The best things to do in Vegas right now

What is it: A performance venue that’s become one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. 

Why go: The exoskeleton of the massive orb (366 feet tall and 516 feet wide) lights up with LED displays ranging from yellow face emojis and a giant eyeball to a Halloween jack-o’-lantern and even a snow globe. It’s equally impressive inside as a concert venue, immersing concertgoers into the show. U2 opened Sphere and other residencies have included Phish, Dead & Company and Eagles.

Don’t miss: A 50-minute experience called Postcard from Earth is also worth a visit.

What is it: An all-ages immersive entertainment district with mind-altering spaces, art installations, bars and other fantasy worlds. 

Why go: Set inside a colorful space that looks as if a neon crayon box exploded, AREA15 is a futuristic playground with rides and virtual reality experiences. Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, a “grocery store” with secret passageways leading to an entirely mysterious world, and Illuminarium are two of the bigger attractions. But there’s also an arcade, axe throwing and high-flying attractions such as Haley’s Comet and Birdly. 

Don’t miss: Purchase an Experience Pass. With four levels to choose, these ticket packages allow guests to enter or ride multiple attractions at a lower cost. 

What is it: Two free attractions: Watch the fountains dance and stop to smell the flowers.

Why go: Bellagio’s two signature attractions are a must-see. Set to music, the fountain erupts shooting streams of water hundreds of feet in the air every half-hour in the afternoon and every 15 minutes throughout the evening until midnight. Inside, horticulturalists use thousands of fresh flowers to create elaborate seasonal displays in the resort’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. 

Don’t miss: Book Michael Mina’s Garden Table for an intimate dining experience in a gazebo in the middle of the botanical display.

What is it: The place where neon signs that once graced historic marquees get a second lease on life.

Why go: The Neon Museum has collected and saved hundreds of historic signs and displays them in an outdoor area called the Boneyard. Many of the iconic signs—from the Stardust to the original Hard Rock guitar—have been restored and are illuminated at sunset, glowing as they once did.

Don’t miss: For the best experience, schedule a tour and learn the history of the properties. The stories are as legendary as the signs themselves.

What is it: An aquarium with more than 2,000 animals, plus touch pools and a large shark tank.

Why go: Highlights of the Mandalay Bay aquarium include a walk-through tunnel that cuts through the 1.3-million-gallon shark exhibit, a mesmerizing jellyfish tank and the interactive touch pool that kids are sure to love. 

Don’t miss: For an additional fee, visitors can get an up-close experience and pay to feed either the stingrays, zebra sharks or sea turtles. 

What is it: Come witness old Vegas (plus a comparatively newer illuminated canopy) in this pedestrian-friendly entertainment hub.

Why go: Still one of the best things to do in town, the Fremont Street casino district is a thrilling entertainment zone with attractions, live entertainment, bars and budget-friendly eats. The overhead canopy light and sound show pumps out popular songs paired with a digital light show. 

Don’t miss: Fly like a superhero above it all on the SlotZilla zipline, a 1,700-foot ride.

What is it: One of the world’s tallest observation wheels in the center of the Strip.  

Why go: For unbeatable, 360-degree views of Las Vegas, take a slow-motion spin on the High Roller at the LINQ Promenade. A single loop takes 30 minutes and will take riders 550 feet above the Strip. Visit at night to see it in all its neon glory.  

Don’t miss: If you really want to take it to the next level, book a Happy Half Hour ticket and enjoy an open bar for your entire ride.

What is it: Nevada’s first conservation area is a hiker’s dream and rock climber’s paradise.  

Why go: Las Vegas has some natural beauty that shouldn’t be missed. Red Rock Canyon is just 20 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. It can be viewed by car or bike along the 13-mile scenic drive or on foot via miles of hiking trails. There are plenty of easy hikes that are fun for the entire family and kids will love climbing the red sandstone outcrops. 

Don’t miss: Be sure to plan your visit as timed reservations are required (Oct 1–May 31) to access the scenic loop. 

What is it: A massive concrete dam over the Colorado River. 

Why go: The Great Depression-era landmark that dammed the Colorado River and created Lake Mead (a recreation area), Hoover Dam looms large in Las Vegas history. The 726-foot-high curving cement facade is worth seeing, and worth the roughly 45-minute drive from the Strip. Visitors can walk over the bridge, take a guided tour of the power plant or view it from a boat on Lake Mead. It took five years and 21,000 men to build the dam, which straddles the Nevada-Arizona border.

Don’t miss: Stop in Boulder City and visit the quaint shops and Hemenway Park to catch a glimpse of the town’s most famous residents, its bighorn sheep.

