Looking for new things to do in Las Vegas? Whether you’ve been before or you’re a local, never run out of things to do with our ultimate Las Vegas bucket list.
We spent a year in Vegas in 2014, but now we’re back! We started climbing the year after we lived in Las Vegas and had to come back to experience a different side of the city. After the pandemic, we decided to make it our home base for exploring the southwest.
This is an evolving list that continues to change as new things to eat, see, & do pop up in Las Vegas. Don’t forget to check the date at the bottom to see when this post was last updated.
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Last Updated: July 23, 2024
The Ultimate Las Vegas Bucket List (101 Things to Do in Las Vegas)
You can check out what there is to do by category or use the map at the bottom to see what’s in your area.
If you want to see what’s going on monthly, check out these posts:
VEGAS IN Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
Click the links to see full posts with more info and photos.
Tourist Attractions
- 1.
Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
(Southeast) With the lines at the sign, it’s hard to miss. There’s also a new Las Vegas sign in downtown Las Vegas.
- 2.
(The Strip) See fountain show times, songs, and local tips here and our TikTok/Reel. Times vary on weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
- 3.
(The Strip) There are two rides, and we liked the ride outside better than the one inside. See our Venetian guide here and TikTok/Reel.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
(The Strip) They set up a rink in the winter overlooking the Strip with fake snow showers.
- 7.
(The Strip) The nighttime tours are prettier than the daytime. We haven’t done sunset though.
- 8.
Mandalay Bay Beach
(The Strip) 11-acre aquatic playground with a lazy river, ride pool, lagoon, and more.
- 9.
(The Strip) You can feed sharks, go diving, or simply visit the aquarium. Get tickets here.
- 10.
Silverton Hotel Aquarium
(Southwest) Kids love the mermaids here.
- 11.
(Henderson) A wildlife sanctuary where the MGM lions went after the exhibit closed.
- 12.
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
(Flamingo, The Strip) A flock of Chilean flamingos live here plus some other feathered friends. Pelican feedings are at 8:30am and 2pm.
- 13.
Hand of Faith at GOlden Nugget
(DTLV) It’s the biggest golden nugget in existence. It’s kind of underwhelming but worth a quick stop if you’re walking around DTLV.
- 14.
Binions Million Dollar Photo
(DTLV) Take your Million Dollar Photo here. Also underwhelming but another quick stop.
- 15.
(DTLV) From the show Pawn Stars. Book a VIP tour.
- 16.
(DTLV) A 90-minute guided tour that tells the story of the company. It costs $10 now, and you need to email support [ at ] zapposinsights.com to book.
- 17.
(The LINQ, The Strip) Go for Happy Half Hour for an open bar in the sky. See the TikTok/Reel and get tickets here.
- 18.
(DTLV) Nightly light shows on the world’s biggest video screen. In 2019, they got a $32 mill upgrade which made it even brighter.
See More: 25 Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
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PinAdventure + Bucket List
- 19.
The largest lantern release in the world and you can see our complete guide here.
- 20.
Did you know Las Vegas is a world-class climbing destination? If you prefer indoor climbing or it’s been raining outside (don’t climb wet sandstone for at least 48 hours), check out our guide to the Best Las Vegas Climbing Gyms.
- 21.
(Chinatown) Get your aggression out by destroying things. So much fun! See our reel.
- 22.
TopGolf Las Vegas
(MGM Grand, The Strip) Takes golf to the next level with drinks, lights, and music. It’s more for socializing over serious golf.
- 23.
Get Married in a Vegas Chapel
They can perform a ceremony just for fun without a marriage license or you can legit get married. We had Elvis marry us.
- 24.
(The Strip) It’s a lot of fun, but if you’d rather take it easy, you can hang out in the observation decks. There are also other rides on top of the Stratosphere.
- 25.
(The Strip) Where indoor skydiving first began. Book your experience here and see our Reel.
- 26.
(NYNY, The Strip) We haven’t ridden it yet, but it has a reputation for being a rough ride.
- 27.
(The Strip) Don’t miss the Canyon Blaster, Chaos, Disk ‘O, Inverter, and Sling Shot.
- 28.
See a unique side of Valley of Fire on an ATV tour with Adrenaline ATV Tours.
- 29.
(The Strip) The only zipline on the Strip. There’s also Voodoo Zipline just north of the Strip and Slotzilla in DTLV.
