Gambling is a great activity for solos if you are interested in gambling to begin with. After all, it doesn’t require a second person to push the buttons on your slot or video poker machine. If you’re looking to socialize with others, the table games will take care of you just fine. But if you’re not a gambler, or would like to diversify your activities, there’s still plenty for you to do in Vegas solo, in addition to shows. Here is a list to get you started. Be sure to click on the links, which will take you to websites with more information, including hours of operation, prices, etc.
Pool Time: Most hotels on and off the Strip have swimming pools, but be aware that not all pool areas are created equal. If the idea of sitting around a pool, soaking up some sun and reading a good book while sipping a fruity cocktail with an umbrella in it appeals to you, you will want to make sure your hotel has a nice pool area. Consider sun vs. shade, landscaping, drink service, and clientele. To get a feel for what the various Vegas hotel pools look like, take a virtual tour at Destination360.
Shopping: Vegas is fast becoming a shopping mecca, with high end shopping malls in many of the resorts as well as some standalone malls and outlets. On the Strip, you’ve got the Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes, Caesar’s Forum Shops, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, the Fashion Show Mall, and the Showcase Mall (featuring the Coca Cola and M&M stores, Gameworks, and an indoor climbing wall), which is currently undergoing an $80 million expansion expected to reach completion in 2009.
The Star Trek Experience: If you’re a fan of Star Trek, this is a blast. If you’re not, your mileage may vary. I love it so much, I could live there. Sadly, the Experience will be closing on September 1, 2008. So if you want a chance to “experience” it, you’d better get to Vegas at warp 7. Sit at the bar in Quark’s and have a Star Trek-themed beverage and wander around, taking in the decor. They’ve really done a great job making it look like the world of Star Trek. You will often see Klingons, Ferengi, and Borg walking through the bar, chatting with the patrons. I’m a geek, so I dig it. You can get into Quark’s, the Promenade Shops and the Spacequest Casino for free; the History of the Future Museum and the rides (Klingon Encounter and Borg Invasion 4D) are not free. Half price tickets are often available at ticket outlets on the Strip, Tix4Tonight and Tickets2Nite.
Bellagio Fountain Show (free): This is always on my “must do” list when I go to Vegas. The fountains are choreographed to music and go off every 15 minutes to half an hour, depending on the day and time. The schedule for the shows can be found at the website, as well as a list of music. My favorite moments in Vegas consist of watching the fountains dance to Rondine al Nido (Luciano Pavarotti) or Con Te Partiro (Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman). It brings tears to my eyes.
Bellagio Conservatory (free): The conservatory (a.k.a. the Botanical Garden) changes its flower displays each season. They really do an amazing job creating panoramas with flowers, and the attention to detail is fabulous. The best display I saw here was in fall of 2006, when they created miniature replicas of major national landmarks. It was very cool. While you’re walking through the lobby to get to the Conservatory, do look up and take note of the Chihuly glass sculpture on the ceiling. Consisting of 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers, this sculpture cost a reported $10 million.
Mirage volcano (free): This attraction is situated in a lagoon in front of the Mirage. When darkness falls, it erupts as a fake live volcano every 15 -30 minutes. When it’s functioning properly, this is fun to stop and watch. Since it had been in operation since 1989, it was long overdue for a facelift. I’d noticed on recent trips that it didn’t sound as thunderous as it once did, and often malfunctioned altogether, leaving first-time Strip tourists wondering what the fuss was all about. It is currently being revamped and is slated to reopen by the end of 2008.
Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, The Mirage: Siegfried and Roy have been involved in the conservation of rare white tigers for many years, and you can see some of them here at the Mirage, along with Black Panthers, Golden Tigers, Snow Leopards, and more. There is also a Dolphin Habitat, a very nice facility that includes vantage points above the pool where the dolphins swim, as well as an underwater viewing area. Admission is $15 for adults. For a much heftier price, you can be a dolphin “trainer for a day”, participating in the daily activities of the center with direct contact with the dolphins.
Lobby Aquarium, the Mirage: This has always been a lovely aquarium, but has recently been renovated to be even more impressive. It’s a 20,000 gallon aquarium measuring 53 feet long, with artificial corals and a vast array of exotic sealife, including stingrays, sharks, eels, and puffer fish. According to the Mirage website, there are now more than 1,000 coral reef animals representing 60 species from Australia, the Caribbean, Fiji, and the Red Sea, among others. Located behind the front desk.
Tropical Rainforest, the Mirage: The Mirage has a lush, tropical rainforest located in the atrium just off the lobby. The rainforest includes cascading waterfalls, more than 100 different types of plants, and Palm trees that tower 60 feet under a glass dome. They have 300 orchids.
Lion Habitat, MGM Grand (free): The lion habitat is located smack dab in the middle of the casino at MGM, which is kind of an odd juxtaposition, but certainly visually interesting.
Shark Reef, Mandalay Bay: Billed as “North America’s only predator-based aquarium and exhibit, this is a great way to spend some time in Vegas. It has sharks of various kinds, piranha, golden crocodiles, and endangered green sea turtles, among other things. See website for current price and hours.
Fremont Street Experience (free): There is a canopy over a section of Fremont Street downtown, where all the old-time casinos are, and every hour starting at dusk, a light show takes place on the canopy. No matter how many times I’ve seen this show, I keep catching the same one (the rock show), even though I know there are others. It’s really pretty neat to see at least once. For a few seconds, take a look around you at all the other people; one of the most amusing things about this show is how all activity on the street comes to a stop, and everyone just stands staring up at the canopy. It’s like everyone is mesmerized by a UFO or something. I highly recommend spending at least one evening Downtown during a Vegas trip. It’s got a whole different feel from the Strip. Dining is a lot cheaper here, and there are some inexpensive souvenir shops.
