We hope that  Las Vegas Activities will become your go-to resource whether you’re visiting Las Vegas, thinking about visiting Las Vegas, or just dreaming about visiting. When you visit, there’s so much more to do than just sit in the casino; what you really need is someone to help you sort through all the possiblities for dining, shopping, and clubbing – for concerts, shows, and day trips – every category of our Las Vegas activities guide. We’ve got information on golf courses and shopping malls, restaurants and buffets, clubbing and action sports, stuff for the kids and stuff for the grownups. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Vegas regular, we’re you’re top stop for Las Vegas info. We’re adding new stories and information regularly, so please bookmark us and visit often!

In Vegas, bigger is definitely better. Nearly every show on the Las Vegas Strip is an enormous production with an all-star cast and a small support army behind the scenes. Just about every concert features one of the biggest names in music. The special Las Vegas events truly are special, whether it’s a prize fight, UFC event, NASCAR race or the World Series of Poker. And it seems that every new restaurant that opens in Las Vegas these days is designed and run by a celebrity chef. Bigger and better is what Vegas does best.

Seemingly, most visitors fall into two categories: those who are addicted to the bigger-and-better hedonistic charm of Las Vegas – and those who are in the process of becoming addicted to it. This playground for adults makes no excuses for overwhelming visitors and encouraging over-indulgence. In fact, those seem to be the raisons d’etre for Las Vegas events in the 2010s.

Needless to say, Vegas has not only hosted legends, but created them. The Rat Pack, Elvis, Liberace, Wayne Newton, Siegfried and Roy – you can’t even mention their names without visualizing them performing to sold-out crowds in Vegas. Every one of their appearances was a true Las Vegas event. And the list of true Vegas celebrities continues to grow, with names like Penn and Teller, George Wallace, Donny and Marie and many others joining the list.

There’s no way to list the best three, or five, or ten, or fifty Las Vegas events. But here is a brief rundown of some of our favorites, from comedy to magic, shows to showgirls, music to athletics. And please take your time to browse our site – you’ll find much more on top Las Vegas events.

Most of the major Las Vegas entertainment extravaganzas are housed in the huge hotel/casinos that line the world famous Strip. At The Venetian, you can be entertained by the fabulous Blue Man Group throughout the year. The music/magic/acrobatic/choreographic productions of Cirque du Soleil, including Love, O, Mystère, Zumanity, Viva Elvis and Kà play at casinos up and down the strip at Treasure Island, The Mirage, New York, New York, Bellagio, Aria and the MGM Grand; they all have different themes and feels, but all have captured the imagination of millions over the years with their awe-inspiring combination of music, athletics and performance art. No matter which of their shows you choose, you can’t go wrong. Le Reve at the Wynn is a fantastical mix of dream sequences, dance and water that has set the bar high for Vegas extravaganzas. Other long-running Broadway shows, such as Phantom (a shortened version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic) and Jersey Boys are performed in their own custom-designed theaters, and bring a wonderful taste of the Great White Way to Las Vegas Boulevard.

Magic has always been a hallmark of Las Vegas entertainment, and quite frankly, the best play Vegas. Of course, these are not your grandfather’s magic shows; they combine an amazing amount of big-event showmanship and stagecraft with more traditional magic. Look for the amazing Lance Burton (a regular winner of Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year awards) at the Monte Carlo, or Penn & Teller, the absolute best at combining magic and comedy, at the Rio. Cirque du Soleil doesn’t ignore the power of magic either – their popular Criss Angel Believe show, featuring the star of the TV show Mindfreak, is at the Luxor.

In Vegas with the kids? Don’t miss the Rick Thomas magic show at the Tropicana every afternoon. It’s a kiddie’s delight! And don’t miss the regular performances of Disney’s Lion King at Mandalay Bay.

If you think of over-the-top dancing and costumes, and lots of showgirls when you think of Vegas,  the Pussy Cat Dolls at Caesar’s Palace, Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand, and Folies Bergere at the Trop are top-notch “mainstream adult” Vegas entertainment. Or on the flip side, the world-famous Chippendales show at Rio is the perfect place for a bachelorette party – as is the Legends in Concert show at Imperial Palace, with some of the best celebrity impressionists anywhere.

Any list of Las Vegas events would be incomplete without mentioning the city’s unparalleled concert scene. True legends have set up permanent bases in Vegas; perhaps the biggest names right now are Elton John with his own theater at Caesar’s Palace, and Barry Manilow who’s a regular at Paris Hotel and Casino. Many of the world’s biggest recording artists are regulars at the Colosseum at Caesar’s, with a list headed by the likes of Celine Dion and Diana Ross. The number of artists making regular stops at the MGM Grand Garden on their concert tours is astounding; everyone from the Eagles and Jimmy Buffett, to Jay Z. and Kanye West makes sure to play Vegas. A top venue for indie and and upcoming artists is the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, regularly featuring artists like Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, Slightly Stoopid, One Republic, and Shaggy.

When it comes to comedy, Las Vegas events are legendary. Current headliners who make regular appearances in Vegas are Jay Leno, Jeffy Seinfeld, Howie Mandel, Robin Williams and David Spade, seen at showrooms like the Colosseum at Caesars, The Mirage and the MGM Grand. There are many comics with regular gigs in Vegas as well, including George Wallace (known as the NEW Mr. Las Vegas) at the Flamingo, Rita Rudner at Harrah’s and Carrot Top at the Luxor.

