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This Las Vegas bucket list will introduce you to all the best things to do in Sin City!
Las Vegas is filled with everything from incredibly tasty food to brilliant shows that will leave you in awe. No matter what types of things you like to do while traveling, there truly is something fun for you to do in Vegas.
After moving to Sin City in 2023, I took it upon myself to try to find all of the best things to add to a Las Vegas bucket list because, let’s be honest, there’s so much to do here that it’s impossible to do it all.
Food
Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas
Who needs Paris when you can eat classic French cuisine in an imitation of the Eiffel Tower? Okay, we might still need Paris, but the Las Vegas version is a pretty good second.
Reserve brunch, dinner, or a private party for a lavish experience in one of Las Vegas’s finest restaurants, the Eiffel Tower Restaurant.
Hell’s Kitchen
We’ve all heard, uh, I mean seen, Gordon Ramsey when he’s in the kitchen. His passion is pretty much palpable.
Las Vegas houses Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsey’s high-end restaurant experience. Tasting the products of Ramsey’s endless knowledge and enthusiasm in his trade is something you don’t want to miss, so add it to your Las Vegas bucket list.
When I moved to Vegas, I knew that the #1 celebrity chef restaurant I wanted to try was Hell’s Kitchen. In fact, Jessie and I made an entire day out of it and even saw Adele at the Colosseum after!
Be sure to try the traditional Beef Wellington (yes, it really is worth trying). For dessert, you really can’t miss with the Sticky Toffee Pudding. It’s Gordon’s mom’s recipe, and I still dream about how good it is.
El Burro Borracho
Another big name in the chef world, Guy Fieri, established El Burro Borracho, or The Drunk Donkey, here in Vegas.
A restaurant native only to Nevada, El Burro Borracho offers hefty, California-style portions of your favorite Mexican food. And, of course, a full drink menu. It isn’t called the Drunk Donkey for nothing!
The Crack Shack
The Crack Shack has an unorthodox take on classic chicken dishes, and we are loving it in Las Vegas.
They have a large menu so you can experience their chicken in your preferred form, fried, in a sandwich, or in a bowl with other delicious ingredients. Be sure to grab some of their specialty sauces and pair your meal with a milkshake!
And all top of all that, they purchase their ingredients entirely from local farms and bakeries, putting their revenue right back into the city we all love so much.
Bobby’s Burgers
Now, if Burger Bar wasn’t really your speed and you’re looking for the classic diner feel, Bobby’s Burgers is the right restaurant for you. Savor the classic American meal this restaurant offers while enjoying the familiar diner demeanor.
Bobby’s Burgers is a family-friendly option with no alcohol on the menu. Jessie and I have personally tried the BBQ Smokehouse Burger at the location in the Paris Hotel and absolutely loved it!
Rollin Smoke BBQ
Get a taste of authentic Southern barbeque at the Rollin Smoke BBQ in Vegas. With every barbeque plate you could ask for on the menu, Rollin Smoke serves the locals and tourists in the city with that warm Southern charm.
Wynn Buffet
The Wynn Buffet has a gourmet spread for almost any time of the day. Serving breakfast, brunch, and dinner, this restaurant cultivates never-ending alluring dishes for their guests. Perfect for a large group of people.
There’s always a huge argument among locals and tourists alike about which hotel/casino has the top buffet, but ever since about 2021, everyone’s in agreement that it’s the Wynn Buffet!
Cafe Lola
Have you been looking for the ultimate brunch spot to go with the girls? Try out Cafe Lola. A candidly Instagram-worthy cafe. They offer a variety of delicate and aesthetic dishes for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dessert.
They also have an entire drink menu to go along with their whimsical dishes. Coffee, tea, cold drinks, and wine are all available for purchase. This cafe also has kids’ options for both food and drinks.
Every time we go, we always order the same drinks: I always get a cupcake latte, and Jessie orders the 24k gold creme brulee latte. We’ve been for both breakfast and lunch and their prosciutto grilled cheese and tomato soup is some of the best we’ve had here in Vegas!
Cut by Wolfgang Puck
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck brings Vegas an epicurean steak house in the Palazzo Resort. The menu at Cut by Wolfgang Puck offers every cut of steak you can imagine, cooked to perfection with the finest ingredients.
