Vegas Summer Guide: The Top 7 Things to Do in Las Vegas This Summer

Summertime is considered the slow season in Las Vegas because of the intense desert heat – temperatures can get up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit! But don’t let that scare you away from visiting Vegas this summer. If you plan your trip well, the summer months can be a great time to visit, with long daylight hours, beautiful blue skies, and the pool season well underway.

To help you plan the ultimate summer itinerary for your Vegas trip, here’s our top 7 list of the best things to do in Las Vegas in the summertime.

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Why Visit Vegas in the Summer?

Las Vegas is designed with hot weather in mind, so virtually everywhere you go will be comfortably air-conditioned. Rooftop bars, indoor theme parks, and air-conditioned pool cabanas are living proof that Vegas finds ways to not only survive but enjoy the summer heat.

Because fewer tourists come to Las Vegas in the summertime, you’ll get to enjoy all the best attractions and top shows the city has to offer without battling huge crowds. Plus, hotel rates drop significantly during the summer months, so you’ll be able to afford a room at one of the best hotels in Las Vegas.

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Top 7 Vegas Summer Activities

1. Spend the Day by a Pool

Las Vegas locals know the trick to beating the summer heat, and that’s cooling off in a pool. For this reason, Vegas takes its pools very seriously, boasting some of the most amazing pool complexes you’ll ever see and a world-famous pool party scene. Spending a day by the pool is the perfect way to relax, socialize, and have fun. And you won’t even need to leave your hotel’s property!

If you want to experience Vegas’s iconic pool culture, we highly recommend reserving a luxury pool cabana. These private poolside areas offer VIP treatment, bottle service, and even air conditioning for the ultimate summertime comfort.

Hot tip: Arrive at the pool early in the morning to beat the crowds, or go to a “night-swim” pool party once the sun has completely gone down.

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2. Take a Night Tour of the Strip

Summer nights are the best time for exploring the Las Vegas Strip, because the heat eases up a little and the dazzling neon signs begin to glow. Big Bus Night Tours are an awesome way to experience the Strip, with a hop-on, hop-off service that stops at all the most famous casinos and sightseeing spots.  

The Panoramic Night Tour lets you ride an open-top double-decker bus, giving you an unobstructed view of the glittering lights of the Las Vegas Strip. The bus’s circuit runs from the south end of the Strip right up to Downtown Vegas, and you can get off at any time to explore the parts of town you want to see.

Hot tip: Use this tour to learn the city’s layout before exploring on your own.

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3. Catch an Afternoon Show

Many of the world-class shows in Vegas offer afternoon matinee performances, which are perfect for avoiding the daytime heat and cooling off in an air-conditioned theater. Seeing an afternoon show also leaves your evening free to have dinner at one of Vegas’s best restaurants or have a wild night out at a Vegas club.

There’s an afternoon show for anyone’s taste in entertainment, from jaw-dropping magic to music tributes. We love Blue Man Group for its immersive, family-friendly party vibes, and Paranormal Mind Reading Magic for its exciting audience participation.

Hot tip: Pair your matinee show with a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant to create a fully air-conditioned daytime itinerary.

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4. Grab a Drink at a Rooftop Bar

Las Vegas has some fabulous rooftop bars that offer stunning Strip views, signature drinks, and a lively social setting. Enjoy an ice-cold beer or a refreshing cocktail while enjoying the warm breeze and catch an epic view of the city while you’re at it. 

Skyfall Lounge is located on the 64^th floor of W Las Vegas and has an outdoor patio and live DJs, while Beer Park at Paris Las Vegas has a more casual vibe and overlooks the heart of the action on the Strip.

Hot tip: Arrive at the bar just before sunset to be there for golden hour and witness the beauty of the neon lights.

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5. Wander Down Fremont Street at Night

Fremont Street Experience is the center of activity in Downtown Las Vegas and offers quite possibly the best people-watching on the planet. This lively pedestrian promenade is covered by the world’s largest LED screen and lined with vintage Vegas casinos, open-air bars with dancing bartender girls, street performers, and kitsch souvenir shops.

The LED canopy provides shade from the hot sun and gives one heck of a light show at night. Taking a stroll down Fremont Street Experience is a way to experience the old, retro Vegas, where Sin City first began.

Hot tip: Visit around 8 pm, when the light shows run more frequently, but the crowds haven’t grown too overwhelming yet.

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6. Have Fun at an Indoor Theme Park

Adventuredome is an exciting indoor theme park at Circus Circus, where you can ride rollercoasters, bumper cars, and classic carnival rides. Because it’s built inside a giant glass dome, Adventuredome is open no matter what the weather is like outside.

We also love AREA15, a gigantic indoor entertainment complex that’s home to all kinds of mind-bending rides and experiences, including an immersive bird simulator, virtual reality adventures, and the weirdest supermarket ever, Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart.

Hot tip: Both Adventuredome and AREA15 offer day passes that let you enjoy multiple attractions and rides in the same visit.

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7. Kayak and Swim at Lake Mead

Lake Mead is a beautiful, man-made lake in the middle of the Mojave Desert, just a 45-minute drive outside of Las Vegas. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone who loves water activities, including boating, fishing, jet skiing, and kayaking.

Take this Lake Mead Kayak Tour and paddle out to the Boulder Islands, where you can explore, have a picnic, and swim in the fresh water. This Lake Mead Sunset Paddle lets you witness a gorgeous sunset over the lake while enjoying a delicious catered dinner.

Hot tip: Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof phone case.