Las Vegas is a city like no other. The cosmopolitan city is like a big playground offering a lot of things to see and do, particularly on the Strip where you’ll find endless restaurants, shops, casinos and adventures on every corner.
LessSiegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat has a special place in Las Vegas history. Nestled inside The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip, the sanctuary has attracted millions of visitors in its 27-year history. Founded by the famous magician duo Siegfried and Roy, the habitat is home to dolphins, white tigers, panthers and lions, and for an additional cost, guests can paint, swim or practice yoga with the animals.
Of all the productions on the Las Vegas Strip, Mystère stands out as a classic. One of six resident Cirque du Soleil shows, it has made its home at the Treasure Island Hotel since 1993, and it is still going strong after almost 24 years. The production is brimming with high-energy performances, including a revamped teeterboard act and the timeless hand-to-hand duo that has been part of the show since its debut.
Fremont Street is the second-most-popular street in Las Vegas, behind the Las Vegas Strip. Home to some of the older hotels and casinos in Sin City, Fremont Street is also famous for the giant canopy that stretches approximately 1,500 feet (450 meters) over the boulevard. A cast of street performers, vendors, artists and musicians line the sidewalks of Fremont Street every night, adding an eccentricity to the city you won’t find on the Strip.
The Stratosphere is the pinnacle of the Las Vegas skyline. Built between 1992 and 1995, the Stratosphere Tower is the tallest building in Sin City and the tallest freestanding tower in the United States. Developed by the same engineering firm that designed the Singapore Flyer, the tower is home to four thrill rides that draw adventure seekers of all types. Guests can skydive from the top of the tower with Sky Jump Las Vegas or dangle over the edge of the 1,149-foot (350-meter) tower on Insanity.
The High Roller has become one of the most recognizable figures in the Las Vegas skyline since opening in March 2016. Engineered by the same company that constructed the Singapore Flyer, the observation wheel reaches a height of 550 feet (168 meters) giving visitors an unencumbered, bird’s-eye view of the city. Visitors looking to make the most of their experience can do more than just ride the Ferris wheel; for additional costs, the High Roller offers yoga classes, private parties and weddings.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is just one of the many offbeat museums visitors will find in Las Vegas. Located just minutes away from the Strip, the museum pays tribute to the classic arcade game and houses over 100 pinball machines from the 1940s up to 2009. Stop by the museum for a fun night. Entrance to the museum is free.
The “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign is easily one of the most popular attractions in Las Vegas. Located at the south end of the Strip next to Mandalay Bay and the Little Church of the West, the famous sign has graced Las Vegas Boulevard since 1959. Designed by late local artist Betty Willis, the sign is a must-see and one of the best places in Las Vegas to take a selfie.
Located inside the Mandalay Bay next to the convention center, the Shark Reef aquarium is home to turtles, piranhas, eels, stingrays and 15 species of sharks. The aquarium is a great option if you’re looking for things to do in Las Vegas with kids and is busiest during the summer months. For an additional fee, guests at the Mandalay Bay can get an intimate look at the aquarium through its program Dive With Sharks.
Organized crime and Las Vegas have a long and complicated history, and the Mob Museum in downtown Vegas tells the story of organized crime’s influence not only in Sin City but throughout the United States. Visitors can use an actual Tommy gun in a simulation display, or listen to actual wiretaps. The centerpiece of the museum is the bloodstained wall left behind from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.