10 Weird Things to Do in Las Vegas

I love Vegas. It’s an escape from the humdrum of my daily life. While I’m there, I’m not responsible for waking up on time, much less making my bed. All I have to do is gamble, have wonderfully rich meals, not spend my entire savings, and tip. I always make sure to tip!

But I can get a little worn out from the regular Vegas attractions.

How many times is too many to see the Bellagio fountains?

I don’t know the exact number, but I surpassed it about 10 years ago.

I found myself yearning for something different to do besides gamble and see the same stuff every time I go to Vegas.

Here is my top 10 list of weird things to do on your next trip to Vegas. These activities can be fun, strange, but intriguing nonetheless.

1 – The Neon Boneyard

Vegas is famous for its striking neon signs that light up the Strip.


But where do these signs go to retire?

The Neon Boneyard is the final resting place for some of the most iconic neon signs that have graced the skyline of Sin City.

I suggest going for a nighttime tour so you can see these beauties in all their splendor.

Located not far from Fremont Street, it’s an easy walk or short ride to the museum.

2 – Pinball Hall of Fame

Looking for a different kind of bright lights and frenetic noises?

The Pinball Hall of Fame has over 200 pinball games.

The games range from classics from childhood to newer modern style pinball games that will keep you entertained for hours. Each game can be played for 25 cents. Not bad considering you spend that in minutes playing real money slots.

The building is unassuming, so make sure you have exact directions before heading to this hidden gem on Tropicana Drive.

3 – Frankie’s Tiki Room

Tiki-themed bars are just as important to Las Vegas’s history, nearly as much as mob ties in gambling. There was a massive closing of the famous Tiki bars in Vegas in the 1980s.

Vegas; loss of tiki bars included places like Don the Beachcomber and Aku Aku at the Stardust. This all changed when Frankie’s Tiki Room opened in 2008.

You count on tiki classics like a Mai Tai but also imbibe in new spins on tiki-inspired drinks. Just watch out for the five skull drinks. The menu lets guests know how strong the drinks are by a skull rating from one to five, with five being the strongest.

The interior and design are by the grandson of tiki pioneer Eli Hedley, Bamboo Ben.

Feel like checking out Frankie’s Tiki Room at 4 AM?

You’re in luck because they’re open 24/7.

4 – Lonnie Hammargren’s House

Who the heck is Lonnie Hammargren?

Lonnie is a retired neurosurgeon and former lieutenant governor. He’s a local legend.

His house is even more famous. It’s a veritable museum of Las Vegas and Nevada history. The house could be (and was) featured on the A&E show, Hoarders.

But this isn’t a crazy cat lady house that might need a good dose of that casino scent. Lonnie’s house is full of an ever-growing collection of irreplacable memorabilia from the state and Vegas.

Mr. Hammargren and his wife, Sandy, spend more than 50 hours a week working on the “Hammargren Home of Nevada History.” The couple meticulously arranges and archives his continually growing collection on Nevada and Las Vegas historical items.

Here’s the trick though:

He only opens his house up to the public on Nevada Day.

Seems easy, right?

No, the holiday doesn’t have a designated annual date.

It floats around somewhere in late October or early November.

Make sure you check the exact date of the open house before you go.

5 – Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden

I should disclose that I’m obsessed with cacti and succulents. I even get a monthly box of baby cacti and succulents delivered to my house.

I’m sure you can assume that this weird Vegas attraction holds a special place in the heart. It does, and it should be one you see.

Ethel M is the mascot of her son’s candy company. That’s Ethel and her son of the Mars candy company fortune. The cactus garden is located beside the Ethel M Chocolate Factory that he opened in Ethel Mars’ honor.

It’s not related to Mars Candy, and it has a four-acre cactus garden on the property.

Okay, now that we have that cleared up, let’s talk about the most stunning collection of cacti and succulents I’ve ever seen.

This is the most extensive collection of native and international cacti and succulents in Nevada. The 300 different plants are drought tolerant, so they thrive in the Nevada desert.

Tours are self-guided.

Make sure to buy enough time (I suggest two to three hours) to see everything.

6 – Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum

If you’re into horror, Zak Bagans (of the Travel Channel show Ghost Adventures) opened the museum in one of the oldest houses in Vegas. The museum is in the mansion of Vegas banker Cyril Wengert. Cyril built the residence in 1938.

There are several local legends about the haunting of the property, including satanic cult sacrifices. My interest automatically perked up when I heard this, and yours just might, too!

If the haunting of the mansion isn’t enough for you, the museum houses many “haunted artifacts” and historical items.

Tours are self-guided. You could spend hours walking around in the museum and reading about the paranormal items.

7 – Evel Pie

For some reason, pizza always hits the spot for my family.


Enter, Evel Pie.

Vegas is a landmark in Evel Knieviel’s career. It only makes sense that Vegas is also home to a killer pizza joint that is chock-full of Evel’s memorabilia.

The restaurant is home to fabulous New York-style pizza that is kid-approved. The pizza joint is also the best collection of items from Evel’s legendary career.

The restaurant bustles, so make sure to be ready to wait. If you can’t get a seat, order it to go and wait for your pizza while you browse the floor-to-ceiling memorabilia.

8 – KISS by Monster Mini Golf

This might be the weirdest combination of hobbies on the list. In 2012, the KISS by Monster Mini Golf opened its doors to the public.

The 14,000-square-foot entertainment center hosted the founding member at its grand opening. Gene Simmons (frontman for KISS) is quoted, “Where else can you go play a round of KISS By Monster Mini Golf and then renew your wedding vows in an official KISS ‘Hotter Than Hell’ wedding chapel?”

Only in Vegas.

Visitors can play a full mini-golf course, browse KISS collectibles, and listen to the live DJ that is playing KISS music and hosting KISS trivia games.

Make sure to wear a least one white clothing item to enjoy the black lighting throughout the course.

9 – Mystic Falls Park

Do you like being in nature, but also find that once you get there, you hate it?

Perfect! Because Vegas, of course, has the attraction for you!

Mystic Falls Park is an indoor version of what Mother Nature provides you, except there’s no bugs, no sweat, and all the animals are animatronic. The shrubbery is even man-made!

Don’t worry, you will still see bears, lions, and tigers, oh my! The park is part of Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall.

This free activity to do in Vegas is how Vegas does nature. The attraction is accompanied by music that plays to waterfalls and other water features.

No bugs, all man-made nature. Make sure to be there during one of the showtimes. Check their website for times.

10 – High Roller

The High Roller is officially known as an observation wheel,


but let’s call a spade a spade.

It’s a Ferris wheel that you can party on!

The Ferris wheel is a series of pods that give tipsy guests a stunning view of the Vegas Strip and the city’s skyline. The 550 x 550-square-foot wheel holds the world record for the largest Ferris wheel.

Guests pass many adult drinking establishments to the High Roller to ensure they experience the wheel the way it’s meant. The High Roller is open Monday through Thursday 4:00 PM to 12:00 Am and Friday through Sunday 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

This is an excellent option for groups and first-time visitors to Vegas. The High Roller is located in the LINQ shopping area.

If I were you, I wouldn’t get too drunk and look down because the ride is around 30 minutes long.

Conclusion

Vegas, in and of itself, is a weird place.

Why would we expect it to not be chock-full of bizarre things to do?


There’s a lot, and the city keeps adding to the list.

I hope you have some new ideas for things to do on your next trip to Las Vegas. Casino gambling in Las Vegas is always my #1 reason to visit Sin City, but these weird things to do in Vegas make any trip that much better.

This is just a sample of the weird things to do in Vegas. Stay tuned.