# Five days in Las Vegas, and I don't gamble-what to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 4, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953 "2019-02-04T16:57:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/41 "2019-02-05T19:15:05Z")
The end of March is going to be busy. Vegas will be crawling with conventions and basketball fans. Be prepared for that. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/42 "2019-02-05T20:51:56Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > There’s a place in the Cosmopolitan called Secret Pizza that does absolutely delicious New York slices and is open late. The Peppermill, across the street from where the Riviera used to be, is 24 hours and has massive breakfast platters. The seafood buffet at the Rio is quite nice, but I haven’t found a buffet in Vegas that isn’t. > > There are also a number of southern CA chains that have locations around town - In-N-Out, Tommy’s, Roberto’s, Tacos El Gordo, and Hash House A Go Go come to mind. Keep in mind that what I like to call “Secret No Name Mystery Meat Pizza” is called “secret” for a good reason; there is no reference to it anywhere in the hotel (it’s not marked on any maps, and there is no sign telling you where it is), or on its website. To get there, take the escalator up two floors above the casino; if you look just to the left of Jaleo, there is what appears to be a corridor with old-style LP covers on the wall (note that it’s blocked off before it opens at 11 AM) - enter there; Secret Pizza is at the other end. Personally, my choice for pizza is Pizza Rock, located across the street from the Downtown Grand hotel downtown (one block south of the Mob Museum). There’s also what many people claim to be the best Thai food they’ve ever had; Lotus of Siam. However, it’s a bit out of the way. > [@silenus](#): > > The end of March is going to be busy. Vegas will be crawling with conventions and basketball fans. Be prepared for that. March 28-31 are the regionals (Sweet 16 & Elite 8 rounds), although they’re not in Vegas (the men’s west regional is in Anaheim; the women’s is in Portland), so I don’t think it will be more crowded than usual. Of course, Vegas on any weekend is crowded enough as it is. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2019, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/43 "2019-02-05T21:57:53Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Personally, I always found people watching a great Las Vegas sport. Any of the big casinos will be a giant human zoo. My thoughs exactly. I do gamble a little but people watching is the real draw to Vegas for me. Walk the strip or downtown while enjoying the relaxed open container laws. > [@Smapti](#): > > The Peppermill, across the street from where the Riviera used to be, is 24 hours and has massive breakfast platters. I highly recommend a meal at Peppermill and a quick drink at the adjoining Fireside Lounge. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2019, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/44 "2019-02-05T22:04:54Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Personally, I always found people watching a great Las Vegas sport. Any of the big casinos will be a giant human zoo. Or go to the DMV on Sahara. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/45 "2019-02-05T22:09:08Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I will be in Las Vegas from March 27-31 on a family trip, and I’m looking for places to do and things to see, emphasis on the weird and/or cheap. Strange museums, stores and tours, interesting places to eat, fun stuff to see etc. > Whatcha got? It’s been over a decade since I was there, but you could check to see if the 4 Kegs is still a thing, if you like pizza and wings. Obviously there are tons of places to eat on the Strip, this one would be a bit outside of that, but if it’s still there it used to be a really good place to go. It wasn’t terribly expensive, but you’d either need to get an Uber or something like that or have access to a car. As for (cheap) things to do, there used to be a neon boneyard that had all of the cool old signage from the past. Again, don’t know if it’s still there or still a thing, but I always thought it was cool. There was actually an homage to it in Fallout New Vegas, IIRC. I think someone up thread mentioned the Red Rock national park…that was cool when I was younger. Used to go hiking up there…no idea what it’s like these days. Other than that, check to see what shows are in town when you are going to be there. Some of them will cost quite a bit, but sometimes they are pretty cool to go to and not that expensive. There are tons of buffets in and around the Strip…the food was one of the best things when I was there. And there is a huge variety. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/46 "2019-02-06T01:09:14Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Or go to the DMV on Sahara. \ Hey! ---
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/47 "2019-02-06T01:49:45Z")
Take a drive to a legal brothel. Get a drink and talk to the ladies. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/48 "2019-02-06T08:12:05Z")
Agree with people-watching on Fremont Street. There are some excellent buskers there also. Grab a beer from one of the many outdoor bars and watch the show. Aside from that, and the many Cirque de Soleil shows, there is always standup comedy. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at the MGM Grand is worth checking out, as are the Aces of Comedy every Friday night at the Mirage. I’ve seen such comedians as Tim Allen and Ray Romano and David Spade there. It’s not a museum, but it might as well be: Bauman’s Rare Books, at the Venetian. Their former manager (Rebecca Romney), was the Pawn Stars’ book expert; and while she is no longer there, Bauman’s staff today are just as knowledgeable. As a rare book collector who has done business with Bauman’s many times, I can attest that their stock is wide-ranging and interesting, even if you’re not buying.\* Worth a look, in other words. Just note that you cannot handle the books without permission from a staffer, but one will always be glad to help, and to demonstrate how to handle these rare books. - I’m at the point where I have my own designated bookseller at Bauman’s, and I make an appointment with her when I’m in town. She has my wishlist, and will give me a heads-up at other times if they get something I might be interested in. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/49 "2019-02-06T09:05:19Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Be sure to try the shrimp. > > > [@](#): > > > > The shrimp consumption in Las Vegas is over 60,000 pounds per day, higher than the rest of the nation combined. > > [Cite](https://www.movoto.com/guide/las-vegas-nv/las-vegas-facts/) Since total US consumption is about 1.5 billion pounds a year I think they have got that very wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/50 "2019-02-06T11:49:59Z")
