Things to do in Las Vegas during the day

Drive golf balls at Topgolf

It's hard to find a more fun place to drive golf balls in Las Vegas. Located behind the MGM Grand, Topgolf has three levels of hitting bays plus food, drink and even a couple swimming pools. The Las Vegas Strip serves as the backdrop and is especially colorful at night. Topgolf also hosts special events like concerts by national acts and sports viewing parties. 

Hours are from 9am to 2am.

Throw axes for fun

Axe throwing is growing in popularity, especially in Las Vegas. Put your lumberjack-worthy skills to the test at venues like Axe Monkeys east of the Strip (which also includes a "rage room" for destroying computers, glass bottles and other breakable items) and Axehole Vegas at the Neonopolis on Fremont Street (with beer and wine available). 

Compete in esports

We already know video games are big business. Now they've become their own form of competitive sport. Las Vegas is fast becoming a hub for esports. Visit the HyperX Esports Arena at the Luxor, a multi-level venue that hosts tournements, special events and stations for anyone to play. The Rio is also getting into the act with The Wall, a restaurant and lounge with 30 gaming stations.  

Scale The Strat

The Start (formerly known as the Stratosphere) is a 1,149-foot-tall structure, making it the tallest tower west of the Mississippi. Enjoy incredible 360-degree views from 108th floor deck or grab dinner at the Top of the World rotating restaurant one floor below. You can also test your limits with four different thrill rides (and a bungee plunge) that hang over the side. 

Hit the water at Lake Mead

Lake Mead may be losing water, but it's still one of the most scenic locations in Southern Nevada. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a great place to hike, camp, boat and enjoy the beauty of nature. Detour to Hoover Dam, Black Canyon, or some of the historic railroads and mines that helped build the Silver State. Click here for Lake Mead tour ideas. 

Fly a plane at Sky Combat Ace

This real-life adventure allows you to ride with an experienced pilot in a combat plane. When the time is right, passengers can even temporarily take over the controls. Spin through the air while perfomring aerial stunts or engage other planes in a simulated dogfight. Based at the Henderson Executive Airport, Sky Combat Ace is all about thrills and speed in a safe, secure environment. Flights are available 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily. 

Experience Virtual Reality at the MGM Grand

Virtual Reality Powered by Zero Latency represents the entertainment of the future. Don googles and backpacks to play 3D virtual reality games that may include walking up ramps, traveling through space or shooting guns around corners. It's hard to believe you're really just roaming around a single padded rectangular room. Perfect for a group of friends who want to compete against each other to secure the highest score. 

Hours are 10:00 AM - Midnight. Ages 13 and older until 9:00 PM and then it's 21 + after 9:00 PM.
$50 per person for a 30-minute session.

Explore the food and drink scene in Chinatown

It's a bit of a secret, but Las Vegas has one of the most intriguing Chinatown dining scenes in the country. Whether it's robatta-grilled meats at Raku, spicy Sichuan at Chengdu Taste or even a casual take on French fine dining at Partage, there is incredible variety to be enjoyed throughout the district. Check out bars like Golden Tiki for cocktails or the Sand Dollar for whiskey. Chinatown is just west of the Strip on about two miles of Spring Mountain Road easily reachable by taxi or rideshare. 

Go shopping at the Premium Outlets

Find deep discounts on name brands at the Premium Outlets North (by Las Vegas Blvd. and Warm Springs) and Premium Outlets South near Downtown. Both locations are just 10 minutes away from the Strip with designer clothes and other items on sale.

Hours are 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sunday, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday-Saturday. 

For more deals, check out the best places to shop in Las Vegas.

Stop and smell the roses at the Bellagio

The Conservatory and Bontanical Gardens is a free attraction in the lobby of the Bellagio. The exhibits change with the season, featuring ellaborate floral displays crafted with thousands of flowers, trees and decorations. It's one of the most crowded and photographed spots in Vegas, but you've got to see it at least once. The display is open 24 hours. 

Soak in the views at the Eiffel Tower

The centerpiece of the Paris Las Vegas resort is an authentic half-size replica of the Eiffel Tower. Take an elevator to the observation deck to soak in the views 46 stories above the Las Vegas Strip. Don't forget to take a few photos. A new light show illuminates the tower every 30 minutes after dark. If you're hungry, grab a meal at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, which has its own mid-level views of the Strip.

Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck hours are 9AM–12AM. More info and tickets.

Grab a drink at the Peppermill

Get a taste of old school Vegas at the Peppermill Lounge. Take a seat by the indoor firepit, surrounded by vintage neon lights. A neighboring diner has burgers, breakfast, and other greasy favorites. The Peppermill is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But you can take advantage of a long happy hour 3-6 p.m.

Watch a fountain show at the Bellagio

It's one of the most iconic sights in Vegas. The Fountains at Bellagio provide water shows set to music every 15-30 minutes. More than a thousand jets shoot water nearly 500 feet in the air while the likes of Celine Dion and Frank Sinatra play in the background. Best of all, the shows are free to watch. Pick out a spot on the sidewalk by Las Vegas Boulevard for the best vantage point. 

The Bellagio fountains operate 11am-midnight Sunday, 3pm-midnight Monday-Friday, 10am-midnight Saturday. 

Take a gondola ride at the Venetian

It's one of the most romantic things you can do in Las Vegas. Hop on board a gondola with someone special and float the waterways of the Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes. You'll travel among shops, underneath bridgess and enjoy a serenade. It's almost like being in Old World Venice. 

Gondola rides are available 10am-11pm Sunday-Thursday, 10am-11pm Friday, 10am-midnight. Outdoor rides are available daily 11am-10pm weather permitting.  

Mingle with wax celebrities at Madame Tussauds

Running strong for more than 20 years bow, the first-ever U.S. location for the famous wax museum features faithful recreations of more than 100 newsmakers and celebrities. The exhibits change frequently and include Vegas favorites like DJ Steve Aoki, Mike Tyson and the cast of "The Hangover." A 4D exhibition allows guests to fight crime alongside Marvel superheroes.   

Madame Tussauds is open 10am-9pm Sunday-Monday, 10am-3:30pm Tuesday, 10am-9pm Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-10pm Friday-Saturday.

Visit the Shark Reef Aquarium

Explore the beauty of nature, animals and sealife at the Shark Reef Aquairum at Mandalay Bay. The highlight is a 1.3 million-gallon tank with a walk-through tunnel featuring sharks and thousands of exotic fish. You can feed rays and sea turtles, and even get an up-close look at a komodo dragon. A fun and interactive learning experience.

Shark Reef Aquarium is open 10am-8pm Sunday-Thursday, 10am-10pm Friday-Saturday.

Hit the Road for a Driving Experience

Get behind the wheel and feel the excitment in your own hands. Las Vegas driving tours include ATVs, exotic sports cars, off-road racing and even a simulated police chase. Locations include the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Mojave Desert and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.