After the COVID-19 pandemic, Las Vegas is mostly back to normal in 2022. International poker players who’ve been waiting a few years to visit are expected to hit Sin City in full force this year.
Now that pandemic restrictions are lifted, most international players can visit and play in the World Series of Poker this year. For first-time visitors, the city can be overwhelming. But there are plenty of great attractions to see when not at the poker table.
Here are 10 great Vegas-area spots new tourists should check out.
1 – WSOP heads to the Strip
WSOP officials announced last year that the annual event is moving from the Rio casino to Bally’s and Paris convention center. The move to the Strip has been in the works for a while, but the WSOP finally announced the jump for 2022.
The WSOP originally took place in Binion’s and moved to the Rio in 2005.For any poker player, being able to see the inaugural year in the new location is definitely a must.
2 – Fremont Street Experience
The WSOP’s roots date back to 1970 at Binion’s Horseshoe casino on Fremont Street. Unfortunately Binions never reopened its poker room after COVID, but there is plenty to see and do in downtown Vegas.
Most nights there are live bands and it’s a great place to see street performers. This old Vegas hotspot is home to many restaurants and casinos, and is gold for people watching.
The only poker room on Fremont Street is the Golden Nugget. Make sure to check out the Grand Poker Series at the property this summer.
3 – Grand Canyon
This must-see art of nature is located about two hours from the heart of the city. There are plenty of bus trips that run daily to see this amazing area.
Local tourist groups also offer helicopter rides and rafting down the Colorado River. If possible, rent a car because there are plenty of tourist attractions to stop at along the way including:
- Seligman, Arizona (Route 66)
- Kaibab National Forest
- Lake Mead
Jeff Barton of Delran, New Jersey, already has some outdoor adventures planned when not at the tables.
“This summer I am taking a day off from the series to go wakeboarding with friends on Lake Mead while I’m out there,” he says,
4 – Concerts
Some of the biggest musicians in the world are hitting Sin City in 2022. With numerous performances at casinos, T-Mobile Arena, and Allegiant Stadium there should be plenty of seats to go around. Big names have also taken up residencies in the city. Summer concert announcements so far include:
- Sting
- Jonas Brother
- Katy Perry
- Luke Bryan
- Aerosmith
- John legend
5 – A Dam Good Tour 
The Hoover Dam is considered a modern marvel and located about an hour from Las Vegas by car. The project started in 1931 and still provides power to Las Vegas.
The site offers tours almost daily and over a million people visit each year. For any engineer or history buff, the 726-foot concrete masterpiece is a must-see attraction.
6 – Pawn Stars and Count’s Kustoms
American television shows such as Pawn Stars and Counting Cars (Count’s Kustoms) are produced in Las Vegas.
These two are some of the most popular shows on the History Channel. The shops are located off the Strip and offer free tours for fans each day.
7 – Mob Museum
The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement is located in downtown Las Vegas. Tourists to the attraction can see the mob’s roots throughout Sin City.
The museum hosts Las Vegas artifacts including old slot machines and pictures of notorious gangsters. The site even has a secret speakeasy in the basement.
8 – Las Vegas Strip
Just walking the two-mile world-famous Vegas Strip is an adventure of its own. Las Vegas Boulevard is also home to many free or low-cost attractions including:
- Bellagio fountains show
- Venetian gondola rides
- New York, New York roller coaster
- Mirage volcano
- The Linq High Roller ride
9 – Shows and Performances
Apart from the long list of concerts, Las Vegas plays home to many award-winning shows. This includes magic, comedy, and other performances. Some must-see shows are:
- David Copperfield
- Cirque du Soleil: Michael Jackson ONE
- Blue Man Group
- Criss Angel
10 – Area 15
Area 51 may be off limits to tourists, but Area 15 is open for business. The location describes itself as an “immersive entertainment venue offering art shows, VR experiences, ax throwing, and a flight simulator.”
It is also home to the popular Omega Mart. The out-of-this-world art attraction is what happens when modern pop culture meets Las Vegas.