*that do not include gambling, drinking or debauchery (shout out to you if you like any combination of those three)

I was recently visited Las Vegas after not being there since 2019. It was probably my 12th time in Vegas and it always baffles me that even after not visiting for years, everything seems to be exactly the same. That says a lot since the Vegas landscape, especially the Strip, is ever-evolving with the demolition of hotels (RIP to The Tropicana and Mirage), construction of new ones (Hard Rock) and the addition of new attractions like Allegiant Stadium and The Sphere. Even with the constant evolution, one thing remains constant; you can always find something to do at any hour of the day (or night). Not all of the Strip will be for you, but it will always have something for everyone.

Here are 9 things to do on the Vegas Strip:

1. Roam. Yup, I know it is a long strip of road (about 7 miles roundtrip) and I realize the hotels seem close, but are actually blocks and blocks apart, but you should roam the Strip. Walking from hotel to hotel to hotel is the best way to really see everything each property has to offer. You’ll unexpectedly run into hidden shops, signage for smaller, less known shows that you didn’t realize existed and one can truly appreciate the “theme” or lack thereof for each of the hotels.
2. Do an activity that reduces sensory input. Listen, visiting Las Vegas can easily give you sensory overload. The lights of the signs, sounds of the slot machines and the smell of smoke in the casinos adds to the already visually stimulating environment making the entire experience overwhelming. Try to step away from it a bit and do one of the more low-key activities like visiting the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens or The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. We visited the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay and enjoyed the reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the main casino. A few notes: Prepare for the walk. The aquarium is on the complete opposite side of the main casino so you will have to endure a pretty extensive walk to arrive. Try to avoid peak hours to keep the noise (and crowd levels) low. Otherwise, you may be surrounded by families with children and school tours.
3. Watch at least 1 Cirque du Soleil show during your visit. There are currently 5 permanent Cirque shows in Las Vegas each offering a whimsical, visually impactful show that boasts worldwide talent in a family friendly setting. Well, most of them are family friendly. “O” at the Bellagio, KÀ at the MGM Grand, Mystère at Treasure Island, Mad Apple at New York-New York and Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay are the five shows available. I saw Michael Jackson ONE (for the fourth time) and it never disappoints! Book tickets in advance and try to catch a show on a weekday. The tickets are less expensive and there is usually less of a crowd.
4. Seek a thrill! If gambling isn’t for you, maybe you can get a rush on one of the Strip’s three active rollercoasters. Circus Circus is home to the Adventuredome theme park with two rollercoasters, Canyon Blaster and El Loco, while New York-New York hosts the Big Apple Coaster which reaches speeds of 67 mph and features a 180-degree “heartline”. I rode the Big Apple Coaster and it was a thrill! Tickets were $25 per ride and the wait was minimal.
5. Catch a concert! If music is more your vibe, Vegas is host to some of the best residencies in the world. Artists like Adele, Celine Dion, Cher and Britney Spears have all had residencies on the Strip making it a one-stop shop for A-list musical acts. While we were in Vegas, we saw Jennifer Lopez on her Up All Night residency. I have been to my share of concerts (check out my 2025 concerts: Year in Review post) and she is the second best artist that I have ever seen from a show / performance perspective. Jennifer Lopez is the quintessential showgirl!
6. Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path to find some good food. Sure you will have your tourist trap restaurants boasting the big chef names and your chain restaurants that flaunt the “VIP” nightlife experience, but some of the best food can still be found on the Strip while not being so top of mind. Sadelle’s in the Bellagio is the perfect brunch spot while Sushi Roku delivers a cool dining scene, a great view of the Strip and some of the best sushi in Las Vegas all while avoiding the Nobu pricing and “see and be seen” type of crowd.
7. Explore the new hotels. Often times we tend to stick to what we know which is fair. But with Vegas always adding new hotels, you should definitely explore. Since I last visited Vegas, Resorts World Las Vegas and Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened while the W Hotel and the Virgin Hotel took up existing building shells to open their own properties. If downtown is more your speed, Circa Resort & Casino opened in late 2020 and is the first brand new construction hotel to be build since 1980.
8. Use the public transportation that is available to commute from end to end of the Strip. I know I told you to walk earlier on the list, but if walking isn’t your thing (or if it is 100 degrees outside), use the plethora of transportation options that will make getting from place to place a more efficient experience. The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip, connecting MGM (on the south end) to the Sahara Las Vegas (north end). The cost is about $6 per rider. The Deuce is Las Vegas’s public transit bus system. This double-decker buses run directly up and down Las Vegas Boulevard and offer affordable tickets running on a 24/7 schedule. You can also take the usual Uber, Lyft or taxis, but note that they are NOT allowed to pick up or drop off directly off Las Vegas Blvd. They’ll have to pull into a resort of shopping center to start / complete their ride service. The Vegas Loop is an expanding underground transit network where passengers ride in chauffeured Tesla vehicles through tight, neon-lit tunnels. It currently connects the Las Vegas Convention Center directly to Resorts World, Encore at Wynn, and Fontainebleau on the North Strip. The Monorail is elevated, air-conditioned (emphasis on this one), and takes about 15 minutes to travel the entire line, completely bypassing street traffic. The resort trams are a free, monorail tram system that operates on the west side of the Strip. Each of the three trams do not connect to each other, but they bridge the gap between neighboring properties:
   • The Mandalay Bay-Tram: Connects Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur at the south end of the Strip.
     The Aria Express: Connects Park MGM, Aria (Crystal Shops), and Bellagio in the center of the Strip.
     The Mirage-Treasure Island Tram: Connects The Mirage/Hard Rock to Treasure Island.
9. Try new things! As humans, we tend to stick to what we know and what is comfortable. However, getting out of your comfort zone can be pleasantly surprising and a bit liberating. One the most recent trip, I vowed to do at least three things that I had never done whether it was a show, seeing a new hotel or trying a new restaurant and I did just that. Attending a showing of the Wizard of Oz at the Sphere, riding the Big Apple Coaster, attending the Shark Reef Aquarium and dining at Sushi Roku were all new experiences that really rounded out the entire trip. Get out of your comfort zone and live!