Things to do in Las Vegas pop-up and fizzle out with mind-numbing frequency.
Although it can be difficult to keep up with the pace of change, the constant churning of attractions means that there’s always something new to do, even for the most seasoned Vegas veterans.
Because many of you are repeat visitors, I thought it would be helpful to summarize what’s new in Las Vegas, both on the Strip and on Fremont Street.
New Strip Attractions
Swingers “Crazy Golf” at Mandalay Bay
The newest indoor adult-only mini golf course in Las Vegas has opened for business at Mandalay Bay, and I had been stoked to check it out since I saw the first rendering.
The 40,000-square-foot venue is home to 4 mini-golf courses, bars, and even a carnival.
My brother Ike and I recently stopped in, and I have to say that I was disappointed by the experience, which I thought was significantly overpriced.
A 9-hole round of mini-golf costs $30-$35, which took us 17 minutes to complete. We added Carnival credits to our ticket, which was fun, but also a much smaller space than I anticipated.
In total, the 2 of us spent $200+ on 2 9-hole rounds of mini golf, an appetizer sized pizza, 2 drinks, and some carnival credits.
Infuriatingly, they even requested a tip on the mini-golf and carnival credits during the online reservation process. Thinking there was a reason they were requesting it, I added 20%, however, there was no unique service aspect to the mini-golf or carnival experience and we were still expected to tip on food & drink purchased at the venue (which we obv. did).
I don’t see much value here, but opinions vary – Check out my Swingers Review on YouTube!
Dreambox360 at LINQ
Located next to the Minus5 Icebar along LINQ’s, Dreambox360 immerses guests in one of several adventures via a 360-degree screen and 5D elements like wind, mist, rain, and more.
Experiences include “The Arctic Ghost Ship: A Quest in Search of the Lost Rum” and “The Weekend Trip – A Psychedelic Experience” among others.
I recently stopped in to see Arctic Ghost Ship and think it’s a fun family-friendly activity, but adults are unlikely to be all that amazed by it.
Play Playground at Luxor
An adult-only experience, Play Playground offers “20 larger-than-life immersive games and attractions” that provide the opportunity to leave the real world behind and revisit the joys of childhood.
The games require no skill and are social in nature.
One example of this is the “Ringer Run” which tasks participants with walking down a rainbow hallway with a metal ring, guiding it along a meandering metal track without allowing it to touch.
Another is “Perfect Popper”, which mimics the popular board game “Perfection”.
As a bonus, there are cocktails that the press release described as “theatrical”. I don’t know what that means, but it sounds festive.
Learn more about Play Playground, here.
Atomic Golf at STRAT
A similar experience to Topgolf, Atomic Golf has opened at STRAT, offering several bars, 4 levels of hitting bays, and one heck of a light show at night.
I recently stopped by in the afternoon, and suggest you wait until after sundown to get the most out of your experience as the facility faces west and golfers are pounded by the sun until it sets.
Additionally, as you’ll see below, the range has a depressing/underwhelming look during the day.
Check out my video review of Atomic Golf on YouTube!
Ole Red at Horseshoe
Ole Red is a country music venue, co-owned by Blake Shelton, which boasts a large indoor main stage and a rooftop venue with a view of the Strip.
In addition to live music, Ole Red will host watch parties for events like the Super Bowl on its 40-foot video board.
Uniquely, the venue’s decor includes a tractor hanging from the ceiling and a mural made of dice.
I recently stopped in to find the house packed, a live band playing, and the views from the top level to be spectacular.
Discovering King Tut’s Tomb at Luxor
A museum attraction at Luxor, Discovering King Tut’s Tomb allows guests to follow in Egyptologist Howard Carter’s steps and relive the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
The attraction tells the story of Egyptian culture and Howard Carter’s Exhibition through a multimedia experience that includes video, audio, and replica artifacts.
I recently visited Discovering King Tut’s Tomb and was impressed with the educational aspects of the attraction, but underwhelmed by the fact there were no real artifacts on display.
That being said, fans of ancient Egypt are likely to enjoy the presentation and can price tickets out with:
Arte Museum
Located between Cosmopolitan and Crystals on the Strip, Arte Museum aims to mesh nature with digital art to create a handful of compelling visuals that include a beach, waves crashing against glass, and stars (pictured below) among others.
I recently stopped by and was a bit underwhelmed by Arte Museum for the price paid ($45).
Immersive Disney at Crystals
A similar attraction into Immersive Van Gogh at Crystals, guests are surrounded by 4 massive video walls that drop you into Disney classics like Peter Pan, Frozen, Encanto, and more.
Put this new attraction atop your list if you’re on the hunt for things to do with kids in Vegas.
Tickets can be priced out with:
I recently stopped by – Check out my Immersive Disney Review!
