Las Vegas is a desert city of about 679,000 people in Clark County, southern Nevada, and the centre of a 2.4-million metro area. It is known for the casino resorts of the Las Vegas Strip, the vintage neon of Downtown and Fremont Street, big-name shows and restaurants, and easy day trips to Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Las Vegas.
-
1
Fountains of Bellagio
Free choreographed water show on Bellagio's 8-acre lake, with more than 1,200 jets set to music and light; one of the Strip's defining sights.
Tip: Arrive 10 minutes early on weekend nights to claim railing space along Las Vegas Boulevard · Shows are cancelled in strong winds, so check the Bellagio website on gusty days · Watch one show from the sidewalk and another from the Bellagio side to compare angles · Weekday afternoons and after 10:00 PM are the least crowded times · Eiffel Tower deck tickets give an elevated view of the show · Keep an eye on belongings in the dense sidewalk crowds
-
2
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Glass-roofed indoor garden off the Bellagio lobby, replanted five times a year with themed seasonal displays created by Bellagio's in-house horticulture team.
Tip: Visit between 6:00 and 9:00 AM for the fewest people and clearest photos · Check the Bellagio website for changeover dates, when sections are closed · Pair the visit with the Fountains of Bellagio just outside · Winter holiday and Lunar New Year displays draw the largest crowds · Entry is free, so there is no need to pay for tours of the garden
-
3
Sphere
The 366-foot-high LED-covered spherical venue east of the Strip, opened in 2023; its Exosphere can be seen free from outside, while 'The Wizard of Oz at Sphere' and residencies play on the 160,000-square-foot interior screen.
Tip: Book interior shows several weeks ahead; popular dates sell out and prices rise close to the event. · Check the venue's bag policy before arriving, as small-bag limits and security screening apply. · Allow about 10 minutes to walk from The Venetian via the pedestrian bridge, plus time for security. · Rideshare and taxi pickup near event end is slow; consider walking back to the Strip instead. · The Exosphere is best seen after dark and costs nothing to view from outside.
-
4
High Roller Observation Wheel
A 550-foot observation wheel at The LINQ Promenade with 28 glass cabins; one rotation takes about 30 minutes and offers views over the whole Strip.
Tip: Book online to check ticket tiers; night rides cost more than daytime · Ride at sunset to see the Strip in both daylight and lights · Weekday afternoons have the shortest lines · Check for private-event closures before planning a visit · Stand on the Strip-facing side of the cabin as it rises for the best photos · Children aged 4 to 12 pay reduced fares
-
5
Fremont Street Experience
Five pedestrianized downtown blocks under the Viva Vision LED canopy, lined with vintage casinos, free live music stages and street performers.
Tip: Arrive before dusk to see the street in daylight, then stay for the first canopy show · Thursday to Saturday nights have live bands on every stage · Carry small cash if tipping performers or costumed characters · Keep an eye on belongings in the dense late-night crowds · Walk east to Fremont East and Container Park for a quieter break · The Deuce bus from the Strip takes about 30 to 40 minutes
-
6
SlotZilla Zip Line
A zip line launched from a giant slot-machine tower that sends riders along the length of the Fremont Street canopy, seated (Zipline) or flying horizontally (Zoomline).
Tip: Ride after dark for the canopy lights, or earlier in the evening for shorter lines · Wear closed-toe shoes and secure loose items; lockers are provided · Book online to reserve a time slot · Check weight and height rules with the operator before arriving · Weather and wind can pause operations · Spectators can watch from the street at no cost
-
7
The Neon Museum
Outdoor 'Boneyard' of more than 250 retired Las Vegas signs, with the restored 1961 La Concha Motel lobby as visitor center; several signs are relit nightly.
Tip: Book timed-entry tickets days ahead, especially for sunset and evening slots. · Daytime tickets from 3-5 PM cost less than evening tickets from 6-11 PM. · Wear closed-toe shoes, as paths are gravel and uneven in places. · Summer visits run late evening hours, which avoids the worst daytime heat. · Bring a camera and check current policy on tripods and flash before arriving.
-
8
The Mob Museum
The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, set in the 1933 federal courthouse where the 1950 Kefauver Committee hearing was held; includes a basement speakeasy and distillery.
Tip: Buy off-peak online tickets, before 11 AM or after 5 PM, to save roughly $7. · Arrive at opening on a weekday for the smallest crowds. · Allow two to three hours, and consider starting on the top floor and working down. · Nevada residents get discounted admission; carry valid identification. · Combine with Fremont Street, two blocks south, for a Downtown half day.
