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Heading to Las Vegas but aren’t a gambler? Don’t worry, there are plenty of non gambling things to do in Vegas!
We’ve been to Las Vegas three times and not once have we been gambling. Sure, we’ve walked through the casinos, but never have we sat down at a table or even pulled at a slot machine.
And in our three times in Vegas, we never once got bored or felt like we were missing out on these non gambling things to do in Vegas!
If you’re looking for more of an itinerary, laying out how/when to see all these things and some great food recommendations for Vegas, check out our Las Vegas Itinerary here.
17 Non Gambling Things To Do In Vegas
1. Shop At The Outlet Mall
- Location | Las Vegas North Premium Outlets | 36.163541, -115.157347
- Tickets | none
We love a good bargain, and the outlet mall in the north end of Las Vegas is where bargains can be found. I snagged up a pair of Nike trail runners for under $50 when normally they’re over $100 USD!
My sister and brother-in-law go to the outlets in Las Vegas every year, and always find the cutest things!
2. Meow Wolf Interactive Art Exhibit
- Location | Omega Mart | 36.131782, -115.181461
- Tickets | Grab yours here
We haven’t been to the Meow Wolf Exhibit, but from what we’ve heard and seen online, this is a great art exhibit.. even for those not into art!
You won’t find art hung on the walls like you see at an art gallery here. Instead, the entire exhibit is an interactive walk through almost museum-like art exhibit!
3. Experience The Flyover
- Location | Flyover Building | 36.10433, -115.17255
- Tickets | reserve your seat here
The Flyover Las Vegas is a “ride” that really makes you feel like you’re off the strip and actually flying over one of the three different locations.
Choose from flying over the Canadian Rockies (our favorite), Iceland, or the American West. Or shoot, if you can’t choose which one to do, take a journey through all three.
They’re fantastic and a great way to experience these places without traveling there.
READ MORE | Our Complete Review of Flyover Las Vegas
4. See The Seasonal Gardens At The Bellagio
- Location | Bellagio Hotel and Casino | 36.11199, -115.17656
- Tickets | none
The Bellagio is a gorgeous hotel and casino right in the heart of the strip. It’s absolutely massive and walking through it is something to do within itself.
Inside the Bellagio, there are botanical gardens that change five times a year. And these aren’t just any botanical gardens, it’s an entire exhibit.
When we were there last, there was a huge hot air balloon, tea kettle, larger-than-life hummingbirds made from flowers and more.
If you have time to only visit the Bellagio Gardens once, I recommend doing it in the evening when the lighting is better and the crowds aren’t so big!
5. Visit the Sharks At The Shark Reef Aquarium
- Location | Mandalay Bay | 36.08877, -115.17647
- Tickets | Book your tickets ahead here
The Shark Reef Aquarium is home to over 2,000 animals, including a Komodo dragon.
At the aquarium, you’ll also find a piranha exhibit, and have the chance to feed sting rays! I love this aquarium because you start above the water, and then as you walk below the surface, you walk through other animal exhibits before being down below the surface level with sharks and fish swimming in front of you.
The Shark Reef Aquarium has two different aquarium tunnels where you can walk through with sharks swimming above you and on both sides. And there are some pretty awesome tanks with lionfish and jellyfish too!
To get to Shark Reef Aquarium, take the free tram to Mandalay Bay from Excalibur.
6. Ride The Roller Coaster At New York New York
- Location | New York New York Hotel and Casino | 36.10213, -115.17442
- Tickets | book ahead here
The last time we were in Las Vegas, we stayed at New York New York, so naturally we had to ride the roller coaster too. It has been years since we last were on a roller coaster, and we had so much fun on this one!
The wait for the coaster was super short, and actually, we only had to wait because we were waiting for the front seats — totally worth it!
On this roller coaster, you’ll do some major drops, and even go upside-down! If you’re visiting Vegas with teens, this is a great thing to take them on!
You can purchase tickets for the roller coaster in advance, and there are even packages with multiple rides and other things included in the deals.
Be sure to leave hats, glasses, and bags at your hotel, otherwise, you’ll have to rent a locker to store them for the duration of your roller coaster ride.
7. Have A Drink At The Lost Cactus Bar
- Location | Flyover Building | 36.10433, -115.17255
- Tickets | none
The Lost Cactus Bar is located in the Flyover building right next to Hard Rock Cafe. The drinks here are strong, and are said to be cheaper than most drinks on the strip coming in at $15-$18 USD each.
We loved the Lost Cactus Bar because it was a chill environment and you really feel like you’re off the strip when you walk down the hallway to this bar area.
The drinks at the Lost Cactus are themed to drinks on the Flyover Ride, but you can also get any drink you can really image here! We’d recommend the themed drinks though, as they’re not only super tasty, but the presentation is incredible too!
8. See The Water Show At The Bellagio
- Location | Bellagio Hotel and Casino | 36.11271, -115.17391
- Tickets | none
We had no idea about the Bellagio water shows until Rob, from 2 Travel Dads told us about them! And shoot, they do not disappoint!
Every day from 3:00 PM until midnight there is a spectacular water show in front of the Bellagio. I’m not sure how many different shows there are, but we saw three different ones in the times we watched them.
From 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm the water show goes off every 30 minutes, and then from 9:00 pm – midnight, it goes off every 15 minutes. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the water show starts at 12:00 pm instead of 3:00.
We’d recommend watching this show in the evening as the water is lit up and it’s really beautiful. And shoot, while you’re there, pop into the botanical gardens and see two things in one stop!
There are multiple places to watch the water show at the Bellagio. We really liked watching the show from the left side entrance to the Bellagio — if you’re looking at the Bellagio, you’ll see a covered raised walkway to the left.
