The Top Things to Do in Las Vegas 2020

It isn’t everyday that you get to take a photo with a celebrity, or what looks like one. At Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, you’ll find wax figures of everyone from George Clooney to Cameron Diaz, with over 100 wax figures on exhibition at any given time. Each of the wax figures takes several hundred hours to make, and the artistry behind each is impressive. With human hair wigs, fiberglass eye balls, intricate, painted details, and elaborate make-up, you’ll see Bette Midler, Elvis, Elton John (and many more) like never before.

Once the thriving gambling district of Las Vegas, the downtown area used to be the city’s busiest locale until the late 1980s, when an entrepreneur gathered the crowds to the Strip – which remains the city’s main thoroughfare today. Nevertheless, downtown Las Vegas hasn’t been forgotten. For starters, it is now home to the sought-after and historic casinos of Fremont Street, including the Moulin Rouge, the first racially integrated casino-hotel in the city, as well as the Fremont Street Experience, the world’s largest audio-video system which consists of a multisensory light and sound show connecting over two million lights. Downtown Las Vegas also has its own Arts District, encompassing several art galleries, studios and stores offering a vast selection of collectibles. Not to mention the many museums scattered around the neighborhood, like the Natural History Museum, the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum and the Art Deco-inspired Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

The Venetian Hotel and Casino is the premier location to catch great shows and indulge in unique experiences. With a booming nightlife and entertainment scene, coupled by the beautiful architecture and world famous gondola rides, this hotel will transport you to the streets of Venice. Experience a first-class ride on a majestic gondola, painted white and gold with elaborate details and decorations. Then, travel through the canals and ride above a man-made lagoon, which mirrors the sky-painted ceilings. The ride will take you beneath bridges and alongside charming boutiques and cafes, so that you’ll feel only steps away from Italy. For world class entertainment the Venetian offers the most variety and best in Vegas. The Blue Man Group, The Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, and the comedian Joan Rivers play there regularly. Then there’s the nightlife, and the Venetian is home to the world-famous bar Tao Nightclub, where celebrity sightings are an every day occurrence.

Modeled after the pyramids of ancient Egypt, the Luxor Hotel and Casino is pointed in the right direction - hey, it's got a Sphinx at its front! The inside of the Luxor Hotel features more than 4,000 hotel rooms, upscale entertainment, modern lounges, and an Egyptian flair for style. Luxor has made a name for itself thanks to its nightlife and entertainment options: IMAX theatres, posh night clubs, and popular performance spaces. Exclusive nightclubs include LAX, Noir bar, and Flight, all of which are home to constant celebrity sightings. And then there’s the Atrium floor, where performers like Britney Spears have performed. The Luxor Hotel is also a great place to kick back and relax. There are the elegant pools and spas, and of course luxury suites. With the impressive views and beautiful architecture that surround, it’s no wonder that the Luxur is considered one of the beter hotels in Vegas.

p>What could be more relaxing than experiencing a gondola ride in Venice? The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas recreates this experience, featuring indoor and outdoor gondola rides complete with singing gondoliers. It’s time to transport yourself to Venice. Experience a first-class ride on a majestic gondola, painted white and gold with elaborate details and decorations. Then, travel through the canals and ride above a man-made lagoon, which mirrors the incredible, sky-painted ceilings. The ride will take you beneath bridges and alongside charming boutiques and cafes, so that you’ll feel only steps away from Italy.

One of the best ways to experience the Black Canyon and the Colorado River is to take a guided rafting tour led by experienced professionals versed in the local geology, flora, fauna, and folklore. Many tours offer a full day of sightseeing along the calm waters of Lake Mead and the Colorado River, complete with complimentary box lunches and transportation to and from the area. Another popular way to take in the area is via helicopter tours operating out of Las Vegas. Select tours ferry you to the canyon in helicopters, where you'll embark on a mellow rafting trip from the base of the damn downriver to vans or buses waiting to return you to your hotel. The trip includes beautiful views of the Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, and its surroundings. Travelers can also opt for a helicopter tour that involves a touchdown in the Grand Canyon, where you'll indulge in a champagne breakfast before flying to historic Boulder City and proceeding with the rafting trip.

