Beat The Heat: Best Things To Do In Las Vegas When The Weather Is Hot

There’s no doubt Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. With warm temperatures year round, it’s the perfect place to escape the cold during the winter. However, in summer, temperatures can reach well over 100ºF, with some days hitting 120ºF degrees!

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep cool in Las Vegas, from the many fully air-conditioned casinos to the large number of pools that you will find all over the city. We list our favorite ways to stay cool below.

When the weather is hot, you should also follow common sense to stay healthy and avoid heat stroke.

• Drink a lot of water (always carry a bottle with you and refill it often). The hot dry heat can really dry you out faster than you would expect.
  
• Stay indoors as much as possible. All Vegas hotels have businesses with have excellent air conditioning. While walking outside, try taking shortcuts through the hotels as much as possible. It may take a little longer to walk to your destination, but you will stay cool and can get some cool refreshments at the hotels.
  
• Take advantage of public transportation, like the monorail and rideshare services.
  
• Make sure to wear strong sunscreen (SPF 30+). The Las Vegas desert sun is extra strong and can easily burn unprotected skin. Wearing a hat that gives your face shade is also highly advised. Sunglasses are also a good idea to protect your eyes.
  
• Avoid sitting on or touching hot surfaces, like cement or metal rails. In hot enough weather they can get hot enough to fry an egg and cause very serious burns, so be careful.
  
• Dress in light comfortable clothing, like natural cotton and linen that can breath to keep you cool. Lighter colors will also help keep you cooler.
  
• Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke shown below and act fast by moving to a cooler area and drinking cold water. If you start to feel confused and dizzy, you may have heat stroke, which can be life threating if not treated.

Best Places To Beat the Vegas Heat

1. Madame Tussauds 

Located at the Venetian Resort, Madame Tussauds is a perfect escape from the heat that also offers some amazing photo ops. The two story museum features wax figures of many celebrities and historical figures to take photos with. 

In addition to the wax figures, Madame Tussauds also offers a number of interactive experiences like the Marvel 4D movie, Carnival Carnage 7D Game, and the wax hand experience – which allows you to create your own wax model to bring home. 

2. Bellagio Conservatory 

If you want to see some natural beauty without having to endure the weather that normally comes with it, the Bellagio Conservatory is a perfect place to visit. The Conservatory hosts a magnificent floral display that changes with the seasons, and makes for some excellent photo opportunities.

The Bellagio Conservatory is located close to the main entrance of Bellagio Las Vegas, and is open 24 hours a day so that you can visit whenever the mood strikes you. Whether the sun is shining or you’re just getting back from a long night of partying, the Bellagio Conservatory is there to offer a peaceful respite from hot Vegas days.

3. Fashion Show Mall

Fashion Show Mall is a mall located on the Las Vegas Strip, and you’ll leave ready to walk the runway yourself! The mall houses over 200 different shops, ranging from toy stores to high-end fashion lines, so you and your family can spend hours walking around and enjoying both the cool stores and the cool air.

For the kids, stopping in at Fantasy Claw is a must, which is host to dozens of claw machine games where they can try and knab their favorite stuffed animals. For the adults, Fashion Show also houses a Benihana restaurant where they can enjoy the immersive cooking experience of teppanyaki or enjoy sushi and the sights of the Strip from their outdoor patio.

4. Shark Reef Aquarium

At Mandalay Bay, Shark Reef Aquarium provides guests of all ages with a great way to cool off. The aquarium is home to over 2,000 different animals and offers a variety of educational and interactive exhibits including stingray petting and a VR theater where you can feel up close and personal with some amazing sea life.

If you’re looking for a truly unique visit, the aquarium offers some upgrades to your ticket. You can take part in either a stingray, shark, or sea turtle feeding experience that allows you to get up close and personal, as well as learn directly from the caretakers about your favorite creatures.

5. Pinball Hall of Fame

The Pinball Hall of Fame is a perfect place to cool off during the hot summer months. The museum is a collective effort from the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club to house the largest pinball collection available to the public.  

With over 350 different pinball games to choose from, you can spend hours here and not even begin to scratch the surface of what they have to offer. The museum is open from 10AM-9PM Sunday through Thursday and from 10AM-10PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Address: 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

6. Miracle Mile Shops

Another great Las Vegas shopping destination, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood hosts 475,000 square feet of retail space and over 170 stores and restaurants. Its central location makes it easy to stop in for a bite to eat or a bit of shopping in between checking out all the Las Vegas Strip has to offer.

In the center of the mall you can find the Bakkt Theatre, which plays host to a wide variety of concerts and shows and is a great place to stop and rest for a while. Fashion-forward shops like LOFT and Desigual also provide unique clothing options for those looking to expand their wardrobes.

