10 Best things to do in Las Vegas that Aren't Gambling

There are so many wonderful things to do in Vegas besides gamble. Whilst I don’t mind gambling - I actually like gambling when it comes to horse racing - but slot machines are not my thing. I do like 21, Bridge and a few others but in no way did I feel that I had sufficient skills to play these games in the home of gambling.

However, I had always wanted to go to Las Vegas as I thought it would be great fun. I did quite a bit of research around things to do in Vegas besides gambling and the list of Las Vegas activities was really long. So here are my top 10 Things to do in Vegas besides gambling.

Photo byDavid LusvardionUnsplash

1. Cirque Du Soleil

I did a lot of really fun things whilst in Las Vegas. However, the best thing I did was go to Cirque du Soleil. I am surprised that I am writing this as I would never have expected to enjoy the shows as much as I did. I don’t really like musicals or live theatre. But Cirque du Soleil is AMAZING.

I saw the Beatles LOVE show and it blew me away. There was constantly so much to look at and so much happening and it was stunning and and and – wow it was just one of the best shows I have ever ever seen.

On my most recent trip to Las Vegas, I went and saw "O" at the Bellagio. This was also amazing. It is all about water and there is essentially a pool on the stage - jaw-dropping and definitely one of the top things to do in Vegas.

2. David Copperfield

Again, I can’t believe I am putting this as number 2 but I loved David Copperfield. There is a good reason he is so very famous. David Copperfield is a master showman.

The show was brilliant. It was funny, smart, intriguing, fast-paced, and engaging. No one told me magic could be this good.

A car materialized - yes in the middle of a theatre a car materialized. I hope this is enough to convince you to go and see David Copperfield. This was one of the most fun things to do in Vegas.

3. Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon

There are loads of great things to do outside of Las Vegas when you are staying there. A Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon isn’t cheap but it is well worth it. I was picked up at my hotel in a limo – because how else would you travel in Vegas???

We went to a small airbase. The helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is less than an hour and the views are stunning.

I loved seeing the red desert. We then flew over Lake Mead which was stunning. My ticket included doing the Grand Canyon SkyWalk Express Tour.

Personally, I didn’t find it scary but I am ok with heights. The best thing was taking photos nearby.

The helicopter back to Las Vegas took a slightly different route. As if the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead weren’t enough we also flew down the Las Vegas strip on our return which was fantastic.

4. Dinner-buffet at the Wynn

I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food is in Las Vegas. I was expecting the worst of American clichés but I was absolutely delighted. Vegas is, of course, famous for its buffet and the Wynn has an excellent reputation. This is with excellent reason.

If you looked up buffet in the dictionary I think there should be photos of the Wynn Buffet. This was the most extensive and most impressive buffet that I have ever visited.

It was an Instagram-friendly buffet – in a very Instagram-friendly room – which is not common. The Wynn buffet Las Vegas highlight for me was the seafood on offer.

5. Visit Major Tourist Destinations

Sure you’re in Las Vegas but why not visit the Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, and the Brooklyn Bridge while in town? All of the hotels that feature these tourism extravaganzas are along the Strip.

I most enjoyed New York New York and the Brooklyn Bridge. There are loads of places for great fun cheesy photos.

6. Visit the Neon Museum

Las Vegas off the strip has a lot to offer. I was really looking forward to the Neon Museum and it did not disappoint. This unique museum is located in downtown or old las vegas. You will need a car or a cab to the Neon Museum in Las Vegas.

The Neon Museum is mostly outdoors. It is sort of like a car park that is filled with the old Neon signs of Las Vegas. Kind of like a neon retirement home! The Neon Museum was one of my favorite activities in Las Vegas.

7. Visit the Hoover Dam

In recent years I appear to have become a big of an Engineering nerd – the Hoover Dam was one of 2 man-made natural wonders I visited in 2017. (the second being the Panama Canal).

The Hoover Dam is a half-day trip from the Strip and another of the great things to do outside Las Vegas. It takes about one hour to get to Hoover Dam and the total trip is 4 ½ hours.

There are loads of great photo opportunities. The Hoover Dam tour will most likely take you to these spots and advise accordingly.

The Hoover Dam structure is very art deco and cool – even the toilets. The highlight is heading down 600 feet and seeing the turbines and learning about how they used water to cool the concrete so it would set faster and a whole bunch of ingenious and amazing things that were done to make this dam work.

8. 7 Magic Mountains

7 Magic Mountains was another item high on my Vegas agenda. I had seen photos of these neon sculptures in the middle of the desert and was dead keen to get my own. You will need a car to visit 7 Magic Mountains Las Vegas – we used Uber.

The drive to 7 Magic Mountains takes about 30 minutes each way from the strip. You only need about 15 minutes when you arrive, so the best thing to do is see if your driver will wait.

9. Head to Fremont Street

Fremont Street is the old Las Vegas Strip. It is now a rather tacky tourism extravaganza but kind of fun. Fremont Street is a pedestrianized street that of course has a zip wire running over the top of it. There are loads of bars and many old casinos.

Freemont Street is known as a serious party/drinking area, so if that is your thing, this is your place. It is worth a visit out of curiosity. It is known as a really fun thing to do in Vegas.

10. Watch the Fountain show at Bellagio

This stunning mix of water, lights, and music is on every 15 minutes after 8 pm. The best way to see the Bellagio Fountain Show is to have dinner at one of the six restaurants at the Bellagio.

Do make sure you book ahead though as many people seem to know that this is the best way to see the Fountains show and the tables at the Bellagio book out fast.