Where do pirates, the Caribbean, and a relaxing oasis meet? At Treasure Island. Treasure Island is a Hotel and Casino with a sense of adventure, fun, and style that features live entertainment, a wild nightlife, thousands of slot machines and game tables, and accommodations where you can unwind. Upon entering Treasure Island, you’ll be treated to a free performance of the pirate show, The Sirens of TI, complete with dancing, explosions, and a sinking pirate ship. From there you can make your way through the 95,000 square foot casino and take your pick of slot machines, poker, and a variety of other card games. Treasure Island is also home to "Mystere" by Cirque du Soleil and performances by the most well-known musicians and comedians. And when it comes to nightlife, Treasure Island packs a punch with the Christian Audigier nightclub, Gilley’s Saloon, and the Isla Tequila Bar.

When it’s time to escape the neon and hustle of the jam-packed Las Vegas strip, the Calico Hills are the perfect location for swapping the smoke-filled gaming room parlors for a breath of fresh mountain air. Set 30 minutes west of downtown Las Vegas, the Calico Hills offer hiking and rock climbing through a dreamy sandstone landscape, where red-hued rock piles form a network of spires and summits for visitors to explore. Located inside of Red Rock Canyon, the Calico Hills are best known for the popular Calico Hills Trail, which begins just after the Visitor Center and runs 3.2 miles to Sandstone Quarry along the base of the hills. For many visitors the thrill of the hike is scrambling up on the rocks, choosing well worn side trails to navigate the boulders and get views of the Las Vegas desert. At an elevation near 4,000 feet the air is refreshingly cool, though summer temperatures can still be perilous if hiking or climbing midday.

Bringing sophistication and elegance to the Las Vegas Strip, the Wynn Hotel stands out against the bright lights and flashing sign. With its golden, concave structure, and perfectly groomed trees out front, you’ll forget that Las Vegas is where all of the action happens, and instead is where the relaxation happens. Surrounded by lagoons, waterfalls, and terraced landscapes, the effect of the Wynn Hotel and Casino is a peaceful one. The inside of the Wynn is marked by boutique hotels and the finest in restaurant offerings. With restaurants with the acclaimed fare of Daniel Boulud, Masa Ishizawa, and Mark LoRusso, you’ll enjoy a feast of the senses. A refined take on nightlife and entertainment, the Wynn Hotel offers shows by Cirque Du Soleil and secluded nightclubs like Blush and Tryst that are surrounded by lagoons. Then, there’s the window shopping at the Wynn Esplanade, offering high end clothes by designers like Chanel and Dior.

If there’s one thing that sets Rio apart from all other Las Vegas resorts, it’s the fact that its casino plays host to the annual World Series of Poker (WSOP). Guests are welcome to play in Rio’s poker room, the only one in the world that features 100% certified WSOP dealers, where just about every poker game is available, from classics like hold ‘em and seven-card stud to 2-7 triple draw and badugi. There are five poker tournaments held in the poker room daily, with a variety of buy-ins at different times. Beyond the poker room, Rio’s casino floor has dozens of tables featuring popular games including blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat. The vast majority of the resort’s 1,200 slot machines are in a masquerade-themed, 100,000-square-foot space, where a series of floats glides over the crowd several times each Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.

Bringing the sleek city and bright-lights aspect of New York to Vegas, the New York - New York Hotel and Casino does an admirable job transporting you to the Big Apple. With recreations of landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Brooklyn Bridge, New Yorkers will feel strangely at home. With a Coney Island-themed amusement Park, Time Square like bar, and Central Park Casino, you’ll get a bite of New York’s biggest attractions in Vegas. Keeping in line with the diversity of NYC, New York New York features multi-ethnic restaurants, there’s something to fit everyone’s taste. From Mexican, to Italian, to Contemporary American, you won’t know if you’re in Little Italy or Little New York. New York New York is also a great place for entertainment. With live performances by Cirque du Soleil and popular nightclubs like Coyote Ugly, you’ll have plenty to keep you awake at night.

Inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino is the Shark Reef Aquarium, showcasing more than 2,000 animals displayed in 14 different exhibits and almost 1.6 million gallons of water. The Shark Reef Aquarium was designed to be a “total sensory experience,” and part of that is achieved by leading visitors through an acrylic tunnel with water nearly surrounding them. This exhibit alone includes 15 different species of sharks along with all the other sea life in the tank. Other species in the aquarium include golden crocodiles, sea turtles and piranhas, none of which are included in the touching pools where visitors can find out what some of the other sea creatures feel like.

According to Caesars Palace’s website, more $1,000,000+ casino slot machine jackpots have been won on the resort’s casino floor than in any other casino in the world. Guests can play anything from 1¢ to $500 on traditional reel-type slot machines, video reels machines, video poker games, video blackjack and keno. The resort features several popular table games as well including blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Spanish 21, mini-baccarat, Pai Gow and Pai Gow poker. The 8,500-square-foot poker room has 62 tables and 24-hours games including a full daily schedule of poker tournaments. Caesars Palace’s race and sports book has 65 private booths, each with a 12-inch flat-screen television, and several oversized screens. Though all Las Vegas resorts are packed with action, Caesars Palace offers one of the best opportunities to get the best of everything in a single place. Several award-winning restaurants and the new Bacchanal Buffet never leave guests hungry.

Lovers of fast cars may think the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the place to be, but those in the know say it’s Count’s Kustoms in Las Vegas that’s really worth the visit. Travelers can wander the incredible showroom filled with custom hotrods, cars, choppers and more. In addition to these stunning works of automotive art, visitors have a chance to pop by the on-site tattoo parlor after touring the floor and may even have a chance encounter with Rollie, the man who heads up the entire operation and stars in one of the TV shows that’s filmed at this dynamic location.

Once known as the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Bally’s Las Vegas is one of the strip’s most famous hotels. With nearly 3,000 guestrooms that are 450 square feet (or larger!)—most of which were recently renovated—Bally’s is quintessential Las Vegas glitz, glam and luxury. A neon-wrapped moving sidewalk, more than 100 shops, a handful of diverse restaurants and even the long-running show Jubilee are among the features that make this Las Vegas strip hotel a favorite among travelers. Theater lovers can check out other in-hotel performances like “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding”, a country superstars musical tribute and even a new adults-only show called “50 Shades! The Parody”. Fitness buffs will love the contemporary gym facilities, championship tennis courts and pool—perfect for relaxing after a night at the casino.

The Eiffel Tower, a monumental tourist draw connected to the Paris Hotel and Casino, offers views of the valley and a chance to dine on the finest French cuisine Las Vegas has to offer. C'est vrai!Enjoy a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower in a glass elevator. At fifty stories above ground and at a height of 460 ft (140 m), the view is impressive. Once you’ve reached the observation deck, you’ll have a vista of the entire valley and the sights of Sin City.Located below the observation deck is the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, which is a definite feast of the senses. Featuring views of the Bellagio water fountain show, the restaurant showcases both the design of the tower and of its art déco motif. For food, Chef Joho has a classic and updated French menu that you can enjoy with a cocktail or glass of wine.

Home to the Las Vegas 400 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is one of the most exciting racing complexes in the world. Featuring a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) superspeedway and a dirt-track, this is where you can catch the Indy League at its finest. With over 150,000 seating capacity, there’s nothing like watching a race in this crowd. Then, there’s the Neon Garage, a fan-zone right in front of Winner’s Circle. And with a pit road even closer to the stands, you’ll feel like you are in on the record-breaking.