Seven kilometres of neon in the middle of the Mojave Desert
Las Vegas
LanguageEnglish
CurrencyUSD
TimezoneGMT-8
Temperature5-30 °C
Dial Code+1
Population335M
Area9,833,520 km²
SocketsType A / Type B
Tap waterDrinkable
Discover Las Vegas
Las Vegas grew up in the middle of the Mojave Desert around a railway stop, and from the 1940s became America's capital of gambling, entertainment and conventions. For visitors it's almost entirely about one street: Las Vegas Boulevard, known as the Strip, seven kilometres long, lined with vast hotel-casinos with thousands of rooms, each built around its own theme — Venice, Paris, Egypt, New York or ancient Rome. The casinos are linked by walkways and bridges over the street, and inside they have no windows or clocks, so it's easy to lose all sense of time. Even non-gamblers will find days of things to do: Cirque du Soleil acrobat shows, resident-star concerts, the Sphere, fountains and celebrity-chef restaurants. The old Downtown area to the north, around Fremont Street, is cheaper and has a 1950s atmosphere. Las Vegas also makes the best base for the national parks: the Grand Canyon, Zion and Death Valley are all within five hours' drive. In summer, though, it regularly exceeds 40°C.
What to see
The places worth your time in Las Vegas, and what to expect at each
Walking the Strip
The Strip
A seven-kilometre boulevard lined with some of the world's most famous hotels, where you can walk from Egypt through Paris and Venice to Rome in a single evening. The Luxor hotel has a glass pyramid, Paris a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower, and New York-New York a Manhattan skyline complete with a roller coaster.
Tip: Distances on the Strip are deceptive: the hotels are so large that even neighbouring ones are a 10-minute walk apart, and the whole Strip takes two hours end to end. Go after dark, when it's cooler and everything is lit up, and use the Deuce bus or the monorail between distant sections. Inside casinos, follow the signs to street exits, which are deliberately kept low-key.
Admission:
free
Time needed:
3 h
Bellagio Fountains
The Strip
Dancing fountains in an artificial lake in front of the Bellagio hotel, shooting water up to 140 metres high every 15–30 minutes in time to music ranging from Sinatra to Andrea Bocelli. The show is free and runs from afternoon until midnight.
Tip: The best spot is on the bridge or the pavement directly in front of the hotel at its centre, not on the corner. From the Paris hotel across the way, you can see the fountains from above from the restaurant terrace or the Eiffel Tower viewpoint. Inside the Bellagio, the conservatory with floral displays that change five times a year, and the Dale Chihuly glass ceiling in the lobby, are both worth a stop.
Admission:
free
Time needed:
45 min
Sphere
The Strip (east)
A 111-metre-high sphere, opened in 2023, whose exterior is the world's largest screen, visible from across the Strip. Inside is a 17,000-seat auditorium wrapped in screen, hosting immersive films and concerts.
Tip: Outside, the Sphere is free to view and looks best from the bridge by the Venetian hotel or from the High Roller viewpoint. The film Postcard from Earth inside is the cheapest way to experience the interior screen; seats in section 200 have a better view than the pricier ones below. Ticket prices vary with demand and are cheaper on weekdays.
Admission:
admission fee
Time needed:
1.5 h
The Venetian and Grand Canal Shoppes
The Strip
A hotel with replicas of the Venetian bell tower, the Doge's Palace and the Rialto Bridge, plus an indoor canal beneath a painted sky where gondolas glide by with singing gondoliers. Together with its sister hotel Palazzo, it's one of the largest hotels in the world, with 7,000 rooms.
Tip: Walking through the shopping arcade with the canal on the upper level is free and feels best when it's baking hot outside at midday. The indoor gondola ride is expensive and short; the outdoor canal is cheaper and has a real sky above it. A few steps away is the Sphere, and next door the Wynn hotel with its gardens and floral installations.
