Las Vegas

Las Vegas emerges from the Mojave Desert with glowing signs and constant activity. Walk past replicas of global landmarks along the 4.2-mile Strip: the pyramid of Luxor, dancing fountains at Bellagio, and fake lava eruptions outside the Mirage. Over 40 million visitors come yearly to play blackjack at Caesars Palace, watch Lady Gaga perform at Park MGM, or eat sushi crafted by Nobu Matsuhisa. Between poker tables, you can examine vintage neon letters at the Neon Museum’s outdoor lot or watch "Hamilton" at the Smith Center. The city mixes giant casinos with quieter spots like Floyd Lamb Park’s ponds and the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s twisting steel architecture.

Walking the Las Vegas Strip

Bright lights and themed hotels define this central avenue. Time your visit to catch the Bellagio’s water fountains shooting 460 feet high, synchronized with songs from Frank Sinatra to Beyoncé between 3 p.m. and midnight. After sunset, crowds gather every hour near the Mirage’s lagoon to feel heat from fake volcano explosions. Ride the roller coaster looping around New York-New York’s scaled-down Statue of Liberty, or float in a gondola at the Venetian while singers perform Italian ballads. Free tram rides connect Excalibur’s castle to the Aria’s glass towers, letting you avoid sidewalk crowds.

Gambling Options Across the City

Sixty casinos operate here, from Fremont Street’s vintage slots to Wynn’s marble-floored gaming floors. Sit at green felt tables to try your hand at Texas Hold’em or place bets on where the roulette ball will land. Machines accept coins from a penny to $100, with themes ranging from Elvis to "Game of Thrones." Cocktail servers circulate with free drinks if you’re playing; keep dollar bills ready to tip them. High rollers can access private rooms with minimum bets starting at $10,000, monitored by security cameras.

Concerts and Performances

Six Cirque du Soleil shows run nightly, including "Mystère" with acrobats leaping above the audience and "KA" featuring a rotating stage. Buy tickets for Criss Angel’s mind-reading tricks at Planet Hollywood or Carrot Top’s prop comedy at Luxor. Major artists like Bruno Mars and Katy Perry perform weekend residencies at Colosseum-style venues. The Smith Center’s Broadway series includes "Wicked" and "The Lion King," with tickets starting at $65. Check casino box offices for last-minute discounts on same-day shows.

Exploring Nearby Landscapes

Drive 17 miles west to Red Rock Canyon, where Calico Tanks Trail leads to views of striped sandstone cliffs. Helicopters depart hourly from the Strip, flying over Hoover Dam’s curved wall before landing near Grand Canyon West’s glass Skywalk bridge. At Valley of Fire State Park, climb through Fire Wave’s swirling red rocks or photograph Elephant Rock’s trunk-like formation. Guided ATV tours take you through Eldorado Canyon’s abandoned gold mines, 45 minutes south of the city.

Restaurants and Food Choices

Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen serves British dishes like beef Wellington near Caesars Palace, while Picasso at Bellagio pairs lobster salads with original paintings. Locals line up for lotus root salad at Chinatown’s Chengdu Taste or spicy rice cakes at 8oz Korean Steakhouse. Buffets like Bacchanal at Caesars offer 500 dishes, from Alaskan king crab to churros. Reserve weeks ahead for Joel Robuchon’s 16-course menu with gold-leaf-topped foie gras.

Activities for Younger Visitors

Dig fake dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum’s interactive exhibit or shoot foam balls from air cannons at Discovery Children’s Museum. Adventuredome’s indoor loop roller coaster reaches 55 mph beneath Circus Circus’s pink dome. Watch sharks glide overhead in Mandalay Bay’s aquarium tunnel or meet flamingos at the Flamingo Hotel’s wildlife habitat. Most hotel pools allow kids until 6 p.m., with splash zones at Mandalay Bay’s beach complex.

Learning Local History

Guides at the Neon Museum explain how 1930s motel signs evolved into today’s LED displays during 60-minute tours. Downtown, the Mob Museum displays Tommy guns used in St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and lets you sit in a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Visit the Old Mormon Fort to see adobe walls built by missionaries in 1855, now surrounded by downtown high-rises. At the Atomic Museum, handle Geiger counters and learn about 1950s nuclear tests conducted 65 miles northwest.

Getting Around Las Vegas

Harry Reid Airport lies 5 miles south of the Strip; taxis charge flat rates of $19-$23 to most hotels. Ride the Deuce double-decker bus for $8 per day to reach downtown’s Fremont Street zip lines. Free trams link TI to Mirage and Monte Carlo to Bellagio. Walking the Strip takes longer than expected—allow 20 minutes to cross from Venetian to Harrah’s via pedestrian bridges. Police patrol major areas 24/7; report lost items at substations inside casinos.

Annual Events Worth Planning For

In April, Vegas Uncork’d lets you sample dishes from Wolfgang Puck and Guy Savoy at poolside tastings. May’s Electric Daisy Carnival fills the Speedway with electronic music stages and neon art cars. September’s Life Is Beautiful festival takes over 18 downtown blocks with concerts by The Killers and art murals you can touch. December brings rodeo competitions to Thomas & Mack Center, followed by New Year’s Eve fireworks launched from eight hotels.

Where to Stay

High-end options like Encore Wynn provide marble bathrooms and personal concierges, while budget hotels like Excalibur have basic rooms near monorail stations. Downtown’s Golden Nugget features a waterslide through a shark tank, and Resorts World opened in 2021 with a 5,000-capacity theater. Most hotels add $35-$50 daily fees covering pool access and gyms. For quiet stays, choose Vdara—it has kitchens but no casino.