Next stop, Vegas baby!
If you are an avid traveler like me, you most likely have had Las Vegas on your bucket list, even if you arenโt all about gambling and the party scene. I will admit that Las Vegas wasnโt at the tip top of my list of places to visit, but I knew I had to get there and experience it at some point.
As a recent visitor to Las Vegas, I realized there are a handful of fun activities to enjoy for beginners that donโt necessarily involve the casino.
For my 29th birthday this past June 2020, I did a mini road trip with my mom and youngest brother that started and ended in Las Vegas, Nevada.
My road trip was a loop where I began at Grand Canyon West Rim and then made my way to Sedona and Page, Arizona and then up into Southern Utah before returning to Las Vegas. I got to enjoy a bit of โSin Cityโ along with all of the amazing natural wonders and National Parks that the Southwest has to offer and it was such a dream seeing all of the places that have been on my bucket list for so long.
In this blog post, I am so excited to partner with other travel bloggers to introduce the most epic things to do in Las Vegas for beginners.
Whether you are spending a weekend in Vegas, doing a road trip loop like I did or looking to book your next week-long vacation there, this vibrant city has so much to offer for anyone and everyone from the party life to fun outdoor adventures and an amazing culinary scene to talented art and entertainment!
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Getting to Las Vegas:
Unless you are doing a cross country road trip, mini road trip within the Southwest (if you live there) or a local trip to Las Vegas, you are going to need to fly there.
Since I am from New Jersey and did my mini road trip from Vegas, I took an affordable flight to and from McCarran International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. The best way to get from the airport to your accommodation is via Go Airport Shuttle!
Since we were doing a road trip loop from Las Vegas, we rented a car from McCarran Airport to get around. Even if you arenโt planning to leave the area during your stay, I still recommend renting a car because there are quite a few gems outside of Las Vegas (in Southern Nevada) that most car services, such as Uber and Lyft, wonโt take you to.
(Click here if you are planning to road trip around the United States and want to rent an RV.)
Traveling to Las Vegas on Credit Card Points: By Jess Litras
Since living in California for the past three years, Iโve now been to Las Vegas at least once a year and can confidently say it is one of my favorite places to travel to. The endless things to do are what make it such an enjoyable place to be and the energy is always high.
Not only did I enjoy my trip the first time I ever went, but I booked the trip completely on travel credit card points, which is a skill! It made visiting Vegas more enticing, but to be honest, I would have paid the full price if I had known the experience I was going to have ahead of time.
One of my top three experiences in Las Vegas are Topgolf, which is a bit off the grid as it is away from the Las Vegas Strip. At Topgolf, you could play golf, enjoy food and drinks as well as fun games and at the Las Vegas location, there are pools too because it is at the MGM Grand Hotel!
Another top experience is attending the Cirque du Soleil show and also staying at The Venetian Hotel (talked about below).
(In addition to Jessโ experience, I (Taylor) also traveled to and from Las Vegas using credit card points too! Itโs amazing having a great credit card with awesome travel rewards. I personally use the Capital One Venture card.)
Staying at The Venetianยฎ Hotel: By Taylor of Brown Eyed Flower Child
If you love Italy just as much as I do and want to get a taste of Venice here in the United States, I highly recommend staying at The Venetian located on Las Vegas Boulevard, which is also known as The Strip.
In case you are unaware of what The Strip is, it is the area on Las Vegas Boulevard that is lined up with upscale casino hotels, restaurants, shops, performance venues and other attractions.
During our one night in Las Vegas, before we began our road trip, we truly enjoyed staying in The Venetianโs Luxury Two Queen Suite. It was spacious and the views were incredible!
When you stay at The Venetian, there are two towers โ The Venetian Tower and The Palazzo Tower. Overall, the hotel is HUGE, so you could access pretty much everything inside of The Venetian from the casino to the nightclubs along with the restaurants and entertainment areas.
To me, having everything all in one place makes a huge difference! Back in my earlier 20s, when I used to go to Atlantic City with my friends on the weekends, I LOVED staying in hotels that had the club or bar inside of them. Itโs super convenient and less stressful going straight from your hotel room to the party!
The night that we spent at The Venetian just so happened to be my actual birthday, so we got dinner at Mott 32, which is a high-end Chinese restaurant that has everything from seafood noodles (which is what I had) to dumplings and grilled lobster to fancy desserts. It was amazing!
In the morning, we enjoyed a nice boozy birthday brunch at Chica, which is a Latin-inspired restaurant that features a swanky vibe. I savored the Dulce de Leche French toast and it was to die for! Some other cool foodie items at Chica are rum & butterscotch sticky buns, corn cachapa pancakes and more. (I also had a Bellini with my meal!)
What is cool about The Venetian Hotel is that the grounds make you feel like youโre in Venice. There are canals both inside and outside of the hotel and you could take a romantic gondola ride like you would in Italy.
Other things to do at The Venetian is see a show. Click here to see The Venetianโs entertainment schedule.
There are also six nightlife spots, 26 restaurants, four large pools with cabanas, two large casinos and more!
What is cool about The Venetian is that there are six celebrity restaurants: Emeril Lagasseโs Delmonico Steakhouse and Lagasseโs Stadium; Wolfgang Puckโs CUT and Solaro Poolside; Buddy Valastroโs Buddy Vโs Ristorante and Carloโs Bakery; Thomas Kellerโs Bouchon; Lorena Garciaโs Chica (where I had my birthday brunch) and David Changโs Majordลmo Meat & Fish and Moon Palace.
No matter what, you will not be bored at The Venetian.
