Things to Do in Las Vegas Besides Gambling

Last Updated on October 12, 2023

Estimated reading time: 19 minutes

Updated for 2023 / 2024

By Carla Marie Rupp

Many travelers don’t realize there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas beside gambling.

There is certainly plenty to do, to see, and to eat in this great metropolis.

We found lots of great things to do, deciding it’s almost impossible to go to Vegas and not enjoy yourself. We didn’t have a single bad day. Each one was different, fun, and surprising, with some days peaceful and even spectacular.

Las Vegas makes me think of pools, glitz, neon, attractions, shows, and buffets. We found each…and more. Note that in Las Vegas I always felt safe and in a good, happy mood.

Numerous Non-Gambling Things to Do in Las Vegas

Here’s the scoop: we did all these non-gambling things in two fabulous weeks, switching hotels several times.

We rode the world’s tallest observation wheel and swam in our favorite, warmest, new swimming pool. And learned about the Mafia and law enforcement history and took a training session operating heavy machinery – yes, really!

We also found the best Mexican and Latino food trucks, the best Thai food, and even the best Persian food in Las Vegas. Many of our food experiences included meeting local families who run the stands or restaurants.

After all, when you combine all this with mega-doses of contemporary art, shopping excursions, a farmers market, strolling and driving around with friends, and you have a perfect time!

My YouTuber son, Jason Rupp, gladly accepted an invitation for two to the Grand Opening of Circa Resort and Casino, thanks to a fan of his, Richard Wilk. Richard is a marketing executive who also has his own YouTube channel.

The Circa grand opening gave us glitz and glamour, tuxes and fancy gowns, and a new bow tie for Jason. We enjoyed blood-orange cocktails and hors d’oeuvres passed by sexy servers. We even posed (me in a new floor-length gown) with glamorous showgirls on a red carpet.

It was a fabulous Grand Opening, and one of the great things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling.

Miss Vegas Vickie

Whether you’re gambler or a non-gambler in Las Vegas, you’ll likely love Miss Vegas Vickie. In fact, she’s my favorite iconic piece of neon in a city of neon (there’s even a Neon Museum we’ll catch another time!).

This rescued neon cowgirl piece is prominently displayed in Circa, the newest downtown hotel-casino in 40 years. I vaguely remembered seeing it years earlier in a different location.

Everyone coming into the exciting new Circa, a 21+ experience, goes through a check for ID and temperature, and then most can’t miss the pretty dancing dealers and the Mega Bar.

Posing with “Vegas Vickie” seems to be the thing to do, even visiting the popular retro-styled Vegas Vickie’s Cocktail Lounge. We didn’t miss getting our pictures with this neon landmark, either.

Circa’s Stadium Pool became our favorite go-to place and is likely a favorite with many others, gamblers and non-gamblers alike.

After all, here you can watch sports on the world’s largest sportsbook screen or enjoy the DJ music while in the hottest pool in town. Unique and decadent, it is the result of Derek and Greg Stevens’ vision.

Stunning Views

It’s like being in a thrilling, giant Las Vegas-style hot springs, with six heated pools; a large hot tub on either side.

The views are stunning under the open-air complex, especially at sunset. You can see the neon signs in the night sky of other downtown hotels, such as the Fremont Hotel & Casino, the Plaza Hotel & Casino, the Golden Nugget, the D, Four Queens, and others.

It’s the only Las Vegas swimming pool open until 11 pm. We liked staying late. Cabanas are available to rent, a good deal if you have a group. Jason made several YouTube videos featuring this impressive, enjoyable new Stadium Pool.

We spent five hotel nights at the nearby D, with free access to the year-round Circa pool because the D is partnered with Circa and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. Otherwise, 10 dollars is the public price to enter, quite a deal for your stay-as-long-as-you-like pool visit.

