Things to do in Las Vegas for non-gamblers and families

A conference took me to Las Vegas where we stayed at the Bellagio. I’ve been to Vegas many times before and have stayed at MGM,

MGM @ Las Vegas

Harrahs, 

Harrah's @ Las Vegas

and Caesar’s Palace. 

Caesar's Palace @Las Vegas

All were pretty good. I remember MGM's suite to be quite grand (but then again, that was on my very first trip so everything was grand!!). Bellagio's Run of the House room was nice, especially with awesome views of the fountains. But I have some complaints and that story is for another time...

Run of the house room @ Bellagio, Las Vegas

Run of the house room @ Bellagio, Las Vegas

We hardly had time to walk around, so this blog will be a compilation of all the trips to Vegas.  The girls have been to Vegas twice, though they have no recollection of it, whatsoever. Was that a case of whatever happens in Vegas…?! Hahaha…Anyway, I have only tried my hand a few times at the slots and I have deposited more than I have withdrawn. So, needless to say, pretty much all of my trips to Vegas do not involve the casinos.

So, for non-gamblers and families, here are some things to do in Vegas:

Catch the free hotel shows. These are short shows in and outside of the hotels and happens on certain intervals (every hour, every 30min—depending on the day of the week and time).

• Bellagio has the dancing fountains

Dancing fountains @ Bellagio, Las Vegas

• Bellagio also has the Conservatory with some amazing floral arrangements. The arrangements and themes are changed from time to time.

Conservatory @ Bellagio, Las Vegas

Made of flowers! The Conservatory @ Bellagio, Las Vegas

• Caesar’s has the Atlantis show by the Forum shops. The show is very old and can definitely use an update. Still, it was an okay one with fire and water. There is also a huge aquarium in the same area. 

Forum shops @ Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas

• Mirage has a volcano show—pretty cool!
• Treasure Island has a pirate show
• Circus Circus has classic acts with jugglers, clowns, acrobats
• In Downtown there is the Fremont Street Experience, a huge LED canopy for the light and sound show
• At the M&M store, there is a free 3D movie

Coca Cola and M&M store @ Las Vegas Strip

For a fee, here are some things to do with kids:

• Mirage has Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat where you can check out dolphins, White Tigers, White Lions and Leopards
• Go up to the observation deck at the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower

Replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris hotel @Las Vegas

• Ride the 203ft high roller coaster at New York New York

New York New York @Las Vegas

• Ride the gondola (complete with singing gondoliers--sometimes; either way, they are dressed for the part!) at the Venetian--it takes you inside and outside the hotel!

at the Venetian, Las Vegas

gondola @ the Venetian, Las Vegas

• See one or more of the many family shows, including Cirque’s Mystère, magic shows and more
• Free trams connect partner hotels so it is a bit easier to hotel hop

Aria-Crystal shops-Bellagio tram

If you cannot handle all the walking, there are also buses running the strip (current rate is $6 for 2 hours).

Transportation in Las Vegas

For side trips outside of the Strip, you can check out the Grand Canyon tours—by helicopter for about half a day with a picnic meal or coach tour for a day with a side trip to the Hoover Dam.

Hoover Dam

Grand Canyon--my camera did not do this view justice!

Red Rock Canyon (hiking, trails, rock climbing) is also only less than 30 minutes away! Red Rock also has a scenic loop where you can just drive and stop to have photos along the way. The views for both Grand Canyon and Red Rock are just breathtaking!

@ Red Rock Canyon

@ Red Rock Canyon

Vegas has fantastic shopping (high end designer and cheap souvenirs) and dining as well! As the hotels are themed and mostly luxurious, even window shopping is fun since it is like being in another country!

Le Boulevard--shops at Paris @Las Vegas

Grand Canal shoppes at Venetian

Shops at Crystals

There are also many art galleries in several hotels. Bellagio has a Chihuly exhibit at the lobby and also has the World's Largest chocolate fountain!

Chihuly at Bellagio lobby

World's Largest Chocolate Fountain, Jean Philippe Patisserie at Bellagio. The milk chocolate was divine.

Anything fun you can think of, you will find it here. It is indeed one big party and I’ve only begun to scratch the surface! There are so many more hotels I have not covered here or many more I have not even been to! 

Aria @ Las Vegas

One thing I know is you don’t have to gamble to enjoy Vegas--though you do have to pass through the heavy cigarette smells of the casino floors (yes, even with kids) to get to the lobby from your hotel room.