Things to Do in Las Vegas
The Strip, old downtown, the shows and the desert beyond, one area at a time.
See things to do »Las Vegas Beyond the Casino Floor
The list of things to do in Las Vegas is far longer than most first-time visitors expect. Gambling is still the engine of the city, but the reason most people come back is everything around it: hotels built like theme parks, theater shows that would be at home in any capital, chef-driven restaurants, rooftop views and, less than an hour away in almost any direction, some of the most striking desert scenery in the American West. This guide splits the city into six areas so you can plan a trip by what you actually want to see.
The Strip is the 4.2-mile run of Las Vegas Boulevard South lined with the big resorts, and most of it technically lies outside the city limits, in unincorporated Clark County. It is where you will find the Bellagio fountains, the Venetian's canals, the High Roller observation wheel and the giant LED globe of the Sphere. A surprising amount of it costs nothing to see, and our Strip page starts with those free sights before moving on to the tours and tickets worth paying for.
Downtown Las Vegas is the older city, centered on Fremont Street, where the first casinos opened in the 1930s and 1940s. The Fremont Street Experience covers five blocks with a vaulted LED canopy and nightly light shows, and nearby are the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum's yard of retired signs and the galleries and bars of the Arts District. It has a different, more relaxed feel than the Strip, and it is a short ride away by bus or rideshare.
Shows are a reason to visit on their own, from long-running Cirque du Soleil productions to magicians, comedy clubs, headline residencies and the immersive films at the Sphere. Families have more options than the city's reputation suggests, including an aquarium, an indoor theme park, a children's museum and a desert nature preserve. And the best day trips leave the neon behind entirely: Hoover Dam and Lake Mead to the southeast, the red sandstone of Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, and the Grand Canyon, close enough for a long day or a helicopter flight.
Each area page lists the places we think matter most, followed by live, bookable tours and tickets from Viator and Tiqets ranked by traveler reviews. If you would rather hand the whole trip to someone else, our sister site Plan It Vegas is built around resort-and-show packages put together by a travel specialist, and you can request free trip quotes for hotels, shows and tours at any time.
A few practical notes help any visit. Resort fees are added to most Strip hotel rates and are worth comparing before you book, parking is charged at many resorts, and the desert air is dry enough that you should drink water all day even when it does not feel hot. Weekends cost more than weekdays, and a single large convention can fill the city. If you enjoy planning trips like this for other people, Be a Travel Agent explains how to turn that into work, and our free newsletter sends trip ideas and offers.
Explore Las Vegas by Area
Top-Rated Things to Do in Las Vegas
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Las Vegas may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Eat in Las Vegas
A steakhouse serving since 1958, a 24-hour diner with a fire pit lounge, a French bistro facing the Bellagio fountains, Thai food that draws people from across the country, and an Arts District kitchen making its own pasta: our dining guide runs from the Strip to Chinatown.
Festivals and Events in Las Vegas
Runners take over the Strip at night in February, a huge electronic music festival fills the speedway in May, Formula One races down the boulevard in November, rodeo cowboys arrive in December and the year ends with fireworks launched from the resort rooftops.
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Get free trip quotes »Plan Your Las Vegas Trip
Las Vegas — FAQ
How many days do I need in Las Vegas?
Three or four days covers the Strip, an evening downtown, a show or two and one day trip. Add a day for each extra excursion, such as the Grand Canyon or Valley of Fire, and plan the desert trips for the morning when it is hot.
What can I do in Las Vegas if I do not gamble?
Plenty. Watch the Bellagio fountains and the conservatory displays, ride the High Roller, see a show, visit the Mob Museum or the Neon Museum, eat well, and take a day trip to Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon or the Grand Canyon.
When is the best time to visit Las Vegas?
March to May and October to November have the most comfortable weather for walking the Strip and hiking. Summer days are very hot, often above 100 degrees, and big conventions and holiday weekends push hotel rates up at any time of year.
How do I get around Las Vegas?
Walking and the Las Vegas Monorail work for the Strip, though distances between resorts are longer than they look. Buses, taxis and rideshares connect the Strip with downtown. For Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire or Hoover Dam, rent a car or book a tour with transportation.
Which airport serves Las Vegas?
Harry Reid International Airport, just east of the south end of the Strip. Most Strip hotels are a short taxi or rideshare ride away.