When most people think of a trip to Las Vegas, they imagine drinking and gambling all night long. Playing the slots, taking a dip in the pool, eating buffet food, and watching a show at your hotel are all typical parts of the itinerary when visiting Vegas. But what if you don't like to party or gamble? Or what if you are traveling with kids? Turns out, there is so much more to do in "Sin City" than what they show on TV.

If you venture beyond the grounds of your casino hotel, this city has a lot of fun attractions to offer. Whether you are brave and want to get your heart pumping on a thrill ride or you want to learn about the history of Las Vegas, there is something here for you. From race cars and botanical gardens to solving mysteries and touring the area from above, you will have to make multiple trips to do all of these! The best part? Most of these are within city limits, so no need to worry about long drives!

Read on to learn more about the top 20 fun things to do in Las Vegas that don't involve a casino!

20 20. Big Apple Coaster

Who would have thought that you could ride a roller coaster right on the Las Vegas Strip? Visit the New York-New York Hotel & Casino if you are a coaster enthusiast. This fun ride lets you loop and dive at speeds up to 67 miles per hour, all with a gorgeous view of the Vegas lights. As if the taxi cab themed trains weren't enough, you can also choose to totally immerse yourself with the coaster's VR option. Slip on a headset and thanks to virtual reality, you can chase aliens as you dip and loop high above the strip.

19 19.  Big Shot

This next attraction is not for the faint of heart. Though this ride lasts mere seconds, you will never forget it. Strap in high above the strip on the Stratosphere Tower (home to many of the attractions on this list). Then, you will shoot up to a height of almost 1,050 feet with your feet dangling helplessly. It goes so fast, you will practically float up out of your seat thanks to the 4Gs of force. When you slowly make your way back down, you won't know whether to laugh or cry. If you can bear to open your eyes at the top, you'll get some one-of-a-kind views!

18 18. Exotic Racing

Have you ever wished you could drive a fancy sports car but definitely can't afford one? You're in luck. Exotics Racing lets you get behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and more. You can even try out multiple models of cars while you're there! You will get to put the pedal to the metal and zoom around their racetrack like you are in your favorite action movie. Don’t know how to drive or are scared to crash? They have ride-along experiences too! You get all the fun speed of the cars with a pro behind the wheel.

17 17. SkyJump

Are you going to Vegas for thrills you can't find anywhere else? Then give this attraction a try. Located on the Stratosphere tower, this experience is sure to give you an adrenaline rush. You will attach to a vertical zip line that lets you plummet down from the 108th floor in what they refer to as a "controlled free fall." It's all the fun scary feeling of skydiving without the danger! If you are looking for the most amazing views Las Vegas has to offer, strap into the SkyJump! That is if you can keep your eyes open during your trip down to Earth!

16 16. Insanity

Yet another attraction found on the Stratosphere tower, Insanity might be the scariest one yet. This giant claw-like ride suspends you over Las Vegas—face down. You will climb into a secure individual seat, then be lifted out to a gravity-defying 70 degree angle facing the ground below. As if that weren't scary enough, Insanity spins you round and round at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, giving you 3 Gs of force! If you get dizzy or queasy easily, skip this one. The dizzying height and speeds will make even the most iron stomach lose its contents!

15 15. X-Scream

Once you have conquered Insanity, stay where you are and try out X-Scream. This ride, also found on the Stratosphere tower, is sure to take your breath away. Riders hop into a car reminiscent of a roller coaster, then strap in for one of the world's wildest rides. First the car dangles you over the edge of one of the tallest buildings in the USA (almost 900 feet in the air!). Then the real terror begins! You'll tip forward at 30 miles per hour towards the ground, making your heart skip a beat when you think you'll fall onto the cars below.

14 14. Vegas Indoor Skydiving

Have you ever wanted to try skydiving but didn't want to risk your life? Try it inside instead! Vegas Indoor Skydiving offers that same thrill of floating on air without you having to jump out of a plane. Rather than soaring down, you will float up thanks to a giant wind fan on the floor that generates a current of up to 120 miles per hour. You'll get to feel like you are flying all in the safety of a padded room. Your turn in the tunnel may last just 2 minutes but it is the experience of a lifetime!

13 13. SlotZilla

For those who want to soar but don't want to be totally free, check out Slotzilla. This giant slot machine located at the Fremont Street Experience is home to a series of zip lines sure to delight everyone 13 and older. You will zoom over 35 miles per hour the entire length of the Fremont Street canopy, offering amazing views and heart-pumping thrills. Choose a traditional zip line or try the scary zoom line, which lets you fly like a superhero in a horizontal position over 850 feet of cable. If you can get through the dizzying journey to the top of the platform, the rest is a piece of cake!

12 12. Dig This

Maybe you were obsessed with bulldozers when you were little or you have always wondered what it would be like to handle that big of a vehicle. Now you can try it without a permit at Dig This Las Vegas. Billed as a "Heavy Equipment Playground," you can dig and lift behind the controls of a bulldozer or an excavator. You can even beat stress by smashing a car with one of the machines! The best part is that you'll get safety instructions and guided exercises and games from staff to help you play to the vehicles' full potential.

