Have free hotel and flights and wife and I have never been so we are headed there in a couple weeks. We plan on the sphere and walking the strip to see all the hotel insanity, but outside of that not sure what to do.

I don't drink so don't care about bars, and we aren't big gamblers but may do a little, so really looking for what the city has to offer for entertainment and what not. Anything we can't miss? Specific properties to check out?

Dinner at Top of The World at The Stratosphere is pretty cool for first timers. Go Check out a Cirque show like O
As far as properties to check out Bellagio is really nice with the fountain and indoor flower garden display. Cosmo is a nice posh hotel and I really like the Venetian property as well.

Would eat at Din Tai Fung in the Aria.

What typically interests you?

First time you should do a bunch of walking and see a bunch. Spend some time at your hotel pool. Go to one of the big buffets. Lotus of Siam gets a lot of love. I thought it was good, but not life changing.

Vegas is expensive af, so just be prepared. Tickets for tonight sells show tickets for that night pretty cheap, if you don't have a particular show in mind. Freemont street is worth seeing once. Lots of weed smoke everywhere outside. Bring a bunch of single dollar bills. Everyone in Vegas wants a dollar for something.

The Sphere has a Postcard from the Edge show and also while you are there some show with U2 theme likely based upon their initial residency

Sounds like you are just a bit too early for the Eagles live at the Sphere but some show is well worth seeing regardless

If you go down to Freemont Street take a couple of hours for Mob Museum and the Speakeasy downstairs

I went for the first time this summer (for work). Stayed at The Venetian (conference hotel). Had a great view of the Sphere from my suite. The pools were nice and it was fun to walk around the Canal Shoppes. I am not a gambler so can't speak to the casino. Ate at Bouchon one night and it was one of the best meals I have ever had.
The Bellagio Fountains were neat to see. Overall, I can say I have been but I am not itching to go back, unless I could go to the NFR. Have fun!

Hoover Dam is cool, at least is was when last went on 2011...

A good activity is a visit around dusk to the Neon Boneyard museum. They have several old Vegas neon signs. It's not too far from Fremont, so you can do both if you are thinking about checking that out too.

Walking inside the Caesar's shops is kinda cool. That's one thing I know has been redone a lot of places, but I really liked their version.

If you catch any shows, I would recommend Absinthe because it kinda ranges and is pretty appropriate for Vegas. Enjoy the restaurants. We go in October and will always seek out something new.

The Tourneau in the Forum Shops is a great place to look at watches.

Meow Wolf's Area 15 is cool

All kinds of opportunities to shoot machine guns, etc. The Gun Store or Range 702.

The Voodoo Steakhouse at the top of the Rio has a nice view. I recommend getting there before sunset and staying past sunset.

Also at The Rio, glow in the dark KISS mini golf is another fun activity. https://kissminigolf.com/

Thanks everyone, keep them coming.

NE PA Ag said:

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A good activity is a visit around dusk to the Neon Boneyard museum. They have several old Vegas neon signs. It's not too far from Fremont, so you can do both if you are thinking about checking that out too.

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I second this. Also, get tickets to one of their "shows" beforehand. They have a separate area where someone has meticulously worked to align projected lights onto old signs that make them seem working again. It's amazing. And make sure you stop and ask the docents ANY question. They are so full of knowledge and really helped our visit there become an amazing visit. We easily spent 2 hours there because of chatting with the docents.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe if you sit on the starboard side of the plane you get the view of the strip.

If you want to venture outside of the city and see some really cool landscape, hiking then make your way to Valley of Fire State Park. Awesome spot and a good reprieve from the urban chaos.

I would love that but I'm fairly certain wife wants the Vegas experience only. Our last trip together was yellow stone and grand tetons so I figure I'll give her a break from hiking this go round.

There are a lot of established shows that are vegas classics and worth seeing.

Blue Man Group and Penn & Teller are both really good shows.

And if you have never seen a Cirque du Solier anywhere any of the Vegas versions would be good.

You should also check to see if any musical group is doing a vegas residency. That can get expensive though.

Any consensus on the absolute must see places or events?

Both at Aria Din Tai Fung and Bardot Brassiere "HH 5-7 " even if you don't drink. THe happy hour food at the bar is really good especially the steak tartare

I have seen two Cirque shows and absolutely hated them. Maybe I am not the target audience, but I was bored out of my freaking mind. The shows were Ka and O.

