101 Fun Things to do in Las Vegas
1. See the Dancing Fountains. Intricately programmed music
coupled with carefully choreographed water and lights dance against the backdrop
of the world famous Las Vegas Strip and make this a must-see for any visitor. You’ve
seen them in movies and on television, now visit the splendor in person at the
Bellagio Resort & Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard, a.k.a. the Vegas Strip. Free
shows occur every half hour daily.
www.bellagio.com/amenities/fountains-of-bellagio.aspx
2. Ride the Big Shot. Get airborne over the beautiful Vegas Strip on the Big
Shot! This thrilling ride will propel you 160 feet above the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino
tower at 45 mph. You’ll feel every bit of the 4Gs pulling on you before it’s
over. Although only a mere 2.5 seconds in duration, the memory will last a lifetime.
Beware, this ride is not for the faint of heart!
www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills/big_shot.cfm
3. Explore the Exotic Cars Showroom. Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Porsches, oh my!
They’re all here in this majestic, two-story, 34,000-square-foot showroom
at the famous Forum Shops in Caesars Palace on the Vegas Strip. Get your picture
taken behind the wheel in one of over 40 models with million dollar price tags.
James Bond, eat your heart out!
www.simon.com/mall/landing/224
4. Take a Gondola Ride. “O sole mio...” Treat your sweetheart to
a bit of romance and a taste of old Italy on the gondola ride at the Venetian Resort
Hotel Casino. Your gondolier will serenade you and your special someone as you
float under authentic-looking bridges and past scenic sidewalk cafes bringing the
Floating City to you in the middle of the desert.
www.venetian.com/Pages.aspx?id=324
5. Pamper Yourself at a Spa. Stop in for some stellar treatment at the biggest
spa in town, the Venetian’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub on the Strip. Featuring
62 treatment rooms, men’s and women’s areas, steam baths, saunas, and
hot tubs, a wealth of treatment and services are available to meet your every fancy.
The 134,000-square-foot facility additionally boasts a state-of-the-art fitness
center and pool where a personal trainer can help you work off last night’s
decadent indulgences at the dinner table.
www.venetian.com/Pages.aspx?id=200
6. Take in a Fine Art Gallery. Peruse a world-class art collection
on loan from some of the world’s most famous museums, spanning genres from
the Renaissance and Romanticism to Realism and Surrealism. You’ll see classic
works of master artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas,
and Fernand Leger.
www.bellagio.com/amenities/gallery-of-fine-art.aspx
7. Explore the Mysteries of the Human Anatomy. For a one-of-a-kind educational
opportunity that can bring you face-to-face with yourself like never before, check
out BODIES...The Exhibition. It showcases real bodies and organs and provides a
detailed, three-dimensional vision of the human form rarely seen outside of an
anatomy lab. The exhibits are meticulously dissected, preserved, and respectfully
presented, giving visitors a chance to view the beauty and complexity of their
own organs and systems.
www.luxor.com/attractions/attractions_bodies.aspx
8. Learn about the Titanic. Actual artifacts recovered from two-and-a-half miles
below the surface of the North Atlantic tell the story behind the legendary, ill-fated
Titanic’s short journey from construction and destruction to eventual recovery.
Walk her decks, peer into her cabins, and meet her passengers and crew. Viewed
by more than 20 million people worldwide, the exhibition is among the highest attended
in history. Located in the Luxor Resort & Casino on the Strip.
www.luxor.com/attractions/attractions_titanic.aspx
9. See the Lion Habitat. Visit the one-of-a-kind Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand
on the Strip. The habitat serves as a showcase for public education and appreciation
for these majestic, powerful creatures. Admission is free!
www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/lion-habitat.aspx
10. Learn How to Gamble. Don’t know when to hold ‘em or when to fold ‘em?
Can’t tell the difference between splitting and doubling down? No problem!
Get a lesson from a pro and start stacking your chips. The Las Vegas Hilton offers
free gaming lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
www.lvhilton.com/Play/Casino/Free-Casino-Lessons
11. Walk in Zero Gravity Like an Astronaut. Feel like you’re walking on
the moon without leaving planet Earth. The ZERO-G Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to experience true weightlessness. Go onboard a specially modified
Boeing 727, where parabolic arcs are performed to create a weightless environment
allowing you to float, flip, and soar as if you were in space. Conveniently located
at McCarran International Airport’s Signature Air Terminal. Visit the site
to book your flight today!
www.gozerog.com
12. See the Light Show and Discover Old Vegas on Freemont
Street. The Fremont
Street Experience is a five-block entertainment complex located in historic downtown
Las Vegas featuring “Viva Vision,” the world’s largest video
screen at 1,500 feet long, 90 feet wide and suspended 90 feet above an urban pedestrian
mall. View the nightly light and sounds shows with 12.5 million LED lights and
a 550,000-watt sound system. You can also take in free nightly concerts and entertainment
on two stages, with direct access to 10 casinos, more than 60 restaurants, and
specialty retail kiosks.
www.vegasexperience.com
13. Go Skydiving. Skydiving over Las Vegas will inject you with unsurpassed exhilaration.
Expert tandem instructors will guide you from the aircraft into the most adrenaline-filled
freefall experience at 15,000 feet. Feel the sensation of weightless flight at
speeds approaching 140 MPH while taking in views of the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock
National Park, and Mount Charleston. Price includes complimentary shuttle bus transfers
from the Strip and back, training, equipment, taxes, airport fees, and of course,
the tandem skydive.
www.vegasextremeskydiving.com
14. Spend a day at an Amusement Park. With five acres of indoor fun, the Adventuredome
at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino on the Strip will engage and stimulate your
senses. Hang upside down in midair, scream for your life, then do it all over again!
