“Stuff” That’s Overrated in Las Vegas – Steer Clear!

Las Vegas as a travel destination is’nt overrated. There’s a reason over 41 million people visited in 2024 alone, many making multiple visits.

Vegas is heaven on earth, a place where societal norms back home don’t apply.

That said, there are services, activities, and things to do that are completely overrated, and I wanted to share everything I have a “grudge” with.

Ensure you leave your thoughts or opinions on “overrated things to do in Las Vegas” in the comments!

The Deuce Bus: Running up and down the Strip to Fremont Street, the Deuce may be cheap ($8 for 24 hours), but its value is overblown.

At peak times, the bus is jam-packed, hotter than Hades, and slow.

If you’re riding from Mandalay Bay to Fremont Street, you’ll endure roughly 20 stops. 20! Don’t waste your vacation crammed into a bus; take an Uber.

Swingers Crazy Golf at Mandalay Bay: Man, I was SO excited about this when it was first announced, but you can confidently skip Swingers.

Swingers is a mini golf concept that’s a good time. My gripe is that it costs $35 per person for a 9 hole round of mini golf that took us 17 minutes to complete, they hit you up for a tip online when booking, and the music is egregiously loud.

This is a “lure ’em in with mini-golf and sell ’em overpriced drinks” attraction.

I was ready to get tf out of there.

Hit Popstroke instead. $35 for unlimited mini-golf south of the Strip at Town Square.

Atomic Golf at STRAT: This is going to sound mean… But Atomic essentially duplicated Topgolf’s exact business model, only everything’s uglier, and the range is pointed in a direction that pits your eyes against the sun all afternoon.

To be fair, the range is hideous during the day, so that it can come to life at night with cosmic lighting effects.

Atomic Golf is fun. Just go after the sun sets, especially in the hot summer months.

Pinball Hall of Fame: The Pinball Hall of Fame is located just south of Mandalay Bay on Strip, and the concept is fantastic.

They have pinball & arcade games that span the decades, from the 1950s to today, and you just need quarters to play.

Admission is free, and they have ATMs & change machines ready to greet you.

My beef isn’t the concept. It’s the atmosphere created by employees. First, guests are welcomed to this “fun” attraction with this sign, which is posted everywhere:

Now, I get it. They have a lot of old machines, and they’re sick of your kid’s sh*t.

It’s the tonality of this sign, and the grouchy employees inside, that are a buzz kill.

“Please respect our machines, and watch your kids” can be communicated more positively. If you’re coming with adults, it’ll be fine. But I recommend steering clear if you have kids in tow.

Penny Slot Machines: While penny slots dominate casino floors, they’re tighter than their larger denomination peers.

In 2024, penny slots held 9.36% as profit of every bet made in Nevada, compared to a more reasonable 8.01% hold if you were to denominate up to a quarter machine.

If you’re making a big bet on the penny machines, try your luck on a larger denomination without increasing your wager.

Gambling on the Strip: Casinos on the Strip are more overrated by the day as players face increasingly long odds.

Strip slots are tighter and table games stingier (looking at you 6:5 BJ & 000 roulette) than establishments off the beaten path.

With player odds plummeting, there is an increasing incentive to try your luck away from the main tourist centers.

Try casinos away from the action, like Sam’s Town, Green Valley Ranch, and Boulder Station, for a better shake.

Visiting the Pawn Stars Pawn Shop: While many of the items you have seen bartered for on the show are on display, the location itself is disappointingly small, and the stars aren’t going to be there.

This is one of those things that’s overrated for “casuals”, but nerds like myself still love it.

Check out my recent visit to the Pawn Stars Pawn Shop.

Taco Bell Cantina at Planet Hollywood: Look, I love Taco Bell, and the food here is no different.

Nothing hits the spot like 8 Doritos Locos tacos after a day of drinking and debauchery. This particular Taco Bell even serves boozy drinks! Chili Cheese Burritos are also LEGIT.

What makes this location unbearable is the 5,683 decibels of pulsating beats that are blaring incessantly through the speakers. It took me an eternity to order as the cashier couldn’t hear me over the maddening ruckus.

It’s Taco Bell, not Omnia. Turn the music down.

Carnaval Court: A bar nestled between Harrah’s and LINQ, which is celebrated by members of the Everything Las Vegas Facebook group for their signature Fickle Dip cocktail and flair bartender “Flippy” (who isn’t overrated).

This is one of those spots I “like the idea of”… until I get there. Drinks aren’t cheap, and it’s so loud you can’t hold a conversation without yelling.

I’m out.

Check out these locations serving cheap drinks on the Strip instead.

Airport Shuttles: Airport shuttles, as in the kind you pay for, don’t pencil out as a good deal.

For instance, a 2-person party will spend about $60 ($30 each) for a round-trip to your hotel and back at the end of your trip. That shuttle is going to have other people on it, going to other resorts. It’s inefficient.

An Uber will cost anywhere from $15-$30 one way, to or from your hotel to the airport. Rideshare is much quicker and about the same price as the shuttle, yet an absurd amount of people still pile onto these shuttles daily.

I used to take these every trip. Never again.

Taxis: The definition of overrated, taxis in Las Vegas are more expensive and oftentimes more dishonest than ride-share options Uber and Lyft. Download the app, ditch the cab, and save money in Vegas.

Hopefully, I was able to help you steer clear of overrated attractions, services, and meals.

What activities in Vegas are overrated in your opinion? Leave them in the comments and help your fellow travelers avoid the same mistakes!

Related: Underrated Vegas – Check out these under-the-radar finds!

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