The best things to do in Las Vegas, from superb shows to a neon sign graveyard
There are so many things to do and see in Vegas – both in and around the resorts on The Strip, and in the lively and rapidly revitalising downtown – that you'll never get through it all. Make sure to hit up at least a couple of the classic attractions and landmarks, catch a performance by Cirque du Soleil, learn something about Vegas history at the Neon Museum or the Mob Museum, and try your hand at the blackjack table at least once.
The Strip
Ride high above the strip on a massive observation wheel
You can't beat the panoramic views from the highest point of the High Roller, Sin City's aptly named observation wheel. The Guinness World Record-holder is taller than the London Eye – a fact you probably might guess when you spot it from far away on the Vegas skyline. During the 30-minute ride, you'll take in a sweeping landscape, from the glittering Strip to the sun-parched valley beyond.
Insider's tip: Each of the wheel's 28 pods carries 40 passengers. For the best views, stake out a spot by the window on the southwest corner, located to your immediate right as you step into the car.
Contact: 00 1 702 322 0593; caesars.com
Opening times: Daily, 11.30am-2am
Price: ￡￡￡
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Seek thrills at a sky-high amusement park
If rollercoasters don't quite do it for you anymore, try an amusement park that's located 109 stories up in the air. The thrill rides at the Stratosphere Hotel are on another level, both literally and figuratively: some spin passengers far over the edge of the building's ledge, others drop you over the edge (and pull you back up, of course).
Insider's tip: Needless to say, the Stratosphere's Thrill Rides are not for the faint of heart. This amusement park was specifically designed for daredevils: check out the webpage beforehand to make sure you know what you're getting into.
Contact: 00 1 702 383 5210; stratospherehotel.com
Opening times: Sun-Thur, 10am-1am; Fri-Sat, 10am-2am
Price: ￡￡
Cruise the canals on a Venetian-style gondola
Pretend you're in Italy – or not. Vegas has its own replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Luxor pyramid, and the canals of Venice, and the Vegas versions can be just as fun as the originals. At The Venetian, both indoor and outdoor gondola rides are available. Whichever you choose, you'll be serenaded by your gondolier as you float under bridges and canalside cafes.
Insider's tip: A new programme at the resort allows nine guests per day to try their hand at steering a gondola. When booking at Emporio D'Gondola, located inside the Grand Canal Shoppes, ask about the Gondola University.
Contact: 00 1 702 414 4300; venetian.com
Opening times: Daily, 11am-9.45pm
Price: ￡￡￡
Watch arobatic and aquatic theatrics
Everyone has a favourite. Some visitors to Vegas are diehard Cirque du Soleil fans, while others swear that Le Rêve – The Dream, set inside an 'aqua theatre-in-the-round' at the Wynn, is the greatest show on earth. Whichever you choose, don't miss the chance to catch one of the over-the-top circus shows: each is a dazzling mix of thrilling acrobatics and aerial feats, fabulous set design, and live music.
Insider's tip: Tickets can be pricey. If you're flexible about which show you'll see (Cirque du Soleil alone has seven in Vegas) check out the daily deals at tix4tonight.com, which offers half-price tickets to non-sold-out shows.
Contact: 00 1 888 488 7111; cirquedusoleil.com
Opening times: Show times vary
Price: ￡￡￡
Treat yourself to a massage and Roman baths
Las Vegas has some of the glitziest resorts in the world, with high-end spas to match. Luckily, you don't have to be a hotel guest to gain access to one: many resort spas offer day passes. One to try is Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace, a sleek spa complete with three Roman baths and a tea lounge. A day pass gets you in; a wide menu of treatments awaits inside.
Insider's tip: After a dip in the warm pools, cool down in the Arctic Ice Room. Artificial snow falls inside – it's billed as the only venue of its kind in the world.
Contact: 00 1 866 782 0655; caesars.com
Opening times: Daily, 6am-8pm
Price: ￡￡
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Spot sharks in a 1.3 million-gallon tank
You've never seen an aquarium quite like this before. The Shark Reef Aquarium features a curved 1.3 million-gallon tank that you can walk right through. You'll observe thousands of underwater creatures, including piranha, green sea turtles, 30 kinds of sharks, and the extremely rare golden crocodile. A new exhibit called Polar Journey, starring robot penguins, introduces visitors to earth's polar regions.
Insider's tip: Special 'Animal Encounters' programmes allow visitors to have more in-depth experiences outside regular aquarium hours. One programme involves feeding zebra sharks, sea turtles, or stingrays. Another invites Scuba-certified divers to explore inside the tanks.
Contact: 00 1 702 632 4555; sharkreef.com
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 10am-8pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-10pm
Price: ￡
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See and be seen at a legendary pool party
Why wait until after dark? The party goes on all day (and all night) in Vegas, and it's happening poolside at most of the resorts on The Strip. Picture a nightclub-like atmosphere – DJ-spun beats, free-flowing drinks, people dressed to impress – then move it to daylight, outdoors, by a huge pool surrounded by VIP cabanas.
Insider's tip: Popular options include the Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan, Wet Republic at the MGM Grand and Tao Beach at The Venetian. You can buy general admission tickets online through the resorts' websites. Be sure to book ahead if you're requesting a daybed, bungalow or cabana.
Contact: vegas.com
Opening times: Schedules vary; check online
Price: ￡
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Downtown
Relive the Mafia's Vegas heyday
Downtown Vegas, a short bus or taxi ride away from The Strip, is home to several key attractions, including the state-of-the-art Mob Museum. Housed in a restored former courthouse that dates from 1933, it offers a fascinating overview of the city's history of organised crime, and of the Mafia's role in developing casino-resorts as we know them today.
Insider's tip: Save on the ticket price by booking online, and be aware that tickets have timed entries. But you can take your time once inside. There's a café on-site, and a bar — this is Vegas, after all.
Contact: 00 1 702 229 2734; themobmuseum.org
Opening times: Daily, 9am-9pm
Price: ￡￡
Relive Las Vegas' vintage past
You've seen the famous historic footage of old Vegas casinos being imploded. The buildings might be gone, but what about the fabulous neon signs that advertised them? Fortunately, even as the city changed, many of those signs were salvaged. You can see them up close at the Neon Museum or in the downtown pedestrian area around Fremont Street. Highlights include a giant glittering martini glass, the colorful Hacienda Horse and Rider, and various retro motel signs.
Insider's tip: For a quick overview, go on a free self-guided tour of the outdoor neon signs installed downtown. Then book a guided night-time tour at the Neon Boneyard, the museum's exhibition of restored and unrestored neon signs.
Contact: 00 1 702 387 6366; neonmuseum.org
Opening times: Museum hours vary; tours available by reservation only
Price: ￡
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Brush up on your gaming skills before hitting the poker table
Vegas is all about casinos. But what if you never learned how to play – or what if you want to improve your skills before gambling away your hard-earned cash? Many casinos offer free lessons for beginners. One to try is the Golden Nugget, a classy downtown casino-resort providing complimentary classes in roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker. After you've built up your confidence, proceed to the casino floor and try your hand at a round or two of Mississippi Stud.
Insider's tip: Class times and dates vary, but they're always held in the morning. When in doubt, just show up at the casino around 10am and ask which class you can join.
Contact: 00 1 702 385 7111; goldennugget.com
Opening times: Daily, 10am-11:30am
Price: ￡
