Viva Las Vegas – The 11 Spots You Have to Visit (That Aren’t Casinos!)
Casinos may be your first thought when someone says Las Vegas, but Sin City has much more to offer. Find out all you need to know.
Las Vegas, Nevada, is famous for its casinos and nightlife. Luxurious hotels and casinos are the most exciting tourist spots in Las Vegas for many visitors. But you probably know that there’s more to see here than just neon lights and poker tables.
To begin with, there are natural resorts and cultural sites that you shouldn’t miss if you’re heading that way. Take a look at 11 of them that come highly recommended.
1. Death Valley
You can describe this national park with many superlatives. After all, it’s one of the largest national parks in the US and with temperatures that span the highest and the lowest.
For instance, the Badwater Basin salt flat lies 86 meters below sea level. To enjoy the spectacular views to the fullest, take a ride through the desert hills and climb to Dante’s View terrace above the Badwater Basin.
2. Red Rock Canyon
Photographers will fall in love with the Red Rock Canyon. It’s a half-hour drive from the city center, and there are plenty of panoramic views and hiking trails to take your breath away.
Make sure to stop by the visitor center and see the endangered desert tortoise. There are only dozens of them in this conservation area.
3. Fountains of Bellagio
The Bellagio hotel and casino is one of the top tourist locations in Las Vegas. But it’s actually several attractions in one. For a start, it’s home to the art gallery and the famous fountains of Bellagio out front.
Since the fountains are right off the Las Vegas Strip, you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy this treat for the eyes and ears. The dancing water is visible from the sidewalk and people line up alongside it at every showtime.
4. Botanical Gardens
Speaking of the Bellagio, there’s something else you should visit there. The Botanical Gardens are right across the hotel reception desk. It’s perfect for a dash of fresh air among all those city lights.
The gorgeous floral arrangements and ponds are looked after by a large team of specialists and visitors will surely be left in awe.
5. Caesar’s Palace
Another Las Vegas hotel and casino, Caesar’s Place is one of the top places to visit in Las Vegas. And it’s not just for the casino. It’s enormous and full of impressive architecture and design you’ll want to see for yourself.
It’s one of the city’s go-to places if you’re looking for entertainment. In fact, many of the world’s most famous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Tom Jones, and Cher, have performed here.
6. Stratosphere Tower
Would you like to experience the feeling of being on top of the world? Visit the Stratosphere Tower. It’s the tallest building in Las Vegas and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city beyond the strip.
Check out the observation deck and enjoy the scenery. Beyond that, this 1,149ft tower also caters to adrenaline junkies with the SkyJump and Insanity rides.
7. Discovery Children’s Museum
Las Vegas businesses and leaders have worked hard to make it a family-friendly destination. And it’s clear to see for all who visited the city in this century. So if you’re traveling with children, the Discovery Children’s Museum might be of interest to them.
The Museum covers three floors featuring plenty of fun and educational stuff to do. For instance, your children can learn about physics and ecology at the Eco-City and Water World. There’s also a practical aspect to this museum in the form of invention-making and experiments.
8. Springs Preserve
There’s a beautiful natural resort for the whole family to relax and have fun and it’s only three miles out of downtown. The Springs Preserve sits on the city’s original water source, which you’ll learn about later.
Ecology is the focus here and the preserve can teach you many interesting things about sustainability. Animal lovers are also in for a treat, as they will enjoy watching the snakes, rabbits, tortoises, and other inhabitants of the resort.
9. Flamingo Wildlife Resort
Sin City is also home to the world’s favorite pink bird. The pleasant oasis in the middle of town is one of the best tourist attractions in Las Vegas, and you simply must see it.
The Flamingo Wildlife habitat is a stretch of beautiful and refreshing scenery with waterfalls and tropical foliage. You can see different species of birds and fishes at this resort. Best of all, entrance is free.
10. High Roller
Are you afraid of heights? If not, you’ll enjoy a ride on the High Roller Ferris Wheel. Located on the Linq Promenade, the Roller is 550 feet tall and takes half an hour to travel a full rotation. Each of the cabins can hold up to 40 visitors at once.
Day or night, the view from the Ferris wheel is spectacular, so don’t forget to take a few photos from your capsule.
11. Hoover Dam
Within a reasonable range of the city is an extraordinary example of 20th-century engineering. If you don’t mind taking a drive, head to the Hoover Dam to find out how it managed to tame the wild Colorado River. There are also organized tours that visitors to the dam for those who don’t have a vehicle.
This art-deco-styled construction created the entirely manmade Lake Mead. It’s the largest water reservoir in the country by water capacity. If you were wondering about Springs Preserve (attraction #8) and Las Vegas’s original water source, here’s your answer. Lake Mead supplies close to 90% of the city’s needs today.
Las Vegas Rocks!
If you do your research correctly, you’ll discover how many magical places this city hides.
Do you prefer the sparkly side and constant city buzz? Or do you want to visit the jaw-dropping natural attractions and nearby tourist spots? In Las Vegas, you can do everything you set your mind to.
It’s a city where everything’s possible, and you don’t need to enter a casino to know that it’s the truth.
