50 Things to Do for Fun in Las Vegas in the Summer

Pools by day, nightclubs by night, and the best collection of restaurants and bars of any vacation spot on the globe combine to make Las Vegas the perfect destination any time of year. However, summer in Las Vegas is the easiest way to have an affordable vacation that also allows you to tune out the rest of the world, reset your mind, and go completely wild all in one trip.

Summertime in Vegas is synonymous with fun, but remember to protect your skin and stay hydrated—especially if you're spending the day drinking by the pool.

East Pool at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas in Las Vegas Strip — Charlyn Keating Chisholm

50 Best Ways To Spend a Day in Las Vegas

Find a swimming pool in Las Vegas: Whether you're traveling with kids or trying to avoid them, there are plenty of public and private pools in Las Vegas for tourists and locals alike to enjoy—including those found at the luxury resorts across the city.
Rest, relax, repeat at ARIA Las Vegas: While many guests come to ARIA Las Vegas for the food, spa, and luxurious rooms found here, the outdoor pool and bars are also huge hits. Plus, you'll be really close to shopping and art galleries during your stay here.

Take a day trip from Las Vegas: Fun does not have to stay in Las Vegas; you can take a quick day trip for more summer fun in the great outdoors. The Hoover Dam, Bryce Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and the ghost town of Rhyolite are all within a few hours of the city.
Tour the Mob Museum Las Vegas: You’ll be impressed by the amount of information that they have compiled about the mob in the United States at this unique museum in Vegas.
Take the kids to see a show in Las Vegas: From the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur to free circus acts at Circus Circus, there are plenty of shows that kids will love happening in Vegas year-round. Also, be sure to check out touring acts and seasonal showcases like Disney on Ice in the winter or musicals in the spring and fall.

Sample the best burgers in Las Vegas: There are so many good burgers in Las Vegas that you can try all of these and still need a few more. For the best of the best, try the popular New York-based chain Shake Shack at New York Las Vegas, an Umami Burger at SLS Las Vegas, or Le Burger at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand.
Have cocktails at Hyde: Have a drink with a view and then dance until late into the evening at this popular bar inside the Bellagio Las Vegas. Upscale fashionable attire is required, so head here if you want to treat yourself to a fancy evening overlooking the Vegas skyline.

Visit the Smith Center: If you want to see the best theatrical performances Vegas has to offer, head to the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts Broadway shows, classical concerts, and a variety of performances throughout the year.
See a Shark on the Las Vegas Strip: Shark Reef is the real deal at Mandalay Bay, where you can touch a stingray or sit and watch the sharks swim over the top of you. You have to be staying at Mandalay Bay and you have to be SCUBA certified to attend. While you're at Mandalay Bay, be sure to sink your toes into the sand by the pool.

Spend an afternoon with Mac King: Considered by many to be the best magical comedy show in Las Vegas, the Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah's is perfect for audiences of all ages.
Attend must-see Las Vegas shows: Among the top-rated shows you'll find in Vegas are Michael Jackson's "ONE" at Mandalay Bay and the Blue Man Group at the Luxor, but also be sure to check out Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio, Jeff Civillico at Paris, and the Freemont Street Experience.
Stay Out Late At Cosmopolitan Hotel: The nightclub at the Cosmopolitan Hotel is hot, the restaurants are among the best in the city, and the bars will tempt you to stay up very late.

Find the best restaurants in Las Vegas: If you love to eat, you’ll have plenty of fun in Las Vegas dining with some of the best chefs in the world. For cocktails, head to Skyfall Lounge; for a buffet, try the Bacchanal Buffet at Ceasars Palace; and book a table at Honey Salt if you want to try one of the best brunches in the city.
Wander through the Neon Museum: Take a walk around the neon boneyard and see the history of Las Vegas through the pieces of once forgotten signs.
Explore the Grand Canyon: The Grand Canyon is a few hours away, and it is the kind of place you’ll never forget visiting. It is hard to imagine a place that is so vast, huge, deep, and impressive, so make sure you set aside a full day to explore the majesty of the Grand Canyon. You can even ride a motorcycle here if you book the right tour!

