10 Things to Do in Vegas Besides Gamble
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Las Vegas is best known for its casinos and world-class entertainment, but what if you want things to do in Vegas besides gamble? Don’t worry! I’m not much of a gambler (I don’t like seeing my money disappear before my eyes), and I enjoy visiting Vegas as much as the next gambling-obsessed person does!
There is much more to Vegas than poker tables and slot machines. Some of the best food I’ve ever tasted has been in Las Vegas.
If you love magic or music, Vegas offers many exciting shows for you to enjoy!
Last week was my fourth trip to Vegas, and I’d go as far as to say that it was my most fun trip yet! Past trips included clubs, fancy drinks, and nightlife, and while there is nothing wrong with that, this trip had a bucket list concert, incredible food, and watching sports, too. More my pace!
Maybe that’s the difference between age 21 (the last time I was in Vegas) and your 30s?
I also stayed at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, the fanciest hotel I’ve stayed in on a Vegas vacation. Overall, it was my favorite Vegas trip yet, and I hope this helps you plan your next Vegas getaway.
Here are ten things to do in Vegas besides gamble.
1. Take a Gondola Ride at the Venetian
Did you know that the gondola originated in Venice, Italy? Venice’s “streets” are waterways, making boats the official transportation of choice. While I’ve never been to Venice, I have been to the Venetian in Vegas.
Taking a gondola ride at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas is one of the most popular activities in the entire city. Your ride will take you beside cafes and under bridges while floating down the Grand Canal.
USA Today voted The Venetian Gondolas as the most romantic thing to do in Las Vegas. Whether you take the ride yourself or admire others on their gondola ride (my preference), it’s an activity worth visiting the Venetian Resort for.
Price: $34 for a weekday and $39 for a weekend as of this writing
2. Shop at the Wynn
The Wynn offers one of the most luxurious shopping experiences on the Las Vegas Strip. Tons of stores carry everything you might be looking to splurge for.
If you plan a cold-weather getaway, check out the Canada Goose store for a winter coat. Or maybe you’ve had your eye on a Cartier love band ring, a Hermès scarf, or a Rolex Lady-Datejust watch.
The Wynn offers all the stores to find your high-end dream pieces and more!
And if you’re like me and like to save all of your dollars for trips like snorkeling around remote islands, then the Wynn is a fun place to people-watch and window shop.
3. Grab Coffee and Visit the Arts District
We took a Lyft ride to the Arts District to get coffee from Vesta Coffee Roasters, which was delicious! I recommend exploring this neighborhood that once was only frequented by locals.
The Arts District is a neighborhood filled with cafes, galleries, murals, and shops, attracting locals and tourists alike. If you love craft coffee, stop by Vesta, located at 1114 S Casino Center Blvd #1, Las Vegas, NV 89104.
4. Visit Fremont Street
Fremont Street is in downtown Las Vegas, known as the original Vegas. It was built in 1905 and became Las Vegas’ first paved street in 1925.
Long before there were giant mega-resorts on the Strip, there was Fremont Street.
Fremont is the birthplace of the city’s most iconic neon signs and where Nevada established its first legal casino in 1931. This neighborhood has so much history that it’s a must-do activity for your next trip to Vegas.
The famous area used to be open to vehicles but now is a six-block stretch of pedestrian-only bars, casinos, cheap eats, and performers. You can even purchase a ticket to have a zip line launch you off a 12-story tower and zip you over the entire pedestrian mall.
The zipline is definitely on my bucket list for a future trip!
Fremont Street was famous for gambling before gambling was legal and is a Vegas staple. It’s a must-visit place to walk around, and I recommend going during the day.
Address: 425 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
5. Tour Allegiant Stadium
If you’re looking for things to do in Vegas besides gamble, you must book a tour of Allegiant Stadium. This tour is an activity everyone will love, especially if you are going with a sports buff or are a sports buff yourself!
Allegiant Stadium is home to the Las Vegas Raiders, formerly the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders moved to Vegas in 2020, so the stadium still feels brand-new.
You will take a guided tour, and most days have multiple time slots. Unless there is an event, you should be able to find a date and time that work best for your Las Vegas itinerary.
I am not exaggerating when I say that this was my favorite activity of our trip!
During your tour, your guide takes you to ultra-exclusive areas like the owner’s suite. Talk about watching a game in style with the best views!
