Although the glitz and glamour of the casinos on the Strip are enticing, there are tons of things to do in Las Vegas that do not involve gambling. From award-winning shows to natural vistas, the city has much to offer that doesn’t involve rolling the dice.

For anyone travelling to Sin City, narrowing down an itinerary and deciding what attractions to visit can be hard. To help you find the best things to see and do in Las Vegas, we’ve listed 10 amazing attractions that don’t involve gambling.

10 Fun Things to do in Las Vegas that Aren’t Gambling

1: Fremont Street

Fremont Street is one of the oldest areas in Las Vegas. In fact, it was the first paved street in the city. Located in downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street was the original Strip. It is home to many famous casinos and was featured regularly on tv and in film.

However, the casinos aren’t what makes Fremont Street a great tourist attraction today. In the summer of 1995, the Fremont Street Experience opened and brought new excitement to the area.

The main attraction of the Fremont Street Experience is the canopy overhead. It is fitted with LEDs that are used to create visual displays overhead. The curved canopy also protects the street from the blazing Las Vegas sun and keeps the area cool during the day. 

Fremont Street also hosts free concerts on 3 different stages, has a zipline that takes guests high above the street, and includes a shopping mall. With these attractions, exploring Fremont Street is easily one of the most fun things to do in Las Vegas.

2: Springs Preserve Botanical Garden

If you’re tired of the rowdy crowds on the Strip, visiting a botanical garden is one of the most relaxing things to do in Las Vegas. Located less than 5 miles from downtown Las Vegas, the Springs Preserve Botanical Garden opened in 2007 and covers 180 acres.

In addition to walking trails through the stunning desert botanical gardens, the preserve hosts many events and attractions throughout the year. Concerts and theatre productions are common, and there is even a Museum dedicated to the natural history of the region.

3: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Another scenic attraction near Las Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Over 2 million people visit Red Rock Canyon every year to get away from the bright lights of the casinos.

Attractions at Red Rock Canyon include hiking trails, picnic areas, and a visitor centre full of exhibits. Horseriding, mountain biking, and rock climbing are also popular activities at Red Rock Canyon. Visiting the area is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas to unwind.

4: Climb the Strat

Home to the country’s tallest observation tower, visiting The Strat is a perfect thing to do in Las Vegas if you aren’t scared of heights. The tower is a staggering 350 metres tall over the lights of the Las Vegas Strip below

At the top of the tower, a rotating pod holds the Top of the World restaurant, giving diners an amazing view of the city. There are also 4 thrill rides at the top of the Strat for anyone brave enough:

• Big Shot, a drop tower ride, takes riders 329 metres above the city before a controlled drop.
• SkyJump Las Vegas is a controlled-descent bungee jump from the top of The Strat to the city streets. It is a fall of over 260 metres. 
• Insanity takes riders over the edge of the building to dangle over Las Vegas as it spins. 
• X-Scream features a single roller coaster car that rolls along a track off the edge of The Strat. 

For adrenaline junkies, taking a ride at the top of The Strat is one of the most exciting things to do in Las Vegas.

5: Catch a View at the Linq

For thrill-seekers who want something a little less extreme, the attractions at The Linq are some of the best things to do in Las Vegas. They are perfect for families and still give riders a stunning look at Sin City from above.

• The High Roller Ferris Wheel takes riders 168 metres above the Strip in spacious pods. It takes 30 minutes to complete a full trip around. It is the 2nd tallest Ferris wheel in the world.
• Fly Linq is a zipline that begins 12 storeys up and ends at the High Roller. The zipline is 342 metres long, and riders reach speeds of up to 35 mph.

These more controlled thrill rides are some of the most exhilarating things to do in Las Vegas.

6: Visit the Neon Museum

The Neon Museum opened in 1996 and is a registered non-profit organization. The mission of the museum is to collect and preserve iconic Las Vegas neon signs. The Neon Museum also features exhibits on the technological advancements and trends of neon signs throughout history.

The most famous part of the Neon Museum is the boneyard. At this exhibit, guests can walk through the grounds and see real retired neon signs from Las Vegas and Fremont Street casinos. Exploring these pieces of history is one of the most interesting things to do in Las Vegas.

7: See a Show

Sin City is home to many award-winning shows. From concerts and stand-up comedy to the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, seeing a performance is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas.

Each hotel on the Las Vegas Strip will have different shows available, and they often change throughout the year. No matter what production or event you choose, each show in Las Vegas will leave you amazed.

8: Ride a Gondola

The gondola rides at the Venetian bring the romance of Italy to the Las Vegas Strip. This attraction is perfect for couples or families and is one of the most unique things to do in Las Vegas.

The gondolas are piloted by singing guides as riders are taken along the Grand Canal at the hotel. The canal flows both outside and inside the Venetian and passes by the shops and cafes.

9: Visit the National Atomic Museum

The Mojave Desert in Nevada was one of the most-used nuclear test sites in the USA. In fact, out of the USA’s 1054 nuclear tests, over 900 of them occurred in Nevada. Visiting the National Atomic Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Las Vegas for history lovers.

The museum opened in March 2005 as a non-profit before becoming a national museum in 2011. The goal of the museum is to educate the public about the history of nuclear testing and the effects of the tests. The National Atomic Museum also has a theatre where guests can experience what it was like to watch a nuclear test.

10: Shop on the Strip

There is no shortage of shopping centres in Las Vegas. Many hotels, such as the Venetian and Planet Hollywood, have malls on the lower levels, and there are also standalone shopping complexes along the Strip.

Among the hundreds of Las Vegas shops, there are department stores, souvenir shops, and even luxury brands like Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton. Whether you’re a shopaholic or window shopping, browsing the endless shops on the Strip is one of the most fun things to do in Las Vegas.

There are tons of Exciting Things to do in Las Vegas Besides Gambling

Even if you don’t plan on gambling at the casinos, there are many fun things to do in Las Vegas. Although it was seen as a destination for adults, the city has become much more family-friendly in recent years.

Whether you check out all of the attractions on this list or only have time for a couple, they are sure to make your trip to Sin City one to remember.

If you’re planning a trip to the United States, check out this list of 10 Stunning Road Trips in the USA.