No matter what time of year you visit Las Vegas, with so many fun things to do and see to keep you entertained 24/7 it can be a little overwhelming. And as you know, it takes time to do all the research before you go away, so we’ve saved you time by doing the research for you. If you only have a couple of days to see Las Vegas, we’ve narrowed down our favorite things to do if we were going to be in Vegas for the weekend.
Check out our Top 10 Fun Things To Do in Vegas during a weekend getaway. Have fun!
Top 10 Things To Do in Vegas during a Weekend Getaway
1. Fountains of Bellagio Water Show & Mirage Volcano Show
Bellagio’s spectacular Water Show is truly one of the best shows in Vegas – and it’s FREE! Illuminated at night by 5,000 lights, The Fountains of Bellagio spans more than 1,000 feet with water soaring as high as 245 feet in the air, “dancing” to music ranging from Opera, Country and Classical to Pop and Broadway Show Tunes. Spectacular by day and even more stunning at night, the Fountains of Bellagio is something that we always make time to see whenever we’re in Vegas.
Mirage’s erupting Volcano Show (also free) is the largest fire attraction in the world. At night, bright red and orange flames shoot over 100 feet into the sky – a breathtaking sight as “streams of molten lava” cascade down the waterfall and flow down the sides of the volcano, all choreographed to an amazing earthshaking soundtrack. So earthshaking infact, that we thought we were back in California experiencing a small earthquake!
2. Venetian Gondola Ride, St. Mark’s Square and Grand Canal Shoppes
Surprise your honey with a Romantic Gondola Ride (we like this because it reminds us of our honeymoon in Venice). Enjoy being serenaded as you glide through the Venetian Resort’s Grand Canals and St. Mark’s Square. Not only are these gondoliers from Venice, they are also talented Opera singers. Indoor and outdoor Gondola Rides are available year-round (weather permitting).
After your Gondola Ride, walk around St. Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal Shoppes – both fun places for shopping, dining (there’s an incredible Gelato place in the middle of the square) – and great people-watching!
3. Eiffel Tower and Observation Deck at Paris Las Vegas
See some of the best views in Vegas from the Eiffel Tower’s Observation Deck. Day or night, the views are spectacular (we recommend going after dark if you really want to be dazzled). Barry surprised me during one of our anniversaries and took me up to the top of the Eiffel Tower (located right across from the Bellagio). His timing was perfect – not only was there a full moon, but we arrived just in time to get a bird’s eye view of Bellagio’s magnificent Water Show – it was so romantic. On your way out, don’t forget to stop by the photo booth and pick up your commemorative photo (a photographer snaps your pic while you’re waiting in line before going to the top of the Eiffel Tower) – it makes a fun souvenir. 🙂
4. Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops
The world-famous Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace isn’t your typical shopping mall – part of its interior is a re-creation of ancient Rome, with streets featuring classic columns and arches, “talking” statues, dancing fountains and a faux sky (ceiling) that slowly changes from day to night… and back again. You can literally shop til you drop here – there are hundreds of trendy boutiques, specialty shops and art galleries. After you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, enjoy a meal at one of the Forum Shop’s fun restaurants. A few of our favorites include the Cheesecake Factory, Trevi, The Palm and Spago.
5. Classic Las Vegas Show (with showgirls) & Cirque du Soleil Shows
Known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” there’s certainly no shortage of fabulous Las Vegas Shows. If this is your first trip to Vegas, you may want to see a classic Vegas revue with showgirls, shimmering rhinestone costumes, feathers and boas (and yes, topless)! Voted Best Las Vegas Showgirls, the show to see is “Jubilee” at Bally’s. During one of our trips to Vegas, we took my parents (who were visiting from London) to see this show and they loved it, especially my Dad!
If topless isn’t your thing, and you only have time to see one show in Vegas, we recommend “O” Cirque du Soleil at the Bellagio. It’s the most surreal (water-based) show we’ve ever seen and it’s hands-down our favorite of the “Cirque” shows. The Beatles “LOVE” is also right up there in terms of entertainment – a must-see, especially if you’re a Beatles fan. Another option is seeing illusionist Criss Angel (the magician of the century) – his ‘Believe” Show (in partnership with Cirque du Soleil) is playing at the Luxor Hotel. And Michael Jackson “ONE” by Cirque du Soleil is at Mandalay Bay.
