20 Fantastic Things to do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble

13 min readMar 4, 2018

There are so many wonderful things to do in Vegas besides gamble! Whilst I don’t mind gambling — I actually like gambling when it comes to horse racing — but slot machines are not my thing. I do like 21, Bridge and a few others but in no way did I feel that I had sufficient skills to play these games in the home of gambling!

However, I had always wanted to go to Las Vegas as I thought it would be great fun. I did quite a bit of research around things to do in Vegas besides gambling and the list of Las Vegas activities was really long! So here are my top 25 Things to do in Vegas besides gamble.

1.Things to do in Vegas Besides Gamble: Cirque Du Soleil

On my most recent trip to Las Vegas I went and saw “O” at the Bellagio. This was also amazing. It is all about water and there is essentially a pool on the stage — jaw-dropping! Definitely one of the top things to do in Vegas!

2.Things to do in Vegas Besides Gambling: David Copperfield

A car materialized! Yes in the middle of a theatre a car materialized. I hope this is enough to convince you to go and see David Copperfield! This was one of my funnest things to do in Vegas.

3.What to do in Las Vegas Besides Gamble: a Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon

We went to a small airbase. The helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is less than an hour and the views are stunning.

I loved seeing the red desert. We then flew over Lake Mead which was stunning. My ticket included doing the Grand Canyon SkyWalk Express Tour. Personally, I didn’t find it scary but I am ok with heights. The best thing was taking photos nearby.

The helicopter back to Las Vegas took a slightly different route. As if the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead weren’t enough we also flew down the Las Vegas strip on our return which was fantastic!

4.Things to do in Vegas other than Gamble: Dinner-buffet at the Wynn

If you looked up buffet in the dictionary I think there should be photos of the Wynn buffet. This was the most extensive and most impressive buffet that I have ever visited.

It was an Instagram friendly buffet — in a very Instagram friendly room — which is not common. The highlight of the Wynn buffet Las Vegas for me was the seafood on offer.

5.Fun Things to do in Vegas Besides Gamble: Visit Major Tourist Destinations

Sure you’re in Las Vegas but why not visit the Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, and the Brooklyn Bridge whilst you are in town? All of the hotels that feature these tourism extravaganzas are along the Strip.

I most enjoyed new york New york and the Brooklyn Bridge. There are loads of places for great fun cheesy photos.

6.Swim in as many of the 10 pools of the Venetian & Palazzo as you can

Why swim in only one pool when your hotel has so many pools that it actually provides a pool map? Yes, this is a map so you know where all 10 pools are located across The Venetian & The Palazzo.

There is also a code that lets you know if a pool leans towards Relax, Family or High Energy. Fantastic to be able to match your mood to your pool!

I have a confession to make. I only made it to one swimming pool. It was so so so hot. It was too hot to be outside. I had to return to the air conditioning.

But if you go and it isn’t the middle of July please do investigate more of the swimming pools at The Palazzo and the Venetian and let me know. Swimming in 10 different pools is one of the more unusual things to do in Vegas.

7. Things to do in Las Vegas besides Gamble: Visit the Neon Museum

The Neon Museum is mostly outdoors. It is sort of like a car park that is filled with the old Neon signs of Las Vegas. Kind of like a neon retirement home! The Neon Museum was one of my favourite activities Las Vegas.

I loved seeing all the old signs and the Neon Museum is extremely photogenic! However, do make sure you check opening times. You do need to go on a tour to see the entire Neon museum and these do not run in the height of summer. It is possible to see a limited selection of this Las Vegas museum if you can’t do a tour.

This is what I had to do and I still really enjoyed it. The Neon Museum also has a fantastic gift shop with some great classic Vegas souvenirs. When it comes to what to do in Vegas besides gamble this is a brilliant option.

8. Things to do in Las Vegas besides Gambling: Explore the Arts District

I really enjoyed the Arts Factory and Art Square. These are great things to do in Las Vegas during the day.

9. Things to do in Vegas if you don’t gamble: Dinner at Nobu

The service at Nobu was fantastic. We were celebrating a birthday and essentially had the waiter order for us and he did an amazing job. It wasn’t cheap but the food was amazing and it is worth it for a special occasion. Don’t miss the Yellowtail Sashimi at Nobu Las Vegas.

10. Things to do in Las Vegas if you don’t Gamble: Drink coffee and have brunch at Makers and Finders

I was not impressed with the coffee available on the Las Vegas Strip — even at the good brunch restaurants. Too milky, too cappuccino like. I needed hipster servers with over the top grinding methods and bean obsessions.

