From Day to Night Listings

Feature Listing of the Best Summer Things to See

If you are new to the area, you may not be sure which things to do because of the city's many options. When you're not lounging by the pool or savoring delicious cuisine, you'll find that Las Vegas has a variety of must-see attractions and entertainment options to keep you occupied. From thrilling roller coasters to erupting volcanoes and the world's tallest observation wheel, Las Vegas' attractions appeal to people worldwide.

Art, Museums, and History  Madame Tussauds.  After driving your dream car, you'll be ready to meet and greet some of the most famous celebrities in the world at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Located at The Venetian Las Vegas, the museum showcases more than 100 wax figures of some of the world's most popular film, television, music, and sports celebrities. Visitors can even interact with several "celebrity" experiences for a memorable photo opportunity.

The Neon Museum The Neon Museum hosts some of Las Vegas' iconic vintage neon signs, including the original Stardust and many others. The museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting Las Vegas neon signs for educational, historical, arts, and cultural enrichment. The campus includes the outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard, a visitors' center housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby, and the Neon Boneyard North Gallery, which houses additional rescued signs. On February 1, 2018, The Neon Museum debuted "Brilliant!" which is an audiovisual immersion experience that uses technological advances to reanimate 40 monumental examples of the museum's iconic vintage signs.
Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone's colorful, public artwork, Seven Magic Mountains, was originally a two-year exhibition located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, and its exhibition has recently been extended indefinitely. The installment features seven towering dayglow totems comprised of painted, locally sourced boulders. Each "mountain" is more than 30 feet high to exhibit the presence of color and expression in the desert of the Ivanpah Valley.

The Mob Museum - Featured in VSM Vintage Vegas Coverage with a look back to on-the-scene photoshoot! -  The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, better known as The Mob Museum, is a world-class destination in downtown Las Vegas dedicated to telling the thrilling story of the downfall of organized crime led by law enforcement. True stories of the mob's history are brought to life in a bold and contemporary style via engaging exhibits, high-tech theater presentations, and more than 600 artifacts – the largest collection of mob and related law enforcement memorabilia under one roof. In February 2018, The Mob Museum unveiled a major renovation of the first floor, which now includes a brand-new exhibition space called Organized Crime Today, focusing on the modernization and evolution of organized crime in the present day. In addition, two new experiential spaces include the Use of Force Training Experience and Crime Lab, which join the museum's already robust experiential platform, focusing on modern-day methods employed by law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute criminals and their organizations. Mobsters and flappers unite! In 2018, The Mob Museum unveiled its newest addition: The Underground Protected by Zappos. This expansive Prohibition history exhibition and speakeasy occupies the entire basement level of the museum and includes a working distillery known as "Virginia Still," a nod to "Queen of the Mob" Virginia Hill.
The National Atomic Testing Museum

Guests can venture back through the decades to the 1950s at The National Atomic Testing Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is one of the most comprehensive collections of nuclear history. It details the history of nuclear testing in the desert north of Las Vegas while offering insight in atmospheric testing, radiation, development, underground testing, and atomic culture.

The Springs Preserve  Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Valley, the Springs Preserve features 180 acres of botanical gardens, walking trails, wildlife habitats, museums, and more. The botanical gardens are home to the largest collection of Mojave Desert cacti and plants, various wetland bird species, a seasonal butterfly pavilion, and other annual events. Their mission is to create a visitor experience that builds culture and community, inspires environmental stewardship, and celebrates the vibrant history of the Las Vegas Valley.

There are many things to do in Las Vegas. If you are new to the area, you may not be sure which things to do because of the city's many options. Let us guide you to the short list of popular things to do on and off the Strip. Weather you are into nature hikes, lounging by the pool, or tourist attractions, this article will feature some of the best things in Vegas to see, do, and enjoy.   First, we start with the High Roller. I have been on this more than once, and I recommend it for getting an overview of the entire city, sites, and bright lights if you are riding the wheel at night. This unique ride comes with a price but is worth the time if you want to see the city from the highest point. There is a relaxing lounge cart where a group can sit and enjoy the ride while having a drink for those over 21 for the bar.