What is it: A museum that tells the story of organized crime in America through artifacts, films and exhibits. 

Why go: Set in a former courthouse and historic building that hosted part of the Kefauver Hearings, this brilliant museum chronicles organized crime around the globe and in Las Vegas—where the Mob used to run the joint—as well as law enforcement’s efforts to combat it. Permanent exhibitions include a vintage electric chair and a piece of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre wall. For an extra fee, you can venture into special experiences like the Crime Lab and Firearm Training Simulator.

Don’t miss: Here’s a secret: There’s a speakeasy in the basement called the Underground with a full cocktail bar.

What is it: Innovative and visually stunning contemporary circus shows.  

Why go: Cirque du Soleil was an unconventional, risk-taking circus troupe of acrobats, contortionists and gymnasts when it arrived in Las Vegas three decades ago. Today, it’s a staple of Las Vegas entertainment, and one could argue you haven’t experienced Vegas if you haven’t witnessed one of their shows. Mystere opened in 1993 and is one of five Cirque shows running on the Strip. The others are KÀ, Mad Apple, Michael Jackson ONE and the water spectacular O.

Don’t miss: A free, limited-time costume exhibition at City Hall gives visitors a glimpse behind the scenes. But hurry: It only runs through May 1.  

What is it: Home to professional hockey and a concert venue. 

Why go: T-Mobile Arena was built to be the home arena for the city’s first professional sports team and it turned Las Vegas into a rabid hockey town. The Vegas Golden Knights first took the ice in 2017 and won the Stanley Cup in their sixth season. If you time your trip during the NHL season (Oct–Apr), be sure to catch a game. It’s quite the spectacle. 

Don’t miss: T-Mobile doubles as a concert and entertainment venue. Upcoming events include multiple days of the WWE and a Katy Perry concert. 

What is it: An entertainment venue with four nine-hole miniature golf courses, carnival games, food and booze.  

Why go: Challenge your friends and go out for a night of  “competitive socializing.” This adults-only scene features multiple miniature golf courses with cocktail-serving caddies and much more, including multiple bars, a sunken lounge with a DJ, street food and an arcade with carnival games.

Don’t miss: If golf’s your game, don’t miss some other Las Vegas favorites like TopGolf, Atomic Golf and PopStroke.  

What is it: Cooking and mixology classes from the resort’s top chefs and bartenders. 

Why go: Learn from the best and take some kitchen knowledge home with you. Fontainebleau offers cooking classes through its Signature Series where guests put on an apron and learn how to roll sushi, make fresh pasta or grill like a champion. 

Don’t miss: Book early. Each class is tailored for the season and space is limited.

What is it: Nevada’s explosive history on display. 

Why go: Can you believe that during the ‘50s people would walk into the streets of Las Vegas, drink in hand, and watch as enormous atomic mushroom clouds appeared on the horizon? That history and an explanation of the development of America’s nuclear weapons program are laid out in fascinating detail at this museum.

Don’t miss: Too much science? Explore the pop culture room to see how America embraced, celebrated and marketed the atomic era through television shows, toys, comic books and clothing.

What is it: Known as the “birthplace of Las Vegas,” Springs Preserve is home to museums, galleries and outdoor events. 

Why go: A popular spot for locals and families, the Springs Preserve is built around the city’s original water source. Now, it features two educational museums with fossils and a dinosaur exhibit, a playground with a splash pad, train rides, botanical gardens and nature trails.

Don’t miss: Springs Preserve routinely hosts kid-friendly programming and community events.

What is it: A Mediterranean-style village on a manmade lake with resorts, restaurants and water activities.

Why go: Just 16 miles east of the Strip, Lake Las Vegas is an expansive complex with three hotels, golf courses and waterfront restaurants. The lake is calm, perfect for stand-up paddleboard sessions, kayaking and boating. Catch a dragon boat race or take a yacht cruise, then cozy up on the lawn for musical performances from spring through fall.

Don’t miss: Rent a boat. Float around on an electric boat or grab a group of friends and spend the day swimming off a pontoon.

What is it: A quirky game room full of old-timey and modern pinball machines—all of which are playable. 

Why go: Aficionados of vintage pinball machines should make a beeline to the Pinball Hall of Fame at its south Strip location. Here, not only can pinball wizards admire some of the first machines ever built, but they can play them all. The warehouse space has more than 150 operational games, from 1950s throwbacks to modern machines. Bring your quarters.

Don’t miss: While you’re in the neighborhood visit the Welcome to Las Vegas sign across the street for photographs.