Las Vegas On a Rainy Day: 12 Things To Do

Are you planning a trip to the big and glamorous Las Vegas, Nevada? This place was once a tiny settlement in the Mojave Desert and was only founded in 1905. Once development began it didn't take long for the city to expand and grow into the biggest entertainment capital in the world! This lively and fast-paced city keeps its visitors busy with exciting shows, fabulous fine dining options, extravagant casinos, and lots of shopping. Millions of people choose to brave the heat of the desert to vacation here, and with so much going on there is no wonder why.

While here, most visitors like to take strolls down the incredible Las Vegas Strip or even take day trips out to the Grand Canyon or the Red Rock Canyon State Park. But, let's say that you arrive in Vegas and notice that the forecast calls for rain.

Although this is rare, since Vegas only gets about 4 inches of rain every year, it is a good idea to have a backup plan with indoor activities. We've got you covered and listed below are some of your best options for when outside adventures aren't ideal. Remember that you can visit a Las Vegas suitcase locker at any time to keep your bags safe (and dry) as you enjoy the city.

Visit the Mob Museum

One of the best go-to activities for a rainy day in any city is to stop by some of the top museums. In Las Vegas, that includes the fantastic Mob Museum which is also known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement. This is a really interesting museum filled with interactive exhibits and you will quickly forget why you are stuck inside.

The displays were put together using information from both mobsters and police officers so you can really get both sides of the story. Some of the things that you can do include learning about the first look into organized crime by sitting in a Senate courtroom, or even seeing and learning about the different weapons that criminals have used.

Go to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

Have you heard of Madame Tussauds before? It is a wax museum that has a couple of locations in major cities around the world, and one of the best is found right here in Las Vegas. If you were hoping to spot some celebrities during your stay but haven't had any luck, then you can have the next best thing right here in the wax museum!

This is where you can get close to some of your favorite celebrities like singers, actors, and other performers. Take a couple of pictures to fool your friends, which won't be too hard to do since the wax figures look eerily identical to the real people! This is also where the Marvel Super Heroes Experience can be found where you can snap some selfies with your favorite heroes, as well as the Viva Las Vegas exhibit where you can meet some of the city's most influential and important characters.

Admire the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Hotel

One of the gorgeous hotels on the Las Vegas Strip is the Mirage Hotel which is where you can find the dolphin enclosure. There are often shows going on outside but if the weather isn't cooperating then you will need to stick to the indoor viewing area. Take advantage of the glass walls of the aquarium to see these incredible aquatic creatures up close.

After you've seen enough of the dolphins, why don't you explore the rest of the Mirage Hotel? You will already be right next to the fitness center, and if you feel like getting in a workout you can see if there are any yoga classes going on or ask a personal trainer for a session.

Explore Area15

Area15 is a fairly recent development in Las Vegas and offers a completely new and unique experience for whoever comes to visit. Since it mostly takes place indoors it is a fantastic activity for rainy days in Las Vegas. Be aware that each attraction that is offered has its own tickets, so you should choose a couple that interest you most. Keep an eye out for discounts!

Some of the things that you can do here include getting a guided tour of the Lost Spirits distillery, eating some tasty new food while sitting under a beautiful tree lit up with lights, or enjoying panoramic views of the city skyline on a hot air balloon. There are also lots of art installations, like the psychedelic Wink World created by Chris Wink from the Blue Man Group, or the Van Gogh Immersive Experience. The Museum Fiasco should not be overlooked and offers a multimedia experience using lights and sounds.

Take a Stroll Through the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

If you want to spend some time in nature but can't be outside then this is the next best option. The Bellagio has several impressive attractions, like the Bellagio Fountains show that happens outside, but exploring the conservatory will keep you nice and dry. Come here with your romantic partner, family, or friends for a nice walk!

The conservatory and botanical gardens are 14,000 square feet in size so there is quite a lot to see. Inside, there are different species of flora that change with each season as well as impressive statues, ponds, and fountains. The glass roof will make you feel like you are outside, but you will be safe from the rain as you stroll through the incredibly designed space.

Go Shopping

Another indoor activity that is always there to save the day is shopping! Being the glamorous city that it is, you will have no trouble finding somewhere for Las Vegas shopping. Some retail therapy always works to make a gloomy day seem brighter and with the endless options in Las Vegas you can easily spend an entire afternoon at the different shopping malls around the city.

