The best things to do in Las Vegas

1.The Fountains of BellagioFree

Water jets dancing to music on the lake in front of the Bellagio, the most famous free show in Las Vegas.

Tip: Shows run every half hour in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening. The Paris Eiffel Tower deck across the street looks straight down on them.

2.Bellagio ConservatoryFree

A glass-roofed garden inside the Bellagio, replanted with a new floral theme for each season.

Tip: It's open around the clock; go late at night to have it nearly to yourself.

3.The Sphere

A giant globe-shaped venue behind the Venetian with the world's largest LED screen wrapped around the outside, showing immersive films and concerts inside.

Tip: The outside display is free to watch at night from the Strip or the LINQ Promenade.

4.High Roller

A 550-foot observation wheel at the LINQ, with a 30-minute ride in glass cabins over the Strip.

Tip: Ride it at dusk to see the Strip light up.

5.Gondola ride at the Venetian

Singing gondoliers on an indoor canal under a painted sky, plus an outdoor canal facing the Strip.

6.A Cirque du Soleil show

Las Vegas has several resident Cirque shows, from the water show 'O' at the Bellagio to 'Mystère' at Treasure Island.

Tip: Midweek shows are usually cheaper, and same-day ticket booths on the Strip sell unsold seats at a discount.

7.Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck

A half-size copy of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel, with an open-air deck 46 storeys up.

8.A Las Vegas buffet

The famous all-you-can-eat spreads, with the biggest and best at the resorts in the middle of the Strip.

Tip: Weekday lunch costs much less than weekend dinner, and the queues are shorter.

9.Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas signFree

The 1959 sign at the south end of the Strip, with a small car park in the middle of the boulevard for photos.

Tip: Go early in the morning to avoid the line.

10.The Big Apple Coaster

A rollercoaster that loops around the fake skyline of the New York-New York hotel.

11.Shark Reef Aquarium

An aquarium at Mandalay Bay with a walk-through shark tunnel, rays, turtles and a sunken ship.

12.The STRAT SkyPod

The tallest observation tower in the US, with thrill rides that hang off the edge more than 100 storeys up.

Tip: If heights don't scare you, SkyJump is a controlled free fall down the side of the tower.

13.Fremont Street ExperienceFree

Five blocks of old casinos under a giant LED canopy, with light shows every hour after dark and a zipline overhead.

14.The Neon Museum

The 'Neon Boneyard', a yard of old casino signs rescued from demolition, some restored and lit at night.

Tip: Book an evening slot, when the restored signs are switched on.

15.The Mob Museum

The story of organised crime and the law in Las Vegas, in the former federal courthouse where the Kefauver hearings were held.

Tip: There's a working speakeasy and distillery in the basement.

16.The Arts DistrictFree

An area of galleries, vintage shops, breweries and local restaurants between the Strip and Fremont Street.

Tip: Come on the first Friday of the month for the street art festival.

17.Red Rock Canyon

Red sandstone cliffs and hiking trails on a 13-mile scenic drive, about 30 minutes west of the Strip.

Tip: From October to May you need a timed-entry reservation for the scenic drive during the day.

18.Hoover Dam

The 1930s concrete dam on the Colorado River at the Arizona border, about 45 minutes from Las Vegas.

Tip: Walk out onto the bypass bridge for the best view of the whole dam.

19.Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada's oldest state park, with swirling red rock, petroglyphs and short trails, about an hour north-east.

Tip: Go in the cooler months; summer temperatures here are dangerous and some trails close.

20.Grand Canyon West

The western rim of the Grand Canyon on Hualapai land, home to the glass Skywalk, about two and a half hours' drive.

Tip: The South Rim has the classic national park views, but it's about four and a half hours each way; a flight tour saves a long day in the car.