11 11. The Neon Museum

Las Vegas is known for its amazing flashing lights and neon signs that light up the night. But where do all of those signs go when they burn out? The Neon Museum collects and preserves them to help visitors learn about the history of Vegas. Take a tour through the Neon Boneyard day or night to see iconic casino signs of the past, some in restored condition and some still beautifully broken. Whether you want to take a self-guided tour or explore with a guide, this is one attraction that is uniquely Las Vegas while also being educational.

10 10. Stratosphere Observation Deck

If you are not into all the thrill rides the Stratosphere has to offer, perhaps viewing the city from the observation deck is more your speed. The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel, & Tower is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the United States, looming 1,149 feet above the ground. There are both indoor (it's air-conditioned!) and outdoor observation decks, both of which offer breathtaking 360-degree views of Las Vegas and the desert. You can also grab a drink at AirBar, the highest bar in the city, or try out one of the hotel's award-winning restaurants. Make a day of it!

9 9. Richard Petty Driving Experience

Have you ever wanted to be a race car driver? Well now you can! The Richard Petty Driving Experience lets you zoom around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in either Indy-style or NASCAR race cars all by yourself. Packages vary from one 8-minute racing session to 6 sessions with pit stops in between, so you can make this a fast stop or spend the whole day. Don't want to get behind the wheel yourself? You can go for a ride along as a professional racing instructor sends you both zipping around the track. Just make sure to check the dates that are available before booking your trip!

8 8. CSI: The Experience

Fans of the hit TV show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation will love this next attraction. Located at the MGM Grand, CSI: The Experience lets you collect clues and try to solve a triple murder before the case goes cold. With videos from cast members and real forensic scientists to help you out, you will feel like you have stepped into the show! And don't think this is a simple whodunnit like the game Clue. You will complete tasks like matching DNA, finding hair strands, and analyzing bullet casings to help crack the case. This attraction is perfect for a rainy day.

7 7. Bellagio Hotel Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Located at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden is a sight to behold. Once you step inside, you will be greeted with breathtaking displays of flowers and plants. From gorgeous water features to sculptures made from organic materials, this attraction is a wonder of color. The exhibits at the botanical gardens changes to reflect each season, so you can come back here again and again! When you are in the middle of a barren desert, these stunning displays offer a fresh contrast. Be sure to check the dates of this attraction before visiting; they have a few weeks where they are closed to change the exhibit.

6 6. Springs Preserve

There is so much to see at Springs Preserve, so be prepared to spend a little time here! This outdoor oasis is home to botanical gardens, nature trails, museums, playgrounds, and more. It's a great place to escape the man-made excitement of Las Vegas and learn about the natural aspects of Nevada. Learn about the area's flora and fauna through live wildlife exhibits, a butterfly habitat, and a huge cactus collection. You can even learn some history at Boomtown 1905, a re-created streetscape where you can see what Las Vegas life was like from 1905 to 1920. This place is fun for the whole family!

5 5. Sky Zone

Do you love to bounce, jump, and soar? Check out the SkyZone Trampoline Park. Here visitors of all ages can get their sweat on while having fun. The park has tons of different trampoline elements to play on. You can challenge your friends to a game of trampoline dodgeball or basketball, which kicks it up a notch! There is also a foam pit you can jump into where you will feel like you're flying. You can also challenge yourself to climbing walls and ladders on different obstacle courses or just have fun jumping around at the freestyle jump, which has trampolines all over the walls and floor!

4 4. Hot Air Balloon Ride

What could be more breathtaking than a hot air balloon ride over the desert? If you want a truly unique view of the Las Vegas area, consider booking a hot air balloon tour. You'll get to see the sun rise or set over the landscape while soaring peacefully high above the ground. From the busy Las Vegas strip to the stunning Red Rock Mountains, you get to look down on it all. Many packages also include champagne toasts during or after your flight, which makes this the perfect romantic activity. If you've been to Vegas before, this is a fun way to see it differently!

3 3. The Mob Museum

Officially known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the Mob Museum is a fun place to learn the darker history of Las Vegas. This attraction includes exhibits and artifacts from cities across the country, telling the true tales of the Mob throughout history. It is also located in a restored former courthouse from 1933, giving even the building a historical feeling. A popular hands-on attraction here called the Use of Force Training Experience allows visitors to learn how officers make split-second decisions with criminals and participate in exercises themselves with a CO2 pistol.

2 2. Helicopter Tour

Maybe you want a tour of Las Vegas high in the sky but the open basket of a hot air balloon is a little too scary. Why not try a helicopter tour instead? You will get to board a chopper and fly over any area you choose, giving you views that will stay with you for a lifetime. Perhaps you have always wanted to see the glittering lights of the strip from above. Or maybe you want a quick fly over the Grand Canyon and surrounding desert. Whether you spend half the day in the air or just watch the sunrise or sunset from your helicopter, you won't regret it!

1 1. Pinball Hall of Fame

If you are a fan of pinball, I have the perfect little attraction for you. Not too many people go here (at least compared to the hoards at the casinos and other attractions), so it's a nice break from the crowds. The Pinball Hall of Fame is home to rows and rows of vintage pinball machines from the 1950s to the 1990s. It is the world's largest pinball collection and is open to the public for you to play! With over 10,000 square feet of games to try out, the entire family can spend the day here. Plus the games cost just 25-50 cents to play!

References: canyontours.com, vegas.com