Best Things To Do in Vegas That Skip the Slot Machines + Where To Stay & Eat
Flashing lights, desert air, the sound of casino games, fantastic food, and world-class entertainment excite people about visiting Las Vegas, and I’m one of them. I love Las Vegas.
While I’ve had fun gambling during my last four trips to this tourist hot spot, the experiences I’ve enjoyed the most have occurred off the casino floor. To help you plan your next getaway to Sin City that doesn’t focus on gambling, I’ve compiled some of my favorite hotels, restaurants, bars, and attractions.
On our most recent trip, we visited at the beginning of December. FlyOver Las Vegas invited me for a hosted stay, and naturally, I said yes. Some of the things I did are included in this guide – here are the best things to do in Vegas.
Where To Stay
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With over 150,000 hotel rooms, planning where to stay is exciting (and sometimes overwhelming). I’ve stayed at the Aria, Mandalay Bay, and, during my most recent winter trip, the New York New York Hotel. My favorite hotel has been the Aria. It’s more upscale and has excellent accommodations and fantastic restaurants.
If you love Asian cuisine, eat at Lemongrass and Din Tai Fung in the Aria. During the summer, Aria is a wonderful place to soak up the sun at the pool – there are five. There’s also a nightclub inside. My husband and I got a room with panoramic views of The Strip, and I must add the gym is good, too.
Find places to stay in Las Vegas.
If sitting poolside at Mandalay Bay Beach drinking a frozen cocktail sounds like your idea of a vacation, Mandalay Bay is a fun place to stay. My room was clean and comfortable. There is a Shark Reef Aquarium at the property you can explore – where else can you dive with sharks in the middle of the desert? I walked through the aquarium and enjoyed viewing the sharks and a kimono dragon up close.
On the heart of The Strip, the New York New York Hotel has The Big Apple Coaster, an Arcade, and Cirque du Soleil theater. The property’s theme pays homage to New York City, so have a drink in Times Square (Las Vegas, that is). You might like being able to grab a slice of pizza every night, which reminded me of our first time in New York City.
There’s also a lot of buzz about the Resorts World property, which opened in 2021.
Where To Eat
Culinary experiences are one of my favorite parts about vacationing in Vegas. If you’ve never had Italian food paired with a psychedelic theme, don’t miss Superfrico. I’m honestly still drooling over their Caesar salad. I loved the entertainment – it’s a quintessential Las Vegas experience.
For lunch, Italian food lovers won’t want to miss Eataly in the Park MGM – it’s said to be the largest Italian marketplace in the world. La Pizza e la Pasta is a great place to have gluten-free pizza.
Hands down, the best place for breakfast, brunch, and lunch is Sadelle’s Café. Be sure to try the Grapefruit Brulé and Vegas Omelet as you enjoy views of the beautiful Bellagio Conservatory. I’ve been here multiple times, and it never disappoints.
While we’re talking about the Bellagio, take time to see the fountains dance. Monday through Friday, the fountain show begins at 3 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the fountains start at 6:30 p.m. Check the Bellagio’s website beforehand, as schedules and weather may vary.
Where To Drink
To kick off a night out, if clubbing isn’t your thing, head straight to the Cosmopolitan. The Chandelier is a three-story bar that’s also an art exhibit. I couldn’t stop staring at all the crystals and lights.
For a laid-back happy hour that will make you feel like you’re in Colorado, check out the Ski Lodge. It’s right next to Superfrico.
During the summer, visiting Minus 5 is a nice reprieve from the intense summer heat. You literally have drinks in an ice bar (a.k.a giant freezer). It’s a unique thing to do in Las Vegas.
Last, the Lost Cactus offers cocktail experiences with fire, smoke, and sparkles. This bar makes the list because getting a drink made here is a show all in itself.
What To Do
Las Vegas has a ton of things to do; from cultural and artistic attractions to shows and museums, there is so much entertainment beyond gambling at the casinos.
Go on an iRide at FlyOver
On my most recent trip, I went to FlyOver. I have to tell you right now: this attraction blew me away. It’s an iRide that will make you feel like you’re Peter Pan flying through the sky. You’ll feel wind and mist on your face as you soar through the clouds.
FlyOver offers three shows in Las Vegas: Explore the wonders of the American West, Iceland, or the Canadian Rockies. My favorite ride was Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies — it touched my soul.
Check Out a Magic Show
I’d never been to a magic show until I saw Nathan Burton – he has great energy, and I was captivated the entire time. He was on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Burton’s show is in the same building as FlyOver. Another popular magic show in Vegas is Criss Angel Mindfreak.
Formula 1 and Race Cars
Formula 1 made its debut in Vegas in November of 2023. So, if you love the roar of fast cars and the luxurious vibe that follows the F1 scene, head to Sin City in November. You can also drive race cars at Dream Racing. My husband, Pablo, did this and absolutely loved it!
See The Sphere
If you’ve heard the hype surrounding The Sphere at the Venetian, go check it out. It is a place for events, concerts, and entertainment. I love seeing the changing Sphere advertisements from the outside.
Visit Epic Museums
There are a lot of museums in Las Vegas. My favorites include the Neon Museum, the Mob Museum, and Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum.
The Neon Museum has the largest repository of vintage Vegas artifacts. Seeing all the neon lights during a night tour is incredible. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning more about organized crime in America at the Mob Museum. There’s even a speakeasy underneath! If you love all things paranormal (like me), go for a spine-tinkling tour of the Haunted Museum.
Don’t Miss Fremont Street and Old Vegas
If you’ve never been to Fremont Street and the older part of Vegas, I highly recommend spending an afternoon and evening here. It is more laid back with fewer crowds.
The Mob Museum and the Neon Museum are in this part of town. Explore a few of the original casinos and grab some food. I love Asian cuisine, and we stopped into 8East, located inside the Circa casino. The fried rice was excellent.
Since Las Vegas is one of my favorite cities in America, I’ll continue to update this guide every time I discover more cool things to do to help you plan your trip. Viva Las Vegas!