-
9
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Desert reserve 17 miles west of the Strip with red-and-cream Aztec sandstone cliffs, a 13-mile one-way scenic drive, petroglyphs and more than 25 hiking trails.
Tip: Reserve a timed-entry slot on Recreation.gov for the October to May window, or arrive before 8:00 AM · Bring at least a liter of water per person; summer temperatures are extreme · Scenic Drive closing time varies by season, so check before entering · America the Beautiful pass holders get entry at no extra cost · Morning light gives the strongest colors on the Calico Hills · There is no public transit, so plan for a car or rideshare
-
10
Springs Preserve
A 180-acre cultural and nature campus on the site of the original Las Vegas springs, with botanical gardens, desert trails, the Origen Museum, a butterfly habitat and the Nevada State Museum.
Tip: Check the schedule before going; the preserve is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. · Arrive at opening and do outdoor areas first, before the desert heat builds. · Last entry is at 3:00 PM, so late arrivals will have limited time. · Bring water, a hat and sunscreen for trails and gardens. · Nevada residents, seniors and children pay reduced rates.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks_and_shows
Fountains of Bellagio
Free water-and-music show every 15-30 minutes
Sphere
LED-covered globe venue with immersive films
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
1959 Googie-style icon
Fremont Street Experience
Downtown LED canopy and vintage casinos
Museums
The Mob Museum
Organized crime in a 1933 courthouse
The Neon Museum
Boneyard of retired casino signs
National Atomic Testing Museum
History of the Nevada Test Site
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs and wildlife for families
Viewpoints
High Roller Observation Wheel
550-foot wheel at The LINQ
STRAT SkyPod
Highest observation deck in the city
Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
View over the Bellagio fountains
Gardens_and_nature
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Sandstone cliffs and scenic drive
Springs Preserve
Gardens and trails at the original springs
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Seasonal indoor floral displays
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Free flamingo and pelican garden
Thrills_and_family
SlotZilla Zip Line
Zip line along Fremont Street
The Big Apple Coaster
Coaster around the New York-New York skyline
Shark Reef Aquarium
Shark tunnel at Mandalay Bay
Pinball Hall of Fame
Hundreds of playable vintage machines
Omega Mart by Meow Wolf
Surreal immersive art supermarket
Neighborhoods
Las Vegas Arts District (18b)
Galleries, murals and First Friday
Downtown Container Park
Shipping-container shops and fire-breathing mantis
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Strip casinos, Fremont Street and the Bellagio Conservatory are open 24 hours; museums generally open 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (The Mob Museum until 9:00 PM); observation decks run until midnight or later.
- Fees
- Many headline sights are free (Bellagio fountains and Conservatory, Fremont Street, the Welcome sign, Flamingo Wildlife Habitat); museums and observation decks cost about $25-40; Sphere shows from about $100. Prices exclude Nevada sales tax (8.375% in Clark County) and booking fees.
- Best Times
- March-May and October-November for comfortable 70-85 F days; June-August regularly exceeds 105 F, so outdoor sights such as Red Rock Canyon are best at dawn.
- Booking
- Book timed tickets online for the Neon Museum, Sphere, Omega Mart and High Roller; reserve Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive timed entry on Recreation.gov (Oct 1-May 31). The RTC rideRTC app sells Deuce bus passes ($6 for 2 hours, $8 for 24 hours).
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Distances on the Strip are deceptive: walking between neighboring resorts often takes 10-20 minutes through casinos and over pedestrian bridges, so use the Deuce bus or Monorail for longer hops.
Carry water and wear sun protection at outdoor sights from May to September; heat exhaustion is common on the Strip and at Red Rock Canyon.
Check the official websites for private-event closures, which frequently affect the High Roller, Eiffel Tower deck and Bellagio Conservatory.
Many resorts charge for self-parking; budget about $18-25 per day on the Strip, while downtown city garages are cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free attractions in Las Vegas?
The Fountains of Bellagio, the Bellagio Conservatory, the Fremont Street Experience light shows, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat and the Pinball Hall of Fame (free entry) cost nothing to visit.
Is a reservation needed for Red Rock Canyon?
Yes, from October 1 to May 31 a timed-entry reservation is required for the Scenic Drive between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, bookable on Recreation.gov; the $20 per-vehicle fee is paid separately at the entrance.
Can visitors see the Sphere without buying a ticket?
Yes, the Exosphere's exterior LED display is visible free from the Strip, the LINQ Promenade and the High Roller; tickets are needed only for shows inside.