This amazing indoor theme park features a plentitude of rides for kids and adults
as well as fun games and free clown shows.
www.circuscircus.com
15. Experience the Rich Legacy of a Remarkable Individual
at the Liberace Museum.
Nicknamed “Mr. Showmanship,” the flamboyant Liberace was considered
by many to be one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century. The museum
features his remarkable collection of rare and priceless pianos, jewelry, antiques,
costumes, pianos, and cars. Among the famous sequined, jeweled, and feathered costumes
is his black diamond mink lined in more than 40,000 2.5-karat Austrian rhinestones.
www.liberace.org
16. See Seigfried & Roy’s Big Cat Conservation. The legendary Siegfried & Roy
invite you to enter into their Secret Garden where you will see royal white tigers,
white lions, panthers, and leopards. Enter this tropical atmosphere surrounded
by palm trees and lush foliage, where a world of adventure lies before you. The
exquisite animals enjoy relaxing in an environment modeled after their natural
habitats. Conveniently located on the Strip at the Mirage Resort & Casino.
www.miragehabitat.com/pages/garden_main.asp
17. Get Your Motor Running at the Harley Davidson Cafe. This unique restaurant
showcases Harley-Davidson memorabilia and possessions from sports figures, corporate
leaders, politicians, and television, music, and film stars — all of whom
share a love for all things Harley-Davidson. Using special effects, set design,
and theatrical lighting, the cafe draws patrons into a three-dimensional world
of past, present, and future Harley-Davidson culture. Located on the famous Las
Vegas Strip.
www.harley-davidsoncafe.com/index.php
18. See the Stars at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Featuring lifelike wax creations
of your favorite celebrities, Madame Tussauds lets you “grab hold” of
the stars. Put on a dress and marry “Clooney” in the Vegas-style chapel.
Test your basketball skills by going head-to-chest in the “Dunk on Shaq” experience.
With over 100 life-like celebrities, you’ll have the pictures to show everyone
you hung out with stars while in Vegas! Open daily, 365 days a year. Located in
the Venetian Resort & Hotel on the Vegas Strip.
www.madametussauds.com/lasvegas
19. Frolic in the Flora at the Botanical Gardens. Take a leisurely stroll among
rare natural finds selected distinctively for the Bellagio Resort & Casino
from all over the world. Admire the essence of every season re-created with gorgeous
plants, flowers, and trees arranged to inspire their full splendor. Specially designed
lighting spotlights every flower to accentuate its best features. Unique for each
season, 140 expert horticulturists theatrically arrange gazebos, bridges, ponds,
and water features.
www.bellagiolasvegas.com/amenities/botanical-garden.aspx
20. Saddle up for the Sunset Stampede! The sound of a rolling waterfall compliments
the soft chirping of birds in live trees reaching up toward the skylight ten stories
above in Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, just minutes
off the Strip. A wolf’s call howling from atop the waterfall signals the
beginning of Sunset Stampede, chronicling the Western pioneer experience with music,
lights, and animation. Fountains shoot eight stories into the air and the waters
dance in the lights to a symphonic score.
www.samstownlv.com/things-to-do/mystic-falls
21. Ruffle Your Feathers at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. Appropriately enough,
the Flamingo Resort and Casino is home to a flock of live Chilean Flamingos! These
birds — along with a collection of other feathered friends — fascinate
guests and populate its Wildlife Habitat. In addition to its namesake, you’ll
find swans, ducks, koi, and turtles populating these grounds. All of the animals
are carefully tended by experts and live on islands and streams surrounded by waterfalls
and lush foliage. Located on the Vegas Strip.
www.flamingolasvegas.com
22. Stroll through the World’s Largest Atrium. As you gaze upon the grandeur
inside the world famous Luxor Resort Pyramid, an iconic image on the Vegas Strip,
you’ll see the elevators traveling sideways on a 39-degree angle transporting
guests to their suites inside the pyramid structure. Take a walk to discover fine
dining and first-rate shopping, then get in the action at the gaming tables. Inside
the Luxor, the atrium is located one level above the casino.
www.luxor.com/attractions/attractions_atrium.aspx
23. Have Dinner with a View at Top of the World. Located more than 800 feet above
the Las Vegas Strip in the Stratosphere Hotel & Tower, the award-winning Top
of the World Restaurant offers a dining experience you won’t forget. Enjoy
culinary delights served in an elegant atmosphere with breathtaking views of Las
Vegas as the restaurant fully revolves 360 degrees every 80 minutes.
www.topoftheworldlv.com
24. See the Dolphin Habitat. The 2.5-million-gallon Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage
Hotel & Casino is home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Four connected
pools, an artificial coral reef system, and sandy bottom replicate their natural
environment. The habitat provides a healthy environment for dolphins and educates
the public about marine mammals and their role in the ecosystem. Guided tours for
the public are conducted throughout the day.
www.miragehabitat.com/pages/dolphin_main.asp
25. Play Poolside Blackjack. That’s right, no longer do you have to get
out of the water to enjoy the excitement of 21. Drift on over to the Poolside Palapa
at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and play some Blackjack — right at the
water’s edge.
www.hardrockhotel.com/#/game/swim-up-gaming
26. Go to the Circus. They fly through the air with the greatest of ease... Experience
the world’s largest permanent circus, just within your reach at world famous
Circus Circus Hotel & Casino on the Vegas Strip. This attraction highlights
the center stage of the Carnival Midway daily, and best of all, it’s free!
