Las Vegas, located in southern Nevada, is one of the world’s best-known entertainment, gaming, convention, and resort cities. It is also a convenient base for visiting desert landscapes, canyons, and national parks in the Southwest.
Las Vegas is also one of the most popular wedding destinations in the United States, with everything from traditional chapel ceremonies to themed weddings.
For travelers, Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital. The city offers casinos, luxury hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, sports events, concerts, magic shows, Cirque-style productions, and nightlife. Book hotels, shows, and tours through official hotel sites, venue sites, or reliable ticketing platforms.
In Las Vegas, you can enjoy the energy of the Strip, then escape to nearby natural areas such as Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon region. According to LVCVA data, Las Vegas welcomed about 38.5 million visitors in 2025.
What do you need to look for in Las Vegas? Which hotel to choose? And what attractions can you visit in the surrounding area? If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, this article will surely help you. In the meantime, you can check out the article “Tips for Landscaping Around Las Vegas” to learn more about the great places to visit around Las Vegas.
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Table of Contents
What to see in Las Vegas?
As the second largest casino in the world, there are more than 75 casinos in Las Vegas offering different levels of gambling games, so whether you’re a small taster or an expert gambler, you can have a great time in Las Vegas.
Luxury hotels are another major feature of Las Vegas. More than 30 top luxury hotels/resorts have been built on the famous Las Vegas Strip, offering over 150,000 rooms/suites, and 14 of the world’s 20 largest hotels are established in Las Vegas.
The ultra-luxury scale hotels not only provide a top-notch room stay experience but also each offer different special services, including highly representative decorative buildings, shopping centers, super popular restaurants and entertainment venues, etc., so that you can spend a wonderful day without leaving the hotel.
Cabaret is the best part of Las Vegas nightlife, and you can find many types of shows at your hotel or theater, such as magic shows, celebrity concerts, and cabaret shows.
In addition to these typical Las Vegas features, you can experience many entertainment activities such as real gun shooting, helicopter tours, and interactive pavilions.
The best time to visit Las Vegas
As a tourist city, Las Vegas is suitable for visiting all year round. However, in summer, from June to September, the maximum temperature in Las Vegas may exceed 40° C. Therefore, Las Vegas in summer is not the best time to visit.
Since Las Vegas is characterized by luxury hotels, hotel prices are the main consideration when scheduling a trip.
In Las Vegas, hotel prices can vary considerably depending on the point in time – for example, there can be double the price difference between a Thursday and a Friday – but there is essentially no difference in the services enjoyed during the tour.
So, if your time permits, it is recommended that you come mid-week to avoid the crowds and save money on your excursion at the same time.
The temperature variations in Las Vegas throughout the year are shown in the chart below:
Direct Flights to Las Vegas
The main airport in Las Vegas is Harry Reid International Airport (airport code: LAS ), which is the seventh busiest airport in the country and handles around 22 million travelers annually.
It takes about 15 minutes to rent a car from Harry Reid International Airport to downtown Las Vegas.
Below are several major city airports and flight information for direct flights to Harry Reid International Airport within the United States.
| Direct Flight City (airport code) | flight time | direct airline |
|---|---|---|
Dallas, Texas (DFW) | 2 hours and 44 minutes | American Frontier Sun Country Spirit |
Houston, Texas (IAH) | 3 hours and 25 minutes | Frontier Sun Country Spirit Southwest United |
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) | 1 hour and 14 minutes | American Alaska Delta Southwest JetBlue Spirit United |
San Francisco, CA (SFO) | 1 hour 37 minutes | Alaska United Frontier Southwest |
San Diego, CA (SAN) | 1 hour 12 minutes | Allegiant Frontier Spirit Southwest |
New York, NY (EWR) | 5 hours and 31 minutes | JetBlue Spirit United |
New York, NY (JFK) | 5 hours and 31 minutes | American Delta JetBlue |
Boston, MA (BOS) | 5 hours and 46 minutes | Delta Spirit JetBlue |
Philadelphia, PA (PHL) | 5 hours and 20 minutes. | American Frontier Spirit |
Atlanta, GA (ATL) | 4 hours 08 minutes | Frontier Delta Southwest Spirit |
Phoenix, AZ (PHX) | 1 hour 13 minutes |
|
St. Lous, MO (STL) | 3 hours and 37 minutes | Southwest Frontier Spirit |
Denver, CO (DEN) | 1 hour 58 minutes | Allegiant Frontier Southwest United Spirit |
Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) | 1 hour 26 minutes | Frontier Delta Southwest Spirit |
Oakland (OAK) | 1 hour 26 minutes | Allegiant Southwest Frontier Spirit |
Santa Ana (SNA) | 1 hour 05 minutes | Allegiant Frontier Southwest Spirit |
Albuquerque (ABQ) | 1 hour and 33 minutes | Frontier Southwest Spirit |
Dallas, TX (DAL) | 3 hours 05 minutes | Southwest |
New Orleans (MSY) | 3 hours and 49 minutes | Frontier Southwest Spirit |
Birmingham (BHM) | 4 hours and 20 minutes | Southwest |
What are the traffic and road conditions in Las Vegas?
