Looking for things to do at Mandalay Bay other than just admiring the gold coloring of the hotel towers from the outside of the hotel?
In this guide, we’ll take you through the top must-see attractions and experiences that will make your visit to Mandalay Bay Las Vegas one for the books.
If you’re a kid at heart (or you’re visiting with the kids), you’ll love the massive pool complex that is Mandalay Bay Beach! After lounging around and taking a few spins around the lazy river, pick out a new outfit at The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay before catching Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE show.
For a more adult-centric activity, how about grabbing a drink at one of the many swanky and cool bars with Mandalay Bay? Because there are a LOT of them.
You can discover the rest of the top things to do at Mandalay Bay below.
What’s Around Mandalay Bay?
To the west: Allegiant Stadium — To the north: Luxor Hotel & Casino
Mandalay Bay Beach
If you’re looking for a place to unwind and soak up the sun, Mandalay Bay Beach is the perfect spot for you. This 11-acre beach paradise offers everything you need for a relaxing day in the sun.
This is by far the best pool complex we’ve ever had the chance of enjoying of all Las Vegas hotels. Yes, even better than higher-end hotel pools such as Wynn, Encore, Caesars, Venetian, etc!
The beach features a wave pool, perfect for those who want to experience the thrill of the ocean without leaving the resort.
If you’re looking for something a bit more low-key, the lazy river is a great option. Grab a tube and float down the river, sipping on your drink and soaking in the sun as you go.
The pool complex also offers a variety of dining options, including three bars as well as the Beach Bar & Grill. This is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink while soaking up the sun.
Pro Tip
The lazy river tubes used to be free to rent, but now they charge $30 each to buy and there is no option to rent – boooo. Don’t buy them here, buy one online before your trip or go to the ABC Store instead — they’re ~$3.50 each! They should also have tubes at Walgreens, Walmart, or Target.
NOTE: Please note that you have to be a hotel guest to enter Mandalay Beach — there are attendants at the entrance who check for room keys.
Cirque du Soleil “Michael Jackson ONE”
If you’re a fan of Michael Jackson’s music, you won’t want to miss the Cirque du Soleil “Michael Jackson ONE” show at Mandalay Bay. This show is an electrifying tribute to the King of Pop, featuring incredible acrobatics, dance, and music!
As you enter the theater, you’ll be transported to a world inspired by Michael Jackson’s music, with larger-than-life props and stunning visual effects. The show features some of Jackson’s most iconic hits, including “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean,” performed by a talented cast of dancers and acrobats.
One of the highlights of the show is the use of technology to bring Michael Jackson ‘back to life’ on stage. You’ll see holographic images of the King of Pop performing some of his most famous dance moves, and it’s truly a sight to behold — especially for true MJ fans!
Catch a concert at House of Blues
If you’re looking for some live concert music and good food, then the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay is the place to be on concert night! With a capacity of around 2,000 people, this venue hosts a variety of intimate concerts and events throughout the year.
In addition to concerts, the House of Blues also offers their epic Gospel Brunch on Sundays! This lively event features an all-you-can-eat buffet-style brunch with southern-style dishes like fried chicken and waffles, and live gospel music to accompany your meal.
If you’re interested in attending a concert at the House of Blues, be sure to check their events calendar for upcoming events. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.
Skyfall Lounge
If you’re searching for a place to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring, there’s no better place at Mandalay Bay than Skyfall Lounge. Perched on the 64th floor of the Delano Las Vegas tower, this chic and sophisticated lounge offers good food, good drinks, good vibes, and panoramic views of the Las Vegas skyline.
In addition to epic Strip views, expect dramatic interiors, chilled-out music, creative plates, and artisan cocktails. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, while the resident DJs spin easygoing tunes and eclectic beats on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Skyfall menu is a collaboration between Chef Alain Ducasse and the Skyfall bar team — so you know they put some thought into creating the menu! Light bites and shareables are served until 10:30PM.
Enjoy a meal at Restaurant Row
When it comes to dining options at Mandalay Bay, you won’t be disappointed. There is a HUGE number of restaurant options ranging from upscale to casual and expensive to affordable!
I was totally shocked when I first walked through the hotel and discovered JUST how many restaurants were nestled within the Mandalay Bay property!
