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1. Gratuitous Erotic Show
No other city in the USA has shows quite like ours. Cheesy and low-budget, they straddle the line between a strip club and dinner theater, and are generally suitable for singles and couples alike. There is no strip club hassle and the intimidation factor is nil. There is music, there is dancing, and most importantly ... there are boobs. What's not to love?
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment > PEEPSHOW>
2. Buffets
Considered by some to be the Walmart of Vegas dining options, they are nonetheless a staple of the culture. From the lower-end-but-still-good Sahara to the gourmet Wynn and Bellagio buffets, standing in long lines to get into one of these feedbags is a must. Every city has restaurants, but only Las Vegas has perfected the art of the buffet. Overall quality has declined slightly since the buffet heyday of 1998-2005, but these "restaurants" still represent the greatest bang for your Vegas dining buck.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Food & Drinks> Las Vegas ... We Have Good Food Here>
3. The Bellagio Fountains
Originally designed as a bidet for Rosie O'Donnell (it turns out they weren't large enough), the Bellagio Fountains are the archetypical "free" attraction in Las Vegas. The fountains "dance" roughly every half hour to a variety of different songs, and they have been a crowd favorite on the Las Vegas Strip for more than a decade.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> The Bellagio Fountains>
4. Gamble
This one should be obvious, but some people actually come to town and skip this step. While there are many non-gambling things to do in town, Las Vegas is, was, and always will be a primary gambling destination. Coming to Las Vegas without spending at least a few hours gambling is like wearing a burqa to the beach. You should play all of the "traditional" games at least once. Craps, Roulette, Blackjack and Slots. Anything beyond that is gravy. If you don't know how to gamble, a large number of properties have lessons.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Gambling> Sunday at Sam's>
5. The Fremont Street Experience
At 1,500 feet long, it's the world's largest electronic sign. Combined with a half-million watt sound system and more than a dozen unique animated shows, it is an awe-inspiring experience that cannot be described ... it must be seen. While you're there, stop in one of the dozen casinos lining Fremont Street and enjoy Vegas' best gaming odds in a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Downtown> Rex: On Downtown Las Vegas>
6. The Bellagio Conservatory
This place is the antithesis of the Las Vegas image. It's quiet, subdued, and filled with families. Still, it must be seen. The conservatory is filled with displays and animatronics made mostly out of flowers, and aside from the Rose Parade in Pasadena, there is really nothing else quite like it.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> Summer at the Conservatory>
7. The Mirage Volcano
This recently redesigned staple is now "volcano-ier" than ever. If you've never seen a volcano erupt from 30 feet away, now is your chance. Along with the Bellagio Fountains, this is a staple attraction which is considered a "must-see" for all first-time Vegas visitors.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> First Eruption: The New Mirage Volcano>
8. The Stratosphere
Nearly twice as tall as the Seattle Space Needle, The Stratosphere Tower is the tallest freestanding tower in the USA. Not only should you visit the observation deck at least once, but the "Big Shot" is the only *must* ride in Las Vegas. This attraction catapults you up the spire in open air 1,000 feet above the ground, and is currently the highest thrill ride on planet Earth.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> On Top of The World>
9. An Impersonator Show
Elvis, Shitney, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson ... be they dead or alive, rest assured that they are still performing at a hotel in Las Vegas. Cirque Du Soleil shows are great, and they have a much higher budget and production value, however much like the Gratuitous Erotic Show ... Impersonator Shows are part of the Las Vegas culture, and are more representative of the traditional Vegas experience.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> The Way We Were>
10. The Eiffel Tower
The Vegas Strip's "other" observation tower. Not as tall as the Stratosphere, but its center-strip location offers a completely different view. The tower must be visited at least once, but given the lack of air-conditioning at the top ... a trip is best taken at night or during a non-Summer month.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> The Strip> Looking Back From Above>
11. Pools
Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Golden Nugget ... no doubt about it, we have the best swimming pools in the world. If it's your first visit, and it's Summer, choose a hotel with a highly-regarded pool and spend the day on the beach or in a tropical paradise. Vegas pools are resort destinations in and of themselves.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> Striking Gold in Downtown Las Vegas>
12. Sirens of T.I.
Previously the "Battle of Buccaneer Bay", this free show in front of Treasure Island has been updated to be slightly more "adult" in nature, but it's still appropriate for all ages assuming you aren't Mormon or Amish. Viewing angle and distance is of paramount importance for Sirens, so it is highly recommended that you secure a spot in the "splash zone" before the show begins.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> The Sirens of TI>
13. Strip Clubs
Get it out of your system. You've no doubt heard about Vegas Strip Clubs ad-nauseum, and dropping a couple of hundred dollars in one is a Vegas rite of passage. Just don't expect too much. Contrary to the hype, our clubs are actually less raunchy than those found in other areas of the country. Few of our clubs are fully nude, and there are periodic campaigns to eliminate lap dances altogether.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> Is Rex The Most Handsome Man In Las Vegas?
14. The Las Vegas Monorail
Be the first person to ride it! Even though this transit system opened in 2004, it is still awaiting its initial passenger. This could be you.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> The Strip> Tales From The Rails>
15. Rio Show in the Sky
The Rio Masquerade Show in the Sky offers singing, dancing, and passenger floats that run along tracks on the ceiling of the casino. Since you can't see it anywhere else on the planet, you must see it here at least once.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> The Rio Masquerade Show In The Sky>
16. Red Rock Canyon
Drive twenty minutes west and you are no longer on planet Earth. You're on Mars. At least you might as well be. Well, except for the whole "lack of oxygen" thing. And gravity. And wild burros. Okay, it's nothing like Mars, but it has some of the finest desert scenery in the state and it won't take more than a couple of hours out of your day.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Attractions & Entertainment> Red Rock ... The Canyon and Casino>
17. Steal Mike Tyson's Tiger
This one is self explanatory. Everyone in Las Vegas steals Mike's tiger at least once. Not only that, but we all get involved in hilarious hi-jinx while trying to return it. Don't be the only person to forgo this ritual. For bonus points, attempt this caper in a stolen police car while high on the fictitious drug known as Roofilyn. If you get caught, smile, pop a Mentos into your mouth and shout "What Happens Here Stays Here!". The cops will laugh and release you so long as you consent to be electrocuted in the genitals by a 12 year old boy.
Blogs>The Real Las Vegas> Reviews> Hollywood Does Las Vegas>
All Images and videos are from Rex blog, The Real Las Vegas.
