Las Vegas : Your Ultimate Travel Guide for Sin City

Ahmed and I have both visited Las Vegas, together once and each without each other once. When we went together, we went for six days! You are probably thinking we are out of our minds, and people usually go for like 3 or 4 days. And you would be right! However, we got an awesome deal where it was the same price to go for 3 days as it was for 6, so we figured, why not? 

There is so much you can do in Vegas, even if you don’t gamble.  We’ve included free things to do and paid things to do. There is SO much to do in Vegas, especially shows, so we’ve included an option where you can search for even MORE things to do at the end.

Here’s what you can find in our guide (click to jump ahead):

• When to Visit
• Where to Stay
• Free or Low-Cost Things to Do
• Paid Things to Do
• A map of all the things
• Extra Things to Do
• Helpful Planning Tips

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When is the best time to visit Las Vegas?

I feel like I write this on every city guide but fall (Sept – Nov) and spring (March – May) are considered the best times to visit Las Vegas.  I visited mid-March both times, and Ahmed has also visited in January. March was the perfect temperature, though still a bit chilly at night. Summer is very hot in Vegas and you likely won’t be able to enjoy outdoor activities, other than maybe your hotel’s pool (which will be very crowded).  Winter’s weather during the day is still pleasant, though it can get quite cool at night. Also, hotel pools are also likely to be closed.

It is recommended to avoid crowded and popular holidays such as New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day (have been there during St. Patrick’s Day…it’s busy), unless of course that’s the reason for your trip. There are also a ton of conventions hosted in Vegas (which is why Ahmed went in January), so double check that you don’t overlap during your vacation to avoid premium hotel rates.

Where to stay in Vegas?

We both recommend staying on the strip, but we know people who love staying near Fremont.  It really depends what you plan on doing and seeing while in Vegas. 

Between the two of us, we have stayed at the Paris, Luxor, and The Strat. Out of the three, we would recommend Paris. It was central, clean, and we liked the restaurant.  When my friend and I went to Luxor, our first room was so bad, we had to ask to be moved. The second room was great (it was in the new part of the hotel), but the downfall was that it was far to get places and do things.  Ahmed stayed at the Strat in 2018 and said it was old, left a lot to be desired, and was also not walkable (it may have changed in the last 5 years, but we suggest doing your research). 

If you have the chance and can swing the budget, we have heard from friends that the Wynn and Bellagio are fantastic.

Explore Las Vegas hotel availability below:

Free or Low-cost Things to Do

1. Walk the Strip

If you’re coming to Las Vegas, you must walk the Las Vegas Strip! We recommend doing this both during the day and at night, as there are different vibes to each.  As you wander, pop in and out of the casinos and hotels (we have a couple recommendations below).  At night, it is a wonder to see the Strip all lit up, with lights and people everywhere. Take it in! If you want to see the strip from above, you can even take a helicopter ride at night (not free!).

2. Fremont Street Experience

Also known as downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street is only open to pedestrians (no cars here!), and is free to explore.  There are stages throughout with free music each night, and a zip-line that runs overhead.  It is covered by a giant LED canopy screen, so in the heat you can get some shade.  There are casinos, hotels, restaurants, and shops lining both sides of the street. To be guided through the area, you can take a walking tour (not free), but it can be included with if you purchase a city pass. If you’re staying on the Strip, you can easily take public transit here or come by Uber or cab.

3. Visit the Venetian Casino & Grand Canal

Wander through the Venetian casino hotel, and make sure to look up!  You will see elaborate Italian style décor, including beautiful ceilings. As you wander through the Grand Canal shopping venue, you’ll be transported to Venice.  The whole luxury shopping area is decorated like an outdoor Venice, complete with a water way and gondolas (yes, you can ride these but it is pricey).

4. Bellagio Casino & Fountains

Wander through the Bellagio hotel, taking in the beautiful artwork throughout.  Inside, you can visit the Conservatory for free. They have a Gallery of Fine Art with rotating exhibits (note: the gallery is not free).  I have seen a Faberge Egg exhibit and a Samurai exhibit.  Outside of the Bellagio are the iconic Bellagio Fountains.  These are worth taking in during the day and at night, when they are all lit up.