If You Go:

Circa Resort and Casino

8 Fremont Street Experience
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 247-2258

The D Hotel

301 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 388-2400

The Fremont Street Experience

One of the great things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling, is to take a walk through the Fremont Street Experience, a great entertaining and must-see pedestrian walk in Las Vegas.

It’s also great exercise as you walk the five blocks in historic downtown from one end to the other and back. What makes it exhilarating is to see the ever-changing, swirling colors of the dazzling, spectacular, free Viva Vision light-and-music shows all along the way.

We reveled in this eye-catching walk many times, as street entertainers and buskers, entrances to casinos, gift shops, restaurants, and bars all captured our attention along the way. By all means visit it when you’re in Las Vegas.

You’ll surely notice the zipline over this vast mall and may want to try this Slotzilla Las Vegas attraction. Both gamblers and non-gamblers love Slotzilla, an 11-story slot machine attraction out of which the ziplines (maximum weight 300 lbs.) carry people halfway down the pedestrian promenade on the Fremont Street Experience.

Here’s an interesting, good tip: you can take a city bus all the way here from the airport. That’s what I did, and when I arrived, my son Jason and his friend Dirk met me in a car.

If You Go:

Fremont Street Experience

The westernmost five blocks of Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101

Slotzilla Las Vegas

425 Fremont Street #160
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 678-5780

Get Away From the Casino at the Mob Museum

Another great thing to do in Las Vegas besides gambling is to visit the Mob Museum. It’s an easy, short walk from the Fremont Experience to the museum, starting in front of the D Hotel. Officially it’s named the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement. You should certainly pay it a visit.

The museum is a captivating, non-profit history museum full of intriguing artifacts, pictures, and explanations of Mafia involvement in different industries, both gambling and non-gambling over the years.

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Get your tickets to the Mob Museum and other popular Las Vegas attractions with no cancellation fees

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On arrival, you first notice the impressively large building, a former post office. After crossing the street and walking up all the steps, you will be checked by security and given a health check before proceeding further.

The building was the actual site of the famous Kefauver hearings, the United States Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce in 1950-51. Don’t miss watching the footage of the actual hearing.

There’s a lot to see and digest in this famous, one-of-a-kind museum. Many of its exhibits are chilling; all are interesting, and you should allow at least several hours here, even up to three hours or more. We learned so much through its fascinating, interactive displays.

We had a guide part of the time, and she admitted that even some elderly mobsters have toured here while on vacation. “You can just imagine what they did in their lifetime,” our guide told us.

When you’re done with the exhibits, don’t forget to go to the basement for the underground Speakeasy bar and distillery experience at the end of the day, if you can.

Check their website for details and hours.

If You Go:

The Mob Museum

300 Stewart Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 229-2734
The Mob Museum

Downtown Container Park

On Fremont Street at South 7th Street, the Downtown Container Park is an informal, walk-in, open-air mall to relax and explore little fun shops and cafes on several levels. It’s nice to know there are clean public restrooms at the back for anyone to use. You can also take a break on comfortable lounging chairs at the end of the artsy-style mall.

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How about starting your day with a Morning Maverick Horseback Ride with Breakfast from Las Vegas? And there’s no fee for cancellation.

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We found a tiny Mexican food shop near the front and enjoyed the delicious tacos at an open table. As an aside, we ate almost all of the other tacos at different spots around the city, especially on West Charleston Street.

Our favorite vegan taco stand, though, was on Las Vegas Boulevard at Wyoming Street, SoyMexican Veggie-Vegan, (1516 South Las Vegas Boulevard), thanks to the hard-working mom-and-pop owners Carolina and Tomas.

If You Go:

Downtown Container Park

247 S 7th Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101

Fergusons Downtown

Fergusons Downtown at 1028 Fremont Street is our wonderful discovery of a trendy artist scene. It’s a 1940s vintage motel converted into cute shops, open art studios, and cafes (open 9-5 pm). You’ll notice the big rig truck art installation right away in front.

