15 Cool Things to Do in Las Vegas This Winter

Close out 2022 in style. The winter season is full of awesome activities, from holiday attractions and shows to new bars, restaurants, and other fun stuff, whether on the Strip or in the surrounding neighborhoods. Just remember to bundle up. We may be in the middle of the desert, but it gets cold around here. So check out the following cool things to do this winter season and remember to keep tabs on events happening every weekend in Las Vegas.

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Wynn
“Awakening” is one of the most impressive Las Vegas productions to come around in years, taking over the in-the-round theater formerly home to La Reve. Vegas shows can feel repetitive after a while, but Awakening overflows with creativity, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with effects and stage design. You'll see hundreds of costumes over the course of 75 minutes, with innovative use of light, sound (with speakers between seats), and an eye-popping LED glass stage that rotates and elevates with so many moving parts in play, it's hard not to get nervous at times. The tech is balanced by inventive, large-format puppetry and illusions, including a show-stopping moment near the end. There's a loose narrative about light, darkness, and "magic" in the form of red light that bounces around the theater, but the plot isn't important in a show like this. The only question: Can “Awakening” draw enough packed houses to justify its budget over the long run? Showtimes are 7 and 9:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday.

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The Strip
Las Vegas has plenty of bars with spectacular rooftop views, but it's rare to find one with so much comfortable outdoor space. BrewDog first launched in Scotland and now arrives on the Strip with a high-profile location on the third and fourth floors of the Showcase Mall. You can hang around inside and play arcade games and shuffleboard, but the real fun is on the top level, with 30,000-square-feet surrounded by the bright lights of Vegas. Even without the views, it's got a sleek design and a fun, overachieving food menu, ranging from salads and plant-based recipes to oak-fired ribeye steaks and a $150 Wagyu Burger with shaved truffles that's presented tableside in a black treasure chest. BrewDog advertises 96 taps, but roughly half of them repeat since they're split between two floors. Still, that's a lot of beer–most of which is brewed on site in small batches. Try the Elvis Juice.

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Resorts World
For some people, the winter season is all about sipping on spiked eggnog while binging holiday Hallmark movies (and the parade of imitators on Lifetime, Great American Family, and Netflix). If that sounds like you, book a night at the official Hallmark Holiday Suite at Resorts World, one of just three by Hilton in the entire country. The two-room suite is decorated wall-to-wall with a Christmas tree, tinsel, pillows, bathrobes, and other fun stuff to match the "glitz and glam" Vegas theme. You may even come across a few surprise gifts, including one in the bathroom. And amazingly enough, there are a few nights still available between now and the end of December. Call 800-266-7237 with questions and booking availability.

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Downtown
Pool season isn't over. Not in Vegas. Stadium Swim stays open year-round at the Circa resort in Downtown with a rooftop deck, heated pools, swim-up bars, temperature-controlled cabanas, comfy robes, and specialty cocktails, including the seasonal Pumpkin Spiced Mule. The massive, 143-foot digital wall is great for viewing football games, as long as you don't mind a DJ cranking beats in the background. The pool is hosting special events with a Ski Lodge serving drink samples and offering photo stations throughout winter, so come take a dip during the 80s Heat Hot Tub Party Friday, January 6 and a Winter Swim Bikini Contest Saturday, February 4.

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The Strip
FlyOver Las Vegas has taken customers on simulated hang-glide rides over the Wild West and Iceland with high-def images on a towering big screen, capitalizing on motion, sound, wind, and even scent for an indulgent multi-sensory experience. The attraction recently debuted "Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies" to showcase the scenery of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Parks. Strap in and soar above mountain ranges, alpine lakes, and more while catching a glimpse of the Canadian wildlife and Indigenous cultures. The snow-filled landscapes and blasts of cold air are a perfect fit for the chilly winter months.

