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Las Vegas is one of America’s most iconic cities and everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Whether you’re looking for free things to do or you’re ready to splash the cash, there’s something here for all to enjoy. Here are the 12 must-see attractions in Las Vegas.
1. The Strip
- Address: Sahara Avenue to Russell Road
- Opening hours: 24/7
Las Vegas Boulevard is iconic and whether you’re staying on The Strip or not, it’s sure to play a big part in any visit to Sin City.
Many of the main Las Vegas attractions and entertainment venues can be found along The Strip, including the High Roller Ferris Wheel which opened in 2014 as the world’s highest observation wheel, and the exhilarating zip line at the LINQ promenade. Elevated walkways connect many of the main resorts and venues, and there’s also a monorail on the east side of The Strip that makes getting around much easier.
2. Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck
- Website: thestrat.com
- Address: 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV
- Opening hours: 12 pm – 1 am daily
Downtown Las Vegas is home to the Stratosphere Hotel, casino, and Skypod. The Strat, as it’s known locally, is the second-tallest observation tower in the Western Hemisphere and offers two incredible observation decks with the best views of the Las Vegas skyline.
Thrill seekers can check out hairraising rides including the Big Shot and SkyJump, or if you’re in the mood for something a little more luxurious you can dine at the Top of the Word restaurant or enjoy a craft cocktail at 108 Drinks.
3. The Grand Canyon
- Website: nps.gov/grca
- Address: Peach Springs, AZ
- Opening hours: 24/7
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is among the most famous sites in the USA. The proximity of the west side where the skywalk is located makes it a great day trip.
The hop-on-hop-off shuttle bus service is a handy way to visit many of the popular parts of the park and it’s included in the entry fee. Or, for a more luxurious way to travel, helicopter tours are also available.
Daredevil visitors can test their nerves by ziplining over the canyon or white-water rafting in the Colorado River. If you have time, visitors can spend a full day exploring the many hiking trails or even pair it with a visit to Lake Mead.
4. Death Valley
- Website: nps.gov/deva
- Address: Airport Rd, Furnace Creek, CA
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
Death Valley is the largest American National Park and is just two hours from Sin City. There’s lots to see and do here and you could easily stay nearby and make it a two-day trip. Some of the highlights include:
- Badwater Basin – this salt flat lies 86 meters below sea level and from winter to spring you can hike to see its famous polygonal salt formations.
- Artist’s Drive – this nine-mile drive snakes through the Nevada desert and takes in some spectacular views of dramatic red and white peaks.
- Dante’s View – this vantage point gives visitors unbeatable views of the Badwater Basin, the Devil’s Golf Course, and the Owlshead and Funeral mountains.
5. Las Vegas Mega Resorts
Vegas is known for its hotels, and many of them are tourist attractions in themselves! Whether you’re looking for somewhere to stay or things to do, don’t miss these iconic resorts.
Caesars Palace
This Vegas institution was designed to resemble a Roman emperor’s residence and is one of the most luxurious spots on The Strip. As well as being home to some of the best restaurants in Vegas, it’s also where some of the world’s biggest stars have held residencies, including Frank Sinatra and Celine Dion.
Caesars also boasts a number of exclusive villas that start from $15,000 per night, including the 10,00 square-foot Nobu Villa that has hosted the likes of Taylor Swift and Drake.
The Venetian
Designed to resemble the famed Italian city of Venice, this resort is a visually stunning place to explore. One of the most fun things to do is to take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. Here, traditionally dressed Gondoliers guide you along the waterways. Fans of the slots will be pleased to discover that the second-largest casino in the world is located here, and Madame Tussauds also calls The Venetian home.
MGM Grand
This is America’s biggest single hotel and has an astounding 6,852 rooms, five outdoor pools, a luxury spa, and a whole host of other attractions. Gamblers won’t want to miss the gaming floor which is one of the biggest on The Strip with 2,500 machines and 139 table games. Keep an eye on the schedule at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where some of the hottest shows and boxing matches take place.
The Bellagio
This 3,015-room resort is home to poker tournaments, fine dining, and enthralling entertainment. The on-site gallery features works from the likes of Andy Warhol and visitors can spend their winnings at the Bellagio mall which is home to stores including Prada, Gucci, and Guerlain.
Don’t miss The Fountains of Bellagio show which takes place regularly during afternoons and evenings, and plan ahead to see the water-based Cirque du Soleil show that takes place around a 5,700 cubic liter pool. For something a little more relaxing, head to the conservatory & botanical gardens, which is open to the public and free to enter.
