Whether you're hitting up Las Vegas to try your luck at the poker table or just for a little bit of sightseeing, it's likely that you'll want to see a show while you're there. And really, why not? Las Vegas, the home of entertainment, has some of the very best spectacles out there for you to enjoy on your visit.
The only problem you'll really encounter is which show to choose to see. While locals have the chance to see every show possible throughout the year, those in the city for just a few days may find themselves a little spoilt for choice.
We've put together this handy list of the very best shows in Las Vegas out there so you can make the best decision possible, and we've even included handy links to where you can buy tickets for each.
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Penn and Teller
Penn and Teller have become household names across America, and there's nowhere better to be wowed by their magic than Vegas. The pair work together to create the perfect storm of magic, entertainment, and skill and bounce off each other in a way that will have you gripped throughout the show. While Penn serves as the comedic narrator, Teller handles much of the show's action without saying a word.
This truly breathtaking show located at the Penn & Teller Theater, Rio, combines classic magic and sleight of hand with more innovative and creative tricks. Expect to see knives thrown across the stage, goldfish materialized from thin air, and unimaginable items swallowed. While the audience is let in on some of the pair's mind-blowing magic tricks, you'll be left contemplating others for weeks following.
Book tickets for Penn & Teller at Rio here.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is one of the most well-known and best shows in Vegas, and there's definitely a reason they perform seven permanent shows across various venues in the city. Known for their mesmerizing stunts and flying acrobats which take place in a water stage, the show is said to provide audience members with a close-up magical feeling.
The most popular Cirque du Soleil shows are definitely ‘O'performed at the Bellagio, ‘Michael Jackson ONE' performed at Mandalay Bay and ‘Mystére' performed at Treasure Island, although we simply cannot choose our personal favorites out of the 7. You can also catch ‘KA' at MGM Vegas, ‘The Beatles LOVE' at The Mirage, ‘R.U.N' at the Luxor Hotel & Casino, and ‘Zumanity' at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino.
Book tickets for Cirque Du Soleil shows here
Absinthe
Absinthe is an absolute favorite for the happy-go-lucky people among us who love a bit of fun and aren't offended too easily. A thrilling showcase of world-class artists who perform amazing feats of strength, balance, danger and unfathomable flexibility, Absinthe is described as ‘completely intoxicating'. The show includes the very best blend of acrobatics and dancing that an audience is never likely to forget.
Shown at Caesar's Palace, the home to some great slots of Vegas, the show is full of raunchy jokes, lingerie-clad acrobats, and you may even be pulled on stage for a lap dance, so there's a reason it's for those aged over 18 only. Whoever you choose to go with, you're sure to be scooped away from reality with this hit spectacular that is one of the best shows in Las Vegas.
Book tickets for Absinthe at Caesars Palace here.
Carrot Top
If you're less into magic and more into comedy, then we definitely recommend a trip to the Luxor to see Carrot Top, given the title of Vegas' best male stand-up comedian. Known for his combination of comical commentary on current events and trunk full of weird and wonderful items, Carrot Top is described as an ‘absolute riot'.
Expect fast-paced and wacky jokes mixed with front row shots and a lot of over the top ginger hair from this act. You're sure to be in fits of giggles the whole way through the show, as there's a reason he's also been named 'Entertainer of the Year' and 'Comedian of the Year.' For a show that's guaranteed to bring you a good time, check out this guy.
Book tickets for Carrot Top at Luxor here.
Australia's Human Nature Sings Motown and More
While many hit up The Venetian for some of the best slots in Vegas, others go to see Australia's Human Nature share their talent with the city. This show is bound to get to tapping your feet and singing along as the group performs a mix of pop classics, Doo-Wop, Motown, and soul standards. Human Nature is Australia's top-selling pop vocal group and it definitely comes across on stage.
Effortlessly blending retro cool with contemporary sounds, this show takes the audience on a journey through the years and genres. Together Toby Allen, Phil Burton, and brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney aim to get personal with their audiences between songs by greeting audience members and telling stories. The group performs both with and without the band, truly showing off their award-winning voices.
Book tickets for Australia's Human Nature at The Venetian here.
