Bucket List Sites in Las Vegas, USA

Viva Las Vegas:

Cost: Free to wander. Food: $$-$$$$

Funky Fact: Over 41 million people visit Las Vegas each year.

1 Fremont Street

The city’s most famous neon signs and marquees line the blocks and its home to Las Vegas’ first casinos. You’ll hear dueling piano bars and enjoy craft cocktails and dirt cheap drinks. You can’t miss the ceiling: Viva Vision! It’s a screen boasting 16.4 million pixels. At 1,375 feet long and 90 feet wide the screen arches over the street to light up your scenes. (Free to see)

2. The Forum Shops

A world renowned upscale shopping mall in Caesars Palace. The sales in this mall are some of the highest grossing in the United States. (Free to see)

3. Wet Republic Ultra Pool

The best pool party on the strip. Its a massive 54,500 sq. ft. music venue with  pools, daybeds, banquets, private bungalows, fancy cabanas and amazing DJs (its adults only).

4. Erupting Volcano

Every hour from 7 pm on, Vegas visitors can watch the smoke, fire, lights and fountains explode in a choreographed spectacle in front of the Mirage Hotel. (Free to see)

5. Paris Paris Tour the Eiffel Tower

Aside from walking around the adorable interior shopping street. Visitors can take in the best view of the strip from a visit to the top of the tower. Plan your trip up for a time that aligns with the Bellagios’ fountain show for a spectacular view.

6. Brooklyn Bridge Walk

Enjoy the charm of the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York, New York Hotel. Check out their live music, is this amazing 9,000 sq. ft. replica. You’ll feel like you’re in the big apple. (Free to see)

7. Flamingos

Check out the 9 chilean flamingos living at The Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat in a stunning four-acre gardens. The gardens are elaborately planned with streams, waterfalls, exotic birds, turtles and fish. (Free to see)

8. Rainforest Cafe

Feeling Tropical vibes? Check out the tropical thunderstorm every 22 minutes in the Rainforest Cafe. (Free to see)

9. Giant Aquarium

The Mirage Lobby Aquarium has to be the best office view, with a 20,000-gallon saltwater tank behind the check-in desk. It’s home to 450 kids of fish and has a thriving coral reef.

10. Glass Wine Tower

One of the most unexpected sites you’ll find at the Mandalay Bay hotel is the Aureole Wine Bar. Its a four story glass tower with an Acrobatic ‘Wine Angel’ that will grab you something from their 3,000-bottle list.

11. Luxor Pyramid

This 4400 room hotel is the largest pyramid in the U.S. From the outside the glossy black four sided facade is topped with a light beam that’s the strongest beam of light in the world. (Free to see)

12. Excalibur Castle 

The Excalibur Hotel is named for the mythical sword of King Arthur. This Medieval theme hotel is lines with coats armor and features dueling knights and jousting.

13. The Trevi Fountain

A smaller version of it Roman replica exists outside the Caesar’s Palace. There is a famous myth about throwing coins in: If you throw one coin: you will return. If you throw two coins: you will fall in love. If you throw three coins: you will marry the person that you met. (Free to see)

14. Little Venice and Gondola Rides

The gondola boats give 500,000 visitors ride annually, each boat makes roughly 40 trips a day. The gondoliers perform a song and march to and from their boats at 9:50 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. daily at The Venetian Hotel. 

15. Conservatory and Botanical Garden

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is a sight like no other. This seasonally rotating floral exhibit is one to rival the Chealse Flower Show. A fever dream of color creativity playing with light, water, size and scale all delicately done with thousands of botanical plants and flowers. (Free to see)

16. 1923 Hidden Prohibition Bar

The Mandalay Bay hides a swanky speakeasy behind a vintage bookshelf and some old whiskey barrels. Check out this hidden gem for some of the classiest drinks in town!

17. Fountain of the Gods

Inside the Forum Shops at the Caesar’s Palace is an unusually musical fountain. Every hour on the hour during the day, the statues come alive, see the Gods Venus, Apollo, Pluto and come to life in the ‘Fall Of Atlantis’ an animatronic fountain and light show complete with robotics, music and a voice track story line (Free to see).

