50 Plus Epic Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Known for its gambling and entertainment, there’s much more to Las Vegas than meets the eye. There are so many things to do off the strip in Las Vegas that most people don’t realize exist. For many people who have visited before, people often ask what else there is to do. This travel guide will help you plan an itinerary that includes many things not on the strip!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure and privacy policy for more information.

National Parks, One Of The Best Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Nevada is home to several National, State, and Local Parks. Some are exceptionally famous and worth the trip to Las Vegas alone.

Death Valley National Park

It is the driest and hottest place near Las Vegas, and it does have rain, but very occasionally. It is called Death Valley because a group of pioneers got lost there. It can be hazardous in winter because of the cold and produce sudden flooding.

Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs

A 2,040-acre park is a series of small lakes that formed an oasis in this part of the Mojave Desert. The small springs are naturally spring-fed lakes forming a desert oasis in this part of the Mojave Desert. Visiting the Mojave Desert is a great way to enjoy nature and take a break from the bright lights.

Grand Canyon National Park

Hopefully, this one requires no introduction; it’s on most people’s bucket lists for a good reason. I’ve been twice, and it never gets old. The second you see the rim of the Colorado River, you understand why people flock to see this treasure!

It’s a four-hour drive each way from Las Vegas, so while this is possible in a day, you can if you want to peek at it. However, I strongly recommend staying in the Grand Canyon for at least a night; it’s a great way to experience the canyon!

If you don’t want to stay overnight, book a day tour here: Grand Canyon National Park

Tip: The Hoover Dam in on route to The Grand Canyon almost eveyone combines the two attractions.

Great Basin National Park

Located in east-central Nevada and close to the Utah border, this park is best known for its ancient bristlecone pine groves.

Joshua Tree National Park

As the name suggests, this park is home to the Joshua Tree and was named accordingly. There’s much to see here, especially if you want to capture epic photographs. Giant marbles, jumbo rocks, Cyclops and Pee Wee Formations, and Old Woman Rock, to name a few.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

The largest artificial reservoir in the United States is a popular spot for water sports, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.

Mojave National Preserve

This park is home to water-sculpted canyons, ancient lava flows, limestone caverns, and massive dunes! And like many other regional parks, it has Joshua trees shaping the rugged terrain. This is the perfect place to spend a day enjoying Nevada’s parks. Book your tour here: Half-Day Mojave Desert ATV Tour from Las Vegas.

Spring Mountain National Recreation Area (Mount Charleston)

Part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and just 30 minutes from downtown Las Vegas, this park offers up to 316,000 acres of unique beauty.

Valley of Fire State Park

A park full of red sandstone formations, this park’s lure is the sun’s reflection on the red sand formations said to make them appear on fire. Book your tour here: Valley of Fire Hiking Tour from Las Vegas.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is another bucket list contender! You have likely seen pictures of the Zion Canyon, the red Navajo Sandstone, or the many famous arches. Book a small group tour here: Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks Small-Group Tour from Las Vegas.

Red Rock National Conservation Area

It contains some of the famous reactions of nature that are worth visiting:

• Keystone thrust fault
• Mountain Wilson
• Calico Hills
• Scenic Loop

Book a horseback tour here: Red Rock Canyon Sunset Horseback Ride and Barbeque.

Clark Country Wetlands Park

This park includes over two miles of paved trails, ponds, and a bird-viewing blind.

Obscure Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Rhyolite Ghost Town

Built in 1904 and closed in 1916, this town came to be due to the  Gold Rush era. Remnants of the former village still stand and can be visited.

Republic of Molossia

The Republic of Molossia is a micro-nation that has claimed itself as a nation, but the United Nations nor any central government recognizes it as a nation or country. To visit, you have to call ahead, and tourist season is from April 15 through 15th  October.

Clown Motel

This is an extreme motel located on the edge of a mountain. This motel is decorated with thousands of clowns, and the scary part is that next to this motel is a graveyard. Staying here is a great way to “clown” around!

International Car Forest of the Last Church

It’s not exactly a church, despite the name. Here is a collection of cars stacked up to form artwork with graffiti.  The work of two artists named Mark Rippie and Chad Sorg. This is completely free and it offers self-guided tours.

Historical Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Historic Route 66

History lovers, this is a road trip for you. Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926, as one of America’s original highways. This route was linked with Chicago and Los Angeles.