Hotels on The Strip Worth Visiting Even If You Arenโt Staying at Them: By Travel with Me! By Carly Marie
Las Vegas is one of those cities where there is never a shortage of fun to be had. Between the incredible shows, the luxurious pool parties, world-renowned restaurants and do I even have to mention the casinos?
If youโre visiting Vegas, chances are you will be staying on or near The Strip as that is where all of the action happens! I highly suggest spending a day just enjoying the neighborhood.
These four hotels on The Strip will blow your mind! They are absolutely perfect for Las Vegas beginners! Even if youโre not staying in any of them, itโs still worth going in for, at the very least, to wander around:
The Luxor: Known as one of the most unique hotels on The Strip, The Luxor resembles an ancient Egyptian pyramid! I recommend grabbing a drink at the Aurora Bar. The ceiling features a mesmerizing light effect that is meant to look like the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
New York-New York Las Vegas: Looking for a little thrill ride? New York-New York Hotel & Casino by MGM Resorts has an actual roller coaster ride at the hotel! Ticket are only $14 USD and itโs an absolute blast.
Bellagio: Known as one of the top luxury hotels in Las Vegas, it is important to not miss out on the famous Bellagio water show when youโre in Vegas! The show takes place every 30 minutes from 3pm to 8pm and then every 15 minutes from 8pm to midnight PST. In the evenings, there is an added light effect, which is really captivating.
Paris Las Vegas: No Vegas trip is complete without seeing an iconic city skyline view! Paris Las Vegas Hotel offers an incredible viewing experience from their replica Eiffel Tower, which is 46 stories high. You can purchase tickets for $16 USD.
Exploring The Strip and Seeing Cirque du Soleil: by The Traveling Footprints
There are so many things to do in Las Vegas aside from the well-known gambling at the various casinos and partying it up at one of the many infamous nightclubs.
Whenever someone asks us what they should do in Vegas, we always mention the following two things:
The Strip: One of the top things to do during a Las Vegas trip for beginners is taking the time to truly explore the Las Vegas Strip as each area has its own dรฉcor and unique global theme.
One minute, youโll be experiencing Venice by the gondolas at The Venetian and then youโll be in โFranceโ by the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel. Not only do the hotels on The Strip have themed exterior architectural elements and world renowned replicas, the interiors also have some pretty amazing and beautiful pieces to admire.
For example, the Bellagio has one of the most beautiful and breathtaking interior conservatory and botanical gardens showcasing 14,000 square feet of floral bliss. At the change of each season, an extremely talented team of designers and horticulturists transform the expansive space into a floral haven. Every time we visit Las Vegas, this garden is a must visit for us.
Cirque du Soleil: During a trip to Vegas, we highly recommend watching the world famous Cirque du Soleil production called the โOโ. This is like no other Cirque du Soleil experience as they have a dedicated theater inside the Bellagio that is specially catered to the water elements of the show. This particular production was inspired by โthe concept of infinity and the elegance of waterโs pure formโ.
We would highly recommend purchasing your tickets online far in advance as the “O” is typically a sold-out show, even though itโs been running for many years now. Even when we went in June 2019, we were fortunate to have pre purchased advanced tickets as there were so many people still trying to acquire last minute seats.
To put it simply, if there is one Cirque du Soleil production to see for Las Vegas beginners, itโs this one! We’ve had the pleasure of watching several of their productions and nothing compares to the โOโ.
The Best Vegas Pool Parties: By Caitlin of My Darling Passport
Las Vegas is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert and it can get hot! (Like over 100 degrees Fahrenheit hot!)
Finding some respite in a hotel pool is a popular activity, but pools in Vegas arenโt your typical rectangular shaped swimming holes, theyโre epic water playgrounds.
Whether you want to attend a dance party in the water, lounge with a handcrafted cocktail or take a ride through a shark tank, youโll find a pool to fit your needs. Visiting an extravagant pool is a must-do for Las Vegas beginners.
Encore Beach Club: One of the most popular pools for partying is Encore Beach Club at The Wynn. This poolโs design is reminiscent of a Turkish bathhouse and it offers three levels for clubbing in the water. Encore is known for its rotating list of celebrity DJs who keep the party going all day long.
Garden of the Gods Pool: The Garden of the Gods Pool at Caesars Palace is themed to match the hotel with its ornate Roman architecture. Here, guests can play swim-up blackjack! Those looking for a more relaxing experience can indulge in a poolside spa treatment through the hotelโs award winning Qua Bath & Spa.
Park MGM: Park MGM is a boutique hotel in Vegas and the pool area has a more sophisticated vibe. This is the perfect pool for someone who wants to experience a bit of the Vegas pool action in an intimate setting. The pool area is lined with glamorous cabanas for the ultimate afternoon pampering.
The Golden Nugget: One of the most outrageous pools in Las Vegas can be found at The Golden Nugget Hotel. This pool is home to โThe Tankโ, where a 30-foot water slide takes riders right through a 200,000 gallon shark tank! (This is definitely one of the most unique things to for beginners in Las Vegas.)
Las Vegas’ Chinatown: By Shalyn of Sightseeing Seรฑorita
I love Las Vegas because you can feel like youโve travelled around the world just by exploring one fun-filled city. You can see replicas of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower and you can even ride a gondola at the beautiful Venetian Hotel.
But why stop there? You can also experience some of the best Asian culture that America has to offer. Next stop: Chinatown!
When most people think of Chinatown, they think of San Francisco or New York City, but Chinatown Las Vegas is just as impressive and it’s perfect for Las Vegas beginners.
The Chinatown in Las Vegas is just a few blocks west of The Strip on Spring Mountain Road, so itโs just a short walk away. Start at the ornate Chinatown Plaza gate – it is huge, colorful and looks like you wandered straight into China.