Admission:
free
Time needed:
1.5 h
Fremont Street Experience
Downtown
A pedestrian zone in the historic Downtown area, beneath a 450-metre-long video-screen canopy that hosts a light show every hour in the evening. Home to the city's oldest casinos, including the Golden Nugget, with the SlotZilla zipline running overhead.
Tip: Gambling and food here are noticeably cheaper than on the Strip, with table minimums from $5. The light show runs every hour after dark, and between shows live bands play for free on three stages. Neighbouring East Fremont has better bars for locals. From the main Strip, the Deuce bus takes 20 minutes.
Admission:
free
Time needed:
2 h
Neon Museum
Downtown
An outdoor graveyard of old neon signs from Las Vegas casinos and motels dating back to the 1950s, including giant signs from the Stardust, the Sahara and the Moulin Rouge. The visitor centre is housed in the shell of the former La Concha Motel, designed by Paul Williams in 1961.
Tip: Go on the evening tour, when the restored signs are lit up; by day the site feels more like a scrapyard. Timed tickets are sold online and sell out on weekends. The museum is downtown, so it pairs well with an evening on Fremont Street.
Admission:
admission fee
Time needed:
1 h
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
South Strip
A diamond-shaped sign from 1959 at the southern end of the Strip, designed by Betty Willis, who never copyrighted it, which is why it appears on souvenirs worldwide. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tip: There's a small car park by the sign, and the queue for a photo can run to half an hour; it's shorter in the morning. Elvis impersonators and costumed characters offer photos for a tip. The sign stands in the median of the boulevard, so don't walk here along the road — drive to the car park right by the sign, or take an Uber.
Admission:
free
Time needed:
30 min
High Roller
The Strip
A 167-metre-high observation wheel, opened in 2014, with 28 glass-enclosed pods each holding 40 people. One rotation takes 30 minutes, with views from the top over the whole Strip, the Sphere and the desert mountains beyond.
Tip: Go at dusk, as the Strip lights up; a timed ticket after dark costs more. The Happy Half Hour pod includes a bar and drinks in the price, giving adults better value for money. The wheel stands by The LINQ Promenade pedestrian zone with restaurants and bars.
Admission:
admission fee
Time needed:
1 h
The Strat
North Strip
The tallest observation tower in the United States, 350 metres high, at the northern end of the Strip. The top has a glass-enclosed viewing deck, a revolving restaurant, and thrill rides that dangle over the tower's edge more than 300 metres up.
Tip: The viewpoint is cheaper than the High Roller and higher up. Thrill-seekers can jump off the tower on the SkyJump, the world's highest controlled decelerator descent. The revolving Top of the World restaurant is expensive, but dinner there includes access to the observation deck, so the difference against a standalone ticket isn't that great.
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Mid-Strip
Best for: first-time visitors and shows
The stretch between the Bellagio and the Venetian, with Caesars Palace, Paris, the fountains, the Sphere and the High Roller. Everything is walkable, and most shows play here. Hotels are the priciest, with resort fees over $50 a night; pick one without long corridors to the lifts.
South Strip
Best for: families and pools
Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur and MGM Grand, with large pool complexes, an aquarium and a pyramid. Closer to the airport and the Welcome sign. Hotels are cheaper and quieter, and it's a free inter-hotel tram or a 20-minute walk to mid-Strip.
Downtown and Fremont Street
Best for: lower prices and old Vegas
The historic centre, with smaller casinos, Fremont Street, the Neon Museum and the Arts District with its bars and vintage shops. Hotels cost half of Strip prices and often skip the resort fee. Away from the main street it's less pleasant at night, and it's a 20-minute bus ride to the Strip.
Off the Strip
Best for: quiet and having a car
Hotels near the airport, in Henderson, or in Summerlin close to Red Rock Canyon are cheaper and offer free parking. They suit those taking trips out to the parks and visiting Vegas only in the evening. Pointless without a car.
