Las Vegas: What To Do On Your Trip
Going to Las Vegas for most means only a few items for entertainment: Gambling, or, well, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But for those that either do not want to partake in those activities for the entire trip, or for any of the trip there is an incredible array of options to consider.
What’s Happening on the Strip?
Las Vegas may have the most unique shows in the world, with venues that are specifically designed for many of the performances, in a way that no other theaters around the world can match. Seeing Cirque du Soleil in a theater that allows the entire horizontal floor of the stage to rotate and become vertical, or watching high divers plunge 30+ feet into a pool of water are experiences that would be hard to watch in your neighborhood theater – even if your neighborhood is New York or Los Angeles.
There are always comedians, magicians, and popular musicians performing, in addition to the more unique productions like Cirque du Soleil. Personally, I would recommend going for the type of performance that would be unique to Vegas, but that is completely a matter of taste.
While the shows can be a bit pricey, with major productions easily getting $150 or more per ticket, there are discount ticket options if you have some flexibility on what you would like to see. These outlets offer fairly steep discounts on shows that have last minute availability of seats. You can find these outlets along the strip: https://www.tix4tonight.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tix4tonight-printable-las-vegas-strip-map.pdf. If you are staying at a strip hotel, especially if you are gambling, ask the dealer, or the hotel staff about getting into a show. Frequently discounts or complimentary tickets are offered, especially to those that are spending a significant amount at the hotel the show is located at.
Having Fun On a Budget On The Strip
There are numerous activities on the strip that can be a blast without spending any money. From the Bellagio fountains to their garden display and Paculi glass display to the Venetian Canals (although there is a cost to take a gondola ride), you can easily lose yourself in a fun day of sightseeing, without spending a dime.
For a bit more cost, but well under the cost of a major production, you can visit the Mandalay Bay aquarium or take a Gondola ride in the Venetian.
Getting Off the Strip
Ready to get a bit more adventurous, you can get a bit more adventurous to a mini golf course Vegas sized. There are number of mini golf courses that have real grass greens and Par 3+ holes to bring out the kid in everyone. Or you can go for the more modern glow golf or traditional pure mini golf experiences – although these you can likely find near your home.
A bit further out, you can visit the old Vegas strip, with several street activities. It’s a short ride 15 minutes or so will likely get you there.
There are a number of other parks in the area that are short car rides. This is a short list of nearby parks: https://www.ktnv.com/positivelylv/13-things/13-national-state-and-local-parks-to-visit-near-las-vegas
And if you’re even more adventurous, head over to the airport for a chartered ride to the Grand Canyon. You can find flight tours from $150 – $500+ per person that will bring you right to the canyon and let you do a bit of exploration.
The Verdict
Depending on the length of your stay, try mixing and matching some of the great free options with a few of the premium events. I’d recommend seeing a show, and if you can get outside of the main strip for half a day or more, you’ll find the experience memorable. The landscapes in this area are certainly different than almost everyone else in the world. Then again, the artificial landscape of the strip is pretty spectacular and unlike nearly anywhere on the planet as well.
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