Mandalay Bay anchors the south end of the Las Vegas Strip with its 3,209 rooms and 135,000 square feet of gaming space.
The resort’s gold exterior is instantly recognizable to anyone with a remote knowledge of Las Vegas. Even if you aren’t into gambling, there are plenty of activities to occupy your time at and near the iconic hotel and casino.
Below, I’ll go over some of the top things to do at Mandalay Bay and nearby.
See Also: Things to do with kids in Vegas – There’s a lot!
Things To Do at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
Enjoy the Stunning Pool Complex: Mandalay’s 11-acre pool complex easily qualifies as one of the resort’s most awe-inspiring amenities in addition to being one of the best pools in Vegas.
Comprised of a lazy river, wave pool, sandy beaches, a lagoon, and 3 poolside bars, Mandalay Bay’s Beach has something to do for everyone.
See a Headliner: Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena hosts a wide assortment of big-name talent and headliners.
Artists who have recently performed at the venue include Subline, Macklemore, Kid Rock, and The New Kids On The Block among others. Check the Michelob ULTRA Arena events calendar to gauge if anyone of interest will be performing during your stay!
Related: Current Las Vegas Residencies – See who’ll be performing during your trip!
Gospel Brunch: As the name would indicate, Gospel Brunch at Mandalay’s House of Blues pairs gospel music with an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet comprised of southern favorites every Sunday morning. Tickets to Gospel Brunch can be purchased here and start at around $55 plus fees.
Cool Off in a Bar Made of Ice: A perfect contrast to the desert heat, guests can find refuge at the Minus5 Ice Bar at Mandalay Bay. Guests will be outfitted with winter gear before entering the bar constructed entirely of ice. Even your drinks will be served in glasses made of ice. Minus5 Ice Bar also has locations on the Linq Promenade and at Venetian.
Grab a Drink with a Great View of the Strip: After you cool off at Minus5, head up to Mandalay Bay’s Foundation Room which can be found on the 63rd floor.
You may try to find a bar with a better view of the Strip, but you’ll likely fail.
Shark Reef Aquarium: Walk through a glass tunnel below a sea habitat stocked with over 2,000 creatures ranging from stingrays to sharks at Mandalay’s Shark Reef Aquarium. Additional experiences such as shark, turtle, and stingray feeding are also available for purchase.
Related: Check out my recent visit to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay!
Check out Michael Jackson ONE: Cirque du Soleil combines Michael Jackson’s hits with their signature acrobatic performance elements to create an impressive show.
Tickets to Michael Jackson ONE start at $69 plus fees.
Hit the Shoppes at Mandalay Place: If you prefer shopping to gambling, the resort’s Shoppes at Mandalay Place offers a variety of shops and dining establishments. Peruse candy, shaving products, jewelry, and more. The shopping complex even boasts a Guinness memorabilia store among its tenants.
Enjoy a Speakeasy Experience: When it comes to speakeasies on the Strip, 1923 Prohibition Bar ranks among the easiest to find, with an obvious entrance located in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place.
I recently stopped by – See my recent experience at Mandalay Bay’s speakeasy!
Once inside, however, you’re transported to the prohibition era. The lounge has a historic feel and has artwork reminiscent of the roaring ’20s. It’s a unique spot to enjoy an old fashioned.
Belly up at an Irish Pub: Among the few Irish Pubs in Vegas, Ri Ra can be found in the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay. A unique dining option, Ri Ra serves a collection of Irish cuisine including bangers & mash, corned beef & cabbage, shepherd’s pie, fish & chips, and more.
Of course, they also serve beer authentic to Ireland – See Ri Ra’s full menu.
*Coming in 2024* – Swingers Mini Golf: Sure to be a destination attraction, Swingers Mini Golf will occupy 40,000 square feet of space and offer 5 (yep, you heard that right. FIVE) distinct mini golf courses, each with their own unique flair.
Golfers who need refreshments during their round will be relieved to hear that “Caddies” will be milling about to take drink orders.
This’ll easily be the best mini golf course in Las Vegas.
Things To Do Near Mandalay Bay
The Pinball Hall of Fame is a shrine to the game and features countless machines from the 1950’s to today. In addition to pinball, there are also classic arcade games and vending machines that kick out $1 canned soda.
Admission is free, but the games all cost 25 cents or more. Located just to the south and across the street, the Pinball Hall of Fame’s new location is a mere 5 minutes away by foot.
Designed by Betty Willis and constructed in 1959, the “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas” sign has greeted visitors to the Las Vegas Strip for decades and is a short 15-minute walk south from Mandalay Bay.
As one of the most popular photo ops in Vegas, visiting the historic sign is easily one of my favorite things to do near Mandalay Bay.
Although somewhat isolated on the South end of the Strip, Mandalay is connected via free tram to both Luxor and Excalibur to the north. Both of those properties are worth checking out if only to see the unique theming elements that both possess.
At Luxor, I’d encourage those that enjoy museum-type attractions to check out the Titanic Artifact Exhibition and Bodies which gives you a glimpse into the inner workings of the human body.
Related: See my recent reviews of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and Bodies… The Exhibition at Luxor.
Once you make it to Excalibur, you are steps away from Tropicana, New York New York, and MGM Grand. Potential itinerary items to consider include the rollercoaster at NYNY, and Topgolf behind MGM Grand which offers a 2-level pool, and bartop gaming in addition to the traditional golf games.
At New York New York, the dueling piano show at the Bar at Times Square is an absolute blast, playing nightly.
Golfers, check out Bali Hai Golf Club located just south of Mandalay Bay on the Strip. Pricing ranges from $129 – $250 depending on the date and time you want to play. Additionally, you can check here for a complete rundown of golf courses near the Strip.
Whether looking to hit the slots, find a cocktail or explore non-gaming attractions, you’ll likely find something to do at Mandalay Bay.
Given the fact Mandalay resides in a neighborhood with other mega-resorts like Excalibur, New York New York, MGM Grand, Luxor, and Tropicana, the surrounding area has much to offer as well.
For more inspiration, check out our resort by resort rundown of things to do at each property on the Strip.
See Also: Buy the exact scents used in Las Vegas casinos – Candles, diffusing oils, and more.
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.