When you think of mammoth Las Vegas events you probably think of boxing. For many years now, Vegas has staged the biggest fights in the world at casinos like MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay; the glitz and glamour of boxing continues to weave its magic in Las Vegas, with the biggest names like Floyd Mayweather, Wladimir Klitschko and Manny Pacquiao  fighting there regularly – and now, with UFC title bouts joining the party. There’s an annual Vegas stop on the NASCAR tour that’s become a huge event in the city; the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Tour is a huge draw when it’s in town – and while you might not consider poker a sport, the World Series of Poker has grown from a small curiosity at Binion’s downtown, to a massive month-long Las Vegas party.

That’s only scratching the surface of Las Vegas events, but we hope it’s enough to get your juices flowing. Please explore our site to find much, much more about Las Vegas activities, shows, restaurants and events.

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck opened a branch of his successful flagship Spago in Las Vegas, after it had become a phenomenon in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. That was in 1992, and even though every casino and hotel has added at least a handful of restaurants run by the biggest names in food, this bellwether of Las Vegas restaurants, built around the then-unusual idea of gourmet pizza remains a mainstay at the Forum Shops at the Caesar’s Palace. In addition to their world-famous pizza, Spago serves seasonal American cuisine, with signature dishes such as roasted free range chicken served with Yukon gold potatoes, goat cheese, wild mushrooms and natural jus; and blue cheese-crusted filet mignon with potato lyonnaise, confit bacon, cipollini onions, spinach and a balsamic reduction. Spago just one of the many restaurants Wolfgang Puck’s has built in Vegas; he also has Chinois at Caesar’s Palace, Trattoria del Lupo at Mandalay Bay and the Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at the MGM Grand, Cut Steakhouse at  the Palazzo, Postrio Bar and Grill in St. Mark’s Square at the Venetian, Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina at CityCenter, ,

Another celebrity chef with a growing number of Las Vegas restaurants is Emeril Lagasse, who was well-known for many years because of his culinary skills, but became a sensation after his TV show “Emeril Live!” became a hit. Lagasse is the owner and executive chef of the Delmonico steakhouse in the Venetian Hotel and Casino. As you’d expect, there’s a southern touch to this upscale menu, in keeping with the chef’s trademark New Orleans cuisine. Emeril also has the New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand specializing in Cajun and Creole recipes, and Table 10 at the Palazzo, where he also owns Lagasse’s Stadium Sports Bar.

American culinary superstar Bobby Flay, has made his mark in the world of Las Vegas restaurants, with an outpost of his flagship Mesa Grill at Caesar’s Palace. Flay is another successful chef and restauranteur who became a household name due to his presence all over the Food Network, topped by his appointment as Iron Chef. Flay is renowned for his unapologetic American/Southwestern cooking style, with standout dishes like blue corn pancake with barbecued duck and a habenero chile-star anise sauce, New Mexican spice-rubbed pork tenderloin with bourbon –ancho chile sauce, and green chile cioppino with lobster, scallop, grouper, mussels and served with a blue corn stick and scallion butter.

Add to the list American-Italian celebrity chef Mario Batali and “celebrity owner” Joe Bastianich (Carnevino Italian Steak House, Palazzo, and B and B Ristorante, Venetian), “Rock and Roll Chef” Kerry Simon (Simon at Palms Place, CatHouse at the Luxor, KGB at Harrah’s) and Todd English (Olives at Bellagio and P.U.B. at CityCenter) and you’ve got a pretty comprehensive list of the major American celebrity chefs and their top-notch Las Vegas restaurants.

But let’s not leave out famed French powerhouse Joel Robouchon. He is a Michelin-starred chef with two restaurants in Vegas; one is his namesake restaurant and the other is L’atelier de Joel Robouchon, both at MGM Grand. The former is an out-of-this world French restaurant, perhaps the closest you can come to a true French dining experience on this side of the Atlantic. The latter is a livelier spot with an open kitchen, serving signature dishes with a French flair – a culinary workshop which will allow you to sample the Robouchon’s newest creations.

One of the Las Vegas restaurants that transforms the regular American steakhouse into an edgy dining experience is Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at MGM Grand, which has become a perennial Vegas standout. Craftsteak focuses on fresh, organic produce and the best meat in the world, Kobe and Waygu beef. If lobster is more your style, you will be delighted with a visit to the Rosewood Grille and Lobster House (on the Strip but not at a hotel), where you can get a five-, ten- or even 25-pound lobster cooked absolutely perfectly (with prices to match, of course).

There are some “reasonable” prices at a few of the celebrity chef Las Vegas restaurants we’ve mentioned, such as P.U.B., KGB (Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers), and Lagasse’s Stadium. Most of the restaurants listed here, however, are very expensive – some, almost obscenely so. That’s not to say the food isn’t worth it; it most definitely is. But that doesn’t mean you can, or want to, spend what turns out to be a day’s or a week’s pay for most people, on a meal – no matter how outstanding. Here is a sampling of great restaurants with terrific food, but lower price tags.

Bouchon, a new addition to the list of terrific restaurants at the Venetian, is run by Thomas Keller and is essentially a French bistro with simple, classically prepared food;.another great French bistro, Mon Ami Gabi, is at Paris. The Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay (from Hubert Keller) is another spot with outstanding gourmet burgers.

Ready for a meal with an incredible view? Here’s a trio of Las Vegas restaurants where the view may keep you from even noticing the food: Mix, with a futuristic look on the top floor of THEhotel at Mandalay Bay; Alize, with floor to ceiling windows (and probably the best food of the trio) on the top floor of the Palms; and perhaps out-viewing them all, Top of the World, at the tippet-top of the Stratosphere Tower, on the north end of the strip.

