15 Absolute Must-Do’s In Las Vegas For First Timers

Thinking about planning a trip to the glitzy world of Las Vegas for the first time? We’ve got the lowdown on all the things you gotta do for your first time in this massive and extravagant city.

I’ll be honest though, there are infinite amounts of things to do in Las Vegas. For example, after only about 20 trips to Las Vegas, I discovered super unique experiences like the Marriage Can Be Murder Dinner Show and the EscapeIT (IT-themed escape room) experience.

If there’s one thing Vegas knows how to do right, it’s entertainment.

The city is always popping up with new things to do, but our absolute must-dos in Las Vegas for first-timers are always consistent. These activities are going to properly introduce you to the grandness of Sin City.

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1. Take a picture by the Welcome To Las Vegas sign

When you hit up Las Vegas for the first time, there’s one thing you absolutely can’t miss: snapping that Insta-worthy pic by the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

You’ve seen it in movies, on TV, and probably all over your Instagram feed. This sign is the real deal! It’s like the Eiffel Tower of Vegas – you gotta have a pic to prove you’ve been there and done that.

The sign is Vegas in a nutshell – glitzy, glamorous, and oh-so-colorful. You can find it at the southern end of the Strip by the Pinball Hall of Fame.

Address: 5100 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

PRO TIP: For even more vintage Las Vegas signage, head to the Neon Museum and Boneyard, home to dozens of Old Vegas signs. It’s extra cool to see at night!

2. Take an open-top bus sightseeing night tour

If you’ve never been to Vegas before and want a lay of the land / an overview of the city before getting your Las Vegas Strip activities started, this is a great activity to do on your Day 1.

You’ll get to take in Las Vegas at its prettiest — when it’s illuminated and glittering at night — on an open-top double-decker bus tour. Along your 2-ish hour ride, you’ll get to see iconic landmarks of the Las Vegas Strip like the Bellagio Fountains, the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, The Stratosphere, and the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

You’ll get to learn stuff about the city too. The tour’s digital audio provides fascinating commentary, sharing the stories and hidden intrigue of the city’s history, architecture, and famous attractions. With this activity, you get one free welcome drink before you start your bus ride, too.

3. See the Bellagio fountain show and garden

Bellagio’s famous water fountain show is a must for first-timers. This free water show features lights and music (genres include classical, opera, Broadway, and even pop songs) to give visitors a quintessentially Vegas experience.

The fountain show runs every half hour during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening. We recommend catching it in the evening for an extra-wow experience!

4. See the seasonal displays at Bellagio Conservatory & Gardens

From there, head into Bellagio to see the beautiful Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, featuring larger-than-life floral displays that change seasonally.

Each season, the talented Horticulture and Engineering teams transform the 14,000-square-foot Botanical Gardens into a showcase of inspiring sights, sounds, scents, and colors!

Depending on when you go, you’ll be able to enjoy a different landscape featuring Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, along with a special display for Lunar New Year.

5. Drink a Fat Tuesday

Fat Tuesdays are a must when it comes to having yourself a successful Las Vegas trip. These oversized frozen drinks are famous for their flamboyant size and crazy colors.

When the weather gets warm, you’re most definitely going to see Fat Tuesdays in everyone’s hands while walking down the Las Vegas Strip. It’s easy to see why — it’s the absolute best spot to grab yourself a cheap frozen drink right before taking a stroll on the Strip!

If you want to feel a bit more than tipsy, they offer you the option to add a shot(s) to your daiquiris for an extra dollar a shot. Cheap drunkenness, gotta love it!

Everyone’s drink of choice at Fat Tuesday differs depending on who you ask, but our group loves to order the Big Stick flavor off their secret menu, which tastes like a Big Stick ice pop but with alcohol!

You can find Fat Tuesdays in multiple hotels such as The Venetian, Casino Royale, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, The LINQ, etc.

6. Eat at an extravagant buffet on the Strip

No first trip to Las Vegas is complete without at least ONE buffet on the Las Vegas Strip!