See performances starting at 11 a.m. www.circuscircus.com/las_vegas_entertainment/circus_acts.aspx
27. Save Some Cash AND Live it up. Save money? See premium entertainment? In
Vegas? Absolutely! You can find tickets to fabulous Las Vegas shows at half the
box office price at Tix 4 Tonight. They also offer last-minute tickets to some “always
sold-out” Las Vegas shows at a smaller discount and some great dinner deals,
too.
www.tix4tonight.com
28. Tour Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden. Experience
the proud heritage of chocolate-making that began when founder Forrest Mars Sr.
watched his mother create gourmet chocolates in their home. In 1981, he created
Ethel M Chocolates to honor his mother by creating a line of gourmet chocolates
that reminded him of how he learned about quality chocolate making. As an added
plus, adjacent to the factory you’ll find the famous Botanical Cactus Garden.
One of Nevada’s largest collections of cacti, the garden contains over 300
species. Self-guided factory tour and Botanical Cactus Garden are open seven days
a week.
www.ethelschocolate.com/about_us/factory_tour.aspx
29. See the Masquerade Show in the Sky. There’s excitement in the air at
Rio’s Masquerade Village with the Show in the Sky! It’s a unique performance
every time, with three different shows featuring dancers in eye-popping costumes.
Stop by to watch these performers’ latest moves and routines as fantasy-themed
floats glide above the crowd in a dynamic musical celebration. Shows run hourly.
www.riolasvegas.com
30. Go Ice Skating. Yes, We Said Ice Skating! Ice skating in Las Vegas
awaits you at the SoBe Ice Arena located in the Fiesta Rancho Hotel & Casino
near the Strip. This NHL-regulation rink hosts the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Rebel
hockey team as well as adult and youth hockey leagues, making it the top choice
for ice-skating rinks in Las Vegas. It’s also a great chance to learn; “ Skate
School” classes for all ages are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
www.fiestarancholasvegas.com/entertainment/ice
31. Hit the Beach and Catch a Wave. Located on 11 acres, Mandalay Bay Beach provides
the ultimate in aquatic relaxation. The site of the National Association for Home
Care & Hospice’s 30th Annual Meeting, this world-famous playground offers
a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools, jogging track, and 2,700 tons of
real sand. Be sure to bring along some flip-flops or sandals... that sand can get
HOT in the Las Vegas sun!
www.mandalaybay.com/thingstodo/beach.aspx
32. Eat a 99-Cent Foot-Long Hot Dog. Hungry? Treat yourself to what’s billed
as the world’s biggest hot dog at Slots-a-Fun right next door to the Circus-Circus
Casino on the Vegas Strip. And guess what — it’s only 99 cents! Spend
the money you’ll save on dinner on the walls of bargain slot machines that
fill this Vegas mainstay. Call (702) 734-0410 for more information.
33. Visit the Neon Sign Museum. They’re all over the Strip and light up
the sky so brightly you can see it from your airplane, but how did it all begin?
Each of the more than 150 signs in this collection tells a unique story about who
created it, what inspired it, where and when it was made, and its place in the
development of Las Vegas and the city’s rich history. Changes and trends
in design and technology are also illustrated in the pieces, which span a period
from the 1930s to the present day.
www.neonmuseum.org/index.html
34. Get Yourself Some Proper Local Footwear and Clothing. Time to show up dressed
for the occasion. With its mammoth showrooms, Sheplers Western Wear has become
one of the world’s best-known providers of traditional cowboy attire, fashionable
Western wear, country-inspired casual wear, and authentic work gear. With over
2,000 pairs of boots on hand, the place can accommodate just about any size foot.
There are two separate locations, both on the Vegas Strip.
www.sheplers.com
35. Go Antiquing. Look for that special, one-of-a-kind something or just spend
a few hours and browse ‘til your heart’s content. The Red Rooster on
Vegas’ famous “Antique Row” is filled with treasures — you’ll
find a variety of antiques, collectibles, vintage and cottage furniture, home décor,
and homemade crafts. For more information, call (702) 382-0067.
36. Go Skydiving — Indoors! Vegas Indoor Skydiving operates what it bills
as America’s first indoor skydiving facility. Earn your “wings” and
experience body flight during a simulated skydive experience in the heart of the
Las Vegas Strip. After a brief training class, the place offers each flyer the
chance to suit up in all the necessary flight gear — then jump in a vertical
wind tunnel and “fly.”
www.vegasindoorskydiving.com
37. Let a Roller Coaster Show You What It’s Like to Be ‘Top Gun.’ The
Roller Coaster at New York New York Hotel & Casino will lift you up 203 feet,
drop you down 144 feet, and leave your pulse trying to catch up to the 67 mph you
just got propelled at. Simulating a jet fighter’s barrel roll, you’ll
turn 180 degrees and hang 86 feet in the air. Individual tickets at $14 or $25
for an all-day “scream” pass; family rates available.
