An iconic Las Vegas name, Sahara first opened in 1952 and hosted notable performers throughout the years, including Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, Buddy Hackett, Johnny Carson, and Tina Turner, among others.
Over the years, the property’s luster wore off, and Sam Nazarian bought it in 2013, transforming it into SLS, which was a short-lived, unsuccessful experiment.
In 2018, the Meruelo Group purchased SLS and brought the Sahara name back.
Although the property struggles with a suboptimal location, it’s a worthwhile destination for myriad reasons.
Things To Do at Sahara Las Vegas
Magic Mike Live: Ranking among the best male revues in Las Vegas, Magic Mike Live is a spinoff of the Channing Tatum movie franchise that shares the same name.
The production is a “360-degree experience”, meaning attendees can expect action to occur in front, behind, and around them.
Sounds terrifying. I’m going to skip it. But you do you.
Hit the Pool: The Pool at Sahara (yes, that’s what they actually call it) is like a mini-Stadium Swim. While there isn’t a ton of water, they have a giant video board playing sports, and the pool is open to the public.
Catch the Game: Chickie’s & Pete’s is a unique sports bar at Sahara that serves Crabfries, which are coated in a blend of signature spices and served with cheese sauce.
With over 50 TVs, there’s sure to be one tuned to the game you just placed a bet on. Additionally, they have over 20 beers on tap.
Gamble: It goes without saying, after all, Sahara is a casino. The reason I mention it, though, is that table game limits are typically a rung or two lower at Sahara than at other Strip resorts, given its less-than-ideal location.
Catch an Easy, Cheap Ride: Conveniently, the Las Vegas Monorail connects Sahara to resorts in the middle of the Strip. Budget-conscious travelers should consider staying at Sahara to save a few bucks as getting to the heart of the action is quick and inexpensive.
Things To Do Near Sahara
STRAT’s SkyPod: A short walk to the north, STRAT is worth a visit, offering a few notable activities, cheif among them being the SkyPod Observation Deck.
Admission starts in the mid-$20s, and the views are worth it.
There are also 2 rides up there, which either dangle riders off the tower’s edge or shoot them straight up. Better yet, a ride can be added to your observation deck ticket for just $5.
It’s a great value, and one of my favorite kid-friendly things to do in Vegas.
Visit Resorts World: Resorts World is one of the newest resorts in Las Vegas and a short walk to the south.
Inside Resorts World are numerous dining options, including their Famous Foods Street Eats, an upmarket food hall with 15+ vendors offering cuisine that ranges from Asian to Fried Chicken.
Within the food hall is the popular Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den Speakeasy, which is hidden behind a functioning restaurant.
Visit an Amusement Park: At Circus Circus, you’ll find the indoor Adventuredome amusement park which has 25 rides that range from chill to adrenaline-pumping.
I recently stopped in – Take a Look inside The Adventuredome!
In addition to rides, Circus Circus has an arcade & midway that allows you to play carnival games for prizes, and an arcade with over 200 selections.
Play Coin Slots: Also at Circus Circus is a bank of about 20 slot machines that take and dispense real tokens. If you long for that familiar metallic “ting, ting, ting” from Vegas of yesteryear, stop by Circus Circus!
Gawk at Fontainebleau: After sitting idle for over 15 years, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is both open for business and stunning.
Everything from the chandelier above the Bleau Bar to the sculptures “Oceans” and “Lovers #3” left me awestruck.
Go Souvenir Shopping: Just steps away from Sahara is the Bonanza Gift Shop, which bills itself as the “World’s Largest” souvenir shop.
Inside, you’ll find an absurdly wide-ranging selection of giftable items that include keychains, shot glasses, shirts, moccasins, raccoon hats, treats, toys, and more.
If you intend to pick something up for the folks back home, Bonanza can’t be missed.
Hopefully, I was able to help you find things to do at Sahara and at resorts nearby.
Although Sahara is in a somewhat undesirable location, the resort is conveniently connected to mid-Strip resorts via the Monorail.
See Also: Things To Do at Every Las Vegas Strip Resort.
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.