Area 51

A conspiracy theorist’s dream – one of the best places to visit! Claims of aliens living in Area 51 continue to this day. The real story behind it is that it is an area specified for military training, and the USAF used this place to test their aircraft and weapons. Book a day tour here, Area 51 Day Tour from Las Vegas.

Calico Ghost Town

If you are a fan of the Old West, there is no way you would want to miss a day trip to the Calico ghost town. There are many fun activities for you, including mock shootouts, shows, gift shops, and stage coaches. A great place for all including kids.

Eldorado Nelson Canyon Ghost Town

In the heart of Eldorado Canyon, just east of Nelson, lies the Techatticup Mine—a popular destination for photographers and adventurers. Owners Tony and Bobbie Werly first took notice of the old mining camp while retrieving canoes for their Colorado River canoe rental business. In 1994, the Werlys purchased 50 acres, including several mining claims, a store, a stamp mill, a bunkhouse, and tin miner cabins. Since then, the couple has restored the area, even opening the Techatticup Mine for tours.

Oatman Village Western Mining Village

Oatman is a village in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, that began as a small mining camp. Two prospectors struck gold here and created one major strike after another until it reached 10 million dollars worth! This finding led to Oatman’s population growing by more than 3,500 people within just one year – this place has always had something special about it, though you would never know if you didn’t live there or visit. Book the tour here: Oatman Village Western Mining Village & Scenic Route 66 Experience.

Old Tonopah Cemetery Tonopah

It is a historic mining town situated between Las Vegas and Reno. This town became famous when Jim Butler discovered that its rocks were the second form of silver.

Nevada Southern Railroad Museum in Boulder City

The Nevada Southern Railroad Museum is a railroad museum in Boulder City, Nevada. The Nevada State Railroad Museum operates it. The railway is located on the tracks installed to support construction activities at the Hoover Dam. Best of all, you can ride the railway!

Groom Lake

This location is used in many films, photoshoots, and music videos. There is a crashed B-29 at the bottom of Lake Mead that you can dive to see. The plane is referred to as “The Lady in the Lake.”

Pioneer Saloon Goodsprings

Well, the landmark of this old saloon is a template for every western bar. George Fayle was a businessman who opened this saloon in 1913. It is still functional and probably the oldest pub; visit this salon if you want a traditional shave.

Mine for Gold at Eldorado Canyon

This place is rich in silver and gold mines. This place was discovered after the American Civil War. It is an excellent place to learn more about history.

Fremont Street Experience

A short drive from the Strip, this street is like walking entertainment. You can have live entertainment, a live show, and a zipline. It was the first-ever paved street in Las Vegas in 1925, and the traffic lights came onto this street in 1931. Take The Weird, Wacky Fremont Bar Experience with Cocktails tour for the best fremont street experience!

Outdoors Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Hoover Dam

If you want peace and enjoy nature, Hoover Dam is your place. You can visit this dam both in the day and at night. Many touring companies could offer you these trips. Tour the Hoover Dam with this great trip Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas With Lunch.

Go Boating Or Kayaking on Lake Mead

To chill your day, go for a boating or kayaking trip on Lake Mead. This lake is the largest reservoir in America. It’s the perfect place to boat or kayak Nevada. Boating that expansive space is a dream come true. Book here: Lake Mead Kayaking from Las Vegas.

Seven Magic Mountains

Ugo Rondinone was the artist behind the seven colorful towers with stacked boulders standing at 25 feet in height. Book the tour here: Seven Magic Mountains & Hoover Dam Mini Tour and  Small Group Combo Tour.

You better hurry if you plan to see this one. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a three-year permit extension for the artwork, allowing the installation to remain on view through the end of 2022 – it’s still there but who knows for how long!

Fly Geyser

A small-sized geothermal geyser is located on private land in Washoe County. You will find colored rocks, a hot environment, and multiple hues of red and green. Viewing the geyser from a distance is recommended, but it is worth a watch.

Family Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Drive a Bulldozer

Have you wondered how cool it would be to drive an excavator or a bulldozer? You can experience this without knowing how the machinery works, but only at Dig, Las Vegas. And you guessed it, the main attraction is bulldozers. This is a great way to play out your childhood fantasies and operate heavy-duty equipment! Book your tour here: Las Vegas Heavy Equipment Playground.

