Things To Do at and Near Park MGM Las Vegas

Park MGM is in a prime location at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, near popular resorts such as New York-New York, MGM Grand, Excalibur, and Aria.

Formerly Monte Carlo, Park MGM recently underwent a $450 million transformation that touched every guestroom, common areas, and the gaming floor.

Exterior of Park MGM.

Park's recently renovated guestrooms offer modern-feeling decor and distinctive accents, despite the absence of any real "bells & whistles".

I recently stayed in a Standard King Room and think it's one of the better budget-friendly rooms on the Strip.

King bed with white linins and 4 pillows with a red accent wall behind it.
Skylark Suite - Courtesy of MGM Resorts

Perhaps the most recognizable element of Park MGM's new look is the tree in the hotel lobby.

The hotel lobby, with branches growing out of the ceiling.

Things To Do at Park MGM Las Vegas

Re-Fuel at Eataly: The main culinary draw at Park MGM is Eataly, a 40,000-square-foot dining destination with an abundance of Italian-inspired food & drink options.

A bustling Eataly, with people milling about.
Eataly

For those unfamiliar with the concept, Eataly feels like a marketplace, with many restaurants serving everything from Italian street food to pizza, pasta, coffee, and gelato.

It's a fun spot to explore, grab a bite, or a drink.

Cafe Milano bar counter at Eataly
Food options like pizza on display at Eataly
Wine bar at Eataly

Enjoy a Headliner at the Dolby Live Theater: Park MGM hosts some of the biggest residencies in Las Vegas in its Dolby Live Theater.

Entrance to Dolby Live at Park MGM.

Names like Usher, the Jonas Brothers, Aerosmith, Silk Sonic, Lady Gaga, and The Who have all made recent appearances.

See the upcoming event calendar at Park MGM, here.

A look at seating in the empty Dolby Live theater
Dolby Live Theater - Credit: Al Powers/MGM Resorts

Gamble Smoke-Free: Park MGM made waves when it became the first smoke-free casino on the Strip in 2020. This is the place to be if you have an aversion to cigarette smoke.

A slot machine in front of a chandelier over Park MGM's casino floor.

Catch a Game at the BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar: While other resorts boast massive sportsbooks with huge screens and big crowds, Park MGM's BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar offers a cozier betting/viewing environment.

They offer a daily happy hour from 7pm-close that includes:

  • $5 bar bites
  • $7.77 draft beer
  • $16 burger & fries
The exterior of Park MGM's BetMGM Sportsbook and Bar.

Swim Year-Round: Although Park MGM's pool scene isn't among the most awe-inspiring on the Strip, they typically keep part of their pool complex open during the winter.

While many shudder at a January dip, visitors from Canada and the upper Midwest will jump at the chance.

Pool at Park MGM Las Vegas
©Patric Michael Chin - Courtesy of MGM Resorts

Haus of Gaga: A free attraction, Haus of Gaga is an "ever-changing experience featuring Lady Gaga’s most iconic fashion pieces from her personal vault spanning more than 10 years of cultural, musical and fashion reinvention".

A suspended manequin at Haus of Gaga, wearing one of Lady Gaga's outfits.

Things To Do near Park MGM

See a Hockey Game: One of my all-time favorite Las Vegas experiences was placing an oversize bet on a playoff hockey game at Park MGM and then catching it live, just steps away, at T-Mobile Arena.

The arena also hosts other types of entertainment, including big-name shows and concerts. T-Mobile Arena's events calendar can be viewed here.

Exterior of T Mobile Arena at Dusk.
Credit: Al Powers / MGM Resorts

Grab a Drink at BrewDog: The newest rooftop bar in Las Vegas is across the Street, perched atop the Showcase Mall.

The Showcase Mall illuminated at night. Target and Ross are on the street level, while BrewDog's sign is illuminated atop the building.
Going up!

I recently stopped into BrewDog, and while it wasn't the cheapest beer I've had, the view was worth it.

Center STrip Resorts from Brewdog's outdoor patio illuminated at night.
The view from Brewdog

Live Music Next Door at NYNY: If you're searching for live music, then New York New York next door has you covered.

