"Though the city isn't normally considered a go-to hot spot for history buffs, Las Vegas ' past is steeped in organized crime; without it, the city would be a very different place than it is today. Throughout the years, money has been exchanged through the hands of a number of interesting characters with colorful personalities, and the Mob Museum, located in downtown Las Vegas, examines all components of this chapter in the history books. The museum is well organized, helping people walk through the convoluted relationships and stories of organized crime that have shaped (and continue to shape) Las Vegas specifically and various parts of the world in general. Hundreds of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and regular events held at the Mob Museum make for an interesting afternoon. Give yourself at least a few hours to fully appreciate this museum. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Rock 'n' Roll Fremont Yeah Baby! The Strip might get all the attention, but if you want the real Vegas the only place to go is Fremont St. With its enclosed light show of a ceiling, freak show of people watching, and rock 'n' roll show of live entertainers you could be there for hours. Of course, it has casino or two should you want to make a wager, but my bet is that you'll be fully occupied just taking it all in."

"Level Up Consider Level Up a playground for grown-ups, a place where the kids inside all of us can compete at games, hang with friends, and enjoy favorite beverages—all while being as loud and obnoxious as they desire. The space boasts more than a dozen beer-pong tables, as well as an arcade that features pop-a-shot, tabletop hockey, pool, foosball, and a version of Pac-Man that’s billed as the largest in the world. There’s also a bar, of course, and an area where you can play blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps on virtual gambling terminals. For slots lovers, the place has an authentic Sigma Derby machine; for golf nuts, there’s the world’s first indoor laser-golf course. Perhaps the most unexpected feature inside Level Up is the art—Hakkasan Group, which owns and manages the space, commissioned local graffiti artists to decorate the walls, and the resulting pieces are intriguing and cool."

"One of ournewest national parks sits just outside of Las Vegas, and is home to one of the richest Ice Age–era fossil beds in North America. Back in the 1960s, paleontologists, hypothesizing that the area contained evidence of human interaction with Ice Age megafauna, dug trenches tosearch for such evidence. Remains of homminids never appeared as hoped, but the search didturn upthe bones of herds of columbian mammoths (six-foot tusks!), as well as fossils of giant sloths, Camelops, and American lions, among other enormous and extinct creatures. Elsewhere in the park, fossils are so prevalent visitors can see them right on the surface of the soil. Because the park is so new, it lacks facilities, trails, and even basic signage inside. Plans are in the works to build a handicapped-accessible path."

"The Wildlife Habitat One of the last great free attractions in Las Vegas, the enclosed 15-acre Wildlife Habitat is home to a flamboyance of Chilean flamingos as well as a variety of other critters including exotic birds, turtles, and fish. Ring-tailed ducks and sacred ibises move throughthe knee-high grass, andhummingbirds dart from branches to feeders and back again. Two rescued brown pelicans are fed daily at8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; the sight of their massive beaks opening fully to swallowthe fish reliably delights visitors, especially kids. Afteryou’ve watched some wildlife, you’ll find shopping mere moments away: The Habitat is steps from the stores of the LINQ Promenade."

"On one level, the name of the Park says it all: an eight-acre public park on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, nestled between New York-New York and Monte Carlo. In reality, the Park is much more. It’s an urban oasis, a hideaway with a tunnel-like water feature and shade structures to provide a break from Sin City and from its desert sun. It’s a glorified walkway to T-Mobile Arena. It’s a public-art gallery—the 40-foot Bliss Dance sculpture, which depicts a naked woman dancing to her own beat, is one of the most recognizable pieces in town. And it’s even a culinary destination, with a beer garden and a number of restaurants flanking the southern side. All aspects considered, the park provides an entertaining wayto get some fresh air in Las Vegas."

"Sin City's Bright History Reservations required—and no wonder. The tours at the Neon Museum sell out months in advance. A walk through the museum's famous "Boneyard" (where neon goes to die) is fascinating, from motel row to the first integrated casino (one that shut almost as soon as it opened), and the Stardust, with its nuclear testing-inspired font. All of this comes alive thanks to the museum's famous docents, all art history buffs with loads of family history or other personal anecdotes."

"Las Vegas Springs Preserve Springs Preserve presents visitors with a sortofcrash course in the story of the Las Vegas Valley. The facility is many attractions in one: the Origen Museum, which chronicles early geology and anthropology of the region; the Nevada State Museum, which covers the history, prehistory, and natural history of Nevada; DesertSol, a solar-powered home designed to showcase sustainable living; the NV Energy Foundation Sustainability Gallery, which teaches visitors about a more ecofriendly lifestyle; and Boomtown 1905, a re-created streetscape. There is also an enclosed butterfly habitat, a botanical garden, and 3.6 miles of trails that crisscross the preserve’s 110 acres, winding past rare plants, archaeology, artifacts, and more. This remarkable resource has been added to the National Register of Historic Places."

