LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE STRIP & BEYOND

I’ve visited Las Vegas several times over the years, but always for quick 24 or 48 hour stints. Basically, long enough to shop, see a show, enjoy the pool and dine at a couple of restaurants. On recent trips to Vegas, I’ve come to appreciate the endless day trip opportunities that are possible from Nevada’s most famous city. It’s more than just casinos and clubs. From the colorful Seven Magic Mountains art installation to hiking the incredible Valley of Fire, it’s a destination with diverse options that truly offer something for everyone. Below is a rundown of all my Vegas favorites – hotels, restaurants, things to do, photo locations and more.

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HOW MANY DAYS IN LAS VEGAS?

For visitors with no plans to leave The Strip, two days is plenty of time. If you’re feeling ambitious and want to venture out for hikes and day trips, then I suggest four to five full days in Las Vegas for enough time to include a couple of adventures to Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Zion National Park or Death Valley National Park.

WHEN TO VISIT LAS VEGAS

MARCH, APRIL, MAY, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. The best months to visit Las Vegas are during spring and fall when temperatures are comfortable, and stepping outside isn’t unbearable. November through February can get pretty chilly, and June through August unbearably hot.

EXPLORE LAS VEGAS

BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY & BOTANICAL GARDEN

This bright and airy botanical garden is located just past the lobby inside the Bellagio. Let your nose guide you to it – you’ll be able to smell the thousands of flowers from the moment you step into the hotel. The 14,000-square foot garden changes seasonally to the themes of Lunar New Year, Spring Celebration, Summer Garden, Harvest and Holiday. The Botanical Garden is free to visit and open 24 hours.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Las Vegas might as well be the Cirque du Soleil capital of the world. This modern day contemporary circus hosts a variety of shows at the biggest hotels on the strip – three of the best are Ka at the MGM Grand, O at the Bellagio and Mystère at Treasure Island.

FOUNTAINS OF BELLAGIO

A fixture on The Strip for more than 20 years, the Fountains of Bellagio dazzle spectators with an elaborate water show that occurs daily. The show takes place every 30 minutes from 3 PM to 8 PM Monday through Friday, and every 15 minutes from 8 PM to midnight. Weekend is a similar schedule with a few extra shows.

GRAND CANAL SHOPPES AT THE VENETIAN

Inside the Grand Canal Shoppes you’ll find a stunning recreation of Venice, Italy. Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, it’s worth a visit to see the beautifully designed Venetian facades, canal bridges and gondolas floating through the canals.

HIGH ROLLER

Home to the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller offers passengers spectacular 360-degree views from 550-ft. above The Strip. 28 spacious cabins hang from the Wheel, and the ride is 30 minutes long. The High Roller is located at The Linq.

LAS VEGAS SPHERE

See a show in the hottest new venue in Las Vegas. Visitors sit inside a massive, immersive sphere wrapped with a 16K LED screen. The experience is wild. Headliners include U2, Phish and Dead & Company.

SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS

The colorful desert oasis is an art installation comprised of seven stacked boulder totems located 30 minutes from The Strip. Visit in the early morning to avoid crowds of people, or midday to see more vibrant colors in the boulders. I did both – at 7 AM there were 2 people, at 11 AM there were 50 people.

WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS SIGN

Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s the most iconic photo to take in Las Vegas. The sign is located at the start of The Strip, there’s a small parking lot for cars and ride share drop offs. Best time to visit is sunset when the sky is colorful and the lights turn on, but be prepared to wait in a long line. If you’d rather visit without the crowds, the sign is pretty empty at 7 AM.

LAS VEGAS DAY TRIPS

DEATH VALLEY

It’s a long day trip, but if you start early it’s possible to spent a full day exploring Death Valley. Some of my favorite stops include the Artist’s Palette, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Dunes, Gold Canyon and Badwater Basin.

GRAND CANYON

The western rim of the Grand Canyon is a two-hour 30 minute drive from Las Vegas, so it’s certainly possible to see the natural wonder as part of a long day trip. Other areas of the canyon are much further and would require an overnight stay in Utah.