Vegas Scene Magazine experienced the ride and did a mock photoshoot with the concept of "A day and life shoot." The couple posed in classy night attire and added the personal element for those looking for a hot spot to dine, dance, and relax. The Promenade was one of the backdrops and is part of the area you can visit when going to the link. The center is filled with unique shops, bars, and restaurants and has an area to buy your tickets for the High Roller ride.

About the The High Roller: It is the tallest observation wheel in the world at an impressive 550 feet tall and is located at The LINQ Promenade. Towering above The  LINQ Promenade's $550 million outdoor, dining, entertainment, and retail district by Caesars Entertainment, the High Roller, provides spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip and Valley. The attraction even offers a Happy Half Hour option, allowing passengers to enjoy an in-cabin bar serving cocktails on their 30-minute revolution. Yoga enthusiasts can also enjoy "Yoga in the Sky," which includes a one-hour yoga session (two rotations) with a professional instructor. Guests will be guided through the experience by wearing a headset that allows them to hear the instructor and music. This technique allows riders to have a more individualized, soothing, and focused session while taking in sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip and skyline.

Downtown's famous casino-lined Fremont Street Experience is now converted into a 175,700-square-foot pedestrian area covered by the Viva Vision canopy, the world's largest graphic display system. This canopy showcases spectacular light and sound shows every hour on the hour during the evenings. If you're looking for thrills of a different nature, ride SlotZilla, the world's most unique zip line attraction, every time, promising the time of your life. Both SlotZilla's lower "Zipline" (77 feet) and upper "Zoomline" (114 feet) offer thrills for all.

One of the newest attractions to Las Vegas is Topgolf, a four-level entertainment venue with interactive golf games and balls that score themselves. With climate-controlled hitting bays, hundreds of HDTVs, a stage for live concerts, and water features with cabanas and event spaces, Topgolf caters to any crowd. Best of all, Topgolf is positioned perfectly to offer jaw-dropping views of the Las Vegas skyline while playing, eating, drinking, and dancing the night away.

Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower has four of the world's highest rides, located 100 stories above the ground. SkyJump is a controlled free-fall in which participants plummet 829 feet at a speed of up to 40 miles per hour. X-Scream teeters riders over the tower's edge 866 feet above the ground, 27 feet over the edge of the building, at 33 miles per hour. Big Shot is a thrill ride that shoots adrenaline-seekers 160 feet into the air at 45 miles per hour. With breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Valley, this 921-foot-high platform will surely elevate your senses. Insanity, appropriately named at a height over 900 feet, spins passengers in the open air at speeds of up to three 'G's.

For a slightly tamer but equally thrilling experience, The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino is a roller coaster that plunges, twists, and loops around the resort. The Big Apple was the world's first coaster to feature a 180-degree "heartline" twist and dive maneuver, providing millions of riders with heart-stopping action and excitement. Rising 203 feet, the "heartline" provides a sensation similar to that felt by a pilot during a barrel roll in an airplane. In addition, The Big Apple Coaster Virtual Reality Experience debuted on February 7, 2018. The first of its kind in Las Vegas, this white-knuckle ride high above The Strip combines thrill seekers' need for speed with advanced, immersive graphics, resulting in a 4D experience that's out of this world.