7. AREA15

AREA15 is a uniquely Las Vegas experience, full of engaging activities for the whole family. From an array of virtual reality experiences to engrossing modern art displays, it is an attraction unlike anything else.

Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart is also connected to AREA15, and a joint ticket will give you access to the surreal, immersive world of Omega Mart. There you will enter what appears to be a supermarket, but quickly find yourself in an innovative art display full of wonder and fun.

AREA15 is open from 11AM-11PM Sunday through Thursday and from 11AM-1AM on Fridays and Saturdays (Note: admission is restricted to 18+ after 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays).

Address: 3215 South Rancho Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89102

8. Horseshoe Las Vegas

Horseshoe Las Vegas is home to lots of different activities that are perfect for beating the heat! From Twilight Zone themed mini-golfing, to a dinosaur safari that kids are sure to love, this is a fun place to take the whole family.

One of the biggest attractions is the 7,000-square-foot arcade. Featuring over 90 different games from VR to classics, everyone is sure to find a game they love here. For those who have earned enough tickets, there is an expansive prize wall that is sure to catch your eye.

9. The Escape Game

The Escape Game, located in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, is a great option to take a break from the heat while still giving your brain a workout. They have six different escape rooms ready for you and your team to tackle, and are renowned for the immersiveness of their games.

For groups with younger kids, the Playground escape room is their easiest option, but despite the child-friendly theme it will still require some creative thinking to make your way out. For those looking for more of a challenge, the Prison Break room is one of the hardest in Las Vegas; you’ll need all your wits about you if you want to get out before the hour is up.

10. Play Playground

Located at Luxor, Play Playground is the perfect place for adults to feel like a kid again. Many classic childhood games have been blown up into life size versions that you can play as the game pieces. 

To allow the child inside all of us space to run free, the playground is available exclusively to ages 21+. A general admission ticket provides you access to the playground for the full day with 12 game credits, while a VIP ticket offers 24 game credits, a VIP lanyard, one commemorative cocktail, and 15% off any retail purchases.

11. Minus5 Ice Bar

If you’re looking to cool off, there is no better option than Minus5 ICEBAR. With multiple locations on the Las Vegas Strip, including one in Mandalay Bay, you’re sure to find one close by to chill out and enjoy a refreshing change of scenery.

Minus5 provides a parka and gloves to all entrants so they can enjoy the array of ice sculptures in relative warmth, while still enjoying a nice change from the heat outside. You can also grab a drink from their ice bar, where your drink is likely to get colder the more you sip from it. 

12. Go to a Day Club

Las Vegas is home to a large collection of day clubs that are the perfect way to cool off during the hot summer months. These day clubs feature some of the biggest DJs and a number of them offer full bars and grills to keep the party going all day long. 

If you’re coming for a special occasion, cabana rentals are a great way to enjoy the day clubs in style. They provide a private place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle. Many of them also come with their own private hosts to make you feel like royalty

13. Go Bowling

A classic pastime for young and old alike, bowling is a great way to beat the heat during hot Vegas summers. With plenty of bowling alleys both on and off the Strip, you are sure to find one that will make for a great hour of fun.

If you want to stay on the Strip, Brooklyn Bowl at LINQ Promenade is home to 32 lanes, and often has live music to accompany your game. For a bowling alley that offers additional activities, visit Round 1 Bowling & Amusement, which has a private karaoke room and exclusive arcade games in addition to their alleys.

Round 1 Address: 4300 Meadows Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89107, USA

14. Watch an Afternoon Show

Las Vegas is known for its spectacular shows, and catching one is a great way to escape indoors and cool off for a while. Every theater on the Strip is very well air-conditioned, so you can be assured that no matter which show you go see, you’ll be nice and cool in your seat.

For a classic Vegas experience, Blue Man Group at Luxor offers an unforgettable show that bridges the gap between a concert and a sketch show. For something more modern, Potted Potter is a family-friendly comedy show that recaps the whole Harry Potter series within 70 minutes, 

15. Enjoy The Spas

There are dozens of top-of-the-line spas in Las Vegas that are perfect for escaping the heat. From elaborate hydrotherapy to luxurious massages, these spas are the perfect way to relax and unwind. Plus, they are a great way to pamper yourself on your trip.

Spas on the strip offer cold plunge pools and ice rooms (Qua Spa at Caesars Palace even offers a room that snows!) so you can relax and feel refreshed before you go out to the strip and face the weather. The good news is that many of the spas on the strip offer day passes that include access to the cold rooms and pools.