Forget the casinos on the Strip. Forget the casinos off the Strip, too.
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If you’re visiting Las Vegas, you need to dedicate at least a little bit of time to the city’s weirder sites… and there are plenty. After all, Las Vegas was built as a mecca of hedonism. Now that the drama of its casinos and strip clubs has faded slightly, Vegas has turned its focus to whimsy.
In other words, it’s not just the City of Sin anymore. It’s also the City of Entertainment, where you find an intriguing new project for just about any interest. Every year, the city’s scope expands, and it’s shown no signs of slowing down.
The big question is: If you’re looking for weird things to do in Las Vegas, where do you start? I’ve rounded up some of my all-time favorite funky pastimes. I guarantee you haven’t heard of all of them.
The best funky, weird things to do in Las Vegas
Operate a bulldozer at Dig This
I get asked a lot of questions when I tell someone I’m a travel writer. By far one of my favorite bylines to shout at new friends is that the best thing to do in Las Vegas is to get behind the wheel of a hydraulic excavator at Dig This. Dig This is an adult playground full of heavy mechanical equipment often found on building sites. You sign up, instructors walk you through how to use the equipment, and then you get to live out your childhood dreams of whipping a bulldozer around like a Lambo.
Submit to evil spirits at Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Have you ever seen Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures? It’s a long-running ghost-hunter show that’s led by a beloved, jacked bro named Zak Bagans who has a thing for taking on unruly ghosts. (Some might call him a bully.) After a decade of ‘documentary’ show-making, Bagans took his spooky knowledge to Las Vegas, where he opened up a haunted museum. It’s full of some of the world’s most renowned and haunted pieces, from dolls to car doors. I think this is best for fans of Ghost Adventures or real-life hauntings.
Try to dine at Blackout Dining in the Dark
Sit down for a four-course meal that’s served in total, pitched-black darkness. (And try to land the glass-clanking when you cheers, if you dare.) Apparently, it heightens both the scent and taste of the food. Assuming you can find your mouth. The restaurant honors dietary restrictions and offers veg-friendly meals.
Eat and shop at REBAR
REBAR has the relaxed atmosphere of a neighborhood dive bar—there’s just one catch. Absolutely everything is for sale. It’s full of antiques that you can buy… along with ordinary items, from chairs to cups to stickers. As one reviewer put it, Get drunk and buy sh*t! Then wake up the next morning and look over your haul. (It’s easily one of the best ways to take home an unforgettable souvenir.)
Brave the toppings at Evel Pie
Evel Pie’s catchphrase is ‘live hard, ride fast, eat pizza’—which is a solid summary. This dive bar is Evel Knievel-themed and is a no-frills establishment. Expect live rock music some nights, stickers covering most surfaces, ice-cold beers, and a pizza menu that makes this spot one of the tastiest weird things to do in Las Vegas. (Don’t skip out on non-pizza menu items, either, like the favorite Grandma’s Balls!)
Catch a flick at the West Wind Drive-In Theatre
Just north of Las Vegas (in North Las Vegas, who would have guessed?), you can go on one of the quaintest date nights in the United States: a drive-in movie theatre. West Wind Drive-in has been around since the 1960s. Its prices are still reasonable, it plays high-quality movies that people want to see, and the grounds aren’t totally rundown. In fact, you’ll use your car stereo to run the movie’s audio. Who knew you could find something so wholesome in Vegas?
Get spooked underground at The Atomic Museum
Right around the time that Las Vegas was becoming a desert gambling hideaway for Los Angeles elites, Nevada was serving as the testing grounds for nuclear weapons. (You might have heard of its high-profile Underground House, too, which was recently sold in 2023.)
The Atomic Museum offers exhibits that showcase the history of nuclear testing in Nevada, including the official test site located in the Mojave Desert nearby. There’s tons of information to dig into—recent visitors recommend giving yourself up to an hour and a half to explore the museum.
Pick a souvenir at Cosmo’s Art-o-Mat
Art-o-Mats are defunct cigarette machines that now spit out unique fine arts prints. They have a bit of a cult following. Most of them are located in art museums, but the only Art-o-Mats in Nevada are located in The Cosmopolitan. They’re part of the casino’s art program. Head to floors one, two, or three to search for the six public Art-o-Mats. You pay $5, then get a one-of-a-kind mini art print. It’s a pretty unbeatable souvenir.
Bet on the (toy) ponies at The D
The D Casino & Hotel is a new hotel that opened in the recently revamped Fremont Street. Fremont Street is downtown Las Vegas where the casinos of yore were huddled before the Strip was developed—and it’s in a bit of a revival.
There are a few reasons I want you to know about The D. First, they have a Slotzilla-themed Zip Line, which is fun enough. But the second, and main, reason you should know about The D is that it’s home to the very last Sigma Derby Horse Betting machine. It’s a table-sized machine that emulates a horse racing track. You place your bets, then the fake ponies take a lap. It’s a bit of a cult classic, and a great way to lose/double/triple your gambling money.
