There's so much of Las Vegas that begs to be explored. From the rocky shores of Lake Mead to the dancing Fountains of Bellagio, Nevada's most sparkly city is more complex than you think. It's a major case of big names, big casinos, and big shows — like our spellbinding performances, of course.
You can get to know this epic desert enclave via Las Vegas tours that give surreal desert landscapes and dazzling neon lights equal attention. We can't promise you'll hit the jackpot, but you'll never run out of things to do in Las Vegas — and you'll definitely go home with memories galore.
Historical and Cultural Tours
In 1905, a new railroad stop on the route between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles began attracting settlers. By 1931, the town of Las Vegas was on the rise, primarily due to an influx of workers building nearby Hoover Dam.
Add in the organized crime era, a mid-'60s appearance by Howard Hughes, and explosive population growth, and you have a story for the ages. These exploratory excursions are the top tours in Las Vegas, delving into the town's unique history and the vibrant culture shaped by its fascinating journey.
The Neon Museum Guided Tour
Las Vegas is constantly reinventing itself. When old buildings come down to make way for new skyscrapers, concert venues, and casinos, the retired signage often ends up at The Neon Museum Las Vegas.
The star attraction here is an outdoor exhibition space lovingly referred to as the Neon Boneyard. Each piece on display is a piece of Vegas history. The huge guitar that used to be outside the former Hard Rock (now Virgin Hotels Las Vegas), pieces of the former Sahara, and the iconic Stardust marquee all live here.
This must-see attraction is a popular spot for photo shoots and weddings. But you can also partake in a self-guided tour (about an hour long in the Main Boneyard) or a guided tour where you'll get bonus narration.
Pro tip: Sign up for the “Brilliant! Jackpot” immersive experience add-on to see a 45-minute light projection show that uses archival footage to paint a picture of the days of Vegas past.
Mob Museum Tour
Back in the day, Vegas was considered an "open city" that housed up to two dozen Mafia families over the years.
Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel famously operated the Flamingo, the first resort-style hotel on the Strip, and that's just the beginning. Organized crime had its claws in multiple businesses throughout the city. Now, all of that mob history has been rolled up into a popular tourist attraction you can explore via a Mob Museum tour.
The 90-minute, educator-led trek includes a general tour of the premises and is only available for groups of 10 or more. Don't have a fellow crime lover to accompany you on the tour? Never fear — the Mob Museum welcomes you to check out the exhibits on your own.
Pro tip: Snag a Deluxe or Premiere pass, and you can check out extras such as the Crime Lab (a deep dive into forensics), enjoy a Prohibition-themed distillery tour and tasting, or spend time in a firearm training simulator.
Adventure and Outdoor Tours
If you've never been to Sin City, you might think all Las Vegas excursions are soaked in neon and adrenaline. But Las Vegas is also a desert paradise, with plenty of natural beauty to take your breath away..
It's easy to take day trips to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, book a Mojave Desert tour, or take a weekend at Bryce Canyon to break up your time at the blackjack tables.
It's also possible to get close to Mother Nature while still staying a reasonable distance from the Strip. Just bring plenty of bottled water and sunscreen.
If you have a taste for adventure, check out our list of the best amusement parks in Las Vegas.
Red Rock Canyon Tour
Las Vegas is often seen as an adult playground without much to offer beyond casinos and bars. But saying the entire city is only the famous Strip is like saying New York City is “only Times Square.”
Just 15 miles west of gambling heaven sits Red Rock Canyon. It's a paradise of desert landscapes and rocky outcrops. There are family friendly trails and more rigorous rock climbs, along with a scenic overlook that's perfect for taking pictures or having a picnic.
Red Rock's loop is a 13-mile one-way road, and you need a car or the stamina to bike it. The best alternative is to book one of the Red Rock Canyon tours that take you around the loop while comfortably ensconced in an air-conditioned luxury SUV.
The tour will take you by canyon highlights, such as Keystone Thrust, a 65-million-year-old limestone formation, and the beautifully crimson Calico Hills. If you're lucky, you'll also see a bunch of wildlife, including bighorn sheep and wild horses.