Coming Soon to The Strip
FRIENDS The Experience at MGM Grand
MGM Grand’s newest themed attraction, opening late 2024, will give fans of the hit FRIENDS franchise a chance to “explore the show’s iconic moments, behind-the-scenes content, and photo opportunities within life-sized recreations”.
Sets featured include Ross & Rachel’s wedding, Monica’s apartment, and the fountain from the opening credits.
There will also be a FRIENDS retail store open to all.
Bottled Blonde at Horseshoe
Scheduled to open in 2024, Bottled Blonde will be located right along the Strip at Horseshoe next door to Ole Red.
The 4-story, $50 million entertainment venue will boast an open-air rooftop bar, full menu, and unique drink options that include a 128 oz. beer tower, mimosa pyramids built around bottles of champagne, and an expansive beer garden.
New Fremont Street Attractions
While the pace of change tends to be slower on Fremont Street than on The Strip, there are a few fresh things to do of note – Most of which are at Plaza, which has done a spectacular job of reinventing itself to stay modern, while maintaining a “gambling hall vibe”.
The Sand Dollar Lounge at Plaza
The new Sand Dollar Lounge is located off Plaza’s casino floor and is a popular destination for those looking to enjoy live music.
Aiming to “Resurrect the energy of rock’s golden era”, The Sand Dollar should be a fun hangout. You can learn more about the vision on this episode of Plaza’s “On The Corner of Main” podcast.
More Additions at Plaza
Plaza recently opened the first smoke-free casino on Fremont Street. The new smokeless casino is the first of its kind downtown and carries the Brian Christopher Slots name. If unfamiliar, Brian is a popular YouTuber and champions the cause of casinos going smoke-free.
The new slot room is 2,500 square feet in size and contains 80 slot games. Notably, the space is physically separated from the portion of the casino where smoking is allowed, preventing drift.
There are even some fun photo opportunities inside!
Secondly, the popular downtown steakhouse Oscar’s has added patio seating that can accommodate up to 225 people.
I stopped in to eat in the new outdoor space on their second day of operation and was impressed with both the view and the prime rib.
Pinkbox Doughnuts has also opened in front of the property and has added some unique flair to Plaza’s exterior. The location features 70 doughnut varieties within a 16-foot-long display case.
The best addition in my opinion is the new Carousel Bar, which is an outdoor cocktail lounge found under the twinkling lights of Oscar’s dome.
The Movie Prop Experience
Located in Neonopolis, The Movie Prop Experience is a museum dedicated to showcasing props used in hit TV shows and movies that span the genre spectrum. Items currently on display include Wolverine’s claws, Han Solo encased in carbonite, Iron Man’s hand, and so much more.
I recently stopped in – See my Review of The Movie Prop Experience!
New Off-Strip Attractions
PopStroke Mini Golf at Town Square
PopStroke, in partnership with Tiger Woods, has brought its unique brand of mini golf to Town Square just off the Strip.
Unlike “traditional” mini golf, PopStroke’s two separate 18-hole courses resemble and play like an actual golf course with sand traps, artificial grass fairways, and even rough.
I found it to be a compelling value.
“Coming Soon” Off-Strip Attractions
A “Horror Experience” from Universal Parks & Resorts
Universal Parks & Resorts plans to create a permanent year-round horror attraction that will be an extension of the Area15 complex.
While details about the new attraction are sparse, the press release noted that it’ll be 110,000 square feet, using words like “creative”, “innovative”, and “immersive” – The holy trinity of press release verbiage.
The new horror attraction will “Bring to life Universal’s vast library of classic horror films and today’s most terrifying tales”. Count me in.
While we still know next to nothing about the Horror Experience, we do know that the venue will blend an ever-evolving lineup of spooky experiences with food & drink offerings and seasonal events.
I personally love Area15, especially Omega Mart, and am hopeful that this is equally impressive.
John Wick Experience at Area15
Another new attraction to watch for at Area15 is the John Wick Experience, which opens in late 2024.
According to the press release, “The new experience blends immersive theatre and highly themed cinematic environments to create an interactive journey that transcends reality. Guests step through the doors of the Las Vegas Continental and into the fantastical underworld of John Wick, where they navigate a high stakes adventure”.
F1 Paddock and Year-Round Experience
Formula One’s new paddock facility on Koval and Harmon will eventually be home to a year-round “fan experience”.
Although details about what activities will comprise the fan experience are sparse, I’m confident the attraction will be built to impress.
Finding new things to do in Las Vegas is rarely difficult as the constant drumbeat of change marches on. Hopefully, I was able to point you in the direction of new activities in Vegas that you deem worthy of adding to your itinerary.
See Also: Need more itinerary inspiration? Check out these free things to do in Las Vegas!
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
Sherry
Tuesday 29th of March 2022
This is great! I'm a regular visitor to Vegas and always good to find new things to see and do.
Donna
Monday 3rd of January 2022
Thanks! Great information.