Las Vegas is a destination synonymous with bright lights, glitz, glamour and nightlife. But while we all know what happens (or some of it!) once the sun sets over this Nevada desert city, what about the things top do in Vegas during the day? For this is a place with so much more to offer than just gambling and clubbing – though there are plenty of places to go for this too! Whether you’re looking to relax beachside with a cocktail, get your adrenaline pumping as you ride the Big Apple Coaster or laugh until your sides hurt at Play Playground, you’re truly spoilt for choice. In this article we take a look at alternative things to do in Vegas during the day.
Looking for a place to stay in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is packed with hotels to not only make your base, but also provide you with a place of reprieve after being out and about, where you can relax and be pampered. Some of the top hotels on the strip we recommend include:
- The Bellagio
- The Venetian
- Park MGM
- The Cosmopolitan
- Vdara
- Aria Resort
- Mandalay Bay
- Excalibur Hotel
- New York – New York
- The Signature at MGM Grand
- Paris Las Vegas
Things to do in Vegas during the day
Vegas is a city with many faces and when it comes to things to do in Vegas during the day, you’ll be hard-pressed to fit it all in! From the fun to the fabulous and the down-right daring, here are just a few things to get up to when the sun’s up in Las Vegas.
Dive In Movies at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Dive into pool season with the perfect fusion of relaxation and entertainment with Dive In Movies. Taking place on Monday nights at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ Boulevard Pool, it’s open to guests of all ages and promises a fantastic time. Taking place until September 9th, guests can unwind and enjoy a selection of blockbuster hits, timeless classics and family favourites projected on a 65-foot digital marquee. General admission to Dive In Movies can be purchased online and is $15, or $10 for locals. Complimentary admission is extended to hotel guests, first responders and military with valid ID. Doors open at 7pm and movies begin promptly at 8pm.
- August 12: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- August 19: Back to the Future
- August 26: Dirty Dancing
- September 2: The Hangover
- September 9: Creed III
High Roller Wheel at Linq
The second-largest in the world, the wheel at Linq is a 550-foot tall giant Ferris wheel located on the Las Vegas strip. Featuring 28 cabins, it takes 30 minutes to complete and offers panoramic views of the city below. You can choose to pay a bit more and indulge in bottomless drinks while you take a spin on the wheel too! It’s a great way to get yourself acquainted with the strip and drink up some of the most impressive views.
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Experience the thrill of sharks as well as more than 2,000 other creatures at Shark Reef Aquarium. While you might not expect an aquarium nestled in the middle of a hotel in a desert strip, Vegas is great at bringing out surprise after surprise! Here you can find a range of mesmerising creatures and exhibits for guests of all ages to enjoy. Since opening in the year 2000 it has quickly become a popular tourist attraction and can get you out of the blazing sun for a while too.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio Conservatory really is a sight to be seen and experienced when looking for things to do in Vegas during the day. A 14,000 square-foot Botanical Garden that is transformed five times a year, it showcases inspiring sights, sounds, scents and colours which are brought to life by the magnificently talented Bellagio Horticulture and Engineering teams. Make sure to take plenty of photos but also just immerse yourself in the moment, it really is something spectacular!
Mandalay Bay Beach
Guests of all ages are invited to make a splash and enjoy the iconic Mandalay Bay Beach. An 11 acre aquatic playground, you can ride tides in the wave pool, relax on the lazy river, lounge in a lagoon or spend the day relaxing under a cabana. Enjoy delicious cocktails and snacks and feel yourself transported to a truly luxurious slice of beachside paradise.
Play Playground at Luxor
Play Playground at Luxor is a larger-than-life playground designed for adults to reminisce in the joy of childhood. A wacky and exciting spot to visit on your trip to Vegas, it includes 20 large-scale, hands-on games and challenges. With a lively atmosphere that encourages spirited, friendly competition, it’s ideal to head with friends, family or your other half. Play Playground has two full-service bars serving up theatrical cocktails, a VIP mezzanine area, local DJs spinning on the weekend and several photo opportunities, making it one of the hottest new social spots in the city. General admission is $37 Monday – Thursday, and $49 Friday – Sunday.