Trampoline Dodgeball

The best and safest place for the kids to play is a trampoline park. There are multiple games the kids can play at the park. Bouncing and jumping over the trampoline makes the kids joyful; even adults can enjoy this by playing dodgeball.

Wreck Room – A Destruction Experience

The Wreck Room in Las Vegas is a unique experience that allows you to smash, break, and destroy everyday items in a safe area. Kitted out in a helmet and safety gear equipped with a bat or crowbar, head into the wreck room and vent your frustrations on TVs, bottles, plates, and furniture. Best of all, there’s no need to clean up the mess afterward!

Glassblowing by Torch

If you’ve ever wondered how to make glass ornaments, this experience is for you. Join an award-winning glassblowing instructor for a hands-on lesson that’s completely private so you can ask questions throughout. Watch the instructor make a glass pendant, then use the torch to make your souvenir pendant to take home.

Lion Habitat Ranch

Get up close with more than 40 lions and their cubs on this self-guided walking tour of the Lion Habitat Ranch near Las Vegas. Stroll along the paved paths and watch the giant cats lounging, playing, and napping in their habitats. Upgrade to a private, guided, 90-minute small-group tour and get a behind-the-scenes tour.

Safari at Keepers of the Wild Nature Park 

Experience a memorable hour and fifteen-minute safari hosted by a knowledgeable keeper who will drive you through the park while sharing fun, exciting, and heartfelt accounts of how our beloved rescued animals came to call Keepers of the Wild home. Book the tour here: Keepers of the Wild Nature Park Tour.

Scavenger Hunt

Discover in an alternate reality of favorite hidden gems off the beaten trail and creatively interpret fun art, history, and culture clues – for points! Enjoy fame and glory while appearing on the Scavenger Hunt website’s international leaderboard, regardless of your score. Essentially, you race other teams in other cities. Get ready to hang out with local authors, experience their favorite hangouts only known by locals, discover unusual oddities, and so much more! Book the tour here: Scavenger Hunt.

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Ethel M.’s

If you are visiting Las Vegas, Chocoholics pay a visit to Ethel M.’s Chocolate Factory to treat your mouth with various chocolates.

Take a Circus Trapeze Class

Imagine yourself being in Cirque du Soleil with a high-flying trapeze class.

Play Laser Tag or Paintball

Gather your friends and family to play a paintball match or a laser tag game.

Mountain’s Edge Exploration Park

A recreational venue at Mountain’s Edge that includes an 80-acre western-themed park at the mountain’s base.

Adult-Only Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Get Sex Education at the Erotic Heritage Museum

Officially known as The Harry Mohney Erotic Museum, this is the largest museum in the world to preserve erotic artifacts, fine art, film, education, and cultural events—twenty-four thousand square feet of permanent and featured exhibits for adults to enjoy. Book the tour here: Erotic Heritage Museum Las Vegas.

Visit The Bunny Ranch

Officially called The Moonlite BunnyRanch, this is probably the most famous legal brothel in the world.  You don’t have to be in the market for services to visit here. Believe it or not, the Bunny Ranch gives free tours. If you are open-minded enough, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the sex industry. There is also a bar on-site, so you can sit back and take in everything that’s going on around you.

Cashman Field

Betting on sports is part of the culture of Las Vegas. Cashman Field is the most inexpensive place to visit to watch a live game of UFL football or bet on it.

Thrill Seekers Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Looking for an adrenaline dose! Here you go:

Axe Throwing 

Channel your inner lumberjack during a 1- or 2-hour axe-throwing session at an indoor course in Las Vegas. Professional instructors show you how to use the standard axes to hit the target with different throws and to play games such as Black Jaxe and Canadian Cricket. Includes instruction and use of equipment.

Drive a Super Fast Car

Driving a super-fast car is almost like a dream come true. To achieve this dream, head towards Exotics Racing Las Vegas. You will find super luxurious, super-fast cars. They have a track of 1800 feet straightaway and seven turns, and you can drive up to 130 mph on the 1.2-mile race track. Book here: Two-Hour Exotic Car Driving Experience Package in Las Vegas.

Go Indoor Skydiving

Most people are afraid of heights, and that is the reason that not everyone can do skydiving. But there is an option to get what skydiving feels like without taking the plunge. The indoor skydiving at Vegas Indoor Skydiving has a 1000 horsepower motor. Book here: Indoor Skydiving Experience in Las Vegas.

