5 Things To Do In Las Vegas Besides Go To A Casino

If you stretched out all the neon lights along the Vegas strip and across downtown, it's believed that it would all add up to 15,000 miles of bright glass tubes. Want to know what happens to those lights after they've lost their twinkle or the business has closed? If they're lucky, or important (or both), the signs end up in the “Neon Boneyard,” where old neon goes to die.

Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum is dedicated to "collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment." Visitors can view over 200 historic Vegas signs that will give you a taste of “Old Vegas,” and elect to join scheduled docent-led tours to learn more about each sign. Tours book up fast, so it's best to call ahead of your trip, and we recommend going at nighttime so you can see the signs lit up!

Curious about real-life organized crime? This museum will tell you all you need to know about this elusive part of American history. The Mob Museum, known officially as The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, will educate you about the Mob’s involvement in the establishment of Las Vegas, its presence in Hollywood, and everything else you’ve ever wondered about. View artifacts like the bloody bricks from Capone's St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, take home souvenir pictures of yourself in a suspect line, and try your hand at mobbing in a virtual shootout simulation.

The name "Las Vegas" translates to "the meadows," and refers to the area around the ancient springs--the water source for the Native Americans that lived here centuries ago--that bubbled up through the desert floor for thousands of years in what is now the Las Vegas Valley.

Today, the location of the springs is protected by the Las Vegas Valley Water District, a non-profit that has developed the land into the Springs Preserve, where you'll find nature walk trails, botanical gardens, a butterfly habitat, and other things to do for visitors of all ages. Anyone a Westworld fan? One of the attractions at the Preserve is Boomtown, a historical turn-of-the-century streetscape that journeys through early Las Vegas, and includes an entertaining train ride. Also on-site is the Nevada State Museum, dedicated to preserving the state's history and artifacts. View everything from paleontological fossils to a exhibition of fanciful cabaret costumes.

Nevada locals know that their state offers plenty of hot springs scattered across the Valley, and while some are not suitable for soaking, there are several near Las Vegas that are worth the drive. The Arizona Hot Springs (in Boulder City, NV) is the closest, but you might be better off going to Gold Strike, which is 45 min away from Vegas but less populated. Getting there requires hiking for a couple miles, so you'll be ready for a good long soak in the warm therapeautic waters. Pack lots of water and your best hiking shoes.

**Keep in mind that most springs are closed from May to September due to heat.**

Maybe it's the all-night party vibe, or perhaps it's that there aren't any windows at the casinos so you never know what time it is....but for some unknown reason everyone seems obsessed with zombies in Vegas.

If you’re also into the living dead, head over to Adventure Combat Ops where you'll train for that inevitable zombie apocalypse. Once you've defeated the undead horde, head over to Club Z for some zombie burlesque at Planet Hollywood. Yes, you heard that correctly...there is an actual burlesque show featuring dancing zombies, that is both ludicrous and fun!