Let Las Vegas Entertain You

Casinos may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but the Entertainment Capital of the World brims with many other ways to keep you amused—whether gambling is your jam or not. From quirky museums to unique music venues to rich marine life and more, here are some of our favorite attractions beyond the gaming tables.

The Mob Museum

Las Vegas’s mob history dates to 1946 when mobster “Bugsy” Siegel opened The Flamingo hotel-casino. Learning about that story plus the rise of Prohibition and organized crime activities inside and outside Vegas make for interesting hours at The Mob Museum, which occupies three floors in a historically registered former US federal courthouse. Finish the exploration at the adults-only Underground speakeasy and moonshine distillery with a Prohibition-inspired beverage.

The Neon Museum

A brighter depiction of Las Vegas history, the outdoor boneyard at The Neon Museum is filled with neon signs from hotels, restaurants, casinos and stores from the 1930s to today. It’s best visited after dark to see the 250 pieces illuminated by spotlights, with 30 signs in working condition. The adjacent Brilliant! Jackpot augmented-reality show reanimates 40 iconic signs via digital projection mapping in a 360-degree spectacle of light, color and sound. (Check-in is in the lobby of the former La Concha Motel, which is now part of the museum’s visitor center.)

Punk Rock Museum

The most comprehensive museum dedicated to punk rock history is The Punk Rock Museum, which flaunts its irreverence with the mohawk-spiked limousine in front. A gritty dive bar leads to rotating exhibits, with more than 1,000 artifacts and memorabilia donated by rockers and fans. Clothing, photos, handwritten lyrics and posters from bands like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols are on display. In the Jam Room, you can play original guitars and basses used by punk legends. If you decide to dip a toe (or, rather, an arm) into the style of the genre, there’s also a tattoo parlor.

Sphere

Providing a one-of-a-kind concert experience, Sphere is a landmark on the Las Vegas skyline with its Exosphere covered with entertaining graphics and messages. Inside, the spherical venue rises 366 feet with 167,000 speakers and a continuous display plane that wraps up, over and around the audience. The 17,385-seat Sphere showcases a solid lineup of rock artists, and upcoming residencies include the return of Phish and No Doubt. Country fans can look forward to Kenny Chesney in June. Global superstar Carín León celebrates Mexican Independence Day in September. Or experience the Wizard of Oz on a 160,000-square-foot screen with remastered songs from the classic film and added immersive elements that will have you “feeling” the swirls of the tornado, “smelling” the poppies and much more.

BleauLive Theater

BleauLive Theater at dazzling Fontainebleau Las Vegas attracts concertgoers and artists with its flexible floor space and seating. Spring programming includes Dancing with the Stars: Live! and Yellowcard with New Found Glory and Plain White T’s. Marc Anthony returns in July with a residency in Spanish and English, followed by Derek Hough’s dance experience Symphony of Dance: Encore.

The Sand Dollar Lounge

The music is always free at The Sand Dollar Lounge, a 50-year-old blues-and-rock dive bar close to the Strip. Alongside local groups, The Dollar sees its share of top musicians, some playing and some visiting. Mick Jagger, B.B. King and Muddy Waters have all spent time here, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top frequently shreds a guitar onstage. A small platform, a dance floor with scattered tables, and some 30 barstools add to the intimacy.

Flyover

Theatricality meets travel in an immersive 4D experience at Flyover. After a pre-trip briefing, “fliers” are escorted to flight-motion seats engineered to swoop, dip and turn for a feet-dangling journey over, around and through Iceland, the Canadian Rockies, the American West or Chicago— all projected onto a 65-foot spherical dome. Wind, mist and scents enhance the adventure.

High Roller

With its 360-degree aerial view of Las Vegas, the High Roller observation wheel takes the Ferris wheel to new heights. Twenty-eight glass-enclosed pods soar 550 feet over Sin City’s spectacular skyline. Ride the High Roller twice, by day and after dark, for distinctly different takeaways. Enjoy a cocktail on the “happy half-hour” rotations.

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens wows with a floral wonderland that changes seasonally. Anywhere from 12,000 to 25,000 flowers, shrubs and trees fill the 14,000-square-foot conservatory and reach upward toward the 50-foot glass ceiling. Executed by a team of horticulturists and engineers, whimsical displays featuring elaborate floral arrangements, sculpted topiaries, larger-than-life animals and figures created from plant materials, and themed vignettes can be enjoyed free of charge 24/7.

Shark Reef Aquarium

Nature lovers have another great option at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium. True to Las Vegas’s over-the-top modus operandi, the 105,000-square-foot walk-through aquarium brings you close to more than 3,400 terrestrial and aquatic animals and 140 species with an emphasis on predators like pythons, piranhas and 14 types of sharks. A touch pool invites interaction with rays and crabs.

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Whether you choose to fill your time with nature, history, music or thrills, Las Vegas will keep you entertained. In Sin City, the only real sin is not taking the time to explore what the city has to offer beyond its casinos.