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Imagine how beautiful it would be to see Las Vegas up from the sky. It is a must-try experience to have on your bucket list. You will also get a nice treat of traditional champagne after your landing. Book here: Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Ride.

Ride on the High Roller Observation Wheel

Las Vegas has one of the tallest observation wheels, approximately 550 feet. It is scary for some people, but most enjoy this 30-minute ride.

Drive a Dune Buggy

We are talking about the desert dunes here! If you’ve never done deserts or dunes, it’s a must. Few outfitters offer a variety of tour packages for family-friendly tours. Book here: Dune Buggy Off-Road Tours.

Go to the Shooting Range

Desert Hills Shooting Club is a place half an hour from Vegas. You can even have a 21-station sporting clay course at this place. Book here: 4 Gun Vegas Desert Shooting Adventure with Lunch from Las Vegas

Take a Helicopter Ride Over The Grand Canyon

Many people choose this option as it saves you four hours each way drive. Almost everyone who visits Las Vegas journeys to The Grand Canyon, and a helicopter ride is not only the quickest way to get there, but it’s also a rush to see it from the air. Book here: Grand Canyon West VIP at the Rim Helicopter Tour with Optional Skywalk.

Skywalk At the Grand Canyon

If you have the stomach for heights, this one is for you. This 10-foot wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extends 70 feet out over the rim of the Grand Canyon, and you can walk across it!

Stratosphere Tower

Stratosphere Tower is the best way to view the Strip! If you want to see the city and the deserts in one place. It is 1149 feet tall, and a 360-degree view allows you to look at the city at the top of the tower. Book here: The STRAT Tower Observation Deck Ticket.

Tour a Shark Tank

The Golden Nugget Hotel has a slide that goes into the shark tank. Taking a tour is safe. Staff marine biologists will take you on tour. They explain everything you need to know about sharks.

White Water Raft The Grand Canyon

Add a thrilling outdoor adventure to any Las Vegas or Flagstaff vacation with this guided whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River. Take a road trip to Peach Springs, Arizona, home of the Hualapai Indians, at the gateway to the Grand Canyon. Then, challenge the mighty Colorado River’s varied rapids on a 40-mile (64-kilometer) journey through the canyon, taking a side hike to a travertine waterfall. Book here: 1-Day Grand Canyon Whitewater Rafting Tour.

Detective and Crime Things To Do Off  The Strip In Las Vegas

Fancy your chances at becoming an investigator? Brush up your skills by participating in any of these off-the-strip activities!

Solve a Crime

You can get a CSI diploma by solving a case with the help of natural forensic scientists. Gather evidence and put your crime-solving skills to the test to find the killer only at CSI: The Experience – Las Vegas. This is one of the bestways to hone your skills!

Try an Escape Room

Try this escape room if you are visiting Las Vegas with your friends. Work as a team to find clues to escape from a locked room before the time runs out. Book here: Las Vegas Escape Game Adventure.

Join the Mob

Las Vegas Mob Museum shares a unique story of the mobster’s organized crimes from law enforcement and the mobster’s perspective through films, exhibits, and many artifacts. Book here: Las Vegas Mob Museum Admission Ticket.

Shopping and Eating Things To Do Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Go to Chinatown

When you get fed up with the Vegas Strip, go to Chinatown for some dim sum craving.

Container Park

Everybody wants to go shopping while they are on a trip. The best place to shop in Las Vegas is at Container Park. It has many boutiques, free concerts, movies, and restaurants. You can enjoy your day and night at a single place, and you wouldn’t want to go to other sites when you get every treat in one place.

Go Pawning

Even see the show “Pawn Stars”? The World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is in Las Vegas, and you can visit!

Town Square

The town square is on the Boulevard with many bars and restaurants.

Check Out First Friday

Don’t miss the opportunity to see the work of artists in Vegas. The local artists of Las Vegas gather downtown on the first Friday of every month to share their work with them. Live music, artists showcasing their talent, and delicious food will be seen.