Valley of Fire State Park Tour
It takes just under an hour to get from the Las Vegas Strip to the Valley of Fire, but it's worth the journey — or so says the 300,000 people who visit each year. Jump in one of the gloriously chilled luxury SUVs for the Valley of Fire tour, and you'll see 40,000 acres of Mother Nature's best work.
In addition to tons of fascinating geological formations that likely date back to the Jurassic Period — look for the one shaped like a big elephant — there are petroglyphs carved into the rocks and petrified trees that beg you to take a close-up look.
Bring your sunscreen and plenty of water. This area of the Mojave Desert reaches way up into triple-digit temperatures during the summer months.
Nightlife and Entertainment Tours
Tours out of Las Vegas and into the surrounding desert wonderland can be exciting. But there are also excursions within Las Vegas itself that help turn an ordinary itinerary into something extraordinary — especially if you're eager to have fun after dark.
Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Night Flight
The Las Vegas city skyline makes it seem like all those casinos are clumped up pretty close together. In reality, the Strip is about 5 miles long, and it can be hard to see everything on foot or even by car.
This Maverick Helicopters Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Night Flight delivers aerial views of everything from Caesars Palace to The Strat, including Allegiant Stadium (home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders), the High Roller observation wheel, and downtown’s historic Fremont Street Experience.
The flight is about 12-15 minutes of breathtaking vistas and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. You'll be seated in a luxury Airbus helicopter with leather seating and wrap-around glass for the full A-list experience.
You can add on other experiences, too. Savory Bites & Neon Lights pairs your flight with 5-star food, while Neon & Nature expands the route to include a Red Rock Canyon fly-by.
If this flight inspires you to book even more time in a whirlybird, check out some of the Vegas tours that head outside city limits. There are helicopter tours that will bring you all the way to Grand Canyon National Park, with breathtaking views of one of the world's greatest wonders.
Las Vegas Ghosts Walking Tour
Las Vegas is a relatively young city, yet there are plenty of stories. Between mob skirmishes and tragic accidents, there are spirits up and down the Strip, providing plenty of chances to indulge in Halloween events in Las Vegas regardless of the season.
The Las Vegas Ghosts walking tour is an exploration of the supernatural — perfectly suited for Halloween events in Las Vegas.
Join your guide for a 1-mile stroll, and listen in as you’re told the tales of Vegas legends, ranging from the victims of deadly construction accidents at the Luxor to the unsolved death of rap superstar Tupac Shakur.
State-of-the-art audio transmitters and headsets ensure you'll hear every word as you travel between sites. The guides are all local experts who know the history of the hauntings and can repeat eyewitness accounts word-for-word. All you need to do is be brave, wear comfortable shoes, and let the spirits in.
Spectacular Shows Nearby!
Elevate your Las Vegas experience with breathtaking Cirque du Soleil performances.
Unique and Specialty Las Vegas Tours
While some Las Vegas guided tours take a general, all-purpose approach to sightseeing, others take on a particular theme or area.
These unique things to do in Las Vegas cater to crowds who know what they like and want to get to know food and film locales a little better.
Vegas Foodie Tour
Celebrity chefs began flocking to Vegas in the late 1990s, and the influx has yet to slow down. Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Giada De Laurentiis, Jöel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, Martha Stewart, and Julian Serrano are just some of the big-name culinarians who found a second home in Sin City.
Secret Food Tours Las Vegas is like a living buffet of knowledge and flavor, taking participants to experience mouthwatering dishes all around town. The main Las Vegas Strip Food Tour is 3.5 hours long and includes Gordon Ramsay's restaurant, gelato courtesy of Giada, and cake recipes from the Cake Boss legend, Buddy Valastro.
Visit the best restaurants in Las Vegas to fill your belly and your brain before heading off to one of our resident shows on the Strip.
Las Vegas Reality Show VIP Tour
They used to say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but that was before all the camera crews showed up to capture reality on film.
The Las Vegas Reality Show VIP Tour brings everything full circle by taking tourists to memorable film locations used in shows such as Pawn Stars, Toy Shack, Counting Cars, Tanked, American Restoration, and Ultimate Sports Cards and Memorabilia.
