4 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 Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, then Sphere in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Las Vegas Strip

      Allow Half a day (free). Distances are deceptive: the next resort can be a 15-minute walk away, so use the pedestrian bridges, trams and Monorail, and carry water in summer.

   2. Late morning

      Fountains of Bellagio

      Shows run frequently from the afternoon until late at night and are free to watch from the lakeside promenade on the Strip.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Resort buffet

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

   4. Afternoon

      Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

      Allow 30 minutes (free). Go early in the morning, when the conservatory is quiet and the light through the glass roof is soft.

   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: High Roller and The Venetian and the Grand Canal Shoppes

   High Roller, The Venetian and the Grand Canal Shoppes and Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck, then Cirque du Soleil's O in the evening.

   1. Morning

      High Roller

      A full rotation in one of its 28 glass cabins takes about 30 minutes, with views over the Strip and the surrounding desert; some cabins serve drinks.

   2. Late morning

      The Venetian and the Grand Canal Shoppes

      Allow 1 hour (free). Walking the indoor canal is free; book a gondola ride only if you want the full serenade.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Shrimp cocktail

      Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Fremont Street.

   4. Afternoon

      Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck

      The half-scale Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas has an observation deck 46 storeys up, directly across the street from Bellagio's lake, which makes it one of the best places to watch the fountain shows from above.

   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: Fremont Street Experience and Neon Museum

   Fremont Street Experience, Neon Museum and Mob Museum, then AREA15 and Omega Mart in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fremont Street Experience

      Allow 2–3 hours (free). Walk a few blocks east to Fremont East for cocktail bars with a more local crowd.

   2. Late morning

      Neon Museum

      Night visits show restored signs lit up.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Steakhouse dinner

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

   4. Afternoon

      Mob Museum

      Allow 2–3 hours (mid-priced). Finish with a drink at The Underground, the speakeasy in the basement.

   5. Evening

      AREA15 and Omega Mart

      Allow at least two hours for Omega Mart and open every door and freezer; much of the experience is hidden.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead

   About 45 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Car or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead

      About 45 minutes by car (Car or organised tour); about 55 km.

   2. Day

      Hoover Dam and Lake Mead

      Completed in 1936, the 221-metre Hoover Dam holds back the Colorado River to form Lake Mead. Walk across the top of the dam, take a guided tour inside, and see it from the pedestrian walkway on the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Boulder City and Lake Mead's marinas are nearby.

   3. Evening

      Back in Las Vegas

      Dinner: try Chinatown pho, hot pot and dim sum.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Sphere, Cirque du Soleil's O and Neon Museum before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 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 17–21 hours of visiting over 4 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
• 3 days in Las Vegas
• 5 days in Las Vegas
• 7 days in Las Vegas

Questions travellers ask