If you’re heading to Las Vegas there are many things you can do besides gamble. Many people come for a concert or show & some come for relaxation at a spa or the many pools, but a large majority of people come to gamble and check out what Las Vegs is really about. And if you’re at all like me, when I go on vacation, I love doing the touristy things and take lots of pictures. I’ll discuss which of these I recommend doing in Las Vegas. There are a few that don’t cost a thing and the others vary on price.
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Free to all
1. One of the most visited and one of my favorites is the Conservatory and Flower Show at Bellagio. Not only are the displays always beautiful and intriguing but the glass roof just brings so much sunshine that you feel like you are outside in a garden. Each time they change, it always amazes me how stunning they are. They change the themes 4 times a year for each season and in January for Lunar New Year, so if you’re visiting more than once be sure to go back.

2. Also at the Bellagio are the fountains out front on Las Vegas Boulevard. They do water shows daily and the shows at night are with lights. This to me is a must see. The shows during the day are pretty captivating, but the night shows are just downright beautiful with the lights and music. I still wonder at how high the water shoots up. The schedule as of this writing is Monday – Friday 3-6:30 every half hour and 7-midnight every 15 minutes. The weekend schedule starts at noon and runs until 6:30 every half hour and 7-midnight every 15 minutes.

3. The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo is also one of my favorites. Not only do they have flamingos in this 4-acre space, but they also have other birds, koi fish, ducks, and some turtles. My favorite is the pelican when it’s not hiding. Just the walk alone through this area is relaxing and it will bring you to the flamingo fountain where there is seating to enjoy the outside awhile. Not only is this one of my favorite things to do, but we love staying at the Flamingo because of the location, right about center of the strip and it’s a little less expensive than some of the other hotels. If interested, click on the ad at the end of this blog.

All the rest
4. The Linq promenade offers two unique experiences on the strip, the first being the High Roller. This is basically a Ferris wheel but with round cabins that soar 550 feet above the strip and takes 30 minutes for one revolution. There are many packages available starting at $29 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12. There are also packages that include alcoholic beverages served from a bar in the cabin for 21 & older. See link below for more information. I have yet to do this, but I have to think that it would be really pretty at night with all the lights of Las Vegas.

5. Fly Linq is the other attraction on the promenade. This zipline starts on a 12-story tower at the front of the promenade and soars 1,121 feet to the finish at the High Roller. Tickets start at $49. There are some requirements to be able to do this which include you must be at least 60lbs. and not over 300lbs., height restrictions are 3’4″ to 6’8. For riders under 12, they must be accompanied by a 13+year old and any rider under 18 must have waiver signed by parent or guardian. Click here for Linq Promenade information. We haven’t done this, but it looks like a lot of fun.
6. We’ll continue on this end of the strip with the gondola rides at The Venetian. You can take a ride on the canals that run through the Grand Canal Shops on the inside or take a ride on the outside and enjoy the Las Vegas Strip. I have heard some people say that this is a tourist trap, but I totally enjoyed it. I don’t expect to ever get to Venice, so it was the next best thing for me. The gondolier sings for you as you make the trip through the canals. We did the inside and it was pretty cool, but I would still like to do the outside one time. As I said, I love being a tourist and doing the touristy things. We didn’t go so far as to get the photo packages, but they are available if this is something that interests you. They are great mementos. Tickets start at $39.

7. The newest addition to the strip is the Sphere. Just seeing it change from outside is really pretty cool and great photo ops, but you can also go inside and enjoy the Sphere Experience. This is an immersive two-part experience with interactive Atrium exhibits and a larger than life showing of Postcard from Earth movie. There is also a large selection of restaurants and bars here. Just be aware that this is rather pricey. We haven’t done this yet, so I can’t say whether I think it’s worth it or not. I’m sure for someone who enjoys this type of experience, it would be worth it. They also hold concerts here, which would be a good way to see if you think you might want to do the experience. Although, I’m sure the concert tickets are pricey too!

