have your bank manager coming out in a cold sweat in no time at all. We’re talking – deep breath – Bulgari, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Prada and Valentino, to name just a few. Perfect, in other words, if you’ve recently won big on the craps tables. The shopping at Caesars Palace is an altogether more extravagant affair, with around 200 chic boutiques and speciality stores. Here, amid soaring marble columns, Romanesque courtyards, burbling fountains and statues including a life-sized replica of Michelangelo’s David, you’ll find more of the world’s biggest fashion brands, as well as high-end chocolates, glittering jewelry and unique Vegas souvenirs. For those reasons, we’re betting on Caesars for the win in this round. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions: R’n’R An afternoon spent sipping margaritas and people-watching by the pool should be considered all but essential on any Vegas vacation. Set around Mediterranean-style courtyards strewn with luxurious cabanas and daybeds, the Bellagio’s five pools are ideal for just such an activity. Caesars ups the ante in its modestly monikered Garden of the Gods, where epic Romanesque columns, statues and fountains surround seven pools. Have a flutter at the Fortuna pool’s five swim-up blackjack tables, take the kids for a splash at Jupiter pool or join the all-day bacchanalia at Neptune. If you prefer to spend your day mostly horizontal, you can even have a massage in your poolside cabana courtesy of the hotel’s sprawling Qua Spa. Our verdict? Caesars seizes the crown in the R’n’R stakes. Caesars Palace vs Bellagio Hotel Attractions Comparison: Conclusion So, while the Bellagio is where it’s at in terms of sheer visual spectacle and must-see attractions including the Bellagio fountains, Museum of Fine Art and Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Caesars Palace more than holds its own in many of the other categories, notably entertainment, nightlife and the kind of extravagant pool scene that would make Caligula himself blush. Save on attractions in Las Vegas Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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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. So, without further ado, here are some of the best itinerary tips to help you get the best out of your Las Vegas trip! Learn About the City Designed to be equal parts unsettling and illuminating, The Mob Museum offers a comprehensive look into the history of organized crime in America. The institute’s exhibitions are displayed across two floors: the ground floor features displays covering use of force and organized crime today while the upper floor is home to a provocative look into the culture of brutality and the Kefauver Hearings. The museum’s permanent collection is engrossing and varied - visitors can expect to see everything from elaborately-embellished flapper dresses and timeworn leather briefcases to historic rifles and wiretap recordings. The remarkable preservation of these relics provide an inside look into this fascinating period of American history. 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.
Sarah Harris
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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