Starting with the higher-end dining options — one of the most popular restaurants at Mandalay Bay is Fleur ($$$), which offers classic cuts of premium steaks, pasta and seafood. Then there’s StripSteak ($$$$), where you can experience the fire-born flavor and the signature flair of Chef Michael Mina. There’s also Lupo ($$$), Wolfgang Puck’s first Italian restaurant, and KUMI ($$$) serving up modern Japanese cuisine with a Korean American twist.
For those in the mood for something more casual, there are plenty of options to choose from! Libertine Social ($$) is a popular spot for burgers and other gastropub eats. Retro by Voltaggio ($$) is the newest restaurant offering by celeb chefs Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, featuring 80s and 90s-inspired foods with a modern twist.
There’s also the House of Blues Restaurant and Bar, Wahlburgers, Citizens Kitchen & Bar, a few breakfast/brunch restaurants, an Irish pub, and a handful of other eateries. Yep, like I said, tons of options!
But perhaps the most unique dining experience at Mandalay Bay is Rivea, which offers amazing views of the Las Vegas skyline from the 64th floor of the hotel.
Enjoy bottomless drinks at Border Grill’s Border Brunch
Border Grill ($$) is another noteworthy option focusing on modern Mexican cuisine from award-winning Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. They have their Border Brunch, featuring unlimited small plates and bottomless mimosas, micheladas, and Bloody Mary’s every Saturday & Sunday!
Party it up at DAYLIGHT Beach Club
If you’re looking to get your party on by the pools at Mandalay Bay, you won’t want to miss out on one of the pool party events held DAYLIGHT Beach Club.
This beach club features a huge pool, plenty of lounge chairs, resident DJs / hip-hop performers, and a great selection of food and drinks. But since this is Vegas after all, do expect tables, cabanas, drinks, and food to be pricey!
At the day club, expect a live DJ, dancing, and lots of mingling! You can expect DJs playing Top 40 and EDM music on Fridays, and hip-hop performers and DJ’s performing on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cool down at the minus5 ice bar
Ready to cool down in a truly unique way? Step into minus5 at The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay for an unforgettable icy escapade!
If entering a winter wonderland crafted from a whopping 100 tons of meticulously carved ice sounds like your idea of fun, ICEBAR is the activity for you. But what can you truly expect from this frosty adventure?
Well for starters, you’ll be immersed in a sub-zero environment where everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is made of ice. From your drinking glasses to the walls, seats, and even sculptures, everything. Imagine sipping your favorite beverage, and instead of warming up, it gets colder with each sip – that’s the fun of ICEBAR!
As the name suggests, ICEBAR is kept at a pretty chilly temperature, but don’t worry – when you visit, they’ll deck you out in a parka and gloves. With some packages, you can even upgrade to a super stylish faux fur coat. These outfits not only will keep you warm, but they make for some pretty fun photo ops.
Shark Reef Aquarium
If you or your family members are a fan of sharks or aquariums, the Shark Reef Aquarium is a must-visit attraction. At the aquarium, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a huge variety of sea creatures, including 12 types of sharks, rays, sea turtles, piranha, a Komodo dragon, and more. It all totals to over 2,000 sea creatures!
One of the highlights of the Shark Reef Aquarium is the 1.3 million-gallon Shipwreck exhibit, which features a replica of a sunken ship. You’ll get an up-close look at some of the most majestic creatures of the sea, including Sand Tiger Sharks, Green Sea Turtles, and Giant Groupers.
Another must-see exhibit is the Touch Pool, where you can touch and interact with various sea creatures, including stingrays and horseshoe crabs.
For an added dimension to your visit, Shark Reef introduces an exhilarating Virtual Reality (VR) Experience!
Grab a pint at Ri Ra Irish Pub
Also located in The Shoppes at Mandalay Place (between the Luxor and Mandalay Bay), Ri Ra Irish Pub is where you go to dine on dishes such as Irish potato cakes and the Reuben with corned beef brisket — all while enjoying live entertainment!
The bar/restaurant is set up to look like an Irish pub and there is a Guinness Store next door you can browse through for gifts/souvenirs. The store houses the largest collection of merchandise outside of Ireland!
Explore The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay
If you’re looking for a convenient shopping experience, head over to The Shoppes at Mandalay Place. This casual shopping center is located on the sky bridge that connects Mandalay Bay with the Luxor Hotel.
With over 40 boutique shops, you’ll find everything from high-end fashion to unique souvenirs. Some of the notable shops include:
- LICK: This candy store offers a wide variety of sweets, including imported chocolates, nostalgic candies, and unique flavors of popcorn.