For Adventure Seekers and Thrill ride lovers:

Dream Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway features the world's largest and fastest selection of supercars. It allows guests to get behind the wheel of a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche or Lotus Race Car. No matter which package you choose, it is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime exotic car racing experience. The need for speed is met at Richard Petty Driving Experience and also at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The adventurous can select from several NASCAR racing cars and fly around the track with 600 horses under the hood. SPEEDVEGAS is a 100-acre motorsports complex that enables guests to experience the world's most sought-after muscle cars and exotic supercars, from Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Corvette, and more. The experience features an impressive 1.5 mile (2.4 km) Formula One-inspired racetrack complete with 12 sweeping turns, 15-degree banked turns, 60 feet of total elevation change, and a half-mile straightaway. In addition, the 20,000-square-foot, two-story welcome center features indoor and outdoor observation decks, meetings and event space, and much more.  

Sky Combat Ace (SCA) is the world's most extreme aviation attraction. Get behind the controls as you fly the plane under the supervision of a highly trained SCA fighter pilot. No experience is required. A playground for adults, Dig This! is the only place in Las Vegas that allows you to drive an excavator or bulldozer. Tear, dig, rip, and claw to your heart's content (under the supervision of the instructors, of course).

Helicopter tours
Explore Las Vegas and the surrounding areas like never before with a h. There is several tour operators in and around the Las Vegas Valley, with flights to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, over the Strip, along with other natural wonders in the desert southwest.

VooDoo ZipLine The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino's VooDoo ZipLine is a one-minute and 10-second zip ride that takes off from VooDoo Lounge, located atop Rio's 50-story Masquerade tower, sending guests cascading more than 800 feet to the Ipanema tower and reaching speeds up to 33 miles per hour. VooDoo Zipline can accommodate up to two riders at one time and has a unique feature – on the return trip, guests will ride an additional 800 feet to the starting point facing backward, a total ride of nearly one-third of a mile.

Vegas Indoor Skydiving simulates the free-falling sensation of skydiving in a controlled setting with a trampoline floor and padded walls. Without the airplane ride, parachute, or gut-wrenching leap, guests can earn their wings with an indoor and controllable wind tunnel.

The Adventuredome theme park  More thrills can be found at America's largest indoor theme park, The Adventuredome at Circus Circus, with roller coasters like the El Loco and the Canyon Blaster, the world's only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster.

Suppose you can't visit Italy for a romantic gondola ride in Venice. In that case, the gondola rides at The Venetian Las Vegas are the next best thing. Couples float through the vibrant Venetian streetscape of the Grand Canal Shoppes in an authentic Venetian gondola as a talented singing gondolier sets the mood for romance, crooning romantic Italian songs like "That's Amore!" Private two-person gondolas are available, or couples can make it a double date and book a four-person gondola. A professional photographer will also be on hand to snap a few quick photos before the voyage, and couples are encouraged to snap their own photos along the way. If the weather's nice, outdoor gondola rides are available, offering guests incredible views of the resort's striking architecture and the Las Vegas Strip.

CSI: The Experience at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino  The popular CSI: The Experience at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino allows guests to play the role of a crime scene investigator, learning scientific principles and real investigative techniques as they try to solve one of three crime scene mysteries. Two state-of-the-art crime labs help guests piece together the evidence to crack the case.

Nature Lovers

Pink Jeep Tours  Experience the scenery and natural beauty of the surrounding desert from the comfort of a vehicle. Pink Jeep Tours breaks off the beaten path to iconic stops such as the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, and Death Valley.  Or, take the Zero1 Desert Adventure and explore the Mojave Desert from behind the wheel of a Polaris RZR. Ride through scenic terrain, over ridges, and into valleys on a guided tour. Zero1's purpose-built, safari-style performance touring cars take people away from the everyday and to a place that can feel exhilarating, and fresh.

Nature lovers can explore the great outdoors and experience the beauty of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area with 26 hiking trails, a scenic driving loop, picnic areas, and wildlife.  Lake Mead Man-made Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. It boasts one of the country's most famous architectural marvels, The Hoover Dam. This peaceful lake is nestled among two beautiful mountain ranges, the River Mountains and the Muddy Mountains, creating a gorgeous backdrop. Approved Lake Mead National Recreation area activities include camping, hiking, swimming, boating, and horseback riding. This is one of the most popular excursions from Las Vegas, visited by upward of 7 million people annually.