I found them at the fantas which is a great spot in Downtown Las Vegas to visit for brunch or lunch before exploring the arts district.

Makers and Finders Las Vegas has a funky stripped back feel to it. There is a great menu. We started with some breakfast empanadas and they were an absolute sensation — fantastic light and flaky pastry. The coffee at Makers and Finders was absolutely brilliant — a perfect flat white!

11. Things to do around Vegas besides Gambling: Visit the Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam structure is very art deco and cool — even the toilets! The highlight is heading down 600 feet and seeing the turbines and learning about how they used water to cool the concrete so it would set faster and a whole bunch of ingenious and amazing things that were done to make this dam work.

12. Things to do around Las Vegas besides gambling: See some Big Horned Sheep

Wildlife was certainly not something I expected to see in Vegas. OK insert standard jokes about badly behaved drunk people but seeing interesting animals just hanging out was quite unexpected as another thing to do in Las Vegas other than gambling!

13. Things to do in Las Vegas besides Gambling: 7 Magic Mountains

The drive to 7 Magic Mountains takes about 30 minutes each way from the strip. You only need about 15 minutes when you get there so the best thing to do is see if your driver will wait.

This is a good time to get your photo taken with the Welcome to Las Vegas sign — although there is often a serious queue! The sign is on the median strip and there is a parking area. Checking out the art scene is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling.

14. Things to do in Vegas besides Gambling: Bouchon

This was the type of full-on over the top delicious American breakfast in Vegas that I was seeking! I had some amazing waffles with fruit and chantilly cream and everything else! The Bouchon Bistro Las Vegas has a French bistro feel and the service was great.

The Bouchon is in the Venetian Hotel.

15. What to do in Las Vegas if you don’t gamble — go Discount shopping!

We ubered there and back — the North Outlet mall Las Vegas isn’t far from the Strip. This was a fantastic fun thing to do in Las Vegas.

There is a lot of shopping in the hotels — but do watch for the salespeople in the malls along the strip. You could be at a market in Asia. They are very full on with their free samples and compliments and questions. My advice is to avoid eye contact!

16. Things to do in Vegas Besides the Strip — Head to Fremont Street

Freemont Street is known as a serious party/drinking area so if that is your thing this is your place. It is worth a visit out of curiosity. It is known as a really fun thing to do in Vegas.

17. What to do in Las Vegas besides gambling — Watch the Fountain show at Bellagio

Do make sure you book ahead though as many people seem to know that this is the best way to see the Fountains show and the tables at the Bellagio book out fast.

18. Things to do on the Vegas Strip besides gamble — have breakfast at Morels

Morels is the place if you like your eggs plus plus plus! There is quite a bit of seafood on the menu for breakfast — particularly some great innovations like crab eggs benedict!

The food at Morel’s was huge and massive! And they have some nice outdoor seating that has you virtually on the strip and makes for some fantastic people watching!

19. Fun things to do in Vegas besides gambling — Stay at the Palazzo

The Palazzo Las Vegas was ridiculously cheap for an absolutely stunning huge room with two giant double beds and a sunken living room! The thread count on the sheets at The Palazzo was excellent as were the towels! The finish is luxe and you definitely feel you are having a 5-star experience!

The location of this Las Vegas hotel is fantastic with easy access to everything you may need. The service at The Palazzo was also excellent — particularly the concierge service.

Breakfast is generally not included at The Palazzo Las Vegas but there are so many restaurants to explore I would not have wanted it included in the price. Do note that if you even move something in the minibar you get charged.

I assume the reason for this is that people go and buy much cheaper alcohol at the Walgreens underneath the hotel and bring it back up. We did do this with some champagne but it was fine to grab a bucket and some ice and DIY chilling!

20. Things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling and drinking — Get a spray tan at the Palazzo

I should have devoted more time to Canyon Ranch! So many things to do in Vegas that aren’t gambling! Invest your money in shows and food and day trips rather than slot machine traumas!

21. Things to do in Vegas not Gambling — have an NYC Brunch

I had breakfast at Sadelle’s twice whilst staying at The Bellagio — I enjoyed it that much! On my first visit, I ordered their salmon bagel which was fantastic.

I was brought multiple plates — a plate of salmon, a plate of cucumbers, tomatoes and capers, separate cream cheese and an excellent bagel! The smoked salmon at Sadelle’s was some of the tastiest smoked salmon I have ever eaten.