Mat Franco
Magician Mat Franco got his big break on NBC's America's Got Talent season nine and has now been claimed to perform one of the best shows in Las Vegas with his headling magic show at The LINQ. His power to wow a huge audience with sleight of hand and mind-blowing magic has won Franco a whole load of popularity across all ages and is sure to dazzle you. Franco's show is performed in an intimate showroom to allow audiences to get up close to the stage to watch the magician's every move.
While he will teach you one trick during the show that will leave you in awe, the rest is left up to the imagination. We love how unlike the slightly restricting gambling age in Las Vegas, this show is completely family-friendly and suitable for anyone over the age of five.
Book tickets for Mat Franco at The LINQ here.
VEGAS! The Show
VEGAS! The Show has been named as one of the biggest stage productions and best shows in Vegas on the strip in almost 20 years which promises all the gossip, glitter, and glamor of the Vegas culture. Performed at Planet Hollywood's Saxe Theater, this show recreates the greatest moments in Vegas' history which takes the audience on a journey to meet vintage Vegas icons like The Rat Pack, Elvis and today's most popular performers.
Expect to see gorgeous showgirls and dancers take over the stage with musical numbers that make you want to tap your toes and bathe in vintage glamor. While the Vegas show promises to keep you on the edge of your seat, you'll also leave with a greater understanding of the history of Vegas in all its glory.
Book tickets for VEGAS! THE SHOW here
Le Rêve – The Dream
Enjoy great seats to see Le Rêve at Wynn's aquatic theatre-in-the-round for 75 minutes of love and loss acted out by fun and humourous characters. Performed with a mix of acrobatics, swimming, dancing, and breathtaking plunges from the high-diver, Le Rêve promises a mesmerizing experience that is one of the best shows in Vegas for all. Sit back and watch as the performers dazzle center stage in a dreamlike atmosphere with aquatic ballet and gravity-defying stunts.
Le Rêve – The Dream has been voted 'Best Production Show' in Las Vegas by Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association for a record-breaking nine consecutive years and shows no sign of slowing down. And now, by buying tickets through to the end of 2019, one dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to Teach for America, Opportunity Village, and the Discovery Children's Museum.
Book tickets for Le Rêve the Dream at Wynn Las Vegas here.
The Rat Pack is Back
Who doesn't love The Rat Pack? Performing an award-winning tribute show to its original big band entertainers, The Rat Pack is Back is now playing at the Tuscany Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Perfect for those who enjoy reliving the days of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., the show is now in its 17th season. It's also the only full-time Rat Pack show in the world with over 1.5 million tickets sold – making it one of the very best shows in Vegas.
Audience members are invited to share in all the great classics such as ‘Luck be a Lady', ‘Fly Me to the Moon', ‘New York, New York' and ‘That's Amore' and even welcome a special visitor. The cast is supported by the sensational 7-piece Tribute Orchestra who are sure not to disappoint.
Crazy Girls at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino
For a sexy contemporary burlesque show full of leather, heels, and lace, check out Crazy Girls at Planet Hollywood. Enjoy pole dance routines designed by some of Sin City's finest choreographers, as the performers shimmy their way through the edgy 75-minute show of glitz and glam. After 30 years, America's longest-running Burlesque show is sure to be sticking around on the Las Vegas Strip for much longer.
Expect an ultra-sultry show has entertained millions with brand new routines to the burlesque classics we all know and love to create one of the best shows in Las Vegas. The Parisian-influenced topless outfits to black leather and spiked heels are sure to wow and the performers love going out into the audience to interact with the crowd and make them part of the show. While penny slots are loved by all at Planet Hollywood, so are the Crazy Girls.
Hitzville- The Show
Get a taste of Motown on your next visit to Planet Hollywood with this popular musical performance known for its standing ovations and for being one of the best shows in Vegas. Hitzville The Show is perfect for fans of Gladys Knight and The Pips, Tina Turner, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and more. Relive the greatest Motown moments through the fun and entertaining performances which are sure to add a little razzle and dazzle into your life.
Starring the ever-talented singer, dancer, and actress, Jennifer (Jin-Jin) Reeves and backed by the Hitzville Band and a group of incredible dancers, this show will have you singing and dancing along the whole way through. If you're looking for the best shows in Las Vegas for Motown, this is definitely up there.
