15 Things to Do in Las Vegas Under 21 (Ultimate Guide)
Las Vegas is known for being one of the top party capitals in the world. While this may be super exciting for most visitors, it may seem a bit limiting for those under 21 years of age. Many of the popular activities, including gambling and drinking, are reserved for those over 21 years old. Even though these Vegas travel experiences are off-limits, there are still a ton of fun things to do in Las Vegas if you are under 21 years old.
AWESOME Things To Do In Las Vegas Under 21:
- High Roller Observation Wheel
- Bellagio Fountain Show
- Walking The Strip
- Big Apple Roller Coaster & Arcade
- Omega Mart at AREA 15
- Gondola Rides at The Venetian
- Shows, Shows, and more Shows!
- Shop Till You Drop
- Cool Restaurants
- TopGolf
- Swimming Pools
- Pro Sporting Events
- Fremont Street
- Museums – These aren’t your average everyday museums!
- Best Under 21 Tours
Despite being under 21 years old, there are plenty of things you can do in Las Vegas beyond gambling and drinking. The city has lots of great activities to offer that will be fun and available to all ages.
Keep reading to learn more about what to do in Vegas if you’re under 21. After the list, I’ll share with you some specific things to do if you’re under 21, but over 18.
15 Fun Things to Do in Vegas When You’re Under 21
I’ve pulled together some of the best activities you can participate in if you are under 21. It includes a vast range of things to do, making it appealing to almost all young people. Many of these things you can enjoy doing with your friends or family on your next trip to Las Vegas.
High Roller Observation Wheel
Taking you 550 feet into the air, you’ll be able to see the Las Vegas Valley and The Strip from the world’s tallest observation wheel, known as the High Roller. You will be placed in a spacious bubble-like cabin that gives you a 360-degree view of the area. This large wheel takes 30 minutes to make one full rotation, giving you plenty of time to see the surrounding areas.
You can purchase tickets for the observation wheel during the day or at night to get different views of the city. If you want to see The Strip lit up in all its neon glory, check out the High Roller Observation Wheel (vegas.com) at nighttime.
The more natural features of the surrounding area, such as the surrounding desert and mountain landscapes, are best observed during the day.
The High Roller is found at The Linq Promenade and is a very popular attraction. Each cabin can hold 40 people, making it an excellent time for you and a bunch of your friends. This attraction is particularly attractive during the summer as the cabins offer air conditioning. If you are a local, check for discounts!
To find out everything you need to know about riding the High Roller, check out our article: High Roller Ferris Wheel (Cost, Tips & Discounts)
Bellagio Fountain Show
Arguably one of the most popular free attractions on the Strip, the Bellagio Fountain is a show you will not want to miss for a quintessential Vegas experience. The combination of water, music, and lights creates an experience in itself. Located immediately in front of the Bellagio Hotel and Resort, the choreography ties in nicely with the beautiful hotel backdrop.
With changing shows and music, there is always something new to see each time you visit. There are over 1,000 fountains that shoot water up to 460 feet in the air. Designers and choreographers have worked hard to make this an enjoyable event for all visitors to the city.
Shows go on every day and night. Here is the Bellagio Fountain schedule, so make sure you stop by:
- Monday through Friday: Every 30 minutes from 3 pm to 8 pm and every 15 minutes from 8 pm to midnight.
- Weekends & holidays: Every 30 minutes from 12 pm to 8 pm and every 15 minutes from 8 pm to midnight.
Weather conditions may cancel shows (unlikely), and schedules may fluctuate in special circumstances. But with the many opportunities to see the show, you’ll at least be able to see it once, but try to catch it both during the daytime and again at night.
I’ve written an article detailing everything you need to know about seeing the Bellagio Fountains, including the schedule and exact song list. Be sure to take a look.
Walking the Las Vegas Strip
Being 4.2 miles long, walking the entire length of The Strip may be more than you want to tackle (source), especially when the best action takes place within a few main areas. That being said, there are large areas of The Strip that are prime for pedestrians to walk.
With hotels, casinos, restaurants, and stores on each side of Las Vegas Boulevard, there is plenty here to keep you occupied for a long while.
The best times to walk The Strip are in the morning when it isn’t too hot or crowded yet and in the evening when all the lights turn on. The busy sidewalks and lights of at night make for great people-watching, enviable selfies, and excellent memories.
You should keep these in mind when walking The Strip:
- Wear comfortable shoes: For any activity that requires a lot of walking, you’ll want to be comfortable.
- Bring water: Because it is often warm, you should regularly drink water so you do not become dehydrated.
- Stick to the pedestrian areas: Because visitors may walk down the street with alcohol, they have created very specific sidewalks and pedestrian footbridges that prevent anyone from being in the middle of the road near cars. Stick to these areas for safety no matter the time of day.
You will want to walk through many of the Vegas hotels and casinos as you make your way down The Strip. Minors may walk through a casino’s gaming floor as long as they are not stopping or loitering. However, there is so much more going on inside the Strips resort properties than just gaming.
Make sure to walk through many of the themed hotels to see the beautiful architecture and designs within. This is also a great way to get some air conditioning and cool off if it’s hot outside.
Some of the best hotels to see on The Strip include:
- The Venetian: Transports you to Venice, Italy, without leaving the United States. Here you can ride a gondola along the indoor and outdoor canals (there’s more information about gondola rides below).
- New York-New York: Go through the “city that never sleeps” with arcades and plenty of pizza parlors.
- Bellagio: This is one of the most iconic hotels with lots of shops inside, plus a Conservatory and Botanical Garden.
- Paris: With a French theme, it is fun to walk through and see the blue skies with wispy clouds.
- Cosmopolitan: One of the more modern hotels on The Strip, check out the big chandelier and beautiful interior.
Almost all of the hotels will be impressive, but guests love visiting these for their unique themes and iconic status.
Download our free map of the Las Vegas Strip to see where every major hotel is located, or check out our free Vegas Strip walking tour guide.
Big Apple Roller Coaster & Arcade
If you are a fan of roller coasters and arcades, head to the Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York. The theme of the coaster is New York taxi cabs, making it a full New York City experience.
The roller coaster itself is tons of fun, but now you can also add a Virtual Reality (VR) component to the ride. You’ll ride the coaster while wearing virtual reality goggles that will make it look like you’re flying through the streets of New York City while battling aliens and monsters! It’s crazy fun!
If you plan to go on the ride multiple times during the day, I recommend checking out the all-day pass, which will save you some money instead of buying multiple tickets. (Nevada residents and military personnel can receive discounts on the ride.) After you hop off the coaster, make your way to the arcade. It’s full of games and a popular photo booth!
From high atop the roller coaster, you will catch views of The Strip and get your adrenaline fix! Head to the second level of the New York-New York hotel and casino to access the ride!
Find out everything you’ll want to know about the Big Apple Coaster in our article: Ride the Big Apple Roller Coaster at NYNY