3 days in Las Vegas

Day by day

1. Day 1: The Las Vegas Strip and Fountains of Bellagio

   The Las Vegas Strip, Fountains of Bellagio and Fremont Street Experience, then Sphere in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Fountains of Bellagio

      For a higher view, watch a show from the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at Paris Las Vegas across the street.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Resort buffet

      Major resorts such as Caesars Palace, Wynn, Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan; Downtown buffets cost less.

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Sphere

      Watch the Exosphere animations for free after dark from the pedestrian bridges near The Venetian or from the High Roller.

2. Day 2: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and Shark Reef Aquarium

   Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Shark Reef Aquarium and Pinball Hall of Fame, then Cirque du Soleil's O in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

      Go early in the morning to avoid the photo queue and the midday heat; tip performers only if you pose with them.

   2. Late morning

      Shark Reef Aquarium

      Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is built around a sunken-shipwreck tank and walk-through tunnels with sharks, rays, sawfish and sea turtles, plus a touch pool.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Shrimp cocktail

      Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Fremont Street.

   4. Afternoon

      Pinball Hall of Fame

      Bring small bills to change into quarters; older machines cost very little per game.

   5. Evening

      Cirque du Soleil's O

      Seats in the centre sections give the best view of the stage as it shifts between solid floor and water.

3. Day 3: Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and High Roller

   Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, High Roller and The Venetian and the Grand Canal Shoppes, then Neon Museum in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

      Inside Bellagio, the glass-roofed conservatory is replanted five times a year with elaborate themed displays — Lunar New Year, spring, summer, autumn and the winter holidays — using thousands of flowers, trees and sculptures.

   2. Late morning

      High Roller

      Ride at dusk to see the Strip in daylight and as the lights come on during a single rotation.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Steakhouse dinner

      Strip resorts, and off-Strip classics such as the Golden Steer, open since 1958.

   4. Afternoon

      The Venetian and the Grand Canal Shoppes

      The Venetian recreates Venetian landmarks from the Rialto Bridge to St Mark's Campanile, and its indoor Grand Canal Shoppes line a canal under a painted sky where singing gondoliers pole boats past the shops.

   5. Evening

      Neon Museum

      Book an after-dark slot to see restored signs glowing; daytime visits need sun protection, as there is little shade.

Before you go

• Sphere: Concerts and immersive films sell out at popular times; book on the official site and compare seat sections.
• Cirque du Soleil's O: Weekend performances sell out; book ahead and compare seat sections, as some side views are partly blocked.
• Neon Museum: Entry is by timed ticket and evening slots sell out; book online in advance.

If it rains

• Swap in Mob Museum (Downtown): Finish with a drink at The Underground, the speakeasy in the basement.
• Swap in AREA15 and Omega Mart (West of the Strip): Allow at least two hours for Omega Mart and open every door and freezer; much of the experience is hidden.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Center Strip keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, South Strip ($$) suits families, first-timers and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–18 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.7 hours in December to 14.6 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Las Vegas
• 2 days in Las Vegas
• 4 days in Las Vegas
• 5 days in Las Vegas
• 7 days in Las Vegas

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