- 30.
You can test drive a lambo or ferrari on a racetrack or you can opt for a fun drifting ride along with a professional driver. One of them was a stunt driver for the Fast and the Furious movies.
See More: 15 Las Vegas Bucket List Experiences You Can’t Miss
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(The Strip) Watch shows like you’ve never seen before with their 160,000 sq ft curved screen and audio system made for concerts. See upcoming shows here.
- 32.
What’s even better than being a passenger in a helicopter or plane? Learning to pilot one. Jacob learned to fly a Cirrus, and we chose to fly over Red Rock. The time also counts towards your pilot license.
- 33.
(Lake Las Vegas) Feel the sensation of flight with a flyboard. You can also kayak, SUP, and other water sports. They no longer do flyboarding, but you can learn to e-foil!
- 34.
- 35.
Our favorite escape room in Las Vegas. Here’s your essential guide on Las Vegas escape rooms.
- 36.
We went to Pro Gun Club, where you can even choose to shoot exploding targets.
- 37.
(DTLV) Indoor axe throwing. You can also throw knives, ninja stars, and more.
- 38.
Kiss by Monster Mini GOlf
(Rio, North of the Strip) KISS-themed glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. They also opened a second similar mini-golf course in Horseshoe called Twilight Zone.
- 39.
Pioneer Saloon
(Goodsprings) Try their burger and hunt down some ghosts.
- 40.
Take a dune buggy tour over sand dunes.
- 41.
Explore different terrains and see a different side of Valley of Fire. Check out our Reel here.
See More: 15 Best Las Vegas Escape Rooms
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PinMuseums + Memorials
- 42.
Area 15 is an art, food, and shopping complex. Don’t miss Meow Wolf, Lost Spirits Distillery (closed now), and fun seasonal events like Rocky Horror!
- 43.
(DTLV) Learn about the history of the mob in Vegas. We’re both not huge on museums but found this place interesting. See the TikTok/Reel and get tickets here.
- 44.
(Eastside) History of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site.
- 45.
The newest museum in Vegas is dedicated to punk rock. They have both general admission and tours guided by punk rock legends. We did a tour with Fred Armisen!
- 46.
(Boulder City) Favorite part was the observation deck. It had a great view of the dam, river, and lake.
- 47.
(Westside) Learn about Nevada’s natural and cultural heritage.
- 48.
(The Strip) A fun museum for all ages. Lots of photo ops and mind-bending illusions. Use code ADVENTURER15 for 15% off your tickets.
- 49.
(DTLV) Featuring exhibits about dinosaurs, marine life, and ancient Egypt.
- 50.
(The Strip) The Arte Museum features 14 exhibits that are visually stunning and envelops you in soundscapes and tailer made aromas.
- 51.
(Henderson) It’s a quick self-guided tour, but you get a free chocolate sample at the end. It’s especially pretty with holiday lights in December.
- 52.
Seven Magic Mountains
(Sloan, NV) Art installation by Ugo Rondinone or those colorful piles of rocks all over instagram.
See More: 15 Best Museums in Las Vegas + Local Tips
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(Venetian, The Strip) Take your selfies with celebrity wax figures. A lot of them eerily look like the real thing. Get tickets here.
- 54.
(TI, The Strip) Great for die-hard Marvel fans. There’s usually a Groupon available.
- 55.
(Luxor, the Strip) Over 250 artifacts recovered from the Titanic.
- 56.
(The Strip) Rotating exhibit of legendary artists.
- 57.
Aria Campus FIne Art Collection
(The Strip) Featuring works by Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Frank Stella, Henry Moore, and more.
- 58.
(Crystals, the Strip) Walks you through the life of Princess Di with over 700 artifacts. Also covers the history of the royals and the modern-day royals.
- 59.
James Turrell Installation
(The Strip) Crystals Shops has the Akhob, an installation hidden inside Louis Vuitton, and Shards of Color, which you can see from the Monorail station and one floor below.
- 60.
(The Strip) Real Bodies exhibits 20 real human body specimens and 200+ organs. There is also Bodies the Exhibition at Luxor showcasing 13 real human body specimens and 260+ organs.
- 61.
(DTLV) A collection of eerie artifacts and paranormal activity.
- 62.
(DTLV) A museum dedicated to the art of burlesque.
