Sands Expo and Convention Center – Things To Do With Your Team
When the Sands Expo and Convention Center was first opened in 1990, it was the second largest convention center in the world. Although it may no longer hold that distinction, this convention center remains a remarkable facility with more than one and a half million square feet of meeting space that can accommodate groups of 500 to 50,000.
What makes the Sands Expo and Convention Center particularly remarkable however is its location. Not only is the convention center part of a complex featuring both The Venetian and The Palazzo, but it is also located in close proximity to all of the breathtaking sights and attractions that can be found on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.
Whenever your group has some free time during your visit to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, go and see what this iconic city has to offer so that you don’t pass up this fantastic opportunity to live it up a little in Las Vegas.
Things to Do
Fashion Show
Start your Las Vegas adventure off right with some new clothes from Fashion Show, an iconic mall that’s the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination on the Las Vegas Strip.
Located near Wynn Las Vegas, Fashion Show is impossible to miss. Not only does it feature two million square feet of retail space, but also a high-tech canopy dubbed “The Cloud,” which towers over the mall. With its hard-to-miss aluminum skin, The Cloud is Fashion Show’s most recognizable landmark. It serves a practical purpose as well, providing ample shading over the mall’s spacious outdoor plaza and displaying ads on its giant screens. Live entertainment at Fashion Show includes literal fashion shows, held weekly on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting at noon.
Fashion Show boasts typical features and amenities too, only on a much larger scale worthy of the Strip. It features more than 250 stores with Dillard’s, Forever 21, Macy’s, Macy’s Men’s Store, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue as its anchors, as well as a variety of sit-down restaurants and a food court. 3200 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Auto Collections
Located just over 10 minutes from the Sands Expo and Convention Center is an attraction that’s one of Las Vegas’ best kept secrets: The Auto Collections at the LINQ Hotel. Open to the public daily, The Auto Collections is one of the most unique tourist destinations in Las Vegas, featuring hundreds of automotive treasures throughout their 125,000-square-foot showroom.
All of the vehicles on display at The Auto Collections are for sale, so their collection is constantly changing. This means that during your team’s visit to The Auto Collections you might just get the chance to see some very special cars, such as a Pontiac Trans Am that acted as the pace car at the 1983 Daytona 500, or cars the once belonged to famous people, like Johnny Carson’s 1939 Chrysler Royal sedan, which he drove to his high school senior prom.
Although their inventory is worth well over 25 million dollars, admission to The Auto Collection is quite modest, making it a fun and affordable way to spend a couple of hours. 3535 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 98109
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
You probably won’t get to meet any real celebrities at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, but you will get to see the next best thing: their wax replicas! This iconic Las Vegas attraction was the first Madame Tussauds venue in the United States, opening its doors in 1999. It’s located at The Venetian right next to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, so getting there is quick and convenient.
Throughout this 30,000-square-foot attraction you’ll find over 100 wax replicas of famous musicians like Miley Cyrus and Elvis; sports icons like Shaquille O’Neal, Muhammad Ali, and Babe Ruth; Marvel superheroes; and so much more! Best of all, you’re actually invited and encouraged to get up-close and take pictures with the wax versions of your favorite celebrities and characters, which truly makes Madame Tussauds Las Vegas a museum unlike any other. 3377 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas
Touted as one of the most unique attractions in Las Vegas, the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel is a serene paradise that will make you feel as if you’re miles from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Strip.
Nestled on the Flamingo hotel’s lush, 15-acre grounds, the habitat features a variety of amazing animals. The habitat is open daily and is free of charge, making it as affordable as it is convenient to fit into even the busiest of schedules. A highlight of this attraction is the Flamingo Island, which is home to a beautiful flock of Chilean flamingos.