Chinatown is one of the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas for eating out, so youโll never leave hungry! Some popular favorites are Chengdu Taste for Sichuan-style cooking and Chubby Cattle if youโre looking for hot pot dishes with a Mongolian flair.
Just because itโs Chinatown doesnโt mean you canโt get your Japanese fix here too! I recommend heading to Raku for your Japanese favorites, such as sushi.
Vegas Beyond the Casino: By Smridhi and Srishti of Brown Girls Passport
Vegas is all about the casinos, right? WRONG! As people who donโt drink or know how to gamble, we had to look for things to do in and around Las Vegas.
So, here are our favorites, which are perfect for Las Vegas beginners:
In Vegas, we highly recommend watching a Cirque du Soleil show. We saw the show “Ka” and it was amazing! Both of us have never seen something like that before.
We also enjoyed dining at various vegan restaurants and in Las Vegas, we highly recommend Violetteโs Vegan Cafรฉ! They have delicious dishes and we actually went back to try more on their menu.
When it comes to Las Vegas day trips for beginners, we first recommend the Valley of Fire State Park as it is an absolute stunner!
The landscape of this park is so unique and you could find a cool rock wave at the end of the Fire Wave trail. Please note that there is barely any shade at Valley of Fire, so please make sure you bring sunscreen and extra liquids to stay hydrated. (We also recommend seeing the Seven Magic Mountains too along the way!)
The second day trip we recommend are Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Hoover Dam is a concrete dam in the Black Canyon between Nevada and Arizona. It is a cool place to check out and even go on a hike! Learning about the dam and visiting a man-made lake is an amazing experience and both of them are beautiful! You can choose to take the tour of the power plant too!
Seven Magic Mountains by Francesca of Homeroom Travel
When visiting Las Vegas for the first time, there are many things to do, especially if youโre coming from Los Angeles, California.
One of the most unique attractions for Las Vegas beginners is the Seven Magic Mountains. This art installation, created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, is a popular stop when visiting Vegas.
Completed on May 11, 2016, the Seven Magic Mountains sit on three acres of federally owned land.
This artwork was originally commissioned by the Artist Protection Fund and the Nevada Museum of Art and it cost $3.5 million USD to make.
There are 33 limestone boulders painted in bright neon colors and each weigh anywhere from 10 to 25 tons.
These colorful boulders were only supposed to be on view for two years, but the contract has been extended since its popularity has grown. It is now one of the largest land-based art installations in the world.
The Seven Magic Mountains are located 10 miles south of the heart of Las Vegas. To get there, take I-15 and get off on Jean Dry Lake. It is clearly marked and there is a nice parking lot next to the exhibit. It takes about 20-30 minutes from The Strip as well as McCarran Airport to get to the Seven Magic Mountains.
Nevertheless, it is a fun and unique exhibition to see and a popular Instagram spot!
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: By Rebecca Noelle
Located 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon National Conservatory Area.
The Strip can be super overwhelming. For beginners traveling to Las Vegas, if you are not a gambler or drinker, leaving The Strip is one of the best things you can do for your own fun and enjoyment.
There are 56 hiking trails throughout Red Rock Canyon and these trails range in size from 1.1 miles to 14.5 miles.
I recommend you use All Trails to plan out your trip to study the trail that works best for your skill level. Thankfully, you can check if the trail is hard, moderate or easy and whichever you choose, make sure you bring enough snacks and water! Remember you are in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservatory is a big spot for cyclists to also escape the city and cycle through cool nature.
If you are not a hiker nor have the desire to walk around the area, there are a few parking lots you can use to park off the main road and cycle there. Itโll be rare to enter a parking lot and not see a car without a bike rack or cyclists finishing or starting a ride!
If you want a place to enjoy a beautiful sunset in the Vegas area, I highly recommend you come to Red Rock Canyon. The sun hitting against the red rock adds an extra glow to this entire area, making the red, orange and white hues vibrant that photos cannot do justice. You will definitely enjoy exploring this beautiful landscape!
Valley of Fire State Park: By Krystal and Eric
When you think of Las Vegas, you probably think of the bright lights, street performers or the endless wave of casinos and restaurants. While all of these certainly have their place in my heart, there is a whole different side to the Vegas area that is worth exploring and makes for a unique vacation! A side that is magical in a new way; a side that will pull you in and leave you being a different person.
This place is Valley of Fire State Park.
The valley is aptly named for the deep-red tones of the rocky land and if you catch it at sunset, youโll get a glimpse of the rocks lighting up.
The valley itself is an official State Park of Nevada where you can hike, camp, explore petroglyphs and get lost in the winding roads.
Ps. You can even run away with your closest family and friends and host an entire wedding, like we did!
The drive out there is a sight to see on its own with red rocks the size of mountains towering over you and welcoming you into untouched land. The landscape slowly becomes more barren and dramatic the farther in you drive.
Each mile is more beautiful than the last and youโll find yourself asking how a place like this even exists. The Valley of Fire is by far our favorite place on Earth!
For all Las Vegas beginners, if youโre lucky enough to experience the Valley of Fire, make sure you allow a full day to explore and check out two of our favorite places: The Seven Sisters and The Cabins.
The Neon Museum: By Taylor of Brown Eyed Flower Child
Another cool thing to do in Las Vegas for beginners if you spare extra time is tuning into Sin Cityโs history by visiting The Neon Museum.
This cool non-profit organization was founded in 1996 and it is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas neon signs for educational and cultural purposes.
It is a great way to travel back in time and even though I unfortunately didnโt have the time to personally visit The Neon Museum during my Southwest road trip, I still got to enjoy a 360 Virtual Tour on the museum’s website because I LOVE neon signs so much! They are so dreamy to me.