Nathan Burton's Comedy Magic
A breakout star of 'America's Got Talent', magician and illusionist Nathan Burton's comedy magic show is the perfect way to while away a Vegas afternoon. This high-energy feast of huge illusions and interactive magic is suitable for all ages and is sure to wow. Described as a ‘born entertainer' by show reviewers, Nathan Burton's show is perfect for anyone who wants to see good, clean fun in Vegas.
While you're guaranteed to leave baffled at how he gets away with some of his tricks, Burton's charismatic energy is guaranteed to catapult audience members into a world of mindblowing magic. It's also one of the most affordable best shows in Las Vegas, too, so it's a great way to squeeze another in on a budget.
Paranormal – The Mindreading Magic Show
Honestly, any show with the name ‘Paranormal' is bound to entice and this one is no different – except it never fails to disappoint, just like many of the other best shows in Vegas. Paranormal is a 70-minute mind reading magic show led by Frederic Da Silva, Las Vegas' award-winning magician, mentalist and hypnotist. Da Silva is always set to go deep into the minds of audience members to provide remarkable insights and predictions on their lives. The venue is super intimate, too, to provide audience members with the very best experience possible.
Even those with the shortest of attention spans refuse to look away for even a second as the quick-witted hypnotist moves through the show at a fast pace. This show takes place earlier in the night, so you're sure to have plenty of time to hit up the very best Vegas Buffalo Slot Machines afterward.
All Shook Up – Tribute to the King
It's pretty well accepted that you simply cannot visit Vegas without a trip to see the king himself. The live Elvis tribute is the only Elvis show on the Strip where you can hear all Elvis, all night backed by a live band and is one of the best shows in Vegas. Performed at Planet Hollywood, this Las Vegas classic is so intimate that audience members feel part of the show at all times and features all the songs we absolutely love.
The MC of the night is known for being highly entertaining and spends a short amount of time chatting to the audience before inviting ‘Elvis' onto the stage in all his glory. The accompanying band is amazing, and Elvis himself brings great vocals and outstanding impressions to this well-loved show.
Book tickets for All Shook Up here
Mac King's Comedy Magic Show
Mac King is said to be the funniest and now the longest-running magician in Las Vegas, and we totally agree. Guaranteed to hold audience members spellbound, King is right at home in his old Vegas-style showroom at Harrah's. His family-friendly self-effacing sense of humor blended with a flawless sleight of hand and corny imagination is sure to provide a show that people of all ages will love.
Expect fabulous rope tricks, fun hand shadow puppets, mysterious appearances of Fig Newtons, and live animals such as worms, goldfish, and even a white guinea pig to bring on of the best shows in Vegas. Although appearing to be a little silly, King definitely does not disappoint in his magic or people skills and loves to get the audience involved in his tricks.
Blue Man Group
The Blue Man Group guarantees to bring the ultimate sensory overload to their audiences with what is described as an audiovisual encounter unlike anything else on the Strip. Blue Man Group is fun for the whole family that never gets old, no matter how many times you see it. The narrators of the Blue Man Group show profess to know a lot about human nature and social evolution, but the three bald and blue stars are oddly oblivious.
The men use music, movement, and very little verbal communication to glue audiences to the stage to swim in the sights and sounds that douse the theater. The show is good clean fun that is suitable for anyone over the age of three and includes a variety of impressive acts and quick-change illusions to make one of the best shows in Vegas. The show centers around the company's signature music played on loud, makeshift instruments which will make your jaw drop.
Book tickets for Blue Man Group here
The first pit stop in Las Vegas for most visitors is usually a casino. Whether you are an experienced player on the casino floor or just starting, slot machines are the most profitable and entertaining games available.
Slot machines have proven to be popular among players time and time again. Casinos and other entertainment facilities are profiting tremendously from the revenues collected from slots.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board reports that the Las Vegas Strip contained over 160,000 slot machines in 40 different locations in 2019, generating revenues reaching almost $270 million per month.
While these numbers are beneficial to the establishments and their operators, slot machines are also known to be the most profitable game in a casino for the user.
Slot machines, on average, have an RTP, or return to player, between 75% and 98%; in other words, for every dollar a player spends, the slot machine will yield about 75 to 98 cents right into their pocket.
Even with the high RTP and revenue, Las Vegas and other cities famous for their casinos fill their halls with slot machines because anyone can press a button.
