Thinking Outside the Box: 9 Cool Things to Do in Vegas (That Don't Involve Gambling)

The Las Vegas economy is on fire. The housing market that was crippled during the Great Recession is all the way back.

Personal income is forecasted to grow by nearly 4 percent in 2019. This means that consumers spend more on entertainment in Sin City.

Contrary to popular belief, Las Vegas entertainment is so much more than gambling alone. There is a reason why Las Vegas is one of the most attractive travel destinations in the United States. The city offers so many unique experiences.

Read on to learn more about the Las Vegas entertainment industry. Explore 9 cool things to do in Vegas that are certain to be unforgettable.

1. See a Star in Concert

Las Vegas hosts some of the biggest and best concerts in the world. A star has not really made it until they play Las Vegas.

Whether you are into rock, country, or hip hop, Las Vegas has a concert for you. In the next few months, megastars like Lady Gaga and Backstreet Boys are set to play to tens of thousands in Las Vegas. There are many great venues to catch a concert like the T-Mobile Arena, Pearl Concert Theater, and Park Theater.

2. Enjoy a Gondola Ride

Can’t spring a pricey vacation to Venice, Italy? Save a few thousand bucks and come enjoy a gondola ride in Las Vegas.

Here you can take a boat ride and enjoy the gorgeous night lights of the Las Vegas Strip. The gondola ride takes off from the famous Venetian hotel and casino.

3. Take a Selfie at the Bellagio Fountains

The Bellagio Fountains is home to the most Instagrammed location in Sin City. What better photo op than thousands of fountains shooting water 500 feet into the air?

What is even cooler is that the Bellagio Fountains perform water shows every 30 minutes. The water show is even accompanied by classic music from legends like Frank Sinatra.

Las Vegas can be a very expensive city, so perhaps the most impressive attribute of the Bellagio Fountains is that it is free. Cheap dates are hard to find in the city.

Make sure to see options for an eye-popping wardrobe for your photo op. After you snap a legendary photo, walk over to the lobby of the Bellagio to check out the observatory and botanical gardens.

4. Plan a Trip to the Neon Museum

This popular museum is dedicated to Las Vegas’s neon history. It is conveniently located downtown and is quickly accessible for those lodging in Las Vegas.

The Neon Museum offers guided tours about the history of Sin City. There is an emphasis on the bright neon signs that used to light up the strip.

Here you will see epic monuments to the city’s past like the Sahara casino sign and the skull from Treasure Island. Also, the Neon Museum took things to the next level by launching the light and video display called “Brilliant.”

5. Have a Drink on the High Roller

The High Roller is one of the iconic attractions in Las Vegas. However, many onlookers mistake it for a simple Ferris wheel. There is a good reason that this ride takes up to 40 minutes to complete.

For starters, you can pay extra to get served alcoholic drinks throughout the ride. What better way to take in the epic view from 550-feet high than with a martini in hand. You can see everything Las Vegas has to offer from the top, including the strip and surrounding Nevada beauty.

6. Take a Helicopter Ride

Many people underestimate how beautiful Las Vegas and the surrounding Nevada landscape are. What better way to take in the beauty than a helicopter ride?

This is on the expensive side for Las Vegas entertainment, but well worth the added price tag. You will get to take in the scenic beauty of Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston from several thousand feet high.

Perhaps the best part of the helicopter ride is the stop to Pahrump Valley Winery. Here you will find an award-winning winery and enjoy a delicious four-course meal. Perhaps the best part is taking your wine glass on the road for the majestic flight home.

7. Take in the City’s Growing Sports Culture

In the past, Las Vegas was not known as a big sports town. However, that is rapidly starting to change. First, the National Hockey League (NHL) added the Golden Knights franchise in Vegas. The Golden Knights are accustomed to selling out the T-Mobile arena, making for high-intensity entertainment.

While hockey is a big step, the Vegas sports scene is set to take off in 2020. In August of 2020, the National Football League’s Raiders are moving from Oakland to Vegas.

In addition to hockey, Vegas will be home to a popular football franchise playing in a brand new stadium. The Raiders have one of the craziest fan bases in all of sports and are sure to create a fun atmosphere on Sundays.

8. Zipline from Hotel to Hotel

You have probably heard about people zip lining in a forest from tree to tree. But, have you heard about zip lining from hotel to hotel?

Las Vegas gives you the opportunity to get your Spiderman on. The most thrilling zip line in the city takes place at the Rio Hotel.

Here you will travel up to 33 miles per hour between Masquerade and Ipanema Towers. If you are able to stop screaming for a moment, you can enjoy a unique view of the Las Vegas strip.

9. Eat Like a King

There are hundreds of amazing restaurants in the city. Las Vegas is a foodie’s paradise.

Visitors can enjoy Estiatorio Milos, one of the best restaurants in the city. Famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay prepare dinner for private parties at Vegas Uncork’d.