5. Visit the Las Vegas Sign

At the end of the Las Vegas Strip, you will find the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.  It is free to visit and take photos, but it will likely be busy (as with everywhere in Vegas).  We went during the day and night, but I personally like it all lit up at night.

6. Caesars Palace & The Forum Shops

Wander through Caesers Palace hotel and casino, checking out the Greek themed décor.  Inside Caesers Palace you will find The Forum Shops. It is super worth wandering through. This is basically a luxury mall inside the hotel.

MORE FREE THINGS:

• Visit the Shelby Heritage Center (cars & automotive history)
• Attend a free circus show at Circus Circus hotel
• Visit the flamingo habitat at the Flamingo hotel
• Go shopping at the Container Park
• Ride the free monorail between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay (great to shorten your Strip walk!)
• Visit the Pinball Hall of Fame

Other casinos and hotels to check out:

As you’re wandering along the strip, here are more hotels and casinos that are worth checking out. While wandering through the hotels is free, I hope it goes without saying that gambling, shopping, and restaurants are not.

• Wynn Las Vegas (go here for breakfast!)
• MGM Grand (home of many big-name concerts)
• Luxor Casino (can’t miss it, it’s the giant pyramid)
• New-York, New-York (home of the Big Apple roller coaster)
• Mandalay Bay Casino & Aquarium (including human-made beach!)
• Flamingo

Paid Things to Do:

If you’re planning to visit several paid attractions in Las Vegas, like the Eiffel Tower Experience, Neon Museum, or the Hop-on Hop-off bus , costs can add up quickly. It’s worth comparing your booking options: individual timed-entry tickets for specific attractions or bundled passes that include multiple entries. Options include a flexible Go City Las Vegas Pass (pick your attractions), and skip-the-line tickets and tours available through GetYourGuide. Always check official ticket sites directly to compare prices. If you choose the Go City Las Vegas Pass, you can use our code CAPTURENCRAVE5 for 5% off any city’s passes.

1. See a Cirque du Soleil Show

There are six different Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas.  The shows are O at the Bellagio, Mystere at Treasure Island, Michael Jackson ONE at the Mandalay Bay, Mad Apple at New York-New York, and Ka at MGM Grand.  All but Mad Apple at 90 minutes long with no intermission.  I have seen the first two, Mystere and “O”.  Mystere was the first Cirque show I had seen, so I was quite impressed.  Ahmed and I saw “O” and were floored.  I would recommend this to anyone I know and would easily pay to go again.

Tickets vary in price based on which show, which night, and what type of seats you select. You may be able to get last minute tickets if you go the morning of the show to the box office (or on the street…), but if you have a specific show and day/time you want to go, buy ahead!

2. Neon Museum

The museum houses signs from old hotels and casinos, or old signs from hotels and casinos that still exist.  As such, going after dark is recommended to get the full experience of the signs all lit up.  They lovingly refer to this as the “Las Vegas sign graveyard”.  There are nights that can sell out, so it is recommended to buy tickets in advance.  There are different types of tickets you can purchase, starting at $25USD for an adult (daytime admission).  Located in the same part of town as Fremont Street. If you’re staying on the Strip, you can easily take public transit here or come by Uber or cab.

3. Go up the Paris Eiffel Tower

Sure, it’s not the real thing, but it’s pretty good! The tower is 46 stories up and is a replica of the real thing.  You can catch stunning views across all of Las Vegas, including the strip. Once you’re up at the top, you can stay as long as you like!

You can book your tickets in advance, or wing it and buy tickets on sight starting at about $30USD per adult.