Treat yourself to a feast full of unlimited crab legs and bottomless mimosas at one of Vegas’s famous buffets like Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas, or Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan.

PRO TIP: You might get sticker shock looking at the price tag of these buffets, especially during lunch and dinner. For a cheaper buffet, opt for a breakfast meal. For an all-out splurge, choose a buffet that serves crab legs! It’s worth it if you love seafood.

Check out this guide to our favorite seafood buffets in Las Vegas.

7. Watch at least one show

Las Vegas has a world-class theater scene. From burlesque to magic, Cirque de Soleil to comedy, there is a show for every type of person and every sort of budget. And the best part is, there’s a show happening every single night in Vegas so there’s no excuse not to watch one!

A few shows that we think are perfect for first-timers include:

Awakening – The Wynn’s brand-new spectacular production features fantastical creatures, dazzling visuals, a compelling narrative, and a touch of lighthearted comedy. This is my all-time favorite show in Las Vegas right now — I’d watch it over and over again if I could.

“O” at Bellagio: Another mesmerizing Cirque du Soleil show, “O” combines water, acrobatics, and theatrical performances to create a unique and romantic experience.

Any other Cirque du Soleil show – Cirque shows are all the rage here in Vegas. They’re great shows for first-timers in Vegas because they’re high-production, overly stimulating for all your senses, and will likely leave you wowed (and maybe even wanting to watch another one!).

Need help picking the perfect show? Check out some of these show guides below:

• These Variety Shows In Vegas Will Wow You With A Bit Of Everything
• Las Vegas Magic Shows That Will Knock Your Socks Off
• Budget-Friendly Shows In Las Vegas That Are Still A Whole Lotta Fun
• Kid-Friendly Shows In Las Vegas Perfect For Families
• Best Shows In Las Vegas For Seniors And Elderly Parents

8. Dine at your dream restaurant

If you didn’t already know, Vegas is a mecca for dining. You should try to experience one while you’re in town.

There are too many world-famous restaurants here to count! Many of these restaurants have grown insanely popular in their origin city and have expanded to Las Vegas.

To give you some examples, here are some world-famous restaurants that have opened a location in Vegas:

• Peter Luger Steak House (Caesars Palace Las Vegas) – Original Location: New York City, USA
• Joël Robuchon (MGM Grand) – Original Location: Paris, France
• Nobu (Nobu at Caesars Palace) – Original Location: New York City, USA
• Gordon Ramsay Steak (Paris Las Vegas) – Original Location: London, United Kingdom
• Tim Ho Wan (Palms) – Original Location: Hong Kong
• Beauty and Essex (Cosmopolitan) – Original Location: New York City, USA

If eating at a sit-down restaurant is on your itinerary, be sure to make reservations if they offer it!

9. Go to a dayclub (during pool party season)

If your idea of an awesome daytime activity includes lounging around the pools under the desert sun, dancing to live music played by top DJs, drinking summer cocktails, and gorging on delicious poolside chicken tenders, then you’ll probably want to plan to hit up a day club on your Vegas trip!

Pool party season at the day clubs runs from April to the end of October. Encore Beach Club at Encore Las Vegas, Daylight at Mandalay Bay, TAO Beach Club at The Venetian, and WET Republic at MGM Grand are some of the most sought-after pool parties across the Strip.

So between all the venue options you can choose from, how do you pick which club to go to? It all depends on what DJs and special performances you want to catch! We personally like using this site to check who’s playing at what club all across Las Vegas.

After you’ve found the perfect day club for your epic day, reach out to a promoter who works at the club of your choice to get on the guestlist (for free entry or discounted admission). They may even be able to hook you up with a specially-priced day club cabana / table at the nightclub for bottle service.

10. Go clubbing at least one night

Round out one (or all) of your nights with dancing and music at Las Vegas clubs like XS at Encore, Zouk at Resorts World, OMNIA at Caesars Palace, or Marquee at The Cosmopolitan.

