10 Things to Do in Las Vegas If You Hate Casinos

Hitting up a pool party lets you indulge in daytime drinking and dancing to live DJ sets in Las Vegas. Sin City has some of the world’s wildest rooftop pool events, such as Rehab at the Hard Rock, The Aquatic Club at The Venetian, and Venus European Pool Lounge at Caesars Palace. These clubs also offer luxurious cabanas and sunbeds with expansive views of Las Vegas. 

At a whopping 550ft tall, the High Roller certainly offers some impressive views of The Strip and across a lot of Las Vegas. It takes about 30 minutes for each of the 28 pods to do a full revolution. Each pod can carry up to 40 people and, for an extra fee on top of the usual ticket price, you can get a personal bartender to join your journey. If you do, be sure to go to the bathroom before you do because there isn’t one in the pod.

Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas attracts families with its indoor roller coasters, clown shows, classic rides, and 4D theatres. The theme park’s most thrilling rides include the Canyon Blaster roller coaster that double loops and corkscrews at up to 55 mph, the Inverter that flips you upside down at high speeds, and Disk’O, which combines rocking and spinning motions. If you’re visiting Adventuredome with toddlers, check out the SpongeBob SquarePants and Ice Age 4D theatrical experiences. 

Stratosphere Tower, standing at 1,149ft, is among the tallest freestanding observation towers in the western hemisphere. Enjoying the view from the top with a nice meal at the revolving restaurant is certainly pleasant, but the unique attraction is the SkyJump. Possibly the scariest of the 4 thrill rides available, it allows you to basically jump off the tower and hurtle towards the ground in a controlled descent similar to a bungee jump, reaching speeds of up to 40 mph straight down.

Learn about the criminal underworld at the Mob Museum through detailed accounts, authentic equipment used by renowned gangsters, and interactive experiences. Ironically, it occupies a former courthouse that has seen many mob-related trials in Las Vegas, including the Kefauver Hearings in 1950. One of the museum’s exhibits is the 100 Years of Made Men, which has a wall of infamy filled with mugshots of notorious figures such as Vito Genovese and Mickey Cohen.

Eldorado Canyon, located 46 miles southeast of Las Vegas, is where you get to explore abandoned gold mines and ghost towns. Guided tours are available at Techatticup Mine, one of the oldest and largest mines in Southern Nevada. It dates back to the mid-1800s, and there are many pieces of authentic mining equipment found throughout the tunnels. Walking tours take place at 9am, 12pm, and 2pm, with each session lasting a little over an hour. 

The National Atomic Testing Museum displays over 10,000 artefacts related to nuclear and radiological science, including rare photographs, videos, government reports, and books. The museum has 6 permanent galleries and simulated experiences, as well as travelling exhibits from all over the world. The Atomic Culture exhibit is where you get to learn about ways to survive an atomic blast, while the GZ Theater lets you experience a simulated atomic blast. Tickets to the National Atomic Testing Museum cost around $22 for adults and $16 for youths aged 7 to 14. 

The Valley of Fire State Park, located 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, is named after its bright red Aztec sandstone formations. Known as the oldest state park in Nevada, you get to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and RV camping. One of its most impressive landmarks is the Atlatl Rock, a 50ft-tall boulder decorated with Native American petroglyphs. If you want to camp out at Valley of Fire, prices start from $20 per night. 

The 2.25-acre Neon Museum displays over 200 abandoned signboards from various casinos, retail stores, and restaurants in Las Vegas. There are about 9 restored signs that light up the museum compound 24 hours a day, including The Hacienda Horse and Rider which date back to the mid-1960s. Guided tours are available if you want to learn about the history of the museum’s collection. The Neon Museum also hosts Brilliant, a 40-minute evening show with classic music and impressive lights projected on defunct signage. 

Chinatown spans Spring Mountain Road in central Las Vegas, and features a variety of Asian restaurants, bars, and shops. Start at the Chinatown Plaza, which has an ornate imperial-style arch gate and golden statues of characters from The Journey to the West folklore. Among the many Asian dishes you get to try at Chinatown include Vietnamese pho, Hong Kong wonton noodles, and Taiwanese bubble tea.