Finally, if you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with visits to the Jean Philippe Patisserie at the Bellagio, Max Brenner in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s, or the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop outside Harrah’s.

The name of the game for casinos is to keep people inside their complexes – or at least, in the neighborhood. That means they need to provide their millions of visitors an unparalleled shopping experience inside the hotel/casinos along the strip; and just as the hotels themselves are huge, modern and wondrous, the shopping malls (and dining complexes) within their confines are truly amazing. There are plenty of opportunities for souvenir and lower-end purchases, plus gourmet meals that won’t cost a week’s pay, but the high-end Las Vegas shopping wonderlands that can be found across the Strip also provide the most exclusive and exquisite things money can buy – not to mention some of the best window shopping in the world. Here is a look at the top five Strip shopping experiences.

You can begin your Las Vegas shopping expedition with the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, once a destination for the very richest Vegas visitors, but now a great mix of designer boutiques and popular upscale chains. You can shop (but not until you drop, there are a lot more stops to come!) at stores like Louis Vuitton, Harry Winston, Versace, Hugo Boss, or perhaps you’d prefer Banana Republic, Miss Sixty, Diesel, or Guess. And that’s just scratching the surface. There are still a number of high-end boutiques that can only be found here or in Beverly Hills;, such as Elie Tahari, Judith Leiber, Valentino and Emporio Armani, but they share space with interesting pushcarts and one of the biggest gelato counters you’ll ever see. The talking statues at the Fountain Show make an interesting spot to pause for a rest before heading back out into the world. Hungry? There are great “name” restaurants like Spago and The Palm, and chains like The Cheesecake Factory; and if you are a chocoholic you owe yourself a visit to Max Brenner’s (no excuses, you can diet next week!). The Forum Shops also house an aquarium and an art gallery if you really need a break before moving on.

Across the Strip, as we continue our tour of Las Vegas shopping highlights, are the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. The sightseeing “experience” is worth taking in if you’ve never been here before; real canals (which run through the entire complex) complete with singing gondoliers, magic sky, spacious walkways and small “side streets,” and the open-air St. Mark’s Square almost replicate an Italian experience perfectly. There are a number of exquisite specialty shoppes here, from boutiques like Herve Leger, Marshall Rousso and Il Prato; stores like Ripa de Monti featuring wonderful Venetian glass; Regis Galerie for Faberge eggs; and Il Prato for Venetian souvenir items. The mall is also a haven for upscale chains like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Rockport, Kenneth Cole and Brookstone, and it has one of the largest Sephora stores you’ll find. There are numerous pushcarts and souvenir shops for less expensive purchases, and the Italian food at the Grand Canal Shoppes truly fits the ambience, with the exquisite Zeffirino overlooking the canals, the newer B and Ristorante, headed by celebrity partners Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, and Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio, both in St. Mark’s Square. There are also lots of inexpensive dining choices, from Panda Express to Johnny Rockets.

The Shoppes at Palazzo are located adjacent to the Grand Canal Shoppes (accessible via a walkway), and they almost seem to scream luxury and sophistication, with a two-story waterfall, beautiful skylights, and live music. You will find many of the world’s finest designers and boutiques, starting with shoe havens Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik, and moving on to designer names like Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Prada, Chloé, Ralph Lauren and Diane Von Furstenberg. The overall feel of the shoppes here is European and very trendy, with chrystal chandeliers, runway shows, even small TVs built into dressing room mirrors. The Shoppes at Palazzo also has an enormous branch of Barneys New York, making this mall a destination for many well-to-do East Coasters. For wine lovers, there is the exquisite Double Helix Bar serving dozens of rare wines by the glass; restauranteurs who have opened up here include Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse.

The glass-and-marble Via Bellagio at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is so upscale that it’s primarily a “window-shopping mall” for most of us  – but what Las Vegas shopping fantasies you can have here! Via Bellagio is dominated by an enormous Tiffany’s, but that’s certainly not the only reason to visit, especially if you have a few extra bucks to blow.  Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Hermes, Moschino, Yves St. Laurent and Burberry all have outstanding stores at Via Bellagio, and they’ll be happy to outfit you as if you were one of the favored few. Mid-to-upscale eateries provide a nice break from the shopping; most have spectacular views of the famous Bellagio fountains from tableside.

Steve Wynn created Bellagio and its upscale shopping experience, so you can guess what things are like at his new “home,”  the Esplanade at Wynn Las Vegas: Las Vegas shopping heaven. He has built a designer haven with, again, a completely upscale feel; the Wynn Esplanade features the first Oscar de la Renta boutique anywhere, and the first Jean Paul Gaultier store in the United States. McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Manolo Blahnik are just some of the others who’ve opened branches at the Esplanade. An interesting twist is that there are Wynn & Co. Boutiques, one for shoes, one for jewelry, featuring just the finest product from the world’s shoe designers (including Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti and Stuart Weitzman) and  jewelers (plus watches from Rolex and A. Lange). And believe it or not, this mall has its own Ferrari and Maserati showroom, in case you need a high-end ride home after your shopping spree.

There are many other upscale Las Vegas shopping experiences on the Strip worth checking out, if you have the time or happen to be in the neighborhood; Crystals, at the Las Vegas CityCenter, feels like you’re strolling outdoors in a mall built in a series of parks;  Le Boulevard at Paris Hotel and Casino makes you feel like you’re strolling through an upscale Paris neighborhood of shops; and Encore Esplanade, another exquisite and expensive, but hipper and edgier experience from Steve Wynn at his Encore hotel and casino.