OP: I know you said you didn’t gamble, but if you’re on Fremont, you should check out the second floor of The D, which exclusively features old-school coin-op slot machines. It’s one of the last places in the world with a functioning [Sigma Derby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Derby) - an elaborate 10-seated electromechanical device from the '80s, where you bet quarters on the outcome of a horse race run by miniature figures on a track in the middle of the table [like so.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lddPn2pSXsw) It’s worth having a gander at just for the spectacle of it, even if you’re not up to playing. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/51 "2019-02-06T19:13:12Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Just a reminder: I am looking for experiences in the city of Las Vegas, not hiking, mountain climbing or river rafting excursions, and I have already been to the dam and the canyon. Yeah, sorry, but other than gambling and casinos, there’s not much there. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/52 "2019-02-06T19:30:43Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Yeah, sorry, but other than gambling and casinos, there’s not much there. Other than a whole thread worth of ideas, sure. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/53 "2019-02-07T15:22:46Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > OP: I know you said you didn’t gamble, but if you’re on Fremont, you should check out the second floor of The D, which exclusively features old-school coin-op slot machines. It’s one of the last places in the world with a functioning [Sigma Derby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Derby) - an elaborate 10-seated electromechanical device from the '80s, where you bet quarters on the outcome of a horse race run by miniature figures on a track in the middle of the table [like so.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lddPn2pSXsw) > > It’s worth having a gander at just for the spectacle of it, even if you’re not up to playing. I’m not usually one for watching wheels spend all my money, but this actually looks like fun. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/54 "2019-02-08T17:41:10Z")
One might after dark go downtown for The Fremont Street Experience, an overhead light show. I like Red Rocks much better than Valley of Fire. (both mentioned by others) If you’re interested in Vegas history, visit The Neon Museum. It’s more about the signs than actual neon, so first-timers should go in the daytime. You must make a reservation but there’s always plenty of space. If you like magic, Penn & Teller are a must. We like to walk along The Strip and look at all the hotels. If you’re a thrill-seeker, jump off The Stratosphere Tower, the tallest structure west of the Mississippi. (I forget what they call the controlled fall.) There’s also a roller coaster & other rides on the roof. There’s another roller coaster at New York New York. Their food court has a cool street-like atmosphere. Maybe I’ll think of more later. ---
**Author:** ![GinoC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f4b2a3/32.png) [@GinoC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GinoC)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/55 "2019-02-08T17:45:27Z")
The Star Wars VR experience in the Venetian is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/56 "2019-02-08T20:36:30Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > One might after dark go downtown for The Fremont Street Experience, an overhead light show. The other thing about the Fremont Street Experience is [the various performance stages](https://vegasexperience.com/calendar/?cal_category=live-entertainment). There are three of them - Main Street, 1st Street and 3rd Street. It’s all cover bands, but the skill level is very high. Loads of free music in casinos all over Vegas. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/57 "2019-02-10T00:58:39Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Other than a whole thread worth of ideas, sure. :rolleyes: The entire thread has been restaurants and casinos. There’s literally nothing in this entire thread that’s not attached to a restaurant or casino downtown or in the county, except for a couple of museums. ---
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/58 "2019-02-10T02:10:31Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > The entire thread has been restaurants and casinos. There’s literally nothing in this entire thread that’s not attached to a restaurant or casino downtown or in the county, except for a couple of museums. Plenty of things listed. If you dont like them, dont read them. Let the OP decide what is good. ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/59 "2019-02-11T04:45:14Z")
How about [Ethel M](https://www.ethelm.com/visiting-the-factory), the chocolate factory in Henderson? They have a tour and a tasting room. If the chocolates bore you, they have a huge cactus garden right outside. [Zappos has tours](https://www.zapposinsights.com/tours)of its HQ near Frontier Street. [Shelby has a tour](http://www.shelbyamerican.com/?topic=museum&art=SHC) of its automotive operations south of the Strip near Sunset and I-15. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953/60 "2019-02-11T11:26:00Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > Plenty of things listed. If you dont like them, dont read them. Let the OP decide what is good. You’re misunderstanding. And, your statement is logically troublesome. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-in-las-vegas-and-i-dont-gamble-what-to-do/828953.md?page=4)