There is no city like Sin City. Las Vegas is the capital of Nevada and styles itself as “the entertainment capital of the world.” It is famous for its luxurious and big casino-hotels which welcomed over 40.8 million visitors in 2023 alone.
Vegas is a popular setting for literature, films, television programs and music videos. The glitz and glamour of this spectacular place, which truly comes alive at night, is unmatched. Whether you’re a gambler, history enthusiast, outdoor trekker or nightclub frequenter, there is something for everyone here.
Here’s your three-day guide to Vegas.
The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is an icon of the city but is located beyond the actual city limits. A trip to Las Vegas is incomplete without a photo-op here.
Next, take a tour of the Las Vegas Strip. It is where you will spot all of the city’s most well-known resort hotels and casinos such as The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and the Mandalay Bay, to name a few attractions. The Strip is about 6.8 km long.
While touring The Strip, pop into a casino or resort if it piques your curiosity. The Wynn Las Vegas, the Encore Las Vegas, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and the Durango Casino and Resort are some of the best places to try your luck at slot machines, craps, roulette, blackjack and poker. Remember to take a break and get some fresh air so as not to become addicted to the games.
Eat lunch at any of the resort's on-site restaurants. We recommend The Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, Denny’s, the Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge, Yard House, Wahlburgers, and Dean’s Place as some of the city’s finest food houses.
Next, head to The Mob Museum. Located in downtown Las Vegas, the museum is an immersive experience where guests learn about the events and characters that have shaped organised crime in the country. The interactive exhibits and multimedia displays can be toured with a guide. You can also participate in a group scavenger hunt to reveal the museum’s secrets.
Check out the Fremont Street Experience. Composed of five blocks the central attraction here is a barrel vault canopy 27m high and 419m in length. The stunning visuals, light shows and LED canopy of the place is a sight to behold. Its SlotZilla Zipline, an 11-storey slot machine-inspired attraction, is an experience we recommend. There are two ways to go about it. The "Zipline" launches from a platform 23m in the air while the "Zoomline" launches from a platform of 34m and whisks flyers 533m all the way down the Fremont Street Experience to a landing platform at the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.
After dinner check out some of the city’s famed nightclubs like Omnia at Caesars Palace, Marquee and Oddfellows.
Start your second morning with a visit to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Its large red rock formations were formed by thrust faults. The walls are up to 910m high, making them a popular hiking and rock climbing destination. The highest point is La Madre Mountain at 2,485m. Several side roads and parking areas allow access to many trails. A visitor centre is at the start of the loop road, which is also popular for bicycle touring. A morning spent here is energising and awe-inspiring.
Taking nature’s wonders indoors is the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. It houses more than 2,000 animals who dart in and out of shipwrecks while you gaze at their elegance. You can also dive alongside the sharks or if you prefer a less scary experience, join the staff in feeding them and stingrays.
Next, visit the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The mall has several fountains and its interior includes sky-painted ceilings which change from day to night. Eat at The Cheesecake Factory and shop for new threads at Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Victoria's Secret, Emporio Armani, Max Mara and Hugo Boss, to name a few of the outlets found here.
Visit the 167m tall High Roller Ferris wheel on The Strip. This is the largest observation wheel in North America which offers sweeping 360-degree views. The wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution and features 28 spacious cabins to accommodate visitors.
Now’s your chance to walk The Strip at night. Don’t miss the Fountains at Bellagio, a true Vegas spectacle with more than a thousand swaying fountains synchronising with music and light displays. The water can soar as high as 140m into the air.
Visit the Neon Museum which is a treasure trove of iconic signboards of old casinos and other businesses from the 1930s to the present day. Each sign in their collection has a unique story about the personalities who created it, what inspired them, where and when the sign was made, and the role it played in the city’s history. The property includes the outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard, a visitor’s centre housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby and the Neon Boneyard North Gallery.
Next, take a gondola ride at The Venetian Resort. Float beneath bridges, beside cafés and under balconies, all while coasting down the Grand Canal. A singing gondolier pilots every gondola so take the opportunity to be serenaded Italian style.
Afterwards, visit the sweetest store in town, Hershey’s Chocolate World. With more than 800 Hershey’s chocolates and candies in the famous New York-New York Hotel and Casino, it features a sculpture of the Statue of Liberty made out of almost 362kg of milk chocolate. Stop by the store to customise your own chocolate bars, star in a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups ad and choose from a wide selection of tasty treats.
Don’t leave Sin City without a trip to another icon: the Hoover Dam. Constructed during the Great Depression, it is the highest concrete arch-gravity dam in the United States. It traps Lake Mead, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. The dam is used for flood and silt control, hydroelectric power, agricultural irrigation, and domestic water supply.
The MGM Grand and The Venetian Las Vegas offer luxe stays. The South Point Hotel Casino and Spa and the Oasis at Gold Spike are budget-friendly options. For hostels we recommend Bposhtels and Sin City Hostel.
Fly to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas via Europe or Canada.