8. Our next stop is the Eiffel Tower viewing deck at the Paris Las Vegas. It is about half the size of the original Eiffel Tower. What better way to get a view of the Las Vegas Strip and a great view of the Bellagio Fountains than on top of the Eiffel Tower. Going during daylight hours offers views of the strip and the mountains surrounding Las Vegas. But if you want the magic of the strip at night, you can’t beat this view. Hours are 5 PM to 1 AM daily. Entrance fees start at $25 for adults and $19 for children. Military and Nevada residents can get a 20% discount with valid ID. You can also get discounts with your Caesar’s player card most times. We did this and I recommend doing it at night. Don’t know that I would do it more than once, but it’s worth doing it just for the great views.
9. If you’re looking for a thrill ride, head to New York, New York and take a ride on the Big Apple coaster. This coaster goes over 67mph and features a 180-degree twist and 203 ft. drop. You must reserve a seat in advance and have to be at least 54″ tall. Check ahead for hours of operation as they vary due to weather. Normal hours are 11 AM to midnight daily. Price starts at $25. Coasters aren’t nice to my back anymore, but this one looks really fun. Who knows maybe I’ll do it one day just to say I did!

10. Next is Tournament of Kings dinner and show at Excalibur. This show is adapted from the tale of King Aurthur. Knights fight on live horses to prove their chivalry. The only drawback is that they are closed Tuesday & Wednesday. Hours for other days are 6pm or 8:30 PM show. Tickets are $41.86 plus tax & fees. We haven’t made it to this yet, but I do want to go at least once.
11. Next stop is the last casino on the south end of the strip, Mandalay Bay. Here you can go to the Shark Reef Aquarium. It has more than 200 animals with a walkway through the aquarium to better see them all. Prices start at $29. You can dive with the sharks or feed some of the animals for an additional fee. Hours of operation are 10 AM to 8 PM daily with last admission at 7 PM. It’s a little expensive to me, but if you really love aquariums you may want to check it out.

12. On the far north end of the Strip is The Strat. Please let me emphasize that you really shouldn’t try to walk here from anywhere on the strip. Not only is it quite a jaunt, but there are also some areas without casinos and may not be the safest. Once you get to The Strat, it’s fine. Not only is The Strat the tallest building in Las Vegas, but at 1149 ft. tall it is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and has phenomenal views of the city. The fee for going up to the observation deck is $30. There are other options such as thrill rides and a sky jump available for additional fees. The observation deck is open 10 AM to 12:30 AM daily. I recommend going up while it is still light out so you can see all the views like the mountains, etc. and staying until dark to see the beautiful city at night.

Shopping
I have to add the many shopping experiences available on the strip, because who doesn’t love to shop? And if you can restrain from buying anything it is totally free! If you are at Mandalay Bay, I recommend walking from there to Excalibur on the indoor walkway. There are many shops and restaurants along the way, plus you get to see more of the casinos. The Shops at Crystals in the Aria has 50 luxury shops plus a few restaurants and galleries. The Miracle Mile shops in Planet Hollywood offer some unique and popular shops and restaurants. If you want to stroll through some sculptures plus shop, I suggest the Forum Shops in Caesar’s Palace. Next up is Linq Promenade with a small variety of shopping. My favorite is the Grand Canal Shops at The Venetian. Not only do you get to walk along the canal, but they will lead you to the Palazzo where you can find more shops and restaurants. Of course, there has to be a shopping mall on the Las Vegas Strip, so if you’re looking for an indoor mall to shop, check out Fashion Show Mall.

Conclusion
As you can see there is a wide variety of things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble. These are some of the popular ones and some of my favorites. As you plan your trip to Las Vegas, make sure to check if any of these you may want to do need advance tickets. I recommend going through the casino website versus one of the ticket sites, they seem to offer some better deals. Also, make sure to check your player’s card at any of these if you have one because some of them offer discounts. We try to inspire people to find their adventure whether it be coming to Las Vegas or taking a day trip close to home. Finding something new is a great way to share time with loved ones and make great memories! Make sure to take lots of pictures and pick up anything that will bring back great memories even just a matchbook!For more of our adventures check our videos here.