Is it worth going to Las Vegas if you don’t gamble?
Las Vegas is famed as the gambling capital of the world, but there is plenty to do even if you have no intention of visiting a casino.
Las Vegas is a popular stop on round-the-world trips heading to Australia. But is it worth visiting Las Vegas if you don’t gamble? Well, arguably, yes.
Why visit Las Vegas?
Vegas has long had more strings to its bow than handing over money to croupiers. First up is the ridiculous, supersized spectacle. The Strip, with its dancing fountains, mock-up Eiffel Tower, rollercoasters running through hotels and exploding fake volcano, is like nowhere else on earth – and a people-watching bonanza.
Recommended Las Vegas experiences
- See a Cirque du Soleil show. If picking just one, Ká at the MGM Grand is the most spectacular.
- Take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Fly over the extraordinary desert scenery and land inside the canyon.
- Visit the remarkable Hoover Dam – on a VIP tour that goes inside the dam.
- Eat at the best in-the-know restaurants – on a foodie secrets walking tour.
- Explore Red Rock Canyon the easy way – on an electric bike tour.
Attractions in Downtown Las Vegas
Once that novelty wears off, Downtown Las Vegas has lots going on for non-gamblers. The mushrooming bars and restaurants of the Fremont East neighbourhood have proper city energy, the Downtown Container Park is full of indie shops in shipping containers and the Fremont Street Experience – a giant multi-block LED canopy with live musicians on various stages – is great fun.
Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas
Then there’s the Las Vegas shows. The Cirque du Soleil spectaculars, especially Ka at the MGM Grand, are on a scale you’ll never see replicated elsewhere. The magic – Penn and Teller at the Rio being the best of the bunch – is top drawer, too.
Day trips from Las Vegas
Vegas is also massively underrated as a gateway to some of the most spectacular landscapes in North America. Big hitters such as the Zion National Park in Utah, Death Valley in California and the Grand Canyon in Arizona are within three hours’ drive through deserts and mountains.
But even the closer surrounds are impressive. For example, Red Rock Canyon – marvellous for hiking and biking – is 45 minutes’ drive from the Strip.
Top things to do in Las Vegas
Australia to Las Vegas flights | Los Angeles to Las Vegas road trip | Neon Museum | Red Rock Canyon e-bike tours | Ferrari driving experience | Fremont Street zipline | National Atomic Testing Museum | Hoover Dam.