If you have never been to Las Vegas, your first time in Vegas is a big deal and knowing what to do during your Las Vegas visit can be confusing. Let’s be honest, it will either make you love Las Vegas or hate it. We want you to love it as much as we do. Even if you’re only spending a day or two in Las Vegas, you want to make the most of your Vegas visit and hit some key bucket list activities.
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That’s why we have put together some of the exciting top 15 things to do in Las Vegas when it’s your first time in Vegas.
The famous Las Vegas Sign on the North end of the Las Vegas Strip
Walk the Las Vegas Strip
For first timers, there is nothing quite like experiencing the energy on the Strip from the people, performers, and the sites, by just walking the Strip, especially the Center Strip area. We recommend that you head out in the early evening, as the sky is transitioning from day to night. It’s always an amazing site seeing the Las Vegas neon lights and skyline really come alive as the sun sets.
Don’t miss the free Bellagio Fountain and Mirage Volcano shows.
The view of Bellagio Fountains from our corner balcony suite at The Cosmopolitan
We always enjoy watching these iconic free Las Vegas shows and, as first timers, you have got to check them out. The Bellagio Fountain Show is quite a show to behold and includes over a thousand individual fountains all timed to music and lights. The fountains run every 30 minutes from 3:00PM to 8:00PM Monday-Friday, and from 12:00 noon – 8:00PM Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, and runs daily every 15 minutes from 8:00PM through midnight 7 days a week. Quick pro tip, the Paris Eiffel Tower lights will flash in sync with the Bellagio fountains during the show, so, if you see the Eiffel Tower lights flashing like crazy, well, the Bellagio Fountain show is going on, or is about to kick-off!
The legendary Mirage Volcano Show.
While the Mirage Volcano Show is going to eventually be removed given that The Hard Rock Hotel has purchased the iconic Mirage, you should definitely check out this piece of Las Vegas history before it is gone. The Volcano Show fires on the hour daily 4 times from 8:00PM – 11:00PM during the summer months and from 7:00PM – 10:00PM during the winter months.
Visit Europe while you explore the Strip
Inside the Venetian Las Vegas
You need to check out the inside of the Venetian and the canals. The artwork and attention to detail will transport you to a different experience, well worth experiencing especially as a first timer. You can take a photo at the famous LOVE sign inside the Venetian, visit Saint Mark’s Square, listen to the gondoliers serenading their guests in the canal. And, after that, head over to Paris and enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower and perhaps sit down for a crepe inside at a creperie along the Paris street.
Step inside with us and tour the Venetian Right here - FULL REVIEW OF VENETIAN LAS VEGAS
Enjoy the amazing free art displays
The casinos along the Strip also offer some incredible art, right out in the open free for all to see. A couple of our favorites and ones that you should not miss are the blown glass art blossoms on the ceiling in the Bellagio lobby and the intricately carved woolly mammoth tusk in TI (or Treasure Island). You can even head downtown to really enjoy some of the incredible Life is Beautiful art murals.
Incredible Life is Beautiful Wall Art Mural in Downtown Las Vegas
Don’t miss the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are right across the Bellagio lobby from the front desk. Each season the conservatory is transformed into a new amazing experience and is a must see for first timers in Las Vegas.
Bellagio Las Vegas
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Christmas Display
Enjoy brunch or breakfast at one of the great restaurants on the Strip
There are many great brunch spots along the Strip to fit every visitors budget and tastes. Our favorite breakfast and brunch spot on the Las Vegas Strip is at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, right across the street from the Bellagio Fountains. Mon Ami Gabi is a French bistro with excellent food and some of the best street views along the Strip when you sit outside on their patio. FULL REVIEW OF MON AMI GABI
Outdoor Patio seating at Mon Ami Gabi at The Paris Las Vegas
A quick pro tip - we highly recommend requesting their patio seating, assuming you have the time to potentially wait a little bit. While you can make reservations for inside seating, you cannot for patio seating. We recommend arriving a bit early and getting your name on their patio waiting list. We have not found the waits all that long, and the outside seating is a special experience, especially for first timers.
