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 to 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.
There is no better way to see the Las Vegas strip at night than on a helicopter flight. Prices are under $100!
1. Las Vegas Night Helicopter Tour
Screw alcohol. Get your buzz by flying high above Las Vegas! You can’t get any better views of the 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.
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 $250). 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 are cheaper if booking online with Viator) or at the ticket window. There is an extra charge if you’d like to be in the Happy Hour cabin that includes an 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, I can assure you this will be your only meal of the day, Adam and I didn’t eat for 24 hours after.
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 and 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, and the upper, which is 114 feet high and will fly you all 1,750 feet down Fremont Street.
The upper line, aka the zoom line, will have you flying in the “Superman” position, which is 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 the 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.
7. Eiffel Tower Observation Deck
Located 46 stories high above 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 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.
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.
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, and music is choreographed to a tee. Every time we walk by, it will be different as there will be a different song to a choreographed routine.
The fountains are Monday-Friday 3 pm-8 pm every 1/2 hour and 8 pm-12 am every 15 minutes, and Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays, 12 pm-8 pm every 1/2 hour and 8 pm-12 am every 15 minutes.
Related Article: Must Visit National Parks Near Las Vegas
10. Shopping in Las Vegas
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 feeling great. Not nursing your hangover with more booze, spending even more silly money.
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, the next time I return to Vegas, it will be another semi-sober. I do like to have a drink or two, not 10!
To save some money, consider staying in a Vrbo. There are tons of condos in Las Vegas for a fraction of the price of a hotel on the strip. Staying in an Vrbo will also help save money on meal costs as you can easily make breakfast before heading off exploring Hong Kong.
You could do all the above under the influence too, but you may end up with a HANGOVER!
Chris
Wednesday 6th of June 2018
The Grand Canyon is only a 3 hour drive from the Strip as well!
Hannah Lukaszewicz
Tuesday 19th of June 2018
Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must when in Las Vegas, we did the helicopter tour over Grand Canyon AMAZING.
Elaine
Wednesday 9th of May 2018
Thanks for these sober Vegas ideas. Had to stop drinking April, 2017. Going to my first sober Vegas trip ever in June so sober ideas really help. Thanks!
Elaine
Adam
Thursday 10th of May 2018
Most people don't think about all the great things to do in Vegas that don't include alcohol! Hope you have a great trip!
Rebecca
Monday 25th of December 2017
But surely all of these things are even better if you're NOT sober ;)
Well except the helicopter tour maybe... that might be a little barf inducing.
Ray
Sunday 19th of February 2017
Gondola at Las Vegas, i am amazed. And more amazing is the decoration of their bot. Its luxury boss. How much per ride they charge?
Hannah Lukaszewicz
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
The boats are decorated gorgeously that's for sure. Make sure to check their website for prices as they can change. Safe and sober travels to Vegas.
Hannah
Thursday 28th of July 2016
Congrats on the baby and the free trip! I just hope you visit when its not crazy hot in Vegas. You will have a blast in Vegas and you won't have to deal with the hangover (hope you are well over morning sickness).
Safe travels!