If you were in Europe, you’d need to visit Paris, London, Rome, Milan and half-a-dozen other fashion capitals for a shopping tour like this. In Vegas, you can do it in a day – and still have time for a world-class dinner, and then a show or club the same night. What could be better than a Las Vegas shopping expedition, dinner and a show?

Not to worry. Las Vegas has enough standalone malls and shopping centers, in all price ranges, to satisfy even the most inveterate shoppers. There’s no need to put your shopping genes on hold while you’re experiencing Vegas – put on  your shopping jeans and let’s head out for some terrific variety and some great bargains.

The first place to start your Las Vegas shopping experience is at the Fashion Show mall, sitting right in the middle of the Strip near the TI, Wynn Las Vegas, and the Venetian hotel and casinos. This sprawling, airy and comfortable mall, which entertains more than ten million visitors a year, has a Great Hall which features an 80-foot long fashion runway and a long list of shops to fit every budget, more than 200 in all. There are major department stores like Saks, Dillard’s and Macy’s; Nordstroms and Neiman-Marcus also have stores here. There are cool boutiques like Zara, Metropark and True Religion; lots of specialty stores selling everything from kitchen goods to clothing, shoes to art, and a host of moderately-priced and budget food choices. For most people, the Fashion Show mall would be like taking the largest mall in the big city near you, doubling or tripling the size, adding almost every major department store, and then filling it out with tons of other cool boutiques and stores you’d want to at least poke your head into. It’s a fun place to shop.

While on the subject of fun and Las Vegas shopping, we come to Town Square Mall just off the Strip, at the south end near Mandalay Bay.  This shopping center is designed to look like an comfortable older village, and the architecture makes it work perfectly, with designs from cities worldwide. Town Square Mall is really a family-oriented mall, with not only a large number of shops, but also a children’s park, a picnic area and a large movie theatre. There are also features two night clubs. The mix of stores is a nice blend of fashion and luxury, more like an upscale mall at home, with stores like Aldo, Banana Republic, Abercrombie and Fitch, MAC, Bath and Body Works, and Victoria’s Secret. It’s also a great place to shop if you’re staying in a condo, with a Whole Foods Supermarket on site.

For a different type of Las Vegas shopping spree on the Strip, full of fun and games, head to the Showcase Mall, right on the Strip near the MGM Grand, Monte Carlo and New York-New York Hotel and Casinos. This mall has two main tenants: Adidas, which offers footwear, clothing and accessories for every sport you can think of, as well as a museum of sorts, on its two floors – and M &Ms. That’s right, the candy; there’s a huge, three-story M & M’s World that you have to see to believe: toys, games, tons of M & M themed souvenirs, and of course, more chocolate candy than an entire city could eat at one sitting! If you’re thirsty after that, there’s also a World of Coca-Cola museum on site. Gaming enthusiast? GameWorks, with some of the most cutting edge multi-sensory games imaginable (some developed by Steven Spielberg, a climbing wall, virtual bowling – plus vintage video games and pinball machines. Adults-only on the second floor, please – that’s where the bars are. Showcase Mall also has the only first-run movie theater on the Strip, plus a magic shop and a food court.

A must-visit on your Las Vegas shopping expedition should be at least one of the Las Vegas Premium Outlets. There are two Outlets, each with different stores: North which is located near downtown, and South which is south of the Strip. The North Outlet will give you your fix of high fashion at lower prices; the South Outlet will be where you’ll be more likely to find the popular brands you’re looking for. At Las Vegas Premium Outlets North you can shop your way through Michael Kors, Dolce and Gabbana, Armani Exchange, Coach and Swarovski. There is also a Disney Store Outlet which will keep the kids happy, too. This mall has an extensive number of outlets so there is bound to be more than enough for everyone. Heading to Las Vegas Premium Outlets South? Among the outlet stores you’ll find are Aeropoostle, Skechers, Adidas, Nine West and Saks Fifth Avenue, plus Designer Fashion Clearance which carries designer labels at extremely low prices.

This Las Vegas shopping rundown wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the largest mall in Nevada, the Boulevard Mall, which is a fairly standard shopping center in  Paradise, just outside of Las Vegas; and the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas, which is a terrific collection of outlet stores as varied as Burberry and Coach on one hand, and Williams-Sonoma, Nautica and Nine West on the other. Unfortunately, The Fashion Outlets are way out of town, almost to the California state line; there are, however, shuttles that run from the MGM Grand and Planet Hollywood.

For most people, it would take a terrific run at the tables or a big hit on the slots, in order to afford a shopping spree at some of the glamorous high-end malls in Las Vegas. These more approachable and affordable Las Vegas shopping malls, however, let you leave Vegas with some terrific bargains, no matter what your budget.

Taking a day trip from Las Vegas is easy; there are packages to fit every budget and agenda, and you can book them all at your hotel’s concierge desk, or at any one of the many activities desks you’ll see all over the Strip. Be sure to compare prices, because there are many attractive sightseeing deals available from package tour providers. You can even score deeply discounted or free Las Vegas day trips, if you have the time and patience to take a free tour of Las Vegas condo properties; just walk around the Strip for a little while, and you’ll be approached with more offers than you can imagine.