Dueling Piano Shows (multiple locations): It all started with the dueling piano show at the Bar at Times Square in New York, New York. Despite a $10 cover, this show quickly became so popular, it was hard to get in the door. Naturally, other hotels decided to follow suit and add their own dueling piano shows. The dueling piano show, featuring twins Kimberley and Tamara Pinegar, at Harrahs Piano Bar is a rolicking good time (and no cover charge!). There are seats at the bar where you can also play video poker during the show if you want. Try to nurse your drink, though, because they are very expensive during the show (the price you pay for no cover charge). The show at Napoleon’s cigar and champagne bar is much more mellow and sedate, as you might expect. There is also bar seating here.
Carnaval Court, Harrahs: Listen to free music at this outdoor stage while ordering drinks and watching flair bartenders strut their stuff. Very upbeat atmosphere.
Fontana Bar and Lounge, Bellagio: Best lounge in Vegas. They always have top-notch bands and singers here, and the added plus is the view of the Bellagio Fountain show from the terrace.
Gondola Ride, The Venetian: Simulate the experience of being in the real Venice with a gondola ride through the twisting indoor canals at the Venetian. The gondoliers are very talented singers. You can ride with others or pay extra for a private gondola. You can also just watch for free.
Eiffel Tower Tour, Paris: I prefer the view of the Strip from the Eiffel Tower to the Stratosphere, since it’s closer to the actual buildings on the Strip, so you can see more details–especially the Bellagio Fountain show across the street. Dusk and darkness are the best times to go up. Beware if the wind is blowing and it’s really hot out, it can really irritate your eyes. Also the observation deck is narrow, so it can get crowded at times. Still, it’s worth checking out at least once.
Stratosphere Observation Tower and Rides (Big Shot, Insanity, and X Scream): The Stratosphere has the tallest observation deck in the U.S. at 1,149 feet. It offers 360 degree views of the Las Vegas valley. Per the Stratosphere website: Big Shot shoots passengers straight up 160 feet at 45 mph until they are 1,081 feet above the Strip. X-Scream is a giant teeter-totter that dangles you 27 feet over the edge of the Tower, 866 feet above ground. Insanity extends 64 feet over the edge of the tower and spins you at a force of 3 Gs. I have been to the observation deck, and it’s really quite a view. I have not been on any of the rides, because I’m not insane.
Titanic: The Exhibit, currently at the Tropicana, soon to be housed at Luxor: I toured this exhibit at the Tropicana. I thought it was well worth the price. This isn’t just a museum-type exhibit featuring artifacts retrieved from the Titanic, they really have gone to a lot of trouble to pull the visitor into the experience. When I entered, I was given a card with the identity of a passenger on the Titanic and a few details about her. At the end of the exhibit, there was a wall listing the dead and the survivors, so visitors could see the fate of their alter ego. Mine survived, but her husband perished.
Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain Shows, Caesar’s Forum Shops (free): Every hour on the hour, statues come alive at these two separate locations in the Forum Shops. In one, we see the fall of Atlantis, and in the other, a discussion between various gods and a light show. I prefer the Atlantis show, as it has better special effects–fire and water and surround vision/sound. Cheesy? Yes. But it’s free.
NYNY Rollercoaster: This coaster twists and turns on the outside facade of the hotel and includes a barrel roll. You can even purchase a picture of yourself “frozen in time” at 67mph.
Speed at Sahara: This 70 mph rollercoaster has steep drops and loops–and then goes in reverse. A real thrill ride.
Sirens of TI (free): Personally, I miss the old pirates vs. British navy show, but everything has been sexed up in Vegas, including this show, which takes place in front of Treasure Island nightly. This time around, it’s hunky pirates vs. gorgeous sirens, music, and dance. Whatever, it’s free. The crowd starts gathering about half an hour before the show to get a prime viewing spot.
Madame Tussauds, The Venetian: I visited this museum on my first Vegas trip, and then again in 2005, and felt completely differently about it the second time. If you’ve never done a wax museum, it can be a little freaky. The figures look so real sometimes you find yourself thinking they’re live people. It’s a little trippy. While it’s great for photo opps, it’s a little hard for the solo visitor to get a picture of herself, say, marrying George Clooney unless she doesn’t mind asking a stranger to take her picture. I found myself bored by the museum during my second trip. They just hadn’t changed things up enough in 4 years. Also, it’s overpriced, in my opinion. If you can get a discount, do try.
Wildlife Habitat, the Flamingo (free): The Flamingo has a flock of wild Chilean flamingos, as well as ducks, koi and turtles on property, en route to the pool area.
Masquerade Show in the Sky, Rio (off-Strip, free): This is a really fun, energetic free show with floats that move around the ceiling over the casino area, music, and people throwing beads like Carnivale. It’s currently undergoing maintenance, but should reopen by May 22, 2008.
Miracle Mile Free Live Entertainment, Planet Hollywood: Located on the main stage in front of the V Theater, this is a free variety show that takes place once per hour Friday-Monday. There is also a fake rainstorm, with thunder and lightning (no you won’t get wet), but that part isn’t worth going out of your way to see.