www.nynyhotelcasino.com
38. See the Shark Reef Aquarium. Welcome to the deep blue world of Shark Reef
at Mandalay Bay. Here you will come face-to-face with some of the planet’s
most fascinating and ancient creatures in North America’s only predator-based
aquarium and exhibit. See sharks of all kinds along with sawfish, giant rays, endangered
green sea turtles, piranha, moon jellies, and rare golden crocodiles. In all, this
aquarium boasts over 2,000 animals in 1.6 million gallons of seawater.
www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/sharkreef.aspx
39. Go Singin’ in the Rain. It’s said that excitement pours down
at Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino during the rainstorm
outside of Merchants Harbor Coffee House. You simply can’t miss this technological “miracle” in
the desert featuring thunder, lightning, fog and pouring rain. Cool!
www.miraclemileshopslv.com/entertain.php?id=19
40. Try Your Luck on the Midway. Step right up and stimulate your senses at Circus
Circus’ famous Carnival Midway, which holds thrills for kids and adults of
all ages. The place boasts plenty of games and prizes to win to keep you entertained,
and you’ll also be surrounded by a circus stage. Also on the Midway, don’t
miss the action-packed arcade featuring hundreds of the latest, most popular games
as well as top classics of yesterday.
www.circuscircus.com/las_vegas_entertainment/midway.aspx
41. Let Your Heart Go on with Celine Dion, Live in Concert. After five consecutive
years of sold-out shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Celine embarked on
a year-long worldwide tour from 2008 to 2009, visiting five continents, 25 countries,
and playing to more than 3 million fans. After the tour and a year off for family
time, Celine will be returning to Las Vegas in 2011, just in time for the NAHC
Annual Meeting!
www.caesarspalace.com
42. Dance on the Bar. The bartenders at Coyote Ugly will entertain you with their
fancy pouring techniques and dance moves, which they’ll display right on
top of the bar — they might even invite you to join in. See the real live
version of the sassy saloon that starred in its own movie! Located inside the New
York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Vegas Strip.
www.nynyhotelcasino.com
43. See the World’s Biggest Golden Nugget. In the lobby of the Golden Nugget
Hotel & Casino on Fremont St. is a 61-pound gold nugget. The “Hand of
Faith,” as it’s called, is the largest golden nugget in existence,
the second-biggest ever discovered, and the biggest ever found with a metal detector.
Stop by, have a look, and let your imagination run wild thinking of what you’d
do if it were you who’d found it out treasure hunting.
www.goldennugget.com/entertainment/faith.asp
44. Make a Splash at one of the Hippest Pool Parties in Vegas. The once-intimate
poolside party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has grown into quite the destination
with weekend revelers in the thousands. Get ready for “Rehab Sunday,” featuring
Rock Star Lemonades, and world-famous DJs and celebrity guests all rub elbows with
the folks of all kinds who partake in the fun. Come on in, they say — the
water’s great!
www.rehablv.com
45. Ride an Electric Bull. It’s a test of strength, stamina, and willingness
to have fun. Seasoned cowboys and otherwise can step up and take a shot and see
if they can rodeo with the best. Can you last eight seconds or more on what they
say is one of the wildest rides on the Las Vegas Strip? Show ‘em what you’re
made of at Gilley’s in Treasure Island Hotel and Casino on the Strip.
www.treasureisland.com/nightlife/gilleys_saloon.aspx
46. Go Extreme Bowling. There’s bowling and then there’s “extreme
bowling” — it’s a combination of state-of-the-art disco-style
lights, foggers, and special effects that transform the Sam’s Town Resort & Casino
bowling center in into a nightclub with bowling lanes every Saturday night. The
rest of the week you’ll find 56 lanes of automatic scoring, with gutter bumpers
available for kids.
www.samstownlv.com/things-to-do/bowling
47. See a Drive-in Movie. Roll up in the ragtop and catch a double-feature in
true classic style. The West Wind Las Vegas 5 takes you back in time in this authentic
drive-in movie theater that first opened in 1966. Come experience this slice of
Americana — it makes for affordable family fun or a perfect date night.
www.westwindpublicmarkets.com/di-index.html
48. Catch Some Knights Jousting. Don’t miss one of Las Vegas’ most
popular and unique dinner shows: the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur Hotel & Casino
on the Strip. See invading “armies,” dancing maidens, jousting, fireworks,
and of course, eating with your fingers for some medieval-style dining!
www.excalibur.com/entertainment/tournament_of_kings.aspx
49. See “Mr. Vegas,” Wayne Newton. His name has long been synonymous
with the city he calls home, and now Wayne Newton — a.k.a. “Mr. Las
Vegas” — is celebrating his 50th year of entertaining audiences on
the Strip. Having performed live to more than 40 million people, Newton epitomizes
the talent, glamour, and energy that this city is known for, from the tale behind
his signature tux to his storied history with Elvis Presley, the Rat Pack, and
many others. Check Wayne’s website for venues and show times.
www.waynenewton.com/index.html
50. Soak Up in a Roman Bath House. Check out the Qua Baths & Spa in Caesar’s
Palace, which brings the baths of ancient Rome to modern times. These consist of
three distinct pools varying in temperature and size. Guests are welcome to come
with family and friends to mingle as they unwind and relax. Additional Roman rituals
include the Laconium Room (an ultra-heated room), an Arctic Ice Room with snowflakes
falling, and a peaceful tea room, where the Tea Sommelier will match teas with
your particular treatment. It’s all included with any treatment at the spa.