As one of the liveliest tourist cities, Las Vegas has paved highways, the main one being the famous Las Vegas Strip / Las Vegas Blvd, a 4-mile stretch of highway. Although it is essentially governed by Clark County, most visitors to the city still think they are in Las Vegas.
Shuttling through Las Vegas, the main options are driving, cabs, or Uber, but of course, two types of public transportation are offered: the shuttle bus The Deuce, and the tram Monorail.
The Deuce bus stops at Fremont Street Experience, Bonneville Transit Center, and South Strip Transit Terminal, and generally runs 10-15 minutes during the day and 20 minutes at night, with two-hour, one-day, and three-day tickets available. Three-day passes are available for 2-hour, 1-day, and 3-day trips. You can check the bus website to determine routes and schedules. It should be noted that the speed of the buses may be affected by the condition of the vehicle, for example, when the traffic is heavy, the buses will slow down.
The tram is a public transportation system developed for green travel, offering multiple stops, efficient and punctual, unaffected by surface traffic, and currently offers a variety of ticket types such as one-way tickets, one-day tickets, two-day tickets, three-day tickets, etc., which are more flexible and can be purchased in advance on the official website.
What are some good restaurants in Las Vegas?
There are countless restaurants in Las Vegas and they can be found on the side of the road and in hotels. Offering different styles of cuisine and different price levels, here is a look at some of the more unique or very popular restaurants.
#1. Gordon Ramsay Steak 4 . 2/5.0 (4,556 reviews) map
The first Las Vegas restaurant by British chef Gordon Ramsay, it features steak dishes as well as chilled shellfish platters and Ramsay’s signature sticky toffee pudding Reservation Connection
#2. Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen 4.4/5.0 (9,833 reviews) map
Gordon Ramsay’s second restaurant to open in Las Vegas offers more menu options than a steakhouse, as well as signature sticky toffee pudding. Reservations are very tight. Reservation Connection
#3. Sparrow + Wolf 4 . 6/5.0 (915 reviews) map
Chef and owner Brian Howard uses fresh seafood, vegetables, and cured meats to create new and innovative dishes that will surprise diners.
#4. Mayfair Supper Club 4.5/5.0 (591 reviews) map
Upscale restaurant with a view of the Paramount Hotel fountains Reservation Connection
#5. Lotus of Siam – Flamingo Road 4.7/5.0 (638 reviews) map
Thai-style restaurant serving authentic Tom Yum Goong cuisine as well as fried pork and more.
#6. Crossroads Kitchen 4.4/5.0 (59 reviews) map
The restaurant, which has been visited by many celebrities and politicians, can cook a wide range of vegetarian ingredients into meat dishes that are beautiful and tasty enough to pass for real.
#7. Topgolf 4 .5/5 .0 (4,872 reviews) map
Located next to the golf course with a direct view of the course from the restaurant, it offers such things as Mexican food, barbecue, desserts, and drinks.
#8. Mon Ami Gabi 4.5/5.0 (9,486 reviews) map
Offering the most authentic French cuisine in an elegant traditional French restaurant décor and service quality Booking Connection
#9. CATCH 4.3/5.0 (873 reviews) Maps
Offers a variety of flavors including Asian, seafood, and steak.
#10. Beauty & Essex 4.6/5.0 (1,262 reviews) map
A newer restaurant offering a wide selection of craft cocktails, relax and enjoy music and food in a relaxed restaurant setting.
