How to Visit Las Vegas, for the Person Who Doesn't Gamble

Since the middle of the 20th century, Las Vegas has beckoned travelers. As it rose to prominence, Sin City was a destination for gamblers. That first began to evolve when Caesar's Palace opened its doors in the 1960s. With its Roman architecture and attention to vacation options, Caesar's set the example for what Las Vegas's future.

In the 1970s, Circus Circus opened and gave families a place to play on the Las Vegas Strip. As the decades unfolded, new hotel casinos always had to think of ways entertain people that might not come to town to place bets or might not be old enough to do so.

By the 1990s, Las Vegas had become a place where practically anyone could go for their definition of a good time. That reality remains today. Sure, a person can get into lots of trouble in Las Vegas, but there a plenty of halfway wholesome ways to enjoy oneself in Vegas.

This article looks at a number of those.

Despite never living in a neighboring state, I have Las Vegas more than ten times, for a variety of reasons. Folks who have never been there may not realize that there are many things to do in Vegas that do not require wagers slid into slot machines or flipped onto green felt. I have constructed this article to help you.

In Las Vegas, if you do not wish to place bets, you can

• Lounge by a pool
• Enjoy world-class dining
• Shop in a variety of settings
• Relax at a spa
• See an amazing show
• Dance all night
• Check out nearby natural wonders
• Challenge a variety of thrill rides

Let's look a little closer at the subject.

What is the Strip? It's the section of South Las Vegas Boulevard where all of the locale's largest hotel casinos reside. In fact, many of these properties are among the world's largest. You could spend a Vegas vacation just browsing the varied architecture displayed upon these venues' exteriors and confines.

Of course, you want a diverse vacation in Vegas, so let's give you the details of making that happen.

If you are staying in one of the Strip's casino hotels or at one of the nearby timeshare properties, you can have a satisfying morning just hanging out in your room. Unless you choose a budget option, expect a comfortable and decently appointed room with quality facilities. Folks in the mood to splurge will be very impressed with their accommodations. Do glass, walk-in showers call to you? How about stunning views? A premium rooms on the Strip have those items and more.

Once you are ready to leave your room, you can

• Stroll through all manner of shops
• See a variety of stage productions
• Laugh through a stand-up comedy show
• Ride a roller coaster past a facade of New York City
• Enjoy the dancing waters outside Bellagio
• Dine in a replica of the Eiffel Tower
• Visit one of the Strip's ultra lounges for intense nightlife
• Enjoy all manner of chocolate items

Downtown Las Vegas gives you plenty of ways to enjoy a vacation without emptying your pockets on a game of chance. A walk among the many types of people you can see along the Fremont Street Experience will cost you nothing, and it can fill you with pleasant and unique memories.

Fremont Street also offers a multimedia show broadcast upon its ceiling. The most-eclectic outdoor mall you will ever visit, Fremont Street enables you to witness old Vegas meeting the 21st century.

Nearby, you can visit the Container Park. Located at 707 Fremont Street, this shopping center built from shipping containers offers you the chance to shop, dine and watch kids be kids on a unique playground.

Not far from there, fans of reality shows will love exploring Gold & Silver Pawn, which gave birth to the hit show Pawn Stars, on History Channel. While inside, maybe you will buy a unique item that you can't find anywhere else.

A lot of people who come to Las Vegas think going to a swanky pool is "getting outdoors". While the pools at many of the locale's hotel casinos are amazing, if you want to really get outside, go to one of the area's large parks.

Worthy outdoor excursions that won't take you far away from the action of the Las Vegas Strip include

• Red Rocks Park
• Valley of Fire State Park
• Aliante Nature Discovery Park
• Clark County Wetlands Park
• Garden at Springs Preserve

During Winter, you can head out from desert-bound Las Vegas and visit snow relatively easily. Just hop in your rental car, and drive to Mount Charleston.

Less than one hour from the famed Las Vegas Strip, the Mount Charleston area offers multiple ways to play in the snow. Here, you can

• Ski and snowboard at Lee Canyon Resort
• Sled at Foxtail Picnic Area
• Snowshoe on a network of trails off of Deer Creek Highway and Lee Canyon Road
• Just appreciate the view of snow-topped mountains near the desert

If you have ever enjoyed playing pinball, then you should hope in an Uber and ask to visit the Pinball Hall of Fame, which is located several miles east of the Strip. Visiting costs no admission. Just bring lots of dollars to put into the venue's change machine.

When you enter, you will hear the recognizable dings, rings and thumps of pinball machines. Several rows of machines exist, and they give you the opportunity sort play through history.

Pinball machines in the Hall cover all of pinball's time periods. From machines that were built in the 1930s to some that were manufactured within the last couple of years, this nonprofit establishment offers many opportunities to appreciate pinball's evolution.

Further, along with the dozens of machines in the Hall, you will find classic cabinet video games and a variety of other arcade machines from previous decades.

The Pinball Hall of Fame is a great place to spend a couple of hours.

If you have a penchant to sing in front of a crowd, you can easily do it in Las Vegas. Any night of the week, you can find a rollicking karaoke night in Sin City.

In fact, a couple of blocks from the Strip, Ellis Island Casino has a rocking karaoke scene every night of the week. And it goes until the wee hours of the morning!

Inside this casino that caters to locals and discount hunters, you will find a karaoke bar that offers nice-priced eats and drinks. Regulars and tourists mingle here and have a memorable time every night!

If you live beyond driving distance from Las Vegas, you can fly there from many airports. To save money on your trip, plan as far out as you can, and use a fare-monitoring app. I like to use Hopper, and Kayak is also great!

See you in Vegas!