12 Things You Absolutely Must Do in Las Vegas

By Scott Roeben, on December 05 2013
4 min read 32 comments
Downtown Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Casinos Las Vegas Restaurants Las Vegas Shows Things to Do in Las Vegas

There’s so much to see and do in Las Vegas, how can you ever hope to do it all? You can’t. Get real. You’re not omnipresent, probably, so you’re going to have to narrow down your list of things to do. Or, just let us do it.

Here, then, are 12 things you absolutely have to do when you’re in Las Vegas. And not the usual stuff like dancing fountains and erupting volcanoes. Vital stuff, in addition to that other vital stuff. It’s confusing, so let’s just move it along, shall we?

1. Play Craps at Binion’s

When you play craps at Binion’s, you’re not just playing craps at Binion’s. You’re taking part in a ritual that virtually defines the Las Vegas experience. Binion’s is the home of epic craps rolls and fortunes won and lost. Even if you can’t play at Binion’s, learn and play craps. But play at Binion’s. At least once.

Binion's casino
Oh, and if you’re bored, try and beat our record for the Most Photos Taken With a Million Dollars.

2. Have BBQ at Ellis Island

It’s a dinky little casino, not too far from The Strip, and the table games don’t even open until 3:00 p.m. But who cares? The BBQ alone is worth a visit, and the beer (brewed on site) is the stuff of legend.

Ellis Island barbeque
This should also answer the age-old question, “Where can I see the best rack in Las Vegas?”

3. Hit Happy Hour at Stratosphere

The happy hour deals at Level 107 Lounge at Stratosphere are great, but the views are truly spectacular. Keep in mind that while the Top of the World Restaurant revolves 360-degrees every 80 minutes, the Level 107 Lounge doesn’t, so you’ll have to stroll around to get the full effect. A definite must-do in Las Vegas.

Level 107 Lounge
As the name implies, Level 107 is 107 floors up. That’s 749 in dog floors, whatever those might be.

4. Visit the Neon Museum

The Neon Museum is a walk through Las Vegas history, with dozens of vintage signs on display across six acres. The Neon Museum’s visitor center alone is worth the price of admission. It’s the restored lobby of the iconic La Concha Motel.

Neon Museum
A sign from the Moulin Rouge, the first integrated hotel-casino in the United States.

5. See “Absinthe”

Abandon your inner prude at the door, because you’re in for a wild ride. Part adult carnival, part variety show, part raunchy stand-up and part WTF, this hilarious, occasionally heart-stopping show at Caesars Palace is about as entertaining as it gets. Add this to your “Must-Do in Las Vegas” list, already.

Absinthe balancing act
The talent line-up in “Absinthe” changes often, but they’ve never not been great.

6. Buffet It at M Resort

You’re going to buffet while you’re in Vegas, it’s the law. Here’s the one you have to try: Studio B Buffet at M Resort. Sure, it’s a little out of the way (about 10 minutes south of The Strip), but it’s so good, you won’t mind much.

M Resort buffet
Because M Resort is a locals casino, the values are exceptional, and the savings on your buffet might even pay for a cab ride.

7. Visit the Bellagio Conservatory

The Bellagio Conservatory remains one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas. The displays change seasonally, so there’s always new eye candy to devour. While you’re at Bellagio, you have to see the dancing fountains, it’s the law.

Bellagio Conservatory
The Bellagio Conservatory never fails to impress.

8. Drink and Dine at Triple George

Triple George is our favorite restaurant in downtown Las Vegas, an area with a vibrant (and much cheaper than The Strip) dining scene. The cocktails are sexy and the menu is teeming with temptations. Visit twice and chances are the bartenders will know your name. Triple George is a have-to-do if ever there were one.

Triple George dessert
And don’t get us started on the desserts.

9. Play With A Go-Go Dealer at The D or Golden Gate

Downtown does a lot of things right, but dealers who also go-go dance? That’s Vegas at its finest. The young women at The D and Golden Gate, downtown, are personable and charming, and even know how to deal (not always the case in some Vegas party pits).

Go-go dealer
It’s blackjack or bust at Golden Gate.

10. See the High Roller Ferris Wheel

If you’ve visited this blog before, you may have heard a thing or two about the High Roller. It’s the tallest observation wheel in the world, and if it were a person, we would send it flowers and take it on a romantic gondola ride, if you get our drift. This is the grandaddy of must-do things in Las Vegas.

High Roller observation wheel
We might have mentioned the High Roller wheel a time or two.

11. Have a Steak at Joe’s

Think of the best steakhouse in your hometown. Now, multiply that by infinity, and you have Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab at the Forum Shops inside Caesars Palace. We aren’t a seafood person, but we hear their seafood is fairly spectacular, too.

Joe's bone-in filet
This bone-in filet mignon will change your life.

12. Cozy Up to Lion

Before or after you enjoy the M Resort’s buffet, make sure to visit the Lion Habitat Ranch about a minute away. This is where all those MGM Grand lions went when they retired. It’s a clean, welcoming environment, and the keepers treat the lions (including cubs) like family.

Lion Habitat Ranch
Yep, you get this close.

All right, we’re pretty sure you have things on your “Things You Have to Do When You’re in Las Vegas” list, so let’s hear them.