Random Question: Killing time/Nerd fun in Vegas

[Rob, Roberator]

I'm heading to Vegas this weekend for a convention. I'm arriving not only a day before the convention, but almost 9 hour before my friends arrive.

Last year I got into my hotel room early and mostly just killed time napping, reading or on the internet before grabbing some lunch.

I feel like this year I should get out and do something with that time rather than doing stuff I could just as easily do at home.

The problem is I don't gamble and I don't know what else there is to do during the day. Yeah I know that's kind of silly going to Vegas and not gambling, but it's where the convention is.

I'm staying right on the strip, and I'd prefer to find something within walking distance if possible so I can easily get back to the hotel to meet my friends. However I'm open to something in short driving distance if it means having something fun to do.

The only thing off the top of my head would be going up the Paris tower, which I've already done.

Anyone here been to Vegas and found some non-gambling daytime activities I might be able to do to kill time?

Thanks.

[Andy]

I have wanted to do the Sky Jump at the Stratosphere since it opened. (Note I get VERY intense vertigo from heights, but I want to do it anyway). http://www.stratospherehotel.com/Acti...

The Shark Reef Aquarium in the Mandalay Bay is a lot of fun - it is not very "Vegas" but it is fantastic.

https://www.mandalaybay.com/en/entert...

The Flamingo has a Wildlife Habitat which has the benefit of being free and still pretty cool
https://www.caesars.com/flamingo-las-...

Off the strip there is the Atomic Testing Museum - I found it fascinating and only a little horrifying.
http://www.lasvegas.com/listing/natio...

There is always the Vegas Classic: Get Day Drunk. JK. Dont do that.

Stay hydrated!

[Rob, Roberator]

Yeah. Heights and me not so much. No way I could do that jump. I think our guide on the Paris tower recommended that last year. I know some of my friends want to do that that.

The animal stuff sounds pretty cool though. Thanks.

I also had a coworker suggest the Art Gallery and Conservatory at the Belagio.

[John (Nevets)]

Back in 2007 was my first trip to Vegas, me and a coworker (who had been there many times) spent several hours just starting on one end of the strip and walking from casino, to casino along the strip. It was interesting. I remembered a Star Trek ride at one, that we didn't go on, but when I just looked it up, it looks like it was shut down in 2008.

I'm actually going be back in about a week, but staying south of town near where I will be working.

What convention is in town, I saw the hotel prices were very expensive this next weekend, otherwise I was thinking about going a day early.

[Rob, Roberator]

We did the walk through the Casinos thing the first year. This is my 3rd year going now. That was going to be my default plan. Looks like I got a few viable options now though.

And yeah, I wish I had been there before the Star Trek thing shut down. :(

It's an anime convention: https://www.otakonvegas.com/

Mainly it's a good excuse to meet up with some college friends I wouldn't see otherwise. We typically do a bunch of shows before/after the convention.

[John (Taloni)]

Mob Museum downtown is pretty fun.

[Danny]

Was just there a week ago (not a gambler either). The Bodies exhibit in the Luxor is pretty cool:

https://www.luxor.com/en/entertainmen...

I also had a great burger and beer in Pub 1842 in the MGM Grand:

https://www.mgmgrand.com/en/restauran...

Tom's Urban in New York New York was great for lunch:

http://tomsurban.com/menu

[Dara]

Hey, Jason Charles Miller is going to be there and he made the Critical Role theme! Funsies.

[John (Nevets)]

Cool!! Looks like a good time. I'm not sure if that was what was raising the hotel rates, or maybe there are bunch of things going on this next weekend.

What ever you end up doing, I'm sure you will have a good time.

Enjoy it.

[Rob, Roberator]

It's been fun, but this year's guest list is kind of light. They normally have a few guests from Japan. It hasn't been doing very well at growing. They are just losing money they make off their normal east coast convention every year. I wonder if it'll even be back next year. There seems less and less every year.

And I really doubt that Otakon is doing anything to prices. It's TINY. But we get discounted rates through the convention.

It's also the dead week in Vegas. Most of the Cirque shows are off. I think a lot of other stuff is shut down as well. Or that was the case last year anyways.

It typically falls between CES and the adult film convention. So it could be that if you're trying to come in Sunday things are booked by people coming into town for that next week.

The first year it was before CES and my buddy got stuck there a few extra days and had to scramble to find a new hotel because everything on the strip was already taken for CES.

[Sky]

I was in Vegas for Black Hat/Defcon last August. I don't gamble, or drink.

Usually I stay in boutique hotel and pretend I am poolside on the carribean. It works as long as I dont leave my hotel.

Go see Evil Dead The Musical

http://evildeadvegas.com/

[Trike]

I just heard about this a couple days ago and I have to say that whoever thought it up was a genius: http://digthisvegas.com/

Dig This is basically a giant sandbox with actual construction equipment you get to use. They even let kids use some of the earth movers.

[Rob, Roberator]

Yeah, that is interesting idea, but a bit pricey for a solo gig.

"Sessions starting at $169.."

[Trike]

Blackjack first, bulldozer after.

[Rob, Roberator]

Trike wrote: "Blackjack first, bulldozer after."

haha. except I don't gamble.

[[deleted user]]

As a geology nerd, there is plenty to see a bit out of the city, if you have a car. https://www.vegas.com/traveltips/top-... has some excellent suggestions, but several are too much of a drive to be really possible. The Grand Canyon at over 4 hours would not work, but Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon or Mount Charleston are all a short drive.

[John (Taloni)]

^And the Hoover Dam for pure touristy fun.

[Rob, Roberator]

One of my friends found a fun puzzle room place.

We did the easy one, and now want to try one of the harder ones.

http://vegaslockdown.com