A Long Weekend in Vegas: Things to Do

A Long Weekend in Vegas: Things to Do

Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. It’s an excellent place for a fun weekend with your friends. The itinerary is simple: a casino, dinner, a show, golf, watching a game, and one of the clubs. But what about a family trip? Casinos are a nonstarter. Moreover, the kids don’t play golf, dinner is too late, the football game is expensive, and the club is out. So, where should you stay, what should you do, where should you eat? Surprisingly Las Vegas has plenty of things to do for families who want to try something different during a long weekend.

A Long Weekend in Vegas: Things to Do

Lighthouse Immersive Van Gogh in Las Vegas

Interested in art or want an unforgettable experience featuring the most famed historical artist? Across from ARIA Resort & Casino, on level 3 of The Shops at Crystals, is Lighthouse, Immersive.

Lighthouse Immersive Van Gogh is a room transformed into an ethereal art experience. The art of the world-renowned artist Vincent van Gogh will come to life all around you. The experience is surreal; you are seated in the middle of a room surrounded by Van Gogh’s art projected all around you, timed to music.

This digital and innovative wonderland was created partly by Emmy and Tony award-winning designer David Korins, known for producing some of the most popular Broadway hits such as “Hamilton” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” The other team members are Creator Massimiliano Siccardi, Composer Luca Longobardi, and Art Director Vittorio Guidotti.

Their creation will let you not just experience art but an innovation of a one-of-a-kind transformational and immersive experience of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. The reviews have been phenomenal, and this art exhibit is one we loved; you should not miss it.

Walk Around The Shops at Crystals

One of the free things to do in Vegas this weekend is window shopping. After completing your experience at Lighthouse Immersive, walk around The Shops at Crystals. You probably can’t afford items in many of the designer boutiques, and in some cases, you need to make an appointment. But it’s nice to grab a coffee at Starbucks and walk around. Before you leave, stop by whirlpool towers.

Arcadia Earth 

Want to know what the Earth will be like in the future? Located along Las Vegas Blvd and in New York City, Arcadia Earth is a specialized experience of the planet and its future. The immersive augmented reality journey allows for an understanding of our planet like never before, with fantasy lands created with pixels, a digital experience through an underwater adventure, and developmental art installations. Valentino Vettori founded Arcadia Earth.

Take a trip to this technological paradise created with a combination of augmented reality, virtual reality, and projection maps to explore the shocking phenomena the Earth holds at a personal level. In addition, you have an option to download Arcadia Earth’s app. We did so for the whole immersive experience.

Arcadia Earth is not just an experience but a center for knowledge of our Earth for you as an individual, the people, and the impact on the future.

Big Apple Coaster and Arcade

Looking for a family fun activity and an exciting thrill, the Big Apple Coaster and Arcade will provide the excitement of the year for everyone. Going over 67 mph on the world’s first coaster featuring a loop, 180-degree “heartline” twist, dive maneuver, and 203-foot drop provides almost 2 million riders a heart-stopping action from sunrise to sunset. 

The ride opens at 11 am and closes at 11 pm or midnight, depending on the day. Lockers are available for your hats, sunglasses, keys, bags, etc.

If you are not a thrill seeker but more in search of competition, test your skills at the Big Apple Arcade! With the latest video games and some arcade classics, such as Skee-Ball, Air Hockey, and NBA-Fever, competition is open for anyone. 

Located inside the New York New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, anyone is welcome to the Big Apple Coaster if they have tickets. The Arcade is open to both hotel guests and non-guests.

Mob Museum 

Do you need a fun experience that is a bit more mellow and chill compared to the extravagance of the Las Vegas strip? Then take a turn back in time to the Old Strip of Las Vegas near Fremont Street to experience some of the deadliest criminals in history at the Mob Museum, officially known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement. The Mob Museum offers a bold and authentic view of crime, from vintage Las Vegas to the back alleys of cities to international networks worldwide. Older Las Vegas casinos were, in many cases, operated or connected to mob families.

Explore the real stories and actual happenings of Mob history with four floors of exhibits which include artifacts, audio tours, and videos. Along with the historical component of the museum, two interactive experiences are offered, the Crime Lab and Firearm Training Simulator. 

Inside the Crime Lab, you will experience working in a laboratory as a forensic scientist. Included opportunities are analyzing forensic evidence to determine criminal homicides, matching fingerprint DNA, ballistic determination, and DNA profiling. 

In the Firearms Training Simulators, visitors are placed in the shoes of law enforcement officers and exposed to various training exercises officers conduct in use-of-force situations. In addition, guests will intensely engage in digital and live role-playing scenarios to demonstrate the skill and complexity of their own use-force decisions. 

