What happens in Vegas...

January 22, 2020

Las Vegas remains one of the most-visited destinations in the world, with gambling, shops, nightclubs, day clubs, dining, shows and fabulous outdoor opportunities all available within a short drive.

Get the goods on Vegas casinos under the "See & Do" tab in our travel guide.

The resorts are full of lavish stage shows, big-name performers and restaurants by celebrity chefs. Exotic car racing, golfing, arcade games and even machine gun lessons can certainly fill a dance card for the typical three-day visitor.

Abundant outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding, give most visitors plenty of reasons to return.

Of course, the gaming tables and slot machines create a backdrop for the Las Vegas spectacles. For many visitors, the thrill of winning and losing makes the casinos the most exciting show in town.

Highlights

Sights—The Las Vegas Strip; the water show in front of Bellagio and the seasonal exhibits of its horticultural conservatory; the Fremont Street Experience, St. Mark's Square and the canals within the Venetian; nightly volcano eruptions at the Mirage; the animatronic statues at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace; the Las Vegas Springs Preserve; the 13-mi/21-km scenic loop through Red Rock Canyon; Death Valley National Park and the Valley of Fire State Park.

Museums—The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art; Las Vegas Natural History Museum; the Atomic Testing Museum; the Boneyard tour at the Neon Museum; the Mob Museum; Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum.

Memorable Meals—Fresh seafood and pasta at Rivea Restaurant atop the Delano Hotel, with sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip; red meat at trendy Craftsteak; the desserts at Aureole; the award-winning James Beard restaurants at Wynn Las Vegas, including Costa di Mare; light lunch of Italian-inspired tapas on Lago's outdoor patio overlooking the Bellagio fountains; prime rib and crab cakes at Oscar's with views to Fremont Street; an afternoon on a Lip Smacking Foodie Tours Boozy Brunch.

Late Night—A drink and the view at Skyfall Lounge; dancing at Hakkasan; live music at House of Blues; a glass of bubbly at Mon Ami Gabi overlooking the Strip; hitting golf balls and sipping cocktails at Topgolf; riding the High Roller during the Happiest Half Hour in Vegas; bottle service at Golden Nugget's Troy Liquor Bar overlooking the Fremont Street Experience.

Walks—A short hike and bird-watching in the desert at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area; recreate the steps of early explorers along the three miles of walking trails at Las Vegas Springs Preserve; a walking tour along the Strip; strolling beneath the evening light show on Fremont Street.

Especially for Kids—Swimming with the sharks at the Golden Nugget; dolphins and white tigers at the Mirage; circus acts at the Circus Circus Midway Stage; the Ultimate 4-D Experience at Excalibur; Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. at Treasure Island; interactive exhibits at the Discovery Children's Museum; the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay; thrill rides at Adventuredome and the top of the 1,149-ft-/356-m-high Stratosphere.