Do yoga with dolphins: Find your inner peace with a yoga session while watching the dolphins swim by you at the Mirage, which hosts classes three times a week in their underwater dolphin viewing area.
Paint with dolphins at the Mirage: Along with yoga, you get to interact with a dolphin and see all the behind the scenes good stuff at the Mirage in a variety of different ways. Take a painting class in the underwater dolphin observation tank and you'll get to keep the piece of art you make.
Find cheap fun for kids: It doesn't have to be expensive to have a good time with your kids in Las Vegas. To start, check out special presentations at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino's Conservatory and then watch the water fountain show outside or stop by the tropical rainforest inside the Mirage Hotel Atrium.

See art in a garage at Cosmopolitan: Go ahead and take a walk around the parking garage and see some real street art at the Cosmopolitan.
Find a party in Las Vegas: From cantinas like Carlos and Charlie's at Flamingo to nightclubs like Lily Bar or Marquee Nightclub, there's no shortage of party places in the city. It’s not hard to find a party in Las Vegas but this should help you narrow down your choices.
Don't be too bad in Las Vegas: If you want to guarantee you'll have something you want to forget happened to you on your trip, there are a number of ways you can go wrong when vacationing in Vegas. From drinking too much to gambling away all your money at the casinos, make sure you don't make any of these common mistakes.

Fly through the air: Sky Combat Ace will not only get you into an airplane they’ll get you to fly it, flip it, and tumble it. This is a must do in Las Vegas.
Indulge in Luxury at the Palazzo Hotel: Take a day and just experience the very best that Las Vegas has to offer. Tourists generally prefer Carnevino for dinner, Canyon Ranch Spa for some relaxation, and TAO for some dancing.
See The Beatles' "Love" by Cirque Du Soliel in Las Vegas: You don’t have to like the Beatles to love their show "Love," which features some of the biggest hits from this international pop sensation.

Drive a NASCAR racing car: At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you'll not only get to drive a race car, but you'll also be treated to the total experience of NASCAR racing.
Eat a steak from Gordon Ramsay's kitchen: You’ll be drawn to the cocktail menu and steaks at the Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse in Las Vegas, but the fish and chips are a much better treat for the summer.
Day trip to Zion National Park: Get in the car and see Zion National Park, which is a couple of hours away from Las Vegas, but the views of the canyon and the sandstone cliffs are worth the effort.

See the Strip from a helicopter: Soar over the top of the Las Vegas strip and grab a few selfies for your Facebook profile picture. With over 10 different helicopter touring companies to choose from, you're sure to be able to take to the skies during your trip.
Hike in Red Rock Canyon: A midday hike in the summer is not going to happen, it’s just too hot, but a late afternoon hike is still a possibility. Head just outside the city to Red Rock Canyon after 5 p.m. but be sure to take water because it is still pretty hot.

See the Free Circus Acts at Circus Circus: No matter how many times you see the free circus, you'll almost always want to stick around for the second show at Circus Circus. Not only is this unique attraction compelling, but it's also free to attend.
Get some sun at Parasol Down at Wynn: Stop by Parasol Down at Wynn for a drink, but stay to enjoy the outdoor patio in the middle of the afternoon, where you can soak up the sun or hide under the canopy shade.
Dance until dawn at Marquee Nightclub: One of the most popular nightlife venues in Las Vegas, Marquee Nightclub is great for singles and couples, residents and tourists alike. Dance until dawn or stop by for a quick drink and some music with friends.