The first option is at Nine Fine Irishmen, an Irish pub that fires up a band on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

Exterior of Nine Fine Irishmen.

The second is a raucous dueling piano show at The Bar at Times Square nightly.

A late night spent with my wife at The Bar at Times Square remains one of my all-time favorite Las Vegas memories.

Exterior of Bar at Times Square, which is modeled to look like Times Square in NYC.
Bar at Times Square

Hit Some Balls: Tucked behind MGM Grand across the street is Topgolf, a driving range on steroids. Offering competitive games that reward accuracy, Topgolf is a great spot for groups and is much more of a "social experience" than a serious golf endeavor.

In addition to golf, Topgolf has a free, 21+, 2-level pool, numerous bars, tons of TVs, and a full menu.

The range at Topgolf with giant TV screens at the end of the range.
A two level pool photographed from above. The bottom pool has the Topgolf logo on the floor.
Topgolf's pool is free to use whether you're golfing or not.

Upgrade Your Pool: While Park MGM's pool is adequate, it lacks the grandeur of the complexes nearby at Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand.

Both sell day passes for $30, available on the website. "Pool people" will find the expenditure worthwhile.

Manadalay Bay's lazy river in the foreground with the gold hotel tower behind it.
The wave pool, with loungers in the foreground.
Mandalay's Wave Pool
A large pool, with MGM Grand's hotel tower looming in the background.
MGM Grand's Pool
The Lazy River snaking through trees at MGM Grand .
MGM Grand's Lazy River

Enter the set of FRIENDS: The FRIENDS Experience at MGM Grand is chock full of set recreations, props, costumes, and fun facts about the hit show.

It's a shorter attraction, but the photo ops and nostalgia factor make it a must-visit for fans.

A set recreation of Monica and Rachel's apartment, with the kitchen and entry door to the left and living area to the right.
Monica & Rachel's apartment.

Visit Luxor and Excalibur: Themed resorts in Las Vegas are on the way out, but Luxor and Excalibur still have a distinct Egyptian and medieval vibe, respectively.

The exterior of Luxor Las Vegas. A sphinx is in the foreground while the black pyramid shaped tower peeks out from behind.

While Excalibur is easily walkable, I'd recommend catching the free tram from Excalibur to Luxor. The elevated tram also connects to Mandalay Bay.

A free tram departing Excalibur on its way to Mandalay Bay.

Hit a Museum Attraction: At Luxor, check out Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition (featuring artifacts recovered from the wreck site) and Bodies... The Exhibition (which showcases real human specimens) at Luxor.

Both are spectacular.

A body specimen that shows internal organs and muscles from the legs up to the head.
Bodies

Discover Tut's Tomb: Another museum attraction at Luxor, Discovering King Tut's Tomb is full of cool visuals and information... but the fact that every artifact is a replica left me underwhelmed.

A golden death mask behind glass

Visit Bellagio and Crystals: A free tram connects Park MGM to Aria, Bellagio, and the Shops at Crystals.

At Bellagio, be sure to check out free attractions like the Fountains of Bellagio and the seasonal conservatory, which is always a stunner.

Mushroom style homes with roofs made of red flowers.
Bellagio's Seasonal Conservatory Display

While Crystals is known for upscale shopping, I recommend "Royal watchers" to check out Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition, a museum attraction featuring artifacts from Diana's life.

A room with a ton of doll-sized replica dresses on display.
Diana: A Tribute Exhibition

Visit the Sistine Chapel: Next door to Diana, is MIchaelangeo's Sistine Chapel, which brings the frescoes of the iconic ceiling down to eye level.

I'm sure it'll appeal to some, but I thought it was boring.

Illuminated painings hang on the ceiling above couches. Paintings are also on the wall in the background.

Hopefully, I was able to help you identify some things to do at Park MGM that fit your itinerary and budget.

Ultimately, Park MGM is a great resort for those who want to gamble smoke-free, enjoy a variety of Italian fare, and see big-name acts at both Dolby Live and T-Mobile Arena.

Need more itinerary inspiration? Check out my rundown of things to do on the Strip, which is broken down by resort.

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