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Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Hit the Strip for the hottest sporting event in town—the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. See the showsdig into the fantastic foodand watch the cars zoom around the track.
- Travel to Italy at the Venetian Resort and enjoy a gondola ride followed by gelato.
- Take a stroll surrounded by more than 2,000 sea creatures in the underwater glass tunnel at the Shark Reef Aquarium.
- Be transported to outer space or a safari complete with elephantslionsand giraffes at the Illuminarium Las Vegas.
- Watch a show like Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère at Treasure Island or Awakening at the Wynnor head to Caesars Palace for concerts by major headliners.
Las Vegas has come a long way from just being known for its casinos. Most people now travel to Sin City to experience its celebrity chef-helmed restaurantsthrill ridesprofessional sportsand the great outdoors—and maybe take a turn around the blackjack table.
To round up the best things to do in Las Vegaswe enlisted experts: Angelica Miozzachef concierge at Wynn Las Vegas; entertainer Colin Cahillwho plays Blue Jackson in Spiegelworld’s Atomic Saloon Show at the Venetian; and Natalie Mounierlong-time resident and senior VP at Kirvin Doak Communications.
From driving race cars to visiting a tranquil aquariumhere's what they recommend.
Get up close to the action at Formula 1.
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Make your way to Vegas in time for the Formula 1 racewhich takes place each year in late November. The weekend is stacked with events that will keep you entertained from sunup towellsunup the next day. Check out the concerts at The Sphere Grandstands and indulge in fantastic food at Gordon Ramsay Garage or Papi Steak Garage before heading to the track to see the athletes make their tight turns.
Ride a gondola and stroll through St. Mark’s Square.
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If you only do one thing while you're in Las Vegasvisit the Venetian Resort and take a gondola ride. The cruise takes you through a replica of Venicecomplete with the Rialto Bridgea sparkling Grand Canaland a serenade by your gondolier. Afterwardbrowse the upscale Grand Canal Shoppescheck out the street performersand grab a gelato as you take in the atmosphere of "Italy."
Take a spin in a FerrariLamborghinior go-cart.
Courtesy of Exotics Racing
At Exotics Racingdriving is extremely excitingwhether you choose a supercargo-kartor off-road experience. Unleash your inner F1 driver and steer an exotic car around a racetrack just for the thrill of itor have fun racing a go-kart on an outdoor track. You can even choose a specially built Baja race truck for the ultimate off-road experience.
Booking Tip
Tip: When planning a trip to Las Vegasconsider booking your showsconcertsand attractions in advance to ensure availability and secure the best seats or admission timesas the city offers numerous popular events and experiences that can sell out quickly.
Take a walk under the sea.
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One of the most fun things to do in Las Vegas for kids is visiting the Shark Reef Aquariumwhere you can walk through an underwater glass tunnel as more than 2,000 sea creatures swim around you. The Mandalay Bay attraction includes gracefully floating jellyfishfriendly sea turtlesand sharks gliding through a shipwreck. For an additional feeyou can book an early-entry guided tour if you'd like to feed a stingray.
Go to outer space or on safari at Illuminarium.
Courtesy of Illuminarium
At Illuminarium Las Vegas4K laser projection3D audioand special effects create immersive experiences not to be missed. Travel to outer space via images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope or on safari in the African savannawhere incredible animals roam. Check the website to see what experiences are available during your Las Vegas visit.
Go skydiving without the plane.
Travelers can experience skydiving without the airplane at the exhilarating AeroVegas attraction. The world's first rooftop open-air wind tunnel lets you feel the rush of skydiving without actually jumping from a moving plane. You can also upgrade to the Pro package to pick up extra skills from one of the trained instructors. Just know in advance that each flight lasts one minutethe same as the average time spent free-falling in traditional skydiving.
Sway to the music at the Bellagio fountain show.
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This expansive Bellagio fountain show occurs multiple times a dayevery day of the year; check the schedule to make sure you catch it. The romantic spectacle is freeand onlookers line the sidewalkmesmerized by the beauty of the dancing fountains and the music that plays along with the show.