- BEASTMODE: Beastmode Apparel is the official lifestyle and athleisure brand of Marshawn Lynch.
- The GUINNESS® Store: The largest selection of GUINNESS® merchandise in one place outside of Ireland.
- Ron Jon Surf Shop: a world-famous destination with locations in Florida, South Carolina, and now Vegas. This is a great place to go if you need to pick up beachwear or coverups to complete your summer Vegas outfits!
In addition to the shops, The Shoppes at Mandalay Place also has several restaurants and bars. There’s of course Ri Ra Irish Pub which we just mentioned, as well as Hussong’s Cantina (delicious Mexican food), and even a FAT TUESDAY stand, home of the famous 190-Octane Daiquiri!
Foundation Room
Another upscale nightlife experience at the MB is the Foundation Room, a sister venue of House of Blues. Foundation Room is a luxurious rooftop venue on the 63rd floor with cushy seating and wooden walls, accented by overhead chandeliers. It’s a whole vibe up there.
Once you make your way up to the tippy-top of the hotel, you can choose to relax in the indoor lounge area or step outside to the outdoor patio for a true Vegas experience.
The Foundation Room features live music and entertainment, with a lineup of talented DJs and performers. If you’re looking for a more exclusive experience, you can reserve a private room or table for your group.
You can choose to pair your epic Las Vegas Strip views with food or drink, or both! You can of course expect drinks to be great, but the food here is also super creative and delicious.
You can choose from starters like the adobo chicken wings, a lobster roll, papas bravas served with a smoked paprika aioli. Then move on to more filling bites including crispy pork belly with papaya salad, roasted bone marrow served with peppercorn sauce, a shareable shellfish platter, braised short rib, and a Tabasco-rubbed skirt steak.
1923 Prohibition Bar
If you’re looking for a fun, speakeasy-style experience at Mandalay Bay, do not miss the quaint 1923 Prohibition Bar (located inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay). This hidden-in-plain-sight bar takes you back to the roaring 20s, complete with period-specific decor, live jazz music, and classic cocktails!
Once you enter the bar (you’ll need to push against a ‘wall’ to open up the door), you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a secret hideout. You’ll almost forget you were just inside of a mall!
The bar’s menu features a variety of classic cocktails, including the Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, and Sazerac, as well as some signature drinks, such as the Gatsby’s Gin Fiz, Tajin Temptation, and the Speakesy Strange Rush.
If you’re an Old-Fashioned connoisseur (we’re referring to the cocktail), they offer a good amount of specialty Old-Fashioned’s to choose from. When we went, there was a Maple Bacon Old-Fasioned, Butter Pecan Old-Fasioned, and even a PB&J Old-Fasioned! Fancy a flight of bourbon instead? They’ve got tasting flights too.
The bar also hosts live jazz performances on select nights.
Explore Other Hotels Near Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay is situated on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, so while you’re a bit less central than other hotels, you’ll still have access to neighboring hotels by monorail.
Discover all the things you could do at these other hotels, all of which are either right next to or close to Mandalay Bay!
- Things to do at Luxor Hotel
- Things to do at The Excalibur
- Things to do at Park MGM
- Things to do at MGM Grand
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mandalay Bay a nice hotel to stay at?
Built in 1999, Mandalay Bay has a little over 3,200 rooms over 43 stories. It houses the 2-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center as well as the 12,000-square-foot Michelob Ultra Arena.
Despite it being at the Southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, it’s still within walking distance (or a monorail ride) from points of interest like Park MGM, MGM Grand, Excalibur, Luxor, and more.
If you’re looking for the convenience of staying on the Strip while also being mindful of your budget, Mandalay Bay is a really stellar choice. For the price and the level of quality and amenities here, you just can’t beat it!
The Mandalay Bay Beach is worth the stay alone if your main objective is to get some high-quality pool time. Mix in all the other amenities (the plethora of awesome restaurant options, luxurious beds, spacious and luxe-feeling bathrooms, rooftop bars, cute speakeasy, and access to the Michelob Ultra Arena) and it just gets even better.
Are the rooms at Mandalay Bay old?
Despite the last renovation taking place in 2015, the rooms at Mandalay Bay don’t look or feel that old.
The renewed accommodations draw inspiration from the tropical South Seas. Mandalay Bay’s theme is essentially ‘exotic’ meets ‘tropical luxury’ and that’s essentially what the rooms feel like. Expect a white and creamy neutral palette throughout the hotel, except for the fun quartz-like wallpaper.
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