Las Vegas is, without a doubt, the gambling capital of the United States. But that’s not all it has to offer. Las Vegas is also one of the most tourist friendly cities in the country. Unlike other tourism-driven cities in the country, Las Vegas doesn’t draw people in with beaches, low prices or unique foods. Instead, Las Vegas does what it does best: It creates one of a kind experiences for people that they’ll never forget.
- Las VegasBert Kaufmann
If you go to Las Vegas and only spend your time gambling, you’re missing out on a lot of what Las Vegas has to offer. What else can you do in Las Vegas besides gamble?
Experience the World’s Best Spirits and Wines
Nobody knows spirits and wines quite like Vegas dwellers. Here you can learn more about wines and liquors than you ever thought possible.
Want to learn a bit about tequila? Head on over to Isla in Treasure Island. There a full time tequila expert (called the Tequila Goddess) will explain all the different kinds of tequila in the world. Of course, you can try any and all of them as well.
Want to expand your knowledge of single malt? Head on over to Craftsteak. You’ll see rows and rows and rows of different kinds of single malt, each with a slightly different taste, flavor and texture.
If you consider yourself a wine lover, you can’t miss Aureole. In Aureole, aged wines are stored in an enormous four storey high “wine cellar” that can only be navigated with a special harnessing system.
Witness the Dance of Water
There are many water fountains all over Las Vegas that flaunt beautiful water shows. At the end of the day however, there’s really only one that’s worth being on this list: The fountains at the Bellagio.
The Bellagio’s fountains sports and incredible 1,214 water sprouts that shoot water as high as 460 feet. The waters are decorated with an array of different colored lights that turn the water into every color of the rainbow.
The water will shift from looking like lava to waterfalls to angel’s tears to rockets shooting through the skies. If you’re in Las Vegas, even if you have no intention of gambling, make it a point to experience the water and light show at the Bellagio’s fountains.
Shark Reef Aquarium
Most aquariums around the world sport relatively tame animals. You’ll see many schools of fish, large fish, octopi, starfish and so on. You might see a shark here and there, but by and large most aquariums are sorely lacking in the “exciting animals” department.
Not so with the shark reef aquarium.
This aquarium boasts many, many sharks, as well as crocodiles, sting rays and even a rare komodo dragon. It’s also home to a number of other rare creatures, including giant sea turtles and sting rays.
Experience the Stratosphere
Want to top off your Las Vegas experience with an adrenaline pumping, hair rising adventure ride? Then head over to the Stratosphere. The stratosphere is located all the way north on the Boulevard. Just follow the voices of the people screaming.
Stratosphere is the highest building in all of Vegas – All of Nevada in fact. At the top, it has three exciting rides, the X Scream, the Big Shot and Insanity: The Ride.
A Dance to Remember
Even if you’re not a patron of the casinos, make sure to check out some of the live cabaret or live action shows. Many of them are inside casinos, though some of them are outside. They’re free to attend, even if you’re not spending any money there.
Shows might include pirate ships, intricate love stories or jealous revenge plotlines. The music is incredible, the dancers emotionally evocative and the show all around unforgettable.
Go Shopping in Extravagance
Las Vegas is a shopper’s paradise – If you have the right credit card. All the high end designer goods are there, as well as a generous helping out high end designers that you’ve never heard of. For a truly unique shopping experience, head over to the Fashion Show Mall, where an illusionary cloud is projected overhead to simulate the outdoors and create an almost surreal shopping experience.
These are just some of the many things you can do in Las Vegas without ever spending a dime in the casinos.
[box]Author Bio – Daniel Johnshon, author of this article is a writer originally based in Adelaide but now travelling the world and undertaking some content projects. Do check out his travel portal for some amazing Las Vegas tours as well as cheap Las Vegas flights from across the globe.[/box]
