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Vegas - non gambling / drinking things to do
Posted on 9/21/26 at 6:34 pm
Posted on 9/21/26 at 6:34 pm
Going to Vegas for 5 days and nights for a conference. Just me and my wife (no pics). Will have plenty of free time. I plan on doing my fair share of gambling, drinking, etc.
However, so that I’m not “only” gambling and drinking for 5 days, I’m looking for suggestions on other fun things to do. Love to be outdoors. Also like convenience so not really up for driving somewhere that’s 3+ hours away.
Appreciate any suggestions for those that go out there a good bit and get away from the gambling scene.
However, so that I’m not “only” gambling and drinking for 5 days, I’m looking for suggestions on other fun things to do. Love to be outdoors. Also like convenience so not really up for driving somewhere that’s 3+ hours away.
Appreciate any suggestions for those that go out there a good bit and get away from the gambling scene.
Posted on 9/21/26 at 7:06 pm to skewbs
It’s an underrated outdoor destination. Red Rock National Conservation Area and Valley of Fire State Park are close. Death Valley NP is 2 hours or less. Lots of shows, nice pool venues, etc. There are some museums like the Mob Museum.
Posted on 9/21/26 at 7:08 pm to skewbs
For outdoor activities, a couple of times we rented a car and drove to Mt. Charleston and Lee’s Canyon. There is skiing in the wintertime. We are not expert skiers but there is a nice ski lodge there.
Posted on 9/21/26 at 7:25 pm to geauxpurple
Great suggestions so far. Already searching all of them.
Posted on 9/21/26 at 8:03 pm to skewbs
Helicopter tour with Maverick to the Grand Canyon.
Posted on 9/21/26 at 8:07 pm to skewbs
Friend,
Leaving Las Vegas is the answer. Red Rocks is nice, but isn’t that interesting for hikes. Instead, head northeast out of town and go to Zion. It is only 2.5 hours away. Bryce Canyon isn’t far from Zion either.
The Grand Canyon is about a four hour drive east. Keep in mind, the lodge on the North Rim burned down last year so I’d recommend going to the South Rim which is a smidge farther from Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Phantom Ranch at the base is closed through at least October 31 due to the floods in August.
The pizza in Las Vegas, like the buffets, which are inferior to Golden Corral, is overrated. What a horrible place to visit, but at least you aren’t far from some of the best national parks in America.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
Leaving Las Vegas is the answer. Red Rocks is nice, but isn’t that interesting for hikes. Instead, head northeast out of town and go to Zion. It is only 2.5 hours away. Bryce Canyon isn’t far from Zion either.
The Grand Canyon is about a four hour drive east. Keep in mind, the lodge on the North Rim burned down last year so I’d recommend going to the South Rim which is a smidge farther from Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Phantom Ranch at the base is closed through at least October 31 due to the floods in August.
The pizza in Las Vegas, like the buffets, which are inferior to Golden Corral, is overrated. What a horrible place to visit, but at least you aren’t far from some of the best national parks in America.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
This post was edited on 9/21/26 at 8:08 pm
Posted on 9/21/26 at 8:54 pm to TulaneLSU
quote:
head northeast out of town and go to Zion. It is only 2.5 hours away. Bryce Canyon isn’t far from Zion either.
Love these parks but they are a haul from Vegas. You ain't doing them as a day trip. You can do Death Valley as a day trip, although you can't explore and do the whole park.
Posted on 9/21/26 at 9:33 pm to skewbs
Not sure if you're into pinball, but the pinball hall of fame is fun.
Also Area 15 or whatever is neat, there's a john wick experience there that's pretty cool. There's a haunted house there that's also quite cool. Meow Wolf there as well is cool. All three in that one area.
Vegas has some top tier escape rooms as well if that's your thing. We did a Saw themed one a couple of years ago that was cool.
The atomic museum was alright, I guess. The mob museum I've heard is skippable.
Go see the wizard of oz at the sphere, that's a cool time as well.
Also Area 15 or whatever is neat, there's a john wick experience there that's pretty cool. There's a haunted house there that's also quite cool. Meow Wolf there as well is cool. All three in that one area.
Vegas has some top tier escape rooms as well if that's your thing. We did a Saw themed one a couple of years ago that was cool.
The atomic museum was alright, I guess. The mob museum I've heard is skippable.
Go see the wizard of oz at the sphere, that's a cool time as well.
This post was edited on 9/21/26 at 9:33 pm
Posted on 9/22/26 at 6:22 am to skewbs
There is a show called puppetry of the penis if you guys are looking for something different
Posted on 9/22/26 at 6:37 am to skewbs
If 80's rock is your thing, there's an awesome cover band called The Whippits that performs like 3 or 4 days a week at Carnival Court (the outdoor bar between Harrah's and Linq).
Posted on 9/22/26 at 10:18 am to skewbs
My brother and I rented waverunners for an afternoon on Lake Mead and it was incredible.
