Looking for a winter vacation? Then look no further than Las Vegas! One easy bet to take in Las Vegas is on its weather: It’s consistently beautiful. When the rest of the country is shoveling snow from its streets, it’s business as usual here.

As you plan out your winter trip to Las Vegas, discover seven must-do winter activities to keep your itinerary fun-filled throughout the season.

 

Get Into the Holiday Spirit

Check out these must-see holiday sights to help set the festive tone!

1. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio 

Stroll through the Land of Sweets just as Clara did with the Nutcracker Prince, as the attraction’s holiday display has been themed to the classic Tchaikovsky ballet, The Nutcracker. Each flower bed will bring different moments of the whimsical story to life, with memorable scenes created from vibrant flowers and living plant material. The winter wonderland display, running Dec. 2 to Jan. 7, is one of five complimentary displays they have each year. Be sure to visit during the day to really see it sparkle, as sunlight pours in from the ornate glass ceiling – did you know it’s retractable? 

2. See the Holiday-Themed Parks and Attractions 

Holiday cheer can be found throughout the destination with unique pop-up events at iconic Las Vegas venues.  

  • Enchant transforms Las Vegas Ballpark into a scene right out of a typical holiday rom-com, complete with ice skating; holiday beverages; a village of boutiques; and a massive, immersive light maze. Don’t forget to say hi to Santa! 

  • You can also ice skate surrounded by the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip, as The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas brings 4,200 square feet of real ice to the rooftop Boulevard Pool. Fire pits and seasonal treats complete the wintry experience!

  • For a festive photo op, stop by Winter PARQ at The LINQ Promenade. The holiday decorations and illuminated High Roller are definitely going to be Instagram-worthy at this Vegas-in-winter hot spot.

Vegas’ Nature Scene

If you’re looking for some fun, off-Strip nature-centric things to do, check out these activities!

3. Pink Adventure Tours Las Vegas

Let a knowledgeable tour guide take the wheel while you sit back for a day of sight-seeing from the passenger seat! Whether you’re off-road in the fleet’s open-air Jeep Wrangler or sticking to the pavement in its enclosed Tour Trekker, its tours are a fun and fast way to get acquainted with the destination!

The Bright Lights tour brings visitors to the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and also cruises down the Strip, passes Wedding Chapel Row and guides you to Downtown Las Vegas, offering views of the destination’s dazzling light displays. There’s also the Eldorado Canyon Gold Mine tour, an off-the-beaten-path option that takes riders through the Mojave Desert to one of the oldest and most famous mines in Southern Nevada.

4. Red Rock Canyon

Winter is a great time to take in the picturesque sandstone formations of this national conservation area, which is a short 20-minute drive from the Strip. Its 13-mile-long scenic drive is a fantastic way to do just that, but those striking red walls and peaks aren’t just for taking pictures! A top climbing destination, the canyon offers adventurers over 2,000 routes ranging in levels of difficulty. There are also hiking trails for those on foot, as well as guided hikes that begin at the Visitor Center.

Looking for a speedier expedition? Gravel and biking trails offer a whole new perspective of the breathtaking landscape. You can zip around the canyon on an electric bike during an Escape Adventures tour or grab a rental at Las Vegas Cyclery and chart your own adventure! 

5. Gold Strike Hot Springs

It’s a bit more chilly than usual – which means nature’s hot tub is calling your name! Take a quick hour drive outside Vegas to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and begin your two-mile trek to this not-so-secret spot that’s well-known among locals. 

Want to experience its blissfully warm waters? You’ll need to be a more experienced hiker, as this particular route requires some rock scrambling and careful footing. The payoff will be worth it, though – in addition to the hot springs, you’ll also have an awesome view of Hoover Dam! 

Shop and Play Away

In Las Vegas, it’s easy to shop and play the day away, so check out these distinctly different offerings, with one being in Downtown Las Vegas and one centrally located on the Strip. Both have dining options and unique entertainment to add to the experience!

6. Downtown Container Park

A fire-breathing praying mantis welcomes visitors to this open-air shopping center in Downtown Las Vegas. The six-story-high sculpture (reportedly crafted for a past installment of Burning Man) hints at the quirky fun that awaits inside.

The family-friendly space features a colossal, three-story Children’s Tree House, complete with multiple bridges and slides (including one from the very top). There’s also a play zone with playground activities more suitable for smaller children.

If shopping is on your winter-in-Las-Vegas agenda, the outdoor mall has a diverse selection of boutiques specializing in everything from thrift items and souvenirs to women’s apparel and jewelry. And if you work up an appetite between all that playing and perusing, a lineup of food and beverage options (including Pinches Tacos and Oak & Ivy) will surely have something that’ll hit the spot!

7. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

A lengthy 1.2-mile indoor mall, you’ll find over 150 name-brand and boutique stores bursting with gifts for your loved ones at Miracle Mile Shops. Located directly on the Strip and part of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, this premier shopping center has popular fashion brands and specialty stores, plus plenty of entertainment and dining options! So whether you’re interested in browsing the racks or looking for some fun, entertaining things to do, you’ll find all that and more here!

 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of all the amazing winter activities to do in Las Vegas! For one, you can easily get all your holiday shopping done! Plus, it’s a great time to experience the destination’s rooftop bars – some even have fire pits! While you’re planning your getaway, check out some of the free and fun things to do in Las Vegas during winter!