Las Vegas is not a “speakeasy” town. Generally speaking, if anything is worth knowing about here, it gets broadcast loud and proud every single day. On a jumbotron screen the size of a football field. Still, somehow, a few of the best things this city has to offer stay in the “who knew?” category. This article is dedicated to them.

E by Jose Andres

Forget about those high-roller spots. The most exclusive restaurant on the Vegas Strip doesn’t even have a sign out front; it’s nestled inside Jose Andres’ Jaleo at the Cosmopolitan. It serves only eight people at a time, prix fixe for $250 apiece (beverage pairings supplemental), paid in advance. What do you get? Course after course of unique edible creations prepared right before your eyes—and an unforgettable experience. If you love food, you have to do it.

'Named the “BEST FREE Attraction in Las Vegas,” this 117,000-gallon tropical aquarium at a casino resort with sharks, stingrays & real-life mermaids.' 'It's a 117,000-gallon saltwater aquarium at a casino resort with 4,000 tropical fish and three species of sharks and stingrays and real-life mermaids.'

El Cortez coin slots

Want to gamble old-school style? El Cortez, one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas still operating under its original name (and sign!), maintains a room of OG coin-slot machines for the dedicated. There is nothing quite like the sound of all that metal rushing down when you cash out a big pot.

ClairBnB

1. This Primm Valley and Hidden Valley RZR tour picks you up from select Las Vegas hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle and takes you to Jean, a nearby desert town. In Jean, get set up with equipment, including goggles, gloves, and a helmet.
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You can sleep with Claire Sinclair. Well, no—not like that. But the former Playboy Playmate and headlining showgirl has just opened up a cozy downtown boutique hotel called ClairBnB. Its theme rooms are inspired by Claire’s pinup fantasies, such as the Jayne Mansfield Pink Palace room, with “sparkly glitter walls that twinkle like crazy under custom-built lights, gorgeous, dark wooden floors and golden paneling… Take a bath with your lover in our killer Jacuzzi hot tub, equipped with a waterfall feature and mood lighting. Sleep in like royalty in our glamorous golden tufted bed.” Warning, though: Despite “B&B” in the name, there doesn’t appear to be any breakfast.

Forte European Bodega

The Vegas Valley is splattered with boutique groceries and specialty food shops, from Max Market on the westside to Artisanal Foods in the southeast. But one of the least known is inside Forte Tapas, a Spanish-Bulgarian restaurant (hey, it works) where you can find a selection of uncommon Iberian, Eastern European and California wines, raw Spanish cheeses and sausages, Iberico ham, Bruno Paillard champagne, sandwiches on house-baked rolls, and even genuine Black Sea caviar for sale. Your picnic just went into hyperspace.

Gamers and Nerds

Think the only kind of gaming in Las Vegas involves betting? You would be wrong. Even though the beloved Insert Coins bar is gone from East Fremont, gamer hangouts of all descriptions are popping up everywhere, including new video game lounges Reboot Gaming and Power Up Gaming; Meepleville Board Game Café, for those who like to do it analog; Pinball Hall of Fame, for those who like to do it old-school; primo barcade Hi-Scores (two locations!); and the Nerd, a renegade downtown spot offering free bowling, billiards and video games, in its desperate need to be accepted. Just kidding!

Lion Habitat Ranch

The biggest lion sanctuary in North America (we hear), Henderson’s Lion Habitat Ranch began as the homestead of the lions featured in the MGM Grand’s lion habitat. Once that exhibit closed, the lions and their keepers were set loose. But rather than spread the big cats to the wind, they have kept them close, grown the herd, and even added ostriches and a giraffe (who paints!) to the family, all of which you can get closer to than in probably any other spot west of an African safari. It’s definitely a unique experience—especially when the lions start their ground-shaking roars.

El Dorado Cantina

A Mexican restaurant? What’s so secret about that? How about a Mexican restaurant that’s all organic/sustainable, has great vegetarian options, is open 24 hours, boasts a killer tequila collection, and shares a building with the city’s largest strip club. That last part is a bit hard to explain (well, not really—the owners are in the same family), but it shouldn’t deter you from checking out one of the most well-executed, round-the-clock eateries here.