Some of the best day trips you can take from Las Vegas:

The Grand Canyon

One of the most popular Las Vegas day trips is a visit to nature’s miracle and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. The following are some of the things you need to know about this breathtaking spot:

• The distance between Vegas and the Canyon may only be 180 miles by air, but it’s 280 miles if you’re planning on driving yourself, so it will take you around six hours each way to the North Rim – meaning that an overnight visit will be a more enjoyable visit. If you’re really planning on making it a day trip, air is the way to go unless you’ll be satisfied with spending just a few hours at the Canyon.
• Bus tours are available, of course, but they last around 14 or 15 hours, with nearly 12 of those hours spent ON the bus. There are also train and boat tours (with some ground transportation included); those can be quite enjoyable, but again, you won’t be spending a ton of time on the actual Canyon tour itself.
• Helicopter or airplane tours are the most satisfying way to get to and from the Canyon for a day trip; as you’d expect, though, they’re also the most expensive. The airplane tours usually just fly you over the Canyon; the copters, howver, often offer a landing right at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. By the way, the helicopters take you to the west rim, rather than the “more popular” south rim that you may have visited on your own in the past. The benefit is that the Grand Canyon Skywalk is located at the west rim; you stroll on a glass floor built 70 feet over the rim, 4,000 feet above the floor – and look through the floor straight down into the Canyon. It’s a breathtaking sight.
• Costs can run from $150 to $200 for bus or car trips, to $500 or more for Las Vegas day trips to the Grand Canyon by air from Las Vegas. But how can you even place a value on seeing one of the natural wonders of the world?

The Hoover Dam

One of the much easier Las Vegas day trips you can take is a visit to the “Government Power Project,” better known as the Hoover Dam, on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona (with the man-made Lake Mead on its northern side). It’s only about 35 miles away from Vegas, and the drive takes less than an hour. It’s not “exciting” in the way that Vegas sights are exciting, but it’s one of the most amazing construction projects ever completed. Even if you’re not interested in the comprehensive and educational tours that are available, you’ll still be impressed with a brief day trip from Vegas to see this marvel.

• Walking back and forth across the dam and the bridge is free, and you’ll get to appreciate the scope and breadth of this wondrous project. However, you’ll have to pay to park, and have to pay to enter the Visitor’s Center where you can learn all about the Dam and its history. Each of those fees is less than ten bucks.

• There are several great tours available; the powerplant tour includes presentations at the Visitor’s Center, and then a trip into the Dam itself where you get to see how this marvel of engineering actually works. You can book this tour in advance and it’s about 10 bucks as well. The Hoover Dam tour is longer (you walk for almost a mile) and more comprehensive, allowing you to visit the inner reaches of the Dam; this tour is first-come, first-serve and costs three times as much, but it’s incredibly interesting.
• There are literally dozens of tour packages available for you to visit the Hoover Dam on a day trip from Las Vegas – no worries about transportation or directions. Just check with your hotel’s concierge or activities desk.
  

Skydiving in Las Vegas

It’s not one of the conventional sort of the Las Vegas day trips we’ve been discussing. But it’s well worth considering: a skydiving outing just outside of Vegas. The views of the desert and the Strip are so different, and so beautiful, that you’ll be grateful you were open-minded enough to give this once-in-a-lifetime experience a try.

• There are a number of companies providing Las Vegas skydiving outings, so the specifics of your day trip may differ somewhat, but these are general examples of what you can expect from a Las Vegas sky diving outing.
• You can book at any of the activities desks around Vegas, either at your hotel or along the Strip. On the day of your dive, you’ll be picked up from the Strip, either from your hotel, or a nearby rendezvous point. You’ll be returned to the same spot. Figure on being gone anywhere from 2 ½-5 hours. (Of course, you can also drive yourself.)
• After arriving at the airport, you’ll meet your instructor, who will fully brief you on what to expect and what to do during your jump; you’ll get to practice jumping with your equipment before even seeing your plane.
• The jump itself will be a “tandem” jump, with your instructor tethered to you and making sure that you’re safe; he or she is the one who will pull the rip cord to release your parachute, after a period of freefall.
• As you slowly descend you’ll be able to see the entire city of Las Vegas including the Strip, the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, the Colorado River, Red Rock Canyon, and three surrounding states. The landing will be soft, softer than jumping from a chair.
• You only need to be in decent shape and over 18 in order to jump.

It may not be for everyone – but while you may eventually forget seeing a show or a concert, you’ll never forget your Vegas skydive experience.

A Joyride in the Desert

Another type of the Las Vegas day trips most people would probably not associate with Vegas – is exploring the areas around the city in an all-terrain vehicle. A number of companies have built entire ATV day trips to various spots in the Vegas area. The most popular:

• Eldorado Canyon, home to abandoned, hidden gold mines; you can explore the mountain trails, the natural springs and more, as you speed across the landscape in your dune buggy or ATV.
• Valley of Fire State Park, with stunning views of the southwestern desert.
• Other trips available include an ATV ride all the way to the California state line, and extreme ATV adventures for the experienced off-roader.
• All trips can be booked from your hotel’s activities desk; round-trip transfer is included for all trips, and prices usually run between $150 and $300 per person.

Death Valley

Another of the exciting day trips you can take is a visit to Death Valley, located close to the city. This full-day tour through the Mojave Desert lets you experience some of the starkest yet most beautiful scenery in the Western United States. Among the spots you visit are Ubehebe Crater, site of a volcanic eruption that was so violent, it destroyed the volcano; Badwater, the lowest spot in the entire Western Hemisphere, at 282 feel below sea level; and the Rhyolite Ghost Town. You’ll feel like you’re a million miles away from the lights of Las Vegas – and you’ll never forget the strangely beautiful desert sights. It’s just one more of our exceptional Las Vegas day trips.

