The Venetian & Palazzo resorts are among the famous casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. A scaled down copy of Venice, Italy, the Venetian follows the successful formula of Las Vegas: gambling, shopping, restaurants and some special attractions. Let’s explore together my favorite things to do at the Venetian, Las Vegas.
The Venetian & Palazzo Resort is right on the Las Vegas Strip and it is one of the major attractions on the entire Las Vegas Boulevard. The Venetian is hard to miss when you walk up and down the street. This resort has an impressive entrance with long escalators that simply try to suck you in from the street outside. Come along with me as we explore the best things to do at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
See my photos from The Venetian
What to Expect at The Venetian
Like many things in Vegas, The Venetian is a copy of a famous European attraction. The interior of the resort is a modern copy of Venice, Italy complete with gondola rides and singing gondoliers. Just remember that it is a polished copy, with no trash and no dirt.
This resort is home to the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The amazing wax creations include famous actors and politicians portrayed in familiar environments. Get best ticket prices including a gondola ride.
If you are planning a trip to this area you can find budget hotels in Las Vegas here.
1. Water Canals
Gondolas at the Venetian resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
See my photos from The Venetian
First on the list of things to do at the Venetian is walking along the water canals inside the resort. The water canals at the Venetian have modern Italian gondolas (with a small motor) piloted by gondoliers. Beautiful high-end shops line up the canals at the Venetian. According to the resort webpage, all the gondoliers sing in unison at the beginning and end of the day:
The Gondolier March special tradition only happens twice a day. Our team of gondoliers sing in unison as they march along the indoor canal. It’s their way of announcing their arrival for a day of serenading. Catch them live at 9:50 a.m. and 4:20 p.m., beginning at the gondola turn-around in the Grand Canal Shoppes.
Take a gondola ride & visit Madame Tussauds. While short, a gondola ride at Venetia is a great experience. Save money when you bundle a gondola ride with Madame Tussauds admission at Venetian.
2. St Mark’s Square
Street Performer in St Mark’s Square at The Venetian, Las Vegas
See my photos from The Venetian
One of my favorite things to do at the Venetian is to take a break at one of the restaurants in the small St Mark’s Square. Many times throughout the day, St Mark’s square at the Venetian has live shows and performers for your entertainment. This is one of my favorite places to get some coffee and sit down and maybe feel a bit European.
The original St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy is world famous for its history and architecture. Few cities can claim such distinctive and historically important buildings in such a relatively small area as can Venice, Italy with its St. Mark’s Square. The handiwork and artistry of the Venetians of the Renaissance era is visible at every step. In Vegas, St Mark’s Square is a small replica that tries to capture the spirit of Venice. It’s up to you to decide if they have succeeded.
The performances in St Mark’s Square change over the years but normally these are 15 minutes long shows that repeat throughout the day every 30 minutes. For March 2022, the Venetian resort provides the following schedule:
Carnivale de Venezia St Mark’s Square (Every 30 minutes)
Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 6pm
Friday – Sunday: 12pm – 7:30pm
3. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
A copy of the famous Venice Rialto Bridge leads to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
See my photos from The Venetian
Thirdly on my list of great things to do at the Venetian, is visiting the famous Madame Tussauds European Wax Museum. Right off the escalator for the Venetian you will find the famous museum on your right. Filled with wax statues of famous actors and politicians, Madame Tussauds is always exciting to visit. Great for families and children, a visit to Madame Tussauds wax museum in Vegas is one of my favorite things to do in Vegas with kids.
Visit Madame Tussauds & Take a gondola ride. A beautiful family friendly museum with beautiful wax renditions of everyone famous. Get the best ticket prices for Madame Tussauds including a gondola ride at Venetian.
4. Shopping
Water fountains inside the Venetian shopping galleries.
See my photos from The Venetian
While expensive, shopping at the Venetian is a beautiful experience. With many shops tucked away along narrow twisted streets that resemble Venice Italy, this Vegas resort is trying hard to help you spend money.
5. Restaurants
Ice cream shop and restaurants in St Mark’s Square
See my photos from The Venetian
Carlo’s Bakery is a popular place to eat at the Venetian as it serves traditional Italian deserts and pastries. Most recently, Carlo’s Bakery has been showcased as the setting for TLC’s hit shows Cake Boss and Next Great Baker.
Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian. Blending the grandeur and luxury of European cafes with an all-American restaurant, Grand Lux Café offers unique global cuisine in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. Their all you can eat breakfast buffet is luxurious and varied. The breakfast buffet at the Palazzo is a good choice after you have sampled the amazing breakfast at Paris.
Plan your Trip to Vegas
Stay in Las Vegas. Find budget hotels in Vegas. With over 6000 properties you can find something for you. When we visit Las Vegas we usually stay at the Polo Towers right next to the strip. Their apartment rooms are a great value, especially for families.
Walk the Las Vegas Strip. The Venetian is a great stop on my Walking Tour of the Vegas Strip for First Timers.
Have fun with your family. Vegas for Families is my guide for family friendly attractions in Las Vegas.
Is The Venetian Worth Visiting?
The short answer is yes! Especially if this is your first time in Vegas you must see inside the Venetian. It is one of the major resorts on the Vegas strip and one of my favorite stops on my Vegas Strip walking tour for first timers. Take your time shopping and admiring the many details they’ve added all throughout the interior.
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We have been staying at the venetian since they opened. Over 20 plus years ago. The hotel itself is beautiful, but it does need a face-lift. Especially the rooms at the venetian tower. Rooms are in dire need of upgrade. This hotel has everything you would want to enjoy a fabulous vacation. Restaurants, shopping, lounges, and entertainment. It could use a lounge for dancing but doubt they will do that because they want people gambling. They do have clubs for the young although. I hope with the new ownership they improve it. It does cost a lot more to gamble there compared to most other casinos so beware of that. Over all its a very nice hotel.
Bianca…thank you for your comment and tips about staying at the Venetian.
Venetian has everything—shows, ambiance, restaurants, shopping, spa and pools. We come and never even have to leave the resort.
Mary…I like the Venetian too. However, what is true about Venetian is also true about every other resort on the Las Vegas Strip. That’s the whole point about every resort..to come in and not leave. However, the Venetian is a beautiful resort.
Best. Hotel. On. The. Strip. We love the Venetian. Beautiful rooms, nice pools, great restaurants, awesome shopping, beautiful casino and friendly professional staff.
What time are the street performers in St Marks Square
Eileen…the performances change over the years but normally these are 15 minutes long shows that repeat throughout the day every 30 minutes. Here is what I found for March 2022.
Carnivale de Venezia St Mark’s Square (Every 30 minutes)
Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 6pm
Friday – Sunday: 12pm – 7:30pm
Very nicely done I’ve lived here all my life 60 years and I’m quite impressed with your rendition.