Gambling Is for the Birds: Your Las Vegas to Do List
The win percent for table and card games in Las Vegas is only 15 percent. And slot machines have even worse odds with a 7 percent win rate.
When you visit Las Vegas, the best way to go home with money in your pocket is not to gamble at all. You might think that wouldn’t leave you with many options in one of the most famous gambling cities in the world, but Vegas offers a ton of fun activities that don’t involve gambling.
Let’s take a look at what should be on your Las Vegas to do list.
Experience Mother Nature
When you think of Las Vegas, you probably picture all the bright lights, sounds, and excitement of the city. But Vegas is in the middle of the desert and you don’t have to go far to get away from the city and into Mother Nature.
There are several national parks within an hour’s drive including Death Valley National Park, Red Rock Canyon, and the Valley of Fire. These parks offer scenic drives that are perfect for impressing your Instagram followers. In fact, the Valley of Fire is an official Nevada Scenic Byway.
If you prefer to enjoy the outdoors on foot, there are dozens of hiking trails and climbing opportunities throughout the parks. You can spend a couple of hours or a couple of days exploring.
Enjoy the Strip without Setting Foot in a Casino
The big casino hotels are set up to almost force you to go through the casino to get anywhere else in the building. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to see that doesn’t involve casino chips.
Spend a few hours wandering along the Las Vegas Strip and you’ll see plenty of things to keep you entertained:
Ride the gondolas at the Venetian
Watch the Fountains of Bellagio
Pose with the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign
Ride the roller coasters at the New York-New York and Stratosphere
Watch the volcano show at the Mirage
Do some sightseeing from the High Roller Wheel at the Linq
No matter where your interests lie, there's sure to be a gambling-free activity on the Vegas Strip you'll enjoy.
Take in a Show
Vegas is famous for its shows, so no trip is complete without seeing at least one. Cirque du Soleil alone has 7 different shows in Las Vegas:
“O” at the Bellagio
Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay
The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage
Zumanity at New York New York
Mystere at Treasure Island
KA at the MGM Grand
R.U.N at the Luxor
There’s also Le Reve at the Wynn. It’s not a Cirque show, but it has a similar aesthetic.Or if music is more your thing, check to see what residencies are happening when you’ll be in town. A-list artists have been taking up residencies in Las Vegas for the last two decades or more. Elton John, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, The Who, and many more have headlined these shows over the last few years.
There are also one- or two-night concerts hitting town throughout the year so check the schedule to see who’s in town when you’re there.
If comedy is more your style, there’s an abundance of comedy clubs to choose from. You might see a famous comedian or you might discover a great comic who hasn’t hit the big-time yet.
Race Your Dream Car
Las Vegas is all about doing things to the extreme, and driving is no different. You can rent exotic cars to drive around town, or better yet, spend some time racing an exotic supercar around a real racetrack.
SPEEDVEGAS lets you get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and other exotic cars and push them to their limits on an award-winning racetrack. And if you’re going to be there with friends or coworkers, these group activities make for a great afternoon.
Visit a Museum
Vegas is home to some interesting museums such as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, better known as The Mob Museum. In it, you’ll find true stories about the history of the mob in Las Vegas and around the world.
Another must-see Las Vegas attraction is the Neon Museum. Vegas is known for its constant change and while its modern casinos are impressive, a lot of history has been knocked down or discarded over the years. The Neon Museum preserves the vintage neon signs from old Vegas so you can admire them up-close.
Enjoy World-Class Cuisine
While you can still find plenty of all-you-can-eat buffets and cheap steak dinners in Las Vegas, the food scene has come a long way. Most casinos offer several world-class restaurants, many owned by celebrity chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsey, and Bobby Flay.
Besides the fancier restaurants, Vegas is also known for having some of the best casual dining as well. Chef Hubert Keller’s Burger Bar at the Mandalay Bay has some of the best burgers and Pizza Rock offers half a dozen styles of pizza by 12-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani.
Experience Old Vegas
Fremont Street is in the downtown section affectionately known as “old” Vegas. It has a completely different vibe from the main section of the Strip, with free concerts, street performers, a dazzling light show, and lots of other things to keep you out of the casinos.
But if you are interested in doing a bit of gambling, Freemont Street is the place to do it. The casinos are smaller and the payouts are better overall. Not great, but better.
Make Big Plans with Your Las Vegas To Do List
Even if you do plan to gamble, make sure you add some of these ideas to your Las Vegas to do list. There’s a wealth of fun and exciting activities away from the slot machines and blackjack tables that are waiting for you to join in.
Many of these ideas are free but even if there is a cost, it’s likely a lot less than what you could lose in the casino. And probably in a lot shorter length of time!
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