10 Great Things to Do in Las Vegas, NV as Suggested by Locals

When you think of Las Vegas, you probably envision a nonstop party of glitz and glamour among the iconic lights of the strip. While its casinos, crooners, luxury shopping, and acrobatic shows are fun (and a must-have experience for those visiting for the first time), the city is much more than just a pretty face! Las Vegas holds a fascinating history, warm and welcoming people, and deep cultural roots. 

Las Vegas was home to Puebloan and Paiute Native American tribes roughly 1,500-2,000 years before non-Native pioneers came exploring. Some were traversing the Spanish Trail on their way to Los Angeles, some were scouting for areas to build a fort and sell supplies, and others were working to develop the Union Pacific Railroad. It was officially founded as a city in 1905, incorporated in 1911, and it is now the most populous city in Nevada.  

Vegas has seen its share of changes since those early days. The 1930s brought the Hoover Dam and legalized gambling, building the foundation for what would make Las Vegas popular to this day. The 1950s heralded the atomic age, and Vegas residents witnessed the testing of nuclear weapons at the Nevada test site 65 miles outside of the city. After World War II, business tycoons and high rollers flooded the town, purchasing properties on which to build iconic resort hotels and casinos entertaining guests from around the world.  

Today, Vegas offers a tapestry of diverse experiences for people of all ages from all walks of life. From eclectic eateries to punk rock history to off-the-beaten-path adventures, here are some locals’ suggestions for the most interesting, inspiring, and delicious things to check out in Vegas! 

1. Let the city entertain you 

“We’re in the world’s entertainment capital, so there are so many options for entertainment,” says Brandalyn McNeill, founder of McNeill and Co. Event Planning + Design.  

“I would recommend a helicopter tour at night that flies over the strip to see the city lights. It’s an amazing experience! If you don’t like helicopters, taking a ride on the High Roller at the Linq is another great option to give you a view of the lights.” 

“If you can book a reservation well in advance, dinner at Hell’s Kitchen is a great experience. You also can’t come to Las Vegas without seeing a show! You can’t go wrong with any of the Cirque Du Soleil shows… I love them all! I also really love Absinthe if you like a fun, risqué show. It’s a great mixture of seduction, wild acrobatics, and comedy. (Just an FYI, it is for 18 years and older.)” 

McNeill also gave us a couple of suggestions for some self-pampering! “If you come in the summertime, relaxing by a resort pool, sipping crafted cocktails is a must. One of my personal favorite hotels on the strip is the Cosmopolitan, but off the strip is Red Rock Resort Casino & Spa.” 

2. Rock out at the Punk Rock Museum 

Rob Ruckus, local tour guide and OG Las Vegas punk, gave us an excellent suggestion for a casino-free indoor activity (the Vegas heat can be punishing in the middle of the day). 

“As someone who has spent the last 45 years living in Las Vegas, I can tell you our town is ever-changing,” says Ruckus. “There was a time I could skateboard across town in an afternoon; now it would take a whole day. There was a time the City Council banned all-ages Punk Rock shows; now we have our own Punk Rock Museum!”
 
“The Punk Rock Museum is a 2-story building in downtown Las Vegas,” he explains. “We cover the history of punk from its inception in the late 70s to early 80s to the cultural changes it has brought to life now and the bands currently keeping it going. We have artifacts from bands you may know and some most have never heard of. But that’s the great thing about the museum; it is all-inclusive. We have a Gift Shop as most museums do, but we also have the band Pennywise’s original practice space set up and a lot of bands big and small (Sum 41, Dez from Black Flag, The Darts, CJ Ramone, The Offspring….) have set up and played in there for folks coming through the museum.”  

The museum offers a lot more than artifacts and live music; it’s also a place where visitors can learn Punk Rock history from the people who were there.  

“We have guided tours with folks from bands from all over the world who will tell you their personal stories about interactions they have had with the bands and artifacts firsthand,” he continues. “We have our own bar where you may run into someone from your favorite band while having a drink. We have a tattoo shop and an amazing amount of Punk-related art to get tattooed on you by some of the best artists who rotate through.” 