Have an incredible Hemingway Daiquiri: If you're in need of a classic cocktail, there are plenty of places to get a Hemingway Daiquiri in Las Vegas. Level 1.5 at Chandelier Bar and E by Jose Andreas are two of the best places for specialty cocktails in the city.
Explore Mesa Verde: Although it is a bit of a drive to Mesa Verde National Park, this destination is very impressive, so get in the car and go see some cliff dwellings just three to four hours from the city.
Paiute Golf Course Las Vegas While it is hot in the middle of summer, stay hydrated and bring an umbrella to take advantage of the wide-open fairways and lack of crowds at the Paiute Golf Course in Las Vegas.

Relax like an emperor at Caesars Palace: Spend some time at the Garden of the Gods or the Qua Spa, and then eat at one of the dozens of restaurants they have on-site to truly live like royalty at Caesars Palace Las Vegas.
Hone Your Skills at TopGolf Las Vegas: Offering tee offs until sunset, TopGolf is a great destination for twilight golfing and working on your swing.
Spend a day on the patio at Carlos' N Charlies: Giant margaritas and plenty of chips and salsa to keep your cravings satisfied make Carlos' N Charlie's a great place for dancing with complete strangers to music that was popular 30 years ago.

Dance along with the Blue Man Group: Presenting a high energy show with a crowd that really wants to have fun, the Blue Man Group always puts on an unforgettable performance Get there early because the entertainment before the show starts is just as good as the show itself.
Take a Pink Jeep Tour: Jump into a truck that is not really a jeep and see the sights in Las Vegas. While it's not off-roading and in fact is more of a luxury tour, the Pink Jeep Tour is a good way to have some fun in Las Vegas.

Get a Spa Treatment at Encore Las Vegas: Even if you don't think you need one, a massage is the perfect way to start a vacation in Las Vegas. Encore Spa has a few treatments that are specifically designed to help guests relax—especially after a long flight.
Head To Bryce Canyon: Another great day trip from Las Vegas, Brye Canyon is guaranteed to impress with an array of colorful sandstone that forms the steep walls of the canyons here.
Jump off the Stratosphere Tower: For a truly thrilling adventure on your trip to Las Vegas, head to the Stratosphere Tower and climb to the top, then strap in, step to the edge, and jump. This unique attraction is completely safe—but utterly terrifying.

Juggle and laugh with Jeff Civillico: This comedy circus show is one of those performances that you’ll enjoy way more than you thought you could. Jeff Civillico is likable, and he truly engages the audience the entire time.
Touch the Titanic: Explore real artifacts from the Titanic and find out details you may have never known about the fateful night it sank at the Titanic Exhibit at the Luxor Hotel & Casino.
Try your Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Skills: Stop by the CSI Experience at the MGM Grand Las Vegas to solve a crime and learn a little science in the process.

Stand on the Four Corners: The wide open spaces of the southwestern United States are so close to Las Vegas that tourists with a few extra days shouldn't shy away from day trips out to the surrounding state. You can stand in four states at once if you head south from Vegas to the borders of Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Stand under a few million dollars of glass: Located in the lobby of Bellagio Las Vegas, the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture on the ceiling is a sight worth seeing all on its own. When you are done gazing at this work of art, walk over to the gardens and you can visit two free attractions in one day.

Find the Pub and The Lazy River at Monte Carlo Resort: If you are traveling with the family, you’ll spend more time at the pool and less at the pub, but if the kids are home, you really need to head in and try at least five of their over 300 selections.
See some entertaining puppets: Ever since he won the second season of "America's Got Talent" in 2007, Terry Fator has been entertaining audiences in Vegas with his singing ventriloquism act featuring impersonations of Etta James, Louie Armstrong, and some of the biggest names in pop music. Catch his show at The Mirage.

The gondola ride at the Venetian, Las Vegas — TripSavvy / Elliot Jonch Garcia

Other Fun Things to Do in Las Vegas This Summer

While the above list covers a wide variety of attractions and activities to enjoy this summer in Las Vegas, there are even more great things to do in and around the city. From visiting national parks a few hours away to eating a cheap meal while taking in the sights, you'll never run out of ways to enjoy your day in Sin City.