The alluring sights and glitzy shows of Las Vegas are known around the world, but there are also many lesser-known and still worthwhile things to see and do in this desert oasis.
The Las Vegas metro area is home to 2.4 million people, with the population of the city itself close to 700,000, according to the U.S. Census. According to the , Vegas saw 38.5 million visitors in 2025, and 6 million of those were attending a conference. Although this is a 7.5% decrease from 2024, thatap still a huge amount of tourists who are dining, gambling, taking in a show, and spending time at a resort hotel.
Founded in 1905 and incorporated in 1911, Las Vegas was meant to be a stopover for the railroad. It was the construction of the nearby Hoover Dam in the 1930s that attracted young workers who needed entertainment in their off-time. Gambling was legalized there in 1931, and the rest is history as the city became known as a glittering hub for risqué shows and gambling of all sorts.
Yet today, Sin City has more to offer its visitors than the Strip and slot machines, with one-of-a-kind natural settings and entertainment that you’ll only find in Las Vegas.
From Denver International Airport, there are nonstop, two-hour flights to Las Vegas. Otherwise, itap a hefty road trip of about 11 hours.
Outdoor recreation options near and in Las Vegas
The funny thing about Las Vegas is that it seems to have a border with the surrounding desert: One minute you’re driving through the neon lights, and the next you’re in what feels like the middle of nowhere.
The Emerald Cave is about an hour’s drive from the city, and itap an opportunity for kayakers to paddle the Colorado River. Boaters can delight in the shimmering green water on a sunny day. Unless you’ve brought your own paddleboard or kayak, you’ll need to book with a local outfitter like . Plan for a half-day outing on the water.
The cave itself is just a small part of the adventure, which typically starts at Willow Beach with a 2-mile upstream paddle to the cave. This isn’t whitewater, however; it’s more of a gentle flow that won’t require extra skills. Enjoy the canyon, wildlife and historic sites along the way, then get your waterproof camera ready for photos of the green waters when you enter the cave.
Hikers might prefer a visit to the , about a 30-minute drive from the city. One popular trail that is easy enough for children is the Lost Creek Trail, a ¾-mile, one-way hike to a hidden seasonal waterfall. Before hitting the trail, always check the local weather, take plenty of water, and let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
The Valley of Fire State Park is an hour’s drive from Las Vegas and offers dramatic rock formations to drive and hike through. Be aware that many of this park’s trails are closed in the summer due to extreme heat.
The Springs Preserve is actually in the city, but itap a hidden pocket of 180 acres of botanical gardens, trails and museums. Described as the “Central Park of Las Vegas,” this place can be an ideal stop with young children in tow. The trails are a mix of paved sidewalks or loose gravel winding through native plants and some replicas of early Las Vegas. (The preserve was the site of the original water source for the valley.)
Off-the-beaten path entertainment in Las Vegas
Itap tough to compete with the caliber of shows in whatap been called the Entertainment Capital of the World, but some places try. You’ll need a car to get to most of these destinations, even though they are in the city, if you are staying along the famed Strip.
The is worth stopping by, day or night. There are two spaces to explore here: the Neon Boneyard and the North Gallery. I stopped by during the day and many of the vintage signs’ lights were twinkling so you don’t have to come at night to see them turned on. Itap worth taking time to read the informational tags along the way, or schedule a guided tour here. There was a professional photo shoot in the smaller North Gallery, so it was not accessible during my stop. The 322 signs at this nonprofit are just part of the fascinating history to explore here.
Each incarnation of is unique (there are others in Denver and Santa Fe), and the Omega Mart in Las Vegas is a world unto itself. Set on the AREA15 campus, this twisted version of an otherworldly convenience store lets you shop the aisles and then disappear through unexpected portals. Its name is a spoof on Nevada’s classified U.S. Air Force facility known as Area 51, the inspiration for many conspiracy theories. Here you’ll find eclectic food and beverage options alongside various entertainment like bingo nights and live music.
Speaking of government secrets, budget some time for the , which strives to educate the public about the Nevada Test Site (now called the Nevada National Security Site). The museum is in Las Vegas, but its subject matter is all about what happened 65 miles northwest of here between 1951 and 1992, when 928 nuclear tests were conducted, leaving behind significant radioactive contamination.
The in downtown Las Vegas makes unusual use of colorfully painted shipping containers as a compact dining and shopping space. What is worth seeing here is the 40-foot-tall praying mantis sculpture at the entrance whose antennae spew fire each evening at sundown. This distinct piece was created by engineer Kirk Jellum as an anniversary gift for his wife.
, open nearly three years now, isn’t really novel anymore but itap also not easily replicated, so it still feels unique. This giant round LED screen hosts immersive concerts, movies and other entertainment. Make sure to have extra time before and after the events here to explore the expansive lobby. After seeing the “Wizard of Oz” here, for example, there was a mini-Emerald City live show being put on, complete with green puffs of smoke and a live actor. During the show, it felt like we were inside the tornado with wind, shaking and leaves blowing in all directions as we watched the classic movie.
It is widely documented and accepted that the mob, an organized crime syndicate, was largely responsible for building up Las Vegas. Today, that history is captured at the, believed to be the only one of its kind in the world. This place is about experiences, not just learning about the past, so visitors can plan their visit with a firearms training simulation, time with crime lab experts, or a distillery tasting.
Note: Whether you’re spending time inside or outside during a visit to Las Vegas, check ahead for seasonal or special event closures and changes.
