(Updated May 2018)

I get this question from time to time.
“My partner/spouse is going to Las Vegas (typically for a conference, but sometimes just for fun). I’m going too, but I don’t gamble. What is there for me to do?”
I’m assuming that you will spend evenings together and already have ideas for that, so I’ll focus on daytime activities. Here are my suggestions.

• Get out to Red Rock Canyon and drive the scenic loop. I don’t suggest hiking by yourself, but the drive and scenic overlooks are nice. Another option if you don’t have a car and don’t want to go by yourself is to take a group tour. Pink Jeep  offers half day tours of Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Valley of Fire which can make for a nice morning or afternoon and still have you back in time for any evening activities.

• Take a tour at The Neon Museum. I highly recommend this to everyone. While you are in the area you can visit the Mob Museum or ride the Slotzilla zip line.

• If you are interested in art galleries, visit the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art or the Venetian’s Exhibition Gallery.

• Spend some time watching the Bellagio Fountains and exploring the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Click here for the Bellagio Fountain Song Schedule.  If you visit the Conservatory between 10:30a & 11:30a, Mr. and Mrs. Green Thumb are available for Q&A about the garden and the displays. You can make an afternoon of it by going to the  Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.

• Ride the High Roller. It is the world’s tallest observation wheel and gives some great views of the Strip once you get towards the top. If you have less time or want to wait to ride the High Roller with your companion, you can get a nice view from the Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris. If you are looking for something a bit more extreme, try  the SkyJump at the Stratosphere.

• Take in an afternoon show. A few options are Mac King comedy and magic at Excalibur and Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater at Planet Hollywood’s V Theater.  You can usually find half-price tickets for most of these at Tix4Tonight. You can use the code 20AFF to get $20 off Legends in Concert tickets through Ticketmaster.
  Many places have free live music throughout the day, too. The Carnaval Court at Harrah’s is one of my favorites and has music starting in the afternoon and going late into the night.

• Relax. It is a bit cliche, but spend some time at the spa. Las Vegas has world class spas like Canyon Ranch at the Venetian and Qua at Caesars Palace. There are also some nice, but less popular (read as uncrowded) spas at the Flamingo and Hard Rock.

• Get a suite and enjoy spending some time in your room. If you have a basic room (even if they call it a suite, like the Rio) you probably won’t want to close yourself up in your room, but if you upgrade to something like a Corner Suite at Aria or a Pyramid Corner King Suite at the Luxor you get a nice room where you can soak in the jacuzzi while having a nice view. Top that off with some room service and you have your own private spa experience.

• Take a performance class like Stripper 101 at Planet Hollywood’s V Theater or XBU (X Burlesque University) at the Flamingo.

• Drive a bulldozer or excavator at Dig This! The Heavy Equipment Playground.

• If you are a car enthusiast, visit one of the various car museums. I recommend the Shelby Heritage Center (The Shelby Museum).