By Author Jake Hoffman
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Situated on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, Venetian opened its doors in 1999 and was followed by Palazzo in 2007. Together, the two resorts offer over 4,000 guestrooms and are connected via the Grand Canal Shoppes.
In a city that is slowly “de-theming”, Venetian still embraces the intricate Italian elements that make it a must-see property.
As is the case with many resorts in Las Vegas, there are so many more things to do at Venetian and Palazzo than gamble.
Related: See my Venetian Luxury King Suite Review!
Things To Do at Venetian and Palazzo
Walk the Grand Canal Shoppes: Walking the Grand Canal Shoppes needs to be on the menu if you’re visiting The Venetian. Period.
Sure, there are over 160 shops, restaurants, and bars, but the star of the show is the theming. The Shoppes give guests the feel of walking the streets of Venice, and there is breathtaking scenery around every corner.
Whatever you do, don’t forget to snap a selfie in front of the “LOVE” sign. After all, if you don’t do that, were you ever even here?
Grab a drink in the Grand Canal Shoppes: In addition to unbeatable scenery, there are also a number of rock-solid happy hour deals scattered about the Shoppes, making it a fun spot to hop from bar to bar.
A favorite of mine, Trustworthy Brewing Company also calls the Grand Canal Shoppes home and is one of the only breweries on the Strip.
Snap a photo at St. Mark’s Square: The focal point of the Grand Canal Shoppes is St. Mark’s Square, a replica of the Italian version.
The Vegas version of St. Mark’s Square offers the opportunity to grab a bite to eat under the simulated blue sky, surrounded by the theming elements that make Venetian a must-see attraction in itself.
Throw Darts: Flight Club can be found in the Grand Canal Shoppes near Grimaldi’s and offers 20 semi-private playing areas, a bar, and a restaurant.
The word I’d use to describe Flight Club is “elegant”. This isn’t your dive bar with darts back home.
Take a romantic gondola ride: Offering rides both indoors and out, Venetian’s gondolas are a favorite activity of couples seeking a romantic escape.
Gondoliers serenade guests as they make their way through the canals which draw inspiration from those of Venice, Italy.
Although I personally would find the singing part uncomfortable, I know there are others that find it to be romantic. To each their own.
Check out Atomic Saloon: A production created by the same folks that brought you “Absinthe” and “OPM”, Atomic Saloon mixes engaging variety show acts with an offensive brand of humor that I, and people like me, delight in.
Described by the show creators as “Blazing Saddles” meets “America’s Got Talent” meets ”Westworld”, Atomic Saloon could be a good option for folks who enjoy crude humor and entertaining acts.
Tickets start at around $90 and can be priced out with:
Related: See my Atomic Saloon Review!
Minus5 Ice Bar: The perfect thing to do at Venetian on a hot summer day – Grab a drink in a bar made entirely of ice.
That’s right, the bar, walls, chairs, even the cups are made of ice.
Forgot your winter gear? Don’t worry. Parkas, gloves, hats, etc are provided. You’ll be comfortable and will make one heck of a unique memory.
I recently stopped into Minus5’s LINQ location and founded it to be worthwhile!
Related: Check out my ideal 3-day Las Vegas itinerary for ideas to add to yours!
Go Rock Climbing: A 40-foot rock wall is part of Venetian’s Canyon Ranch Spa that anyone can gain access to. Prices range from $29 for a 25-minute session to $49 for 50 minutes.
While the spa also offers traditional amenities like a salt cave, fitness classes, and other wellness services, I chose to focus on the rock wall… because that sounds like more fun.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum: Visit and take photos with celebrities and politicians, living and deceased at Madame Tussauds. Popular figures include Steve Aoki, Alan from “The Hangover”, and Snoop Dogg, among others.
Related: See my Review of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas, here!
Sing, or watch, Karaoke: Among the more upscale karaoke bars in Las Vegas, Kamu differentiates itself by offering 40 private suites that all offer their own unique flair. They’re freaking awesome. Bottle service and a full food menu are also offered.
Take advantage of the pool: The sprawling deck gives guests access to both Venetian and Palazzo’s pools meaning you will always be able to find a sunny spot to recover from the night before and recharge for the night ahead in Las Vegas.
The renovated pool deck is spectacular and individual pools are separated by foliage, making for a more intimate experience than you would expect from a mega-resort.
A portion of Venetian and Palazzo’s pool remains open year-round for those brave enough to swim during the winter.
Things To Do Near Venetian and Palazzo
Positioned at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, there are plenty of things to do nearby Venetian.
I recommend checking out the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Wynn, which is worth seeing even if you don’t plan to gamble at the resort.
While you’re at Wynn, ensure you make time to stroll through their beautiful Plaza Shops which boasts numerous upscale tenants.
The free volcano show at The Mirage across the street is a must-see attraction, as it’ll soon be removed as the resort transitions to its new identity as Hard Rock.
Free attractions at Bellagio including the fountains out front and the conservatory should find their way onto most Las Vegas itineraries.
If you’re in the mood for a “divier” experience, head next door to Casino Royale for $3 bottles of beer.
If you are new to their loyalty club, they’ll even reimburse your first $20 of losses as free play.
At Caesars Palace, strolling the intricately themed Forum Shops is a must, if only for the scenery and photo ops.
Cigar aficionados will appreciate the fact that Caesars also offers 2 different cigar lounges. The first, Montecristo, is located off the casino floor.
Casa Fuente can be found in the Forum Shops.
Resorts World is a short walk to the north and is the newest resort on the Strip. Inside, you’ll find a sprawling casino floor, a speakeasy bar (shh!), a co*cktail lounge on the 66th floor, and numerous dining options.
My favorite aspect of the resort is the Famous Foods Street Eats, which is a food court serving an impressive variety of high-quality food at grab & go prices (around $20 or less).
Speaking of food, my favorite tacos in Las Vegas can be found a short walk past Wynn and Encore at Tacos el Gordo.
The ordering system (more on that here) is a bit chaotic, but the tacos are cheap, authentic, and tasty as heck.
There is an absolute abundance of itinerary-worthy activities at Venetian and Palazzo. Although not listed as its own bullet point, just walking through and exploring the themed resort is among my favorite things to do while in town.
Related: Where to eat cheap on the Strip – A property-by-property breakdown of options.
Feature Image: ©meinzahn/123RF.COM
Jake Hoffman
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
More about me, here.