Pickleball

Wanna play pickleball? You totally do, even though you have no idea what it is. But what you do know is, it’s not beer pong, thank God. The only place in Vegas to play the hybrid racket game that is regulation pickleball (yes, there are regulations) is the cool rooftop pool deck at the Plaza, overlooking Fremont Street. Make sure you’ve got the proper equipment.

Writers Block

Vegas has no culture, blah blah blah. Okay, it may not be brainiac central, but you might be fooled—at least for a bit—if you visit this smartly curated boutique bookstore on East Fremont. It offers a full calendar of readings, events, and activities nurturing the lucky literates of LV.

Rinky Dink

Vegas finally gets a hockey team (no comment on the name), and people are like, “Ice in the desert? How does that even work?” So, I suppose we should add to this secrets list the fact that there are two (yeah, two) legit, year-round ice skating centers here: Las Vegas Ice Center and SoBe Ice Arena at the Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel (that’s on top of many outdoor seasonal rinks). Oh, and as long as we’re talking skating, there are also two Crystal Palace roller skating rinks. Strap on some skates and shut it.

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Adam and I have been to Vegas numerous times, but every time it has involved lots of booze & clubs. On our most recent trip, it was just the two of us no bad influences AKA friends who wanted to party.

We booked our Las Vegas hotel and decided let’s do Vegas the sober way. But what the heck is there to do in Vegas besides drink & gamble? A LOT! Here are our top 10 SOBER things to do in Las Vegas.

1.Helicopter Tour

Screw alcohol, get your buzz by flying high above Las Vegas! You can’t get any better views of Las Vegas strip at night than from a helicopter. For the price of 6 drinks at a fancy pool bar, you’ll have a memory of a lifetime!

Don’t have a car, no worries Papillion helicopter tours include round-trip LIMO transportation. They have the best prices, click here to book online for cheap as only $84.

If the Grand Canyon is on your bucket list make sure to check out our complete list of the best Grand Canyon helicopter tours (several under $200). The best place for photos will always be from high above, our best photos of the Grand Canyon came from our helicopter tour.

*Make sure to check out our complete list of CHEAP LAS VEGAS HELICOPTER TOURS*

2.LINQ High Roller

Ride the world’s largest Ferris Wheel! The LINQ high roller is 550-feet-tall and 520 feet in diameter, you will not miss it located at the LINQ hotel. The LINQ is larger than the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer. One full revolution will take you 30 minutes, with nonstop views. If you’re lucky you will catch the Bellagio water show from high above. There are 28 glass cabins, which hold up to 40 people. On our trip there were maybe 15 other people, but if you wish you can rent out an entire cabin.

You can purchase your tickets online (prices cheaper if booking online with Viator) or at the ticket window. Prices at the window are $26.95 an adult during the day, $36.95 an adult at night, and $7 extra if you’d like to be in the Happy Hour cabin that includes unlimited open bar…but that would break the Sober rule. Totally up to you, no matter what you choose it’s a blast.

3. Bacchanal Buffet Lunch

I suggest arriving in Las Vegas with an empty stomach and heading straight to Bacchanal Buffet located inside Caesar’s Palace. Bacchanal has been voted best buffet in Las Vegas by USA Today more than once, and with good reason. There are more than 500 daily offerings, with an approx 15 daily chef’s specials added to the menu as they change depending on the season.

Adam and I indulged in the prime rib, street taco station, cheese selection, pasta bar, sausages, shrimp, Singapore noodles, cupcakes, gelato, and so much more. We saw people going back plate after plate for the king crab legs, you could get your money’s worth just in the seafood selection alone: mussels, crab legs, shrimp, sushi, and more.

Even though it may not be the cheapest buffet on the strip, but I can assure you this will be your only meal of the day, Adam and I didn’t eat for 24 hours after… Breakfast $30, Lunch $37, Dinner $52, Champagne Brunch $49.

4. Slotzilla

Get your heart pumping as you soar down Fremont Street on Slotzilla. Slotzilla is the world’s largest slot machine that is a 12-stories tall that lets you zip line from one end of Fremont Street to the other.

There are 2 lines, the lower which is 77 feet high and will fly you halfway down Fremont Street for $20, and the upper which is 114 feet high and will fly you all 1,750 feet down Fremont Street for $40.