Harry Reid International Airport sits right behind the southern end of the Strip, five minutes' drive from the first hotels. It's reached with a connection at a major European hub such as London, Frankfurt or Amsterdam, sometimes with a further connection at a large American hub; the journey takes 16–20 hours. ESTA authorisation is required before departure, costing $40. Slot machines greet you right as you step off the plane. Many visitors also drive from Los Angeles on the I-15, a 4–5 hour trip across the desert; it's jammed on Friday afternoons, and again heading back on Sundays.
Harry Reid International (LAS) · 8 km
Taxi to the Strip· 10–20 min· $25
Uber / Lyft to the Strip· 10–20 min· $20
RTC bus route CX / 108· 30–45 min· $2
Shared hotel shuttle· 30–60 min· $15
Around town
The Strip is long, and walking outdoors during the day is exhausting in summer, so it's best combined with the bus and monorail. The Deuce bus runs along the Strip around the clock and into Downtown; the monorail runs behind the hotels on the east side, from MGM Grand to the Sahara. Free trams link some hotels on the west side, such as between Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Taxis and Ubers have dedicated pickup points at hotels. A car is essential for day trips; casino parking is mostly paid, $20–40 a day, with some downtown hotels the exception.
Deuce busA double-decker bus running the length of the Strip and into Downtown around the clock. Tickets via the rideRTC app or a stop machine, for two hours or the full day. · $6/2 h
Las Vegas MonorailSeven stations behind hotels on the east side of the Strip, from MGM Grand to the Sahara, serving the convention centre. Fast in the heat, but stations require a long walk through the casinos. · $6/ride
Inter-hotel tramsFree between Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay, and between Bellagio, Crystals and Park MGM. · free
Uber, Lyft and taxisBoard only at the designated hotel pickup point, not on the street. A short ride on the Strip takes longer than it looks due to the detours required. · $12
Car rentalEssential for trips to Red Rock, the Hoover Dam and the national parks. Rental agencies share a facility 3 km from the airport, with a shuttle bus. · $40/day
The best months are March to May and October to November: 20–30°C during the day, cool nights, and ideal conditions for desert and national park trips. From June to September it hits 40°C or more by day, nights stay around 30°C, and daytime life is really only bearable in air-conditioned casinos or by the pool — but weekday hotel prices drop sharply. Winter is cold and sunny, with nights around freezing, and the pools are closed. Prices in Las Vegas aren't dictated by weather but by the calendar: on weekends hotels cost two to three times more than Sunday through Thursday, and during major trade shows like CES in January, prices can triple.
Best time
March to May and October, Sunday to Thursday
What to avoid
July and August for the heat; weekends and major trade-show weeks for the prices
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Day
14°
17°
21°
26°
31°
38°
40°
39°
34°
27°
19°
14°
Night
4°
6°
9°
13°
18°
24°
27°
26°
21°
14°
8°
3°
Rainy days
3
3
3
1
1
0
2
2
1
1
1
2
Food & drink
Over the last 20 years Las Vegas has transformed from $5 buffets into one of America's great dining cities — almost every celebrity chef has a restaurant here. All-you-can-eat buffets still exist, but they've become pricier, costing $60–80 at the top hotels. You'll eat cheaply at casino food halls, in Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road, and downtown. Free drinks are given only to players at the slots and tables, and a tip is expected in return. Drinking alcohol outdoors is allowed on the Strip and Fremont Street, but only from a plastic cup.
What to try
Casino buffet
Hundreds of dishes, from crab legs to sushi to desserts, for 1 price. Bacchanal at Caesars Palace and the buffet at Wynn are the best and priciest; on weekend brunch, waits run to an hour, so book a time slot.
Steak
Vegas has dozens of steakhouses where beef is dry-aged and grilled over wood coals. A large cut is ordered for two, with sides charged separately. Budget $70–150 per person before drinks.
Shrimp cocktail
Boiled shrimp with a spicy tomato sauce in a glass, a historic cheap casino treat from the 1950s. Golden Gate on Fremont Street has served it since 1959, and it's still just a few dollars.
