Best things to do in Las Vegas

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are a series of canyons noted for their sandstone peaks and steep rock walls. The rugged rock formations rise up to 910 m (3,000 ft), making them a popular hiking and rock-climbing destination. You can explore most of this area via the 21 km (13 mi) one-way loop road, from which you can access numerous parking areas, picnic zones, and hiking and mountain-biking trails. Begin with a stop at the visitor center at the start of the loop road. Keep in mind that the trails usually start with an easy to moderate climb and become increasingly difficult as you progress to the top.

The city's center of gravity, The Strip is internationally known for its high concentration of resort hotels and casinos. Just under 7 km (4 mi) long, this stretch of road features some of the largest hotels in the world, totaling over 60,000 rooms. The strip attracts visitors with its neon lights, rapidly evolving architecture, and a range of nightclub options. Clubs host top music performers, comedians, and impersonators. Explore the areas east and west of the strip to discover a world of award-winning local restaurants and bars. You can travel this road on foot, but oppressive heat during the daylight hours may make walking very uncomfortable.

Whether you're seeking romance or awe, check out Fountains of Bellagio, a massive water feature with choreographed performances set to light and music. Located in front of the Bellagio hotel, the display is visible from numerous vantage points around the city. See a different show every half hour, with varied lighting effects and original music from renowned artists, including classical and popular tunes. The fountains, set in an artificial lake and modeled after a similar venue in Italy, feature an enormous network of pipes with more than 1,200 nozzles that can shoot water as high as 140 m (460 ft). Shows may be canceled due to adverse winds.

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are redesigned five times a year to reflect seasonal themes: Chinese New Year, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each seasonal display is dominated by fragrant flowers that celebrate the colors, themes, and blossoming of the season, like red, white, and blue in summer or poinsettias in winter. You'll notice that the flowers and plants are complemented by fountains and sculptures created by commissioned artists. The gardens are adjacent to the hotel's lobby and are open to the public.

Experience the grisly world of organized crime at The Mob Museum. Artifacts and displays outline the history and shocking stories of mob crime in the United States, as well as the law enforcement initiatives designed to combat it. Begin your self-guided tour on the third floor by watching a short film about the history of organized crime. Learn about the mob's involvement in drugs, gambling, prostitution, and bootlegging. Interactive displays allow you to hold Tommy gun and listen to genuine FBI surveillance tapes. Be aware that some visitors may find a number of items disturbing, such as the bloodstained wall where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place and photos of corpses.

Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one hundred lives. It was referred to as Hoover Dam after President Herbert Hoover in bills passed by Congress during its construction; it was named Boulder Dam by the Roosevelt administration. The Hoover Dam name was restored by Congress in 1947.

Since about 1900, the Black Canyon and nearby Boulder Canyon had been investigated for their potential to support a dam that would control floods, provide irrigation water and produce hydroelectric power. In 1928, Congress authorized the project. The winning bid to build the dam was submitted by a consortium named Six Companies, Inc., which began construction of the dam in early 1931. Such a large concrete structure had never been built before, and some of the techniques were unproven. The torrid summer weather and lack of facilities near the site also presented difficulties. Nevertheless, Six Companies turned the dam over to the federal government on March 1, 1936, more than two years ahead of schedule.

Hoover Dam impounds Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States by volume when full. The dam is located near Boulder City, Nevada, a municipality originally constructed for workers on the construction project, about 30 mi (48 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. The dam's generators provide power for public and private utilities in Nevada, Arizona, and California. Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction, with 7 million tourists a year. The heavily traveled U.S. Route 93 (US 93) ran along the dam's crest until October 2010, when the Hoover Dam Bypass opened.

An adrenaline/extreme tour in Las Vegas allows you to decide for yourself if this city rightfully bears the title the "Entertainment Capital of the World." Whether you're a car-racing fan, a closeted fighter pilot, or a hidden gun enthusiast, you'll easily find a tour to your liking. With a range of options available in and around the city, you'll be able to do everything from driving a race car, to flying on a stunt plane or emptying a few rounds from full-automatic weapons at a military shooting range. Other options include tandem skydiving, playing with real heavy-duty machinery, kart racing, and zombie-themed paintball experiences. These tours are extremely flexible, but most last between 1 and 7 hours.

Towering over 158 m (520 ft) above the Las Vegas Strip stands High Roller. As one of the world’s tallest observation wheels, it offers one of the most impressive views of the city. A ride in one of the air-conditioned pods takes around 30 minutes and is accompanied by audio commentary. You also have the opportunity to include an open bar inside your cabin. Rides during the day are considerably cheaper. However, riding at night is very popular as passengers can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the city lights.

Among the gaudy kitsch of the Las Vegas Strip, Bellagio Hotel and Casino stands out with its elegant style. Before entering the combined hotel, casino, and resort, pause to admire the main 36 story tower, and watch a fountain show featuring 1,200 jets blasting water as high as 140 m (460 ft ), synchronized to music. As you enter the lobby, look up and admire the more than 2,000 colorful blown-glass flowers, designed by Dale Chihuly. Points of interest include a conservatory and botanical gardens featuring seasonal displays of lush plants and vibrant flowers, and an onsite gallery, where exhibitions have ranged from Hockney to Picasso. Of course, no Vegas attraction would be complete without games of chance--try your luck at the whole range of dice, cards, and slots. The hotel offers dining experiences to match the stylish decor, and you can cap off your visit with a glitzy Vegas show or aquatic circus performance.

If gluttony is your sin, eating your way through Las Vegas may be the perfect strategy for exploring the other side of the world's capital of entertainment. Let your insider guide make a selection of signature dishes at some of the best restaurants--choosing from over 330 eateries is too much to swallow on your own. Advantages of a guided tour also include skipping the lines and not having to worry about reservations. You'll sample delicacies of national cuisines from all over the world, learning how innovative celebrity chefs transformed the food culture in the "Sin City." These gastronomic adventures usually take 2-3 hours.

Feel the adrenaline rush at spinning wheels and reels, cast dice, and flipped cards at Casino At The Venetian. Check out the famous poker room or Imperial Baccarat--an exciting new addition to the table games. Swanky bars and restaurants offer plenty of refreshments. Note that table limits are a bit higher than elsewhere, so be ready to splurge.

Take in 360-degree views of Las Vegas' dazzling strip at Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck. This half-scale replica of the famous French structure is an iconic part of the American city’s skyline. Ride the glass elevator 140 m (460 ft) up to the observation deck. Do not hesitate to approach the attraction's ambassadors, who are on hand to help you locate various sites. You can stop for some French cuisine at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant on the 11th floor. Look for discounted entrance coupons in fliers and guides around town.

Located at the heart of Las Vegas, the famed Caesars Palace contains a casino and luxury hotel. The vast selection of table games includes blackjack, craps, roulette, Spanish 21, and, Pai gow poker. The luxury hotel treats its guests with a range of amenities, like on-demand food, drinks, and heated swimming pools. Visit the casino to appreciate the prestige and architecture of this opulent facility opened in 1966, which has hosted notable performers like Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, Cher, and Celine Dion.

Las Vegas is the world capital of neon art, and The Neon Museum is there to preserve and display some of it. The museum refurbishes old and discarded neon signs and tells the history of the city through them. Some of the restored signs are displayed in various locations in downtown Las Vegas, but most are located in the museum’s outdoor exhibition area, known as the Boneyard. Here you can take a tour of iconic signs, such as the signs for Caesar's Palace and Stardust casinos. All the tours are guided and should be booked in advance. Bad weather could cause tours to be canceled. Be careful of rusty metal and broken glass in the Boneyard area.