Top 5 Things to Do in Las Vegas During WSOP Besides Poker
6 minutes
Last Updated: June 13, 2023
It’s that time of the year again and poker players are flocking to Las Vegas in the thousands with riches and glory in mind.
While Las Vegas is definitely the place to be to play poker this summer, there is a lot more to do in Sin City than just play cards.
Many poker players spend their entire time in Vegas playing poker, but if it’s your first time in the city, I strongly suggest exploring some of the entertainment and cultural experiences as well.
The problem many visitors have is that they don’t know exactly what to do in Vegas outside of the casinos, so I am going to tell you about the top five things you should experience while visiting Las Vegas this summer.
Let’s get started!
#1 – The Museums of Las Vegas
When you hear the name of Las Vegas, culture and museums aren’t the first things you think about, but there are actually quite a few fun museums to visit in Sin City.
The museums you will find here are not like the ones in Europe or other big American cities, and they don’t necessarily display general history or art.
Instead, many of Vegas’ museums have to do with the history of the city itself, while others are simply fun venues displaying various memorabilia.
The Mob Museum of Las Vegas will take you through a big chunk of the city’s history and the involvement of Mafia and organized crime syndicates in the emergence of the greatest gambling center in the world.
The Neon Museum is another fun experience you should definitely take on while visiting the city. It shows more than 200 unique neon signs that used to hang over the entrances of Las Vegas casinos that no longer exist and across Sin City in general.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is yet another super-cool and unique museum where you will get to see dozens of retired pinball machines that used to be a highlight of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas also features a Madam Tussauds, a Museum of Natural History, and much more. You can spend quite a bit of time simply exploring these and staying out of casinos and away from the tables.
#2 – The Freemont Street Experience
While The Strip may be the place to be for poker players in terms of plying their trade, Freemont Street is another part of the city you will definitely want to visit at least once.
Freemont Street is found in downtown Las Vegas and it is an iconic part of the city that used to be even more important back in the early days of Las Vegas.
This part of the city is now reserved for a unique tourist experience and it’s the place to be if you want to experience the loud and uninhibited vibes of Sin City.
In Freemont Street, you will find free concerts and other entertainment events throughout the summer, along with hundreds of people drinking out in the open and living it up as if there was no tomorrow.
The slogan “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” will come up at least once or twice as you venture Freemont Street with your friends, as all types of entertainment, including the less than savory ones, can be found here.
Some iconic hotels and casinos such as the Golden Nugget, Binion’s Gambling Hall, and Main Street Station are all found on the Freemont Street as well, so some quick gambling action will be in order as well to complete the experience.
#3 – Las Vegas Shows
Sin City is all about entertainment, and the folks there understand that gambling alone is not enough to make the city stand out.
This is why you will find some of the best shows in the world in Las Vegas as well, ranging from the ones that are free-for-all, all the way to exclusive and sometimes very expensive ones.
As far as free options go, the Bellagio Fountain Show and the Exploding Volcano show at the Mirage are two of the best ones, but other hotels such as Venetian and Caesar’s Palace have unique shows of their own, which you can check out without paying a dime.
If you are happy to pay for a good night out, shows like Naked Magicians, Magic Mike, and various Cirque de Soleil performances are available throughout the summer.
Las Vegas is, of course, also the place to be to check out some of the best musicians and performers of all arts throughout the summer months, so make sure to check out the schedule for various venues before you go and book your tickets in advance.
There is no lack of shows in Las Vegas, and the weekend evenings are especially interesting for some of the most unique events you could possibly want to see. Throw your cards in the muck for a couple of hours and experience these amazing shows with your friends or loved ones.
#4 – Go Horseback Riding or Explore the City from Above
If you are tired of all the indoor activities and being surrounded by crowds, there are quite a few experiences in Las Vegas that will send you on your way and far away from other people.
A number of horseback riding tours are offered which will take you out of the city and into the deserts of Nevada, where you will get to experience a day in the life of a true cowboy.
In order to take part in these, you won’t even need to know how to ride a horse. Experienced guides will go with you and let you ride the tamest horses in the world, for a safe and enjoyable experience.
If horseback riding simply isn’t your thing and you prefer to travel a bit more modern, taking a helicopter tour over the city of Las Vegas and out into the desert is yet another thing you should definitely try.
Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon are also available from Las Vegas, and they can even drop you off and take you back by air for the right price.
There is hardly anything you can’t pay for in Sin City, so remember to bring plenty of cash if you want to get the absolute most from your Vegas experience.
#5 – Climb the Tallest Observation Deck in America
The observation deck at the top of the STRAT Casino is the tallest of its kind in all of USA and an experience you absolutely must try.
From the top of the STRAT, you will get to see across all of the Strip and Las Vegas, which is especially spectacular at night when all the shiny lights of the Sin City are turned on.
Those staying at the STRAT get to enter the deck for free, while everyone else has to pay a fee, but the paying for the admission is well worth the price.
Apart from the helicopter tours, this is the best way to see the city from above, take some pictures for the social media accounts, and fully take in the fabulous Las Vegas!