I have seen Absenithe a couple of times and it was great both times. Postcard from Earth at the Sphere was amazing but the message at the end is about how humans destroyed earth. I see you spend some time on the Politics board, so not sure if that would be a triggering event for you.

The Mob Museum on Fremont was also really good. If you are Fremont you have to at least stop by Circa and check out their giant sportsbook.

I would just roll my eyes. Wouldn't stop me from visiting.

Fremont street at night is a good time. If you do go downtown to Fremont street, then definitely check out the sports book at Circa. Even though you are not a big gambler, it is nice to see.

Find a good show that suits your interests (magic, music, showgirl, comedian) and go see it.

Get out of the city and go for a hike one day, or go do a helicopter ride over the grand canyon, or see hoover dam.

Yes! Valley of Fire is a must see!

It's worth driving through, even if you don't hike. It is like being in another world or on Mars. Really neat place.
But, you know your wife better than all of us TexAgers so go with that.

We weren't planning on renting a car and just staying in town. We have 3 nights so that may just eat a chunk of time.

When my kids are a bit older we will be taking a national and state parks tour RV trip so may just save that for that.

Sounds like you are younger, so this may not be for you, but my wife and I really enjoyed the Pinball Hall of Fame. They have loads of pinball machines and lots of the old classic video games like Asteroids, Galaga and PacMan. Almost all of them are available to play. It's located at the south end of the Strip.

Sea Speed said:

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I would love that but I'm fairly certain wife wants the Vegas experience only. Our last trip together was yellow stone and grand tetons so I figure I'll give her a break from hiking this go round.

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Cool. If first time in Vegas you'll have plenty to see without leaving the strip. Only exception is go downtown to Freemont Street. Worth the taxi ride. And if you want to spend $20 for pool time definitely hit up the Circa Pool when down there.

Otherwise on the strip you'll want to visit the many different properties which are all pretty unique. Hit New York New York and if you like roller coaster definitely do the one on top. Luxor and Mandalay Bay also worth a visit. Then hit The Cosmo, Aria properties which are more modern/classy vibes. Caesar's also a must and check out the Forum shops. The Wynn, Palazzo, and Venetian on the other end. You can do the gondola ride at the Venetian, or atleast walk through the shops to St Marks square.

If you like Thai, then Lotus of Siam is a must. Otherwise crap ton of restaurants to chose from. I always hit Mon Ami Gabi's patio for some people watching and excellent Steak Frites.

I second the patio at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris hotel. Great food, people and fountain watching. I am having my birthday dinner there in about 3 weeks. Note they don't take reservations for the patio, but they'll give you a reasonable time estimate and text you when your table is ready.

I went for the World Series of Poker the week of July 4th.

Saw a few shows of which I'd recommend two. How David Copperfield still does it at age 68 is wild. And the Michael Jackson show at Mandalay Bay was good.

Red Fishing Ag93 said:

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I went for the World Series of Poker the week of July 4th.

Saw a few shows of which I'd recommend two. How David Copperfield still does it at age 68 is wild. And the Michael Jackson show at Mandalay Bay was good.

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I'm always a sucker for the magic shows (prefer them over Circus O shows). Cool experience when in the audience

Where are you staying?
The strip is really long, so it's a lot of walking if that's your plan. I'd take good walking/running shoes. Fashion sense be damned!

Go to the atrium at Bellagio. It's always amazing…and free!

Shin Lim magic show is good, at Venetian now. As is Matt Franco at Linq (smaller show than Lim).
I've never had a bad meal in the Venetian.
Resorts World is a waste of time.
Breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris is always good especially if you get an outdoor table, make a reservation beforehand.
I like breakfast at a place called Maxxys at the Linq Promenade.
Install OpenTable on your phone, and make reservations for dinner and breakfast as early as possible.

Take a backpack and go to the nearest CVS/Walgreens and load up on drinks/snacks to carry back to the room, if you want to save some money over buying them anywhere in a hotel.

Another vote for The Mob Museum. I think it took me about 2.5-3 hours to go thru.

https://themobmuseum.org/

Another option is The Haunted Museum. Interesting place with great exhibits. Guided tour that took a couple hours.

https://thehauntedmuseum.com/

Ooooooh I had heard about that museum before. Gonna have to push for that one.