For some, it’s an authentic place to hang out and relax in this “city block rooted in Community.” Look for occasional market and live music events in the courtyard. We loved having quality coffee several times near the back at Mothership Coffee Roasters in a good local vibe atmosphere.

If You Go:

Fergusons Downtown

1028 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101

Dig This Las Vegas – a Fun Non-Gambling Activity for Adults and Kids

You can’t get much further away from the casinos than paying a visit to Dig This, which was our most unusual attraction and experience. If you’re looking for one of the more adventurous things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling head here.

It’s just outside the central part of the city, and it is the world’s first heavy equipment playground, which also provides excellent views of the desert and mountain range.

Here, we each were in our own giant excavator, with headsets to enable us to listen to the instructor on how to use it. It’s hard to believe until you do it.

For this incredible challenge, we each received an impressive certificate of recognition of accomplishment afterward for our heavy machinery achievement.

The attraction is open to all ages. We witnessed a child participating in Dig This on a smaller piece of machinery in a separate area from the adult “playground.” The parents watched as the child followed instructions from the teacher from inside his machinery.  

If You Go:

Dig This Las Vegas

800 W Roban Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89044
Las Vegas Heavy Equipment Playground
(888) 344-8447
Admission: Big Dig Excavator $299 / Big Dig Bulldozer $299/ 6-Ton Excavator $195 / Skid Steer $175 / Kids Dig Rides from $25

Far From the Casinos: Area 15 

Area 15 is really something different, an entertainment playground complex full of fun, mind-boggling, immersive experiences that will bring you joy. We were in awe most of the time. You will marvel at all the splashes of color and creative installations. Drinks and food are available, even ice cream.

In one fantastic room, we did some dancing, and in another, relaxed on a sofa while watching an entertaining show. This new Las Vegas experiential art attraction is a changing, work-in-progress; it includes a gift shop with amusing items. There’s also a zipline you can do.

Surprisingly, we’ve never seen anything quite like it. Area 15 is about two miles from the Strip, with plenty of parking available. Check the website for hours and to buy tickets online ahead of time. (We were glad we had our online tickets on arrival).

If You Go:

Area 15

3215 South Rancho Drive
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 846-1900
Admission: general admission is free; ticket prices vary according to experience/event

Las Vegas Art District / 18b

With its art, cool retro shops and boutiques, antiques, galleries, cafes, and theater, the Las Vegas Art District (also known as 18b) is worth visiting.

One evening we went for the First Friday Art Walk. We enjoyed going in and out of the art venues when we strolled around, and I had a chance to take pictures of the contemporary art. We admired murals on the sides of buildings, and I tried on sneakers at one shop.

Later, we paused to look at the photographs and heart-rendering tributes in a little park to honor those murdered at the Mandalay Bay Hotel during our walk back to the rental car.

The Strip’s Sights for Non-Gamblers

On the Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) are some spectacular sights not to miss. For example, go capture the eruption of the volcano at The Mirage on video if you like. Stroll through and admire the architecture and statues at The Venetian and at Caesar’s Palace. The Gondolas at The Venetian are a beautiful sight.

I enjoyed the live music one night and chatted with Pete, the talented accordionist, and Peter, the cellist, with his lovely melodies, in between their songs when we browsed in the Grand Canal Shoppes. These are all great, free, non-gambling things to do in this wonderful city.

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Look at These 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in Las Vegas

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Another tip is to always go inside the hotel to the free Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens for the latest holiday display after seeing the famous choreographed, dancing waters of Bellagio Fountain. I’m glad Jason knew about this. It’s great for picture-taking, whether you’re alone, with family or with friends.

At the free Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo, (open dawn to dusk), we enjoyed watching the flamingos, ducks, swans, and pheasants. Before or after seeing these remarkable creatures at the Flamingo Hotel, go next door to the outdoor promenade for food, a fountain, and shops.

There are also several happy-hour spots we discovered, thanks to our knowledgeable travel friend Jason McGee Chaves, who toured us around.

