Things to do in Las Vegas

Las Vegas rarely gets the credit it deserves as a city that has attractions other than its vices; as a city of more than one million inhabitants, it seems to be only known by party-loving reputation. For sure, the casinos and nightlife are what bring visitors here, but there really is life away from the slot machines and showrooms. Las Vegas is now marketed as a family destination, and there is no shortage of innocuous and interesting attractions. The city has 18 of the largest 21 hotels in the world, and along the Strip, visitors will see the skylines of New York and Paris, discover the canals of Venice and the Pyramids of Egypt, and at Treasure Island, see a full on sea battle between a pirate ship and a British galleon.

Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park

This decidedly low-key attraction may not have neon signs and an army of one-armed bandits, but it does lend a sense of what Las Vegas was like before gambling stole its soul. Located north of downtown, Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park is the site of the original adobe fort, used by the first Mormon settlers in the Las Vegas Valley. Built by missionaries from Salt Lake City in 1885, the fort was abandoned just a year later, due to the harsh conditions. A shed is the only remaining original building, while the rest of the site was recently reconstructed. Phone: +1 702 486 3511; website: www. parks.nv.gov/olvmf.htm.

Wet n Wild

Wet ‘n’ Wild is one of America’s best-attended water parks, offering most types of water play including thrill rides, wave machines and pools. There are also many events held throughout the summer including the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Pageant. In addition to pools, the park provides changing areas, shade, picnic tables, food concessions and stroller rental. Phone: +1 702 871 7811; website: www.wetnwildlv.com.

MGM Grand

The MGM Grand has held the title of largest hotel in the world since its completion in 1993, with over 5,000 rooms. Its enormous Grand Garden Arena has also become one of the key venues for boxing matches in the US. The casino area alone is 15,300 square metres. The MGM Grand also has 15 restaurants, a coffee shop, a food court with five lounges, two showrooms, two wedding chapels, five pools including a flowing river pool, a lion habitat, a dance club and shopping complex.  Phone: +1 702 891 7777; website: www.mgmgrand.com.

Fremont Street and the Fremont Street Experience

The downtown area of Las Vegas is where it all began. Known as the Fremont Street Experience or 'Glitter Gulch' for the bright neon signs and thousands of flashing lights that line the streets, this is where you’ll find Vegas Vic and Sassy Sal, two of the America’s best-known neon icons. Some of the city’s most famous vintage casinos are found here including the Golden Nugget and the Gold Spike, as are most of its strip clubs and stage shows. Most entertainment is on, or just off, the Freemont Street Experience Mall. Phone: +1 702 678 5777; website: www.vegasexperience.com.

Stratosphere

This is America’s tallest observation tower, rising 1,149 feet above the city’s streets. Housing the Stratosphere Hotel, it houses two hair-raising rides. The Let It Ride High Roller is the world’s highest roller coaster, and is guaranteed to be the ride of your lifetime. The Big Shot shoots riders 160 feet into the air, where they experience zero gravity then free fall to the platform, 800 feet above the street.
Phone: +1 702 380 7777; website: www.stratospherehotel.com/stratosphere_tower.html.

Eiffel Tower

No, you’re not in the wrong city. Ride to the peak of the 50-storey replica of the Eiffel Tower in the glass elevators. At the observation deck on top, behold a breathtaking view of the Las Vegas Strip from 540 feet high. Phone: +1 702 946 7000; website: www.parislasvegas.com.

Imperial Palace Auto Collections

With over 250 classic antique cars on display, these collections are a must for all car enthusiasts. The Imperial Palace Auto Collections are part of a larger collection, and cars are rotated in and out of the showroom on a regular basis. Exhibited are rare models, race cars, muscle cars, touring roadsters and dozens of vehicles that were once owned by the rich and infamous. Phone: +1 702 794 3174; website: www.autocollections.com.

Caesars Palace

An old denizen of the Strip, Caesars Palace possesses more Las Vegas character than many of its newer neighbours. A lavish Roman setting, with Roman columns, grand staircases, manicured shrubbery, imported marble statuary and luxuriant fountains, this is perhaps the historical theme best suited to this city of excess. Phone: +1 702 731 7110; website: www.caesarspalace.com.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Since the grand opening of the Las Vegas 500 Indy Racing League in 1996, this speedway has gained instant popularity. A super tri-oval speedway with a 1.5-mile speedway and short-track, offerings of a 3.8-mile paved oval track, a dirt track and drag strip, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is considered to be one of the best in the industry, with NASCAR events held here throughout the year. Phone: +1 702 644 4444; website: www.lvms.com.

Museums
Although Las Vegas can be a little overpowering with its excessive neon bombardment, there are numerous museums in the area including Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Guinness World of Records Museum and the Elvis-A-Rama Museum to cater for more subdued tastes.

The Las Vegas Natural History Museum brings the natural world of local Nevada wildlife to life as well as ancient dinosaurs, marine life and more through exhibits, displays and live exhibitions. The museum’s dinosaur exhibit features mechanical dinosaurs as well as exhibits detailing the evolution of life from fish to dinosaurs. The Wild Nevada Room explores the surprising diversity of life from the state’s own Mojave Desert. Phone: +1 702 384 3466; website: www.lvnhm.org.

Considered one of the best museums in Las Vegas, the Liberace Museum offers a view of the city’s cultural history by focusing on one of its most famous entertainers. Liberace became an extremely prominent musician in America, and nowhere were his dazzling costumes and stage sets more at home than in Las Vegas. The museum is divided into two galleries; the first houses 18 of his 39 pianos and his car collection, and the second gallery houses costumes, stage props and candelabra. Phone: +1 702 798 5595; website: www.liberace.com.