If Marquee is the top dog among Las Vegas nightclubs, its sister clubs Lavo and Tao aren’t far behind. Tao at the Venetian has been around for a while now but unlike most clubs, its popularity – the huge lineup of celebrities partying inside, and the lines of regular people waiting to get in – never seem to wane.  It’s truly one of the spots that’s so hot because you “have” to be there – it’s so big that it’s not really a comfortable place to hang out, talk or dance – but that doesn’t even matter. As for the decor, Buddhas are everywhere (both live and overstuffed heads) to accent the Far Eastern look; you can party in the completely jammed main room where rock mashups are central to the party atmosphere, find a little room to breathe in one of the smaller rooms, or head outside to Tao Beach.

Lavo at the Palazzo is much smaller, with a beautiful Moroccan boathouse theme which is breathtaking; flowing water, intricate tilework and leather walls and ornate chandeliers, with black and orange predominating. Many clubgoers start their night at the restaurant downstairs from the club (one secret to getting in quicker!) and the elegance of the surroundings give the partying a somewhat decadent flair, particularly if you order a bottle of Dom, which is brought to your table by Superman, “flying” to your table in the arms of several bouncers as the Superman theme song plays. It all adds up to funky, cool style with a house and hip hop beat – the atmosphere that puts Lavo among the cream of Las Vegas nightclubs.

Another Las Vegas nightclub you won’t want to miss is The Bank, at the Bellagio. It’s definitely a high-end club with a disco/techno feel, with lots of drink rails and space to stand throughout the multi-level club, as you watch the action on the dance floor. If you decide to join the throngs on the floor, celebrity DJs often are running the show and the excitement level is always high. This is a Cristal kind of place, with an entire level dedicated to booths and tables for VIPs; you don’t need to go for bottle service to feel like a celebrity in this atmosphere.

Another Vegas favorite that has stood the test of time is Rain, at the Palms. As would befit the young, hip hotel and casino, the crowd here is young and hip – the biggest DJs spin here, the hottest women populate the massive dance floor, the lighting and pyrotechnics are spectacular, and the vibe is first rate. Lots of VIPs are also on display here, with some of the booths right out on the dance floor in addition to sprinkled throughout the club.

Rounding out the list of the Las Vegas nightclubs that most people would put on a top ten list: XS at the Encore, Vanity at the Hard Rock, Haze at Aria, Tryst at the Wynn and Moon at the Palms. But as with any hot club scene (and none could be hotter than the Vegas club scene) – don’t blink, or you’ll miss the opening of the “hottest new club to come along.” The scene is incredibly competitive, and that makes for an even better experience for Vegas clubgoers.

One other note: many Las Vegas nightclubs now feature pricey but valuable “front of the line” passes that you can buy during the day, letting you bypass the hours-long wait to get in. They can cost $60-$100 and up for women, even more for guys; but if your time in Vegas is limited and you want to maximize your party time, they’re worth looking into.

Arroyo Golf Course at Red Rock

The Arroyo Golf Course at Red Rock is nearly 7,000 yards, located between stunning views of the city and the amazing landscapes of the Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas’ best known natural landmark. Arroyo was designed by Arnold Palmer and is a mix of breathtaking natural green beauty, innovative design, strategic bunkers, alluring water hazards, and desert terrains. Well-manicured greens and well-defined hazards mean this course plays challenging but quite fair. And it gives day golfers a chance to play one of the great Las Vegas golf courses with a country club feel.

Aliante Golf Club

The Aliante Golf Course, designed by Gary Panks, is par 72 and more than 7,000 yards. It plays long and is as tricky as any course in Vegas. It’s quite challenging to even play the course at first, as it is highlighted by scattered bunkers and trees in random areas. The course is built around an indigenous desert area; a groomed arroyo often runs along or through the fairways or in front of the greens. Purple locust trees, pears trees, pines and shrubs surround much of the course as well, giving it an beautiful and exotic look while adding to the overall difficulty of play.

Badlands Golf Club

The Badlands Golf Club, a collection of three nine-hole courses, was actually designed by Johnny Miller, and he received a little bit of help from the talented Chi Chi Rodriguez. The Bandlands is in the Red Rock Canyon, with some of Nevada’s most stunning desert scenery including arroyos, canyons and washes throughout the courses. The Badlands is also home to one of the academies of the great golf instructor, David Leadbetter.

Legacy Golf Club

The Legacy Golf Club at Green Valley in Henderson, plays a yardage of 7,233 yards, and is known for having one of the longest tees in the area. The course, which was designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1989, is quite challenging; it has a slope rating of 136 and has been chosen as not just one of the great Las Vegas golf courses, but  the top course in Nevada by several publications. There are water hazards on almost every hole, and the famous “Devil’s Triangle” of three tough holes on the back nine, will make or break your round with grass and sand bunkers everywhere. The natural beauty of this course, and the tough play, make this an experience any golfer will relish.

The Wolf Course

The beautiful 72 par Wolf Course is located in the Paiute Resort, and at a yardage of 7,604, it’s a long and beautiful course any golfer would find exciting. In fact, many content this is the most challenging course in the Southwest. The Wolf Course was just recently opened by designer Pete Dye. This course has amazing views; its 360 degree mountain vistas and gorgeous fairways might distract you momentarily. But that would be tragic; some of the most difficult holes in the area require your full attention, particularly the famous par-3 15th with an island green and bunkers all around – the pond claims some 20,000 golf balls in a year. Crank up your game for this gem on our list of Las Vegas Golf Courses.