RED ROCK CANYON

One of the easiest day trips in Las Vegas is to Red Rock Canyon. It’s a place that feels a world away with its otherworldly rock colors and formations. The prettiest stops in Red Rock Canyon are Calico Hills I and II, make sure to include it as part of your visit.

VALLEY OF FIRE

They call it a geologic wonderland in the Mojave Desert, and it’s pretty clear why from the moment you pull into the park. The red sandstone formations are spectacular. My favorite hikes and viewpoints (all of which can be done in a single day) include Mouse’s Tank Road, the Fire Wave, White Domes, Petroglyph Canyon and Pink Canyon. It’s about an hour to get to the park entrance from Las Vegas, and another 20-30 minutes to get to the trails inside the park. Also, if you want to be there for sunrise, you can still drive into the park, even if the park entrance isn’t open (you just pay to park park at the kiosk).

ZION NATIONAL PARK

That’s right! If you’re feeling ambitious, Zion National Park is less than three hours driving from Las Vegas. Early risers can be inside the park at sunrise, spend the day hiking Angel’s Landing and then be back on The Strip in time for an early dinner.

BEST LAS VEGAS HOTELS

ARIA

Ultra chic and centrally located, Aria is one of the most contemporary hotels in Las Vegas. There are so many hotels on The Strip that are starting to feel dated, so the Aria is a welcome breathe of fresh modern air. Guests have a variety of room options to choose from that all feel generally spacious, bright and airy thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Everything in the hotel feels stylish and new – the restaurants, the casinos, the lobby, the shopping, etc. One of the best Las Vegas hotel options.

BELLAGIO

Many consider the Bellagio to be the crème de la crème of Las Vegas. The Bellagio has been around for more than 20 years, but she has aged well. It’s one of the most popular luxury stays on The Strip, home to beautiful suites, fabulous restaurants, an incredible indoor Conservatory & Botanical Garden and the iconic Cirque du Soleil O Show.

THE COSMOPOLITAN

The Cosmopolitan offers a solid stay on The Strip. Similar to the Aria, the property feels new, sleek and chic, and The Cosmopolitan really plays up the theme of sensual swank. Location is very central, right next to the Bellagio. For room type, I suggest a Terrace One Bedroom with a Fountain View.

FOUR SEASONS

The Four Seasons is always a solid choice, no matter what city or country you are in. The Las Vegas location is no different – a luxurious, upscale oasis that occupies floors 35-39 of the Mandalay Bay.

NOMAD

Guests looking for something a bit more luxurious than Park MGM might consider The Nomad. It’s located on the same property, and in the same building, in fact. The Nomad occupies the upper floors, and Park MGM sits on the lower floors of the former Monte Carlo Resort, but the guest experience is completely unique to each property. The Nomad has its own lobby, casino, pool and rooms.

RESORTS WORLD

This is the first ground-up resort to open on The Strip in more than 10 years. The mega resort houses three Hilton properties, each with a separate entrance and lobby – Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas and Crockfords Las Vegas. Guests are treated to the largest pool deck in the city, a 27,000-square foot spa and more than 40 food + drink options including a hawker inspired food court.

THE VENETIAN AND THE PALAZZO

The Italy-inspired design is unparalleled by anything else on The Strip, recreating the most iconic places in Venice including the Rialto Bridge, the Campanile, canal gondola rides and St. Mark’s Square. The Venetian also houses a shopping mall, nightclub and some of the best restaurants on The Strip. If you can’t get a room at The Venetian, its sister property The Palazzo is just next door.

THE WYNN AND THE ENCORE

A favorite amongst visitors that frequent The Strip for its upscale elegance, The Wynn and its sister property The Encore are located next to The Venetian at the far end of The Strip.

LAS VEGAS RESTAURANTS

BLOCK 9 THAI STREET EATS

Cheap and delicious Thai food option on the drive out to Red Rock Canyon. They serve up all the classic Thai dishes, making it a great stop for lunch before or after hiking.

CUT

Cut is high-end steakhouse located inside The Palazzo, and it might be Wolfgang Puck’s best restaurant in Vegas. Menu includes chilled shellfish, fresh seafood, salads and fixin’s, but it’s the steaks and sirloins cooked over burning coals and glowing embers of hard white oak and mesquite wood that make the restaurant so famous.

