7 Awesome Things to Do in Vegas Besides Gamble

Are you planning a trip to Vegas soon? Unless you’re staying with friends, you’ll be in one of Vegas’ 150,000 hotel rooms.

That’s as many hotel rooms as there are people in some towns! There aren’t quite as many things to do in Vegas besides gamble as there are hotel rooms, but there is a good amount. Probably a few hundred non-gambling activities or so.

Things to Do in Vegas Besides Gamble

If you can believe it, Vegas is really becoming a family-friendly destination. Don’t believe us? Here’s proof.

1. Hover Over the Grand Canyon – Or the Strip!

Have you always been fascinated by those bird’s eye view photos? What if you could see one in real time, in real life? You can if you choose to take a helicopter tour!

These leave from various locations around the city and go some will take you all the way to the Grand Canyon. You can fly over the canyon and even land on the bottom of it, where it widens out.

The tours are by licensed helicopter pilots who do these tours at least once a day. They’ll provide you with everything you need for the ride – headwear and all. All you need to do is schedule in advance, and show up.

Don’t want to spend that much time strapped into a helicopter? There are shorter tours, like the one that goes over the strip at night. This is a unique way to experience the vibrant lights of Las Vegas.

You can find people handing out flyers for tours on the strip, but it’s better to book your trip ahead. That way you know you’re getting a safe and well-reviewed flight, not a discount tour with a discount-level pilot.

2. Get Tropical

At The Mirage you’ll find indoor gardens that rival some of the best outdoor ones you’ve seen in your life. The plants are all impeccably landscaped, so it looks like a well organized but natural setting.

It’s a good place to feel like your outside when it’s too hot to really stroll under the sun. They go on for what seems like miles and there are little surprises hidden here and there. Waterfalls, little wishing pools – it’s all there for you to discover.

It’s also relatively quiet, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed or a child you’re with is, this is a good place to take a break.

3. Go to The Pool

A lot of people don’t think of Las Vegas as a tropical destination, but it can be if you let it! Many of the hotels have spent millions making their pools and outdoor space feel like a true tropical oasis.

If you don’t like the pool at the hotel you’re staying at, some hotels offer day passes for their pools. All you need to do is call and ask or show up and ask the front desk.

If you get a day pass it’s best to bring your own towels. You don’t know which pools supply day-pass users with them and which don’t.

4. See a Show

You don’t have to spend hundreds to see a show in Vegas. There are lesser, cheaper daytime shows that the whole family can enjoy. It just takes some planning.

If you don’t find anything official that you want to see, different casinos have mini-shows at certain times of the day. Like Atlantis. They have an animated show every hour on the hour. You can find it near the Cheesecake Factor inside the Forum Shops.

The action starts at 11.

The best part about this mini-show of sorts? Well, the two best things? It’s air-conditioned and it’s free. What else could you want during a long afternoon in Vegas?

Want another free mini-show? Head to the Fremont Street shops around dusk. They do a free laser light and music show, displayed on the ceiling. AT certain times during the day you can zip line down the expanse of the Fremont street inside strip (for a fee, of course).

5. Get Judgmental

Seriously! If you head to the CBS Research Center inside the MGM Grand you can give your feedback to TV people on a to-be pilot show. It takes about an hour and it’s not paid, but they do give out vouchers and coupons that really make it worth your time.

If you or a loved one love TV and want to potentially be part of getting the next biggest show on air – this is the (free! Air conditioned!) activity for you.

Go See Flamingos at The . . . Flamingo!

Another good activity for tired out little ones (or grown-up ones!) is located in The Flamingo hotel. There’s a little tropical-feeling expanse with waterfalls and koi ponds.

Do your kids like pink? Then how about checking out the Flamingo flock that stands one-legged in this tropical garden?

It’s free and low key while being a nice break from the concrete jungle outside.

6. Ride a Roller Coaster

Do you want to feel like you’re in a theme park while someone else is wasting their money gambling? Just head over to New York, New York.

That roller coaster you can see from the strip isn’t just for show – it really works. And you can really ride it. Use it to get a nice breeze on your face during the day or watch the lights whiz by at night.

When you have your feet back on solid ground, you can check out the nearby arcade. It’s said to have one of the largest collections of claw machines.

7. Take a Gondola Ride

Need something low key to do that doesn’t require a lot of thought? This is a great choice when you’ve already had too much of the regular vices Vegas has to offer (get more details).

Head to the Venetian and flag down an empty gondola. Then relax and float on down the (fake) river.

Family-Friendly Fun

We never thought we’d say Vegas was a family friendly destination either, but with things like roller coasters and free shows, it’s starting to be.

Did you like this list of things to do in Vegas besides gamble? Get some more travel ideas here.