Check out a true Las Vegas iconic show from Cirque du Soleil
Las Vegas is the place to see Cirque du Soleil shows. In our opinion, the Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas are simply better than what you will generally find from their traveling shows in other locations. There are currently 6 Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas each with different themes and storylines.
O at Bellagio
Mystere at TI (Treasure Island)
Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay
Ka at MGM Grand
The Beatles: Love at Mirage, and
Mad Apple at New York - New York
Spend time poolside at your resort pool or at a day club
Las Vegas resort pools and day clubs are legendary and there are options for every type of traveler. If you are looking for the party scene consider some of the popular dayclubs like the Encore Beach Club, Tao Beach Dayclub or the newer AYU Dayclub at Resorts World. Alternatively, you can enjoy a more relaxing time at your resort pool enjoying a Margherita. Just a word of caution regarding the Las Vegas Strip food and drink prices poolside, they are very expensive and can be upwards of $30 for a drink. TOP 10 POOLS IN LAS VEGAS
Explore the fascinating history of Las Vegas at the Neon Museum and the Mob Museum Downtown
An easy Uber ride from the Strip, the Neon Museum’s Neon Boneyard is home to many of the iconic neon lights that had lit up the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown in the past. One of our favorites is the famous Stardust sign, which continues to find a home at the museum. If the history of the mob in Las Vegas interests you, check out the Mob Museum downtown near Fremont Street and, if you go, don’t forget to have a drink at the Underground Speakeasy.
Don’t miss the craziness and fun that is Fremont Street
Enjoy the free shows and music, and perhaps soar over Fremont Street like Superman on the Slotzilla zipline. While there, we also recommend that you head over to East Fremont Street by the Container Park to check out the incredible street murals and the fire shooting Praying Mantis. Perhaps while you are these, you can eat in one of the local hidden gem restaurants in the area.
Downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street Experience
Visit the Las Vegas Arts District
The Las Vegas Arts District is full of indie art galleries and performance spaces in converted warehouses, and is just a short Uber ride from the Strip. One of the more popular and coolest venues to check out is the Arts Factory. The Arts District also is home to our favorite BBQ spot in Las Vegas, Soulbelly BBQ so, if you love barbecue, this is even more of a must visit!
Enjoy a special dinner at one of the many great restaurants in Las Vegas
There are many amazing restaurants in Las Vegas and you should treat yourself to a special dinner at one of them. Some of our favorites include classic Las Vegas steakhouses with an old school vibe such as Barry’s Downtown Prime at Circa or Oscar’s at The Plaza, but there are options for everyone.
Plaza Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
Oscar’s Steakhouse
Try some great cheap eats on the Las Vegas Strip
Don’t just eat expensive meals while in Vegas, also save some money and take advantage of some of the best cheap eats on the Las Vegas Strip. Whether it’s enjoying some tacos at Tacos El Gordo across from Resorts World, late night eats at Istanbul Mediterranean at Bally’s Bazaar Shops, or baby back ribs at Ellis Island, there are cheap eat options for everyone. CHECK OUT OUR TOP 10 LAS VEGAS CHEAP EATS RIGHT HERE
Check out an amazing Las Vegas magic show
Some of the best magicians are resident in Las Vegas and are well worth checking out during your first Vegas visit. Some notable options include:
David Copperfield At MGM Grand
Shin Lim At Mirage
Penn & Teller At Rio
Criss Angel At Planet Hollywood (Mindfreak)
Piff The Magic Dragon Show At Flamingo, and
Nathan Burton Comedy Magic At Planet Hollywood
Go on an excursion outside of Las Vegas
If you have time, consider heading outside of Las Vegas to visit some incredible sites such as the Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, or even the Grand Canyon. You will never forget your first visit to these national treasures.
Now that you have an amazing list of must do Las Vegas activities for first time Vegas visitors, start planning and have a wonderful time in Las Vegas! Just remember, there is so much to see and do in Las Vegas that it would be impossible to do everything during one quick trip – so you may want to plan multiple trips!