We also visited the locker room and press box and even got to walk on the field! If you are a football fan, you will surely get a kick out of this experience! (See what I did there? 🤭)
Prices as of this writing:
Option 1: $65.99 per person for the “Allegiant Stadium Tour Only.”
Option 2: The “Drink & View” ticket is $84.99 per person, and it extends your tour by a few minutes and includes a drink.
We booked the “tour only” option.
6. Take a Photo of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign has been a Vegas landmark since 1959. This 25-foot-tall sign is one of the best photo ops in the city!
You could walk there with comfortable sneakers, but it’s a ways off. Even with proper shoes, I recommend taking a Lyft or an Uber to and from the sign. Typically, there are super long lines, so I recommend going first thing in the morning.
The address is 5100 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV, 89119.
7. Spend Time Relaxing by the Pool
We are all busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life and obligations. Sometimes, it’s nice to go on vacation and relax with a good book. Las Vegas can be a great place to do that because there are many amazing pools. Some pools are rooftop pools, others have strip views, and many are secluded and quiet.
Depending on the time of year, there could be many pool parties, so check with your hotel concierge for the most relaxing pool. You can always reserve a cabana to relax in, too.
8. Have Drinks at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Cosmopolitan Hotel has a lobby bar set inside a 3-story crystal chandelier. It’s a must-see! If you aren’t staying at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, please stop by for at least a drink.
I feel like having a Cosmopolitan at the Cosmopolitan should be done at least once!
There are also many great dining options at this hotel, like Momofuku, which serves dishes influenced by the US, Korea, and Japan. Momofuku was on our list of restaurants to try, but we needed more time. It’s at the top of our list for a future Las Vegas trip!
9. Buy Tickets and Watch a Game
One of my favorite activities on trips is watching sporting events. Whether it’s the NBA, NFL, or MLB, I don’t care—I love watching them all!
There is something about feeling like a local and rooting for the home team. It’s also a great way to see other stadiums. Whenever my teams play on TV inside a stadium I’ve visited, it feels different. Like, “Hey! I’ve been there!”
In Vegas, you have a few different sports options.
You can attend an NFL game and check out the Las Vegas Raiders. Or you can catch an NHL game and watch the Vegas Golden Knights. It depends on what time of year you visit and what sports are in season. You must also check the schedules before booking accommodations to ensure the home teams are in town if this is something you are looking to do.
If the timing works out, add a game to your Vegas itinerary. Vegas is also home to the WMBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, giving many options for all sports lovers!
We watched a Vegas Golden Knights game, and it just so happened that the Dallas Stars were in town at the same time. We did not plan that at all, but it was exciting to root for our home team on the road. Even though the Stars do not have the best history with the Knights, and we lost in shootouts 😢, it was still a lot of fun.
There are even talks for the Oakland Athletics MLB team to move to Vegas, which means you’ll have another sport to watch in a few years. And the baseball stadium will be directly on the strip, making walking to a game from your hotel very easy!
10. Watch a Show in Las Vegas
If you are looking for things to do in Vegas besides gamble, consider purchasing tickets for a show. Whether you are into magic, murder mysteries, or music, there are many options. Check out Vegas.com/shows for a calendar of events and to buy tickets.
We went to the concert U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere.
The Sphere is a brand-new venue in Las Vegas, and U2 is its first resident. This venue is unlike any other I’ve been to because, at the Sphere, sound quality is the top priority. Whereas some concerts have terrible audio and must crack up the volume, the Sphere’s audio is perfect no matter where your seats are.
There is no such thing as a bad seat in this house!
Seeing Bono live and in person was an experience I’ll never forget. Even if you see a different concert, I highly recommend making a show at The Sphere a top priority for your future Vegas itinerary.
Other Items on My List for Next Time:
- Hoover Dam
- The Neon Museum
- Seven Magic Mountains
- The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower
My previous blog post on the Bellagio Hotel mentions that Vegas is the adult equivalent of Chuck E. Cheese. At least, in my opinion, it is. (90s kid over here! 😎)
Las Vegas is where you can live for the thrill of winning and spend all your tokens (dollars) if you choose. Or, if you prefer to hold on to your money like I do, you will find many things to do in Vegas besides gamble.
From the delicious food to the fun nightlife, fantastic sports and shows, and luxurious hotels, there is something for you and your travel buddies to love.
I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure. Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite activity in Las Vegas.
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