A luxuriant ambiance accompanies the meal, making for the perfect ‘fancy dinner date’. It’s a great place to take your partner!
Bungalow Coffee Co.
There are so many great cafes in Las Vegas, but none really live up to the amazingness that is Bungalow Coffee Co. This cafe is a remote worker’s dream, with a lot of tables conveniently located next to plugs throughout.
Situated in the Arts District of Vegas, Bungalow offers a variety of tasty coffees and food that pair well with it. We love going here to get some work done when we feel like getting out of the house. For a real treat, try their oat milk apple pie chai latte.
Black Tap
Located in the Venetian, the Black Tap is another restaurant with a vast menu with choices of burgers, wings, salads, and more.
But the real reason you want to visit this establishment is for their coined term, Crazyshakes. I would suggest just going to see these for yourself because, honestly, you might not believe me if I told you all that these entailed. But I can tell you one thing: they are worth the trip.
3 Little Chicks
The founders of Cafe Lola ventured into starting an all-new chicken restaurant in 2023, 3 Little Chicks, and it should 100% be on your Las Vegas bucket list. The food here is top-notch, and even though the menu isn’t super large, what they make, they make well.
My personal favorite item on the menu is the sweet potato fries. They’re so tasty and have honey and cinnamon on top! No matter what you order here, you can’t go wrong, and it’s well worth the drive, no matter where in Vegas you are.
Outdoors
Las Vegas Sign
We’ve all seen pictures of the Las Vegas sign. But why should you visit it? Photo ops, of course!
I’m kidding, sort of, but this sign actually has a remarkable history. This infamous landmark was designed in 1959 by one of the first women artists in the neon sign industry, Betty Willis. She then donated her $4,000 payment to her hometown.
The fabulousness of the sign doesn’t stop there; the neon lights are powered by solar power, making the Fabulous Las Vegas Sign an environmentally friendly icon.
Just know that no matter when you go, you’ll most likely have to wait in line to get your photo. If you want the photo, it’s worth it!
The Big Apple Coaster
Another destination that should be on your Las Vegas bucket list is the Big Apple Roller Coaster in the New York New York.
This ride made history by being the world’s first coaster to build in a 180-degree “heartline” twist. This is the perfect attraction for thrill-seekers visiting Vegas and is one of the more unique things to do in Vegas on the southern side of the Strip.
Bellagio Fountain Show
Bellagio offers visitors more than just a place to stay and a run-of-the-mill casino. You can stop and see the iconic fountain show any weekday from 3 pm to midnight and any weekend from 12 pm to 12 am.
The illuminated water provides a mesmorizing display for viewers. And the best part is, it’s completely free!
Red Rock Canyon
I know, I know, you probably came to Vegas for the nightlife, but if you’re looking to switch it up, just outside the city is an enchanting hidden gem. In fact, it’s very large and very red. It’s Red Rock Canyon!
Trekking through these red-lined canyons will show you the beauty you never knew the desert could offer. Look for wildlife while enjoying the vibrant hues of the plant life within the flaming canyon walls.
The Venetian gondola ride
If you’ve dined at the Eiffel Tower and ridden the Big Apple Coaster around the New York New York, then the obvious next step would be to get a little taste of Italy while taking a gondola ride around the Venetian.
Enjoy a romantic ride under bridges and around cafes on the Grand Canal. If you’re lucky, your gondolier may even serenade you!
Helicopter tour above Vegas
You know everything looks better from above, so a helicopter ride over Las Vegas is a must. Go at night to see the city all lit up, or go during the day and have your pilot take you down to the Grand Canyon.
High Roller at the LINQ
Riding the High Roller is a one-of-a-kind experience that kicks the traditional Ferris wheel ride up a few notches. This 550-foot wheel is the second-tallest Ferris wheel in the world, and it takes 30 minutes to complete a singular rotation.
Bring your family for an educational ride to learn about the architecture of the High Roller, or bring your friends for a Happy Half Hour ride with an open bar and bartender.
Seven Magic Mountains
The Seven Magic Mountains is a landmark about 25 miles away from Las Vegas, as quirky as the city itself. Where else are you going to find seven towering rainbow-colored stacks of rocks?
Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone created this larger-than-life piece to symbolize human presence in the middle of the desert. The electrifying colors puncture the browns and reds of the Nevada desert for an unparalleled sight.
This place is another spot that’s usually always busy, but trust me when I say you have to see this place for yourself at least once. It really stands out against the desert landscape!
Hoover Dam
An Engineering Wonder of America, Hoover Dam was the largest dam built during its time. A product of the Depression, the Hoover Dam was made with enough concrete to build a road from San Francisco to New York City.
You can visit the dam, take a tour, learn some fascinating history, and make some good ‘dam’ jokes. I’ve personally taken the tour and it is really cool to take an elevator 100 floors deep to see everything behind the scenes!
Valley of Fire State Park
Similar to the geography in Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire is another striking natural wonder full of red rock formations. Located a little further away from Las Vegas, this sandstone park is less crowded than Red Rock Canyon.
The red sandstone spans a greater area than Red Rock Canyon, illuminating the valley, especially during sunset. That golden hour gives the park its name. In the setting sun, the entire valley appears as if it was set on fire.
Parts of Valley of Fire do close in the summer because of how hot it gets in Vegas, but if you’re lucky enough to visit during winter, you can easily do most of the hikes in one day.
Zipline at the LINQ
Another attraction for thrill seekers is the Fly LINQ, which ends at the High Roller. Get a group of friends, and you can all ride down next to each other. Plummet (safely) off of a 12-story building and zip down over the Strip.
Entertainment & Shopping
Area 15
Area 15 is an up-and-coming entertainment district in Las Vegas. Containing a plethora of attractions, events, restaurants, and more, Area 15 can transport its visitors to other worlds.
Visit places like Omega Mart and the Beast restaurant and so many more for a bizarre adventure into the “What’s Next?” district. I’m on a personal mission to visit all of the Meow Wolf locations, and the Omega Mart one was truly spectacular.
Big Shot
The top of the Stratosphere offers a few different rides, but by far, the most exhilarating is the Big Shot. This ride adds 160 feet to the top of the already sky-high tower.
Once you’re strapped in, you await being shot up at 45 miles per hour. If you can keep your eyes open, you will see an incomparable view of the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Fremont Street
Advertised as one of the most exciting streets in America, the Fremont Street experience lives up to its name. With live music, events, casinos, and more happening all throughout the five-block-long street, there is something to see everywhere you turn.
Your Las Vegas bucket list is not complete without Fremont Street. Be sure to also stop by Container Park; this is one of my favorite hidden gems and there are so many quirky shops to explore.
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Every season, Bellagio’s highly accomplished engineering and horticulture team creates a new display for visitors to enjoy at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.
The 14,000-foot garden is transformed into something different for every occasion. This whimsical attraction definitely deserves a visit.
Shark Reef Aquarium
Aquariums are magical places for children and adults alike. The cool blue hues that bounce off the glass tanks make you feel like you’ve been transported to another underwater world.
The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Casino is no exception. It houses more than 2,000 animals, and yes, as the name suggests, that includes sharks. You can even feed them!
So don’t forget to stop by and see these rare creatures swimming around in the third-largest tank in North America next time you’re in Vegas.
The Coca-Cola Store
If you’re a fan of Coca-Cola products, be sure to stop by the Coca-Cola store when you’re exploring the Strip. This store has endless merchandise, products, and sights any fan would love. And it can’t hurt to get a little caffeine for the rest of your night on the Strip.
Should you be feeling adventurous, be sure to order their flight from around the world, where you can try worldwide Coke flavors. This is super fun to do with a group of friends! Be sure not to look up the flavors ahead of time, as it’s fun just finding out if you like them when you get there.
Walk through the casinos
As the gambling capital of the United States, Las Vegas has numerous casinos with their own unique personalities. Walk around and find the one that best fits your ideal Vegas experience!
Some stand out ones that I love include:
- New York New York (styled after 1940s NYC)
- The Venetian (feels like you’re in Venice!)
- Resorts World (there’s so many good restaurants here)
- The Strat (This one is so underrated and has the best views in Vegas)
STRAT Observation Deck
If you’re not comfortable hanging off the edge of the Stratosphere on the rides, then the observation deck is the place for you. Day or night it’s a noteworthy sight!