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the top things to do in Las Vegas for beginners.
If you have any questions on this collaborative post, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
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Next stop, Vegas baby!
If you are an avid traveler like me, you most likely have had Las Vegas on your bucket list, even if you arenโt all about gambling and the party scene. I will admit that Las Vegas wasnโt at the tip top of my list of places to visit, but I knew I had to get there and experience it at some point.
As a recent visitor to Las Vegas, I realized there are a handful of fun activities to enjoy for beginners that donโt necessarily involve the casino.
For my 29th birthday this past June 2020, I did a mini road trip with my mom and youngest brother that started and ended in Las Vegas, Nevada.
My road trip was a loop where I began at Grand Canyon West Rim and then made my way to Sedona and Page, Arizona and then up into Southern Utah before returning to Las Vegas. I got to enjoy a bit of โSin Cityโ along with all of the amazing natural wonders and National Parks that the Southwest has to offer and it was such a dream seeing all of the places that have been on my bucket list for so long.
In this blog post, I am so excited to partner with other travel bloggers to introduce the most epic things to do in Las Vegas for beginners.
Whether you are spending a weekend in Vegas, doing a road trip loop like I did or looking to book your next week-long vacation there, this vibrant city has so much to offer for anyone and everyone from the party life to fun outdoor adventures and an amazing culinary scene to talented art and entertainment!
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Getting to Las Vegas:
Unless you are doing a cross country road trip, mini road trip within the Southwest (if you live there) or a local trip to Las Vegas, you are going to need to fly there.
Since I am from New Jersey and did my mini road trip from Vegas, I took an affordable flight to and from McCarran International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. The best way to get from the airport to your accommodation is via Go Airport Shuttle!
Since we were doing a road trip loop from Las Vegas, we rented a car from McCarran Airport to get around. Even if you arenโt planning to leave the area during your stay, I still recommend renting a car because there are quite a few gems outside of Las Vegas (in Southern Nevada) that most car services, such as Uber and Lyft, wonโt take you to.
(Click here if you are planning to road trip around the United States and want to rent an RV.)
Traveling to Las Vegas on Credit Card Points: By Jess Litras
Since living in California for the past three years, Iโve now been to Las Vegas at least once a year and can confidently say it is one of my favorite places to travel to. The endless things to do are what make it such an enjoyable place to be and the energy is always high.
Not only did I enjoy my trip the first time I ever went, but I booked the trip completely on travel credit card points, which is a skill! It made visiting Vegas more enticing, but to be honest, I would have paid the full price if I had known the experience I was going to have ahead of time.
One of my top three experiences in Las Vegas are Topgolf, which is a bit off the grid as it is away from the Las Vegas Strip. At Topgolf, you could play golf, enjoy food and drinks as well as fun games and at the Las Vegas location, there are pools too because it is at the MGM Grand Hotel!
Another top experience is attending the Cirque du Soleil show and also staying at The Venetian Hotel (talked about below).
(In addition to Jessโ experience, I (Taylor) also traveled to and from Las Vegas using credit card points too! Itโs amazing having a great credit card with awesome travel rewards. I personally use the Capital One Venture card.)
Staying at The Venetianยฎ Hotel: By Taylor of Brown Eyed Flower Child
If you love Italy just as much as I do and want to get a taste of Venice here in the United States, I highly recommend staying at The Venetian located on Las Vegas Boulevard, which is also known as The Strip.
In case you are unaware of what The Strip is, it is the area on Las Vegas Boulevard that is lined up with upscale casino hotels, restaurants, shops, performance venues and other attractions.
During our one night in Las Vegas, before we began our road trip, we truly enjoyed staying in The Venetianโs Luxury Two Queen Suite. It was spacious and the views were incredible!
When you stay at The Venetian, there are two towers โ The Venetian Tower and The Palazzo Tower. Overall, the hotel is HUGE, so you could access pretty much everything inside of The Venetian from the casino to the nightclubs along with the restaurants and entertainment areas.
To me, having everything all in one place makes a huge difference! Back in my earlier 20s, when I used to go to Atlantic City with my friends on the weekends, I LOVED staying in hotels that had the club or bar inside of them. Itโs super convenient and less stressful going straight from your hotel room to the party!
The night that we spent at The Venetian just so happened to be my actual birthday, so we got dinner at Mott 32, which is a high-end Chinese restaurant that has everything from seafood noodles (which is what I had) to dumplings and grilled lobster to fancy desserts. It was amazing!
In the morning, we enjoyed a nice boozy birthday brunch at Chica, which is a Latin-inspired restaurant that features a swanky vibe. I savored the Dulce de Leche French toast and it was to die for! Some other cool foodie items at Chica are rum & butterscotch sticky buns, corn cachapa pancakes and more. (I also had a Bellini with my meal!)
What is cool about The Venetian Hotel is that the grounds make you feel like youโre in Venice. There are canals both inside and outside of the hotel and you could take a romantic gondola ride like you would in Italy.
Other things to do at The Venetian is see a show. Click here to see The Venetianโs entertainment schedule.
There are also six nightlife spots, 26 restaurants, four large pools with cabanas, two large casinos and more!
What is cool about The Venetian is that there are six celebrity restaurants: Emeril Lagasseโs Delmonico Steakhouse and Lagasseโs Stadium; Wolfgang Puckโs CUT and Solaro Poolside; Buddy Valastroโs Buddy Vโs Ristorante and Carloโs Bakery; Thomas Kellerโs Bouchon; Lorena Garciaโs Chica (where I had my birthday brunch) and David Changโs Majordลmo Meat & Fish and Moon Palace.
