Location: Las Vegas
Top Things to do in Las Vegas
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada (NV)
Whether you’re a high roller or a low-key lounger, Las Vegas has something to suit your vacation taste. Sample fare from top chefs and cornucopian buffets, try your luck at one of the world’s premier casinos, or take in a spectacular show. Just wandering the Strip is enough to get your heart pumping. Once you’ve had enough of the razzle-dazzle, wave hello to the toothy sea life at the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef, hike Red Rock Canyon, or visit the Neon Museum, where old signs take on new life.
Restaurants in Las Vegas
1. Wayne Newton's Casa de Shenandoah
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,474 reviews
Temporarily Closed. Stroll through the extravagant halls of Wayne Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah, the luxurious 52-acre estate of the iconic entertainer. Explore the property’s manicured grounds and the home’s opulent interior as you learn about the singer’s life and check out an impressive collection of memorabilia from famous stars. Get an intimate glimpse of Wayne Newton’s life as you tour the property that has been his home for more than 4 decades. Walk through the ornate halls of his mansion as you view priceless memorabilia from his career both on stage and on screen, including a classic car collection, his luxurious personal jet, and items from beloved friends like Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Michael Jackson.
Reviewed By 175pennyg - Surrey, Canada
Just returned from a trip to Las Vegas and by far the highlight of my trip was visiting Wayne Newton's Casa de Shenandoah! For so many years, I have driven by Shenandoah on our way to other places and I always wondered what it would look on the other side of that gate but... never could I have imagined how beautiful it really is! I've been going to Vegas since the 80's and have been a fan of Wayne's for many years, he's such a great ambassador for Las Vegas! We spent several Christmases in Vegas and I remember how the local news would show Wayne standing at the front door of his home wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and now here I was standing in front of that same door about to enter Wayne's house! What?? I could hardly believe it!! Anyone who loves Las Vegas knows the impact that Wayne Newton has had on Vegas, many a tourists have come here just to see Wayne! It's such a treat and an honor to visit Casa de Shenandoah! Our tour guide, Janet, was so personable and informative and just made the whole tour so much fun! She was so knowledgeable and enlightened us with some stories of Wayne and his family. I've always been a fan of Wayne Newton's, and always thought he was such a humble man, but visiting his museum and home just made me realize how real and kind this man is. His home is filled with priceless art and antiques and although it's very beautiful, it's also very clear that it was a family home too. It does not look sterile and untouchable, instead it's very inviting and it looks lived in and filled with love. There are so many personal touches, including family photographs. The grounds to Shenandoah are breathtaking... you really cannot believe this much green grass and trees are in the middle of a desert! Wayne's Arabian horses are amazing to see! They are so beautiful! It was such a treat to see all the other animals on the ranch too, including exotic birds, wallabees, donkey, pony and of course Boo, the monkey! Boo's caregiver, Robin, brought him and Honey, the chihuahua out to greet us.... so cute! This was a perfect way to spend an afternoon! I highly recommend this tour to anyone! The staff is absolutely wonderful! Everyone, including the shuttle bus driver, the ladies at the visitor center, Robin, who is a caregiver to the animals, and the horse caregivers were all so welcoming! Our tour guide, Janet, was awesome and made the tour fun and special! There's such a feeling of calmness on this tour, you do not feel hurried at all. Janet gave us plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings and ask any questions we may have. On a personal note, my camera broke as soon as the tour began. I could hardly believe I'm standing in Wayne Newton's front yard and I can't take any photos! Janet was so kind... she offered to take photos for me and later that day she emailed them to me! Thank you Janet! I have shared those photos with so many family and friends!! You feel very welcome by everyone at Shenandoah! I will definitely be visiting again on my next trip to Vegas! Wayne, Mr. Las Vegas, thanks for sharing your home.....it was such a pleasure to visit!! Danke schoen ( I just had to say that!)!
2. The Liberace Museum Collection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 136 reviews
All new for 2021! Our new exhibit, Ultimate Influencer takes you to the hidden, vast warehouses of the Liberace Foundation, where we have stashed the treasures that inspired modern Las Vegas. This is the authentic Liberace Museum Collection, where we often exhibit the show business artifacts borrowed by Cardi B for the 2019 Grammys, Billy Porter for the the 2020 Oscars, The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art for exhibit and for the 2019 MET Gala, the Paris Museum of Modern Art’s 2017 exhibit of “Jewelry and Taboo;” Monte Carlo Fashion Week's "Liberace100". Liberace was licensed by Ceelo Green for his Las Vegas show “Loberace,” HBO's 2013 film “Behind The Candelabra,” television's The Simpsons, Mozart in the Jungle, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Jay Leno’s Garage, and Adidas for their 2020 Grammy’s mini-movie ad campaign. Liberace has two Emmy awards, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, his name in lyrics of hundreds of songs, his designs at the Smithsonian. Come see why!
3. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,046 reviews
Visitors can admire colorful rock formations on several hiking trails or on a 13-mile scenic drive.
Reviewed By JerriAL1 - Johnston, United States
Spent half a day in this park in January when we wanted to get out of Vegas and do some hiking and exploring. The park fee for a vehicle day pass is $15 and well worth the time spent here. It was just over 60 degrees so plenty comfortable for us northerners and we wore shorts with a long sleeve top, had on sunscreen and carried water on our hikes. There is a 13 mile one way scenic loop which you can drive through and see plenty just stopping at the overlooks. There are also many hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate to difficult with a variety of elevation rises and lengths that you can choose from to see petroglyphs, hidden falls, scenic views and nature’s beauty more close up. The guide which you can access online or pick up in paper form has a map and very good descriptions of all scenic views, overlooks and hiking trails. Be aware that if you plan to rely on your phone, service is not reliable throughout the park. I recommend arriving early to beat the crowds especially on weekends or when the weather is more inviting. There is a visitor and information building with bathrooms and some information on the park and animals and land but stop on your way in because with a one-way route you won’t have another opportunity. We spent about 4 hours in the park and hit a few of the highlights, stopped at the scenic overlooks and hiked 4 different trails. Check park hours as well because they vary with the seasons. We will be back to explore the area more but the time we spent gave us time to explore the park and hit the highlights.
