Even if you’ve never been to Sin City, you probably know that Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world. And while that holds great appeal for countless tourists and convention-goers each year, not everyone enjoys spending time at casinos. Fortunately, there’s a long list of things to do when you’re in town for a Las Vegas trade show that don’t involve gambling.
Indoor Activities to Beat the Desert Heat
Much of Las Vegas runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although you can stop inside any of the casinos or shops on the Las Vegas Strip and take a look around whenever you have a break from the show floor, you might be looking for something a little different that still allows you to enjoy some air conditioning. Fortunately, there are plenty of awesome indoor attractions that you can take advantage of.
The Mob Museum
A few miles north of the infamous Strip, you can learn all about the world of organized crime at The Mob Museum. Everything about this place is interesting, down to the history of the building itself. It opened in the 1930s as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, and over the decades it served as the venue for multiple mob trials. The building now showcases floor after floor of artifacts and interactive exhibits to teach visitors about the local and national mafia.
If a formal tour isn’t quite your style, you can immerse yourself in mob culture by going on a scavenger hunt that guides you through the museum, or even attend one of their unique events focused on organized crime.
The Atomic Museum
Just down the road from world-famous hotels like the Bellagio and the Paris Las Vegas lies The National Atomic Testing Museum (but you can call it by its less formal name: The Atomic Museum). This facility houses stunning—and a bit ominous—historical artifacts like a nuclear reactor and portable atomic weapons. Their collection also features more recent war and conflict-related items, such as a section of the Berlin Wall and pieces of the World Trade Center.
This museum doesn’t only educate its visitors on the impact of atomic weapons. It invites you to experience the power firsthand with simulations of above-ground tests in addition to its permanent collection and temporary exhibits.
The Punk Rock Museum
Step out of pop culture and into the underground music scene when you visit The Punk Rock Museum near downtown Las Vegas. In addition to checking out pictures, concert fliers, instruments, and handwritten lyrics from punk bands over the decades, you can play guitars and basses previously strummed by some of the most influential bands in punk history.
If that’s not enough reason to check out this attraction, you can also grab a drink at their bar, get some ink at their in-house tattoo parlor, or get married in their wedding chapel!
Outdoor Adventures Near Your Las Vegas Trade Show
Because Sin City is largely known for its indoor attractions like casinos and museums, it’s sometimes easy to forget about the outdoor activities. However, the Nevada desert has a lot in store for adventurers who want to venture out of the city and check out the surrounding desert.
Red Rock Canyon
Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas, you can enter what’ll seem like a different world from the hustle, bustle, and neon of the Strip. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sprawls across more than 195,000 acres in the Mojave Desert. Here are a few things you can do at Red Rock, depending on whether you have a couple of hours or a couple of days to spend there:
- Take a scenic 13-mile drive through the park
- Hike or bike on one (or more!) of the 26 trails
- Enjoy one of the many programs or festivals hosted on location throughout the year
- Try your hand at rock climbing
- Pitch a tent and camp out for a night or two
Whichever option you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy all the native wildlife, flora, and fauna throughout Red Rock.
Hoover Dam
When you’re up for a 40-minute drive from your Las Vegas trade show, go feel the immense power of the Colorado River by visiting the Hoover Dam. Check out the dam itself, tour its power plant, and wave hello to the Arizonans across the river as you learn how this massive structure was built in the 1930s to irrigate the surrounding area and provide potable water to millions of people. In addition to a great educational opportunity, the dam is certainly a can’t-miss attraction when you visit the Vegas area.
Bonus Attraction: The Las Vegas Strip High Roller Observation Wheel
If you want to see Las Vegas like you’ve never seen it before, check out the Las Vegas Strip High Roller Observation Wheel. This Ferris wheel-inspired structure takes you 550 feet over the Strip, and its huge cabins—which can accommodate up to 40 people—provide 360° views of the streets below. This attraction is particularly impressive at nighttime, when you can enjoy the Strip’s sights and lights without setting foot inside a casino.
We’ll Handle Your Las Vegas Trade Show While You Check Out the Local Sites
Despite its reputation as a casino-centric city, Las Vegas has much more to offer than gambling. While you’re enjoying the many indoor and outdoor activities in the area, we’ll handle everything at your Las Vegas trade show, from pre-show coordination to on-site exhibitor services to post-show logistics.
Contact us today to find out how we can create a custom rental exhibit for your next trade show in Las Vegas, NV!