Wynn Golf Course

The Wynn Golf Course, the only one on the Las Vegas strip, is a design masterpiece. It was built on celebrated PGA ground by Tom Fazio on the site of the former Desert Inn course, but with elements and heights no one believed possible on the Strip. The par-70 course plays at 7,042. The Wynn course is a little of everything, with a huge dash of elegance; there are five gorgeous par-3′s, and three par-5′s including the 18th at a tough 448 yards surrounded by water and a fantastic waterfall. Steve Wynn’s name is attached to this course, and the attention to detail and the spectacular setting do him proud.

Falls Golf Club

The 72-par Falls Golf Club is located in Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, and it’s a unique course in a beautiful area. The 7,250 yard course was was designed by Tom Weiskopf; it starts with subtle elevation changes on the front nine, and soaring changes on the back nine, leading to some breathtaking views (of the mountains, the lake and the Strip) and difficult and exciting golf.  It’s almost impossible to single out one hole as the highlight of the course, as Weiskopf seemingly outdid himself on most of them; the par-5, 553-yard 12th may be the best of the best, however, with an uphill tee shot and a mostly-blind second shot leading to a great green which nearly falls off a cliff. This is an often-overlooked gem when it comes to Las Vegas golf courses.

Cascata

The stunning 72-par Cascata (Italian for “waterfall,” in honor of the 418-foot high waterfall that dominates the vistas) Golf Course, designed by Rees Jones, is actually in Boulder City, half an hour from the Strip. Many believe it’s one of the finest courses in the world. has a yardage of 7,137 yards. The stunning course is an example of outstanding golf architecture; the holes are isolated, so that you feel like you’re the only party on the only hole in the area. The 14th may be the most beautiful hole in all of Vegas, and the incredible 18th challenges you to hit over a mountain, and avoid the stream on your left and the pond on your right, to hit the green 559-yards away. It’s a thrilling hole on a fabulous course.

Black Mountain Country Club

Black Mountain has 27 holes laid out in three different and very challenging 9-hole Las Vegas golf courses. two of them dating back to the 50s and 60s. The Founders 9 and the Horizon 9 are highlighted by tree-lined fairways and gorgeous greens, giving the golfer a feeling of travelling back in time as well as a terrific choice between courses with very different feels – as the newest addition is a true desert course, the Desert 9, where accuracy is valued more than anywhere else on the courses. All are filled with bunkers and hazards; the greens are a bit tricky because their speeds vary so greatly. Perhaps the greatest attraction at Black Mountain is what’s become known as their own version of “Amen Corner,” the first three holes of the Founders 9 and three of the most challenging holes in the Vegas area.

Vegas National Golf Course

The 71-par National Vegas course opened in 1961, and plays at a yardage of 6,815. It is perhaps the most traditional course in Las Vegas (and it really is in Vegas, right in the middle of the city); it is filled with thousands of trees, putting ball position at a premium. The meandering fairways are flanked by water hazards and bunkers – both a challenge and a scenic joy. The feel as you play Vegas National is of a simpler time, when designers didn’t go out of their way to make a course “special” – they just used good elements to create a fun and challenging layout. That doesn’t mean this course is easy – far from it; the PGA and LPGA has had some memorable tournaments here, and the pros love the feel and the test of this course.

Ten very different Las Vegas golf courses – ten very different golfing experiences – and ten Vegas golf outings worth taking when you visit.

Before getting into a list of the best Las Vegas buffets, there are a couple of things you should know. Buffet lines can get very, very long – and the better buffets may actually cost you more than a meal at a fine restaurant back home. There are some easy ways to avoid the lines and to lessen the dent in your wallet, though:  the food selection is very often the same for lunch and for dinner – but lunch prices are usually lower. And you’ll have the same experience at a buffet during afternoon or late evening hours, without having to endure the crowds. Finally, if you’re a big gambler and have a higher level player’s card, you can usually use a special line to bypass the crowds completely.  Some properties often have buffet discounts or promotions that are worth checking out, to lower the bill.

On to the list of the best Las Vegas buffets.

• Bellagio: high in quality and variety, this usually is at or near the top of everyone’s list of best buffets in Las Vegas. There are high-end touches you seldom see at buffets, such as Dim Sum,  succulent jumbo shrimp along with a huge raw bar, and wood-fired pizzas made to order. Lucky enough to be there on a Friday or Saturday? Check out the weekend specials of Kobe beef, buffalo and venison.  The desserts are just ordinary, but that’s fine – stick with the dinner here and pick up some gelato later in the evening.
• Wynn Las Vegas:  Steve Wynn has always paid close attention to the quality of his buffets (see Bellagio, above) and when he opened his new home base, the buffet was an immediate attraction. The sushi , homemade pasta and soups are fabulous here, as are the pizzas, curry, prime rib and Mexican food. Try the crème brulee for dessert. The breakfast buffet is one of the best in Vegas, with great homemade sausages,too.
• Village Buffet, Paris: This buffet has seen better days (we would once have placed it at #1), but it’s still a wonderful change of pace. The feel is country Parisian, and the food is arranged by the region of France from which it comes. We’re a fan of the duck and roasted meats, the coq au vin, scalloped potatoes and poached fish, as well as the made-to-order crepes station; for dessert, we like the bananas foster.
• Village Seafood Buffet, Rio: If you’re a seafood fan, it’s definitely worth the hike to the Rio to sample this sumptuous buffet, divided into American, Italian, Chinese and Mexican stations. The highlights include the seafood gumbo, oysters Rockefeller, cioppino and kung pao scallops, but you may just want to gorge yourself on fabulous, all-you-can-eat sushi and lobster (prepared three different ways). Plenty of meat and chicken for the carnivores, too.
•  Bally’s Sunday Brunch: This would be #1 on most people’s lists of Las Vegas buffets except that you can only experience it for a few hours each week. This brunch has regular breakfast fare, made-to-order; but the real thrill here is the incredible selection of “other” stuff: fresh Maine lobster, oysters, caviar and truffles, every variety of prime meat cooked to order including beef tenderloins and rack of lamb, even ostrich.  There’s unlimited champagne, too (the real stuff, like Perrier Jouet). It’s pricey, at almost $100 per person – but what a splurge!

