Looking for a Las Vegas travel guide that can recommend some picks outside of the typical tourist traps? You came to the right place. After all, there are amazing experiences in Las Vegas to be had that go far beyond the buffets, showgirls and blackjack tables of yesteryear. Feeling lucky? Our Las Vegas, NV travel guide can help. Make sure you visit one of these ten places for exclusive, only-in-Sin-City moments worth bragging about for years to come.
| Name | Description |
| Fremont Experience | With 550,000 watts of light, the free show on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas is worth Ubering over to from the Strip. Every hour, a six-minute extravaganza goes up on the 1,500 feet-long screen. If you want to get up close and personal, try the zipline. |
| Red Rock Canyon | Get away from the flashing lights and clanging slot machines to spend some time in the Red Rock National Conservation Area. Take a scenic drive through this gorgeous area, rock climb, or just hike around. The Petroglyph Wall Trail is especially worth walking around. |
| Hoover Dam | Even though it’s been blown up in plenty of action and disaster movies, the Hoover Dam still stands, and it’s worth not only viewing from afar (i.e. a helicopter tour), but touring the actual power plant is well worth the trip as well. Combine the visit with a picnic or cruise on Lake Mead for a daylong excursion. |
| Wayne Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah | Mr. Las Vegas himself has opened the doors to his 52-acre ranch, just four miles away from the Strip. Depending on the tour package you pick, you can see his mansion (where National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation was filmed), see the horse show, or walk through his exotic animal sanctuary. |
| The Strip | Even if you don’t gamble, you must take a walk along the strip. The very definition of Las Vegas, this neon-drenched area of town offers outdoor glitz from fountains at the Bellagio, to a faux Eiffel Tower at Paris. Plus, you can also enjoy wax museums, a Marvel Avengers experience and more. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes during this excursion. |
| Helicopter Ride | There’s nothing like a helicopter ride above Las Vegas. Most rides include a trip over the Hoover Dam and above the Grand Canyon, and they also take you around The Strip. |
| The Neon Museum | Old signs never die in Las Vegas, they just go to rest in the Neon Museum. With more than 200 signs (including nine that are restored) this outdoor museum is worth a visit. Book a guided tour and hear about the city’s history in, well, neon lights. |
| Cirque du Soleil | Cirque du Soleil might have started in Montreal, but it’s true home is in Las Vegas. It boasts a whopping seven different shows, from the adult-themed Zumanity to the water-themed O. And if you love the Beatles, then LOVE is all you need. |
| The Highroller | This roller coaster outside Caesars is bigger than both the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer. Enclosed in a glass cabin, it will take you a full 30 minutes to spin around. Drink in not only the views, but also enjoy an open bar in your cabin. |
| The Mob Museum | The Mafia made Las Vegas what it is today. To truly understand the impact of organized crime in the city, you’ve got to take in the Mob Museum. This interactive museum highlights the birth of the mob to modern times. |
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Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of eight culinary and drink books, including The Cheeses of California: A Culinary Travel Guide, which received the 2010 Mark Twain Award for Best Travel Book, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine and Food Pairing. She's written for TheKitchn.com, Four Seasons Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens more publications.
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