Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gambling
7 min read
Here is a secret the casinos do not advertise: you can have one of the best trips of your life in Vegas and never touch a chip. The gambling is honestly the least interesting part now.
I have built entire weekends here without placing a single bet. Here is what to do instead.
See a world-class show
Vegas has the best concentration of live entertainment on earth. Cirque du Soleil's O at Bellagio, the comedy-acrobatics of Absinthe, and any Sphere production are all bucket-list level.
Add a residency headliner or a magic show like Mat Franco and you could fill several nights on shows alone.
Eat at restaurants worth flying for
The dining scene is now a real reason to visit. Carbone, Bavette's, Estiatorio Milos, and the celebrity-chef rooms turn a meal into the main event.
Do one splurge dinner and one great casual spot. The food here rivals any major city in the country.
Get outside the city
Red Rock Canyon is a 20-minute drive into stunning desert. Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon are easy day trips by car or helicopter.
These get people who think Vegas is only neon every single time. The landscape out here is the real surprise.
Thrills, rides, and AREA15
Ride the High Roller wheel, do the STRAT tower thrill rides, fly the Fremont zip line, or lose an afternoon inside AREA15 and Omega Mart.
There is a full menu of adrenaline and weirdness here that has nothing to do with a casino floor.
Pools, spas, and just relaxing
Some of the best resort spas in the world are here, and the pool scene runs from full party to total calm.
Book a spa day, float in a pool, and remember that Vegas is also a legitimate place to do nothing in luxury.
David X Las Vegas earns a commission on bookings made through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes my honest take.
Frequently asked
Is Las Vegas fun if you do not gamble?
Very. Between shows, dining, outdoor day trips, thrill rides, and pools, you can have a packed trip without ever placing a bet.
What is there to do in Vegas besides casinos?
Plenty. World-class shows, top-tier restaurants, Red Rock Canyon, AREA15, observation wheels, spas, and the Sphere all stand on their own.
Can you have a good Vegas trip without spending a fortune?
Yes. Many of the best things, like the Bellagio Fountains, Fremont Street shows, and Red Rock Canyon, are free or cheap. The big spending is optional.
