Having been to Las Vegas three times, I’ve seen it from so many different view points that I feel that it’s safe to say that I’m a Vegas vet! There’s so much more to do than the stereotypes that you see in the media, and I definitely challenge everyone to see Las Vegas with a different set of eyes. I promise you that your experience will be worth it, and you’ll be making memories that you will actually remember! So if you have an upcoming trip to Las Vegas in the works, I would highly recommend that you try out any of my top 10 favourite things to do. And if you don’t have a trip booked, then what are you waiting for? Book that perfect Vegas trip with redtag.ca!

Go shopping at the Grand Canal Shoppes

All shopping aficionados need to make a pit stop at the Grand Canal Shoppes while in Las Vegas. You’ll find a myriad of retailers from fast fashion to high-end luxury that there’s no way you can possibly leave without at least one shopping bag in tow. For those who aren’t fond of shopping, there is a plethora of cuisine options to choose so that you are sure to leave with a happy stomach!

My personal favourite thing to do is watching all of the gondoliers serenade their patrons while gliding through the Grand Canal in their authentic Venetian gondolas. If P had joined me for the trip, I hundo-p would have asked him to ride one with me!

Catch a Golden Knights game

While visiting Las Vegas, we did the unconventional and caught a Golden Knights game—the NHL’s newest team—at the T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights are part of the NHL’s expansion that took place last year to finally give Las Vegas its very own hockey team, which is something that the city has long been anticipating! Even though the team may be fairly new to longtime hockey fans, the pride is strong in the stadium. We stood out like sore thumbs while cheering for the Vancouver Canucks (though I’m not a fan of their team directly, I’ve always got to cheer for any team Canada!) since the majority of the stadium was cheering for the Golden Knights.

Though it was a very off-the-cuff experience to watch a hockey game while in Las Vegas, it was such a fun and refreshing sight to see so many hockey fans supporting their local team.

P.S. The half-time shows are very over-the-top as you would expect any Las Vegas experience to be, so I would definitely recommend that you stay for it!

Go Ziplining with Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon

Treetop ziplining in Mexico is one thing, but ziplining across Bootleg Canyon is a completely different experience! Flying across a treetop canopy is definitely beautiful, but zipping across a wide canyon really makes it so much more exhilarating!

Starting in the classroom of Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon, you’ll run through a series of safety procedures before being shuttled up to the top of Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City. Throughout the ride up, you’ll learn about the history of the canyon, how it got its name, and viewing the beautiful Mojave Desert from stunning heights. With over 1.5 miles of runs that are spread out over the course of 4 different ziplines, you’re sure to take in the beautiful canyon from many different vantage points.

Take a day trip out to see the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is quite a ways off of the Strip but so worth the drive! You’ll need roughly about a whole day set aside to make it out to there and back, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world! It’s crazy to see just how big it is in person compared to what you see online or in post cards, and being there physically also helps to put the size of the Earth in perspective. There’s a ton of different vantage points to view the canyon so make sure to bring your hiking shoes so that you can walk around and explore!

I haven’t been back in over 4 years and hope to be able to visit again the next time that I’m back in the area!

Take in Las Vegas from 550m above on The LINQ High Roller

The Las Vegas experience is quite a wondrous one from the Strip level, but have you taken it in from higher heights? On my recent trip to Vegas, we had the lovely experience of riding The LINQ High Roller for a beautiful thirty-minute 360-degree view situated right in the middle of the Strip. At about 550 feet above, this Observation wheel completely overshadows both the Singapore Flyer and the London Eye. Trust me, no penthouse suite will give you a better view than this!

We rode the LINQ High Roller during the middle of the day, but I can only imagine how beautiful the view would be from night time. Imagine the entire Strip completely lit up, and you are floating up above it in silence (though you can request for music) taking it all in peacefully.

Admire the Hoover Dam

Not too far off from the Strip is the Hoover Dam. This architectural masterpiece deserves a good photo and can be admired both up close and afar. Though completely off the Strip, you won’t need an entire day to drive to the Hoover Dam and back just to enjoy it. It’s rather quite close and easy to complete within a half day of an excursion. While you can book a tour of the dam, driving up to it and viewing it without taking the tour is just as worthwhile.

Order the King Kong Sundae from Sugar Factory American Brasserie

If you haven’t already read the first instalment of this Las Vegas series, then what are you doing with your life?! If you have, then you’ll know how awed I was by the 24 scoop ice cream tub that we ordered at the Sugar Factory American Brasserie. Yes, 24 scoops. Heaven doesn’t come in a better form than this. The King Kong Sundae is the epitome of the perfect sundae, but I would highly recommend that you share this dish with a friend—or a few, unless you want a serious sugar high.

Here is the direct description from their menu:

“24 scoops of ice cream covered with hot fudge, caramel and strawberry sauce, sliced bananas, toasted marshmallows, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chip cookies, crushed waffle cones, gummi bears, white chocolate strawberry shavings and toasted walnuts with whipped cream, giant lollipops and sparklers on top”

I dare you to show me a better dessert, I dare you!

Watch a performance at the Park Theatre

No trip to Las Vegas is complete without a musical performance. In the past I’ve gone to see Britney Spears so it only made sense to see another one of my favourite artists on this trip—Ricky Martin. Though I wasn’t familiar with a lot of his Spanish chart toppers, I really enjoyed dancing the night away to Livin’ La Vida Loca, She Bangs, and Shake Your Bon-Bon. Held inside of the Park Theatre, Ricky put on such a show and I can definitely validate that he is a solid performer. I swear that watching him dance across the stage was just as enjoyable for someone who doesn’t know all of his songs! 😉

Delve into the history of Las Vegas’ retired neon signs at the Neon Museum

If you’ve never visited the Neon Museum, this pit stop is a definite must! The neon graveyard is where all of the neon signs in Las Vegas go to rest, but each and every single sign has a story to tell. Although you can take a guided tour to learn about each different sign and it’s back story along with how they’re made, the new Brilliant experience is one not to miss.

Offered only after the sun has set, the Brilliant experience takes you on an all-encompassing sensorial experience to relive the past lives of several neon signs. Coupled with a beautiful light-show and the perfect sound track to match, the experience brings each sign back to life, though keep in mind that each and every single sign is now broken and completely non-functional. The best way for you to understand this is to experience it firsthand yourself!

Dance among the Seven Magic Mountains

This work of art began as a short-term installation along the I-15 but later had it’s lifetime extended due to popularity. I’ve seen so many photos of these colourful rock pillars all over Instagram that I couldn’t help but be excited when I found out that we were going to make quick visit to the site. It can get quite busy in the middle of the day, so my recommendation would be to go as early as possible!

So there you go! Those are my top 10 recommendations of things to do in Las Vegas that will leave you with many lasting memories. I hope that you enjoy your future trips to Las Vegas and I can’t wait to hear what you did and where you went! Stay tuned for more travel guides in the near future!

This post was produced in sponsorship with redtag.ca and Las Vegas, however all opinions and views are 100% honest and my own.