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The Luxor
If you want to see the mummy of King Tut and his tomb, you'll have to travel to Egypt, but the next best thing is in Las Vegas—appropriately enough, at the pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel. Discovering King Tut's Tomb is a walk-through exhibit dedicated to the young pharaoh, who took the throne at just nine-years-old and passed away less than a decade later. You'll see recreations of his tomb and nested coffins, as well as art (officially approved by the Egyptian government) that authentically reflects the period. The attraction arrived just in time to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the tomb's discovery by Howard Carter, using sound and video to dig deep into provocative topics like polytheism, royal in-breeding, and the skill of mummification. (Fun fact: The brain was removed through the nostrils in the process.) Guests can upgrade their experience to include a hand-held audio guide and headset virtual reality tour of the tomb.

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Forum Shops at Caesars
Alaska's snow crab season may have been cancelled this year, but don't fear—there's a lot of great seafood to enjoy in Las Vegas. Head straight to the Water Grill, where in-season wild spiny lobsters are pulled straight from the tank and charcoal grilled. Grab the meat at the tail end and pull it right out of the shell to enjoy the firm texture and delicious flavor. The lobsters go great alongside a rich, buttery serving of line-caught Columbia River King Salmon, also available for a limited time. Meanwhile, Joe's (another restaurant inside the Forum Shops) is in the early days of stone crab season, although the restaurant has the sourcing capacity to serve its signature dish year-round. Crack the claws open and dip the meat into mustard sauce to best enjoy them. Siegel's 1941 at the historic El Cortez casino in Downtown is also serving stone crabs every Friday and Saturday night (5-10 pm) through spring. Crack 'em open and enjoy the sweet meat with Dijonnaise sauce, coleslaw, and cottage-fried potatoes.

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Multiple Locations
There's no shortage of festive cheer in Las Vegas. Head to the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens for a floral exhibit, featuring a 42-foot tree, gingerbread cottage, and for the first time this year, treats and hot cocoa. The M Resort in Henderson has something new: the Snow Carnival Magic Forest, a family-friendly attraction with more than 50 tons of fresh snow each day to complement rides and holiday bites. Last year's big hit, Enchant, is back at the Las Vegas Ballpark, but added a second location on the Strip at Resorts World with ice skating and an illuminated maze available at both. You'll also be able to lace up your skates at the Cosmopolitan, where the Ice Rink returns for its 11th year on the hotel's rooftop pool deck with fire pits, cocktails, and photo ops at The Chalet. The Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson lights up the night with its holiday Cactus Garden, featuring a holiday-themed chocolate tasting and a new peppermint hot chocolate. You'll see an even more bright and colorful display at Glittering Lights, an extravagant holiday drive-thru that covers a 2.5-mile course at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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Off the Strip
Illuminarium is the latest attraction at the ever-expanding AREA15. Think of it as a multimedia museum for a new generation, using ultra high-def video, computer-generated graphics, sound effects, scents, and even vibrations to bring far-off worlds to life. “Space: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond” reveals the beauty of the universe and simulates a visit to the moon, where you can leave footprints in virtual moondust, pose for a photo next to astronauts planting the U.S. flag, and get an idea of what a future moon base might look like. It alternates with “WILD: A Safari Experience” and football viewing parties. Illuminarium After Dark begins at 8 pm for the 21-and-over crowd with cocktails and small bites in a lounge surrounded by digital images.

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Bally's
Take a trip around the world with images captured by the best in the industry. National Geographic's "Rarely Seen" exhibit features 50 photographs of fascinating destinations, natural phenomena, and other intriguing sights not often seen by human eyes. The size and scope of each image is enhanced in size (and sometimes texture) for an immersive experience. Look for the exhibit on the ground level of Bally's. Tickets are $35 and available through at least January 31.

