If you’re on a trip to Las Vegas and want to visit some of the secret sites locals know about instead of going for the more well-known tourist activities, then we’ve got some great suggestions for you.

To the untrained eye, Vegas is an over-the-top, in-your-face destination that earns its reputation as Sin City, but there's also a secret Las Vegas just beneath the surface of the glittering Strip. When most people think of Las Vegas, they usually just think of slot machines, craps tables, and roulette wheels. However, with a little research, you will find that there are many other hidden gems to be found on the Strip, that do not involve gambling. The Roller Coaster at New York-New York.

Make the most of Las Vegas and visit these 4 great hidden places that will forever stay in your memory.

Secret Pizza

If you want to grab a classic slice of pizza, drop by The Pizzeria, mostly known as Secret Pizza, that serves after-hour pizza slices and beer for a late night in the city, as well as pinball and even a whole pie to go. You’ll find this unmarked entrance to the restaurant in a narrow hallway with walls covered in Sinatra album covers inside The Cosmopolitan Hotel. More Info >

The Mob Museum

The Mob Museum offers a bold and authentic view of organized crime from vintage Las Vegas to the back alleys of American cities and – increasingly – across the borders and networks of the entire world. Explore the real stories and actual events of Mob history through interactive exhibits and one-of-a-kind Mob and law enforcement artifacts found inside the restored 1933 former courthouse and post office building located just minutes from Fremont Street. More Info >

Seven Magic Mountains

A hidden gem that became so popular that this temporary installation’s run is extended through 2021. Despite its notoriety, it still feels as if you’ve stumbled upon a secret in the desert. Designed by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, it features towering 30-foot stacked boulders painted in fluorescent colors. Meant to represent an intersection of natural and artificial, it’s a must for art lovers.

Seven Magic Mountains is located approximately 10 miles south of the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway in Henderson, Nevada.

• From Las Vegas: Follow I-15 S to Sloan Rd (exit 25). Turn left (east) to Las Vegas Boulevard. Drive approximately 7 miles south on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your left (east).
• From Los Angeles: Drive north on I-15 to Jean, NV (exit 12). Turn right (east) on NV-161 toward Las Vegas Blvd. Drive approximately 5 miles north on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your right (east).

Please park in the onsite parking lot. Street parking is discouraged. No public transportation is available to the installation site. More Info >

Dream Racing

Have you ever wanted to be a race car driver? Dreams come true at this racetrack experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway!

Get behind the wheel of some beautiful exotic machines under the supervision of expert drivers who will teach you how to handle your race car like a pro. You’ll be flying around the track making high-speed left turns or cruising in a sleek Porsche or Lambo! More Info >

Las Vegas is not a “speakeasy” town. Generally speaking, if anything is worth knowing about here, it gets broadcast loud and proud every single day. On a jumbotron screen the size of a football field. Still, somehow, a few of the best things this city has to offer stay in the “who knew?” category. This article is dedicated to them.

E by Jose Andres

Forget about those high-roller spots. The most exclusive restaurant on the Vegas Strip doesn’t even have a sign out front; it’s nestled inside Jose Andres’ Jaleo at the Cosmopolitan. It serves only eight people at a time, prix fixe for $250 apiece (beverage pairings supplemental), paid in advance. What do you get? Course after course of unique edible creations prepared right before your eyes—and an unforgettable experience. If you love food, you have to do it.

El Cortez coin slots

Want to gamble old-school style? El Cortez, one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas still operating under its original name (and sign!), maintains a room of OG coin-slot machines for the dedicated. There is nothing quite like the sound of all that metal rushing down when you cash out a big pot.

ClairBnB

You can sleep with Claire Sinclair. Well, no—not like that. But the former Playboy Playmate and headlining showgirl has just opened up a cozy downtown boutique hotel called ClairBnB. Its theme rooms are inspired by Claire’s pinup fantasies, such as the Jayne Mansfield Pink Palace room, with “sparkly glitter walls that twinkle like crazy under custom-built lights, gorgeous, dark wooden floors and golden paneling… Take a bath with your lover in our killer Jacuzzi hot tub, equipped with a waterfall feature and mood lighting. Sleep in like royalty in our glamorous golden tufted bed.” Warning, though: Despite “B&B” in the name, there doesn’t appear to be any breakfast.

Forte European Bodega

The Vegas Valley is splattered with boutique groceries and specialty food shops, from Max Market on the westside to Artisanal Foods in the southeast. But one of the least known is inside Forte Tapas, a Spanish-Bulgarian restaurant (hey, it works) where you can find a selection of uncommon Iberian, Eastern European and California wines, raw Spanish cheeses and sausages, Iberico ham, Bruno Paillard champagne, sandwiches on house-baked rolls, and even genuine Black Sea caviar for sale. Your picnic just went into hyperspace.

Gamers and Nerds

Hidden Places In The Nevada Desert Las Vegas

Think the only kind of gaming in Las Vegas involves betting? You would be wrong. Even though the beloved Insert Coins bar is gone from East Fremont, gamer hangouts of all descriptions are popping up everywhere, including new video game lounges Reboot Gaming and Power Up Gaming; Meepleville Board Game Café, for those who like to do it analog; Pinball Hall of Fame, for those who like to do it old-school; primo barcade Hi-Scores (two locations!); and the Nerd, a renegade downtown spot offering free bowling, billiards and video games, in its desperate need to be accepted. Just kidding!

Lion Habitat Ranch

The biggest lion sanctuary in North America (we hear), Henderson’s Lion Habitat Ranch began as the homestead of the lions featured in the MGM Grand’s lion habitat. Once that exhibit closed, the lions and their keepers were set loose. But rather than spread the big cats to the wind, they have kept them close, grown the herd, and even added ostriches and a giraffe (who paints!) to the family, all of which you can get closer to than in probably any other spot west of an African safari. It’s definitely a unique experience—especially when the lions start their ground-shaking roars.

El Dorado Cantina

A Mexican restaurant? What’s so secret about that? How about a Mexican restaurant that’s all organic/sustainable, has great vegetarian options, is open 24 hours, boasts a killer tequila collection, and shares a building with the city’s largest strip club. That last part is a bit hard to explain (well, not really—the owners are in the same family), but it shouldn’t deter you from checking out one of the most well-executed, round-the-clock eateries here.

Pickleball

Wanna play pickleball? You totally do, even though you have no idea what it is. But what you do know is, it’s not beer pong, thank God. The only place in Vegas to play the hybrid racket game that is regulation pickleball (yes, there are regulations) is the cool rooftop pool deck at the Plaza, overlooking Fremont Street. Make sure you’ve got the proper equipment.

Writers Block

Vegas has no culture, blah blah blah. Okay, it may not be brainiac central, but you might be fooled—at least for a bit—if you visit this smartly curated boutique bookstore on East Fremont. It offers a full calendar of readings, events, and activities nurturing the lucky literates of LV.

Rinky Dink

Vegas finally gets a hockey team (no comment on the name), and people are like, “Ice in the desert? How does that even work?” So, I suppose we should add to this secrets list the fact that there are two (yeah, two) legit, year-round ice skating centers here: Las Vegas Ice Center and SoBe Ice Arena at the Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel (that’s on top of many outdoor seasonal rinks). Oh, and as long as we’re talking skating, there are also two Crystal Palace roller skating rinks. Strap on some skates and shut it.

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