What is there to do in Las Vegas besides, you know.

August 10, 2014 7:24 PM

Have seen and done the strip and all related stuff. But I will have to be in Las Vegas for a couple of weeks and am wondering what else there might be to do in that city.

I'm thinking of things like unusual museums, interesting libraries, etc.

Thanks.

posted by Opengreen to Travel & Transportation around Las Vegas, NV (12 answers total)

I really love the Atomic Testing Museum.

Also the Pinball Hall of Fame is a must see.
posted by chrchr at 7:47 PM on August 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

If you have a car, take a short trip and see the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead.
posted by maryr at 7:48 PM on August 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

Neon Museum.
posted by mollymayhem at 7:48 PM on August 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

Go hiking out at Red Rocks, just west of LV. Awesome.
posted by fieldtrip at 8:16 PM on August 10, 2014 [5 favorites]

You want to go see some minor league baseball. The Las Vegas 51s, the AAA affiliate of the NY Mets, is playing at home. There is always a promotion going on, cheap beer and some baseball!!!.
posted by 724A at 8:33 PM on August 10, 2014

I have a soft spot for the Springs Preserve. Seconding Pinball Hall of Fame.

If you have a physical bent, there's the Red Rock Climbing Center.

For some reason Las Vegas has a large smattering of used bookstores across the city in strip malls, which might be fun to scavenge in.
posted by foxfirefey at 8:48 PM on August 10, 2014

Atlas Obscura: A Day in Las Vegas has photos of the offbeat attractions such as the Neon Boneyard, Mob Museum, Atomic Testing Museum, and Pinball Hall of Fame.
posted by kathryn at 8:52 PM on August 10, 2014 [3 favorites]

Definitely see the James Turrell piece in the Louis Vuitton store in Crystals (The mall next to Aria). You have to call ahead to make an appointment. Also check out the Downtown Container Park - there's some wacky Burning Man style public artwork there.
posted by drapatz at 9:04 PM on August 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

Do you like beer? Go to the Freakin' Frog, Yard House, and the other places on this list.

For some reason Las Vegas has a large smattering of used bookstores across the city in strip malls, which might be fun to scavenge in.

Speaking as a book hoarder who used to live in Las Vegas, none of the local bookstores are very good and IMO they are not worth going out of your way to visit.
posted by Jacqueline at 9:23 PM on August 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

Hoover Dam was fantastic and not far from Vegas. If you can I would also recommend the Grand Canyon as well. My husband and I did a one day Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam tour when we were in Vegas for our honeymoon. Left at breakfast time, back by suppertime. It was incredible and absolutely worth it.

Also, maybe not your scene, but depending on WHEN you're going to be in Vegas you may be able to take in a NASCAR race.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 3:57 AM on August 11, 2014

Mt. Charleston is about 45 minutes away from Las Vegas and gorgeous high desert, if you like hiking/looking at mountains.
posted by rivenwanderer at 3:42 PM on August 11, 2014

...depending on WHEN you're going to be in Vegas you may be able to take in a NASCAR race.

The Vegas NASCAR race is the first weekend in March.
posted by Hatashran at 7:13 PM on August 11, 2014