4. Las Vegas Sphere

The largest spherical structure in the World, the Las Vegas Sphere is an experience inside and out. The inside is an immersive entertainment arena, while the outside is a massive LED screen. You can see the outer screen from many places, but the best viewing spots are from the pedestrian bridge between the Venetian and the Wynn hotels, or from nearby parking garages. It’s free to view from the outside, but of course going to shows inside are ticketed (think concerts and the immersive Wizard of Oz experience). Concerts are usually best purchased directly or through ticketmaster, while Wizard of Oz tickets can also be purchased here.

5. High Roller Observation Wheel

The tallest Ferris wheel in the world, ride the High Roller Observation Wheel (pictured above).  Also called “The LINQ”, we recommend riding at night.  I mean, you can ride it during the day, but at night you can see the whole strip lit up.  We were lucky and only had 2 other people in the pod with us (pod? cab?). Relative to other Vegas activities, this one is fairly inexpensive.

Book tickets in advance, or on-site last minute tickets start at $29.25 per adult.

6. Mob Museum

You’ll find the Mob Museum in the same part of town as the Fremont Street Experience.  It is officially the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement.  It documents the history of the mob in Las Vegas and gives insight into some of the famous mobsters.  They have hands-on activities throughout the museum that come with a regular ticket, and extra things you can purchase as add-ons. A general admission ticket is $35USD on site, or you can book tickets ahead. If you’re staying on the Strip, you can easily take public transit here or come by Uber or cab.

7. Hoover Dam

You’ll need to rent a car or book a tour for this one! The Hoover Dam is a massive concrete dam on the Colorado River. If you’ve driven yourself to the Dam, go to the Visitor Center to purchase an on-site tour if you’d like. There are 2 types of guided tours, where you can tour the tunnels, ride the elevator, and tour the power plant, or a less expensive self-guided tour. We rented a car with the intention of driving to the Grand Canyon (Ha! We didn’t find it…).  We planned on stopping at the Hoover Dam on the way, which ended up being the biggest monument we saw during the day. Don’t forget to explore Lake Mead while you’re here!

8. Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is a wax museum inside the Venetian hotel.  This was the first Madame Tussauds in the US, and houses wax figures of celebrities and athletes such as Miley Cyrus, Beyonce, Shaquille O’Neal, and Mohammed Ali, (Sandra Bullock and Snoop Dogg pictured). This wasn’t the most riveting experience in Vegas or anything, but a good option if you need to kill some time, need something indoors, or have teenagers with you. Tickets start at about $40USD for an adult, but there are different packages that you can buy where you pair your admission with a gondola ride on the Grand Canal or get a photo with the wax figures.

For something a little cheeky…

9. Thunder from Down Under

On my first trip to Vegas, my friend and I each chose a show to see, and she chose Thunder from Down Under.  Most of the crowd were bachelorette parties, boomers on their birthday, or women celebrating their finalized divorce. While it isn’t what I would have picked, if this is what you’re looking for in Vegas, it’s a good option (and cheaper than Chippendales). We went on a Tuesday, so I think they were training their new dancers.  For those who don’t know what type of show this is, it’s very fit Australians stripping (think a cheaper version of Magic Mike). You can book tickets in advance, or take your chances at the box office for day-of tickets.

Note: If you have a specific musician, comedian, or magician you want to see, we suggest looking them up on their official page.

MAP of Things to Do in Las Vegas

HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one type of activity at a time or see all of the activities on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.

Explore MORE of Las Vegas

For more ideas in Las Vegas, such as other shows (like WOW The Vegas Spectacular), the STRAT tower, LINQ zipline, and more, explore Get Your Guide’s library of activities for ideas:

Buying tickets to multiple of these experiences can add up. See our break down above.

Helpful Planning Tips

I rely on these tools when planning my trips:

• Get Your Guide – reserve tickets for shows, the High roller, or attractions
• Go City Pass – check if multiple attractions in Las Vegas can be bundled for savings
• Airalo eSIM – get US data instantly on arrival, without roaming charges
• Stay22 – see hotel and resort options across the Strip at a glance
• Wanderlog – keep track of shows, attractions, and restaurants for a smooth itinerary