Las Vegas Sights

Bellagio Hotel And Casino

Arguably the most famous resort in Las Vegas and definitely one of the most famous in the world, the Bellagio Hotel and Casino symbolises all the extravagance and glitz Las Vegas is known for. The casino here is huge, housing all the games you usually only dream of playing, from poker to roulette, as well as countless fruit machines.

Located right in the heart of the city, this hotel’s location is extremely handy for travellers looking to visit theatre shows, as well as other resorts and attractions. Bellagio Hotel and Casino’s restaurant offers a diverse and delicious menu; other facilities include valet parking, a swimming pool and a fitness centre. This fabulous five-star resort has also been featured in many well-known films, such as Ocean’s Thirteen, so you’re sure to recognise this extravagant building when visiting Las Vegas.

The iconic fountain displays at the front of the hotel also provide stunning shows at night, with water shooting up into the sky, performing a choreographed routine to specially-selected music. So, whether you’re staying at the hotel or not, don’t miss out on this dazzling display.

Boulder Beach

A long, straight road leading right down to the Colorado River will bring you to Boulder Beach. Open during the daytime, holidaymakers are able to splash around and swim in the clean waters of the Colorado River, or sunbathe on the golden sands.

Boulder Beach is surrounded by the beautiful Colorado mountains and is located close to the iconic Hoover Dam, another must-see landmark. The beach has ample parking and thanks to its remote location, it’s a pretty quiet spot, so you won’t need to worry about being cramped in with other sunbathers. Instead, you will have plenty of space to spread out and relax on the sands in peace.

Toilet facilities are available on the site and there’s also a camping ground just a stone’s throw away from the beach’s shore. So, if you are a lover of the great outdoors, this is the ideal place to spend an evening under the stars.

Fremont Street

If you want to see the real glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, head to Fremont Street. Probably the second most famous street in the city, after of course the Las Vegas Strip, Fremont Street offers fantastic entertainment and dining at any hour of the day (or night).

This dazzlingly colourful street is home to the famous Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, so if you’re feeling lucky, enjoy a game of poker or roulette. You will be stuck for where to focus your gaze as you stroll down Fremont Street since it is covered by an immersive canopy, projecting imagery onto the ceiling (and even a night sky in the evening).

Street performers will provide you with a musical soundtrack as you ramble down this path of lights and glamour. When venturing here during the day, there are plenty of eateries to choose from, from Starbucks to international cuisine and even an oxygen bar.

Grand Canyon National Park

Las Vegas is an ideal place to stay if you wish to take a trip out to one of the most iconic and beautiful landmarks in the whole of the USA, the Grand Canyon. Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most-visited sites in America thanks to its vast and stunning vistas, colourful landscapes and rich history. However, there is more to this site than just the view - there is a well preserved and fascinating history to explore, too.

Many buildings within the Grand Canyon have been preserved because they are an integral part of its past. A host of different tours and excursions are available to be booked, taking you to the very heart of the canyon, giving you the chance to gaze at the awe-inspiring scenery and explore this incredible region for yourself. Also, the Colorado River runs through the heart of the Grand Canyon and has long been an ideal and exhilarating spot for rafters to hit the rapids.

Hoover Dam

Constructed during the Great Depression between 1931 and 1936, Hoover Dam is one of the most impressive structures Nevada has to offer. Located about 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the dam is an incredibly popular tourist destination, especially when paired with an adventure to another one of America’s most loved landmarks, the Grand Canyon, which is situated close by.

The Hoover Dam is expansive and impressive, offering beautiful views of the Colorado River. There are various different ways to experience this magnificent structure; bus tours are very popular and for a unique day trip experience. You can also book a trip to circle the dam by helicopter, to take in the panoramic views of the site and surrounding countryside from above.

Alternatively, why not book a Lake Mead Dinner Cruise? On this tour, you can dine in style aboard a paddlewheel boat while savouring the idyllic views of Hoover Dam and the lake’s surroundings.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Whether you are a motorsports fan or just in search of a different kind of thrill during your holiday, a trip to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway promises not to disappoint. Located about 15 miles northeast of the Las Vegas Strip, it’s easy to travel to the speedway, which covers 1,200 acres of land.

There are nine different tracks for racing, hosting everything from short track racing and dirt racing to street racing; you can even get behind the wheel and take advantage of one of three unique driving experiences. Choose from taking a spin in your favourite luxury vehicle or a NASCAR-style stock car. Whichever you opt for, you are promised the drive of your life.

Venture to the gift shop, where you can purchase a range of driving memorabilia. Alternatively, book a track tour for yourself, offering the perfect way for you to get a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating speedway, as well as learning interesting trivia about its history and events.

Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas’ bold and dazzling Strip is one of the most iconic sights in the whole of the United States and is the reason why millions visit this bustling city every year. Lined with a countless number of upscale casino hotels, it doesn’t matter whether you are in search of excellent food, thriving theatre performances or just somewhere to enjoy a glamorous night out.

Don’t miss the choreographed Fountains of Bellagio; with water shooting high into the sky in front of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, there aren’t many more mesmerising free sights to see than this one.

