Vegas was the first stop on my southwest road trip! You can easily see so much here during a long weekend. There’s an overwhelming amount of resorts, fine dining restaurants, luxury shops and photography locations to explore. This guide covers all of my favorite hotels, restaurants for every budget and things to do away from The Strip as well as travel tips and my favorite photo spots. Viva Las Vegas!
Las Vegas Travel Tips
- Travel during weekdays for cheaper flights and rock bottom hotel prices for incredible themed resorts right on The Strip.
- Food is expensive here—dinner for two is easily over $100 at most nice table-service restaurants. Find a fast-casual restaurant that you love if you’re on a budget.
- If you’re dying to see a certain show, buy tickets ahead of time. They sell out quickly.
- If you’re renting a car, make sure to park in one of the free garages on The Strip (like the Shops at the Venetian garage). Most parking garages will charge you starting at $20 if you stay longer than one hour.
- Explore Summerlin for a fun day of shopping and fine dining away from the hustle and bustle of The Strip.
- Take a day trip out in nature to explore Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire State Park.
What to Wear in Las Vegas
Going Out Outfits
Swim
Best Las Vegas Hotels Ranked
Wynn Las Vegas ($$$$)
My favorite resort. This is one of the nicest resorts on The Strip, and everything about it is absolutely stunning: the decor, the restaurants, the architectute. The Wynn goes all out for the holidays, so make sure to time your trip for December for the spectacular holiday display.
Caesar’s Palace ($$$)
Another personal favorite. Caesar’s Palace is themed after Rome, and I always have a soft spot for anywhere that reminds me of my Italian travels. This resort also has the best air quality out of all of the casinos I visited because of its state-of-the-art air filtration system. This was honestly a huge dealbreaker for me because I’m extremely sensitive to smoke. Just something to keep in mind if you have asthma or hate the smell of cigarette smoke—go to Caesar’s! The Forum Shops are also a must-see: so many incredible details and luxury stores everywhere you look. Stop by Vanderpump Cocktail Garden for an airy indoor garden vibe and a quick bite to eat.
The Venetian ($$$)
The Venetian is hands-down the most photogenic resort on The Strip. The indoor canals and gondolas floating by remind me so much of a little slice of Venice. Take some time to wander through the Grand Canal Shoppes: they rival The Forum. Gondola rides here are a splurge though—even more expensive than the ones in Venice. Make sure you explore the outside area of the resort to see the Venetian’s version of St. Mark’s Square and the Campanile.
The Bellagio ($$$)
A perfect resort for those who love the finer things in life. The Bellagio boasts gilded hallways, incredible restaurants and the world-famous fountain show. The Bellagio Fountain lights up with water displays and color every 30 minutes before 8:00pm and every 15 minutes after 8:00pm. This was my favorite free activity in Vegas—it’s spectacular and a must-see on any trip.
Mandalay Bay ($$$)
The most exotic hotel on The Strip, Mandalay Bay evokes a palatial air of the tropics. This resort had one of the best casinos and some of the nicest architecture of any of the resorts I visited. There’s also a shark reef here, which is a huge draw if you’re an aquarium lover. Mandalay Bay is conveniently located within walking distance of the MGM Grand and The Excalibur.
Park MGM ($$)
The newest addition to The Strip. Park MGM is the most modern out of all the resorts I visited and also has the best dining options. Eataly is located here and it is the Italian market of my dreams. This is the only restaurant I’ve been to that rivals those in Italy: it’s essentially an open-air market of different types of Italian fare. This is also the only place I’ve seen that you can get Venchi gelato stateside (the best Italian gelato you will ever eat!).
The Luxor ($)
This Egyptian resort has one of my favorite themes on The Strip. I personally stayed at The Luxor and had a so-so experience with the room itself, but at $20/night, can I really complain? The resort amenities are pretty stellar here, from a pool oasis to the star-studded live entertainment.
The Excalibur ($)
A medieval-themed resort and one of the first landmarks you’ll see when you start driving down The Strip. The theme is executed pretty well and the prime rib here is top-notch. The Excalibur is definitely an iconic Vegas resort to add to your trip!
New York New York ($)
The only Vegas resort themed after an American city. The New York New York theme is executed quite well and this is one of my favorite resorts from the outside. If you’re a thrillseeker, this resort even offers an outdoor rollercoaster that loops around the building!
Things to Do in Las Vegas Away From The Strip
- Neon Museum: outdoor museum of retired Vegas neon signs. Beautiful photo spot and a lot of history. You can buy tickets in advance here.
- Seven Magic Mountains: iconic Instagram spot out in the desert with seven towers of multi-colored boulders.
- Valley of Fire State Park: hidden gem state park only one hour away from Vegas. Come for incredible sunset views and a quick getaway from Sin City.
- Red Rock Canyon: another incredible nature spot just an hour away from Vegas. The hiking views can’t be beaten.
Las Vegas Restaurants
$-$$
- Eataly (Park MGM)
- Taco Bell Cantina (The Strip)
- Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar (Summerlin)
- Hash House A Go Go (LINQ)
- Tacos El Gordo (The Strip)
$$$-$$$$
- Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen (Caesar’s Palace)
- Bacchanal Buffet (Caesar’s Palace)
- Mon Ami Gabi (Paris Las Vegas)
- Bouchon (The Venetian)
- Lago (Bellagio)
Las Vegas Shows
There are an endless amount of shows in Las Vegas, and the headliners are always changing. Carrot Top at The Luxor was one of my favorite parts of my Vegas trip—I even ran into him a few hours before the show! This is arguably the best comedy show in Vegas and by far my favorite. You can see the full schedule of Vegas shows here.
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