View the Las Vegas Strip from above.
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To enjoy panoramic views of the cityhop on the High Rollerthe largest observation wheel in North America. You’ll ride in one of 28 spacious air-conditioned cabins for 30 minutesat one point reaching 550 feet above the Strip. Cabins hold up to 40 guestsso grab some friends (and a cocktail or two) for the ride. Note that glass and coolers are not permitted.
Play a round or two at Topgolf.
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Whether or not you're an avid golferthis is a fun venue to spend a few hours. Topgolf Las Vegas offers climate-controlled hitting baysplus musicHDTVsand a pool with cabanas (you must be at least 21). This is a favorite spot for Miozzawho comes here to test her golf swing. You'll also find a sports barrestaurantand complimentary golf clubs.
Stroll through an indoor garden.
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Visitors are dazzled by the intricate designscolorsand beauty of the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Each seasonthe 14,000-square-foot garden is transformed with floral displaysliving plantsand water features. In addition to unique designs that rotate out every few monthsa special Lunar New Year garden is created each year.
Catch the light show on Fremont Street downtown.
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The largest video canopy in the world is suspended 90 feet above Fremont Street for this dazzling free light show featuring concert-quality sound. The daily event begins every hour on the hourbetween 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. While you’re in the downtown Las Vegas areacheck out the SlotZilla zip linewhich offers the option to fly over Fremont Street like a superherolanding at the historic Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.
Tee off at the only golf course on the Las Vegas Strip.
Courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas
Enjoy the gorgeous surroundings of the 18-hole championship course at the Wynn Golf Club. The lush landscape was designed by legendary architect Tom Faziowho partnered with his son Logan to revisit and enhance his original work. Mature treeslakesand streams add both beauty and challenge to the course.
Take a Connoisseur Series class at Wynn Las Vegas.
“For those who love immersive experiencesI recommend attending one of Wynn’s master classeswhich provide an intimate experience with the resort’s world-class chefs and industry experts,” Miozza told Travel + Leisure. “Some of my favorites include learning how to bake baguettes alongside our master bakerfilling dumplings with a master dim sum chefand creating remarkable floral arrangements with the head of horticulture.”
Go hiking in Red Rock Canyon.
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A 13-mile scenic drive from the Strip leads to this park's sandstone hills and canyonswhere visitors can explore the area's natural and cultural history. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers miles of hiking trails and is a great place for rock climbingmountain bikingpicnickingand horseback ridingall surrounded by gorgeous scenery.
Watch a professional sports game.
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Depending on the seasonvisitors can see the 2025 WNBA championsthe Las Vegas Aces; the Las Vegas Lights FC soccer team; the Las Vegas Raiders football team; or the Vegas Golden Knights NHL hockey team. “In recent yearsLas Vegas has been building its credibility as a sports destination,” Miozza says.
Get a Las Vegas history lesson at the Mob Museum.
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The Mob Museum is located in downtown Las Vegas in the city’s former federal courthouse. Its interactive exhibits highlight notorious gangstersincluding Al Capone and Bugsy Siegelas well as famous FBI agents like J. Edgar Hoover and Eliot Ness. After your mob history lessonvisit the on-site Prohibition-era-d speakeasy for a cocktail.
Experience Sin City's famous nightlife.
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They say New York is the city that never sleepsbut neither does Las Vegas. Nightclubs and cocktail lounges aboundand there's always a themed party or a DJ set to experience. The city also has lots of activities in store for LGBTQ+ travelersincluding year-round events and RuPaul's Drag Race Liveamong other options.
Score tickets to a live show.
Tomasz Rossa
Anytime you go to Las Vegasyou can count on seeing great live entertainment. There are mainstay shows like Cirque du Soleil's Mystère at Treasure Island“O” at the Bellagioand Awakening at the Wynnor you can head to Caesars Palace to see world-class talent and the newest resident headliner.
Show off your skills at the Pinball Hall of Fame.