18. Fiori di Como Glass Sculpture Ceiling in The Bellagio

In the front lobby of the Bellagio hang a masterpiece of glass and light. Dale Chihuly’s “Fiori di Como,” a stunning kalidescope canopy. The 2100-square-foot masterpiece of hand-blown glass flowers floats above an elaborate table arrangement of flower to welcome visitors. (Free to see)

19. Heart Attack Grill

Visitor wear hospital gowns to prepare for the inevitable ambulance ride after eating one of this burger restaurants best menu items: The Bypass Burger. Waitresses wearing nurse outfits serve you what could be your very last meal.

20. The STRAT Tower

Check out the tallest building in the state of Nevada. This Hotels has 2,427 rooms, and its tower is 1,149 feet tall. At the top visitors can peer out the two observation decks, visit the revolving restaurant, shop the mall, take in a comedy club performance and see a Fine Art Photography Gallery. But the best activity at the top is one of the thrill rides: The Big Shot, Insanity and X-Scream. If you’re feeling extra brave try the SkyJump, leap off a Guinness World Record bungee jump down a 829 foot drop at 40mph.

21. Nine Fine Irishmen

The entire stunning interior of the pub was imported from Ireland, even the floor. The story behind the pubs name starts in 1848, when nine nationalists: Thomas Francis Meagher, John Mitchel, Patrick O’Donoghue, Terence Bellew McManus, William O’Brien, Charles Gavan Duffy, John Dillon, Thomas D’Arcy McGee, and Richard O’Gorman fought for Ireland in attempts to gain independence from the British. It didn’t end so well for them but the pub has great beer and a good old story.

22. Tarapeze Acrobats 

Check you the Circus Circus Hotel for their daily free performances (listed times on a board in the plaza). See their trapeze Acrobat swing hight above the casino lights at the Carnival Midway on the second floor of the main plaza.

23. Container Park

Free movies, live music, a performance stage, treehouses, slides, shopping and food stalls galore, check out the open air container park in downtown Las Vegas.

24. Cirque du Soleil

If you’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil’s show, now is your chance. Vegas has SIX options to see different acrobatic action packed performances: KÀ, O, Mystére, Mad Apple, Michael Jackson ONE, and The Beatles LOVE all lovingly performed by the amazing Cirque du Soleil cast.

25. Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den Secret Bar

Tucked behind a golden cat covered secret bookshelf inside FUHU CHA CHAN TENG restaurant is ‘Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den’ This dark bar is illuminated with candles, a neon pink cherry blossom tree and sultry monogramed drinks that will be your vice for the night! You can fid this hidden in Resorts World Las Vegas.

26. Hidden Ghost Donkey Bar 

You’d never know this wasn’t an Exit, This bar can be found inside the Cosmopolitan in the back of a restaurant and its like stepping into a piñata. This dimly lit tequila bar is covered in twinkle lights and Mexican decor. Try the wildly exotic and delicious Nachos with Huitlacoche (Google if you dare). Trust me there is not a better or more unusual dish in all of Las Vegas.

27. Cosmopolitan Chandelier Bar

This posh crystal-enveloped bar spans three floors and is sure to dazzle your eyes with glamor. There are an estimates 7 million crystals in the entire bar lid with thousands of LED Lights to set the prefect ambiance. During your visit check out their signature Verbena Cocktail a lemonade ode with a spicy twist.

28. Beauty & Essex Secret Bar

Tucked inside a pawn shop with a faux front is the stunning Beauty and Essex bar. This bar is also located in the Cosmopolitan. Rich leather tufting, candle light glow, gold frames and trick mirrors paired with velvet seating make for a fabulous dinning experience.

29. Ski Lodge Secret Bar

The third secret bar located in the Cosmopolitan is the Ski Lodge. With a cozy fireplace, shot ski, and a friendly cabin pub feel this bar makes for a fun contrast to the Las Vegas desert heat. Check out the behind the bar digital scene where it’s always snowing.

30. Night Club Scene

There are tons of dance clubs in Vegas. Each major hotel hosts a dance club offering expensive drinks and a night of sweat and memories. My three favorite clubs were: Tao, Omnia and Hakkasan. Check each venue for hours, DJs, free passes for ladies, and some offer free drinks.