11 of the best things to do in Las Vegas

11.04.2024 - 01:21 / lonelyplanet.com

Where-oh-where does a “top things to do in Las Vegas” list end?

In a town that was built on glitz, entertainment and defying the spectrum of human activities, there is no shortage of things to do in Sin City. For gamblers, show lovers, club thumpers, history enthusiasts, outdoor trekkers and seemingly everything in between, there is something for everyone. Even unusual activities, like playing with construction equipment in a giant sandbox or perhaps upsetting some ghosts by getting hands-on with haunted artifacts, has a place here.

Of course, there's only so much you can do on your visit. Here's how to make the most of your Vegas experience.

Consider Fremont St Old Vegas’ colorful artery, lined with neon signage and, above, a zip line as well as the large, canopied Fremont Street Experience with video-meets-popular jams shows every hour. This is where Las Vegas’ first casino came to fruition – the Golden Gate, it’s still there – and where the World Series of Poker was born (at Binion’s). East of Las Vegas Boulevard on Fremont Street (aptly known as East Fremont), you’ll find some of the hippest hangouts and bars frequented by locals, like Atomic Liquors and Container Park. Beyond the buildings, it’s the street performers – spanning sexy cowboys, showgirls, magicians and drum groups – that round out the quirky flair of it all.

Planning tip: You’ll find these characters in designated painted circles throughout, just make sure to tip them if you want to take a photo.

In a town bursting with creatives – spanning Cirque du Soleil acrobats to main stage singing ensembles – the Las Vegas Arts District is a hip hub where talent shines. Fuel your day at the neighborhood coffee shop Vesta Coffee Roasters, then explore the Arts Factory, a massive building with multiple galleries, a theater and quaint bars.

Planning tip: If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, First Friday is a street festival experience, with dozens of artists with tent set-ups, local musicians and Vegas-born food trucks. 

Ready to plan your trip to Sin City? Here's our guide to the best time to visit Las Vegas

All cities with an art, science and history museum feel boring compared to Las Vegas. Take your pick here: there’s an Atomic Testing Museum, a Mob Museum detailing shady Nevadans’ pasts, the Pinball Hall of Fame and, for those feeling sultry, the Erotic Heritage Museum. For history-meets-Instagram opps, the Neon Museum has 200-plus, now-retired, light-up signs from buildings throughout Vegas’ history in a “Neon Boneyard” to pose with.

Beyond the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, there are local casinos aplenty that serve as the dining and entertainment epicenters of their surrounding neighborhoods. At many of them, you’ll