Vegas update: week of August 26, 2026

Museum of Ice Cream opens at AREA15, and the Backstreet Boys are confirmed for the official Formula 1 Grand Prix afterparty at Sphere.

The world’s largest Museum of Ice Cream just opened at AREA15

Museum of Ice Cream has opened its newest location inside AREA15, and it’s the largest one the brand has built anywhere. Expect the format the museum is known for: colorful, interactive installations built for photos, plus exclusive elements built just for this location. It slots in naturally with an AREA15 visit alongside Omega Mart, so if that’s already on your list, this gives you a second stop in the same building. Good option for a hot afternoon when you want something indoors and different from a casino floor.

The Sphere gets the official F1 afterparty

Formula 1 and Sphere Entertainment have announced the official afterparty for the Las Vegas Grand Prix: the Backstreet Boys play the Sphere on November 21, right after the race. It’s built as the race weekend’s capstone event, with Sphere’s 180-degree screen part of the show. If you’re planning a Grand Prix trip, that date is the one to build the rest of the weekend around, hotel rates and show tickets both tend to move fast once a marquee event like this is confirmed.

Worth knowing this week

Late August still runs hot, and the usual trade holds: cheap-ish rooms, rough afternoons. AREA15 is a solid midday plan precisely because it’s indoors and off the Strip proper. For evening plans, our shows guide covers what’s running now, and if the Grand Prix weekend is on your radar, start pricing hotels early. More updates on the updates hub.