The High Roller Wheel at the Linq Promenade provides a unique high-up look at the city from your spacious cabin. You can take photographs from different, breathtaking angles and admire the sights and views.

We are glad we did it since it’s like a fun Ferris wheel, but you are inside. It’s worth the ride, and there’s also a zipline running across the promenade.

Enjoy a Show

One of the most popular things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling is to enjoy a show. Las Vegas is all about shows, and we chose LA Comedy Club at The Strat  since we love anything funny. The three comics we saw were hilarious, and we were able to chat with one of them afterward.

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Voted Best Tours in Las Vegas

The best tours in Las Vegas according to Viator travelers are:

• Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight with Optional VIP Transportation
• Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop with Optional Skywalk
• Grand Canyon West with Lunch, Hoover Dam Stop & Optional Skywalk
• Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup
• Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas With Lunch

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The Strat also offers a host of attractions, including an observation tower. We’ll never forget the time years ago when we took my father on one of the scarier open-air thrill rides in the tower.

A tip: check ahead of time to see which shows are available throughout Las Vegas when you will be in town and book your tickets online. New offerings for entertainment and shows are changing month-to-month at the casinos.

Fantastic Food in Las Vegas

Another thing to do in Las Vegas besides gambling is to eat, eat eat. After all, Las Vegas is a great, great restaurant city.

We ate in restaurants, of course, but we often drove around and ate at taco stands and even at a Venezuelan mom-and-pop truck serving “pupusas” at Bruce and West Charleston Streets.

However, we didn’t leave out eating at a buffet. In fact, we returned several times to our buffet choice in a hotel off the Strip. The buffet price is quite reasonable at South Point Hotel & Casino’s Garden Buffet (9727 Las Vegas Boulevard South) at lunchtime (just under $20 plus tip and tax) to experience the significant number of food items in all of the stations.

Best of all for those of us who love food, all the courses are unlimited, from the salad bar to soups, to all kinds of main entrees and desserts.

You choose what you want at the stations, and your plate or dish is served there. We learned locals like to eat at this buffet, open for all three meals, for its delicious food and easy parking.

Our welcoming server turned out to be one of Jason’s YouTube fans and recognized him. He felt like a real celebrity when she excitedly asked him to pose for a picture with her to show her husband!

The Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan on the Strip  (priced higher) boasts a bountiful high-end buffet. We met people who ate there and gave it a thumbs up.

Plenty of Ethnic Foods

For our tasting variety as “foodies,” however, we also experienced several ethnic restaurants. One was dining at Dream Kabob (230 S Rainbow Boulevard / (702) 476-9360), an Iranian family-owned and operated establishment with fine Persian cuisine. The home-style food was incredibly delicious.

So was the family-style, tasty Thai food experience at Sister’s Oriental Market (1732 Fremont Street / (702) 386-9557). We also explored and walked around the Chinatown of Las Vegas in the Spring Mountain area, deciding to eat at the tiny China Gourmet (3544 S Wynn Road / (702) 527-7828) open Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm). I was delighted with the way they made my array of delicious vegetable side dishes.

When you plan your trip to “Sin City,” consider some of these ideas for things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling. The city has plenty of attractions to spark a sense of hope and adventure.

We encourage you to get out there and try them and further explore the seemingly endless non-gambling activities available. Lots of people think Vegas is all about gambling. I guess they’d be surprised at all there is to do without gambling…and our list here is only a sampling.

I’m glad Jason and I went to support the town we love and will return to again.

If You Go:

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

The Las Vegas Pics and Tricks Facebook group page is an excellent place to join and post some of your needs and desires, as well as any tricks you used to save money to get to Las Vegas or while in Las Vegas. I’ve been enjoying reading and interacting with other Las Vegas aficionados here.

Whether you’re heading for the tables or looking for more things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling, you’re likely to get some good information here. The group currently has 36,000+ members.