"River Mountains Loop Trail This 34-mile paved bike trail wraps aroundthe River Mountains and loops from downtown Boulder City through a part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, past Lake Las Vegas, through the outside corner of Henderson, and back. All told, the route presents bicyclists with a challenging and diverse path on which to spend a day. There are even some spur trails from the main thoroughfare that link to Hoover Dam (through a series of old railroad tunnels), downtown Henderson, and beyond. The most challenging portion of the main trail is between Henderson and Boulder City, where a series of three hills—dubbed the Three Sisters—prompt even the fittest atheletesto huff and puff for a while. Services are available at various spots along the trail, and bike rentals are offered in Boulder City and at Lake Las Vegas."

"The "mountains" in this desert artinstallationare actually seven neon-coloredtotem polesmade from stacked boulders. Renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone describes his work here as a symbolic and physical midway point between the natural (the desert) and the artificial (Las Vegas, and, farther down the road, Los Angeles). The seven towers,standing from 30 to 35 feet tall, have captured the imagination of art lovers who make the 20-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip by the hundreds every day. Be warned: Though the piece is clearly marked with signage off the I-15, there are no formal trails or pathways to get up to the towers once you park. Look out for snakes."

"In a city that’s all about entertainment, T-Mobile Arena is quite literally the biggest stage yet. The 20,000-seat venue serves ashome ice for the National Hockey League’s Las Vegas Golden Knights, andalso hosts a variety of concerts, rodeos, fights, and conventions. Unlike at other arenas, concourses at T-Mobile are open to the main floor, meaning you can see the action while you wait in the queue for beer. For a different perspective, catch a game or show from Hyde Lounge, a Bellagio nightclub outpost on the top floor; one section is cantilevered over the action, which makes for amost dramatic viewing experience. Because T-Mobile bought the naming rights, T-Mobile phonecustomers get extra perks inside, such as line-cutting privileges and free charging stations."

"A cappella music never sounded as fresh as it does in this show by Human Nature, an all-male quartet from Australia. The 90-minute show in the Sands Showroom at the Venetian spans musical genres and mixes pop classics with doo-wop, Motown, soul standards, and more—that’s why the band named the show Jukebox. So many of the numbers are familiar (they sing "Uptown Funk" and "Under the Boardwalk" with the sameaplomb), you’ll find yourself humming along without even realizing it. Audience members oftenend up dancing the aisles. Anumber of different ticket packages are available for every performance, and VIP tickets include a complimentary souvenir program."

"Topgolf is no ordinary driving range. For starters, the three-story facility sits behind MGM Grand, sogolfers get a jaw-dropping view of the High Roller and the casinos on the north end of the Strip. Second, the range’s technology is quite sophisticated, with sensors that automatically track your balls and tell you how far you’ve driven each shot. Third, the top-of-the-lineamenities really take it from driving range into the realm of country club: two on-site pools, five on-site bars, a private concert venue, and meeting rooms. Even the 108 climate-controlled bays at the range are swanky—each comes standard with leather couches, snacks, and the option for bottle service. Each bay can host up to six players at a time, which makes the experience perfect for large groups. Even for first-timers, driving a bucket ofballs at Topgolf feels likea party."

"Most people know the Lou Ruvo Brain Health Center by its appearance—the nonlinear building was designed by Frank Gehry and bears the architect’s signature curves and twists. Inside, however, medical professionals perform incredible feats daily. The facility treats patients with degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. Because the center is an active medical facility, access to the public is limited, but architecture fans are welcome to swing by, marvel at the undulating walls, and wonder how Gehry does what he does with metal."

"Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix You don’t have to be old enough to drive to have fun at LVMGP; four tracks, three amusement rides, one super-slide, and tons of arcade games make the destination a fun spot for the entire family. Go-carts headline the action, with three speed tracks (and acourse for kids that often devolves into a bumper-cars situation). On one of the speed tracks—dubbed the Adult Gran Prix—cars get up to 60 miles per hour and featuretechnology that keeps tabs of how fast you're going; during your "race,"your time is displayed on a leader board so you can compare and compete with your friends. Elsewhere at the facility, there’s a small roller coaster and a giant 90-foot slide. Inside, the arcade takes center stage, with air hockey, video games, and four games of pop-a-shot,as well as a restaurant."

"Britney: Piece of Me Las Vegas always has played a special role in the life of pop music sensation Britney Spears. Back before she became a mother, she’d fly in almost every weekend, and she regularly appeared on the nightclub circuit around town. The first time she got married (to a high-school boyfriend, no less), she took her vows in Sin City. Soit’s only fitting that Britney has become a resident artist in the Axis theater at Planet Hollywood. Her show, titled Britney:Piece of Me ,comprises hit songs that span her 15-year career, fromearly hit "Oops!... I Did It Again" to "Toxic" and just about everything in between. She also performs songs off her latest album, Glory . Britney has always beenknown for her choreography and she still has all her old dance moves, too. It’s like Britney and Vegas were destined to be together."