Experience a refreshing oasis of natural beauty just 40 minutes outside of the city with Vegas Glass Kayaks, Vegas' first and only crystal kayak tour. The clear kayaks and sparkling emerald water below The Hoover Dam create a tranquil view of the surrounding natural areas. Lake Las Vegas also offers many activities on the water and off. You can hit the green at either of the two golf courses, shop, or indulge in the many restaurants. Those looking for fun in the sun can head to the marina to rent various boats, stand up paddleboards, flyboards, canoes, kayaks, gondola rides and more.

Dining

Foodies rejoice with the Modern Cuisine Gallery at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the first gallery in the world to focus solely on food photography by a single artist. Groundbreaking works by photographer, chef, scientist, and author Nathan Myrhvold transport beholders to the intersection of fine art, food photography, and science. The gallery sells limited-edition prints of food photography taken by Myhrvold and found in the books he has authored: Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science, Modernist Cuisine at Home, The Photography of Modernist Cuisine, and Modernist Bread.

Some Freebies for all

The Bellagio has several stunning attractions for visitors.

The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens display gorgeous plants, flowers, trees, and rare botanical finds worldwide. Admire the essence of every season in this ever-changing attraction. After exploring the Conservatory, head over to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, where world-class art is displayed with past exhibitions, including "Picasso: Creatures and Creativity," "Fabergé Revealed" and "Painting Women: Works from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston." Complete your visit with the world-famous Fountains of Bellagio. Over 1,000 water-emitting devices are carefully choreographed to opera, classical, pop culture, and whimsical musical selections designed to romance your senses. Each performance is unique in expression and interpretation, so no matter how many times you have seen the Fountains, they always have more in store.

Beyond the Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas offers a variety of themed mini-productions that occur regularly throughout the day. Travel back in time and into the fascinating world of Roman mythology with the Fall of Atlantis inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Or see The Volcano at The Mirage Hotel & Casino forges a primal volcanic environment of sound, light, music, and heat with choreographed fire shooters that send massive fireballs more than 12 feet into the air.  

Attractions:

Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

For the best view of the fountains and a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley, take an elevator ride to the observation deck atop the 46-story, half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.
Golden Nugget has the first GOLD to go ATM in Las Vegas. The GOLD to go ATM vending machine dispenses 24-karat gold bars of various weights ranging between 1 to 250 grams. The vending machine, located in the Gold Tower Lobby across from the world's largest gold nugget, the Hand of Faith, also sells traditional gold coins and signature gold bars featuring the Golden Nugget logo.

Visit the Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo  Discover the wild side of Las Vegas at a variety of attractions for animal lovers. Visit the Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo Las Vegas and see Chilean flamingos, swans, ducks, koi fish and turtles. Venture over to The Mirage Hotel & Casino for Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. The Secret Garden is home to royal white tigers, white lions, black panthers, a snow leopard, lion cubs and golden tigers. The Dolphin Habitat, adjacent to the Secret Garden, houses an extended family of bottlenose dolphins. Get even closer with exclusive experiences that can't be found anywhere else in Vegas, including a behind-the-scenes VIP tour, Trainer for a Day, Painting with the Dolphins and Yoga With the Dolphins.

Shark Reef Aquarium  Come face-to-face with some of the earth's most fascinating creatures in North America's only predator-based aquarium and exhibit at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Visitors journey through a tunnel with views of a replica ancient temple ruin and a sunken ship surrounded by several varieties of sharks and other predatory creatures.

The Lion Habitat Ranch, located in Henderson, is home to more than 50 exotic animals, including ostriches, emus, lions, and a giraffe. The Ranch is open for visitors to view these animals in their natural habitats. For additional information and a complete listing, please visit www.visitlasvegas.com. listing info courtesy of LVCA lasvegas.com