Some of the other unmissable, world-class resorts include:
- The Wynn – this luxurious residence is one of the tallest hotels in the world and is home to an upscale spa, mall, and nightclub.
- The Luxor – the iconic pyramid is one of the most famous sites on The Strip, and the hotel’s atrium is the largest in the world.
- Treasure Island – this is one of the best spots in Sin City for live entertainment and is suitable for visitors of all ages.
- The Mirage – head here to see the rainforest in the atrium and stay for the replica volcano which dramatically erupts several times each night.
- The Paris Las Vegas – here you can see the Eiffel Tower without ever having the leave the United States!
- New York New York – take selfies in front of the Manhattan skyline before testing your nerves with the on-site roller coaster.
- Mandalay Bay – a lazy river and multiple waterfalls make this the best option for visitors looking for a relaxing tropical escape.
6. The Mob Museum
- Website: themobmuseum.org
- Address: 300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV
- Opening hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
This museum lifts the lid on the history of organized crime in the USA and is strictly adults-only. Graphic displays expose infamous violent crimes, and visitors can learn about the law enforcement officers who put everything on the line to keep communities safe.
Interactive exhibits include a crime lab where you can compare your fingerprints to those of the country’s most notorious gangsters, and video screens where video testimonials give insight into the secret world of American mobsters.
7. Hoover Dam
- Website: usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam
- Address: Nevada
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
The Hoover Dam is one of the greatest feats of engineering in American history and is well worth visiting. Standing an astounding 221.4 meters tall, the curved wall holds the Colorado River at bay. And it’s not only functional, it’s also beautiful.
Famed LA architect George B. Kaufmann was called in at the time of construction to add Art Deco finishings that would help turn it into a tourist attraction. And it certainly worked — the dam now attracts seven million tourists each year!
8. Check out the Nightlife
The nightlife is one of Vegas’s major draws and the city really comes alive once the sun goes down. Here are three of the best venues for a night you’ll never forget.
- XS – this gold-plated venue located at Wynn is the most expensive club ever built.
- Jewel – this nightclub is pure extravagance with five themed VIP suites that have all the custom luxury amenities.
- Hakkasan – this club at the MGM Grand is the largest nightclub in the world and attracts global DJs such as Tiësto and Calvin Harris.
9. The Fremont Street Experience
- Website: vegasexperience.com
- Address: Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV
- Opening hours: 24/7
Fremont Street is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare that makes for a great night out when you want to get off the strip. This popular area of the city is a haven for casinos, shopping, dining, and live music, and is a can’t-miss attraction while in Vegas. Nightly entertainment happens on the three outdoor stages while street performers dazzle the crowds.
Viva Vision, the overhead canopy that covers the street, packs in 12 million LED lights that create an incredible light show once night falls. Visitors can even fly along part of the canopy thanks to the SlotZilla Zipline!
10. The Neon Museum
- Website: neonmuseum.org
- Address: 770 N Las Vegas Blvd, NV
- Opening hours: 3 pm – 11 pm daily
Vegas is synonymous with neon signs, and the Neon Museum has an incredible collection dating all the way back to the 1930s. Guided tours are available for visitors who want to learn more about neon lights and how they played their part in Vegas’s unique history. Don’t miss the Neon Boneyard where over 200 signs are stacked up to create Instagram-worthly alleyways to wander among.
11. Pinball Hall of Fame
- Website: pinballhall.org
- Address: 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV
- Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm Sunday to Thursday / 10 am – 10 pm Friday & Saturday
The Pinball Hall of Fame is a quirky tourist attraction on the Las Vegas Strip that showcases over 150 historic pinball machines from as far back as the 1950s. All of the machines on display are playable and make a great alternative to the thousands of casino slot machines that dominate The Strip. Don’t forget to bring plenty of quarters!
12. Valley of Fire State Park
- Website: parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire
- Address: Moapa Valley, NV
- Opening hours: 24/7
For an otherworldly escape from the craziness of Vegas, you can’t beat a couple of hours exploring the Valley of Fire. This state park is famous for its 40,000 acres of bright red sandstone outcrops.
Don’t miss the Fire Wave and Pink Canyon areas where the sandstone is banded with white, making the structures even more incredible to witness. The site also features ancient petrified trees and petroglyphs that date back more than 2,000 years, plus an information-packed visitor center that’ll fill you in on the history of the park.
If sightseeing among areas of natural beauty is your thing, don’t miss the towering peaks of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area ‌in the Mojave Desert, either.
There’s So Much to See in Sin City
Las Vegas is so jam-packed with must-do activities and attractions that you won’t want your trip to end! And whatever you do, don’t leave Las Vegas without snapping a selfie at the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign!