Clubs in Vegas are not your average club featuring an unknown DJ mixing up beats. Clubs in Vegas are next level. Expect the world’s top DJs and musical artists to be playing/guest performing from 1:30 AM onward!

We’re talking Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, Kaskade, Dillon Francis, Gryffin, Kendrick Lamar, Tyga, Lil Jon, French Montana, Rick Ross, Alesso, John Summit, and so many more.

If it’s 4 am and you find the clubs closing but you’re not yet ready to turn down, head to Drai’s After Hours at The Cromwell for even more partying.

If clubbing is not your thing, there’s still a lot of nighttime fun to be had. You can just head to a bar or ultra lounge at any hotel on the Strip, or spend the night karaoke-ing at one of these karaoke spots in Las Vegas!

PRO TIP: Typically, you’ll find the celebrity DJs and guest features on weekends (from Thursday to Sunday). From Monday to Wednesday, clubs will usually have local DJs playing.

11. Take a ride on the High Roller

Make your first time in Vegas extra memorable by soaking in the sky-high views of the Las Vegas Strip with your friends. One of the best spots to get sky-high viewpoints of the Las Vegas Strip is on the High Roller.

The High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ, one of the world’s tallest wheels, provides unforgettable 360-degree views of the city. For those of you who want to spice up your 30 minutes on the wheel, they offer an open bar package that allows you to enjoy unlimited drinks for the full 30-minute ride!

12. Be amazed by The Sphere show

If you’ve driven on the highways of Las Vegas (or have been on social media at all), chances are you’ve seen The Sphere. Located by The Venetian, The Sphere has two main features — the outside and the inside.

The outside always has some cool projection going on, making it perfect for photos. The inside features an even cooler experience called The Sphere Experience. The Sphere Experience is a two-part multi-sensory experience lasting approximately two hours. In all honesty, it’s two hours of immersive amazement.

First, you’ll get to explore The Atrium. There’s a 360-degree avatar capture, a mesmerizing 50-foot holographic installation, and a few other cool tech features.

Then, brace yourself for an immersive cinematic experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen with Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Postcard from Earth.’ This specially commissioned film is a sci-fi portrait of our planet, leveraging Sphere’s cutting-edge technologies to transport you to new worlds without ever leaving your seat. 

On a budget? Just skip going inside. The outside of The Sphere is cool enough to see!

13. Walk the Strip and explore all the themed hotels

With the rest of your time, take to the Las Vegas Strip on foot!

There are tons of cool hotels on the Strip to check out because many of them are way more than places to sleep… they’re full-on entertainment complexes. Here are a few we’d recommend to get you started:

The Venetian

Want to take a free trip to Venice without needing to spend a dime on plane tickets? Head straight for The Venetian Resort.

Stroll through the Grand Canal Shoppes, where the cloud-painted ceiling creates the illusion of an open sky underneath the afternoon streets of Venice. You can marvel at the detailed architecture and enjoy the lively atmosphere of shoppers and alfresco diners as you window-shop at high-end boutiques and unique stores.

You can also watch gondolas floating by on the indoor canal or take a ride for yourself. The serenading gondoliers will make you feel like you’re really in Italy — in a kitschy way, of course.

The Venetian Resort is also home to some really great experiences/shows such as The Sphere Experience, Shin Lim, and Atomic Saloon Show. Stay for a meal at one of the 40+ restaurants at the resort complex before catching your show!

New York-New York

How about a trip to NYC next? You can hit the bustling streets of the Big Apple by visiting New York-New York.

The hotel’s replicas of the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge are perfect for some quick ‘sightseeing’, offering excellent photo opportunities and a taste of New York’s iconic architecture.

The two main draws of this hotel are the Big Apple Coaster and the Big Apple Arcade, both of which are great for kids. And if you’ve never had a Nathan’s Famous hotdog, here is your chance!

Paris Las Vegas

Don’t let the global exploration stop there — you can head to Paris next.