www.caesarspalace.com/qua-caesars-palace
51. Take a Hike. Take off the morning and take in Red Rock Canyon. A geological
wonder with a history spanning over 600 million years, this canyon lets you follow
your guide down the trail winding around towering peaks encompassed by the colorful
desert landscape, all part of the majestic Spring Mountains. Relax and take a water
break along the way and maybe you’ll see some of the unique desert wildlife
indigenous to southern Nevada.
http://hikethislasvegas.com/general_info.htm
52. Get Catapulted around OUTSIDE the Stratosphere Tower. Strapped into a mechanical
arm that extends over the edge of the observation deck of the Stratosphere, riders
of Vegas Insanity can get breathtaking views of the city as they face straight
down and spin up to a top speed of 40 mph, all the while suspended more than 900
feet in the air! This ride challenges patrons “to keep their eyes open to
fully experience the marvel” — we dare you to check out this link and
see what this thing really is. Whoa.
www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills/insanity_the_ride.cfm
53. See The Lion King. The world’s number one musical is in Las Vegas!
Over 50 million people worldwide have enjoyed this one-of-a-kind experience. Playing
at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, site of NAHC’s 30th Annual Meeting,
this critically acclaimed production has won over audiences with its powerful musical
score, extraordinary costumes, and moving story so many of us know.
www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/LionKing.aspx
54. Tour a Microbrewery. Just minutes from the Strip and the Las Vegas Convention
Center, Gordon Biersch Las Vegas is located in the city’s “Restaurant
Row.” The airy, bright building is reminiscent of a converted San Francisco
warehouse. Known as one of the area’s premier destinations among locals,
Gordon Biersch Las Vegas is a functioning brewery that features a beer garden,
two private dining rooms available for groups, and onsite parking.
www.gordonbiersch.com
55. Get Married by Elvis. Why not get in on a time-honored Vegas tradition: having
an Elvis impersonator preside over your nuptials! You’ve seen this in the
movies plenty of times. You can choose from a variety of Elvis weddings including
from an “Elvis Blue Hawaii” wedding featuring tropical sets, smoke
effects, and theatrical lighting. You can even have a Priscilla Presley impersonator
as your matron of honor. Say “I do” Vegas style!
www.theelvisweddingchapel.com
56. Take in the New York Skyline. Did you know you can see the Statue of Liberty
in Las Vegas? Well, a miniature version, anyway. You can stroll along other famously
recognizable New York staples like “mini” Broadway, Central Park, and
the Empire State Building. It’s all part of the façade of the New
York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Vegas Strip.
www.nynyhotelcasino.com
57. Raise a Pint at an Authentic Irish Pub. Inspired by a group of adventurous
Irishmen, Nine Irishmen in New York New York Hotel & Casino is a pub that features
a grand Victorian-style bar, ornate cottage areas, two levels of outdoor patio
dining with a view of the Strip, and more. Choose from a variety of the finest
stouts, ales, lagers and spirits. The place, designed as “a little piece
of the Emerald Isle,” also has music, entertainment, and — a requisite
of any proper pub — sports on widescreen TVs.
www.nynyhotelcasino.com
58. Get a Tattoo. Sure, people will tell you that famous cliché about “what
happens in Vegas.” But your experience in Vegas doesn’t have to stay
there as a temporary thing. You could take along a permanent memento of your visit
by getting some ink done! Las Vegas has numerous reputable tattoo parlors, among
them Las Vegas Tattoos.
www.lasvegastattoos.net
59. Go to the Top of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t miss the view from 460 feet
above the heart of the Las Vegas Strip! You can see it on the Eiffel Tower Ride
at Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino. A signature part of the city’s skyline,
the replica Eiffel Tower is a half-scale exact reproduction of one of Europe’s
most famous landmarks. You’ll take an elevator ride to the top, where a panoramic
view of the valley awaits
www.parislasvegas.com
60. Watch the Sun Rise and Set. . . Indoors. Stroll beneath a simulated “sky” that’ll
impress you as it slowly changes from sunup to sundown overhead in Forum Shops
at Caesar’s Palace on the Strip. Dine at dawn and dusk in a Mediterranean-style
setting at an al fresco café. The weather will always be fine!
www.caesarspalace.com
61. Turn Back Time with Cher, Live in Concert. Legendary performer Cher takes
the stage at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with a production that’s known
for leaving audiences in awe. In 90-minute shows, Cher and her team deliver her
hits to impeccable choreography and in costumes created by Bob Mackie. Don’t
miss this show that’s as glitzy and glamorous as the artist herself.
www.caesarspalace.com
62. See Those Famous Vegas Showgirls. Las Vegas immediately conjures up images
of glamorous showgirls gracing the stage and delighting spectators. You can see
some of the best of them at “Jubilee” in Bally’s Hotel & Casino
on the Strip. The absolutely over-the-top $3 million opening number features 1,000
different costumes designed by Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee. You can even take a
tour backstage with a real Vegas showgirl to see how the magic is made.
www.ballyslasvegas.com
63. Watch a Pirate Battle. YO HO! Now here’s some unique entertainment:
watch the sirens of Treasure Island lure a band of renegade pirates into their
cove with their captivating melodies. The ensuing clash is a revelry of “song
and dance, seduction and danger.” It’s a free nightly show in Siren’s
Cove at the front entrance of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino on the Strip.
www.treasureisland.com/shows/sirens_of_ti.aspx
64. Catch a Pro Boxing Match. Las Vegas is also known worldwide as the site of
some of the greatest all-time fights in professional boxing. Grab a ringside seat
and, as the announcer will encourage you, get ready to rumble! Check out the following
link for upcoming matches and ticket information.
www.boxinginlasvegas.com
65. Tired of the Slots? Bet on the Horses! There are fully-equipped Off Track
Betting facilities, as you might expect, in nearly every major resort hotel on
the Vegas Strip, including one in Mandalay Bay, the site of the NAHC Annual Meeting.
