– This post was written by Hannah Robinson –
Las Vegas is the legendary city of sin, rising from the Nevada desert like a neon-lit mirage. It’s a place that offers visitors a dizzying array of options for a good time. You never quite know where a trip to Vegas is going to take you, but it’s good to have some ideas before you land.
Without further ado, here is a Las Vegas itinerary to help you navigate a two to three day trip to the wildest town in the West! Find out what you can do in the morning, afternoon and evening – and keep in mind that Vegas is a true 24-hour city, so you can hit the casino, take in a show, get hitched or wolf down a pancake brunch at any time of the day.
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Las Vegas in the morning
Eat all the brunch
It’s hard to say what you should eat in Vegas, when you have every kind of cuisine at your disposal, but this town is particularly famous for its life-affirming buffets, and brunch is an especially good time to hit them!
The most famous of all is The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. This Las Vegas highlight could convert the most hardline buffet sceptic. Wear elasticated pants so you can try all the amazing dishes on offer – including fresh crab legs and fifteen daily specials.
More tip-top Las Vegas brunch options include Border Grill, where you can get unlimited Mexican-style small plates made to order. Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan is also a great spot, where buffet fare meets fine dining dishes. Plus, they also have a huge gelato bar!
The buffet at The Wynn offers rib-eye steak, and a focus on fresh seafood on Fridays and Saturdays. The Wynn also hosts the Lakeside Jazz Brunch which offers delicious delicacies, like lemon ricotta pancakes, served by the water with a party vibe and live music.
Keep in mind that in these Covid times, it’s worth checking ahead as some buffets are yet to reopen.
Embrace the great outdoors
Las Vegas itself might be all neon and plastic, but this city of light is also on the doorstep of some of the most spectacular nature on the continent, if not the world. Make sure you take an excursion out into the vast, spectacular desert that surrounds the city for a memorable experience. The outdoor activities near Vegas are so incredible that you might even want to extend your trip!
Outdoor adventures close to town
You don’t even need to go far to have your breath taken away. If you need a quick dose of wilderness, just twelve miles from the Strip is Red Rock Canyon. The drive there is stunning and there are loads of trails to choose from. Just bring water, lots and lots of water. It’s also possible to rent electric bikes to travel to and around here if you feel like leaving the car behind.
Another nearby must-see is Seven Magic Mountains – a huge, site-specific public art piece by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. 10 miles out of town, this piece consists of seven 30-foot high towers of colorful boulders, brightening up the endless russet desert.
Epic desert day trips
If you can dedicate a day of your trip to one outdoor adventure, the Grand Canyon is the must-see. It’s 4.5 hours away, so this is an all-day excursion that you’ll need to wake up bright and early for.
Pressed for time? Tiqets offers an express trip via helicopter. And if you’re truly fearless, you can also skydive right into it.
Antelope Canyon is another fantastic excursion, especially for photographers. This strange, narrow canyon is one of the most visually striking places in the USA. You can also take a Death Valley trip, to safely discover this legendary park’s baking hot, moon-like landscape.
If you need some time out on the water, there are tons of rafting and canoeing opportunities near town. Head to Lake Mead for a day of kayaking, or jet skiing, followed by a dinner cruise. Or you can take a tour to the world famous Hoover Dam, and marvel at its awe-inspiring power.
Las Vegas in the afternoon
Party by the pool
Las Vegas is famous for its pool parties and we are happy to say they are (tentatively) open again post corona.
One of the best pool parties in Vegas is Drai’s, where you can soak up the sun and sip on a margarita on the 11th floor of The Cromwell Hotel, overlooking the sights and sounds of the strip. There’s a total of seven pools, and you can expect big-name acts such as Future and Wiz Khalifa.
The best day party
Kaos at Palms Resort is legendary. Here you can drink coconut water straight from a tap and watch a 65-foot, headless, demon sculpture rise from the water.
If you want VIP treatment, the private bungalows at Wet at MGM Grand boast their own misting systems and whirlpools!
For a beach vibe in the city
If you are looking for a calmer atmosphere and more free-spirited dress code, Bare at Mirage allows topless bathing, offers a huge pool complex, and features a laidback jungle-like setting. Also, FYI, Mirage has a regular volcano show that is both free and unmissable.
The pool parties (also known as day clubs) close for the winter around late autumn and early spring – so keep this in mind if you’re travelling out of season.
Entertain children of all ages
While this town doesn’t have a reputation for being family-friendly, there are tons of great kids activities in Las Vegas.
