The Las Vegas Strip houses an array of glitzy, glamorous hotels and casinos such as the MGM Grand, New York-New York, and Bellagio. However, the city has more to offer than slot machines and blackjack tables. In fact, many Las Vegas vacation rentals are situated in proximity to an abundance of attractions, so deciding what to do and see on a trip can be a slight challenge. When narrowing down your must-see list, make sure it includes these classic Las Vegas activities and points of interest.
1. Watch the Water, Music, and Light Show at the Bellagio Fountains
The Fountains of Bellagio remains one of the most Instagrammed attractions in Vegas for a reason. The spectacular choreographed show of intertwined water, music, and lights creates a mesmerizing effect. The display boasts more than 1000 feet of fountains with water that soars as high as 460 feet into the air to the beat of 30 different tunes. Watch the show while dining at one of Bellagio’s outdoor dining establishments next to the fountains or situate yourself on a fountain-side bench to watch the show. Before leaving Bellagio, stop by Jean Philippe Patisserie on the Spa Tower promenade to see the World’s Tallest Chocolate Fountain.
2. Ride the High Roller Observation Wheel
Located at The LINQ Hotel’s promenade, the High Roller Observation Wheel soars 550 feet into the air, eclipsing both the Singapore Flyer and the London Eye. The wheel holds 28 glass pods that hold up to 40 people each, have benches on either side of the pod, and ample floor space in between. Family members of all ages enjoy the 360-degree views of Vegas and The Strip that the High Roller Observation Wheel provides. For an additional cost, riders age 21 or over who are traveling without children have the option of riding in the Happy Half Hour pod to take advantage of its complimentary open bar.
3. Float Down The Venetian’s Grand Canal in a Gondola
Experience the old-world charm of The Venetian as you float along the Grand Canal in a gondola. The ride takes you beneath bridges, under balconies, and past the cafes dotting the vibrant Venetian cityscape. While the Grand Canal flows through the inside of the resort, an outdoor gondola ride is also available for riders who prefer an open-air experience.
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4. Experience the Thrill Rides at Stratosphere Tower
If you have an adventurous clan, Stratosphere Tower is an absolute must. The tower houses three different thrill rides: Insanity, a massive mechanical arm that dangles riders over the edge of the tower at a height of 900 feet; X-Scream, a teeter-totter-like ride that propels riders headfirst over the tower’s edge; and Big Shot, which shoots thrill-seekers from the 921-foot-high platform up the tower’s mast before bringing them back down. End your adventure by bungee jumping off the tower – 829 feet above the Vegas Strip. Even if heart-pounding thrill rides aren’t your thing, you should still stop by the Stratosphere Tower to get a glimpse of the city from the indoor or outdoor observation deck.
5. Discover the Dark Side of Sin City at The Mob Museum
Located downtown, a few blocks northeast of the Fremont Street Experience, The Mob Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the city’s seedy past as it grew from a frontier outpost to a resort mecca in the desert that was fueled by gambling, entrepreneurs with big dreams, and the mob. Discover what the mafia was like through regaling tales about notorious gangsters such as Al Capone, John Gotti, and Bugsy Siegel and explore exhibits filled with mafia-related artifacts including bullet-riddled bricks from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Wall and a selection of weapons favored by mobsters throughout the years.
6. Tour the Hoover Dam
Head to the visitor’s center at Hoover Dam to snap some pictures from the third-floor observation deck and book a guided tour. The center offers two different tours: an hour-long dam tour and a 30-minute tour of the powerplant that showcases the plant’s eight turbine engines. Before heading back to your vacation rental, drive down south on Route 93 to the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman memorial bridge to snap a few more amazing photos of this popular Vegas attraction.
7. Race Through a Miniature Version of NYC on the Big Apple Roller Coaster
Speed through New York-New York’s Manhattan mockup on the taxi-cab-themed Big Apple Roller Coaster. The hypercoaster winds its way through the faux New York City skyline, which features replicas of some of the city’s iconic landmarks including The Statue of Liberty and The Chrysler Building. After the ride, spend time in the adjacent arcade before heading back to your vacation rental.
8. Zipline through the Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Experience, which occupies several blocks of Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, features the Viva Vision Light Show, an overhead light show that uses 12.5 million LED lamps and 550,000-watt, concert-sound-quality speakers to create an intense show filled high-resolution imagery. While the six-minute light show alone is worth the trip, it isn’t all Fremont Street Experience has to offer. Ten stories above the array of food stand and souvenir shops lining the walkway, SlotZilla’s zoomline lets brave visitors fly super-hero style all the way down the Fremont Street Experience at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. For a slightly less daring experience, try the 77-foot-high zipline running across the main promenade, under the canopy used during the light show.
9. Explore The Neon Museum
Spanning a two-acre campus that includes an outdoor exhibit space dubbed The Boneyard, The Neon Museum features more than 200 neon signs that were once displayed around Las Vegas. The Boneyard often serves as an inspirational backdrop for photographers and artists thanks to its multitude of historic neon signs, some of which date back to the 1930s. See historic signs from Caesar’s Palace, the Golden Nugget, and the Stardust, as well as numerous restored neon signs in the visitor’s center, which is housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby.
10. Laugh Your Way Through the Adventuredome
The Adventuredome, located at Circus Circus, boasts a variety of family-oriented attractions including two roller coasters, bumper cars, and a swing ride. Play video games in the arcade, watch a clown show, and test your luck at the carnival-style games lining the midway. From a pirate-themed miniature golf course and Highway-66-themed miniature bowling lanes to laser tag, rock climbing and bungee jumping, Adventuredome has something for people of all ages to enjoy.
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