No matter what, you will not be bored at The Venetian.
Hotels on The Strip Worth Visiting Even If You Arenโt Staying at Them: By Travel with Me! By Carly Marie
Las Vegas is one of those cities where there is never a shortage of fun to be had. Between the incredible shows, the luxurious pool parties, world-renowned restaurants and do I even have to mention the casinos?
If youโre visiting Vegas, chances are you will be staying on or near The Strip as that is where all of the action happens! I highly suggest spending a day just enjoying the neighborhood.
These four hotels on The Strip will blow your mind! They are absolutely perfect for Las Vegas beginners! Even if youโre not staying in any of them, itโs still worth going in for, at the very least, to wander around:
The Luxor: Known as one of the most unique hotels on The Strip, The Luxor resembles an ancient Egyptian pyramid! I recommend grabbing a drink at the Aurora Bar. The ceiling features a mesmerizing light effect that is meant to look like the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
New York-New York Las Vegas: Looking for a little thrill ride? New York-New York Hotel & Casino by MGM Resorts has an actual roller coaster ride at the hotel! Ticket are only $14 USD and itโs an absolute blast.
Bellagio: Known as one of the top luxury hotels in Las Vegas, it is important to not miss out on the famous Bellagio water show when youโre in Vegas! The show takes place every 30 minutes from 3pm to 8pm and then every 15 minutes from 8pm to midnight PST. In the evenings, there is an added light effect, which is really captivating.
Paris Las Vegas: No Vegas trip is complete without seeing an iconic city skyline view! Paris Las Vegas Hotel offers an incredible viewing experience from their replica Eiffel Tower, which is 46 stories high. You can purchase tickets for $16 USD.
Exploring The Strip and Seeing Cirque du Soleil: by The Traveling Footprints
There are so many things to do in Las Vegas aside from the well-known gambling at the various casinos and partying it up at one of the many infamous nightclubs.
Whenever someone asks us what they should do in Vegas, we always mention the following two things:
The Strip: One of the top things to do during a Las Vegas trip for beginners is taking the time to truly explore the Las Vegas Strip as each area has its own dรฉcor and unique global theme.
One minute, youโll be experiencing Venice by the gondolas at The Venetian and then youโll be in โFranceโ by the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel. Not only do the hotels on The Strip have themed exterior architectural elements and world renowned replicas, the interiors also have some pretty amazing and beautiful pieces to admire.
For example, the Bellagio has one of the most beautiful and breathtaking interior conservatory and botanical gardens showcasing 14,000 square feet of floral bliss. At the change of each season, an extremely talented team of designers and horticulturists transform the expansive space into a floral haven. Every time we visit Las Vegas, this garden is a must visit for us.
Cirque du Soleil: During a trip to Vegas, we highly recommend watching the world famous Cirque du Soleil production called the โOโ. This is like no other Cirque du Soleil experience as they have a dedicated theater inside the Bellagio that is specially catered to the water elements of the show. This particular production was inspired by โthe concept of infinity and the elegance of waterโs pure formโ.
We would highly recommend purchasing your tickets online far in advance as the “O” is typically a sold-out show, even though itโs been running for many years now. Even when we went in June 2019, we were fortunate to have pre purchased advanced tickets as there were so many people still trying to acquire last minute seats.
To put it simply, if there is one Cirque du Soleil production to see for Las Vegas beginners, itโs this one! We’ve had the pleasure of watching several of their productions and nothing compares to the โOโ.
The Best Vegas Pool Parties: By Caitlin of My Darling Passport
Las Vegas is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert and it can get hot! (Like over 100 degrees Fahrenheit hot!)
Finding some respite in a hotel pool is a popular activity, but pools in Vegas arenโt your typical rectangular shaped swimming holes, theyโre epic water playgrounds.
Whether you want to attend a dance party in the water, lounge with a handcrafted cocktail or take a ride through a shark tank, youโll find a pool to fit your needs. Visiting an extravagant pool is a must-do for Las Vegas beginners.
Encore Beach Club: One of the most popular pools for partying is Encore Beach Club at The Wynn. This poolโs design is reminiscent of a Turkish bathhouse and it offers three levels for clubbing in the water. Encore is known for its rotating list of celebrity DJs who keep the party going all day long.
Garden of the Gods Pool: The Garden of the Gods Pool at Caesars Palace is themed to match the hotel with its ornate Roman architecture. Here, guests can play swim-up blackjack! Those looking for a more relaxing experience can indulge in a poolside spa treatment through the hotelโs award winning Qua Bath & Spa.
Park MGM: Park MGM is a boutique hotel in Vegas and the pool area has a more sophisticated vibe. This is the perfect pool for someone who wants to experience a bit of the Vegas pool action in an intimate setting. The pool area is lined with glamorous cabanas for the ultimate afternoon pampering.
The Golden Nugget: One of the most outrageous pools in Las Vegas can be found at The Golden Nugget Hotel. This pool is home to โThe Tankโ, where a 30-foot water slide takes riders right through a 200,000 gallon shark tank! (This is definitely one of the most unique things to for beginners in Las Vegas.)
Las Vegas’ Chinatown: By Shalyn of Sightseeing Seรฑorita
I love Las Vegas because you can feel like youโve travelled around the world just by exploring one fun-filled city. You can see replicas of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower and you can even ride a gondola at the beautiful Venetian Hotel.
But why stop there? You can also experience some of the best Asian culture that America has to offer. Next stop: Chinatown!
When most people think of Chinatown, they think of San Francisco or New York City, but Chinatown Las Vegas is just as impressive and it’s perfect for Las Vegas beginners.