6. Famous Las Vegas Sign – a Must Photo Op!
Before you leave Vegas, take a souvenir picture of yourself in front of the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” sign. The sign (pictured at top) is located in the center island of Las Vegas Blvd, just south of the strip from Mandalay Bay (click on link below to see Google Satellite Map). Parking is limited so you may have to circle around if no spots are available. If walking, allow about 15-20 minutes from Mandalay Bay.
Google Satellite Map for the Las Vegas Sign
7. Top-Notch Gambling at Vegas Casinos
If you like to gamble, Vegas is THE place to be – it’s the largest gambling center in the nation. Visitors from around the world flock to the mega-casinos to play Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Poker, Roulette, Slots, Keno and more – all hoping for a chance to “Hit the Big One!”
8. Las Vegas Buffets & Gourmet Celebrity Restaurants
Foodies love Vegas – it’s one of the nation’s top dining destinations. Many celebrity and award-winning chefs have fabulous restaurants here. Some of our favorites include: Tao at the Venetian, Mesa Grill at Caesar’s Palace (Bobby Flay), Olives at Bellagio (Todd English), Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian (Emeril Lagasse), Canaletto and Postrio at the Venetian (Wolfgang Puck), Spago at Forum Shops (Wolfgang Puck ), Margaritaville at the Flamingo (Jimmy Buffet ), and BLT Burger at the Mirage (Laurent Tourondel). We can’t wait to try Gordon Ramsey Steak at Paris Las Vegas.
Vegas is also famous for its over-the-top “All-You-Can-Eat Buffets” – our three favorites include: Bellagio Buffet, Wynn Las Vegas, and Carnival World Buffet at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (off the Strip, but well worth the drive). Food selections at all of these buffets are incredible – go with an appetite! During a family reunion in Vegas, we all took my Mom to Rio’s Carnvial World Buffet for a special birthday brunch – needless to say, after so much food, we didn’t eat again for the rest of the day!
9. Fabulous Pools – Plus “Adult-Only” Pools & Party Pools
During Spring, Summer and Fall in Vegas, keep cool by taking a dip in one of the resort’s spectacular pools – we especially like Mandalay Bay’s sandy beach wave pool, The Mirage’s tropical oasis and waterfalls, and Wynn resort’s picturesque “canal-like” pool and private cabanas. Adult-only pools are another option if you like more privacy. And if you’re into partying, check out Tao Beach Club (at the Venetian) and Rehab (at the Hard Rock Casino Resort). Note: Most Vegas pools are heated and some are open year-round.
10. Walk the Strip at Night or Take a “Helicopter Night Ride” over the Strip
Walking up and down the Las Vegas Strip at night is one of our favorite things to do whenever we’re in Vegas. It’s FUN, it’s mesmerizing, it’s entertaining, and it’s FREE! There aren’t too many cities where you can walk around late at night, but Vegas is a 24/7 playground and the people-watching is priceless.
And if you’ve never taken Helicopter Tour over the Las Vegas Strip at Night, you haven’t seen Vegas. Soar over the bright lights of mega-resorts casinos like Bellagio, the Venetian, Caesars Palace, New York-New York and Paris to landmarks like the Stratosphere Tower, Fremont Street and downtown’s vintage hotels. On your return, pass by the space beam of the Luxor Pyramid. I surprised Barry with an evening Helicopter Tour a few years ago when he was celebrating a special birthday – it was something he always wanted to do and it was unbelievable – we’ll never forget it!
Other Fun Things To Do in Vegas:
- Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas
- Roller-Coaster Ride at New York-New York Casino
- Championship Golf
- Luxurious Vegas Spas & Day Spas
- Thrill Rides at Stratosphere Las Vegas
- Las Vegas Mob Museums
- Dig This (Heavy Equipment Playground)
- Battlefield Vegas – Hot Interactive Attraction
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Home to the Las Vegas 400 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is one of the most exciting racing complexes in the world. Get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, Mercedes or Aston Martin and drive up to 10 laps around Las Vegas Motor Speedway!
Find More Fun Things To Do in Las Vegas including Guided Tours, Day Trips and Excursions