- 63.
Also called the Pinball Museum houses nearly 1000 pinball machines from the 1950s all the way to present day.
- 64.
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health / Frank Gehry Building
(DTLV) This research center was designed by the world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. Our friends got married here!
- 65.
(DTLV) Where old neon signs go to retire. It has a lot of great photo opps, but make sure you read all their strict photography rules before.
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PinShows + Entertainment
- 66.
- 67.
(Luxor) We’ve seen it 3 times, and it’s always a good time for the whole family. Get tickets here.
- 68.
(Caesars, The Strip) Modern-day circus with adult humor. We saw this several years ago when our friends were in it. Atomic Saloon is also by Spiegelworld, and our favorite of their shows.
- 69.
Matt Franco and Penn and Teller are fan favorites. We’ve seen both and enjoyed the Matt Franco show more.
- 70.
We saw Britney, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, and Kelly Clarkson, but there are so many more coming through.
- 71.
(MGM Grand, The Strip) The winners of the first season of ABDC. There isn’t another show in town quite like it.
- 72.
(The Strat, The Strip) Not only is he an incredibly talented singer, he does so many spot on ventriloquial impersonations.
- 73.
We loved the set we saw at Comedy Cellar. It was even better than the one we saw in the original location in NYC. We also saw John Mulaney and Joel McHale when they were here since there are plenty of comedians that come through.
- 74.
(LINQ, The Strip) We love how you can bowl and watch live music at the same time.
- 75.
(T-Mobile Arena) You can also watch them practice for free at the City National Arena first come first serve.
- 76.
(Planet Hollywood, The Strip) A burlesque show… by zombies. See our Reel here. If Zombies aren’t your thing, check out the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater at the same spot.
- 77.
(Excalibur, The Strip) Dinner and jousting show. Check for groupon deals.
See More: 15 Las Vegas Shows You Can’t Miss
Outdoors + Urban Parks
- 78.
(Westside) 180 acres of nature, exhibits, and attractions great for families.
- 79.
Our favorite hot springs of the two near Vegas. Also check out the Hot Springs at Goldstrike Canyon.
- 80.
Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail
(Boulder City) 3.4 mile easy hike.
- 81.
(Boulder City) Go boating or enjoy other water sports. Pick up an America the Beautiful Pass if you plan on visiting more than one National Park within one year.
- 82.
Attend a star party or go rock climbing.
See More: 15 Fun Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas If You Love Adventure
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PinFood Experiences, Drinks, & Shopping
- 83.
Las Vegas Buffet
Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and Wicked Spoon are the top ones but also pricier. M is also quite popular. It’s Off-Strip which means you don’t have to pay the Strip prices. If you want the ultimate gluttonous experience do the Buffet of Buffets where you get 24-hour access to Caesar property buffets. Paris and Rio are the better ones. Bacchanal costs extra to upgrade.
- 84.
(DTLV) Shopping and food complex with a large praying mantis sculpture that shoots fire. See our full guide here.
- 85.
Eiffel Tower Restaurant
(Paris, The Strip) Definitely a touristy experience but worth trying at least once.
- 86.
(DTLV) Vintage rundown motel turned into curated shops from local artists. Check out our full guide.
- 87.
(Centennial) U Pick farm that’s popular during pumpkin patch season. Get their apple cider and apple cider donuts. They also have sunflowers in September.
- 88.
The Golden Tiki
(Chinatown) Tiki themed bar. The drinks are strong and didn’t taste the best, but our friends love this spot.
- 89.
Uncommons is one of Vegas’s newest shopping and dining areas located in the Southwest. It has yummy restaurants and beautiful outdoor areas and has quickly become a local fave.
- 90.
Skyfall Lounge
(Delano, The Strip) Drinks with nice views.
- 91.
Tea Lounge at Waldorf Astoria
(The Strip) Used to be the Tea Lounge in Mandarin Oriental. SkyBar is the bar next door, with overflow seating and views.
- 92.
Clubbing on the Strip
We’ve only been to Hakkasan, Marquee, and Zouk, but people also love XS. Day Clubbing is good at Marquee, Encore, Wet Republic.
- 93.
(Resorts World) Cat-themed speakeasy inside Resorts World’s Food Hall. They change decor throughout the year.
- 94.