My second breakfast at Sadelle’s involved pancakes! I was very keen on some full-on American pancakes and this seemed like the place. I ambitiously ordered 2 banana pancakes, feeling that 1 was insufficient. I was quite wrong.

These pancakes were delicious but wow were they huge and I only got through one! If you’re wondering what is there to do in Vegas besides gamble, I can assure you that trying all the different food options on the Las Vegas strip alone will keep you very busy!

22. What to do in Vegas if you don’t gamble — Go photo mad in the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Four times a year, to mark the change in the seasons, the designers and the horticulturists at the Bellagio Las Vegas turn a 14,000 square foot area of the Bellagio into a floral extravaganza. It is absolutely stunning — and so over the top!

23. Things to do in Las Vegas other than gamble — stroll the LINQ promenade and take a ride on the High Roller

There is also a smaller version of the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign on the LINQ promenade — great if you don’t have time to see the real thing.

However, the focal point of the LINQ promenade is the High Roller, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world! The High Roller Las Vegas is 550 foot high and provides 360-degree views across greater Las Vegas. Another one of the super photogenic things to do in Las Vegas other than gambling!

24. What to do in Las Vegas if you don’t gamble — Visit the Mob Museum

At the Crime Lab, there is an autopsy table with real photos, an opportunity to find out which famous mobster you share a DNA profile with and much more. If you like CSI Las Vegas you will love the Crime Lab at the Mob Museum.

The firearms training simulator experience at the Mob Museum involves being given a “firearm” and then being instructed in when it is appropriate to use lethal force in a police situation. Mockup experiences are then provided — including one with a real human being!

The Mob Museum does a fantastic job of storytelling. Mobsters and their stories are brought to life so well — including the Mob’s greatest hits! I also loved some of the wonderful mobster quotes which are exhibited throughout this Las Vegas museum.

There is also a distillery as well as a speakeasy and an outstanding souvenir shop! When it comes to what to do in Vegas other than gamble put the Mob Museum high on your list!

25. What to do in Las Vegas if you don’t Gamble — go The Valley of Fire

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I visited the Valley of Fire on a day trip from Las Vegas. Valley of Fire state park is only about a 30-minute drive from the Las Vegas strip. Whilst you could hire a car and drive there yourself if you have limited time I would recommend an organised day trip.

Our driver knew where to take us and for how long which meant maximum photo opportunities. The total day trip is 6 hours from hotel pick up to hotel drop off.

Getting Around Las Vegas

Las Vegas plays tricks on you. Initially, everything seems quite walkable. However, you quickly realise that the hotels on the Las Vegas strip are the size of small cities and walking to the one next door can take 20 minutes. The Las Vegas strip is LONG!

Strangely there are outside escalators all along the Las Vegas strip so that you can walk along a raised corridor to keep you away from the traffic. My gosh, do people speed down the strip!

There are buses but that seemed quite painful. We also used Uber to get to the North Vegas outlet mall and to the downtown Vegas area.

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is not really about boutique hotels. I am sure there some but honestly to have the full Vegas experience I am breaking with my boutique positioning and saying go for the full-on decadent 5-star experience — I consider it almost a tourist attraction to do this!

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Getting to Las Vegas

There are some fantastic drives around Las Vegas — explore canyons, drive to the Grand Canyon or use it for 7 Magic Mountains and the Outlet Mall.

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Great Las Vegas Tours & Day Trips

Las Vegas is like an adult Disneyland — it is just so much fun and so over the top! I enjoyed it far more than I expected. But it is not just about the slot machine cliche. There are loads of things to do in Las Vegas other than gambling. Some of the top tours on offer include:

Night Helicopter Flight over the Las Vegas Strip

⇒Day tour to the Valley of Fire

To my mind, when it comes to what to do in Las Vegas many of the best things like the food and seeing shows don’t involve gambling at all. And some of the most interesting activities like the Neon Museum and Freemont Street are completely Las Vegas off the strip — and don’t forget the discount malls! The list of things to do in Vegas if you don’t gamble is a long one!

⇒ Heading to the East Coast of the US? Check out my posts on the bestInstagram worthy things to do in Lower Manhattan, the most instagrammable places to visit in Philadelphia, and , and the best coffee shops Baltimore has on offer, more options, Hotel Indigo Baltimore and some very Baltimore attractions!

Who Paid for What in this Post?

I paid for everything on this trip apart from my ticket to the Mob Museum. However, this post does contain affiliate links. That means that if you click through on them and make a purchase I may well receive a small commission. I just wanted to make sure that you knew.

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