Commitment is never a priority; the player can put down a small individual bet. A poker face is never required, neither is real skill, to win big.
However, research is still encouraged to profit off of slot machines at the highest level, such as reading on user experience on specific games and reading the RTP at each Las Vegas casino.
Return to player is perhaps the most critical factor in picking the best slot to play in Vegas. The higher the RTP percentage, the more likely the slot will payout.
An amateur way to discover a slot's RTP percentage is to test it with a bet. If a slot claims to have a 94% payout, then after a $100 bet, the payback would equate to about $94. While this may seem straightforward, this method does not fit every player.
Checking message boards and online threads, as well as comparison sites containing slots reviews, are a great way to find the best slots in Vegas. Notable websites encourage players to share their experiences with slot machines; most of their reviews focus on the amount of cash they get to keep after playing.
Another tip to finding one of the better slots offered in Las Vegas is to look for promotions. By signing up to the casino's player's club, customers can access unique games, receive free slot plays, and gain eligibility to have freebies on their next visit.
Benefits are significant, especially when the rounds on the slot machines are free, increasing the already high payout.
The most profitable slots are coined as 'loose slots' because they pay out the most amount of money to the player and are thus very desirable among customers.
A feature of profitable slot machines called 'progressive jackpots' has become a popular way to transform a couple of hundred bucks to millions.
Progressive jackpots offer prize money compared to the national lottery games, which can easily make a millionaire in a single evening.
According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the dollar slots pay back an average of 95% of receipts, 25 cent slots payout 93% on average, and 5 cent slots give back 90% to the players.
The payout from slots at the downtown or other off-Strip locations is one or two percent higher than those on the Strip. Hotel-casinos frequented by locals, such as Sam's Town, pay better than the tourist hotels in the city. Nevada residents well know that fact when they consider which facilities contain the best slots in Vegas.
Moreover, the newer and more luxurious hotels are known for having the overall poorest RTP percentages.
Some of those hotels include the Bellagio, Venetian, Mandalay Bay, and the new Wynn Las Vegas. Since the amenities of these hotels are off the charts, slot machines do not have to be the most profitable asset (at least to the player).
However, some of these lavish hotels offer great prizes and entertainment that makes a higher payout from the slot machine. The Bellagio, for example, provides a slot tournament with 2,300 games as options. From jackpots and progressive features, the Bellagio slot machines can grow small bets into millions.
Generally, the best slots in Vegas are located in the older properties of the North Strip.
Slot machines may look flashy and modern, especially themed slots, but that does not mean they have the highest payout. The more traditional and old-looking games may be a better money's worth.
Much like the endorphin rush of a 'win,' a good-looking slot machine can trick the brain chemistry into wagering more money than intended. With that in mind, a simple-looking slot should be considered to help players gamble responsibly and win big.
Rather than always playing Star Wars or Avengers slot machines, players should have an eye out for the more dated and less appealing slot machines available on the casino floor. Many of them have substantial RTP rates and have stood the test of time.
One of these seemingly unappreciated slots is housed in Slots-a-Fun at Circus Circus Casino in Las Vegas. The selection includes classics, such as 'Double Diamond' and 'Red, White, and Blue.' Although they are not the flashiest, they are the best slots in Vegas.
Slots-a-Fun is a classic and exclusive casino that incorporates slot machines paired with an arcade, pool tables, bowling, and other forms of entertainment. Their slots have been proven time and time again as the machines to make the next big Vegas winner.
As mentioned before, these slots are not located conveniently for the tourists on the Strip. A general rule of thumb to follow: the more touristy the casino, the lower the payback on the slot machines.
While the Las Vegas Strip has a win percentage of about 8%, the slots in Reno and Boulder have a more generous casino wins of around 5%.
Some of the casinos located in Reno, Boulder, and North Vegas include Eastside Cannery, Sunset Station, M Resort, Jerry's Nugget, Texas Station, and Boulder Station.
Geographical location should not be the only consideration when looking for great slots. Some veteran gamblers and websites claim that corners within a specific casino itself have some of the better slot machines.
High traffic areas, such as near elevators, a front desk, aisles, showrooms, registration areas, etc., contain the loosest slots in the casino.
Some people do not even have to go to a casino to access a slot machine. An entertainment facility is perhaps the unrivaled source to use for the best slots in Vegas.