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This museum houses one of the world’s largest pinball machine collectionswith vintage machines from the 1960s'70s'80sand beyond. They are all restored to like-new condition and available for visitors to enjoy; at 25 or 50 cents a playit's a really inexpensive way to have fun in Las Vegas.
Watch the free show at the Lake of Dreams.
Courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas
“Staged outdoors with open-air patios for viewingthe Wynn Lake of Dreams show is something guests or visitors to Las Vegas may not know about,” Miozza told T+L. “The complimentary multimedia experience blends colorful puppetryan immersive soundtrackand state-of-the-art sound and lighting.” The show runs nightly every 30 minutesstarting at dusk.
Snap a few photos for the 'gram.
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About 20 miles south of the Strip is Seven Magic Mountainsa group of neon-colored totems created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinoneand a very popular site among shutterbugs. Nexthead to downtown Las Vegas for a self-guided mural touror visit the Museum of Selfies at the LINQ Promenade. Andof coursethere’s the famed Welcome to Las Vegas Sign—a must-see photo stop for every visitor.
Dance to live music.
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Entertainer and comedian Cahill says“If you’re looking to scoot your bootsmy favorite bands to dance to are The Bronx Wanderers and The Spazmaticsboth at South Pointand Original Chaoswho you can catch at venues all over town."
Lose yourself in an immersive experience at The Sphere.
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“Vegas is all about revamping the old and building the new,” Cahill saysspecifically pointing to the Spherea 17,500-seat structure for concerts and sporting events. With a wraparound LED display and spatial audio systemthe venue provides an immersive experience that utilizes visual effectsmovement sensationsintense lightingand even scent and wind simulations.
Visit the Las Vegas Arts District.
When Cahill isn’t performinghe enjoys spending time in the Las Vegas Arts District. Located about a mile from downtown and the Fremont Street Experiencethis area features shopsrestaurantsbarscoffee housesgalleriestheaterlive performancesand First Friday events.
Get a bird's-eye view on a FlyOver ride.
“My family and I love FlyOver,” Mounier says. “It makes you feel like you’re flying over the most iconic places in the U.S.Canadaand Iceland; you’re sitting inside a spherical screensurrounded by the most amazing views. As the film dips and turns throughout the localesthe seat moves with youlike you’re flying via helicopter. There are special effectstoo—when you fly through a cloudyou feel a light mist on your face.”
Go on another adrenaline-pumping thrill ride.
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Head to the Stratosphere for the Big Shot ride and the X-Scream rollercoasterwhich dangles you above the Las Vegas Strip. Orride the Big Apple Coaster at the New York New York Hotel & Casinowhich hits top speeds of up to 67 miles per hour.
Shop 'til you drop in a classic Vegas shopping center.
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Instead of losing money in the casinowhy not exchange money for goods? Great places to do the latter include the Forum Shops in Caesars Palacethe Cosmopolitan Shopsand the designer shops at the Encore and MGM Grand. At the Downtown Container Parkyou can shopsnackand catch a free concert in one spot.
Take a wellness break.
Courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas
A spa visit makes for a relaxing and refreshing escape from the hustle of Vegasand we recommend Caesar’s Palace Qua Baths & Spa. This venue offers three Roman bathsan Arctic Ice Roomand a range of massage and skin care services. Or head to Wynn Las Vegaswhere The Spa at Wynn offers massagesvitamin IV drip therapiesand other innovative treatments.
Ride the Las Vegas Monorail.
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The Strip often surprises first-time Vegas visitors—it's not as easy to walk from one end to the other as you'd think. Soif you're trying to get from point A to point B herehop on the Las Vegas Monorail. Trains run every four to eight minutes and serve seven stationsincluding Harrah's and Caesar's Palacemaking it the most convenient mode of transportation on the Strip.
Try your luck in a Vegas casino.
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There are more than 100 casinos in Las Vegasso no trip here would be complete without wandering through one. Belly up to a blackjackpokeror craps table and try your luckor stand back and observe someone else playing—somehoweven just watching casino action is a thrill in Las Vegas.