Rest of the top ten:

• The Buffet, Aria
• Carnival World Buffet, Rio
• Cravings, Mirage
• Feast Buffet, Green Valley Ranch
• Spice Market Buffet, Planet Hollywood

Of course, if you’re anywhere in Vegas, you can be sure there’s one of the less expensive Las Vegas buffets within walking distance. Don’t rule them out; they not be as lavish as the ones we’ve listed, but there are still some great bargains out there waiting to be found!

Sky-Diving and Jumping Off Towers

If there’s a little bit of a risk-taker in you, here are two possibilities to check out: jumping off the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest structure in the Western US – or indoor sky-diving in a Vertical Wind Tunnel. You’ll receive complete safety lessons before attempting a Stratosphere jump, so there’s nothing to worry about.  After you get into your jumpsuit, you’ll be in for a free-fall of over 100 stories, for a cost of about $110. There are about 4 thrill rides on this tower, all located at 100 stories above ground. For the slightly less adventurous, the tower also has several observation decks – at 150 feet high, you’ll get an unforgettable view of The Strip, particularly at night. With indoor sky-diving, at Vegas Indoor Skydiving on the Strip, you get to simulate the free fall you’d experience by jumping out of an airplane. They do it with a parachute, mesh, a trampoline floor and foam padded walls. Get the incredible thrill, without the risk and the higher costs associated with a skydiving program at an airport. Either way, it’s a exciting answer to the search for fun things to do in Las Vegas.

Hiking and Cycling in the Valleys

Just a few miles beyond the Vegas Strip’s neon lights, is incredible desert scenery with bizarre and beautiful rock formations and landscapes, some of which even resemble moonscapes. The best way to experience them is in Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire, only 30-minute and 1-hour drives respectively from the Strip. The Valley of Fire state park is especially suited for early morning and late afternoon hikes where you receive free guide services from park rangers, as you experience the memorable all-natural landscape. The park contains fossils and rocks inscribed with Native American petroglyphs, as well as the incredible red and yellow sandstone cliffs and rock formations, which gave the Valley of Fire its name, all across this vast terrain. It’s a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of Vegas, for only $10 per car.
The Red Rock Canyon Park, which may look familiar from the vistas which have appeared in countless Western movies, offers desert hiking trails that are best explored on a bike or on foot. You can explore the miles and miles of desert trails on two wheels for just $3 per bicycle; or you can park your car and hike, or drive through the paved section of the park for $7. Either way, you’ll experience never-ending panoramas featuring scenic buttes, cliffs and unbelievably gorgeous rock formations. The 13-mile scenic drive can also be explored via a shuttle van service from Vegas for about $110 per person. Overnight camping is permitted, with permits costing $25 per night.

Kayaking and Cruising
A 40-minute drive from The Strip will get bring you to the Colorado River spills below Hoover Dam, where several local operators let you explore the massive electricity generators and incredible scenery by boat. Kayak tours within the dam allow you to paddle downstream, exploring the area and admiring the engineering marvel as you travel through the river canyon. There are also spots where you can stop and enjoy the natural hot springs along the way. Most of these trips are guided, but there are do-it-yourself kayak rentals for experienced paddlers as well.
A more sedate way to experience the Dam is a boat cruise on Lake Mead, the man-made oasis in the middle of the desert. These cruises allow you to seemingly travel back in time, on a 19-century Mississippi riverboat, enjoying the breathtaking views on a relaxing trip. The cruises operate all year round, and cost $24 per person, while sunset cruises from April to October will cost closer to $50.

Skiing and Snowboarding

When you think of things to do in Las Vegas, you probably don’t think of snow, skiing or snowboarding. But the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort near Mount Charleston is only a one hour’s drive from the Strip, and is nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. There are four lifts, and 11 trails for beginners to advanced skiers, with a great mix of natural and artificial snow. Not a skier? You can rent snowboard equipment and lift passes for less than $100.
For something very different, check out zip-lining. Near Boulder City, you can take the Bootleg Canyon Flightline tour, riding up Red Mountain and then strapped into a harness – for a zip-line experience of a lifetime. You’ll head downhill on a fantastic series of zip-line rides, travelling as fast as 50 miles per hour as you soar over the mountain tops and valleys. The experience costs $149, and there is complementary pickup at your Vegas hotel.

Bowling and Golfing

Want to get a workout of sorts, but not really up for Las Vegas thrills or action sports? For a calmer sporting experience, bowling in Vegas is both cheap and readily available 24 hours a day. And since it’s Vegas, the lanes are a lot more lavish than the ones back home. From Gold Coast Bowling Center on Flamingo Road, to Red Rock Lanes on Charleston Boulevard, you not only get to bowl, but you get to do it in style with VIP lounges and full service bars and restaurants For many people, Las Vegas is synonomous with golf – and there are dozens of award-winning courses throughout the area, many with vistas and views that are as memorable as anywhere in the world. Just click on our “Las Vegas Golf” link, for rundowns on our top ten courses.

For more exciting things to do in Las Vegas, be sure to check the table of contents for an extensive list of our guides to Las Vegas activities.