Covid 19 Update - most shows and clubs are currently closed. The ones that are open have capacity limitations, so make reservations as soon as possible.

As the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas has more things to do than you can possibly imagine. From shows and night clubs, to driving exotic race cars, to shooting real machine guns, there is something for everyone. While you definitely shouldn’t over-plan your trip, do some research and figure out at least 1 special outing you’d like to enjoy before you leave.

As one of the world's leading destinations for gambling, that's the first obvious entertainment option. In the past, the difference between gaming experiences was minimal and one could decide largely due to preference and proximity to your room. Now more than ever, your gambling experience is dramatically different depending on the casino you are at and even the day of the week.

The casinos on the strip have become so tight with their payouts and increasing their house edge that it's only due to their location that people play there at all. While it's impossible to determine the house edge assigned to each casino's slot machines unless you know someone on the inside, you can extrapolate their payout percentage based upon their other games which display their odds publicly, namely Blackjack, Roulette, and Video Poker.

If you at a casino on the strip, you'll likely find only double-zero roulette, video poker with extremely low payout structures (which can vary on the same machine depending on the wagered amount), and blackjack rules that are so terrible it's amazing anyone even plays. $25 minimums, blackjack pays 6:5, double down on 10 and 11 only, dealer hits soft 17, and every other house advantage one can think of.

There are exceptions to these, but you'll have to keep your eye out. Our favorite casinos to gamble at include the Paris and the Cromwell. You can still find blackjack games tat at least have $15 minimums and blackjack payouts at 3:2.

Also, watch out for crazy ATM fees. It's really hard, if not impossible, to find in-network ATM's on the strip, even for major banks such as Chase. You're going to get hit with a $6-$8 fee to use the ATM's in the casinos, which is in addition to any fee that your bank may charge you. You're best bet is to bring more cash than you think you'll spend or open an online bank account that refunds ATM fees. SoFi is an online bank that offers free checking, interest on your checking account that is higher than any local bank, and free withdrawals from any ATM (the refund the ATM fees back to your account).

For free entertainment, you have quite a few options to keep you busy. The Fountains of the Bellagio are an iconic Las Vegas symbol, offering a free dancing water show synchronized to music every 30 minutes right in front of the casino. Inside the Bellagio, make sure to walk by the terrarium, showcasing real plants and water combined to form elaborate artwork you can walk through. Other free items include the robotic statues show at Caesars Palace, or simply walking through the grandeur of the Wynn, Venetian, or the Cosmopolitan. If you’re downtown, the Four Queens hotel has a shark tank right next to the swimming pool, so it feels like you’re swimming with them!

The shows in Las Vegas are out of this world. Stay away from smaller shows, the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, or anything to do with a timeshare. Any major Cirque du Soleil show will be great. Keep an eye out for online specials and buy tickets early. Tix4Tonight also has a limited number of tickets for select shows each day, so line up early before they open to see what is available. You can also visit their website beforehand to see what they are offering.

Clubs in Las Vegas have some of the longest lines you’ve ever seen, so get there early and prepare for a long night. A new trend in Vegas in the summertime is the party pool. The pool at the Hard Rock started the trend years ago and even had their own television show, Rehab. Now, almost every casino has a party pool. The MGM and Mandalay Bay have the largest party areas, but others like the Cosmopolitan, Drais pool club at the Cromwell, and the Palms are very popular as well. It will cost you some money to get in, plus the drinks are going to be expensive, but this trend seems to be more popular than the clubs. They have the same DJ’s playing the same music, you can actually sit down, you don’t have to get dressed up, and you don’t have to wait until 11:30 at night just to stand in a 2 hour line to get in.

There are also quite a few attractions that are off the grid. The Red Rock Canyon area offers some beautiful hiking and landscapes. The Hoover Dam is not too far away and is a true engineering marvel. The Pinball Hall of Fame showcases 10,000 square feet of machines from the 1950’s to today and best of all, you can actually play them! The Atomic Testing Museum is right off the strip and has a lot of artifacts, footage, and hands on demonstrations that detail Nevada’s role in the development of the atomic weapons. Be prepared to spend hours there. Oh, and skip the optional Area 51 part of the museum, it’s not really worth the time or money.