5 Things You Have to Do in Vegas Once

Las Vegas is not just about 24-hour casinos, over-the-top shows and massive nightclubs featuring EDM DJs. While that’s why some people go to Sin City, there’s so much more to explore both on and off The Strip.

On my last trip to Las Vegas, I got to experience the city in a different way and I was pleasantly surprised. I played tourist in a place that I’ve probably frequented more than any other city since it’s just a stone’s throw away from LA and tried things that weren’t typical of my Vegas trips, and I’m glad I did. Add these 5 things to your Las Vegas list the next time you find yourself in Vegas baby!

Secret Pizza

Bet you didn’t know that The Cosmopolitan Hotel has a hidden pizza joint located on the third floor. There are no signs outside of the restaurant, and it’s pretty discreet, so just look for the record-lined walls and then follow your nose down the hallway. The menu is pretty basic and you order by the slice, starting at $3 for cheese and add your choice of topping(s). To keep you busy while you wait, you can play a game or two on the retro pinball machines. And if you fancy eating in your PJs, you can order a pie to go. Hey, we don’t judge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkMK0t9Hyys/

The best part? It’s open until 5 AM on weekends so you can thank us when your late-night munchies start kicking in at 3 AM as you stumble out of Marquee Club.

Seven Magic Mountains

If you do nothing else on this list, go to the Seven Magic Mountains. These gorgeous colored boulders standing erect in the middle of the desert, approximately 15 miles south of The Strip, are the work of Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. The limited-time free art installation took 5 years from conception to completion and will be on display through the end of 2018. It’s definitely worth seeing in person.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BinCVrVhZNd/

And some friendly advice: it goes without saying, it gets hot in the summer time, and I mean H-O-T, so bring plenty of water and do your skin a favor and slather on that sunscreen.

The Neon Museum

The Neon Museum is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve iconic Vegas signs from shuttered casinos to local businesses that once illuminated The Strip. You can tour the outdoor Neon Boneyard, a giant lot that houses all the signs and looks like a flea market with no rhyme or reason as to how or where signs are placed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bikrv85nn2p/

You can take a self-guided tour or book one with a guide and reminisce while you spot some of the historic signs like the Sahara Hotel sign or the enormous skull head from Treasure Island. If only the signs could speak!

Topgolf at MGM Grand

Whether you’re on a business trip networking with clients or need a break from the sound of slot machines, head to Topgolf at MGM Grand for a new kind of golf experience. The four-story, 105,000 square foot entertainment center sits on eight acres, features two pools and also serves as a concert venue. Golfers take turns hitting balls into a target from one of the 102 hitting bays and use Topgolf’s advanced technology to track the distance of the shot. In true Vegas fashion, the facility even offers bottle service.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bipz2PHHNNR/

Practice your best swing or if you’re a novice, you can book a 60-minute private lesson for $89 or a class with up to 12 people for $29.

The Vegas Sign

Yes, it screams, “I am a tourist.” Yes, there is a line.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BimpYZEBdYU/

But it’s one of the most famous neon signs in the world and it’s worth seeing up close and snapping a pic for the ‘gram, at least once.