Some of the best places to go include The Shoppes at The Palazzo, The Shops at Crystals, The Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, or The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. If you still aren't satisfied then The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian are also a good choice, and if you are near Bally's Las Vegas then the Grand Bazaar Shops are a must. The perfect place to find everything at once is at Fashion Show Mall which is 2 million square feet big!

Learn About your Favorite Heroes at the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.

Calling all superhero fans! The Marvel Avengers Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network is here in Las Vegas and it is one of the best ways for marvel fans to forget about the rain.

Whether you feel like you already know everything about the Marvel superheroes or you want to find out more, this attraction can definitely teach you something new. You will have the opportunity to look over intelligence files, experience the in-depth backstory of each character and even see the original drawings for the comic books. It is often a favorite among kids and an outing that can be fun for the whole family.

Gambling at the Casinos

Here's an obvious one; there is no better way to spend any kind of day in Las Vegas than to try your luck at the casinos. Did you know that Clark County is home to well over 2o0 casinos and the Strip has 60 just in that one area? You can't visit Vegas without doing a bit of gambling, and rainy days are the perfect time to do it.

There are casinos basically everywhere that you turn so you can really take your pick of where to go. Some of the best include the Venetian, the Palazzo, the Wynn, the Encore, the Red Rock Casino, the Cosmopolitan and the Bellagio, just to name a few. As a friendly tip, the newer casinos tend to be more expensive so if you want to buy in for cheaper then the oldies are the way to go.

Go to the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef

If you enjoyed the dolphin habitat mentioned earlier up above and want to stick with the theme then your next stop should be the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay! This tank holds up to 1.3 million gallons of water so you can only imagine how huge it is. Some of the activities offered here include a stroll through glass tunnels to have a 360 degree view of the sharks, rays, turtles, and octopuses swimming around you. Go to the Touch Pool if you want to interact with them.

If this still isn't enough then you can also go to the Silverton Casino Hotel. This place has a slightly smaller but still impressive tank holding 117,00 gallons of water, and swimming alongside some beautiful tropical fish you can see real-life mermaids!

Try to Solve a Mystery at CSI: The Experience

Are you a fan of CSI or someone who enjoys solving crimes and mysteries? This is where you can do exactly that but scientific training is not required. Your adventure will begin when you are introduced to three murder scenes and 15 suspects, and you will need to do your best to find the three correct killers. This is a fantastic way to work on your mystery-solving instincts and learn a new skill, too.

After viewing the crime scenes you can look over files, collect evidence, work on DNA at 15 separate lab stations and do your best to find out who committed each crime. This is one of the many unique indoor activities in Las Vegas, so try it out and see if you can catch the killer!

Drink at Señor Frog's

Señor Frog's is a unique bar in Las Vegas that is here to cheer you up on a cloudy day in Vegas. If you have nothing better to do, why not sign up for their one hour open bar? Not only will you get endless drinks in a fun and upbeat setting but they will also give you a souvenir glass to take home with you.

It is a good idea for groups of friends that just want to have fun but can't participate in any of the outdoor activities. As a bonus, you will be covered and safe from the rain since you get priority seating, plus a discount on all of the food that they offer. Try some of their interesting drinks like Pancho Villa or Blue Motorcycles, or go for one of the classics like a Long Island.

Get Tickets to Cirque du Soleil

There is no doubt that Vegas has some of the best entertainment options, and shows put on by organizations like Cirque du Soleil are really an unforgettable experience. They perform regularly at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino on Las Vegas Blvd as well as at Bellagio Hotel and we strongly recommend grabbing some tickets to see the show.

Gaze in amazement while the entertainers perform flips and incredible acrobatics alongside singing and dancing to tell you a story through actions and beautiful imagery. Even if it isn't raining, this is a great way to spend an evening in Las Vegas, NV.

Fun Things to do on a Rainy Day in Las Vegas

Early spring is when you will have to look out for storms, although chances are that you won't be experiencing much rain on your visit to Las Vegas. However, indoor activities can come in handy when it is just too hot to be outside which is a more common occurrence.

Whether you want to shop, come face to face with exact replicas of your favorite celebrities, see aquatic creatures in massive aquariums or try gambling in the casinos, these rainy day activities are here to help you have the best time while visiting Vegas. Day or night, rain or shine, there is nothing that can stop you from having an amazing experience in Las Vegas, NV.

Looking for even more things to do in Las Vegas on a rainy day? Check out these other guides:

Best Brunch In Las Vegas: The Definitive Guide
Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Las Vegas
The Best Museums In Las Vegas