Food and Wine Tours

Food & Culture on Scooters 

Enjoy a day scooting through downtown, avoiding fatigue and tiredness with our powerful scooters. Create everlasting memories and hilarious moments with loved ones!! On this Adventure, You can expect to Explore Downtown and the Arts District, Visit Authentic Vintage Shops, Taste the Best BBQ in Nevada, See the best (and hidden) local favorites of Downtown, Compare your options at Two Premium Dispensaries, and Enjoy the atmosphere of 3 locally loved coffee shops. Book here: Food & Culture on Scooters.

Pahrump Winery

Pahrump Valley Winery is an award-winning winery in the Mojave Desert, around an hour from Las Vegas. On this private tour, travel to the winery in the comfort of a private vehicle, enjoy a guided tour of the winery and vineyards, and learn about Nevada wines. During an expert-led wine tasting, sample red and white Pahrump Valley wines. Book here: Sanders Family Pahrump Winery Tour from Las Vegas 

Caves and Springs Off The Strip In Las Vegas

Arizona Hot Springs

Also known as Ringbolt Hot Springs, these springs are located along the Colorado River just south of the Hoover Dam. These are the most popular hot springs in Nevada. People come here to spend quality time and soak in the water surrounded by the canyon. You can access them via boat via the Colorado River or hiking a 3.2-mile trail from Arizona State Highway 93.

Lehman Caves Baker 

It is a cave that consists of more than 300 rocks forming shapes of stalactites, stalagmites, and helictites. It is the presentation of elegant structures made up of stones and some geological filigree covering the walls.

Museums & Exhibitions Off The Strip In Las Vegas

The Neon Museum

A non-profit museum consists of all the vintage signs that were very famous before the new world technology took its place. Think of this place as the graveyard of neon signs.  If you are familiar with the old Las Vegas, you must visit this place! The best time to see this place is at night because all these signs are lit up.

Image Courtesy of The Neon Museum

The National Atomic Testing Museum

This place outlines the fascinating story of America’s nuclear weapon program and the Cold War. You can find a lot of exciting things about tradition. This is a really popular tourist destination.

Nostalgia Street Rods Museum

If you love classic cars or want to experience authentic Vegas vintage, visit the Nostalgic Street Rods Museum. Recently voted as the 2018 Best of Las Vegas top attraction, this museum is a lifelong labor of love for the family who runs it. Get up close to a vast collection of one-of-a-kind autos from 1910 to 1965 and a fantastic memorabilia collection. Upgrade to a VIP tour for a personalized experience with a classic car expert. Book here: Nostalgia Street Rods Museum Ticket and Optional VIP Tour.

Lost City Museum

They were formerly known as Boulder Dam Park Museum. The museum kept the remains of Native American cultures so the young kids learn about their elders’ cultures. The museum offers a reconstructed Puebloan house site that is open to visitors.

Goldwell Open Air Museum – Albert Szukalski’s Last Supper

These are 12 plaster figures that are inspired by da Vinci’s famed fresco. These sculptures made by Albert Szukalski haunt the desert landscape above a real-life ghost town. The Last Supper sculpture is considered the centerpiece of the Goldwell Open Air Museum.

Immersive Van Gogh Las Vegas

The ORIGINAL Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is thrilled to announce the once-in-a-lifetime exhibit. To help reimagine this massive venue, Immersive Van Gogh has joined forces with Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated designer David Korins, known for his set design of countless Broadway hits, including Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen.

Closing Thoughts

I got married in Las Vegas and have traveled there at least six times. Brian, my other half, has been many more times. For a first-time visitor, the strip is a must. You can spend a day or two alone, just in the hotels. For those who have been there and done that or those who don’t gamble, the Las Vegas area has so much to see and do.

There is so much to do off the strip in Las Vegas that it’s almost impossible to list them all in one article! I’ve given you fifty-plus things to do off the strip in Las Vegas.

Pro Tip: If you plan to stay in Las Vegas you might be worried about the hotel resort fee! Here’s How To Avoid A Hotel Resort Fee & Not Pay Them.

What did I miss? I would love to hear from you about different things to do off the strip In Las Vegas!

If you are looking for more posts on unusual things to do, start here:

• 20 Best Las Vegas Restaurants
• Musée Mécanique – San Francisco’s Antique Coin Operated Arcade
• New Mexico – Santa Fe – Why You Should Visit
• Social Distancing in Style at Geyserville, CA
• Yellowstone – The Most Beautiful State Park

We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.