The upper line aka the zoom line will have you flying in “Superman” position, which much different than any other zipline we have done. There are 4 lines that fly side by side, and thankfully you will not have to jump off a platform as you are in flying position the “door” will drop and you will be whisked away!

5. Zarkana Cirque du Soleil

If you only have time to see one show in Las Vegas I highly recommend Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil which plays at the Aria hotel. Pure entertainment for 90 minutes with over 70 acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, high wire and trapeze artists.

The characters and costumes are out of this world. Scene after scene we were amazed and thoroughly entertained. There are several Cirque de Soleil shows in Vegas, click here to see show options and ticket prices.

6. Canyon Ranch Spa

Nothing is more relaxing than a day at the spa. You could easily spend half the day at Canyon Ranch spa, or even an entire day! Once in the locker room put on your luxurious robe and disconnect from reality and just relax.

The single-sex thermal environment includes a dry sauna, crystal steam room, hydro spa, igloo, herbal laconium, and experiential rains. What the hell is an igloo, I had no idea so I had to investigate for myself. It is a COLD room, shaped like an Igloo probably 15 degrees with cool air and three Arctic mist aromas to choose from. The herbal laconium is a calming herbal infused humid room to relax your body. I spent an hour in the dry sauna, and herbal laconium before my 50 minute Canyon Ranch massage. After my massage, I relaxed in the steam room, hydro spa, sauna, and cooled down in the igloo.

Day passes can be purchased for $40, or if you are staying at The Venetian or The Palazzo for a discounted rate.

7. Eiffel Tower Observation Deck

Located 46 stories high above the Las Vegas Boulevard the Eiffel Tour observation deck offers iconic 360-degree views of the Las Vegas skyline. The Eiffel Tour in Las Vegas is half the size of the world-famous Eiffel Tour in the Paris hotel.

Make sure to go up at night to capture the strip come alive at night. It is also worth waiting for the Bellagio water show, which happens every 15 minutes in the evenings. Tickets can be purchased at the Eiffel Tower gift shop or online here, adults during the day are $14 and after 7:30 pm $19

8.Gondola Ride

Can’t make it to Venice, just pop on over to the Venetian hotel for a gondola ride. Just like in Venice the Venetian offers gondola rides, you can choose to be indoors or outdoors.

Have your gondolier sing you a romantic song on a gondola. Prices are $21 per person shared gondola (4 people), or $84 for a private gondola.

9. Bellagio Water show

Everyone loves FREE stuff, but free entertainment is even better. It is a must that you stroll by the fountains at the Bellagio hotel at least once while in Las Vegas. You will be amazed by the show water, light, music is choreographed to a tee. Every time walk by it will be different as there will be a different song to a choreographed routine.

The fountains are Monday-Friday 3pm-8pm every 1/2 hour and 8pm-12am every 15 minutes, and Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays 12pm-8pm every 1/2 hour and 8pm-12am every 15 minutes.

10. Shopping

No matter if you’re coming from far away or just a few states away, Vegas has shopping for everyone. If you are coming overseas take advantage of the prices at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

This is where I tend to go shopping as they have the best deals, my favorite outlet stores there are Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, Gap, Levi’s, Saks of Fifth Ave, Diesel, Nike, and many more stores. You could easily spend an entire day shopping in Las Vegas. Great shopping malls right on the strip are the Fashion Mall and Forum Shops.

There you have it, my top 10 things to do in Las Vegas sober! Yes, you will wake up every morning hangover-free and be feeling great. Not nursing your hangover with more booze, spending even more silly money. To save even more money look at getting the Go City Card it includes admission to several of the above attraction and even more fun things to do in Las Vegas including a few meals!

Have you been to Vegas and didn’t go crazy with booze? What are your favorite things to do in Las Vegas sober? Share them below, as I know next time I return to Vegas it will another semi-sober. I do like to have a drink or two, not 10!

To save some money consider staying in an Airbnb, there are tons of condos in Las Vegas for a fraction of the price of a hotel on the strip. Staying in an Airbnb will also help save money on meal costs as you can easily make breakfast before heading off exploring Hong Kong.

Hidden Things In Las Vegas

Get a $40 credit when you book your first trip! –>> sign up here!

You could do all the above under the influence too, but you may end up with a HANGOVER!