“We have an art gallery with rotating exhibits where you can buy the art straight from the artists themselves. We have a jam room where you can play Fat Mike (NOFX), Joan Jett, Tim Armstrong (Rancid), Chet Lehrer (Wasted Youth), Fletcher (Pennywise)… and so many others’ actual guitars through the actual amps they used at shows and in videos!”  

“It’s a wonderful place for the whole family (kids love the jam room),” says Ruckus, “and a very emotional place for some as seeing the artifacts can take you right back to a certain place and time. Recently, the Mayor and City Council even came by to make a Punk Rock Museum Day Proclamation. So, if they can change their minds, you know something special is going on; come see for yourself and find out!” 

Good to know: The museum is open Monday through Friday from 12–8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.  

3. Visit the mob museum 

Housed in the former federal courthouse and Post Office building, the mob museum (also known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement) offers visitors an interactive experience where they can immerse themselves in the fascinating history of the mob, its most famous characters, and the law enforcement officers with whom they squared off. 

The museum is packed with stories and artifacts, and you’ll also find recreations of a variety of famous locations where mob activity, like the St. Valentine’s Day massacre, went down. You’ll see a “skim room” where mob bosses skimmed off the top of the casino’s earnings, a speakeasy where you can enjoy craft cocktails, and the distillery where bootleggers created spirits for partygoers.  

The first floor features a crime lab, firearm training simulator, wall of infamy featuring the mugshots of the world’s most famous gangsters, and exhibits outlining the current state of organized crime around the world.  

Good to know: The museum is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. The underground speakeasy and distillery is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 am to 10 pm and Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to midnight.  

4. Get lunch at an authentic N.Y. Jewish deli 

Craving a bagel and shmear? Corned beef on rye? The world’s most perfect black and white cookie? If you think you’re out of luck and authentic Jewish fare doesn’t exist in Vegas, think again. Amy Maier of The Warren Group, a local Vegas PR firm, showed us it’s alive and well (and delicious!) at Siegel’s Bakery and Delicatessen. 

“Siegel’s is a modern-day Jewish delicatessen and bakery in Las Vegas that has been serving up the finest authentic recipes since 1989,” she explains. “It’s a local, hidden gem behind the glitz and glamour of The Strip, where the “who’s who” of Vegas gather for from-scratch recipes and home-made breads, bagels, and pastries.” 

 

“The restaurant features around-the-clock breakfast and lunch inspired by Jewish deli staples alongside over-the-top, only-in-Vegas menu items,” says Maier. “With tradition at the forefront, Bagelmania begins each night boiling and baking over 20 varieties of bagels, bialys, and bagel chips. The cream cheese is whipped in-house and mixed in a variety of flavors. Its famous matzah balls and soups are all made from scratch, including a 100-year-old chicken noodle soup recipe which has been said to be so good, it’ll cure the common cold!” 

“Located next to the Las Vegas Convention Center, the restaurant pays tribute to an old-school family-centric dining experience. It features 200 seats in the spacious dining room, a private dining room that can be rented out for events, an outdoor patio with cooling misters, a full bar, and an expansive to-go delicatessen.” 

5. Indulge in a life-changing doughnut 

Maier also suggests grabbing an award-winning Pinkbox Doughnut from the bakery while you’re at Siegel’s.  

“Pinkbox Doughnuts has eight locations across metro Las Vegas Valley and nearby areas and has earned multiple awards, including “All-Time Best Doughnuts” by Las Vegas Weekly, “Best Doughnuts” in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and “Best of Las Vegas” for several consecutive years,” she says.  

“Pinkbox Doughnuts offers a fun modern-day twist on the classic doughnut shop. It features more than 70 varieties of delicious doughnuts – each with its own creative design and personality, including one-of-a-kind creations such as the trademarked Pooh®, Peace®, and Shaka®. The doughnuts are sold 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at select locations. It also operates a doughnut food truck that travels to parties and special events.” 