The show is also great from directly in front of the Bellagio looking out over the water, and from the strip looking back at the Bellagio building!
9. Watch A Magic Show
- Location | Flyover Building | 36.10433, -115.17255
- Tickets | reserve your seat here
There are many different shows to watch in Las Vegas and it’s hard to pick just one. We watched the Nathan Burton Comedy Magic show, as it’s supposed to be the best afternoon magic show on the strip, and we loved how interactive it was.
The Nathan Burton Show happens at 4:00 PM, and we recommend grabbing drinks from The Lost Cactus before going in!
Check out other shows in Vegas below.
10. Get Table Side Mozzarella At Superfrico
- Location | Cosmopolitan Building | 36.10975, -115.17422
- Reservations | book your table here
When I was talking with my friend who lives in Vegas, she was happy to hear we went to Superfrico. It’s a restaurant that’s truly something else, and the food and drinks are fantastic!
Walking into Superfrico, you’ll quickly see eating here is more than just for the food, it’s an entire experience, and one not to miss!
Everyone in our party really enjoyed their meals here, but the rave here is the table-side mozzarella. Yes, you read that right, mozzarella cheese made right at your table!
Not only is it fun to watch the cheese being made, but the cheese is then served with super tasty bread and an amazing array of meats and different toppings to have with the cheese and bread. It’s a bit spendy, but honestly, just the table-side mozzarella is a meal in itself for two!
Ahh.. just writing about this restaurant makes me smile. The whole atmosphere here is top-notch, and honestly, I would have gone here two days in a row if it were up to me!
11. Shop The High-End Fashion
- Location | The Shops At The Crystals | 36.10795, -115.1745
- Tickets | none
Any big-name high-end fashion you can think of can be found on the Las Vegas Strip. Located in The Crystals building along the strip, you’ll find window displays worth thousands of dollars.
If you’re into high-end fashion, you’ll be in heaven. And even for us, not into high-end fashion at all.. we thought was fun to walk through the different window displays peaking at all the “luxury” items.
12. Walk Through The Casinos
- Location | The entire strip
- Tickets | none
Even though we didn’t gamble in Vegas, it was still super interesting to walk through the different casinos. It’s incredible picturing movies that have casino scenes and then walking through the casinos themselves.
Honestly, it kind of felt like we were in a movie while walking through the casinos. It’s so otherworldly to us that it was just fascinating hearing all the sounds and seeing all the tables and people watching is great too!
13. Visit The Eiffel Tower
- Location | Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck | 36.11248, -115.17251
- Ticket | Grab a ticket for the viewing deck here
Having been to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it was fun to go stand under the Eiffel Tower on the strip too. The tower lights up like the one in Paris and can give you a small glimpse of what it feels like to stand under the real deal!
We just walked up and stood underneath the Eiffel Tower in Vegas, however, there’s also a viewing deck if you’d prefer a different vantage point.
14. See The City Lights At Night
- Location | The Las Vegas Strip
- Tickets | none
Walking the Las Vegas Strip at night is something else! There are so many different things going on and the city just comes to life with all the lights!
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s a magical experience with all the bright shiny lights everywhere!
We walked the strip well past midnight and it was still super alive and well. Be sure to watch your belongings as you walk the strip at night, and probably avoid the dark alleys!
While you’re walking the strip, don’t forget to pop in and out of the different casinos and resorts as there’s just so much to see in each!
15. Visit The Stratosphere
- Location | The Strat Hotel and Casino | 36.14751, -115.15655
- Tickets | unlimited ride pass
We’ve driven by the Stratosphere and have seen it at night from a distance, but have yet to go inside or even see it up close.
Our friends recommended we take the tram and go see it, but when we finally were out and about and were going to head that way, it was 1:30 in the morning and we decided we should probably head back to our accommodation instead!
With that said, from what we’ve heard, it’s super cool to see up close! It’s like a giant ball that changes light shows on the outside continuously. And, there are all kinds of rides at the STRAT. Check them out here.
16. See the Haus of Gaga in Park MGM
- Location | Park MGM Building | 36.10442, -115.17432
- Tickets | free to enter
On our way to breakfast one morning, we walked right by The Haus of Gaga, an outfit display with iconic Lady Gaga memorabilia. And holy smokes, they are wild! Located in Park MGM on the casino level you can marvel at the different unbelievable outfits Lady Gaga has worn.
Trust me, some of them will leave you in wonder of how she ever goes in and out of them!
17. Enjoy a Street Concert
- Location | New York New York Hotel and Casino | 36.10213, -115.17442
- Tickets | free
I’m not 100% sure if there are concerts all the time here, but outside of New York New York while we were there there was a stage set up and a free concert going on.
There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the concert for free, and you can even grab food and drinks nearby and sit while you listen/watch.
Don’t be afraid to get up and dance here! You’re in Vegas after all!
Day Trips From Las Vegas
- Hoover Dam
- Red Rock Canyon
- Death Valley National Park
- Lake Mead
- Valley Of Fire State Park
- Grand Canyon National Park Helicopter Tour From Vegas
- Page and Antelope Canyon
More On Las Vegas
Las Vegas Captions | over 100 ideas of how to caption your Vegas photos
Flyover Las Vegas | an experience you don’t want to miss right on the Strip
5 Attractions For Teens in Las Vegas | visiting Vegas with the kids? Check out these 5 things your teen will enjoy!
Las Vegas Itinerary | the perfect 1 – 5 days in Las Vegas
How To Pack With Carry-On Only | with so many cheap airlines heading into Vegas, there’s often baggage restrictions. Avoid hefty baggage fees and pack carry-on only with these tips!
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