More than 32 million tourists flock to the state of Nevada every year. Drawn to Vegas by the glitz and glamour of the casinos, many fail to recognize its other charms and allure. Did you even know about its curious museums, art scene, and natural beauty?
If not, then we are here to give an alternative perspective. Read on as we give 10 unique things to do in Vegas.
1. Visit the Neon Museum
Few skylines and cityscapes are as easily identifiable as Las Vegas. Part of that is down to its vast array of glitzy signage. Once these signs reach the end of their days, they retire at the Neon Museum.
Most of these signs were created by the Young Electric Sign Company. Based in Salt Lake City, you can walk through their three-acre plot that houses the signs that made the town famous. Highlights include well-known signs such as the Golden Nugget and Aladdin’s Lamp.
2. Hike in Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is a real hidden gem for anyone who wants their fix of the great outdoors. You can wander the Mojave Desert, barely bumping into a soul on your travels. Well-marked walkways make it easy to traverse alone, or if you want to get the best bits, you can book one of the walking tours that take place.
This canyon has a strange color palette formed by wind and erosion over millions of years. Make sure you climb to the top of the canyon for the most breathtaking views.
3. Pinball Hall of Fame
If you have ever dreamed of becoming a pinball wizard, then this is one of the best things to do in Vegas. Just a short walk from the main strip, 200 antique pinball machines are laid out in a warehouse space waiting for you to play them.
The museum was started by Tim Arnold, who had been leasing out machines since the age of 13. He owned several arcades and retired with his collection of 1000 pinball machines in the nineties.
Most games cost around 25 cents to play, though more modern ones are $1. As well as pinball machines, there are other amusement machines, from sports games to arcade classics.
4. Visit an Icebar
Vegas can get pretty hot and sticky, so what would be a better place to cool off than one of the city’s ice bars? Grab a drink in a place where everything gets carved from ice, from the chairs to the ornaments decorating the bar itself. Don’t worry about wrapping up, as you get gloves, a hat, and fur coats as you enter!
There are three locations in Las Vegas, all owned by the Minus 5 experience. It is even possible to hire them for events and private parties. Look here for more information on where they are and how to visit.
5. Visit Area 51
Around 15 minutes drive from the main strip lies the Area 51 entertainment center. Book an entry pass and head inside this sprawling complex. It is packed with unique entertainment attractions, making it one of the most fun things to do in Vegas.
You can sit at the range of unique bars and take a drink. The Oddwood Bar has a 25ft tall digital tree that drips a neon ambiance on the whole room. There is a distillery inside, virtual reality worlds, and for the adventurous, you can also indulge in some indoor hang gliding.
6. Buy Art at an Art-O-Mat
In the late 20th century, cigarette vending machines were banned in many places across the US. In 1997 artist Clark Whittington decided to repurpose them as homes for tiny pieces of art. This temporary project soon went global, and 100 machines are now spread across the country and the rest of the globe.
All you need to do is find a machine, then donate $5. You wind the handle, and your tiny piece of artwork falls out. Anything from drawings to small sculptures is available as one-off souvenirs of your trip.
7. Drive a Nascar Race Car
If the Vegas strip is not noisy enough for you, then you can head to the track and take part in your own NASCAR race. One of the most unique things to do in Vegas you can hurtle around the oval track at speeds of around 160 mph.
Taking place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, several experiences can be booked. You can decide to drive yourself or turn up on a race day to take in the NASCAR spectacle.
8. Visit the Mob Museum
Las Vegas would not have existed if it was not for the mafia, so it stands to reason a museum should be made about them. Looking at organized crime starting in the 1800s, the journey goes right up to the modern-day. Videos, artifacts, photos, and documentation provide the history of one of the most famous crime gangs in the world.
9. Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum
Zak Bagan is a television presenter, namely of the Travel Channels ‘Ghost Adventures’. This 1938 mansion has now been filled with haunted, macabre objects, including puppets and a trove of objects belonging to famous serial killers. One of the star attractions is the world’s most haunted doll, Peggy.
10. View the Hand of Faith Gold Nugget
The Hand of Faith is the world’s second-largest, unbroken gold nugget. It resides in the Golden Nugget Casino but is away in a quiet corridor away from the hustle and bustle. Oddly enough, it was not even found in Vegas but in a small Australian mining town and was sold to the casino for over $1 million.
Unique Things to Do in Vegas
Now you know these unique things to do in Vegas, you can begin to plan your trip. Leave plenty of time to explore and book any tickets in advance. Of course, you still need to find time to do the standard Vegas attractions as well.
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