Airports, convenience stores, and grocery stores are the first locations to avoid playing slot machines. Even though the majority are in clean and well-run establishments, they do not offer significant returns with their slot machines.
What these three different places have in common is that under Nevada law the slot machines in airports, convenience stores, and grocery stores are entirely controlled by large corporations.
With that in mind, it should not be surprising that the slot machines in these facilities provide a much lower payout percentage than the typical slot found in a Las Vegas casino.
Even though convenience store owners can obtain a lease or purchase of slot machines, the Nevada law changed in favor of larger corporations having control over the slots and their payouts.
Nevada grocery stores are the only place that can legally provide slot machines because they have leased the space through a larger company. Although they can offer marginally better odds than the former two, grocery stores should still be avoided when it comes to slot machines.
The loosest slot machines in the past 12 months have been Megabucks and penny slots. Megabucks had the tightest slots at over 11% casino win percentage. Penny slots are the most popular denomination, even though their win percentage is not the most generous.
Megabucks offers some of the best slots in Vegas with the highest winnings. In 2014, a man playing a Megabucks slot machine in Rampart Casino hit a $14 million jackpot after playing for five minutes on a $20 bill when the slot paid off.
This payout is not the only one from a Megabucks machine. Megabucks has produced life-changing jackpots for multiple players for over two decades.
Their slogan markets the casino's accomplishments perfectly: 'Dream big. Win big'. Even with players only spending a $1 for a spin, there is always a chance of the jackpot prize of $10 million.
In addition to Megabucks and Slots-a-Fun, there are plenty of casinos offering some of the best slots available in Las Vegas.
Many websites report O'Shea's, Stardust, and older casinos located on the north side of the Strip as the places to visit for great and profitable slot machine winnings.
The casino nearest to offering the loosest slots in Las Vegas is Palms resort, which has an average game payout percentage of about 94%.
Lower payout slot machines also have distinct locations on the casino floor. Some of those include the leading slot machine on the floor, those near the table games, and close to the poker room. Since all of these areas have too much action, either from different games or other slots, the RTP does not have to be too high.
Furthermore, it is better to be aware of which specific slot machines should be avoided. The reason behind it is the exact opposite as to why the already mentioned slots are the best: the worst slots have a low percentage of payback.
Several slots have unfortunately been added to the universal list of worst slots found in Las Vegas, such as Wish Upon a Jackpot by Blueprint Gaming, Adventures in Wonderland by Ash Gaming, and King Kong by Cryptologic due to their low RTP.
Different software companies specializing in slot machines have reputations that reflect off of the RTP's. While some developments have been mentioned before for their low percentage payback, others are renowned for their slots having high RTP rates.
Playtech is one of the more famous software companies that develop successful and popular slot machines located in Las Vegas casinos. Games created by this company include: Goblin's Cave, Ugga Bugga, and Ocean Princess. All offer reputable and above-average percentage payouts.
Other software companies known for distributing slots with high paybacks are Barcrest, WMS, and NetEnt.
In addition to Palms Casino and Resort, there are other casinos in Las Vegas that have multiple slots maintaining an above-average payout.
Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel has established a favorable reputation for offering the loosest slots in downtown Las Vegas. Ranked regularly, the machines in Fitzgerald's that are given the best paybacks include reel, penny, and progressive slots.
Slot machines are incredibly entertaining, easy, and a great reason to visit a Las Vegas casino.
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Although research is essential, in-depth research is not necessary unless you are wagering a significant amount of money. Specific slot machines should be sought out to cash in millions, which has been proven to be possible within five minutes of playing.
Lucky queen slots. The different themes, bonuses, promotions, and prizes, prevent slot machines from ever becoming boring. For some lucky few, a slot will transform a single $5 bill to $5 million or more than that colossal amount.
With the press of a button, a slot machine can make an average player into a millionaire, or give the customer an affordable and responsible amount of fun on the Las Vegas casino floor.
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With some of these tips that differentiate the better slots in Las Vegas, slot machines can become more of a calculated game than intended.
Overall, Vegas is the numero uno destination to play slots in the United States. The key is to be wise and risk only as much as you can afford to lose.
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It is essential to ask around and try some old slots that have a proven track record of wins. Don't just be impressed with design and wager money in the excitement!