Your tour fee includes a ride in a mini motor coach, VIP access to skip the lines at each spot, and a full narration of what happened where. Tour pickup and drop-off are at Treasure Island Las Vegas, home of our show Mystère.
Schedule a post-tour dinner, and you'll be perfectly timed to take in this heart-thumping production brimming with clowns, musicians, acrobats, and two very big babies.
Art and Culture Tours
It takes time for a new city to develop its own culture and art scene, and Las Vegas is shaping up quite nicely. Events such as First Friday bring locals to the downtown area, supporting small businesses and reintroducing historic outlets that mean so much to the city’s past, present, and future.
Las Vegas Arts District Tour
For years, a section of the Las Vegas Strip between the main drag and downtown was relatively devoid of activity. Then, local artists and small business owners began to move in, creating a vibrant neighborhood that acts as a hub for culture-seekers of all ages. Today it is known as The Arts District – filled with galleries, bistros, thrift stores, vintage boutiques, and cocktail bars.
You can get everything from a craft cocktail to a Cornish pasty to a mixed media sculpture in one fell swoop. To get the full vibe in a single visit, you need to take a Las Vegas' Downtown Arts District Tour.
This is how you make your way beyond the poker rooms and pool parties to discover street art and mom-and-pop coffee shops. The tour includes meet-and-greets with local artists and visits to iconic downtown spots, such as the Burlesque Hall of Fame.
Fremont Street Experience Walking Tour
The Fremont Street Experience is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare that cuts right through the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The infamous "Glitter Gulch" is framed on both sides by legendary casinos, including the Golden Nugget, The D, Four Queens, and the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.
The Experience is enclosed below the famed Viva Vision LED canopy screen that covers the walkway with brilliant visuals, taking full advantage of its 16.4 million pixels. You can explore the heart of downtown on your own, but get to know the lay of the land first with a Fremont Street Experience walking tour.
You'll see all the sites integral to this downtown walk, plus a few of the wedding chapels, TV-famous pawn shops, and miscellaneous attractions that help make old Vegas so unique.
Shopping and Lifestyle Tours
Longtime Las Vegas entertainment reporter Robin Leach knew Sin City was a beacon for the rich and famous, so it makes sense that there would be at least a couple of Las Vegas sightseeing tours dedicated to luxury shopping.
Las Vegas Shopping Tour
The Fashion Show Mall, The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, and the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian are just a few of the places you can stock up on glittering baubles and three-piece suits while you're in town.
But the true fun starts when you book a shopping tour that relieves you of the planning responsibility and frees you up to browse and buy. Go shopping in Las Vegas with a personal stylist, and it's like you're getting ready for your first red carpet.
Your certified Image Consultant from FIT in NY will help you build a customized wardrobe based on what best suits your preferences and personality. You get a private fitting room, insider deals, and discounts — and did we mention all that extra attention?
Vintage Vegas Shopping Tour
Combine your love of culture and all things old school on a Vintage Vegas Tour. Everything kicks off with some gaming at the Pinball Hall of Fame, followed by a photo in front of the world-renowned Las Vegas Sign.
Stops at the Liberace Garage and Hollywood Cars Museum follow, and then you can shop the antique and vintage shops in downtown’s Arts District. The fun continues with stories about mob-run casinos and a champagne toast.
Unveiling the Heart of Las Vegas Through Its Exceptional Tours
You're welcome to explore the Strip, downtown Vegas, and even the gorgeous hiking trails of Red Rock on your own. But formal Las Vegas tours give you access to places you might never see otherwise.
With professional narration added into the mix, it's easy to see why a tour could help you understand what this sprawling desert city is really all about.
Cap off your ambitious itinerary with an evening of top-class entertainment at one of our shows. Our shows in Las Vegas run the gamut from the zany thrills of Mad Apple at New York-New York Hotel & Casino to the gravity-defying KÀ at MGM Grand.
Book your tickets today, and anchor your Vegas trip with shows that are as fun and uniquely special as you are.