7 of the Coolest Things to Do in Las Vegas

Brash, bold and larger than life – on the surface a Vegas holiday can be a bit like Marmite: you either love it or hate it. But there’s so much more to this USA desert city beyond the bright lights of The Strip. In fact, we defy anyone not to fall head over heels for Sin City when they really get under the skin of it. Start with these coolest things to do and you’ll be well on your way to starting a Las Vegas love affair…

Sport is a big deal in Las Vegas. In fact, you can catch events here that you can’t anywhere else in the country, such as the National Finals Rodeo, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). And sport here is set to become even more special with the introduction of the Las Vegas Aces (women’s basketball) and the Las Vegas Lights Football Club in 2018, not to mention the NFL’s Oakland Raiders in 2020. For a city that has never previously had a “hometown” team, this is a game changer and means there’s never been a better time to watch sport in Sin City.

A night out in Vegas is sure to be unforgettable. You can explore the city’s best casinos and their clubs and bars for a more traditional experience – think Hakkasan at MGM Grand, JEWEL at ARIA Resort & Casino and the Omnia at Caesar’s Palace. For Art Deco décor and the opportunity to request Champagne via a call button, head for Rosina at The Palazzo, while the lavish XS at Encore boasts an indoor and outdoor club area surrounding its pool. It doesn’t get more Vegas than that.

Reve up the action beyond shimmering lights and neon signs with a Pink Jeep tour through the natural wonders of Vegas. Small, customisable and seating between 6-8 guests per vehicle, the small-group tours take you on epic paved and off-road adventures, including iconic sites like the Mohave Desert and the Grand Canyon. If you're looking to live out your pink Barbie fantasy served with a dose of adrenaline while creating unforgettable Vegas memories, this is it!

Shows are to Vegas what bread is to butter – no visit here is complete without admiring the death-defying acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, getting covered in UV paint at a Blue Man Group performance, or watching some of the best stars (from J-Lo to Britney) strut their stuff on stage. There’s a reason this city is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World. Chat to your Travel Expert for more info on arranging show tickets.

All the fun isn’t isolated to the Las Vegas Strip – in fact, head downtown and you’ll discover the city’s vintage highlights, as well as a whole host of independent venues. Our particular cultural favourites include the Neon Museum, packed with more than 200 classic signs, as well as the Mob Museum, which looks into the city’s prohibition-era, speakeasy-filled history. For dining and shopping, head for the Downtown Container Park, where disused shopping containers have been transformed into a hive of culinary activity. And art lovers will love the Las Vegas Arts District, bursting with more than 18 blocks of independent galleries, boutiques and restaurants.

When it comes to diversity of cuisine and a celebrity-packed list of chefs, Las Vegas is the place to eat out. The legendary Gordon Ramsay boasts several restaurants: Steak, Hell’s Kitchen and the GR Pub & Grill, while Giada De Laurentiis has just opened her second Italian restaurant – Pronto – at Caesars Palace. Or, if it’s Michelin stars you’re after, head for Mediterranean fare at Picasso, French food at Restaurant Guy Savoy, or Joël Robuchon’s restaurant in the MGM Grand. To really get immersed in the cuisine here, head out on a foodie-inspired day tour where you'll discover the top restaurants along The Strip and Downtown – simply chat to your Flight Centre Travel Consultant to find out more.

A big British wedding is overrated – especially when you can get hitched in Vegas under the watchful eyes of Elvis or KISS frontman Gene Simmons. However you envisage your day, you can make it happen here, from an OTT do, to a traditional wedding chapel, or even getting married in the “Fast Lane” of a drive-thru. You can even tie the knot in an 117,000-gallon aquarium at Silverton’s!