Posted on 9/22/26 at 2:51 pm to skewbs
No rental car:
Area 15/MeowWolf/Universal Horror
Fremont Street
Neon Sign Museum
Forum Shoppes at Caesar's
Arte Museum Las Vegas
Rental car:
Hoover Dam
Valley of Fire
Goodsprings
Baker, CA
Rhyolite Ghost Town/Beatty
Area 15/MeowWolf/Universal Horror
Fremont Street
Neon Sign Museum
Forum Shoppes at Caesar's
Arte Museum Las Vegas
Rental car:
Hoover Dam
Valley of Fire
Goodsprings
Baker, CA
Rhyolite Ghost Town/Beatty
Posted on 9/23/26 at 8:33 am to geauxpurple
quote:
For outdoor activities, a couple of times we rented a car and drove to Mt. Charleston and Lee’s Canyon.
Seconded. I was out in the early summer but you could go up and enjoy the snow still at the higher elevations.
Also, if you are into bird watching the Corn Creek visitor center for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge is a great spot. Nice little wetland in the desert.
Posted on 9/23/26 at 11:06 am to skewbs
If you or the Mrs. love The Wizard of Oz, the showings at The Sphere are worth every penny.
Second Red Rock—go on your third or fourth day so you can really feel the difference between how peaceful it is there vs the The Strip.
Most bars these days have high quality mocktails. Check them out.
Absinthe is the best show on The Strip by far. It’s VERY raunchy: be warned.
The Cirque du Soleil shows are top notch. O at Bellagio tends to be the biggest crowd pleaser but we enjoyed Ka at MGM and the Michael Jackson Cirque at Mandalay Bay.
Not sure which resort you’re staying at but most of the high quality resorts have amazing pool areas. Spend some downtime there. The spas are pretty expensive but very nice if you have the budget.
The. Food. Definitely grab some reservations at a good steakhouse, Asian, or Italian place. They’re pricey but definitely part of the experience. The Golden Steer is a Vegas institution.
The Venetian and Caesar’s both have really great shopping.
Travel Ruby has great videos on restaurants and resorts, what’s going on in Vegas in the next month, tips and tricks, and cheap eats.
Second Red Rock—go on your third or fourth day so you can really feel the difference between how peaceful it is there vs the The Strip.
Most bars these days have high quality mocktails. Check them out.
Absinthe is the best show on The Strip by far. It’s VERY raunchy: be warned.
The Cirque du Soleil shows are top notch. O at Bellagio tends to be the biggest crowd pleaser but we enjoyed Ka at MGM and the Michael Jackson Cirque at Mandalay Bay.
Not sure which resort you’re staying at but most of the high quality resorts have amazing pool areas. Spend some downtime there. The spas are pretty expensive but very nice if you have the budget.
The. Food. Definitely grab some reservations at a good steakhouse, Asian, or Italian place. They’re pricey but definitely part of the experience. The Golden Steer is a Vegas institution.
The Venetian and Caesar’s both have really great shopping.
Travel Ruby has great videos on restaurants and resorts, what’s going on in Vegas in the next month, tips and tricks, and cheap eats.
Posted on 9/23/26 at 11:27 am to skewbs
Tons of shows and restaurants, obviously.
I once rented a sports car and drove all around the strip and the outlying areas. That can be fun.
I once rented a sports car and drove all around the strip and the outlying areas. That can be fun.
Posted on 9/24/26 at 10:44 am to Big Scrub TX
I'm here for work and contrary to the pompous ramblings of the dude who lives with his mom and obsesses about pizza, there are some decent things happening. Sure it's overpriced and annoying on the strip, but:
- tons of nature nearby as others have mentioned
- concerts every night
- The Sphere has good movies and concerts
- great asian offerings off the strip -- especially Thai and Dim Sum.
- the shows --- Absinthe, the Cirque catalog etc.
- Meow Wolf, the neon museum, the illusions one etc. F1 Driving simulator thing.
- Some old school Vegas tikis and restaurants (peppermill and golden steer come to mind)
Plenty to make the most out of 5 days.
- tons of nature nearby as others have mentioned
- concerts every night
- The Sphere has good movies and concerts
- great asian offerings off the strip -- especially Thai and Dim Sum.
- the shows --- Absinthe, the Cirque catalog etc.
- Meow Wolf, the neon museum, the illusions one etc. F1 Driving simulator thing.
- Some old school Vegas tikis and restaurants (peppermill and golden steer come to mind)
Plenty to make the most out of 5 days.
Posted on 9/24/26 at 3:46 pm to skewbs
Drive to Zion and hike The Narrows. Its a very unique hike that is definitely worth the drive. The entire experience (driving there and back and the hike itsself) will take up most of a day but it's very doable.
This post was edited on 9/24/26 at 3:47 pm
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