#11. NoMad Library 4.1/5.0 (154 reviews) map
Featuring New York’s iconic NoMad Library décor, the restaurant is a great place to enjoy a meal in a rich literary atmosphere.
#12. Bazaar Meat 4.5/5.0 (1,779 reviews) map
Chef José Andrés specializes in a wide range of meat dishes, so meat lovers can get their fill here.
#13. Hexx Kitchen & Bar 4.3/5.0 (4,928 reviews) map
Terrace-style landscaped restaurant with views of the fountains at the Parade and the crowds of traffic traveling through the Las Vegas Strip.
#14. Delilah 4.5/5.0 (452 reviews) map
Decorated in the style of a classic old-fashioned club, it resembles the glitz and glamor of the time and echoes the unique glamour of Las Vegas. Dinner and craft cocktails are served.
#15. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon 4.7/5.0 (716 reviews) map
Another restaurant that serves upscale French cuisine with an overall luxurious décor.
#16. Il Mulino New York – Las Vegas 4 . 5/5.0 (152 reviews) map
A semi-open-air Italian restaurant with typical European decor, where you can enjoy a variety of Italian cuisine while enjoying the view along the street.
Takeaways
- Tipping: Las Vegas offers the best service to travelers from all over the world, so whether at a hotel, restaurant, or store, please tip promptly after receiving service.
- Have a little cash on hand: It’s a good idea to have a little cash on hand before you go to Las Vegas to pay for tips, etc., as you may have to pay higher ATM fees compared to other places if you use an ATM in a Las Vegas hotel or casino.
- Stay hydrated: Las Vegas receives very little rainfall throughout the year and has a dry climate, so if you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, bring a water bottle and stay hydrated.
- Advance Reservations: There are many globally recognized restaurants in Las Vegas, such as Gordon Ramsay’s two restaurants, which require reservations to gain access to the dining room and may require reservations far in advance, so if you plan to dine in one of the popular restaurants in Las Vegas, it’s a good idea to check out their reservation information first.
- By Taxi: According to local law, cabs on the street can only be parked in designated spots, so if you need to take a cab, it is advisable to check a map for nearby parking spots, sometimes there may be a queue so it is best to allow enough time for your trip.
What to bring to tour Las Vegas?
Bathing Suit: There are different types of pools offered in almost all luxury hotels in Las Vegas, so remember to bring your bathing suit.
Light jacket: Las Vegas has a desert climate, so it can get chilly at night, and, in some casinos, you may also feel cold.
Comfortable Shoes: If you’re going to walk along the Las Vegas Strip to enjoy the nighttime views of the city that never sleeps, be sure to bring a pair of comfortable sneakers.
Sunscreen: During the day, the sun is strong in Las Vegas and sun protection is important.
Las Vegas Hotel Recommendations
There are dozens of hotels, large and small, in Las Vegas, but the most distinctive are the dozen or so ultra-luxurious hotels spread out on both sides of the Las Vegas Strip.
Aside from staying in hotels to experience different dining and entertainment programs, you can also experience different entertainment programs in different venues in Las Vegas.
Below is a map of the 12 Las Vegas hotels we recommend, and as you can see, all of them are located on both sides of the Las Vegas Strip.
Distribution of 12 recommended hotels in Las Vegas:
- The Mirage
- Bellagio Hotel & Casino
- Caesars Palace
- The Venetian
- MGM Grand
- Luxor Hotel & Casino
- New York-New York Hotel & Casino
- Encore at Wynn Las Vegas & Wynn Las Vegas
- The Cosmopolitan
- Paris Las Vegas
- Aria Resort and Casino
- The LINQ Hotel + Experience
1. The Mirage Hotel
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (40,994 reviews)
Recommended activities
- On-site zoo: Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat, a kid’s favorite, with white tigers, lions, dolphins
- In front of the hotel, there is a free volcano eruption show, which is a feast for the eyes.
- Hundreds of species of fish can be viewed at the check-in counter.
The Mirage Hotel is one of the more cost-effective 4-star hotels in the area and is located across the street from the Venetian, so you can stay here and then visit the shopping center in the Venetian during the day.
The man-made volcano in front of the hotel is an iconic classic that “erupts” every 5 minutes, but the evening show is even better and completely free. The evening show is even better and completely free of charge. The shows are held daily at 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm, and 11:00 pm.