For those looking for some jazz music and are over the age of 21, you can head down to the basement, where there is a speakeasy and distillery. In the distillery house, you can experience a sampling of a variety of distilled spirits. In addition, the museum distills its own 100-proof, 100% corn moonshine in a custom pot-still. At the same time, in the speakeasy, travel back in time to the Prohibition to experience Prohibition-era cocktails, shareable bites, and weekly live music of some classic jazz for a mob-style lively setting.

The Mob Museum was a favorite with our family. It is housed in the old Las Vegas Post Office and Court House, built in 1933, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Shark Reef Aquarium

The Shark Reef Aquarium in the Mandalay Bay hotel is worth a trip. The main tank is about 1,300,000 gallons, one of the largest in the US. It features a shipwreck and is home to blacktip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, sand tiger sharks, guitarfish, and sawfish. Other interesting fish and reptile exhibits include sea turtles, a Komodo dragon, alligators, hammerhead sharks, lionfish, octopi, and piranhas.

Besides the main tank, another exciting feature is the shark tunnel. Walk through it and look around at the sharks before exiting.

The Aquarium is open from 10 am to 8 pm.

Places to Eat in Vegas

There are plenty of things to do in Vegas in a weekend and after a long day you want to eat. Below are a few places away from the strip.

Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen

Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen makes Thai food one of your favorite cuisines. Their food is filled with flavor and spice to create delicious meals. The front of the restaurant is decorated with foliage, creating a unique experience for customers. After eating at Nittaya’s, you will realize Thai food is underrated. Dine at Nittaya’s to push Thai food to the top of your food list.

Nittaya’s is in the Summerlin part of Las Vegas, toward Red Rock Canyon. It is also near the TPC Las Vegas golf course. You can go hiking on Red Rock’s 26 trails, followed by lunch or dinner at Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen.

Sen of Japan

The definition of “Sen” in Japanese means “fresh.” Sen of Japan uses fresh ingredients to create these delicacies they serve. Chef Nakano Hiromi prepares delectable dishes for all the guests’ enjoyment. The menu offers a seven-course and six-course omakase prix-fixe many to experience the “Sen.” Omakase is a whole adventure by sampling, then devouring the delicious creations. Each time you order Omakase, the dishes for each course will differ from the previous visit. Sen of Japan gives the chance to explore the world of Japan with their fresh quality food.

In our opinion, the Sen of Japan is the best sushi outside the strip. The restaurant attracts a crowd, so make a reservation or plan to wait.

Baby Birds Cafe

Sit down and eat at the dainty cafe next to Sahara Lake, Baby Birds Cafe. It may be small, but this brunch cafe is delicious. The outdoor entryway contains a breathtaking view of the nearby man-made lake and mountains in the distance. Yet, the inside of the restaurant displays hanging flowers and plants making this cafe a dazzling and cozy place to dine.

In our opinion, everything is good here, but we liked the salmon toast. Also, try the coffee.

They don’t take reservations, so plan on waiting.

Where Should You Stay?

There are many hotels on the strip and off the strip. Of course, the larger and more well-known ones are a possibility. But one favorite choice for families in New York, New York, is on the strip. Besides the Big Apple Coaster and arcade, there is a decent size pool to enjoy.

Other options include Mandalay Bay because of the Aquarium and the water park. Lastly, Circus Circus is a family favorite.

Final Thoughts on A Long Weekend in Vegas: Things to Do

Las Vegas trips bring visions of slots, food, and drinks along the strip. But the main part of Vegas can be tiring after a while, especially for families. But go off the beaten path a bit, and you can find many other fun and inexpensive things to do in Vegas during a long weekend.

Thanks for reading A Long Weekend in Vegas: Things to Do!

This article was produced by Dividend Power’s family.

You can also read Fun a Mile-High: Things to Do in Denver.

Related Articles on Dividend Power

Here are my recommendations:

If you are unsure on how to invest in dividend stocks or are just getting started with dividend investing. Take a look at my Review of the Simply Investing Report. I also provide a Review of the Simply Investing Course. Note that I am an affiliate of Simply Investing.

If you are interested in an excellent resource for DIY dividend growth investors. I suggest reading my Review of The Sure Dividend Newsletter. Note that I am an affiliate of Sure Dividend.

If you want a leading investment research and portfolio management platform with all the fundamental metrics, screens, and analysis tools that you need. Read my Review of Stock Rover. Note that I am an affiliate of Stock Rover.

If you would like notifications as to when my new articles are published, please sign up for my free weekly e-mail. You will receive a free spreadsheet of the Dividend Kings! You will also join thousands of other readers each month!

*This post contains affiliate links meaning that I earn a commission for any purchases that you make at the Affiliates website through these links. This will not incur additional costs for you. Please read my disclosure for more information.

Published at Tue, 04 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0700