Guide to Top Las Vegas Attractions
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Las Vegas is packed with unforgettable and fun attractions. Many of these things to do are free; others can be quite expensive. Our guide to the top Las Vegas attractions will give you the information you need to decide what you can’t miss, and what you can save till next time.
Use our WJT list of top recommended Las Vegas attractions for your next adventure!
TRAVELERS TIP:
After reading this guide, check off the activities you want to do. Then, click on the GoCity site to see how many attractions are covered with their Las Vegas Explorers Pass. You can purchase the pass for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions (many of which are described below). Depending on the attractions you choose, you can realize significant savings.
For more information on Las Vegas travel read these posts:
TOP 10 FREE HOTEL/CASINO ATTRACTIONS
Bellagio Dancing Fountains, Conservatory, and Botanical Gardens: The romantic and luxurious 5-star Bellagio Resort offers great free attractions. The spectacular Chihuly glass ceiling in the hotel lobby is the first sight to see. Travel on to the magnificent Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. While onsite, don’t miss the Cirque du Soleil Art Gallery, and Fine Art Gallery. Finally, after dark, you must-see the famous dancing fountains. Choreographed to music and light, sprays of water shoot 460’ into the air. Shows generally run Monday through Saturday, from 3 pm to 12 am, and last 15 minutes.
Caesars Palace Atlantis Show & Sights: The impressive Caesars Palace complex will draw you in, and keep you for a while. A 20’ statue of Augusta Caesar greets guests upon arrival. Throughout the foyers and atriums amazing replicas of Greek and Roman statues wow visitors. At the Fall of Atlantis Fountain there is a free Atlantis light show (daily 11am to 10pm), and impressive 50,000 gallon aquarium to view. The Forum Shops and restaurants are trendy and delicious. This is a fun place to hang out.
The Venetian/Palazzo Canals & St. Marks Square: The Italian inspired Venetian/Palazzo Resort is one you will return to time and again. The Grand Promenade, Shoppes at Grand Canal, Town Center, and meandering canals (complete with gondolas) are covered in intricate frescoes and sculptures. The effect is gorgeous. Stroll past amazing replicas of the Rialto Bridge, San Marcos Square, and St. Mark’s Campanile. Don’t miss the elaborated costumed performance held daily in the Town Square. Window shop to your heart’s content under an elaborately painted sky.
Freemont Street: This pedestrian-friendly area is located off the strip in downtown Las Vegas. It has a fun party atmosphere. Freemont Street is a restored section of ‘Old Vegas.’ The area has nightly free concerts and light shows. There are many shops, casinos, bars, and restaurants to enjoy.
LINQ Promenade: To stay close to the Strip, but escape the relentless crowds, the LINQ Promenade provides a bit of respite. Located in the middle of Vegas Strip, you can eat, drink, shop and people watch in this pleasing entertainment district.
Mirage Hotel Volcano: After dark don’t miss the Mirage’s volcano eruption. Located in the middle of a tropical garden, most evenings the volcano erupts on the hour, complete with explosions, fireballs, and a musical light show. It’s a blast!
Paris Las Vegas Lightshow & Sights: The Paris Hotel offers a free nightly light show every half hour from sunset to midnight. After the show, put a little romance in your evening by strolling by the 540’ Eiffel Tower replica and into the hotel. See the Parisian inspired lobby, and stroll around the Moulin Rouge-themed casino.
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat: Smack in the middle of the Flamingo Hotel a 15 acre wildlife habitat flourishes. Stroll through a tropical garden of trails and waterfalls viewing Flamingos, Penguins, exotic birds, fish and turtles, ducks and swans.
Gilley’s Saloon Line Dancing: Generally, every Monday through Thursday from 7-8 pm Gilley’s Saloon at the Treasure Island resort offers a free line dancing lesson. Great instructors and good fun.
Circus Circus Carnival Acts: If you love a carnival, check out the permanent circus at the Circus Circus Hotel. Every day on the Midway Stage circus acts are performed on the half hour. You can see trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers, and aerial dancers performing their acts. Good family fun.
New York New York Hotel Sights: It’s fun to tour the public spaces of this hotel. Themed after NYC in the 1940s, you will see replicas of the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal and other uniquely Big Apple images.
TOP 10 LAS VEGAS ATTRACTIONS – WITH AN ADMISSION COST
Mandalay Bay Aquarium: Immerse in a marine environment at the stunning Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium. It takes about 2 hours to walk through the tunnels beneath the aquariums and to see the other exhibits that include crocodiles, turtles, and other animals. (2021: Tickets start at $29).
The STRAT Tower and Thrill Rides: The Stratosphere Hotel Tower stands 1,149’ tall above the Las Vegas skyline. At the top of the tower there are revolving restaurants, bars, a wedding chapel, and an observation deck. For thrill-seekers there are a cluster of extreme rides. The Insanity, Big Shot, and X-Scream each dangle you over the edge of 109 stories in some way. There is also free fall and bungee jumping. (2021: Admission to the Tower is $20. Add on one thrill ride $29; two thrill rides $34; and up).