There, you can see horse racing on a slew of giant HDTV screens and over 100 individual
race seats with their own monitors. An enclosed VIP luxury seating box is even
available for groups of up to eight.
www.mandalaybay.com/casino/book.aspx
66. Go to a Bar Made of Solid Ice. Also at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino,
you’ll find the Minus5 Ice Lounge, named for its constant temperature right
around there in Fahrenheit. Explore intricately handcrafted ice sculptures and
architecture made from 100 percent pure Canadian ice. Now how did they get that
to Las Vegas? Go and find out for yourself. But bundle up — everything from
your seat at the bar to the glasses you’ll sip from will be made of ice.
www.mandalaybay.com/thingstodo/minus5.aspx
67. Visit the Bugsy Segal Memorial. Located in a small grotto behind the Flamingo
Hilton Hotel, you’ll find a plaque dedicated to a man who many cite as the
catalyst for the creation of Las Vegas itself. This Los Angeles mobster happened
upon the Flamingo Hotel while it was still under construction, then decided to
purchase the unfinished property — and from there, the rest is history.
www.flamingolasvegas.com
68. See M&M’s World. Hey, it can get hot in Vegas — if you’re
looking to indulge your sweet tooth, you might well need a candy that “melts
in your mouth, not in your hand!” Swing over to M&M’s World in
Las Vegas, where you’ll find an entire showroom dedicated to the tasty, hard-coated
chocolaty treats we all know and love!
www.mymms.com/merchandise/las_vegas.asp
69. Tour a Winery. Take a drive or limo ride to Nevada’s most decorated
winery, Pahrump Valley. It’s a pleasant one-hour drive from the Vegas Strip
and features wines produced from quality grapes grown in Nevada, California, and
Oregon (would you expect any less?).
www.pahrumpwinery.com
70. See a Live Volcano. Experience an icon of the Vegas Strip — this volcano
has found a new lease on life! The Mirage joined forces with legendary Grateful
Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Indian tabla sensation Zakir Hussain, and Fountains of
Bellagio design firm WET to create an all-new audiovisual spectacle filled with
smoke, fire, and water. Careful you don’t get burned! Admission is free.
www.mirage.com/attractions/volcano.aspx
71. Tour a Nuclear Test Site. In the interests of maintaining world peace and
national security, the U.S. government conducted nuclear tests and other experiments
at the Nevada Test Site. Since its establishment in 1951, thousands have visited
this vast outdoor laboratory to see artifacts and archaeological sites from the
area’s early settlers as well as the many relics remaining from nuclear weapons
tests, rocket experiments, and a variety of other defense, environmental, and energy-related
programs conducted here.
www.nv.doe.gov/nts/tours.aspx
72. Go Go-Kart Racing. Gentlemen, start your engines! Experience real head-to-head
racing at Pole Position Raceway and discover why indoor “karting” is
one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. If you think this is kids
play... well, try it! These high-performance European karts are capable of 45 mph — and
that seems extremely fast when you are sitting just an inch off of the ground trying
to navigate a 1/4-mile road course!
www.polepositionraceway.com/vegas
73. Shoot a Machine Gun. You know you’ve always wanted to try this one.
Visit Las Vegas’ famous (or infamous?) Gun Store, which features a full-service
indoor range with a wide variety of weapons you can try. You can even shoot a real,
authentic machine gun. There’s a 5 percent discount offered for groups of
10 or more, so bring some pals.
www.thegunstorelasvegas.com
74. Swoosh Down a Zip Line at Bootleg Canyon. Grab hold and sail down a mountainside
without being inside a helicopter or airplane. Located in nearby Boulder City,
NV, Bootleg Canyon offers the thrill of sending you down zip lines — cables
with T-handles attached to them — of varying length from 1,150 to 2,550 feet
at speeds up to 50 mph! Daily shuttle service runs from Excalibur Hotel & Casino
on the Vegas Strip.
www.bcflightlines.com/home.html
75. Go to a Fashion Show. Of course there’s high fashion — this is
glamorous Las Vegas! See what’s all the rage in Paris, London, and New York
as professional models strut their stuff in the latest designs. The Fashion Mall,
centrally located on the Vegas Strip, features the world’s only 80-foot retractable
runway. Fashion shows are held hourly every weekend from noon to 6 p.m., and admission
is free.
www.thefashionshow.com
76. Visit the Nevada State Museum. Go beyond the glitz, glamour, and gambling
of Las Vegas and discover Nevada, the Silver State. Trace Nevada’s rich history
from prehistoric times through the Nuclear Age. Engaging exhibits will excite and
inform as you uncover the true treasures in our nation’s 41st state. The
museum is open daily and located just minutes from the Vegas Strip.
