Suiteness Blog7 Things To Do In Las Vegas (Besides Drinking and Gambling)Written by Divya MulanjurPublished November 11, 2015

When I mentioned I was going to Vegas for vacation last summer, people jumped to the assumption that I was there to gamble. Gambling wasn’t even on my Vegas agenda, but still many people seem to get that impression of Vegas and write it off as a place to visit based on that false assumption alone.

The fact is, there are so much to do in Vegas that doesn’t involve gambling or drinking. My first trip to Vegas was before I was of legal age with my family and I remember having a blast.

I understand that gambling and drinking can be an addiction for some and the sight of a casino alone can act as a trigger. However, for others, using the “I don’t like to gamble” excuse to not visit Vegas would be a mistake.

Besides the Strip and downtown Vegas, there are plenty of day trips available such as hiking Red Rock Canyon, exploring the Grand Canyon or taking a tour of Hover Dam just to name a few.

For those that are hesitant about booking a trip to Vegas, here is a list of the best things to do that prove Vegas is more than just a place to gamble or drink.

1. Shop

If you’re going to empty your wallet in Vegas, might as well have something to show for it.

Whether you’re looking to splurge on luxury goods or find a great bargain at the outlets, Vegas is a shopper’s paradise. Even if you can’t afford it, go window shopping at Crystals or Via Bellagio. Here you’ll find stores such as Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Chanel, Dior and Gucci just to name a few.

For less pricey shops, head to Fashion Show, the Forum Shops at Ceasars or the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Here you’ll find stores such as Forever 21, Bebe, Guess, Zara and H&M.

While these are some of the popular shopping centers on the Vegas Strip, many of the hotels have shopping available such as the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian (the Palazzo).

Las Vegas has lots of shopping off the Strip as well, including their popular outlet malls: Las Vegas Premium Outlets – North and Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas.

2. Eat lots of food

With so many restaurants in Vegas, there is no excuse not to dine well on any budget. Vegas has its fair share of celebrity restaurants, but the dining scene goes far beyond this as well.

Over 40 million annual visitors from around the world come to Vegas which makes it no surprise that you can find many restaurants serving up delicious internationally-inspired cuisine.

I can’t neglect to mention the variety of buffet’s Vegas has to offer. They really are part of the Vegas experience! You can even get a pass that gives you 24-hour access to eat at a list of buffets for a set price: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some see this as a good value, but my limit is one buffet per trip.

If you do visit one buffet, I highly recommend Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan.

3. See a show

One of the first things you’ll notice as soon as you arrive in Vegas is all the advertisements for shows and performances. From Blue Man Group to Cirque Du Soleil, there are so many great shows to see while you’re in Vegas.

Many of them are so popular that they sell out fast. In this case, I would determine which show you wish to see and the available performance times. Sometimes it’s best to purchase tickets before your trip, otherwise you may be able to take a chance by scoring discount tickets at venues like Tix 4 Tonight. You can buy tickets online or at one of their stations along the Strip.

Here is a list of the top ten shows to see in Vegas if you’re stuck for ideas.

4. Hang out at the pool

Whether you’re looking to relax in the lazy river or soak up the sun at a lavish oasis, Vegas has a pool to suit any preference. Visitors are welcome to take a dip in other hotel pools (a charge usually applies and can be subject to change if there is a special event happening).

While many hotel pools are family friendly, others are for adults only. Some of the most popular pools in Vegas can be found at the Cosmopolitan, the Mandalay Bay and the Hard Rock Hotel.

5. Fire guns at the gun range

One of the most popular activities to do in Vegas is going to the gun range. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been before, each place has a variety of packages available to suit your needs.

I went for the first time last year and it was a great adrenaline rush. However, if firing off guns doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there are plenty of other activities to do in Vegas for thrill seekers. Why not try indoor skydiving or sky jump off the Stratosphere or even race a dune buggy in the desert?

6. Head to Fremont Street

A trip to Vegas is not complete without visiting Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas at least once in your life. The best time to go is at night when VivaVision offers free nightly shows which showcase 12.5 million lights and 550,000 watts of incredible sound.

Fremont is also home to the Neon Museum which holds the old hotel’s neon signs.

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7. Walk the Strip

Lastly, one of the best (and free) things to do in Vegas is to walk the Strip. Whether it’s during the day or at night when the street is lit up, walking the Strip is one of the best ways to explore Vegas.

During the summer when temperatures can soar over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, head into the air conditioned hotels to walk around. Many of them have a variety of shopping (as mentioned in point one) and delicious restaurants.

Each hotel has its own theme and offers different attractions, such as the famous fountain show at the Bellagio or riding the roller coaster at New York, New York. If it’s your first time to Vegas, one of the best things to do is explore through all the hotels.

This article is by Eden

This article is by Eden from mintnotion.com.