GORDON RAMSAY FISH & CHIPS

A tasty fish & chips spot on The Linq Promenade. This place is an affordable quick stop – nothing fancy, but delicious.

LOTUS OF SIAM

Hands-down the most popular Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, and they just opened up a beautiful new location at Red Rock Casino and Resort. The deep fried garlic prawns are a must.

MIZUMI

Upscale Japanese fare and sushi located inside The Wynn. Menu includes sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, tempura dishes and more. This place is pricey, but delicious.

MOTT 32

Award-winning Chinese restaurant that serves Canton, Shanghai and Beijing cuisine inside The Palazzo. The fine dining menu offers an array of dim sum dishes, peking duck, noodles and delicious cocktails. Restaurant is pretty big (and stunning), but reservations are recommended.

OYSTER BAR

Oyster Bar is a must for foodies visiting Las Vegas. This unassuming bar sits in the middle of the Palace Station casino. It’s open 24 hours a day, and there is always a wait (one hour if you’re lucky, usually longer). The menu is one for seafood lovers, filled with steamers, chowders, cioppino and shellfish pasta. But it’s the signature pan roasts, a creamy tomato seafood stew with a hint of brandy, that makes Oyster Bar so famous.

RAKU

Raku is on almost all Las Vegas foodie lists. It’s a tiny place that sits in a strip mall, but this izakaya serves up the best Japanese small plates in town. Reservations are a must.

RPM ITALIAN

New Italian restaurant that opened in The Form Shops at Caesar’s Palace. The fresh pastas and sauces are delicious, particularly the buccatini pomodoro.

SCARPETTA

For years Scarpetta was one of my favorite Italian spots in Manhattan, and then Scott Contant opened a Las Vegas location inside The Cosmopolitan. Menu includes fresh signature pastas, crisp salads, seafood and steaks.

SPARROW + WOLF

A gem of a restaurant located off The Strip, Sparrow + Wolf serves up delicious cocktails, as well as a variety of Asian-inspired dishes including Albacore sunomono with marinated cucumbers, crispy garlic and tosazu; King crab dumplings with xo butter, chive & lemon; Japanese sweet potato in umeboshi creme fraiche, lap cheong and scallions; and Shitake crusted Alaskan halibut with sugar snap peas and hon-shimeji mushroom. Good vibes, good drinks and good food here.

TACOS EL GORDO

Popular spot for cheap, delicious tacos. The location on South Las Vegas Boulevard is difficult to access (not easy to park, and a long walk from the main hotels on The Strip), but the other locations have drive thru’s and plenty of strip mall parking.

LAS VEGAS SPEAKEASYS

• 1923 Prohibition Bar (Mandalay Bay)
• The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails (Cosmopolitan)
• Datamosh (AREA15)
• Ghost Donkey (Cosmopolitan)
• Hey Kitty Kitty Vice Den (Resort World)
• Nowhere (Fontainebleau)
• SKi Lodge (Cosmopolitan)
• The Vault (Bellagio)

GET AROUND LAS VEGAS

The 4.2-mile Las Vegas Strip is home to all the big hotels, casinos, shops, restaurants and tourist activities. If you’re in town for a quick visit, then it’s easy enough to get around on foot and by Uber. All the big hotels have ride share pick up zones, and the airport is less than 15-minutes from The Strip. For visitors with more ambitious plans to explore greater Las Vegas and the surrounding region, I recommend a rental car. All rental car companies are located in a hub close to the airport – there are buses that shuttle everyone over free of charge.

GET TO LAS VEGAS

Most visitors will arrive via the Harry Reid International Airport, located just three miles from the start of the Las Vegas Strip. The airport connects Las Vegas to dozens of cities across the country, as well as a handful of international destinations.

LAS VEGAS TIPS

• WEEKDAY STAY – Visit during the week, Monday through Thursday. Flights and hotel rooms are usually half the cost, and the crowds are much more manageable.
• RESORT FEES – Be weary of resort fees. Several hotels on The Strip have an additional daily fee they hit guests with at check-in.
• CAR RENTAL – If you aren’t planning to leave The Strip while in Las Vegas, probably best not to rent a car. Rentals aren’t cheap, and most hotels charge an additional parking fee.