Behind the check-in counter of the hotel, there are more than 85 species of fish, totaling more than 450 fish, so don’t forget to take a look at them when you arrive, as the kids will surely enjoy it.
The Mirage also has a zoo called “Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat”, which houses lions, white tigers, and other ferocious beasts, and you can also watch dolphin shows and participate in dolphin interaction programs, which you need to pay separately if you enter the zoo. The price is $25 per person.
2. Bellagio Hotel & Casino
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 7/ 5.0 (112,562 reviews)
Recommended activities
- Bellagio Fountain
- Cirque du Soleil Show: “O” by Cirque du Soleil
The Bellagio Hotel is a local landmark, as is the Bellagio Fountain in front of the hotel, which performs every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at night.
At the Paragon Hotel, you can watch the Cirque du Soleil show, an absolute feast for the eyes, not only the acrobats’ superior skills, but also its scene planning and visual effects will definitely blow your mind.
Inside, the hotel has a large shopping center, art galleries, many styles of dining, greenhouses, and multiple pools for the whole family.
The following videos detail the features of the Paragon Hotel, as well as the entertainment program:
3. Caesars Palace
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (107,891 reviews)
Recommended Activities
- The whole hotel is decorated in the ancient Roman style, which is very unique and worth seeing.
- The hotel has an oversized shopping center on site
- Bacchanal Buffet
- Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen
As its name suggests, this Caesar’s Palace hotel specializes in ancient Roman style, and both the exterior structure and the interior decor are properly ancient Roman.
The hotel offers an oversized shopping center, as well as the Bacchanal Buffet, the most popular buffet restaurant in the area, and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, a globally acclaimed restaurant.
4. The Venetian
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (97,458 reviews)
Recommended activities
- The entire hotel is designed in the style of the Venetian Water City
- Grand Canal Shoppes
- Fitness and Massage Center: Canyon Ranch Spa and Fitness
- Mott 32 Restaurant
- Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Restaurant
The Venetian is currently the largest hotel in the United States and the second largest in the world, and the interior of the hotel offers the largest standard guest rooms on the Las Vegas Strip in terms of square footage.
The Venice Hotel has a large shopping center, man-made canals, and man-made skies, offers gondola cruises, and along with the décor, it’s like moving Venice to Las Vegas.
Another feature is the Canyon Ranch Spa and Fitness in the hotel, which offers activities such as rock climbing, where health-conscious travelers can also consult a nutritionist and enjoy acupuncture treatments.
For dining, you’ll find Mott 32, one of the best Chinese restaurants in the country, and the French-inspired Thomas Keller’s Bouchon at the Venetian.
5. MGM Grand Hotel
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (88,459 reviews)
Recommended Activities
- Cirque du Soleil Show: Kà BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
- David Copperfield Magic Show
- The Hunger Games exhibition
- rooftop golf
The MGM Hotel is the third largest hotel in the world and has a bronze statue of a lion in front of it, the largest in the United States, which is perfect for a photo op.
Inside the MGM Hotel are branded stores such as World of Coca-Cola and M&M Chocolate World.
Inside the MGM hotel, catch a Cirque du Soleil show and a David Copperfield magic show, or visit The Hunger Games exhibit, featuring movie-related scenes on display as well as interactive games and more. The hotel also offers rooftop golfing.
6. Luxor Hotel & Casino
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2 / 5.0 (79,662 reviews)
Recommended Activities
- Fantasy show
- Blue Man Group show
- America’s Got Talent Show
- Titanic artifacts exhibition: over 250 historical artifacts from the shipwreck on display
The hotel features Egyptian-style architecture with Egyptian pyramids and the Sphinx, which is taller than the Great Sphinx of Egypt in front of the hotel.
At the hotel, you can enjoy a variety of fine performances including Fantasy, Blue Man Group, and America’s Got Talent, or visit the “Titanic: Artifacts Exhibit” featuring more than 250 historic artifacts from the shipwreck. historical artifacts from the shipwreck
7. New York-New York Hotel & Casino
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (68,585 reviews)
Recommended Activities
- Mad Apple at Cirque du Soleil
- Roller Coaster in the City: The Big Apple Coaster
The hotel offers a wide range of flavorful cuisine, including Chinese, Italian, and French, and you can also browse the Hershey’s chocolate store.