6. Imbibe at the Carousel Bar 

If you’re ready to head out for a night around the town, Maier recommends the Carousel Bar at the Plaza Hotel and Casino.   

“The Carousel is an outdoor bar experience unlike any other!” she said. “Located under the iconic glittering lights of the Plaza’s porte-cochère, the Carousel Bar serves handmade cocktails, shareable drinks, and a premium selection of beer and wine inside a life-sized, animated Vegas-themed carousel setting just steps away from the excitement of the Fremont Street Experience.” 

“The bar’s unique design includes carousel horses that move up and down, a ribbon of lights rotating above the bar, and life-sized Vegas-themed elements such as a deck of cards and a 14-foot-tall neon showgirl sign at the entrance,” says Maier. “The circular bar boasts the only outdoor video poker machines in the state, as well as multiple HD television screens and an outdoor cooling system. Carousel Bar can seat nearly 100 guests in booths, at the bar, and along its outer rail, making it an unparalleled outdoor destination to relax, meet friends, people-watch, or host an event. It also was a primary location in U2’s 2023 music video for “Atomic City!” 

7. Stroll through the Spring Preserve 

Kristin Uptain, Marketing Manager at Redde Payments, took us off the strip for a bit of history and culture in a gorgeous natural setting.  

“In my opinion, Springs Preserve is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas from a local’s perspective, and it doesn’t get as much recognition as it deserves,” says Uptain. “Yes, typically, Vegas goers want to go somewhere for the nightlife or a good drink at a low cost, but the Springs Preserve is an amazing thing to do during the day off the strip with the family or to unwind in nature.” 

“Located on a 180-acre site, it offers a look into our local history, nature, and culture. The Springs Preserve combines museums, botanical gardens, and interactive exhibits to showcase the region’s history and future in sustainability. Not to mention, they always have something new happening through their exciting exhibits like the Butterfly Garden, dog shows, dinosaur exploring, space exploration, and more!”  

“The appeal of Springs Preserve lies in its diverse offerings, including multiple museums on a single campus, educational initiatives like the WaterWorks exhibit, the delightful Springs Cafe, and even trails and train rides. Springs Preserve is undoubtedly the best local spot for anyone looking to explore the deeper stories and natural beauty of Las Vegas beyond the strip. Trust me, it’s worth seeing!” 

8. Get back to nature at Gilcrease Orchard 

Surrounded by horse pastures with mountain views, Gilcrease Orchard is a working farm located on the far northwest edge of the city. Locals and their families go there to pick seasonal, fresh-from-the-farm fruits and veggies, grab a snack, take home some cold-pressed olive oil and local honey, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The farm also offers seasonal activities like flower arrangement classes, Halloween in the pumpkin patch, and more. 

9. Beat the heat at a local waterpark 

Spring and summer are hot in Las Vegas, but there are ways to cool off away from the air-conditioned casinos and hotel pools! Many locals head to Cowabunga Canyon and Cowabunga Bay for their epic waterslides, wave pools, lazy rivers, water fountains, lounging pools, and splash pads for the little ones.  

10. Get weird at Area 15 

Described by The New York Times as “an urban Burning Man mall,” Area 15 is an enormous entertainment complex featuring a variety of immersive experiences for any and everyone. You’ll find interactive exhibits, museums, art installations, bars and restaurants, shopping, rides, music, and live shows. They even offer immersive wellness experiences like group breathwork, guided meditation, dance, yoga, and more. From Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart to Wink World to LIFTOFF, there are so many things worth seeing and doing at Area 15 it’s hard to pick just one. You’ll have to see it for yourself! 

Enjoy fabulous Las Vegas! 

Vegas, Sin City, The Entertainment Capital of the World, The Gambling Capital of the World, the City of Lights, the Capital of Second Chances, The Marriage Capital of the World, America’s Playground, Las Vegas goes by so many names! The locals and many visitors who’ve fallen in love with the city now simply call it home.  

As one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations, the city really does offer something for everyone. We hope our locals have given you some solid inspiration for things to do in Vegas, both on and off the strip!