The Nongambler's Guide To Vegas

Las Vegas is emerging as a trendy tourist destination with quirky attractions, diverse eateries and a funky arts scene. And if gambling is your thing, read our tips before you bet.

- Miriam Cross

IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE A pass on the glitzy casinos on your next trip to Las Vegas, you’ll have plenty of company. Splashy shows, upscale shopping and restaurants owned by celebrity chefs are just a few of the attractions displacing casinos as the big draws on the Strip. In 2016, 52% of Vegas visitors said vacation or pleasure was the primary purpose of their trip, and only 4% named gambling, according to a survey by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “As gaming expands in other parts of the country, it’s not a novelty to play the slot machines or blackjack anymore,” says David G. Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

At the same time, downtown Vegas is emerging as a destination for local art, offbeat attractions and diverse cuisine. Plus, Vegas is only a few hours’ drive from several national parks and natural wonders, including Red Rock Canyon and the Grand Canyon. In other words, there are more—and probably more rewarding— ways to spend your money in Vegas than placing bets at the craps table.

Kiplinger’s sent a couple of reporters to Las Vegas to see what’s afoot for visitors who have little or no interest in gambling. We discovered that you can enjoy the Strip no matter your budget, escape to museums and restaurants in the revitalizing downtown and avoid the crowds, or explore the beauty of the surrounding desert. If you’re determined to try your luck in the casinos, we offer some tips in the box on the facing page.