The Whisky Attic
They have the largest selection of whisky in the US.
- 95.
Hello Kitty Cafe
(Park MGM + Fashion Show Mall) They have the cutest desserts, but they’re more for the eyes than your stomach.
See More: 49 Best Places to Eat in Las Vegas
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PinDay Trips
- 96.
Technically, it is still part of Vegas, but many consider this a day trip. There’s great hiking and climbing.
- 97.
Mount Charleston
Where the locals go when it’s too hot in the summer. You can climb or hike here almost all summer and ski in the winter.
- 98.
(Searchlight, NV) 45 mins away. They have mine tours, a crashed plane, and great photo ops. Popular for weddings and engagements.
- 99.
Crystal Springs Boardwalk Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
(Amargosa Valley, NV) 1 hr 4 mins NE of the Strip.
- 100.
(Arizona) Visit via Helicopter or bus. It really should be a longer trip, but if you’re short on time and have never been, you can still day trip.
- 101.
(Overton, NV) Valley of Fire is an hour away. You can visit the famous Fire Wave and explore other beautiful rock formations. Explore on your own or book a tour here.
See More: 15 Best Day Trips from Las Vegas
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Pin101 THings to Do in Las Vegas Map
Seasonal + Special Events
- Great American Foodie Fest – One of the largest food-centric festivals on the West Coast.
- Foodieland Night Market, Las Vegas Motor Speedway – March 24-26, March 31 – April 2
- First Friday Las Vegas Art Walk – (Downtown) Local festival held every first Friday. Good luck finding parking.
- Life is Beautiful Festival – (Downtown) Annual music and art festival that takes over Downtown Las Vegas.
VEGAS IN Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
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PinTaken Off the List / Permanently Closed
- Alibi Las Vegas – it has been temporarily closed since the pandemic, but I’m not sure if they’re coming back.
- Arcadia Earth – closed. This space is now the Stranger Things store.
- Banger Brewing, DTLV – permanently closed.
- Jersey Boys – so sad to hear that this show ended. It was one of our favorites.
- Lost Spirits Distiller – so bummed this spot closed!
- Polaroid Museum and Polaroid Fotobar at the LINQ closed down.
- Serendipity – permanently closed.
- Joseph James Brewery Tour – permanently closed.
- Roos-n-More Zoo (Moapa) – was our favorite thing to do in Vegas, and it’s currently closed.
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PinEssential Tips for First Timers
- Want to avoid crowds? Avoid holidays, festivals, and massive conferences.
- Pack layers. In the winter, it gets cold in Vegas, especially when the sun sets. In the summer, the AC is always pumping indoors so a light jacket is still nice to have.
- Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, or any other gear for sun protection if you’re doing outdoor activities.
- Visiting on a budget? Here are the top 25 free things to do in Las Vegas.
- Buy tickets early to popular shows and events. They can sell out quickly!
- Save money on last-minute tickets at Tix4Vegas booths at Bally’s Grand Bazaar Shops, Showcase Mall, and Casino Royale if you’re flexible with shows (they rarely have the popular shows). Tickets on Demand has permanently closed.
- Read all the fine print before you head to your show. Some shows have limitations on what you can bring in (for instance, no large bags).
- Stay on the Strip if you want a quintessential touristy Vegas experience. Here are the top things to do on the Las Vegas Strip.
- Stay in Downtown Vegas if you want to hang out with locals in East Fremont. Here are the top things to do in Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV)
- Arrive early at the shows/events. Casinos can be a maze to navigate. In addition, it usually takes longer than you think to get from one spot on the strip to another.
- Save money on multiple attractions with the All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass.
Best Places to Stay in Las Vegas
We’ve stayed in most of the hotels on the Strip and several off-Strip. Our favorites are the Venetian or Palazzo on the Strip and Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa in Henderson, but you can see below for more accommodation options:
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Las Vegas hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Las Vegas travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
- Save money on attractions with Go City.
More Resources
- Click here to find the best deal on a RENTAL CAR in Las Vegas
- Lonely Planet Las Vegas Pocket Guide
- Fodor’s Las Vegas Guide
We also wrote a post for Buzzfeed on 17 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in Las Vegas.
Anything we’re missing that you feel belongs on the list? What would be at the top of your Ultimate Las Vegas Bucket List?
SEE MORE LAS VEGAS GUIDES
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