http://museums.nevadaculture.org/
77. Have a Cigar. What’s a bunch of card tables without a cigar to puff — are
you ready to celebrate in style after beating the dealers? Don’t just come
close, have a cigar. Las Vegas has numerous quality cigar clubs and shops. Among
them is the Las Vegas Cigar Club, which boasts over 800 varieties of tobacco to
choose from. Become a connoisseur.
www.lasvegascigarclub.com
78. Investigate a Crime Scene. Every week they solve the unsolvable right in
your living room on your TV screen on the popular prime time dramas. How do they
do it? Find out for yourself at the CSI Experience in the MGM Grand on the Vegas
Strip. Indulge your inner investigator and see how the professionals always manage
to crack the case.
www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/csi-the-experience.aspx
79. Go Soaring in a Hot Air Balloon. Drift listlessly and drink it all in hundreds
of feet above the world famous Vegas Strip. Enjoy a champagne toast with your sweetheart
as professional balloon pilots steer you over the scenic valley and mountainside
surrounding the city in the desert. Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Rides will even come
and pick you up at your hotel — how cool is that?
www.lvballoonrides.com/home.htm
80. Get Your Photo Taken in Front of the Famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ Sign.
You’d be joining the ranks of millions, including some of the most famous
celebrities of all time. This iconic image is instantly recognizable from its many
appearances in movies and on television. The sign reads “Welcome to Fabulous
Las Vegas, Nevada” on the front and “Drive Carefully” and “Come
Back Soon” on the back. Snap your own photo in front of it and let your friends
know you were there! It’s right on the Vegas Strip, just south of the Mandalay
Bay Resort & Casino Center where the NAHC Annual Meeting takes place.
81. See a Mermaid in the Aquariums at the Silverton Hotel. It’s been named
the best free attraction in town, and that’s saying something indeed. This
117,000-gallon reef aquarium features over 4,000 tropical fish and three species
each of stingrays and sharks. Interactive feeding shows are scheduled daily — don’t
miss the live “mermaid” swim! Located near McCarran International Airport
about 3 miles off the Vegas Strip.
www.silvertoncasino.com
82. Take a Cooking Lesson from a Master Chef. Revel in the fine art of cooking
and entertaining at the Tuscany Kitchen in the Bellagio on the Vegas Strip. You
can learn culinary secrets from literally world-renowned master chefs and explore
the intricacies of wine pairings selected by master sommeliers.
www.bellagio.com/meetings/meetings-tuscany-kitchen.aspx
83. See a Sizzlin’ Jazz Band. Get your swing on at the House of Blues in
Mandalay Bay, featuring some of the finest jazz and contemporary music on the Strip.
It offers you a chance to soak in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Old New Orleans.
And don’t miss out on the House of Blues Gospel Brunch every Sunday for an
inspirationally good time. Oh yeah!
www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/lasvegas
84. Find Your Way Out of a Maze. Maze Mania, an exhibit in the Lied Discovery
Children’s Museum, offers you a unique challenge the likes of which you usually
only get to see in the movies. Get lost and found in this immersive and positively
puzzling experience, including a 680-foot fabric banner maze, a rope maze strung
between six poles, a labyrinth, and a build-your-own-maze activity. For kids and
adults alike!
www.ldcm.org
85. Visit the Museum of Natural History. The Marjorie Barrick Museum, centrally
located on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus just minutes from the Vegas
Strip, explores humankind’s collective heritage through an active exhibition
schedule, educational programming, and exciting events for all ages. Current exhibits
include ethnographic materials from Guatemala and Mexico and objects from nearly
every culture of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.
http://barrickmuseum.unlv.edu
86. See What It’s Like to Be a NASCAR Driver. NASCAR fans, this one’s
for you. Check out the 35,000-square-foot Las Vegas Cyber Speedway inside the NASCAR
Café in the Sahara Hotel & Casino on the Strip. They say it’s
the closest thing to driving an actual race car you can experience at speeds reaching
as high as 220 mph!
www.saharavegas.com/NASCAR/cyber-speedway
87. Immerse Yourself in Virtual Reality. Featuring over 200 interactive games
spread out over 55,000 square feet, Gameworks will provide hours of fun for you
and your family. Play your favorite “old school” Atari classic, go “virtual
bowling,” or try your hand at the newest high-tech thrill machines. On the
place’s multiple levels you’ll find your choice of bars and restaurants.
Located inside the Vegas Showcase Mall on the Strip.
www.gameworks.com
88. Hurtle through the Sky on a 70-mph Roller Coaster. Clearly not your average
roller coaster, Speed — The Ride at Sahara Hotel & Casino offers a serious
rush for both veteran thrill seekers and newcomers looking for a hair-raising experience.
www.saharavegas.com/NASCAR/SPEED-facts
89. Buy — or at Least Dream of Buying — a Ferrari. Got a serious
need for speed and exquisite Italian quality? Enjoy the feel of luxury leather
and admire fine engineering? Head to Penski Wynn Ferrari, featuring a state-of-the-art
showroom full of the finest new and used vehicle offerings in the Desert City.
Drive one home today or just soak up the splendor of these legendary sports cars.
