Las Vegas, Things To Do in Las Vegas

30 Exciting Things To Do in Las Vegas that Aren’t Gambling or Partying [Updated in 2023]

31 exciting things to do in las vegas that aren't partying or gambling

Last updated: February 27, 2023.

Las Vegas may be known for its lavish casino-resorts and boisterous nightlife, but there’s a lot more to do in Sin City besides gambling and partying.

If table games and dance floors aren’t your style, check out one of these alternative Las Vegas excursions or activities:

1. Explore Fremont Street

fremont street las vegas lighted canopy

Also known as “Glitter Gulch”, Fremont Street is located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare features live entertainment, a zipline, and a light show.

See what else you can do at Fremont Street.

Fremont Street is ideal for:

2. Climb the tallest observation tower in the USA

Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower

Be sure to check out the 1,149-foot-tall Observation Deck on levels 109 and 108 of the STRAT Casino, Hotel & Skypod for spectacular views of the Strip. While you’re there, grab a bite at the Top of the World restaurant, famous for its award-winning cuisine and 360-degree revolving dining room.

The Stratosphere Observation Deck is ideal for:

3. Visit the Grand Canyon

grand canyon national park view from shoshone point
Image Source: Grand Canyon National Park via Flickr.

Take a break from the bright lights of Las Vegas and explore one of the nation’s most iconic natural landmarks.

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim is about 5 hours away from Las Vegas by bus, while the Grand Canyon West region is only a short 3 hour drive. Get there faster on a luxurious airplane or helicopter tours, or even enjoy a Grand Canyon floor landing or cruise down the Colorado River.

Not sure whether you should drive yourself to the Grand Canyon or take a guided tour? Get our advice.

The Grand Canyon is ideal for:

4. Visit the Neon Boneyard

Image Source: korymatthew via Flickr.

Explore the history of Las Vegas from a truly unique perspective as you take a trip back in time with this historical collection of Vegas’s iconic neon signage.

Plan your visit at the Neon Museum’s website.

The Neon Boneyard is ideal for:

5. Watch the Bellagio fountains

bellagio fountains las vegas
Image Source: Kashyap Hosdurga via Wikimedia Commons.

The Bellagio’s famous free water, music, and light show runs every half hour during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening. It’s a can’t-miss experience for every Vegas visitor!

The Bellagio Fountains are ideal for:

6. Go shopping at the Container Park

Fremont Street’s open-air shopping centre is home to many boutique retail shops and delectable restaurants, as well as live entertainment like free concerts, movies, and more.

Learn more about the Downtown Container Park.

The Downtown Container Park is ideal for:

7. Check out First Friday

On the first Friday of every month, local artists and artisans gather in downtown Las Vegas to share their work, including visual and performing artists, live music, and delicious food.

Get more information on First Friday.

First Friday is ideal for:

8. Take a trip to Red Rock Canyon

red rock canyon nevada

Located only 17 miles from the Strip, Red Rock Canyon is the perfect excursion for those craving a break from the bustle of Sin City. Get up close and personal with the landscape’s characteristic bright red cliffs on an SUV tour.

Take a crash course on Red Rock Canyon before you go.

Red Rock Canyon is ideal for:

9. Take in a show

Las Vegas is renowned for the quality and selection of shows and concerts put on by Sin City’s many casino-resorts and dedicated entertainment venues!

Check out a complete list of Las Vegas shows and book your tickets today.

Shows are ideal for:

10. Join the Mob (almost)

You don’t have to join the mob to learn all about it at the Las Vegas Mob Museum. Located in downtown Las Vegas, this museum shares the unique history of organized crime from the perspectives of both the mobsters and law enforcement through interactive exhibits, films, and numerous artefacts.

Learn more about the Mob Museum.

The Mob Museum is ideal for:

11. Drive a super fast car

exotics racing las vegas
Image Source: Curtis & Renee via Flickr.

If you’ve ever been curious about what it would be like to drive a super fast, super luxurious car like a Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Aston Martin, check out Exotics Racing. Reach speeds up to 130 mph on their 1.2 mile race track, including an 1,800 foot straightaway and seven turns.

Visit Exotics Racing for more details.

Exotics Racing is ideal for:

12. Race a super fast car

Fans of NASCAR (or fans of driving fast) can’t miss the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Join a professional driver on a ride-along and travel 140 mph on the famous Las Vegas Speedway, or if you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can even get in the driver’s seat and race on your own.

Check out the Richard Petty Driving Experience website for more information on packages.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience is ideal for:

13. Visit the Hoover Dam

hoover dam bypass bridge
Image Source: Central Federal Lands Highway Division via Wikimedia Commons.

One of the world’s most impressive engineering marvels is located just a few miles outside of Las Vegas. Explore deep inside the Dam on one of our Hoover Dam tours, or even combine your trip with a leisurely cruise of Lake Mead.

The Hoover Dam is ideal for:

Learn more about why you can’t miss visiting the Hoover Dam when you’re in Las Vegas.

14. Go indoor skydiving

Experience the thrill of skydiving without actually jumping out of an airplane thanks to Vegas Indoor Skydiving’s 1,000 horsepower motor. All ages are welcome, and the facility is open seven days a week.

Learn more about Vegas Indoor Skydiving.

Indoor skydiving is ideal for:

15. Visit the Atomic Testing Museum

atomic testing museum las vegas
Image Source: gocardusa via Flickr.

Learn the history of America’s nuclear testing program as you explore 70 years of nuclear testing, including an exact replica of the control point where the countdown for each nuclear bomb detonation occurred.

Get more information about the Atomic Testing Museum.