FlyOver Vegas
Vegas’s newest addition gives another way to experience places all over the world. Strap in and a 52.5-foot spherical screen will take you through the natural wonders of Iceland or ride with the cowboys in the wild west.
FlyOver Vegas should definitely be added to any thrill seeker’s Las Vegas bucket list.
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is a concert like you’ve never experienced before. Las Vegas is the only place you’re going to find a group of men painted blue playing music on colorfully illuminated pvc pipes. You’re in for a night of unique music and comedy.
See a Vegas residency
Many artists from all around the world come to host a Las Vegas residency, usually for a few months. These over-the-top shows are truly legendary.
See one of your favorite artists in style by attending a residency!
I’ve had the joy of seeing Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Adele for their residencies. You really can’t go wrong with any residency show here.
Grand Canal Shoppes
Check out this extravagant mall for exclusive finds and a first-rate shopping experience. Styled after Venice, there’s so many fun things to look at throughout the Grand Canal Shoppes.
Eiffel Tower light show
Fashioned after the original lighting in France, Las Vegas’s Eiffel Tower provides a free light show every 30 minutes from sundown to midnight. It’s impossible to miss if you find yourself in the central part of the Strip.
Cirque du Soleil
A modern take on the classic circus gig we know so well, Cirque du Soleil provides Vegas with a number of fantastical shows. Watch riveting performances full of fight scenes, props, and romance. This is a theatrical masterpiece worth seeing.
I’ve personally gone to see both “O” and “Mad Apple,” and they are both iconic. Mad Apple is hilarious and is NYNY, while O is a great water show right at the Bellagio.
Dream Racing
Pretending to be a racecar driver has been everyone’s dream at one point in time. At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you can make that dream reality.
Get behind the wheel of your favorite supercar and live out your childhood dream; why would this not be on your Las Vegas bucket list?
Museums
The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum takes you right back in time to the classic Las Vegas age. Here, you’ll see iconic signs from famous casinos and restaurants in an eccentric, unforgettable fashion.
The Mob Museum
Discover the fascinating connections to organized crime and American history at Las Vegas’s Mob Museum.
Everybody’s seen men in pinstripe suits and hats but what role did they play in the America we live in today? What were some of the biggest crimes committed, and how did our country’s law enforcement put an end to them?
Uncover answers to these questions and more in this captivating museum.
Nostalgia Street Rods Museum
If you’re a classic car junkie, the Nostalgia Street Rods Museum should be on your Vegas bucket list. Book a tour and access a private car collection dating from 1910 to 1984.
There are also many other items to see as well, such as signed memorabilia from Kobe Bryant, items signed by musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley, and more.
Pinball Hall of Fame
To add to Las Vegas’s offbeat attractions, the Pinball Hall of Fame was opened in 2021. This is the world’s largest Pinball collection.
Machines can be found from the 1950s up to the 1990s. And every single one is able to be played on with just a couple of quarters.
Nevada State Museum
Now you may think, what is there to know about Nevada besides Las Vegas and the desert? But the state actually has a rich anthropological and natural history.
The Nevada State Museum provides visitors an interactive experience to learn all about Silver State history.
The Movie Prop Experience
Come see props from your favorite movies at the Movie Prop Experience on Fremont Street. You’ll find props from movies like Harry Potter, the Marvel Universe, and so many from the classics.
Super fun for the whole family, and kids get in free.
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
Bellagio presents its fine art gallery for art lovers from all over to enjoy in the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. You can always check their website to see the current exhibition.
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds presents an all too real wax figure museum where you can walk around and find your favorite celebrities. Come appreciate the eerie ability of artists to capture these faces in wax.
Titanic Artifact Exhibit
Admit it; we’ve all wished we could walk down those elegant stairs as Rose does in the ‘Titanic.’
Las Vegas’s Titanic Artifact Exhibit in the Luxor gives you the opportunity to feel like you’re right there on the ship. Walk through the recreated rooms and check out over 250 artifacts found in the wreckage. This should be at the top of your Las Vegas bucket list.
I hope you enjoyed this Las Vegas bucket list! Be sure to save this post for later, and enjoy your trip.