Particle Ink at Luxor
Particle Ink at Luxor is a mesmerising, immersive experience that seamlessly blends the boundaries between digital art and physical reality. Nestled in the iconic Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, this attraction invites visitors into an enchanted world where art literally comes to life before you. Utilising cutting-edge technology, including projection mapping and augmented reality, Particle Ink transforms the space into a dynamic canvas where fantastical creatures and vibrant landscapes emerge and interact with guests. As visitors navigate through the exhibit, they become part of the narrative, contributing to a collective artistic expression that is both personal and universal. It’s a truly breathtaking place that you don’t want to miss!
The Big Apple Coaster at New York–New York
The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York in Las Vegas offers an exhilarating experience that mimics the twists and turns of a high-speed taxi ride through the bustling streets of Manhattan. This thrilling roller coaster features heart-pounding drops, loops, and stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip. With its unique taxi cab-themed trains and a track that winds through a replica of New York City landmarks, the ride delivers a blend of excitement and nostalgia. Perfect for thrill-seekers, The Big Apple Coaster provides a one-of-a-kind adventure in the heart of Vegas.
Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions in Las Vegas offers a captivating journey through a world where reality and illusion blur, challenging the perceptions and senses of its visitors. Located right on the strip, it uses light, perspective and optical tricks to create a range of visual effects and funny photo opportunities. With a truly revolutionary take on the museum experience, Museum of Illusions encourages active participation from guests as each exhibit is designed to be touched, experienced, and photographed to capture memorable moments and engaging social media content. We don’t want to spoilt the surprises to book your ticket and be awed when you arrive!
Las Vegas Mob Museum
Situated in a former courthouse in downtown Las Vegas, the mob museum showcases a vast array of artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays that document the rise and fall of notorious mobsters, the gritty realities of mob life, and the efforts of law enforcement to combat organized crime. Visitors can explore immersive exhibits, including a recreated Prohibition-era speakeasy and a crime lab experience, providing a fascinating look into the underworld that shaped much of Las Vegas’ history.
The Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience is a popular attraction located in downtown Las Vegas. A vibrant and bustling pedestrian mall it spans five blocks along Fremont Street and it packed with things to see and do. Take a ride on their SlotZilla zip line where you can speed over the crowds and check out the street from above while getting an adrenaline rush too! Check out the classic neon signs and vintage Vegas charm with many original signs from the mid 20th-century still in place. There are also numerous shops, restaurants and bars to check out.
Sphere
Sphere Vegas is an entertainment arena in Vegas located on the east of the strip. It offers a fully immersive, cinematic experience with its own weather and seats that let you feel trult part of the action. Postcard from Earth is currently showing – it’s a 50-minute sensory film on the world’s largest hi-definition screen. Filmed in 18k resolution it offers a truly breathtaking experience, unlike anything you’ve ever had before. Ticket prices start at $94.
Eiffel Tower Experience
When in Vegas be sure to also check out the Eiffel Tower experience, taking you to the streets of Paris from the depths of the desert. Featuring a half-scale replica of the iconic structure in France, you can take in the views from its 360-degree observation deck at 460 feet high. If you fancy taking your experience up a notch, it has a fine dining restaurant on the 11th floor making it ideal for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
Grand Canyon South Rim Tour
No trip to Vegas would be complete without a trip to the Grand Canyon. A tour here typically begins with a scenic drive through the desert landscape, often including stops at key viewpoints such as Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and the historic Grand Canyon Village. Visitors can marvel at the panoramic views, take in the vibrant colours of the canyon walls, and witness the Colorado River winding far below. You can take a coach trip, a private driven tour or go all out with a helicopter tour!
These are just a few things to do in Vegas during the day that will take your trip to the next level. No matter what you’re after, whether you want to do something fun, chilled or completely different, you’ll find it here.