The Chinatown in Las Vegas is just a few blocks west of The Strip on Spring Mountain Road, so itโs just a short walk away. Start at the ornate Chinatown Plaza gate – it is huge, colorful and looks like you wandered straight into China.
Chinatown is one of the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas for eating out, so youโll never leave hungry! Some popular favorites are Chengdu Taste for Sichuan-style cooking and Chubby Cattle if youโre looking for hot pot dishes with a Mongolian flair.
Just because itโs Chinatown doesnโt mean you canโt get your Japanese fix here too! I recommend heading to Raku for your Japanese favorites, such as sushi.
Vegas Beyond the Casino: By Smridhi and Srishti of Brown Girls Passport
Vegas is all about the casinos, right? WRONG! As people who donโt drink or know how to gamble, we had to look for things to do in and around Las Vegas.
So, here are our favorites, which are perfect for Las Vegas beginners:
In Vegas, we highly recommend watching a Cirque du Soleil show. We saw the show “Ka” and it was amazing! Both of us have never seen something like that before.
We also enjoyed dining at various vegan restaurants and in Las Vegas, we highly recommend Violetteโs Vegan Cafรฉ! They have delicious dishes and we actually went back to try more on their menu.
When it comes to Las Vegas day trips for beginners, we first recommend the Valley of Fire State Park as it is an absolute stunner!
The landscape of this park is so unique and you could find a cool rock wave at the end of the Fire Wave trail. Please note that there is barely any shade at Valley of Fire, so please make sure you bring sunscreen and extra liquids to stay hydrated. (We also recommend seeing the Seven Magic Mountains too along the way!)
The second day trip we recommend are Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Hoover Dam is a concrete dam in the Black Canyon between Nevada and Arizona. It is a cool place to check out and even go on a hike! Learning about the dam and visiting a man-made lake is an amazing experience and both of them are beautiful! You can choose to take the tour of the power plant too!
Seven Magic Mountains by Francesca of Homeroom Travel
When visiting Las Vegas for the first time, there are many things to do, especially if youโre coming from Los Angeles, California.
One of the most unique attractions for Las Vegas beginners is the Seven Magic Mountains. This art installation, created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, is a popular stop when visiting Vegas.
Completed on May 11, 2016, the Seven Magic Mountains sit on three acres of federally owned land.
This artwork was originally commissioned by the Artist Protection Fund and the Nevada Museum of Art and it cost $3.5 million USD to make.
There are 33 limestone boulders painted in bright neon colors and each weigh anywhere from 10 to 25 tons.
These colorful boulders were only supposed to be on view for two years, but the contract has been extended since its popularity has grown. It is now one of the largest land-based art installations in the world.
The Seven Magic Mountains are located 10 miles south of the heart of Las Vegas. To get there, take I-15 and get off on Jean Dry Lake. It is clearly marked and there is a nice parking lot next to the exhibit. It takes about 20-30 minutes from The Strip as well as McCarran Airport to get to the Seven Magic Mountains.
Nevertheless, it is a fun and unique exhibition to see and a popular Instagram spot!
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: By Rebecca Noelle
Located 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon National Conservatory Area.
The Strip can be super overwhelming. For beginners traveling to Las Vegas, if you are not a gambler or drinker, leaving The Strip is one of the best things you can do for your own fun and enjoyment.
There are 56 hiking trails throughout Red Rock Canyon and these trails range in size from 1.1 miles to 14.5 miles.
I recommend you use All Trails to plan out your trip to study the trail that works best for your skill level. Thankfully, you can check if the trail is hard, moderate or easy and whichever you choose, make sure you bring enough snacks and water! Remember you are in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservatory is a big spot for cyclists to also escape the city and cycle through cool nature.
If you are not a hiker nor have the desire to walk around the area, there are a few parking lots you can use to park off the main road and cycle there. Itโll be rare to enter a parking lot and not see a car without a bike rack or cyclists finishing or starting a ride!
If you want a place to enjoy a beautiful sunset in the Vegas area, I highly recommend you come to Red Rock Canyon. The sun hitting against the red rock adds an extra glow to this entire area, making the red, orange and white hues vibrant that photos cannot do justice. You will definitely enjoy exploring this beautiful landscape!
Valley of Fire State Park: By Krystal and Eric
When you think of Las Vegas, you probably think of the bright lights, street performers or the endless wave of casinos and restaurants. While all of these certainly have their place in my heart, there is a whole different side to the Vegas area that is worth exploring and makes for a unique vacation! A side that is magical in a new way; a side that will pull you in and leave you being a different person.
This place is Valley of Fire State Park.
The valley is aptly named for the deep-red tones of the rocky land and if you catch it at sunset, youโll get a glimpse of the rocks lighting up.
The valley itself is an official State Park of Nevada where you can hike, camp, explore petroglyphs and get lost in the winding roads.
Ps. You can even run away with your closest family and friends and host an entire wedding, like we did!
The drive out there is a sight to see on its own with red rocks the size of mountains towering over you and welcoming you into untouched land. The landscape slowly becomes more barren and dramatic the farther in you drive.
Each mile is more beautiful than the last and youโll find yourself asking how a place like this even exists. The Valley of Fire is by far our favorite place on Earth!
For all Las Vegas beginners, if youโre lucky enough to experience the Valley of Fire, make sure you allow a full day to explore and check out two of our favorite places: The Seven Sisters and The Cabins.
The Neon Museum: By Taylor of Brown Eyed Flower Child
Another cool thing to do in Las Vegas for beginners if you spare extra time is tuning into Sin Cityโs history by visiting The Neon Museum.
This cool non-profit organization was founded in 1996 and it is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas neon signs for educational and cultural purposes.
