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Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Las Vegas

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Las Vegas is a fantasy built on a desert, and it commits to the bit. Within a few hundred metres you can ride a gondola through a Venetian canal, watch fountains dance in front of a mock-Parisian skyline and gaze at a glowing orb that's the size of a stadium. You don't need to gamble to love it. Half the fun is simply walking the Strip with your mouth open.

The other half is what's outside. Red rock canyons, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon all sit within a day's reach, and downtown's old neon is a good antidote to the megaresorts. Two warnings: distances on the Strip are much longer than they look, and the casinos are deliberately built to keep you inside. Wear comfortable shoes.

Don't miss

  1. 1The Bellagio Fountains
  2. 2Sphere
  3. 3Fremont Street
  4. 4Red Rock Canyon
  5. 5The Grand Canyon

The Strip

Four miles of themed megaresorts. Walk it at night, when the lights come on.

  1. The Bellagio Fountains

    Landmark

    The Fountains of Bellagio in front of the hotel
    Photo: Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Jets of water shoot up to music across the lake in front of the Bellagio, in a free show that runs through the afternoon and evening. It's the Strip's most graceful spectacle, and the lakeside pavement is the place to see it.

    Tip: Watch from the pavement, then wander into the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which changes with the seasons.

  2. The Venetian and the Grand Canal

    Landmark

    The Venetian hotel and its bell tower on the Strip
    Photo: © Pierre André, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A replica of Venice, complete with a bell tower, bridges and an indoor canal where gondoliers sing as they punt. It's pure Vegas, and a surprisingly pleasant place to escape the heat for an hour.

  3. Sphere

    Landmark

    The Sphere glowing beside the Las Vegas skyline
    Photo: Sikander Iqbal, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A huge spherical venue east of the Strip, covered in LED screens that turn it into a moon, an eyeball or a basketball. Concerts and immersive shows are held inside, but even from outside it's the most talked-about addition to the skyline in years.

  4. The High Roller

    Activity

    The High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ
    Photo: Tony Webster from San Francisco, California, CC BY 2.0

    A giant observation wheel at the LINQ Promenade, with enclosed cabins that give wide views over the Strip and the desert beyond. Go at dusk to see the neon take over from the daylight.

  5. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

    Landmark

    The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Boulevard
    Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The classic roadside sign, a retro diamond-shaped sign on the south end of the Strip, is the obligatory photograph. Queue for a few minutes with everyone else and have a go.

    Tip: Go early in the morning to avoid the longest queue.

Downtown and old Vegas

  1. Fremont Street

    Neighbourhood

    The canopy of lights over the Fremont Street Experience
    Photo: [2], CC BY-SA 3.0

    Old downtown Las Vegas under a giant LED canopy, the Fremont Street Experience, with live bands, buskers and cheaper, rowdier casinos than the Strip. It's grittier and louder, and it has a very different feel from the resorts.

  2. The Neon Museum

    Museum

    Vintage casino signs in the Neon Museum
    Photo: APK, CC BY-SA 4.0

    An open-air yard of retired neon signs from casinos, motels and wedding chapels, each telling a bit of the city's story. Go at dusk for the best light, when a few of the signs are lit.

    Tip: Book ahead, as visits are by timed entry.

Shows and nightlife

  1. A Cirque du Soleil show

    Nightlife

    Vegas is full of residencies and production shows, and Cirque du Soleil is the safe bet: acrobatics, music and spectacle. "O" at the Bellagio, performed in and above a vast pool, is among the best known.

  2. Rooftop bars and nightclubs

    Nightlife

    The Strip runs all night. Rooftop bars give the best views of the lights, and big-name DJs play in the megaclubs. Dress codes are enforced, and queues are shorter if you get there early.

Beyond the neon

The desert around Las Vegas is the other attraction.

  1. Red Rock Canyon

    Nature

    A view from the scenic drive at Red Rock Canyon
    Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0

    A short drive west of the Strip, a scenic loop road winds beneath sandstone cliffs in shades of red, orange and cream. There are walking trails of all lengths and plenty of viewpoints. It's the easiest escape from the city.

    Tip: Come early or late in the day, as the desert midday heat is serious.

  2. Hoover Dam

    Day trip

    Hoover Dam holding back Lake Mead on the Nevada-Arizona border
    Photo: P, Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The 1930s dam holding back Lake Mead is an astonishing piece of engineering, curved between the walls of Black Canyon on the Nevada-Arizona border. It's a straightforward day trip from Las Vegas, and the bridge nearby has a viewpoint over the dam.

  3. The Grand Canyon

    Day trip

    Evening light over the Grand Canyon from the South Rim
    Photo: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    It's a long day, but the Grand Canyon is within reach of Las Vegas by road, helicopter or small plane tour. The scale is something no photograph can prepare you for. Many people book an organised tour so they can see it without driving.

  4. Valley of Fire

    Nature

    Red sandstone formations in Valley of Fire State Park
    Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Bright-red sandstone formations and ancient rock carvings in a state park north-east of the city. It's less visited than the big names and wonderful for photographs at sunrise or sunset.

Eat and drink

  1. Vegas buffets

    Food

    A buffet at a Las Vegas resort
    Photo: Jesse James, CC BY 2.0

    The all-you-can-eat buffet is a Vegas institution, with stations of everything from carved roasts to sushi and desserts. Go hungry, pace yourself, and pick one that's known for its quality rather than quantity.

  2. Celebrity-chef restaurants

    Food

    Many of the world's best-known chefs have restaurants inside the Strip resorts, from steakhouses to French bistros. It's a city where a special dinner out is part of the trip, and booking ahead is wise.

Where to stay in Las Vegas

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Las Vegas →

Getting around

Distances on the Strip are far longer than they look, so use the free hotel trams, the Monorail or ride-hailing for the long hops, and walk the shorter stretches. A hire car is only needed for Red Rock, Hoover Dam and other day trips.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for walking and desert trips. Summer is extremely hot, so the pool and air-conditioned casinos come into their own, while winter days are mild and nights can be cold.

Questions about visiting Las Vegas

What is Las Vegas best known for?
The Strip with its themed casino resorts, big shows, nightlife and fountains, plus easy day trips to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon.
Is Las Vegas worth visiting if you do not gamble?
Yes. The architecture, shows, restaurants, pools and nightlife are the draw for most visitors, and the desert scenery nearby is excellent.
How many days do you need in Las Vegas?
Three or four nights is plenty for the Strip, Fremont Street and a show. Add a day for Red Rock or Hoover Dam, and more for the Grand Canyon.
Do you need a car in Las Vegas?
Not if you are staying on the Strip, where you can walk, use trams, the Monorail or taxis. Hire one for day trips to the desert and the dam.

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