In addition to the hotel’s namesake residents, you’ll also find swans, ducks, koi, and turtles living at the habitat. The most recent additions to the Wildlife Habitat are two brown pelicans, both of which arrived in 2012 from a rescue facility. 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Fountains of Bellagio
One of Las Vegas’ most iconic landmarks, just after the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, has to be the Fountains of Bellagio and it’s very close to the Sands Expo and Convention Center. Videos and postcards don’t do this impressive attraction enough justice; there’s nothing like seeing them in person.
The fountains are set on an eight and a half-acre lake and feature over 1,200 jets that rocket streams of water up to 460 feet into the air. The dancing streams of water are illuminated from within and jut out sporadically to the pulse of more than 30 different songs.
Best of all, the show is free! Stop by every 15 minutes on the weekend or every 30 minutes on weekdays to catch a glimpse of the world-famous show, also visible from several nearby hotels. For a truly mesmerizing experience, visit the Fountains of Bellagio after sunset to see the show light up the Vegas night sky. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The National Atomic Testing Museum
A visit to the National Atomic Testing Museum is like jumping straight into the pages of a history textbook. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, this unique Las Vegas attraction is one of a handful of private national museums that features interactive displays, short educational films, and even real equipment from the former Nevada Test Site where the museum is located.
Nowhere else can you see a large nuclear reactor that was used in the development of the nuclear rocket and the first air-to-air missile, as well as fascinating personal atomic weapons like the backpack nuke and the Davy Crockett Weapon System. Other relics at the National Atomic Testing Museum include Geiger counters, radiation testing devices, Native American artifacts from around the test site, pop culture memorabilia related to the Atomic Age, and more.
Discounted admission prices are available for groups of 10 or more. Group tours are available Monday through Friday and must be booked at least two weeks in advance. 755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
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Places to Eat
Grand Lux Cafe
A culinary world tour awaits you and your team at Grand Lux Cafe, conveniently located near the Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian. Grand Lux Cafe’s menu spans the globe, inspired by Italian trattorias, French bistros, and the quaint cafés and pastry shops of Vienna.
Blending the grandeur and luxury of European eateries with the sensibilities and spirit of an all-American restaurant, Grand Lux Cafe offers guests a unique dining experience from the first course to the last, whether you visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. No matter when your group gets hungry, Grand Lux Cafe is able to accommodate, since they’re open 24 hours. 3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
For an authentic taste of Brooklyn in the heart of Las Vegas, head to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria at The Palazzo.
While they specialize in award-winning, hand-tossed, coal-fired brick oven pizzas complete with crust kissed with char and smoke from the cooking process, that’s not all that you’ll find on their menu.
Grimaldi’s also serves a variety of other Italian-American favorites including savory calzones and fresh salads, as well as sweet tooth-satisfying cannoli, tiramisu, and New York style cheesecake, all in an upscale yet casual, family-oriented setting. 3327 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
In-N-Out Burger
There are few West Coast institutions more iconic than In-N-Out Burger. When it comes to fast food, In-N-Out is a cut above the rest, offering exceptional quality for an exceptionally affordable price.
Every burger on their menu is made to order; nothing is frozen and nothing is microwaved. From the classic Double-Double with two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and their signature “spread” to the outrageous Animal Style, which features mustard fried onto each patty as well as pickles, grilled onions, and extra spread, all in addition to the standard toppings, every burger on the In-N-Out menu is a can’t-miss West Coast experience. 3545 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Carnegie Delicatessen
East Coast meets West at the Carnegie Delicatessen located in The Mirage Hotel and Casino. There you and your team can drop in for a quick bite that will transport everyone’s taste buds across the country, straight to Seventh Avenue in Midtown New York City.
On their menu you’ll find hearty deli favorites like sumptuous matzoh ball soup and a heaping portion of savory pastrami sandwiched between two pieces of rye bread, as well as soups, salads, burgers, and a variety of breakfast items. 3400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
During your visit to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, you and your team will be at the very heart of a city that bills itself as “The Entertainment Capital of the World.”
No matter what attractions you visit and where you go to eat, every experience you share with your team in this world-renowned city will be one that you’ll all remember for years to come.