Eiffel Tower Experience: At the Paris Las Vegas Hotel you can be transported to a Parisian city of old by viewing recreated versions of the Louvre, the Paris Opera House, and L’Arc de Triomphe. Then, climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower to view the city from its observation deck. (2021: $22 to climb to the Observation Deck)
High Roller Observation Wheel: Located at the end of the LINQ Promenade, the Ferris wheel take visitors 550’ into the air for panoramic views of the Strip and surrounding area. It takes about 30 minutes for the 28 glass sided pods to complete a revolution. In the day, photographers can get great aerial shots. At night, the lights of the Strip shine. (2021: $22 Daytime; $32 Nighttime)
The LINQ Zipline: Located in the middle of the Strip, a 114’ tower launches zip liners from the LINQ Hotel to the base of the High Roller Observation Wheel. The ride encompasses the length of the LINQ Promenade, about 1,121’. (2021: Tickets start at $35)
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition: Be transported to the marvel and catastrophe of the infamous Titanic. The Luxor’s Artifact Exhibition houses over 250-aritifacts recovered from the bottom of the ocean floor. The 25,000 square foot exhibition space recreates famous rooms on the ship. The display is as fascinating as it is educational. (2021: Kid $24; Adult $32)
Top Golf: Sports enthusiasts of all ages and abilities will enjoy this MGM Resort attraction. The game is played by hitting microchipped golf balls at mega-sized dartboard-like targets on an outfield and scoring points. You don’t need to be a golfer to enjoy the game as well as the attached bars and pool facilities.
Venetian Gondola Rides: A fun way to see the spectacular architecture of the Venetian Hotel is to splurge on a gondola ride. The hotel’s canals wind through the scenery of famous Italian landmarks and the Shoppes of the Grand Canal. (2021: $34-39 plus tip for roughly a 12-minute ride)
Superhero-Zoom and SlotZilla Zipline: Head to Freemont Street to see an 11 story zipline inspired by a slot machine. There are two ways to fly. Launch seated on the ZipZilla from 7 stories, and fly over 2 city blocks. Or, launch on the Super Hero Zoom superman-style from 11 stories, and fly 5 city blocks. (2021: ZipZilla $39 or Super Hero Zoom $59).
Helicopter Ride: These are super expensive, but also really well done in Las Vegas. A short flight will take you above the Strip for outstanding aerial views. Longer flights to the Grand Canyon are hugely popular (and more expensive). There are champagne, dinner, and picnic tours; and tours that combine the flight with a kayaking tour. Basic strip flights start around $99.
TOP 6 LAS VEGAS ATTRACTIONS – FOR KIDS
Mandalay Bay Aquarium and Beach: Kids love the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium and animal exhibits. It takes about 2 hours to walk through the tunnels beneath the aquariums. On most weekdays, admission to the Mandalay Beach is included. The 11-acre beach features wave rides and a lazy river (2021: Shark Reef Kids 5-12 $24, Adults $29. Beach only Kids $12; Adults $18).
Big Apple Coaster & Arcade: The roller coaster at New York New York Hotel spirals through the resort, and then races outside for some adrenalin pumping views. The ride features a 180’ twist, a 203’ drop, and speeds of up to 67mph. There are also pay as you go video and arcade games. (2021: Roller Coaster Single Regular Ride $19-23 with many add-ons available).
Adventuredome Indoor Theme Park: This 5-acre amusement park is contained within an immense glass dome. Located at the Circus Circus Resort, the rides and attractions include roller coasters, a rock-climbing wall, mini-golf, arcade games, and carnival games.
Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N: At this Treasure Island family attraction lovers of superhero comics and movies can explore the science, engineering, and technology of the Avenger’s world. Children and adults can immerse in interactive displays as you roam through the exhibit working on the ‘profiles’ of Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and Captain America. (2021: Kids$24, Adults $34).
BODIES: The Exhibition: The Luxor Hotel offers this interesting and educational exhibits of real preserved human bodies and organs. Exhibits examine the body from cultural and biological perspectives. Appropriate for families. (2021: Kids $24; Adults $32)
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition: Also, at the Luxor, the Titanic exhibit is great for families. The exhibit houses over 250-aritifacts recovered from the bottom of the ocean floor. The 25,000 square foot exhibition space recreates famous rooms on the ship. The display is as fascinating as it is educational. (2021: Kid $24; Adult $32)
TOP 4 LAS VEGAS MUSEUMS
Mob Museum: This immersive and interactive museum traces the history of organized crime in America and the Las Vegas area. It uses high-tech exhibits and artifacts to look at the impact of the mob on American society. Location: 300 Stuart Avenue, Las Vegas, NV (2021: Adults $30)
Neon Museum: Best visited in the early evening, this quirky museum in downtown Vegas allows visitors to wander through indoor and outdoor “Boneyard” exhibition spaces. Onsite there is a large collection of restored and unrestored neon signs to explore, along with the history of Vegas. Location: 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas, NV (2021: Adults $18)
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas: Pop by cavort with wax figures of Hollywood and celebrity pop culture icons. Location: Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Resort, NV (2021: Adults $37)
Atomic Testing Museum: This affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute educates about the history of nuclear testing in Nevada. Learn about what was once considered to be safe (the casinos organized tours to testing sites), and other events that occurred in the dessert just outside of Las Vegas. Location: 755 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV. (2021: Tickets $22)
Hope you have fun! Laura and Randy
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