Celebrity chef burgers
Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay and other big names have burger restaurants on the Strip, where you get a famous chef's food for $30 with no reservation needed. The cheapest way into a "celebrity restaurant".
Asian food on Spring Mountain
Chinatown west of the Strip is six kilometres of restaurants — Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese ramen, Korean and Thai — cooking for casino staff. Pho or ramen for $15, open late into the night.
Cocktails with a view
Bars on hotels' upper floors overlooking the Strip are a Vegas speciality; a drink here costs $20–25. The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan sits inside a giant crystal chandelier.
Mexican tacos
A third of Las Vegas's population is of Latin American origin, and the taquerias off the Strip are authentic and cheap. Tacos al pastor around downtown cost $2–3.
What it costs
Resort fee per night
$35–55 + tax
Casino buffet
$35–80
Cocktail at a Strip bar
$18–25
Cirque du Soleil show ticket
from $80
24-hour Deuce bus pass
$8
High Roller
from $25
Casino parking per day
$20–40
Night at a 4* Strip hotel on a weekday
$80–200 + resort fee
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
Practical information
SocketsAtwo flat pins (US/JP)Btwo flat pins plus ground (US)
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Tap waterTap water is drinkable — Tap water is safe to drink across the United States, and restaurants will bring it free with ice — just ask for "tap water". Buying bottled is unnecessary and pricey — a bottle costs $2–3 in a shop, $5 at an attraction. A refillable bottle is worth carrying, as airports and parks have filling stations. Ice is everywhere, and drinks are served noticeably colder than is usual in Europe.
TippingTipping isn't optional here — it's part of staff wages. At a table-service restaurant, tip 18–20% of the pre-tax total; at a bar, a dollar per drink; taxi and rideshare drivers, 15%; housekeeping, $3–5 a night; porters, $2 a bag. Card terminals usually offer percentage buttons — watch out, as these are sometimes calculated on the total including tax. In Las Vegas, sales tax of over 8% is added to prices, and hotels add a 13.4% tax — including on the resort fee, which is added to the room rate for every night and is often in the small print of the booking. At the gaming tables, tips go to the dealer, typically as a chip when you win.
Driving on theright
SafetyTourist areas of major American cities are safe by day and police are visible, but the line between a good and a bad neighbourhood can be sharp and just a few blocks wide. Check your accommodation's address on a map beforehand. Never leave visible belongings in a parked car. A crucial budget item is health insurance: an ER visit without insurance costs thousands of dollars, an ambulance ride over a thousand, and American hospitals expect payment upfront — high-limit travel insurance is an absolute necessity here. The emergency number is 911. In Las Vegas the main risk is heat: drink plenty of water in summer, save outdoor walks for the evening, and never leave anyone or anything living in a car.
Opening hoursShops open from 10am to 9pm including Sundays, and supermarkets and pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens are often open 24 hours. Restaurants serve breakfast from 6am, lunch from 11am, and dinner early — by 9pm many kitchens are already closing. Bars check ID for anyone who looks under 40, and won't serve you without a passport; a copy isn't enough. Drinking alcohol in public, on the beach, or in a car is not allowed.
Customs & etiquetteStaff friendliness in conversation is a professional standard, not an invitation to friendship. Queuing is respected, and personal space is larger than in Europe. Haggling only happens over cars and at flea markets, never elsewhere. Smoking is banned in practically all indoor spaces and on many beaches. Questions about salary and politics aren't raised with strangers. Only people over 21 may gamble in a casino, and ID is checked even at slot machines. Photographing gaming tables and players is forbidden and enforced by security.
A few local wordsHello — Hi / Good morningThank you — Thank youThe bill, please — Check, pleaseJust looking, thanks — Just looking, thanksHow much is that with tax? — How much is it with tax?Tap water, please — Tap water, please
How to plan your days
1 day
A day on the Strip
1Morning: photo at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
2Late morning: pool time at the hotel, as it's hot outside.
3Afternoon: the Venetian and Grand Canal Shoppes, then the Sphere from outside.
4At sunset: the High Roller.