Check out the merchandise available in the gift boutique as well. You’ll
find it inside Wynn Las Vegas on the Strip.
www.penskewynnferrari.com
90. Play 3-D Sports. And you thought your Wii was fun? Okay, it is, but take
it to the next level at Sky Zone Recreational Centers, which offers “the
next dimensions in sports, fun, and fitness.” Stop by and enjoy physical
activities, games, and entertainment for people of all ages and abilities on its
patented three-dimensional, walled playing surface.
http://lasvegas.skyzonesports.com/default.aspx
91. See Everything from Big Cats to Rattlers. Just 15 minutes off the Vegas Strip,
the Las Vegas Zoo is the only year-round facility of its kind in Nevada. It features
a variety of endangered cats as well as the last family of Barbary Apes in the
United States, chimpanzees, eagles, ostriches, emus, talking parrots, wallabies,
flamingos, large exotic reptiles, and every species of venomous reptile native
to Southern Nevada! The zoo also features exhibits by the Las Vegas Gem Club and
botanical displays of endangered cycads and rare bamboos.
www.lasvegaszoo.com/visitorinfo.htm
92. Experience a 600-lb Elvis Impersonator. Close your eyes as you stroll past
the lounge at Bill’s Gambling Hall & Saloon on the Vegas Strip. What’s
that sound? Is that an old Elvis show playing on the casino PA as you move past
the tables? No — this hunka hunka burnin’ love is Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee,
who’s been wowing ‘em since 2002 with his spot-on tribute to the King
of Rock and Roll. And weighing in at 600 lbs, you can’t miss him! He was
voted “Strip Entertainer of the Year” in 2006.
www.billslasvegas.com/entertainment/lounge/big-elvis
93. Go to the Birthplace of Vegas. Come see where Las Vegas began at the Springs
Preserve. Walk its 1.8 miles of trails and meander through 110 acres of native
habitats and archaeological sites. You’ll find reminders of peoples here
long before us and the natural setting that attracted them. Along the trails, a
wealth of evidence reflects not only thousands of years of local history but major
historical themes of the American West. Native American peoples, European exploration
and settlement, ranching, railroads, and of course, water, have all shaped what
you will see on your journey. It’s actually just minutes away from the bright
lights of the Vegas Strip.
www.springspreserve.org/index.html
94. Star Gaze at the Planetarium. See the stars — we’re not talking
Brangelina, we’re talking Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. The College of
Southern Nevada in Las Vegas boasts the state’s only public planetarium.
Let your imagination wander and feast your eyes on a variety of celestial objects
including the moon, planets, stars, star clusters, and other out-of-this-world
phenomena.
www.csn.edu/planetarium
95. Play Ball (and Then Some). Swing, batter! From a simple game of catch to
a pickup game in all age-inclusive, organized leagues, you’ll find it all
about 10 minutes from the Vegas Strip at the Las Vegas Sportspark. Indoor soccer,
basketball, karate, fencing, and gymnastics are also available at this state-of-the-art
facility. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
www.lasvegasnevada.gov/TextOnly/Find/4979.htm
96. Visit the Pinball Hall of Fame. Pinball wizards welcome! This 10,000-square-foot
shrine to the game features the world’s largest pinball machine collection
under one roof! Tilt and bump your way through machines dating back to the 1950s
and every era since. The museum is not-for-profit, so it depends on you and your
friends coming by to play. Put your 25 cents toward a good cause and have fun at
the same time. Located just across the street from the Liberace Museum off the
Vegas Strip.
www.pinballmuseum.org
97. Tour the Old Mormon Fort. Did you know the first non-Native American settlers
to Las Vegas were Mormon missionaries who built an adobe fort in 1855? It’s
located on Las Vegas Creek, where the water was diverted to fuel their farm. Step
back into history at the old fort featuring exhibits, artifacts, and other activities
that are informative as well as entertaining.
www.parks.nv.gov/olvmf.htm
98. Play British Open Golf. Take it back to where the sport came from. Duffers
and scratch golfers alike will want to play Royal Links, featuring exact replicas
of holes on British Open tournament courses. These include Turnberry Golf Club
#5 and #15 along with the famous “postage stamp green” from Troon.
You’ll find them all on one golf course located less than 9 miles from the
Vegas Strip. This is not your normal golfing experience!
www.royallinksgolfclub.com
99. Go on One of the Spookiest Ghost Tours around. Las Vegas is steeped in a
history full of meteoric rises and falls, and plenty of characters. Did you think
none of it would be left behind? See all the skeletons in Vegas’ closet,
so to speak — Haunted Vegas takes you on a romp around the city’s eeriest
sites and offers “a guided tour and show featuring Sin City’s Darkest
Ghostly Secrets.” This one was actually voted America’s top ghost tour!
www.hauntedvegastours.com
100. Shop for a Real Rolex. Adorn and accentuate your dice-throwing wrist with
a gorgeous gold (or other) Rolex. Numerous dealers abound in Vegas, including one
at Bejeweled, conveniently located in Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, where you’ll
be for NAHC’s 30 th Annual Meeting.
www.mandalaybay.com/mbshops/bejeweled.aspx
101. Buy Your Very Own Slot Machine. Can’t get enough of those one-armed
bandits? You don’t have to leave them all behind and sadly bid adieu; take
one home with you and let the good times roll! There are many reputable businesses
in town including CS2 Games that can offer you a full line of new, used, and refurbished
slot machines. How’s that for an addition to your “man cave”?
CS2 Games is right next to McCarran International Airport.
www.c2gaming.com/default2.aspx |