Travel guide · United States
Las Vegas travel guide
Themed resorts, big shows and the desert parks beyond the Strip
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Las Vegas packs giant themed resorts, casinos, shows and restaurants along the 6.8 km Las Vegas Strip, with the older Downtown and Fremont Street a short bus ride north. Beyond the gaming floors, visitors come for Cirque du Soleil and concert residencies, celebrity-chef dining, pool clubs and the Sphere. The Mojave Desert starts at the city's edge: Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire and the Grand Canyon are all within reach. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are March–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- March–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- LAS
- Mid-range daily budget
- $200–$400 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- The Strip, Casinos, Shows and residencies and Bellagio fountains
Why visit Las Vegas
- Free spectacles line the Strip: the Bellagio fountains, the Bellagio Conservatory's seasonal displays and the Fremont Street light canopy.
- Shows run nightly, from long-running Cirque du Soleil productions to concert residencies and immersive films at the Sphere.
- Dining ranges from resort buffets to steakhouses and celebrity-chef restaurants, plus a large Asian food scene on Spring Mountain Road.
- Red Rock Canyon is about 30 minutes away, and Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Zion and the Grand Canyon make classic day trips.
- Midweek Strip room rates can be modest for the standard of hotel, though resort fees add to every bill.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Street · The Strip
The Las Vegas Strip
The 6.8 km stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard from Mandalay Bay to The STRAT is lined with themed mega-resorts: a pyramid at Luxor, the canals of The Venetian, a half-scale Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas and the Roman forum of Caesars Palace.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Landmark · Center Strip
Fountains of Bellagio
Bellagio's choreographed fountains send jets of water up to about 140 metres above an artificial lake, set to music from opera to pop.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
- Photo spot
Experience · Center Strip
Sphere
Opened in 2023 behind The Venetian, the Sphere is a 112-metre-high spherical venue whose exterior, the Exosphere, is covered in LED panels showing animations visible across the city.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- After dark
- Rainy day
Street · Downtown
Fremont Street Experience
Five blocks of Fremont Street in Downtown are covered by Viva Vision, a giant LED canopy that plays free light-and-music shows after dark, while stages, street performers and vintage casinos such as the Golden Nugget line the pedestrian mall below.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- History
Landmark · South Strip
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
Designed by Betty Willis and erected in 1959, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign stands in the median south of Mandalay Bay with its own small car park.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
Experience · Center Strip
Cirque du Soleil's O
Performed in and above a pool holding about 5.7 million litres of water at Bellagio since 1998, O is one of the longest-running Cirque du Soleil shows on the Strip, combining acrobatics, high diving and synchronised swimming.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- After dark
- Couples
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Where to stay
Center Strip is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, couples and luxury
Center Strip
Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the busiest stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard
$$ · Best for families, first-timers and budget
South Strip
Mandalay Bay, Luxor's pyramid and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and quiet stays
North Strip
Wynn, Resorts World and Fontainebleau near the convention center
$ · Best for budget, nightlife and solo travellers
Downtown and Fremont Street
Vintage casinos, old neon and the Fremont Street light canopy
What to eat
- Resort buffet — The all-you-can-eat buffet is a Vegas institution.
- Shrimp cocktail — The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino on Fremont Street has served its shrimp cocktail in a tulip glass since 1959, a throwback to old Vegas dining.
- Steakhouse dinner — Prime steaks and martinis in dark, old-school dining rooms are a Vegas tradition, from celebrity-chef steakhouses in the Strip resorts to long-running independents with red booths and tableside service.
- Chinatown pho, hot pot and dim sum — Las Vegas's Chinatown stretches for several kilometres along Spring Mountain Road west of the Strip, with Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Filipino restaurants, many open late.
- Adobada tacos — Tijuana-style tacos of spit-roasted, chilli-marinated adobada pork shaved onto small tortillas with guacamole salsa are a local favourite after a night out.
- Late-night diner breakfast — Because many casinos run around the clock, diners serve pancakes, steak and eggs at any hour.
When to go
The best times to visit Las Vegas are March to May and October to November, when days are warm and sunny, nights are comfortable and hiking at Red Rock Canyon is pleasant. July and August are extremely hot, with highs often above 40°C, though pool season and lower midweek rates still draw visitors. Winter is mild by day but cold at night. Big conventions and events affect hotel prices more than the season, so check the calendar before booking.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | December–February | Sunny, mild days and near-freezing nights, holiday displays and New Year's Eve crowds; CES in January sends prices soaring. |
| Spring | March–May | Warm, dry and the most comfortable season for hiking and pools, with spring break, pool-club openings and festivals bringing busy weekends. |
| Summer | June–August | Extreme heat above 40°C, monsoon storms and flash-flood risk; life moves to the pools and indoors, and midweek rates fall. |
| Autumn | September–November | Heat eases through September into perfect October and November weather, with football, hockey and the Formula 1 race. |
Getting there and around
Harry Reid International Airport is only about 5 km south-east of the Strip. Taxis and rideshares reach most Strip resorts in 10–20 minutes from designated pick-up areas at each terminal; RTC buses also serve the airport but are slower with luggage.
The Strip is long and hot to walk, but most visitors manage without a car using the Monorail, free resort trams, the Deuce bus and rideshare. A car is useful for Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and the national parks.
Plan your days
Two or three nights cover the Strip, a show, Fremont Street and Red Rock Canyon. Four or five days adds Hoover Dam and a Grand Canyon or Zion day trip, plus time at the pool.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink but hard and mineral-tasting; many visitors prefer filtered or bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars and for complimentary casino drinks, a few dollars for valets, porters and housekeeping, and an occasional tip for dealers when you win.
The main risks are heat and dehydration: drink water constantly, avoid midday hikes in summer and never leave children or pets in parked cars. On the Strip and Fremont Street, watch for pickpockets in crowds and ignore people handing out cards or offering deals. Keep track of drinks and spending in casinos.
Flights to Las Vegas
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Las Vegas?
Two or three nights cover the Strip, a show, Fremont Street and Red Rock Canyon. Four or five days adds Hoover Dam and a Grand Canyon or Zion day trip, plus time at the pool. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Las Vegas?
The best times to visit Las Vegas are March to May and October to November, when days are warm and sunny, nights are comfortable and hiking at Red Rock Canyon is pleasant. July and August are extremely hot, with highs often above 40°C, though pool season and lower midweek rates still draw visitors. Winter is mild by day but cold at night. Big conventions and events affect hotel prices more than the season, so check the calendar before booking.
+What is Las Vegas known for?
The Strip, Casinos, Shows and residencies, Bellagio fountains, Buffets, Neon signs and Grand Canyon trips. Free spectacles line the Strip: the Bellagio fountains, the Bellagio Conservatory's seasonal displays and the Fremont Street light canopy.
+Is Las Vegas expensive?
Las Vegas is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $200–$400 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Las Vegas?
Not for the Strip or Downtown, where walking, the Monorail, buses and rideshare work well. Rent a car for a day or two for Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Zion or the Grand Canyon.