Las Vegas, Nevada is a gambler's paradise where people visiting from around the world can find a whopping 45 casinos in the Las Vegas strip area alone. But what if betting and rolling dice isn't your thing?
There are many thrilling things to do in Vegas that deliver just the same amount of excitement as hitting a Blackjack or winning a jackpot at the slots.
Rent a car and take a day trip to the Hoover Dam or hike the Valley of Fire and find the stunning geological display that is the Pink Canyon. For a more hair-raising experience, head to the Stratosphere Casino at the very top and ascend into the Vegas skyline at 1,149 feet or drive an insanely fast car like a Lamborghini or Ferrari.
Check out these 20 ways to spend your money in Las Vegas (that isn't at the casino).
20 See All The Casino Lights From A Hot Air Balloon
See the best views of Las Vegas on a hot air balloon with a loved one or friends. According to Vegas Hot Air Balloon Rides, people who take these thrilling tours can see scenic views of Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Potosi, the Las Vegas Strip, and sometimes Vegas Desert animals can be spotted.
19 Drive An Insanely Fast Car
Ever wonder how it feels to drive a very expensive and very fast car? Head over to Exotics Racing and drive a Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Aston Martin at speeds of up to 130 miles per hour on their 1.2-mile race track. There won't be anything more thrilling than this.
18 Try Huge Spreads At A Las Vegas Buffet
Las Vegas has some of the best all-you-can-eat buffets and visitors will find rows upon rows of food. According to Time Out, check out the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar's Palace, which is considered one of the best buffets in the world offering 500 daily dishes for all three meals.
17 Walk Along The Hoover Dam Bridge For Perfect Photos
About less than an hour away from Las Vegas is one of the world's most monumental marvels. The Hoover Dam is an amazing engineering achievement where visitors can walk along the bridge and take some epic selfies. To learn more about it, visitors can always take the Hoover Dam tour.
16 Learn About Atomic Weapons At The Atomic Testing Museum
While in Las Vegas, check out The National Atomic Testing Museum, which documents the history of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site in the desert just north of Vegas. If you are a fan of shows like "X-Files" or "Roswell" or anything UFO-related, you'll really enjoy walking through this museum and reading old news articles about the first reported UFO sighting, reports Vegas.com.
15 Chill Out At The Minus 5 Ice Bar
Mandalay Bay has one of the coolest bars in Las Vegas. Minus5 Ice Bar is entirely made up of ice from the walls to the seats and it's where visitors can have a drink while exploring this winter wonderland and check out the interactive ice sculptures. Make sure to dress warmly before entering!
14 Enjoy The Views From A Cabin Of The High Roller
The LINQ's High Roller Observation Wheel is the world's tallest observation wheel. Visitors will get to see amazing 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Valley and The Strip all while in a spacious cabin. You can even upgrade your experience by purchasing a happy hour ticket and have a cocktail during this 30-minute ride.
13 Check Out The Rides And Thrills On The Stratosphere Observation Deck
The Stratosphere Hotel has exceptional rides for any thrill seeker including X-Scream, where guests are catapulted headfirst 27 feet over the SkyPod's edge and dangle 109 stories in the air. Or, take to the skies and take an open-air leap from 885 feet above The Strip with just a harness attached.
12 Hike The Valley Of Fire And Find The Pink Canyon
The Valley of Fire is famous for its awe-inspiring red sandstone formations and is located just about an hour away from Las Vegas. Hike further out to see the Pink Canyon, an unmarked canyon that features pastel-colored smooth sandstone that makes it look like you're on another planet.
11 Feel Like You're In Italy By Taking A Gondola Ride At The Venetian
Take a romantic gondola ride at The Venetian in an authentic Venetian gondola that floats beneath bridges, near cafes, under balconies and through the streetscape all while your gondolier sings to you. This attraction is great for couples who want to do something more intimate and get serenaded.
10 Watch The Artistic Water Display At The Bellagio Fountain
The Bellagio Fountains is something everyone must see while in Las Vegas. "Take in a spectacular show of thoughtfully interwoven water, music and light designed to mesmerize its admirers," the Bellagio states. This choreographed water feature that also plays opera, classical, Broadway and pop tunes is free for all visitors.
9 Eat, Drink And Shop At The Downtown Container Park
At the Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas, visitors can shop at boutiques, eat at unique restaurants and watch live entertainment that is perfect for families. There is an interactive playground for kids and parents can relax and watch a free concert or movie.
8 Take A Helicopter Tour Of The Grand Canyon
Take a helicopter tour around the Grand Canyon and see the jaw-dropping layered bands of red rock formations and dramatic canyon and water views. Taking a helicopter tour would make a terrific day trip and visitors should make a detour to tour the Hoover Dam, which is on the way.
7 Come With An Open Mind And See Absinthe At Caesars Palace
One of the best things to do in Las Vegas is to see a show. The Absinthe is a live show that is a "fantastical blend of carnival and spectacle, featuring wild, outlandish acts performed on an intimate, circular stage where the audience is as close on the action as you can possibly get," Caesars Palace's website explains.
6 Empty Your Wallet At The Grand Canal Shoppes At The Venetian
If you love to shop, there is no better place to spend your money than at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. There are over 160 stores and luxury brand shops, including Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, and Michael Kors. Of course, after you've shopped 'til you dropped, dine at one of the dozen award-winning restaurants.
5 See Amazing Scenery On A Day's Trip To Zion National Park
A day trip to Zion National Park is great for the adventurer seeking outdoor excitement and unbelievable views. Located in Utah, travelers will love hiking through Zion and making their way to Observation Point to take in the 270-degree views of the canyon and taking an epic selfie that friends will envy.
4 Dine At One Or Two Celebrity Chef Restaurants
Las Vegas is known for its celebrity chef restaurants and there are 50 of them to choose from! Lonely Planet recommends Giada, the first restaurant opened by Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis for her "heaping helpings of California-based Italian fare." There is also Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen and Bar, Mesa Grill owned by Bobby Flay, and Emeril's New Orleans Fish House.
3 See Vintage Casino Signs At The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is dedicated to preserving and collecting iconic Las Vegas signs since it was established in 1966. Visitors will find huge vintage signs from old casinos and other businesses walking through the 2.62 acres and learn a bit of history about these cool signs.
2 See The Desertscape That Is Death Valley
Drive just a little over two hours from Las Vegas and you'll come across Death Valley. It is America's lowest, hottest and driest national park and a must-see for travelers who love the outdoors. If you don't want to hike the park, you can easily see its beauty during your car ride to and from Las Vegas.
1 See The Remarkable Displays At The Conservatory And Botanical Gardens At The Bellagio
Each season, expert designers transform this 14,000-square-foot "floral playground" into a wonderful showcase of stunning sights and colors. According to the Bellagio, the holiday displays during the winter season are some of their best and the gardens are transformed for Christmas time.