5Evening: the Bellagio fountains and a show.
2 days
2 days with old Vegas
1Day one as above.
2Morning: a trip to Red Rock Canyon for the scenic drive.
3Afternoon: by the pool, or a film at the Sphere.
4Early evening: an evening tour of the Neon Museum.
5Evening: Fremont Street and the light show under the canopy.
3 days
3 days with the dam
1First two days as above.
2Morning: the Hoover Dam and a power-plant tour.
3Afternoon: The Strat and its viewpoint.
4Dinner on Spring Mountain Road in Chinatown.
5A final cocktail with a view of the Strip.
Day trips
Hoover Dam
50 km · 45 min by car
A concrete dam from 1936, 221 metres high, on the Colorado River at the Nevada–Arizona border, with Lake Mead behind it. A tour of the power plant takes you by lift into the interior of the dam. The best view of the whole structure is from the footpath on the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman arch bridge above it.
Red Rock Canyon
30 km · 30 min by car
Red and white sandstone cliffs 20 minutes from the Strip, with a 22 km scenic drive and hiking trails. Entry must be booked online for a specific time slot from October to May. Mornings are best, when it's cool and the light hits the rocks well. Anyone with time can continue north to Valley of Fire.
Grand Canyon
450 km · 4 h 30 min by car to the South Rim
From Las Vegas you can head either to the West Rim, in the Hualapai tribal reservation with the glass Skywalk viewpoint, two and a half hours away, or to the national park at the South Rim, four and a half hours away. The West Rim is closer but pricey and less impressive; the South Rim has the classic view, but is too far for a single day and better done with an overnight stay. Scenic helicopter flights from Vegas cost several hundred dollars.
Frequently asked questions
What is a resort fee?+
A mandatory per-night charge that Strip hotels add to the room rate for wifi, the pool and the gym. It runs from $35–55 plus tax, and applies even if you use none of it. Always factor it into any hotel comparison, or a cheap room stops being cheap.
Do I have to gamble in Las Vegas?+
Not at all — most visitors come for the shows, food and day trips. Anyone who wants to try can set a fixed budget and play the slot machines, where minimum bets start from a few cents. Players must be 21, and table minimums start at $10 on the Strip, $5 downtown.
When's the best time to visit?+
Spring and autumn, and weekdays rather than weekends. Sunday to Thursday, hotels cost a third to half the weekend price. In summer it hits 40°C during the day and desert trips become dangerous; in December and January it's cold and the pools are closed.
How do I get cheap show tickets?+
The Tix4Tonight kiosks on the Strip sell same-day show tickets at up to 50% off. Hotels also offer package deals with a ticket included. For the most in-demand shows, such as Cirque du Soleil and resident-artist concerts, buy online directly from the hotel as early as possible to avoid overpaying resellers.
Do I need a car in Las Vegas?+
Not on the Strip — the Deuce bus, the monorail and Uber cover that fine. For trips to Red Rock, the Hoover Dam and the national parks, yes. It's best to rent one just for the days you're taking trips, since casinos charge for parking; a downtown hotel with free parking suits you if you have a car the whole time.
Can I do the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas in a day?+
To the West Rim, yes — it's a 2.5-hour drive. The South Rim is technically possible too, but at the cost of 9 hours in the car. It's better to stay overnight near the South Rim, in Tusayan, and combine it with Page and Horseshoe Bend. Organised bus tours set off at 6am.
Is Las Vegas suitable for children?+
Casinos are for adults; children may pass through them but not linger. Family-friendly options include hotels with pool complexes on the south Strip, the aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the High Roller, the fountains, and trips out into nature. Fine for 1–2 nights, but for a week another destination is a better fit.
How long is the drive from Los Angeles?+
By car it's 4–5 hours on the I-15 through the Mojave Desert, up to 7 on a Friday afternoon. By plane it's an hour, with dozens of flights daily. A loop combining Los Angeles, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon is a classic 10–14 day trip.
Visa Requirements
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