It is a great way to travel back in time and even though I unfortunately didnโt have the time to personally visit The Neon Museum during my Southwest road trip, I still got to enjoy a 360 Virtual Tour on the museum’s website because I LOVE neon signs so much! They are so dreamy to me.
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the top things to do in Las Vegas for beginners.
If you have any questions on this collaborative post, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Make sure to pin this post if you find it useful!
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Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., NV State Capital: Carson City, Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time
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54 Comments
This was so informative. I feel we have to go back and try all the beautiful and fun places your friends recommended. Now I feel bad we only went for one day. More the reason for us to go back ~ photographs brought everything to life. Sounds like you can really make a fun filled vacation at Las Vegas even if you are not a gambler. Thank you all for the awesome tips for a perfect vacation to Las Vegas for beginners.
Awesome guide/blog Taylor and her friends ~ <3
Love you,
Mom xoxoThis is such a great guide! Iโm always seeing flight deals from my airport to Las Vegas, I think I may plan a trip before too longer, it sounds like thereโs tons to do even if you donโt like gambling!
I love Red Rock Canyon! I also think Vegas has super fun food options if you know where to look!
Love this guide Taylor! I’m not a gambler either and I still had a great time when I visited Vegas. Reading your post made me realize that I still missed out on a few things though. Reason to go back!
This is an amazing blog post. I havenโt visited Las Vegas yet, but I would like to go. Iโm saving your post for the future ๐
Oh Iโm seriously DYING to visit Las Vegas! It must feel so surreal to actually be there. Canโt wait for that day to happen!
Such an informative guide. You are making me want to book a trip. Such a cool place to celebrate your birthday!
Wow beautiful photos. Looks like amazing sightseeing to take in and explore. Thanks for all the tidbits. The venecian sounds like a good place to stay for I have yet to visit venice. I also never new until now that vegas pools were not your typical average kind lol. Sounds like a blast๐
There’s so much more to Vegas than I had even realized! You’re definitely making me consider at least a stop-off here! Love all of your pictures.
I felt the same way you did about Vegas before I visited – it wasn’t at the top of my list, but I was still interested in going! BOY, am I glad I did, for many of the reasons you compiled here! Vegas is so much more than gambling, and I had such a great time. Thank you for compiling all these wonderful things!
What an amazingly comprehensive guide! I was only in Vegas for a day and did not get to most things in your guide, so definitely saving this for the day I make it back ๐
Wow. Vegas looks amazing. I have never been since partying and gambling isn’t my thing but there is so much more to this place! Thanks for a great post!
What a great post! I have visited Vegan 2X now, and it really shocked me how it was nothing like the movies make it seem… I mean, you can have that experience if you want, but there’s so much more to Vegas & the beautiful surrounding nature. Also, I forgot how stunning the Venetian was!
I wish I’d been able to read this post before I visited Las Vegas last year. I went for a friend’s wedding for a couple of days so beyond partying, I didn’t do too much! However, I did make it out to Valley of Fire and it was incredible. I need to go back now and check out all these other things. I honestly didn’t really realise how much there is to do in Vegas!
Awesome post! I wanted to go to Las Vegas but it seems so overwhelming so this post is definitely something down my alley
Really great guide to a pretty mental place! I have visited but obviously there is so much to do. I’d like to see a bit more of the old part of the city. I’ll save this for when we can travel again. P.S Love that your mum left a comment!
Seven Magic Mountains looks incredible! I hope I get to visit Vegas again some day so I can explore more of the city and surrounding area. Great guide!
You sold me on the day trips!! Valley of fire state park looks incredible. This is the perfect beginners guide to Vegas for sure.
What a jam-packed post! I’m impressed by your photos and just how much there is to do in Las Vegas as well.
Love this post! Iโve never stayed at the The Venetian but now I want to! It looks so fun!
Such a cool list Taylor! Even though I have never really dreamed about visiting LV, I know one or another I will end up here lol! Then you recos will be super useful!
Love this post hun! Vegas is so much fun and I would definitely go back!
I used to say I never want to go to Vegas, but honestly I would love to experience it at least once! Thanks for this list that includes more than just casinos. Red Rock looks so beautiful, and exploring the natural landscape around Vegas would be awesome. Also, I never knew there is a Chinatown!
Love it!! I am dying to get back to Vegas, great photos.
I’d never been that interested in visiting Las Vegas, but reading your guide I can see that there’s so much more than just gambling and casinos! Adding it to my bucket list now.
Love this list! Vegas is so much more than what people think (gambling) – thanks for showing the other side of vegas!
Such an informative post! I went to Vegas back in 2017, but it was for my bachelorette party so we didn’t leave the strip… or the club for that matter lol! I deff need to get back and see some of the other things Vegas has to offer!
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This was so informative. I feel we have to go back and try all the beautiful and fun places your friends recommended. Now I feel bad we only went for one day. More the reason for us to go back ~ photographs brought everything to life. Sounds like you can really make a fun filled vacation at Las Vegas even if you are not a gambler. Thank you all for the awesome tips for a perfect vacation to Las Vegas for beginners.
Awesome guide/blog Taylor and her friends ~ <3
Love you,
Mom xoxo
Thank you mom! Yes, we’ll definitely have to go back in the future. ๐ Love you too! xoxo
This is such a great guide! Iโm always seeing flight deals from my airport to Las Vegas, I think I may plan a trip before too longer, it sounds like thereโs tons to do even if you donโt like gambling!
Thank you Jackie! Yes, I totally recommend going now especially that flights are cheaper. There are so many awesome things to do there. ๐
I love Red Rock Canyon! I also think Vegas has super fun food options if you know where to look!