4. The Neon Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,076 reviews
Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. The Neon Museum campus includes the outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard, a visitors’ center housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby and the Neon Boneyard North Gallery which houses additional rescued signs and is available for weddings, special events, photo shoots and educational programs.
Reviewed By JadePlant10 - McLean, United States
We absolutely loved the Neon Museum - we did General Admission for the Boneyard with the special Tim Burton elements and we also did the Brilliant light show. The Brilliant light show was fun, but I preferred walking through the main area and having the opportunity to take a lot of photos and really take in the history. We used the app and that was very cool; there were also some docents posted around that also provided information if you want it. I thought the whole exhibit was very well organized - from the check-in to each section and how they lead you around. We did have a car so that made it easy to get there and back from the strip. Definitely recommend going at night! On a side note - we wanted to have dinner somewhere local/not on the strip and asked the people at the help desk for recommendations. They pointed us towards Casa Don Juan and it was really great - so extra thanks to the person at the desk that gave us that information!
5. The Strip
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34,517 reviews
Reviewed By DaveFleck - Toronto, Canada
The Las Vegas Strip is simply amazing to see. My first time in Vegas Amazing people watching Amazing photography Amazing shopping Amazing Restaurants/Food Amazing Casinos (Many of course) Amazing Shows/Entertainment Bring comfortable running shoes as the strip is massif. You could not possibly walk the entire strip and see everything in one day. Don't forget to check out one of the most amazing and only free things on the strip The Bellagio Fountains Show The Strip is divided up into 3 sections South, Central and North Yes the strip is that large. Bring lots of money or credit as everything is very expensive on Las Vegas Strip. We will be coming back to Las Vegas Strip many more times and would recommend to anyone to see the Las Vegas Strip at least once in their life as there is nowhere else in the world like this. You don't need to be a gambler to visit Las Vegas as there is so much to see and do however if you do gamble you will be in heaven.
6. Fountains of Bellagio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91,145 reviews
These 200-foot-tall fountains at the Bellagio Hotel are choreographed to music for performances.
7. Mount Charleston
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,459 reviews
A quiet retreat from the high energy of Las Vegas, this mountain stands at 11,918 feet and offers numerous outdoor activities such as horseback riding, camping and hiking.
Reviewed By 93tiffanya - Salt Lake City, United States
Mount Charleston offers a pleasant surprise in the desert. A short drive away from the Las Vegas Strip and you enter a beautiful mountainous region with tall pines and fabulous hiking trails. Great place to beat the heat.
8. Pinball Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,849 reviews
Reviewed By 458rianw - Gardendale, United States
My husband and I love arcades so I knew we wanted to visit the Pinball Hall of Fame during our recent trip to Las Vegas. We took an Uber 2.5 miles off the strip and arrived at the Pinball Hall of Fame around 11:30, a half-hour after they opened. There is no admission fee, the place is cool and dimly lit and we loved every second! I had brought a roll of quarters, but there is a change machine right in the door. Just walk inside and start playing. So many machines from the 1940s through the 1990s. My husband and I loved playing pinball on the older machines and then reliving our teens on Donkey Kong and TMNT. The place including the restroom is clean. We stayed for about 2 hours and very much enjoyed our time there. There were about 20 people in the place when we left. I hear it gets much crowded with a much-varied clientele later in the day. Overall we had a great experience and definitely plan to return on our next trip. Bring your quarters and come early!
9. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,194 reviews
Brilliance abounds inside our breathtaking Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. The attention to detail is astounding. The passionate display of nature in all its awe-evoking glory - quite simply, sensational! Let your imagination wander as you assume a leisurely stroll amongst rare natural finds selected distinctively for Bellagio from all over the world. Admire the essence of every season recreated with exceptionally gorgeous plants, flowers and trees thoughtfully arranged to inspire full splendor
Reviewed By arlenew232
The Bellagio is gorgeous and we love to enjoy the conservatory and gardens every trip; Really love the Chinese New Year and every season is wonderful; Very Impressive and a must for visitors!!Enjoy!!
10. Springs Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 712 reviews
The Springs Preserve is a 180-acre cultural institution designed to commemorate Las Vegas’ dynamic history and to provide a vision for a sustainable future. The Preserve features museums, galleries, outdoor concerts and events, colorful botanical gardens and an interpretive trail system that meanders through a scenic wetland habitat.Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978, the Preserve is located approximately 3 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. The Preserve is known as the birthplace of Las Vegas and represents one of the richest and most unique cultural and biological resources in Southern Nevada.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, which is built around the original water source for the city, consists of 180 acres dedicated to colorful desert botanical gardens, museum galleries, outdoor concert and event venues, an indoor theater, history photo gallery and a series of nature walking trails that meander through a wetland habitat. Located about three miles west of downtown Las Vegas, at 333 South Valley View Boulevard, Springs Preserve opened in 2007. It is owned and operated by the Las Vegas Valley Water District. It shows people how to live in the desert environment and how to take advantage of what is available. Among the major exhibits are the Nevada State Museum, which describes the development of Las Vegas and the natural history of the area, four uniquely themed trails encompass more than 1.8 miles of picturesque landscapes, and the Desert Living Center, which uses sustainable architecture, interactive exhibits and programming to show Las Vegas residents how to conserve water and live sustainably in the desert.
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