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Off the Strip
Lost Spirits, one of the coolest attractions at AREA15, is almost like a theme park version of a distillery. Set inside its own separate building, the facility is a maze of environments with lounges, tasting rooms, and live entertainment. Box seats were recently installed to view an aerial performer stage. Take a dive 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by booking a 16-course dinner in one of the most exclusive dining rooms in Vegas. Along the way, you'll learn about Lost Spirits' groundbreaking scientific distilling process, which dramatically speeds up the aging process, and sip on house-made creations like the signature Navy Style Rum and four Vegas exclusives. Yes, there's a gift shop in case you'd like to take a bottle home with you.

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Multiple Locations
Do you know what's really in your wine? Most of 'em are full of additives. (Just google "mega purple" for starters.) Fortunately, low-intervention wines—which often cross over into natural and/or biodynamic wines—are taking hold in Las Vegas. You just need to know where to look. Garagiste Wine Room is a great resource for low-intervention wines in the Downtown Arts District. Enjoy a glass at the bar or take a bottle home (with a 50% discount on retail sales). Khoury's Fine Wine & Spirits is expanding its selection by the day and recently expanded its size with a dramatic new renovation. Just look for the white stickers on bottles to identify low-intervention options. Ada's at Tivoli Village is another spot that takes its wine seriously with a certified sommelier on standby to go into detail about what is (and isn't) in every bottle on the wine list. The Vegas Test Kitchen and neighboring F The Bar in Fergusons Downtown are also keeping low-intervention options in stock. Otherwise, try Night + Market, a Thai restaurant with natural wines at Virgin Hotels, or The Cask, a boutique wine shop in Henderson with an eclectic selection. Don't want to leave the house? Veteran Strip sommelier Kelly Ford has a Vegas-based wine subscription service, KellySOMM, that ships low-intervention selections directly to your doorstep.

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Multiple Locations
Lip Smacking Foodie Tours knows how to do culinary crawls the right way. The company teams up with top restaurants to offer the dishes and drinks you really want to try—all at one price without a wait for tables. Guided tours include the Venetian/Wynn (Afternoon Culinary Adventures), Aria/Park MGM (Savors of the Strip), Resorts World (Vegas Sights, Worldly Bites), Virgin Hotels, Downtown (Fremont East or the Arts District), and an indulgent Ultimate Steakhouse Tour at properties on the Strip. Along the way, you'll see a few sights and receive some info and fun facts about each destination. The company also operates Finger Licking Foodie Tours with more casual, self-guided excursions at Tivoli Village, Green Valley Ranch, Chinatown, and other locations. Keep your eyes peeled for sporadic, special-event tours that focus on one style of food, like BBQ restaurants or pizza joints.

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Downtown
The Fremont Street Experience remains an always fun and sometimes weird Downtown tourist destination, combining bright neon lights and iconic imagery (like the Vegas Vic smoking cowboy marquee) with popular attractions like the Slotzilla zipline and overhead high-def Viva Vision video canopy. At some point, grab a beer at Banger Brewing, play the penny slots at Binions, and sit down for dinner at Vic & Anthony's. Step inside Circa, the largest resort in Downtown Vegas (if you're 21 or older—no kids allowed) and check out the world's largest sportsbook, Barry's Downtown Prime steakhouse, or The Legacy Club—a rooftop lounge that's proving to be a great place to impress a date in Las Vegas. Drink your way down Fremont Street with the Royal Crawl, an app that guides participants to six different bars at three different casinos with beer, wine, or a cocktail included at each stop.

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Off the Strip
There's so much cool stuff constantly opening at AREA15, it's almost hard to keep track of it all. Almost. Omega Mart, a large-scale art installation by Meow Wolf, is the biggest and coolest attraction inside the warehouse-like entertainment complex. The expansive, interactive space is a trippy take on a grocery store (which doubles as the gift shop) with "portals" that open to the world of the fictional corporate entity behind it, including a factory and offices where nothing is quite as it seems. There are even a few slides to travel between levels. Think of it as dozens of art exhibits within a single cohesive environment. Give yourself at least an hour to fully appreciate the whole thing.

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