8 Things To Do Your First Night in Vegas (Donโt Miss These!)
One of the great things about Las Vegas is that thereโs something for everyone. However, because the city was built to provide endless entertainment, it can be overwhelming trying to decide what to do first once you get here.ย
Some things to do on your first night in Vegas are to visit the Fountains of Bellagio, ride the High Roller Wheel, or see a Cirque du Soleil show. You can also walk the Strip and hit up the slot machines at a few casinos.ย
This article lists eight not to miss things you might want to plan for your first night in Vegas. Youโll notice that each activity is tagged with one or more of the following: Classic, Free, or Unusual. Iโve found that these three categories often define the Vegas experience, so read on to find out what to do for the perfect first night in Las Vegas.ย
1. Take a Picture in Front of the โWelcome to Fabulous Las Vegasโ Sign (Classic and Free)
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Youโve seen the picture a dozen times, and now itโs your turn to be the star of that classic photograph. The โWelcome to Fabulous Las Vegasโ sign was put up in 1959. Found at the south end of the Strip, the sign is one of the cityโs most famous landmarks and a great place to kick off your trip.ย
While itโs free to visit, youโll still need to do some planning. The sign isnโt necessarily in a convenient location โ itโs located in the town of Paradise โ and there can often be a significant wait to get a picture!
Iโve written an article that gives more detail about where to find the sign and the best times to visit. Be sure and check it out.
2. Watch the Fountains of Bellagio (Classic and Free)
Another iconic location in Vegas is the Fountains of Bellagio. The fountains not only offer a spectacular backdrop but are also visually stunning entertainment in their own right. The fountains have been featured in numerous high-profile performances and movies like Oceanโs Eleven, The Hangover Part III, and Jason Bourne.
You can find the Bellagio Fountain schedule and song list here.
And you donโt need to watch the fountains from the front curb. While this is the most famous spot, several surrounding areas offer spectacular and unique views of the fountains. In fact, consider watching the Fountains of Bellagio from one of several restaurants with a view for a classic (and romantic!) Vegas night out.
Do you know whether youโre allowed to swim in the Bellagio Fountain in Vegas? Read my in-depth guide to learn more about the rules.
3. Ride the High Roller Las Vegas Strip Observation Wheel (Classic)
Thereโs something magical about Ferris Wheels, and the High Roller Las Vegas Strip Observation Wheel made Fodorโs list of the best Ferris wheels in the world. While you can ride the High Roller anytime, Fodorโs actually recommends a nighttime ride when this iconic Vegas attraction is illuminated with over 2,000 LED lights.ย
Tickets are $34.75 for an adult nighttime fare, and youโll enjoy a fantastic evening view of the city. Since the High Roller is an approximately 30-minute ride, youโll have plenty of time left for more Vegas fun.
4. Visit the Mob Museum and the Speakeasy Underneath (Unusual)
The Mob Museum is one of the most interesting places in Las Vegas, especially for history buffs. The Mob had a significant influence in the cityโs early days, and this museum documents the Mobโs bloody relationship with Las Vegas beginning in the 1940s and spanning decades. [Is the Mob Museum in Las Vegas Worth Visiting?]
The reward at the end of the museum is a prohibition-era cocktail in the museumโs very own speakeasy. You can access the speakeasy if you visit the museum beforehand or seek out the side door and provide the password. The password changes weekly, so be sure to obtain it on the Mob Museum website before knocking!ย
5. See a Cirque du Soleil Show (Classic)
Many agree that Cirque du Soleil is the go-to show in Las Vegas. And what better time to check it off your Vegas to-do list than your first night in the city? The performance is visually stunning, boasts incredible music, and showcases some of the most impressive acrobatics in the world.ย
You may be surprised that there are six different Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas, all hosted by various resorts. KA is a battle-themed show at the MGM Grand; O is aquatic-themed and located at Treasure Island; Mystere is the original Cirque du Soleil show at the Bellagio.ย
If itโs your first time in Vegas, I recommend Mystere as the must-see original. You can review tickets for Mystere by Cirque du Soleil at Viator.com.
You should also check out my other guide to find the best Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas.
6. Visit Illuminarium After Dark (Unusual)
Illuminarium bills itself as an immersive entertainment experience like no other, enveloping club guests in a 360-degree projected space. Illuminarium After Dark is an adults-only nightclub experience where you can enjoy specialty cocktails in a variety of rotating destinations โ including the jungle, Tokyo, underwater, and the surface of the moon!
You can get Illuminarium tickets on Vegas.com for between $20 and $30.
7. Walk the Strip (Free)
Thereโs no charge for a self-guided walking tour of the main attraction of Las Vegas โ the Strip. You can even bring an alcoholic beverage to sip as you marvel at the illuminated signs and people-watch.ย ย
Since drinks can be expensive in Vegas, walking the Strip with beers in hand can be a great night out on a budget. You may be surprised to know that one of the most popular places to buy beer on the Strip is CVS. There are several convenient CVS locations dotted along the Vegas Strip.ย The one between Ballyโs and Paris Las Vegas (across the street from the Bellagio Fountains)ย is probably the most convenient one for many tourists.
8. Play the Slots (Classic)
Whatโs more classic than playing the slots in Vegas? While slot machines have various themes and designs, theyโre one of the most popular casino games for two reasons: they are easy to play and give you the opportunity to win big! Additionally, you donโt need to have superhuman mathematic abilities or the ultimate poker face โ itโs just you and the machine.ย ย
However, the folks at Weekly Slots News point out that not all slots are created equal. In fact, they recommend the older, less flashy slots at the north end of the Strip as potentially having a better Return to Player (RTP) amount.
ย If youโre looking for that classic coin-operated Vegas slot machine, read our article, Coin-Operated Slot Machines in Las Vegas โ Where to Play!
First Night in Vegas โ Conclusion
So, now you know about eight fun things you can do on your first night in Vegas. And this is just the beginning. There are so many things to do in Las Vegas you canโt possibly get to them all in a single trip.
Hey, that makes for a great reason to begin planning your next trip to Las Vegas!