One of the many reasons that Las Vegas, NV is considered to be one of the trade show capitals of the world is its many exhibition venues. In addition to the 2.5 million square foot convention center that bears the city’s name, other exhibit halls like the Mandalay Bay Convention Center offer enough show floor square footage and onsite amenities to draw large trade shows.
If you’re staying at the Mandalay Bay Resort during your Las Vegas trade show, you’re in luck! There are plenty of things to do when you have a break from the show floor both within the campus and within a few minutes’ drive.
Onsite Activities if You Want to Stay On the Mandalay Bay Campus
Mandalay Bay is absolutely enormous. The facility boasts 2.1 million square feet of exhibition space (which makes it one of the largest convention venues in the United States). And that just takes up a part of the overall resort, which sprawls across 120 acres on the Las Vegas Strip.
So, what do they do with all that space? They fill it with amenities their guests absolutely love. In fact, there are so many features here that you don’t need to stray from the Mandalay Bay Convention Center or its gigantic campus.
Relaxing Attractions
Trade shows can be hectic, and the Mandalay Bay Resort has several spots where you can relax and let that convention stress go. Perhaps the most serene is the onsite spa and salon, a 30,000-square-foot facility that offers everything from relaxing massages and pedicures to rejuvenating IV therapy and vitamin shots. They can even provide haircuts, styling, and makeup services just in case you need to really dress things up for a client meeting during your Las Vegas trade show.
Not a spa person? No problem. Mandalay Bay also offers two different pool areas for you to enjoy:
- Mandalay Bay Beach. This is more a giant family-friendly waterpark than a regular pool. Its 11 acres include the Lazy River, a lagoon, and a wave pool. To relax and get some quiet “you” time, grab a cocktail and stretch out in one of the day beds, cabanas, or gazebos placed throughout the area.
- Moorea Beach Club. For a quieter and more elegant water-focused relaxation experience that caters to the 21+ age group, check this place out. Restore your tired legs in the heated pool or lounge in the villas and opium beds. You might have to reserve some of their amenities in advance, but it’ll be worth it once you start unwinding from the show floor.
After you’ve relaxed a bit, you might want to check out some of the more exciting features that lie within the Mandalay Bay Resort’s walls.
Invigorating Entertainment
If you’re in the mood for some adventure, Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium is an absolute must-see. It contains over 2,000 animals, many of which you can view in the underground tunnel that runs through part of the aquatic museum. You can also get really up close and personal with some of the animals with the aquarium’s special offers, which let you feed stingrays, sea turtles, and even sharks.
You can also do a little gambling without leaving the resort grounds. The onsite casino boasts some pretty impressive stats and features, including:
- Over 1,200 slot machines and video poker games where you can bet anywhere from one penny to $100 per spin or hand
- Table games like Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette
- A Sports Book where you can bet on and watch the big game
Of course, these features are all in addition to the plentiful dining opportunities located within the Mandalay Bay Resort. If you’d rather miss the Strip and the desert heat, you won’t have to set foot outside of the resort during your entire convention.
Interesting Things to Do Near the Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Whether you’re exhibiting at your first Las Vegas trade show or your tenth, you might want to leave the Mandalay Bay campus and explore a little more of what the city has to offer. Sure, Las Vegas is known for casinos and conventions, but there’s so much more to see and do without venturing too far away.
Attractions for Sports Fans
In recent years, Las Vegas has become home to several professional sports teams. You can see where their professional football franchise plays by visiting Allegiant Stadium, which is just a 2-minute drive (or a 15-minute walk, if you can stand the desert sun) from Mandalay Bay. If there’s not a sporting event or concert happening while you’re there, you can take a tour of the stadium’s locker rooms, press rooms, and field.
Maybe hitting the links sounds like a calming reprieve from the bustling show floor at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Here’s some good news: the Bali Hai Golf Club is just a mile straight down the Strip. It’s a beautiful 18-hole, par-71 course, and they offer rental clubs so you don’t have to schlep yours during your entire trip. Grab your sunscreen, hire an onsite caddy, and remember to stay hydrated!
More Fun Things to Do
Las Vegas does more than sports. The city is also the proud home of the Pinball Hall of Fame! Here, you can play every single one of the games for either $0.25 or $0.50. And be sure to bring along some coins, because this facility has over 150 pinball machines throughout its 25,000 square feet. And since it’s less than a mile away from the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, you can get there in just a few minutes.
When you’re in the mood to take in some beautiful culture and savor delicious food that didn’t come from a casino buffet, take the 12-minute drive from Mandalay Bay to Chinatown Vegas. With over 150 restaurants, public festivals, a theater, and a couple of karaoke bars, you’ll be able to spend hours in this delightful neighborhood.
Let Us Handle Your Exhibit at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center
We’re the experts in everything about exhibiting at a Las Vegas trade show at Mandalay Bay. From exhibit design to logistics to onsite show services, we’ve got you covered. We’ll handle everything so you can enjoy yourself in the Mandalay Bay Resort and the surrounding area.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you have a great show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center!
