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Things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble (Updated)

April 21st, 2008

(Originally published August 13, 2007)

The great thing about Las Vegas is that there is so much to do besides gamble. Your best bet is to Google for any information of the following things (Links change too often to keep current) . The following list gives you an idea if you’ve never been there. It certainly is not an all-inclusive guide.

I have not included most clubs and lounges, as there are too many to list and they are ever-changing.  But if you have kids and want a night out, be sure to check out Palms and Red Rock Casino, as they both are top-nightlife spots and have a Kids Quest for your child (up to age 12).

Legend:

• Italicized items we have not done yet
• Green = Show
• Orange = Exhibitions
• Purple = Rides/Attractions
• Red = Tours
• Blue = Clubs
• Olive - Parks/Outdoor
• * = Free Event
• √ = Kid Friendly
• $ – $$$$ Price
• × – Off the Las Vegas Strip

Here we go:

1. Circus Circus – Rides and games (√ $$)
2. New York, New York – Manhattan Express Roller Coaster ($), huge arcade (√ $), Coyote Ugly bar ($), Zumanity ($$)
3. Mandalay Bay – The Shark Reef (√ $)
4. Luxor – IMAX theatre (√ $), Carrot Top ($$), Cathouse ($$),  Bodies (Perhaps √, depending on the child, $$), Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition (√ $$)
5. Excalibur – Arcade and kid’s entertainment (√ $)
6. MGM Grand – Lion’s Den (* √) , Club 54 ($$), Rainforest Cafe (√ $$), CBS Television City (√)
7. M&M Factory – 4 floors chocolate and gifts (√ $)
8. Treasure Island – Sirens of TI (√), Mystere (√ $$)
9. Mirage – The Volcano (* √), Dolphin Habitat (√ $$), Tiger Habitat (√ $$), Love (√ $$$)
10. The Flamingo – Bird Habitat (* √)
11. Tropicana – The Soprano’s Last Supper ($$$), Hypnosis Unleashed ($$)
12. Bally’s – Mac King Comedy Show (√ $$), The Price Is Right (√ $$)
13. Planet Hollywood – Steve Wyrick (√ $$)
14. Caesars - Bungee Jumping ($$), Forum Shops at Caesars (√ $$), Cher ($$$$), Elton John – The Red Piano ($$$$)
15. Paris – Eiffel Tower (√ $)
16. Rio (×)  – Masquerade in the Sky (* √), VooDoo Lounge ($$), Penn & Teller ($$)
17. The Orleans (×) – Movie Theatre (√ $), Bowling (√ $), Arcade (√ $), Hourly Child Care (√ $$)
18. The Sahara – Speed: The Ride ($)
19. The Venetian – Indoor and outdoor gondola ride (√ $$), “Street shows” (* √), Blue Man Group (√ $$), Tao Nightclub ($$)
20. Red Rock Casino (×)  – Movie Theatre (√ $), Bowling (√ $), Arcade (√ $), Kid’s Quest (√ $$), Cherry ($$)
21. Stratosphere – Extreme rides ($$) , Observatory (√ $)
22. Palms (×) – Movie Theatre (√ $), Playboy Club ($$), Rain ($$), Ghostbar ($$), Kid’s Quest (√ $$),  Zowie Bowie (*, just buy drinks), Palms Pearl Concert Hall ($$$)
23. Bellagio – The Fountains (* √), Conservatory (* √), Art Museum (* √)
24. Kid’s Quest (×) – Hourly child care at the Palms and Red Rock Casino. The kids love this. The parents can dine, gamble or enjoy nightlife. (√ $$)
25. Indoor Skydiving (√ $$ ×)
26. Pole Position Raceway – Indoor go carts (√ $$ ×)
27. Fremont Street Experience (* √ ×)
28. Food – I can’t possibly list all of the great food. In and outside of the casinos.
29. Grand Canyon – by bus, car, plane or helicopter (√ $$$ ×, I recommend plane or helicopter – it’s a 5 hour drive each way)
30. Death Valley – by car. (× √ – I would not recommend for children under 6 in summer months, $)
31. Death Valley Junction/Amargosa Opera House – this is on the way to Death Valley (* √ ×)
32. Ghost Towns – we went to the Rhyolite Ghost Town (* √ ×)
33. Red Rock Canyon – by car. (√ $ ×)
34. Zion National Park – by car. (√ $ ×)
35. Area 51 (* √ ×)
36. Fashion Show Mall – Lots and lots of shopping (√)
37. Helicopter Tours – Vegas at night, etc… (√ $$$ ×)
38. Gentleman’s Clubs ($$$$ ×)
39. Swimming Pools – the major hotels have some amazing pools and lazy rivers. Especially Mandalay Bay. (√)
40. Concerts – Many bands perform here ($$)
41. Hoover Dam (√ $$ ×)
42. Lake Mead – Boating, dinner cruises (√ $$ ×)
43. Colorado River - Whitewater rafting ($$$ ×)
44. Golf ($$$ ×)
    
45. Spas – Get a massage ($$$)
46. Bootleg Canyon Flightlines – Zip Line ($$$ ×)

There is plenty to do, for adults, children and family. There are lots of other things that I didn’t list here, but you can go to the following websites to research for yourself:

http://www.lasvegas.com
http://www.vegas.com
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com

Other links:

http://www.papillon.com
http://www.vegastripping.com
http://www.amargosa-opera-house.com
http://www.vegasindoorskydiving.com
http://www.polepositionraceway.com/vegas
http://www.bcflightlines.com
http://www.grandcanyonairlines.com

[Updated 5/20/2009]