Las Vegas’ Strip doesn’t just come alive in the evening, either; it’s also a hype of activity during the daytime. In the daylight, you can still visit the wealth of casinos, take in a wide mix of live entertainment and also browse an array of shops, which stretch across the whole of this lively Strip.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

Madame Tussauds is famous all over the world for its plethora of lifelike waxwork statues of public figures, from the royal family to the latest bands. The Las Vegas branch of Madame Tussauds is no exception. Here, you can find an enormous mix of lifelike statues, ranging from politicians to sporting idols.

Image source: Flickr. Copyright Luke Rauscher.

Open seven days a week, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is situated on Las Vegas Boulevard, making it a particularly handy attraction if you are already downtown. For sports lovers, you can see a wide range of American heroes, such as Arnold Palmer and Babe Ruth.

Run into your favourite actors and rub shoulders with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock and Johnny Depp, or have your picture taken with music icons ranging from Stevie Wonder and Britney Spears to Lenny Kravitz. You can even find a room specially dedicated to the biggest icons of the 1990s. Representing this decade are the likes of the Spice Girls, Madonna and many more, including a great display of Bill Clinton playing the saxophone.

Outdoor Art Murals Downtown

From countless theatre shows being performed every night to the iconic museums and galleries, it’s hard to escape the cultural richness that Las Vegas has to offer its visitors. This culture even spills out onto the streets, thanks to the many outdoor art murals found on the side of buildings all over Downtown Las Vegas.

Head to 7th Street and Ogden Avenue to discover a wealth of murals from different artists, including the thought-provoking skeletal mural by D*Face. Originally painted for the 2013 Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival, this piece of art was crafted to evoke emotions for anyone who has been in pain over losing their love to someone else.

That same address gives you the opportunity to view “Scratch and Win” by Ana Maria Ortiz, which can be found on the Commonwealth Building. Again, created for the 2013 Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival, this mural was designed to explore the softness of human emotion.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Las Vegas isn’t all about bright lights

and entertainment, it is also an excellent destination to head to if you want

to get back to nature. Just a few miles out of town, you will soon find

yourself in the captivating desert which surrounds the city, and one of the

most scenic places to visit is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation

Area.

Famed for its geological features like

the red sandstone peaks which tower into the sky, Red Rock Canyon National

Conservation Area can be found in the incredible Mojave Desert. Established in

1967, visitors come from all over the world to marvel at its incredible

terrain, which is like nowhere else on Earth.

Many people opt to take in the

panoramic views during a 13-mile scenic drive through the conservation area,

where you will enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery. South of the park is Spring

Mountain Ranch State Park, which is home to historic buildings as well as

beautiful hiking trails.

The Colosseum

Head to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace - the perfect place to catch a show, within an incredible and authentic theatre space. Built to look like its Roman namesake, this impressive structure can seat over 4000 people but still maintains an intimate atmosphere and offers hosted live shows from megastars, including the likes of Sting, Diana Ross, Elton John, Cher and many more.

Image source: Flickr. Copyright Jimmy Baikovicius

Situated right in the heart of the Las Vegas strip, Caesars Palace, which houses the Colosseum, is one of the most iconic hotels in the whole of the United States. Established in 1966, it is famed for extravagance and a multitude of facilities.

The Colosseum is definitely a spot you should visit during your getaway to Las Vegas, so take a look at the shows in advance, to find out what magical performances are on offer during your holiday. With everything from this premium theatre, to casino and shops, even if you aren’t staying at Caesars Palace, you should still set aside a day to get around everything it has to offer.

The Mob Museum

The Mob Museum, which is officially titled the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, is a non-profit organisation which aims to increase visitors’ understanding of America’s history of organised crime.

Image source: Flickr. Copyright Jeremy Thompson

Visiting the Mob Museum takes you back to vintage Las Vegas, which was as much a part of organised crime as any other city. Here, you can learn about fascinating true stories and real events which took place in Las Vegas and across the United States, thanks to the helpful and unique artefacts, as well as interactive exhibits in the museum. Even better, this original museum is housed in a restored former courthouse and post office from 1933.

You will even have the option to enjoy a drink in a speakeasy in the museum’s basement, accompanied by a live jazz band for an authentic 1920s feel. Then, head to the brewery, where you can learn all about how illicit liquor was created, complete with fascinating artefacts from the time of prohibition.

The Neon Museum

The Neon Museum is located in the heart of Las Vegas, on Las Vegas Boulevard, and has been educating tourists and locals alike on the rich cultural history of this remarkable city for more than 20 years. Founded in 1996, it is a non-profit organisation which is dedicated to the collection and preservation of iconic Las Vegas signs; these include signs from a wide range of hotels, casinos, restaurants and more.

Image source: Flickr. Copyright Lachland Donald.

The museum actually holds signs ranging from the 1930s right up to the present day. With an ever-growing collection from the city’s expansive history, these national treasures have been preserved thanks to the tireless efforts of a range of different people.

Architects and culture buffs will be fascinated to learn more about the changes and trends in both style and design through the years, while history lovers will be enthralled as they learn more about this city’s fascinating past.