Wander through the cobblestone streets of Paris Las Vegas’ Le Boulevard District, where the colorful storefronts and café patios replicate the charming ambiance of the French capital.

Enjoy some French food at one of the hotel’s bistros, grab a crispy and flaky croissant at the Dominique Ansel Marché, and snap a few photos with the Eiffel Tower.

If you’re open to spending some money, you can even choose to go up to the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck. This half-scale replica offers great views of the Las Vegas Strip.

The Cosmopolitan

Head to The Cosmopolitan when you’re ready to fill your bellies up because this resort is a total eating + drinking hotspot.

Start by grabbing a NY-style slice of pizza at the not-so-hidden Secret Pizza, or indulge in the quirky and theatrical Superfrico. Don’t forget to check out Block 16 Urban Food Hall for an eclectic mix of quick bites from some of the top chefs in the country.

For an adventurous evening, explore the hotel’s many speakeasies like Ghost Donkey or The Barbershop, where craft cocktails and an intimate atmosphere await. There’s also the iconic Chandelier Bar that you can’t miss upon entering the hotel!

Caesars Palace

At Caesars Palace, start your visit by exploring the Forum Shops, an upscale shopping destination with high-end brands and a pretty spiral escalator.

For a quick and free show, stay for the Atlantis Show at the Forum Shops. Consistently named one of the top free attractions in Las Vegas, this animatronic attraction is an entertaining take on the legendary story of the fall of Atlantis.

With more than 400 moving parts in each statue that comes to life, The Atlantis Show plays Thursday – Monday on the hour, beginning at 12:00 pm through 8:00 pm.

Fun fact: The costumes and props featured in the show were created by the same team who worked on Thor and Pirates of the Caribbean, which is super neat. There are also fire effects, water effects, and a 20-foot winged dragon which is even cooler.

For an even better show, stay for Absinthe, Caesars Palace’s award-winning show that blends world-class acrobatics, circus-like vibes, adult comedy, raunchy jokes, and even a side of sexy!

14. Spend a lazy afternoon at the pool.

If you’re staying at a hotel, you’ve got super convenient access to a free daytime activity right at your feet.

But not all hotel swimming pools are created equally.

If you’re looking for an amazing pool complex where both adults and kids will have fun all day long, we’d recommend staying at Mandalay Bay or MGM Grand. These two hotels have the craziest swimming pool complexes in Vegas.

Both have massive lazy rivers complete with waterfalls. Mandalay Bay even has a wave pool! We’ve stayed at both hotels and have had tons of fun at both (even as adults!). Just keep in mind they do get crazy busy with lots of kids running around on weekends.

For a calmer experience, choose a more adult-oriented hotel like The Cosmo, ARIA, Bellagio or Wynn.

15. If you have a car: See the Seven Magic Mountains

A quick 15-20 minute drive out of The Strip area will bring you to one of the coolest art installations in all of Nevada. Seven Magic Mountains is a public installation of seven towers made up of painted, stacked boulders that stand more than 30 feet high.

These colorful rock totems look so darn cool against the dusty barren desert landscape!

The art installation was created by internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone and commissioned by the Nevada Museum of Art. It was supposed to be taken down years ago, but some way somehow it’s still standing so go enjoy it for yourself while you can!

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Need Help Planning The Rest Of Your Vegas Trip?

Here are some of our other Vegas travel guides to help you plan an incredible trip:

• 25+ Unique And Totally Free Things To Do In Vegas
• 25 Of Our Favorites: Immersive Things To Do In Las Vegas
• Top Las Vegas Magic Shows That Will Knock Your Socks Off
• How To Snag Discounts On Las Vegas Attractions And Shows
• 15 Fun Places To Eat On The Las Vegas Strip
• 10 Secret Bars And Speakeasies On The Las Vegas Strip (+ Where To Find Them!)
• 20 Quirky And Fun Museums You’ll Only Find In Las Vegas
• “O” vs KÀ: Which Cirque Du Soleil Show Is Better?
• 30 Totally Fun Things To Do In Downtown Las Vegas

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