Las Vegas City Guide: Where to Go On and Off the Strip
Get to know Las Vegas like a local, from downtown to Chinatown, Red Rock Canyon to Hoover Dam.
Though Las Vegas goes to outlandish lengths to welcome visitors, it can be hard for out-of-towners to get to know it. The casinos, shows, and nightclubs grab the attention, but there’s more to the city than those neon billboards lining the Strip will tell you.
Culinary Hot Spot
The most authentic dining experiences are downtown, and Esther’s Kitchen, an “Italian soul food” restaurant in the Arts District. Chef James Trees—a Vegas native—serves up homemade pasta, melt-in-your-mouth porchetta, fresh and tender fish, and sourdough-crust pizzas with ample helpings of fresh toppings, such as cauliflower and truffle panna cotta.
Pools
Nearly every resort has a pool scene—with entertainment, bottle service, and cabanas—but not many are as lively as the Pool District at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It boasts three different venues: the Marquee Dayclub Pool, run like an outdoor nightclub under the bright desert sun; the Chelsea Pool, quieter and more private; and the Boulevard Pool, overlooking the Strip. Catch a movie from one of the chaise lounges or daybeds at the Boulevard Pool; films are shown Monday evenings from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Grown-up Fun
Vegas has dozens of thrill rides, but the most fun experience for adults might be Play Playground at Luxor Las Vegas. This attraction has more than 20 over-sized, immersive games and physical challenges, including a life-sized version of the board game “Operation!” and a velcro wall you can jump up and stick to.
The Underground Old Fashioned comes tucked inside a false book at the Mob Museum.
Museum Madness
It’s no secret that this town has had connections with organized crime over the years, but a stop by the Mob Museum will help you understand how deep those ties truly run. An exhibit spotlighting Prohibition doubles as a speakeasy, where visitors can order cocktails with house-made moonshine. One of the drinks comes in a bottle tucked inside a box designed to look like a book.
Showtime
The inimitable Cirque du Soleil has been in Las Vegas for more than 30 years, and—with five shows in production—the franchise shows no sign of losing its magic. Mystère, the original, is still running at Treasure Island, while Mad Apple, the newest, invites audience members to sit at bars on the stage.
Race Away
There’s always action in Las Vegas, so it’s fitting that in 2023 the city welcomed the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The race takes place every November; roughly 20 race cars zip around a 3.8-mile loop with 17 turns and a straightaway along a section of the Las Vegas Strip. Catching the race in person is a feast for the senses.
Wild West
The best outdoor adventures near the city are at the western edge of the valley around Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Drive the 13-mile scenic route for access to a variety of hiking trails—some of which lead to petroglyphs. Outside the park boundaries, a guided horseback tour with Cowboy Trail Rides will have you climbing past Joshua trees to a ridge with views of the skyline.
Chinatown Eats
In Vegas, Chinatown is a 3-mile stretch of Spring Mountain Road, but for anyone seeking genuine Asian food, this is the place to be. Shanghai Taste serves Shanghai-style Chinese street food such as scallion pancakes and fried rice. The restaurant also is famous for its xiao long bao soup dumplings, each of which contains a spoonful of delicious soup.
Fan Central
For years Las Vegans desperately wanted professional sports teams. Today they have three major teams, with a fourth (the A's in the MLB) on the way: the Aces in the WNBA, the Golden Knights in hockey, and the Raiders in football. Golden Knights games are a true spectacle, complete with showgirls (of course) and a sword-fighting knight. The Aces also don’t disappoint with pyrotechnics, laser displays, and frequent celebrity sightings.
Quiet Respite
When the heat lets up, head to the Park, a public space between New York–New York and Park MGM, for fresh air and a quiet moment in the heart of the Strip. Visitors can bliss out to water features or catch up with friends over a draft brew and a game of giant Jenga at Beerhaus.
Golf’s Top Hits
Las Vegas has emerged as a huge golf destination, and several driving ranges around town provide perfect environments to sharpen your skills. The four-story Atomic Golf, adjacent to the Strat, has 101 climate-controlled bays and eight virtual putting areas. There’s also an on-site restaurant, bars, and a tap room—all of which deliver right to where you’re swinging.
City Insight
Vegas rose from pioneer outpost to bustling city thanks in large part to the Hoover Dam—a deservedly popular destination. Instead of driving the whole way there, stop 30 minutes east in Boulder City and rent a bike. Then pedal the River Mountains Loop Trail to the Historic Railroad Trail, a path that runs through tunnels used to haul away rock during construction. Stop at the Lake Mead Overlook before the trail ends near the dam parking garage. Following the 10-mile Historic Railroad Trail will give you more insight into Las Vegas than sitting in front of a slot machine ever will.
This article was first published in Fall 2018 and was last updated in November 2024.