The most famous of these is the thrilling The Big Apple Coaster.
Here’s a video of the Big Apple Coaster roller coaster, which can be really thrilling to sit on.
8. Encore at Wynn Las Vegas & Wynn Las Vegas
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas | Wynn Las Vegas |
|---|---|
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (16,823 reviews) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (49,034 reviews) |
Recommended Activities
Both properties are part of the same Preferred Hotel & Resorts group, one of the most luxurious hotels in Las Vegas, and are undergoing renovations in 2022.
The biggest difference between the two hotels is that they offer different directions of view, while checking in to the different hotels needs to be done at the check-in reception desk of the respective hotels and the pools of the two hotels are only open to their respective residents.
However, the two share some hotel services.
It offers a gorgeous spa, the fully-branded Wynn Plaza, and several fine restaurants, including SW or Lakeside, a lake-view restaurant with a view of Lake of Dreams, The Buffet at Wynn, the most popular buffet, and Wing Lei, North America’s first Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant.
9. The Cosmopolitan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (62,317 reviews)
Recommended Activities
- The hotel pool is the most highly rated
The hotel is located near the Parade Hotel and has a view of the fountain at the entrance to the Parade.
With several indoor and outdoor pools, the hotel has one of the highest-rated pools in the Las Vegas hotel area.
The catering on offer is more limited, with the Wicked Spoon being one of the more cost-effective buffets in the area.
10. Paris Las Vegas
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (61,224 reviews)
Recommended Activities
- Model of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe outside the hotel
- Several French restaurants in the hotel
The iconic Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are in front of the hotel. The hotel had originally planned to build the Eiffel Tower on 1:1 scale, but in consideration of the nearby LAS airport, the scale could only be scaled down to about half.
Entertainment offered at the hotel is prioritized, featuring many French restaurants for those who prefer the French style.
11. Aria Resort and Casino
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (35,323 reviews)
Recommended Activities
The all-glass exterior, the most distinctive feature of the region, is highly modern and technological, while the guest rooms are equipped with a variety of high-tech devices, such as one-touch lighting, temperature control, and curtain control.
In addition to regular rooms, Aria Casino Hotel offers seven Sky Villas and more than 400 Sky Luxury Suites, all equipped with private elevator entrances, private swimming pools, private concierge services and airport transportation services.
Entertainment is also provided by a technologically advanced spa offering a salt room spa, Japanese stone rock slab bath beds, a new medical spa, and a co-ed hydrotherapy pool.
12. The LINQ Hotel + Casino (The LINQ Hotel + Experience)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2 / 5.0 (38,418 reviews)
Recommended Activities
- Hawker Ferris Wheel: High Roller Observation Wheel
A smaller hotel, the biggest feature is the Ferris wheel in front of the hotel, is currently the world’s largest diameter Ferris wheel High Roller Observation Wheel, up to 167 meters high, turns a full circle and takes 30 minutes, you can ride at night, from different heights to enjoy the view of the night city of Las Vegas.
Other Excursions
STRAT SkyPod
4.4 / 5.0 (282 reviews)
The STRAT SkyPod is a local landmark viewpoint that, at 1,149 feet tall, is the tallest observation tower in the nation and the second tallest freestanding structure west of the Mississippi River.
The top of the tower not only provides an extremely stunning visual experience but also offers exciting entertainment programs to challenge your guts.
Las Vegas Sign
4.6 / 5.0 (22,048 reviews)
A signage constructed in the 1950s with neon accents, located in the middle of the road, is one of the most popular attractions that the vast majority of tourists arriving in Las Vegas stop for a photo.
shooters
In Las Vegas, you can experience real gun shooting if you are 21 years old or older, there are several shooting ranges in the area, the largest and best equipped is the Battlefield Vegas map, offering a wide range of gun types, you can also see a wide range of military vehicles and weaponry, the venue offers a wide range of packages for different levels of visitors to satisfy the desire to try a little bit of everything.
Helicopter Experience (Helicopter)
Aerial footage of Las Vegas is featured in many movies, and you can take a helicopter ride to be there for the magical experience of looking down on Las Vegas along the streets. There are two main helicopter tour operators in the area:
- Maverick Helicopter Tours 4.8 / 5.0 3,564 reviews, booking website
- 5 Star Helicopter Tours 4.7 / 5.0 355 reviews, booking website
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