Yes, I totally agree Daisy! ๐
Love this guide Taylor! I’m not a gambler either and I still had a great time when I visited Vegas. Reading your post made me realize that I still missed out on a few things though. Reason to go back!
Thank you Maria! Yes, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Vegas, which is so awesome! ๐
This is an amazing blog post. I havenโt visited Las Vegas yet, but I would like to go. Iโm saving your post for the future ๐
Thank you so much Cristina and yes, you totally have to go when you do a trip to the American West. ๐
Oh Iโm seriously DYING to visit Las Vegas! It must feel so surreal to actually be there. Canโt wait for that day to happen!
Yes, it really was cool to be there. Vegas has so much to do and there is something for everyone. ๐
Such an informative guide. You are making me want to book a trip. Such a cool place to celebrate your birthday!
Thank you Nicola and yes, it was a lot of fun! ๐
Wow beautiful photos. Looks like amazing sightseeing to take in and explore. Thanks for all the tidbits. The venecian sounds like a good place to stay for I have yet to visit venice. I also never new until now that vegas pools were not your typical average kind lol. Sounds like a blast๐
Thank you!!! Yes, it’s definitely a city that offers something for everyone! The Vegas pools definitely look like a blast. ๐
There’s so much more to Vegas than I had even realized! You’re definitely making me consider at least a stop-off here! Love all of your pictures.
Thank you Elena! It’s definitely a city everyone has to experience at least once. ๐
I felt the same way you did about Vegas before I visited – it wasn’t at the top of my list, but I was still interested in going! BOY, am I glad I did, for many of the reasons you compiled here! Vegas is so much more than gambling, and I had such a great time. Thank you for compiling all these wonderful things!
Thank you so much MacKenzie! I definitely cannot wait to go back and see/do more. ๐
What an amazingly comprehensive guide! I was only in Vegas for a day and did not get to most things in your guide, so definitely saving this for the day I make it back ๐
Thank you so much Katriona! You definitely have to go back and see more. The amount of things to do is endless. ๐
Wow. Vegas looks amazing. I have never been since partying and gambling isn’t my thing but there is so much more to this place! Thanks for a great post!
It is such a blast Kelly and you don’t have to party and gamble to have fun. There is something for everyone. ๐
What a great post! I have visited Vegan 2X now, and it really shocked me how it was nothing like the movies make it seem… I mean, you can have that experience if you want, but there’s so much more to Vegas & the beautiful surrounding nature. Also, I forgot how stunning the Venetian was!
Thank you Shelley! I totally agree, there is something great for everyone to enjoy in Vegas. ๐
I wish I’d been able to read this post before I visited Las Vegas last year. I went for a friend’s wedding for a couple of days so beyond partying, I didn’t do too much! However, I did make it out to Valley of Fire and it was incredible. I need to go back now and check out all these other things. I honestly didn’t really realise how much there is to do in Vegas!
Ah yes, it is awesome how there is so much to do there. I definitely would love to go back in the future. ๐
Awesome post! I wanted to go to Las Vegas but it seems so overwhelming so this post is definitely something down my alley
Thank you Albi! I totally understand how you feel. Once you’re there, you will totally see why it’s a great places for all people and ages. ๐
Really great guide to a pretty mental place! I have visited but obviously there is so much to do. I’d like to see a bit more of the old part of the city. I’ll save this for when we can travel again. P.S Love that your mum left a comment!
Haha thank you Katy and yes, the amount of things to do in Las Vegas is endless. It really is a fascinating city. ๐
Seven Magic Mountains looks incredible! I hope I get to visit Vegas again some day so I can explore more of the city and surrounding area. Great guide!
Thank you Emily! I definitely recommend seeing more. The amount of experiences there are endless. ๐
You sold me on the day trips!! Valley of fire state park looks incredible. This is the perfect beginners guide to Vegas for sure.
Yay!!! Thank you so much. I definitely recommend making your way outside the city. ๐
What a jam-packed post! I’m impressed by your photos and just how much there is to do in Las Vegas as well.
Thank you Cassie and yes, the amount of things to do in Vegas are endless and there is something for everyone. ๐
Love this post! Iโve never stayed at the The Venetian but now I want to! It looks so fun!
Thank you Linnea and I recommend it. It’s so beautiful and there are a lot of great restaurants. ๐
Such a cool list Taylor! Even though I have never really dreamed about visiting LV, I know one or another I will end up here lol! Then you recos will be super useful!
Thank you Ophelie! Haha yes, as an avid traveler, you most likely will end up in Vegas at some point. ๐
Love this post hun! Vegas is so much fun and I would definitely go back!
Thank you Kirsten and same here! ๐
I used to say I never want to go to Vegas, but honestly I would love to experience it at least once! Thanks for this list that includes more than just casinos. Red Rock looks so beautiful, and exploring the natural landscape around Vegas would be awesome. Also, I never knew there is a Chinatown!
It was the same way for me lol. There is something for everyone, which is nice. ๐
Love it!! I am dying to get back to Vegas, great photos.
Thank you Lindley! It’s a lot of fun. ๐
I’d never been that interested in visiting Las Vegas, but reading your guide I can see that there’s so much more than just gambling and casinos! Adding it to my bucket list now.
Yes, I was the same exact way for a while and I’m so glad I went and discovered more. ๐
Love this list! Vegas is so much more than what people think (gambling) – thanks for showing the other side of vegas!
Thank you Pam and of course! ๐
Such an informative post! I went to Vegas back in 2017, but it was for my bachelorette party so we didn’t leave the strip… or the club for that matter lol! I deff need to get back and see some of the other things Vegas has to offer!
Thank you Sam! haha that sounds like a lot of fun though. I did see a few bachelorettes going on when I was there. ๐