Coasters and clowns at Circus Circus
If you’re on a family vacation or just a big kid, definitely check out Circus Circus, because this casino has an indoor theme park on the premises!
In the Adventuredome, you can ride bumper cars and roller coasters – including the corkscrewing Canyon Blaster. Outside there is a water park and splash zone. And if you want to catch some acts on the cheap, free circus performances are happening all through the day.
Be an ocean explorer at Seaquest
Vegas might be as landlocked as they come, but that doesn’t mean you can’t meet some pretty big fish out here. Seaquest, Las Vegas is the perfect place for a family Las Vegas itinerary, where you can snorkel with stingrays, feed otters and even get a fishy pedicure!
If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Las Vegas, check out Tiqets’ family fun pass. This includes tickets to Seaquest, the epic interactive space that is the Children’s Discovery Centre, and a trip to Pole Position Raceway, where you and your family can race each other in super fast go-karts!
Check out a unique museum
There may come a time on your Vegas weekend when you’re craving some air conditioning, a relatively calm atmosphere and a little cultural enrichment. Luckily, this town is home to some unique, world class museums. If you want to add a museum trip to your Las Vegas itinerary, here are a few of our top picks…
The Mob Museum should be at the top of your list. This former post office and courthouse contains a collection dedicated to artefacts and stories of organised crime in America, and exhibits include the actual wall from the Valentine’s Day Massacre. Unsurprisingly this isn’t one for children under 11, or the weak of stomach. There’s a speakeasy in the basement if you need a break.
An adults-only cultural hotspot is the Erotic Heritage Museum. This space was the work of a preacher and a pornographer coming together to create the largest space in the world dedicated to sex positivity, erotic art and artefacts.
The Museum of Dream Space is a more ethereal locale dedicated to digital art. It’s full of extraordinary, immersive exhibitions. The Pinball Museum is another quirky must-see – boasting hundreds of vintage (often playable) pinball machines.
Seek out some thrills
Especially if you’re a couple of days into a Vegas trip, it’s possible that your energy is lagging. We’d recommend taking one of the city’s many thrill rides, to wake you back up!
There’s plenty of options to choose from. You can glide on the LINQ Zipline, taking in the sights and sounds of the Strip from above. Another great ziplining option is Slotzilla – where you can fly out of a giant slot machine over the downtown party hotspot Fremont Street.
At New York-New York Hotel & Casino, you can take a roller coaster through a replica Big Apple, speeding at 67 mph! And the very brave among us can even jump off the Stratosphere Observation Deck – the highest sky jump in the world.
Las Vegas in the evening
Roll the dice
What is Vegas best known for? Casinos of course! You’ll most likely be staying at one, since they offer some of the best accommodation options in town. And whether you’re a high roller, or just there for the glitz and glamour, there are options for everyone.
The key thing with Las Vegas casinos is you drink for free if you’re actively playing, and staff will come and take your cocktail order whether you are going all in on blackjack or just having fun at the penny slots! So as long as you keep your gambling low stakes, casinos here don’t need to burn too big a hole in your pocket.
There’s so much more to Vegas casinos than gambling. Think of it more like travelling on an incredibly kitsch world tour. In a single day you can lounge under the shadow of the Great Pyramid at the Egyptian themed Luxor, or the Eiffel Tower at Bally’s. At Mirage you have a taste of Polynesia (complete with an ‘active’ volcano. And at Mandalay Bay you can indulge in South East Asian style.
Live la dolce vita
Italian glamour reigns supreme in Vegas! At the Venetian, you can take a gondola ride along azure canals and eat incredible gelato. If you’re looking for variety, this casino has every kind of game on offer. If you’re not up for games, you can check out the pool and spa or grab a bite in one of the 60+ restaurants!
You can also visit the onsite Madame Tussauds, where you can star in a music video with Drake or ride on Miley’s wrecking ball! This is an outing that is sure to delight kids, bachelorette parties, and everyone in between!
At the iconic Roman-inspired Caesars Palace, you can check out a show with huge stars such as Jerry Seinfeld, and eat at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen before you even sit down on one of their 185 games tables. You can also unwind in the Garden of the Gods, a spectacular pool complex fit for Zeus himself.
The Bellagio is another Italian-themed luxury spot with showstopping attractions and shows including the must-see Cirque du Soleil. In the Bobby Room, you can watch serious poker players throw some crazy money around (there is a minimum of 20k buy-in).
This casino is home to some of the top family-friendly attractions in Las Vegas – from its stunning fountains (that put on a breathtaking free show every 15 – 20 minutes) to its gloriously colorful conservatory and botanical gardens.
