Why There’s More to Vegas Than Just Casinos

Las Vegas has a reputation as a gambler’s paradise, and we’ll be honest, the city has more than earned it. But there’s so much more to the bright light city than just casinos.

There are museums, hotels that are so elaborate they might as well be museums, and some of the biggest names in show business taking the stage.

If you thought you knew Vegas, think again. Here’s why this Sin City deserves a second look.

There are world-class shows around the clock

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Some of the biggest performers in the world call Las Vegas’ stages home, and we’re not just talking one day of the year. The bright light city is a temporary home base for world-renowned artists, as big names post up shop for months on end in Las Vegas hotels.

What this means is that you won’t have to pick between catching Barry Manilow or Britney Spears live – not that you’d be able to.

To see what we mean, here are just a few of the household names currently taking to Vegas stages:

  • Wayne Newton at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
  • Celine Dion at Caesars Palace
  • Donny and Marie Osmond at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
  • David Copperfield at MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
  • The Righteous Brothers with Bill Medley and Bucky Heard at Harrah’s Las Vegas
  • Jennifer Lopez at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino

The hotels are mini-universes


Six of the ten biggest hotels in the world are in Las Vegas, and once you step onto the city’s famous neon-soaked strip, this’ll come as no surprise. Covered in lights and decorated to the nines, Las Vegas hotels are practically their own little universes, modelled after famous destinations or film-worthy themes.

Yes, much of these very same hotels are paved with casinos, but they’re so much more than just gambling spots. Restaurants by celebrity chefs, live performances and even roller coasters are all part of the scenery here, and that’s just the beginning.

Excalibur Hotel – This Medieval hotel is kind of unmissable, owing to its colourful turrets. Inside, it’s all knights and damsels in distress, plus live shows, jousting tournaments and an arcade.

New York New York – The name gives this hotel’s premise away. Here, you get all the glamour of the Big Apple but in Las Vegas, including a hair-raising roller coaster whose heights give the best view of the strip.

Paris Hotel and Casino – Inside this Parisian hotel it’s all blue skies, which can be a little disorienting when you’re trying to figure out the time of day. Here, you can head to the top of Vegas’ own Eiffel Tower or catch a cabaret performance.

Circus Circus – Yes, there’s a circus here, and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds. Underneath this big tent of a hotel, you’ll find live circus acts, a go-kart track and carnival rides at the Adventuredome.

The museums are fabulously quirky


Las Vegas may have earned the nickname ‘Sin City’, but there’s also a lot of culture to be discovered here. Much of that can be found at local museums, where kitsch meets history in true Las Vegas form.

Discovery Children’s Museum – This family friendly spot is all about getting hands-on, with interactive exhibits on science-forward subjects like electricity, magnets and sustainability.

Neon Museum – This incredible museum is the final resting place for some of Las Vegas’ famous neon signs. Come at night for the true bright light experience.

Mob Museum – It’s no secret that Las Vegas has seedy beginnings, steeped in illegal mafia activity. Here, you can learn about the city’s illicit past with interactive law enforcement exhibits and profiles on larger than life characters.

Not into casinos, but still love Las Vegas? Let us know why in the comments below.