15 Unique Things to Do in Las Vegas Most Tourists Miss
Las Vegas is full of surprises that go beyond the bright lights of the casinos. If you’re eager to see a different side of this city, there are plenty of hidden spots just waiting for you to discover.
Some activities in Las Vegas are unique and offer a break from the typical tourist spots. Get ready to uncover some of the city’s secrets that many travelers don’t know about.
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1. Visit the Neon Museum
Step into a colorful piece of Las Vegas history at The Neon Museum. Picture giant signs from old casinos and businesses lighting up the past. The museum’s courtyard is like a bright playground of Vegas history.
You can learn neat stories about each sign. Visiting here feels like walking through a rainbow of Vegas’ old days. Old hotels and casinos have left their mark here.
This family-friendly spot is a short trip from the Strip and has over 250 signs. It’s bright, it’s fun, and it’s a slice of the city’s history you can’t find anywhere else.
2. Explore The Pinball Hall Of Fame
Meet your new hangout spot, the Pinball Hall of Fame. This piece of paradise is where colorful lights and fun sounds fill the air. Step right up and play games that have been around for decades. Don’t worry about empty pockets—most games cost just a quarter or two!
With over 200 machines, from shiny new ones to cool old-school types, you’re sure to find your new favorite. Your visit helps keep the games going and the good times rolling.
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3. Attend a Show at the Absinthe Tent
Step under the grand tent of Absinthe and find yourself grinning from ear to ear. Before your eyes, a cocktail of wild acrobatics and cheeky humor unfolds.
Performers at Absinthe do things you might think only superheroes can! With flip after daring flip, they dance through the air. And the laughs! You won’t stop chuckling as comedy fills the gaps between stunts.
4. Take a Selfie With the Seven Magic Mountains
Just beyond the buzz of Las Vegas, you’ll find the Seven Magic Mountains. It’s seven towering stacks of bright, colorful boulders standing tall against the crisp blue sky.
Artist Ugo Rondinone designed this splash of color that pops from the sandy backdrop. Grab your camera and snap a selfie with these cheerful giants. They’re a sight to see and even better to share with friends.
5. Visit the Valley of Fire State Park
Take a day to visit the Valley of Fire State Park. You’ll see bright red rock formations that look like they’re on fire when the sun hits them. You can also find old carvings on the rocks from people who lived here long ago.
Try spotting the famous Elephant Rock! Remember to wear good shoes for walking and bring lots of water. The park is only an hour from Las Vegas, so you can see one of the most colorful spots in Nevada and still sleep in your own hotel bed that night.
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6. Dine at the Heart Attack Grill
Las Vegas is full of surprises, and the Heart Attack Grill stands out as a spot that’s as fun as it is outrageous. Your meal here is an adventure that starts with a hospital gown and a menu that’s not shy about its jaw-dropping burger sizes.
At this place, the idea of a burger piled high becomes a reality. The nurses, who are really waitresses, will serve you a meal you might not believe at first glance. Have a taste of the quintuple bypass burger, a tower of beef that challenges even the hungriest.
7. Visit the Mob Museum
The Mob Museum in Las Vegas lets you peek into the world of gangsters. See real gadgets spies used and hear stories about famous outlaws. The museum shows how these bandits changed Las Vegas!
You could be standing right where some of the most thrilling tales unfolded. Las Vegas has plenty of bright lights and shows, but this museum gives you the secrets behind the city.
8. Explore the Springs Preserve
Just a short trip from downtown, you’ll find a place called Springs Preserve, where the desert comes alive with stories, plants, and animals.
You can stroll along trails lined with cacti that have been around longer than the big hotels. There’s even a butterfly habitat! And don’t forget to peek at the live desert animal exhibits. Ever seen a gray fox up close? Now’s your chance!
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9. Ethel M Chocolate Factory & Cactus Garden
Pack your curiosity and head to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden. Your eyes will light up when you see chocolate being made. And the cactus garden? It’s a rich display, with more than 300 types of these spiky plants!
For even more fun, check when they light up the garden for holidays—it’s like a desert fairytale at night.
10. Rock Climb at Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is home to sweeping walls and trails that call to novices and experts alike. Climbers gather here to test their skills and soak in the epic views.
You could conquer the crag on the Calico Tanks trail or venture on easier routes that still pack a punch of adrenaline. Don’t have gear? No worries! Swing by a local shop like Desert Rock Sports for everything you need.
11. Explore the Art District
Las Vegas is full of surprises, and the Arts District is one such place that’s bursting with creativity. Just a short trip from the hustle of the Strip, you’ll find a neighborhood where artists spill their hearts onto colorful murals.
Walk through an outdoor gallery, with every corner turned offering a new splash of wonder. Grab a bite at one of the local eateries; they’re brimming with dishes as inventive as the scenery.
Make sure to visit during a First Friday event — the streets come alive with music, food, and art as far as the eye can see.
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12. Visit Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Las Vegas has a spooky side, and it’s found at Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum. In a city full of lights, this place is a shadowy corner where whispers from the past seem to live. Brimming with eerie artifacts and chilling tales, each room invites you into a story.
Do you dare peek into the Dybbuk Box or face the haunted mirror? Your heart might race, but your curiosity will be stronger. This old mansion holds secrets, and it’s ready to share them with brave visitors like you.
13. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Las Vegas skies are full of color and wonder, especially when seen from the basket of a hot air balloon. See the desert as you’ve never seen it before, with the sunrise painting the sky bright.
Bring your camera; you’ll want to remember the view from up to 10,000 feet high. Each ride gives you a new story, a fresh view of mountains and the distant glitter of Vegas—truly a special treat from the skies!
14. Explore the Clark County Museum
Las Vegas is full of bright lights and bustling casinos, but step back in time at the Clark County Museum! Here, you’ll find houses that stood for over a century, each telling their own story of Nevada’s past.
Feel like a local from the 1900s as you wander down Heritage Street, peeking into homes that are frozen in time. From a cozy parlor from 1912 to the shiny Candlelight Wedding Chapel, history comes to life around each corner.
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15. Discover the Hidden Speakeasies
Las Vegas sparkles with secrets, and some of the best-kept ones are speakeasies. These hidden bars take you back in time to the days when fun had to be whispered about.
Thirsty friends share secrets, and here’s one: the Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den at Resorts World. You just need to know the magic word: “meow”.
Ever shopped in a supermarket with a secret? Datamosh in Omega Mart beckons with its hidden delights, tucked behind the quirky shelves. Treasure seekers should also sneak a peek at The Laundry Room, tucked away within Commonwealth.