The Atomic Testing Museum is ideal for:

17. Cool off at the minus5° Ice Experience

Mandalay Bay’s ice lounge is the perfect way to cool down after spending the day in the hot Las Vegas sun. Everything inside the lounge is made of ice, including the walls, the bar, and even the seats. Choose your package, get dressed up in warm gear, and enter the ice bar for a round of icy smooth cocktails.

Get more information the minus5° Ice Experience.

The minus5° Ice Experience is ideal for:

18. Explore Death Valley

death valley viewpoints mesquite flat sand dunes
Image Source: Brocken Inaglory via Wikimedia Commons.

If the minus5° Ice Experience is a bit too chilly for you, head to Death Valley. Death Valley is home to the lowest point of elevation in North America, and it’s also the site of the hottest temperature recorded on the continent. Explore salt pans, Badwater Basin, and mountain ranges all in one stunning location as you learn what makes Death Valley such a unique part of the Southwest landscape.

Death Valley is ideal for:

19. Take a hot air balloon ride

Float over the Strip and the Red Rock Mountains on an hour-long hot air balloon cruise, including a traditional champagne toast upon landing!

Book your balloon ride here.

Vegas Balloon Rides are ideal for:

20. Get medieval at the Tournament of Kings

tournament of kings at excalibur las vegas
Image Source: Gunther Hagleitner via Flickr.

Enjoy dinner and a show at the Excalibur casino-resort, complete with competing knights, Arthurian legend, and a three-course meal eaten the way the medievals ate – with your hands.

Get more information on the Tournament of Kings.

Tournament of Kings is ideal for:

21. Indulge your sweet tooth at Ethel M.’s

Chocoholics rejoice! Ethel M.’s Chocolate Factory offers a smorgasbord of gourmet chocolate and tasty treats, and it’s also home to one the largest cactus gardens in Las Vegas.

Visit Ethel M.’s website for more details.

Ethel M.’s is ideal for:

22. Mine for gold at Eldorado Canyon

Explore the Old West in all its glory, visit haunted ghost towns, and even pan for gold at authentic abandoned gold mines!

Visit Eldorado Canyon and explore a haunted gold mine on our guided tour.

Eldorado Canyon is ideal for:

23. Test your aim at a gun range

Battlefield Las Vegas is the #1 entertainment attraction in Las Vegas. Choose from a number of gun range experiences, and if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can even crush a car with a tank!

Get more information about Battlefield Las Vegas.

Battlefield Las Vegas is ideal for:

24. Take a ride on the High Roller Observation Wheel

High Roller Observation Wheel Las Vegas

The LINQ’s High Roller Observation Wheel is the world’s tallest observation wheel. Travel 550 feet above ground on your 30-minute spin and enjoy 360 degree views of downtown Las Vegas and beyond.

Learn more about the High Roller Observation Wheel.

High Roller Observation Wheel is ideal for:

25. Ride a roller coaster at an indoor theme park

adventuredome las vegas
Image Source: Nast89 via Wikimedia Commons.

Check out the Adventure Dome and ride some seriously exciting indoor roller coasters, play laser tag, and enjoy theme park classics like a swinging ship and bumper cars. There are also lots of kid and family-friendly attractions to check out. Adventure Dome is open seven days a week.

Learn more here.

Adventure Dome is ideal for:

26. Try an escape room

Solve puzzles and follow the clues as a team to escape from a locked room before time runs out!

Check out Lockdown Rooms or The Escape Game for more information.

Lockdown Rooms is ideal for:

27. Visit the botanical garden

Springs Preserve is described as the “Central Park” of Las Vegas. With several gardens featuring the largest collection of Mojave Desert cacti and succulent plants in the region, a hiking trail, and a butterfly habitat, it’s easy to see why.

Visit the Springs Preserve website for more details.

Springs Preserve is ideal for:

28. Head to the Valley of Fire

valley of fire
Image Source: Clément Bardot via Wikimedia Commons.

Named for its distinctive red sandstone formations, the Valley of Fire is a must-see for every Vegas adventurer. Check out Native American petroglyphs, the famous Atlatl Rock, and more stunning viewpoints at Nevada’s oldest state park, only 50 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

Visit the Valley of Fire on your Valley of Fire SUV tour.

The Valley of Fire is ideal for:

29. Play trampoline dodgeball

Bounce around at Skyzone, the world’s first indoor trampoline park. Enjoy open jumping times or the foam zone, play “Ultimate Dodgeball” (that’s dodgeball on trampolines), or try your hand at “SkySlam” – trampoline basketball!

Book your jumping time at the Skyzone website.

Skyzone is ideal for:

30. Fly over the Strip

Soar over the Las Vegas Strip in a luxury sightseeing helicopter and fly past all the most iconic viewpoints, including the MGM Grand, New York New York, Caesar’s Palace, and more on our Las Vegas Night Flight tour. Bonus: drive to your helicopter in a stretch limousine! Book your tour here.

RESERVE TOUR

Las Vegas Night Flights are ideal for:

Gambling Not Required

Despite its raucous reputation, “Sin City” is filled with exciting activities that appeal to everyone – not just gamblers or party-goers.

Hoover Dam Tours (6)

Red Rock Canyon Tours (1)

Valley of Fire Tours (1)

Las Vegas Tours (5)

Grand Canyon Tours (27)

Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower
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About Ria Borja

Ria is a Customer Experience Manager at Canyon Tours and an avid lover of the outdoors. When she isn't helping other travelers check destinations and dream vacations off their bucket lists, she's busy exploring the Southwest. Her favorite place to visit is (unsurprisingly!) the Grand Canyon.