Take in a show
So you’ve hit the buffet, played some games, and gotten your bearings. Now it’s time to be entertained! And luckily for you, Las Vegas boasts some of the most extraordinary live entertainment in the world.
Suspend your disbelief at Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil’s ‘O’ at the Bellagio is one show we’d recommend, and a great option if you’re visiting with kids. This legendary company is also currently staging a Beatles-inspired show at the Mirage, which is sure to delight the whole family.
Get the party started with Magic Mike
If you’re visiting with friends and you want a wild night, then we highly recommend nabbing tickets to ‘Magic Mike Las Vegas’. You could also take in a comedy show, as big-name acts are always coming into town.
Go on a journey through time and space with Spiegelworld
If you want to be taken into space and back, check out Spiegelworld’s adults-only show ‘Opium’ at the Cosmopolitan. It’s a raunchy romp of a sci-fi inspired show, in a venue that feels like a spaceship. This company also runs the legendary ‘Absinthe’ at Caesars Palace: an immersive adult playground inspired by 19th-century cabaret.
Though Vegas rewards the spontaneous, it’s good to book shows ahead, as they often sell out. We have a guide to some of the best here.
Hit the club
Vegas is the party capital of the USA and boasts some world-class clubs. The options are seemingly endless, but we recommend Omnia for big-name acts (Calvin Harris plays here all the time), Marque at the Cosmopolitan for a selection of rooms to suit every mood – and it has a great pool deck. Encore Beach Club at The Wynn boasts one of the most relaxed dress codes, and is great for people who want to continue the pool party vibe until the morning.
Be warned, Vegas clubs can be pricey, charging plenty for cover and drinks. A little planning pays off, as many clubs let women in for free. You can also often nab free guest list spots online.
Find some fine dining
Time for dinner. If you’re feeling fancy, try one of the city’s many fine dining hotspots. Vegas’s playful spirit can be found in the foie gras cotton candy at Bazaar Meats. For a more sensory experience, check out Black Out, where you can dine in the dark. Staff with night-vision goggles will bring you delicious dishes, though you won’t find out exactly what they are until after your meal.
You don’t need to break the bank to eat like a king here. Any trip to Vegas should include a visit to an In-n-Out Burger. If you aren’t already dreaming of moving out west, you will be once you discover this beloved fast-food mecca. It’s known for its secret menu items – we particularly recommend ordering the cheese-drenched Animal Fries.
Get hitched
Vegas is a city for lovers – especially the spontaneous type. There’s a dizzying array of options for getting hitched around town. For example, you can say “I do” at the LINQ High Roller, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world at a whopping 550 feet tall. Or have a classic spur-of-the-moment wedding at the world-famous Graceland Chapel.
As for romantic things to do in Las Vegas, you could do worse than taking your beloved to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a taste of Paris in the middle of the desert. This spot handily also has a highly regarded, extremely romantic fine dining restaurant.
Where to stay in Las Vegas
Casinos are the main accommodation spots chosen by most weekend visitors, and you can get some great deals at even the most luxury resorts. We particularly like The Wynn, and its boutique cousin, Encore at Wynn.
If you’d like a break from casinos and a calmer, luxury environment, there’s no shortage of hotels and Airbnb options. If you’re looking to unwind, The Waldorf comes highly recommended. It has a great pool and spa that is reserved for relaxing, not partying! For a zen atmosphere and a great variety of pools and treatment rooms, check out the Aria Hotel, which also boasts an infinity therapy pool!
Best time to visit Las Vegas
Las Vegas is back open for business, 24-7! Weekends are best for parties and shows, but be warned, as prices can skyrocket. Ditto for holidays like Christmas, or Spring Break.
Las Vegas is set deep into the desert, so it can get hot! The summer months are busy with tourists and absolutely boiling. The ideal time to visit is late spring and early fall when the temperature is perfect, the crowds are slightly less heaving and the pool parties are still open.
Getting around Vegas
Getting around Vegas is pretty easy, as the center of town is fairly compact. Uber and Lyfts are also plentiful, though they often can’t park in casino taxi ranks. Expect to have to do a little navigating to find your ride. There’s also a 24-hour bus service running up and down the strip.
In this dizzying trip of a town, it’s also good to feel out your surroundings early on. A night tour is a great way to get your bearings on the strip and also visit eating and drinking hotspot Fremont street. You could also book a ticket on a hop-on hop-off bus, which will give you a guided tour while transporting you from venue to venue.