"Cashman Field serves up minor-league baseball at its absolute best. The home team, the Las Vegas 51s, is aClass-AAA affiliate of the New York Mets, and the 9,334-seat facility hosts at least a few spring-training games for professional teams every year as well. Some fansprefer to watch fromthe berms in right and left field—grassy slopes perfect for families—but the most expensive seat in the stands runs less than $20. The concessionofferings includea hamburger served upwithmaple-bacon-brown-sugar sausage, shoestring potatoes, barbecue sauce, and American cheese."

"Enjoy all the thrills of skydiving with none of the drama—no parachute or airplane at all. After a brief orientation, participants pullspecial flight suitsover theirclothes and then enter a wind tunnel, where all the excitement takes place. A giant fan that creates wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour lifts the skydiver and holds him or her aloft for an exhilarating three minutes. Having doubts? Skilled coaches are on hand and the experience is far safer than jumping out ofa plane.It’s also a great first step for those who've hesitated to tryskydiving."

"More than 250 artifacts of theRMS Titanic are on displayat this 25,000-square-foot space attheLuxor. Among the truly incredible mementos excavated from the wreck of the sunken ship: anunopened bottle of champagne, a floor tile, a window frame, and a giant piece of the ship’s hull. Perhaps more impressive than the artifacts themselves are the full-scale re-creations of what guest quarters looked like on the ship—attending the exhibit gives you a sense of the difference in the experiences of a first-class passenger and a third-class passenger. Since it opened in the late 1990s, the exhibit has been seenbymore than 25 million people,which makes it one of the most popular attractions in Las Vegas history."

"This 140-acre preserve is home to thousands of migratory waterfowl and numerous resident desert birds. Itsnine pondsare connected by a paved three-quarters-of-a-mile-long trail. A modest gift shop here sells information about some of the birds you might see. Birds are present all year round, but winter and spring are the best seasons to catch a glimpse of something spectacular and rare. Among the critters you might witness are northern shovelers, greenwings, cinnamon and blue-winged teals, pintails, and wood ducks. The Preserve also provides habitat for a variety of raptors including peregrine falcons, northern harriers, and Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks. It’s one of the best bird-viewing spots in the valley."

"The Adventuredome is afamily-friendly spot at Circus Circus, and is the closestthing in town to an actual big top. Offering rides and attractions, carnival games, a giant arcade, and more, Adventuredome even has a stage on which clowns and circus performers show off with feats of derring-do. The roller coasters are the biggest attraction: El Loco reaches a 1.5 vertical g-force, while the Canyon Blaster hasthe world's only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew. Spend an afternoon onthe Midway, competingwith friends (and strangers) for prizes like giant plush stuffed animals."

"Red Rock Lanes The 72-lane Red Rock Lanes, at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, is the largest luxury bowling center in Las Vegas. In addition to private meeting rooms and a lounge with bar-top games, there is a full-service restaurant, a VIP section with bottle service, a game room, a concourse area, and a pro shop. On weekend nights, Cosmic Bowling—withflashing neon lights and thumping music—transforms the place into a sort of disco.Thescoring is computerized, so you don’t have to worry about math while you bowl."

"This is no ordinary pawnshop: It’s the home of the History Channel’s reality-television show Pawn Stars . That means that any ordinary visit can turn into an opportunity to be on camera—or at least an opportunity to see Chumley, Rick Harrison, and some of the other regular characters who have become pseudo-celebrities over the years. The place has become so popular that lines to gain entrance usually wind around the block. Once you do get inside, you’ll notice the full complement of antiquesand mementos for sale, as well as a large gift shop with Pawn Stars –branded merchandise. While the store itself welcomes customers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Pawn Window is open 24 hours a day. For the full experience, check out Harrison’s shopping center next door, grab a drink at his eponymous bar, and spend a few hours in his nightclub."

"The two popular Magic Mike films come to life in this new all-male revue at theHard Rock. The 90-minute show, which features an overwhelming number of sweaty and gyrating men with biceps and tattoos, goes so far as to re-create the fictional Club Domina from the movies—the place where the likes of Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello strutted their stuff on the silver screen. This show actually was conceived by Tatum himself, which gives it an air of authenticity (if you want to call it that). One of the most notable aspects of this particular experience is that the theater is in the round, which means there’s not a bad seat in the house. Another important note: Meet-and-greet VIP packages are available for a surcharge of $40 per ticket. Because of the suggestive content, audience members must be 18 and over."

"The 320-acre Lake Las Vegas is agreat place to spend a day. This outfitter, located right in MonteLago Village at the western end of the lake, rents a variety of water-sports equipment for visitors to use and offers a handful of guided water-sport experiences as well. On the rental side, sit-on-top kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats all are available by for one-, two-, or three-hour rentals. The outfitter also sells rides on a fly board, an apparatus that shoots water to propel riders in the air, with the optionavailable to ride with a jet pack (which also shoots water). Most recently, Lake Las Vegas Water Sports added wakeboard cable rides, which represent a mash-up of motorized zip-lining and wakeboarding."