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Nevada, United States

Las Vegas

Two nights covers the Strip, downtown neon and a half-day in Red Rock before heading to the parks. We have mapped 4 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Las Vegas with friendsBrowse 10 places
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Places
10

4 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 2 Drink

Curated routes
1

Las Vegas & National Parks

Best season
Mar – May

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

42°C / 107°F avg high

Coolest month
December

14°C / 56°F avg high

Wettest month
February

about 23 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Las Vegas

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

4 sights worth building a day around across Downtown and The Strip.

  • Hoover Dam in Las VegasPhoto: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Hoover Dam

    1930s concrete giant on the Colorado River; walk the top and the bypass bridge for the full view.

    Tip Book the Dam Tour online; the bypass bridge walkway is free.

    • $$
    • 3 hr
    • Morning
  • The Neon Museum in Las VegasPhoto: Gregory Wingo · Google
    See

    The Neon Museum

    Boneyard of retired casino signs with guided tours on the history of Las Vegas.

    Tip Book a night tour to see the restored signs lit up.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • After dark
  • The Mob Museum in Las VegasPhoto: Wtstoffs · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    The Mob Museum

    Organized crime history in the old federal courthouse, with a speakeasy and distillery in the basement.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 2.5 hr
    • Afternoon
  • Bellagio Fountains in Las VegasPhoto: Kashyap Hosdurga · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Bellagio Fountains

    Choreographed fountain show on the Bellagio lake, free and right on the Strip.

    Tip Shows every 15 min at night; stand at the balustrade by the Bellagio entrance.

    • The Strip
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • After dark

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Downtown.

  • Fremont Street Experience in Las VegasPhoto: Jean-Christophe BENOIST · CC BY 3.0
    Do

    Fremont Street Experience

    Covered pedestrian mall with the Viva Vision light canopy, old casinos and street shows.

    Tip Light shows run on the hour after dusk.

    • Downtown
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Summerlin.

  • Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Las VegasPhoto: Wilson44691 · CC0
    Outdoors

    Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

    13-mile scenic drive past red sandstone cliffs, with short hikes like Calico Tanks.

    Tip Timed-entry reservation needed Oct–May for the scenic drive; go early.

    • Summerlin
    • $
    • 4 hr
    • Morning, Oct–Apr

Eat

Where we would book a table in Las Vegas across East of the Strip and North Strip.

  • Lotus of Siam in Las VegasPhoto: Del Cabon · Google
    Eat

    Lotus of Siam

    Famous northern Thai restaurant with a deep German Riesling list.

    Tip Order khao soi and the crispy rice salad; reserve ahead.

    • East of the Strip
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner
  • Peppermill Restaurant & Fireside Lounge in Las VegasPhoto: Cat Evans · Google
    Eat

    Peppermill Restaurant & Fireside Lounge

    1972 neon-lit diner and lounge with huge portions, open 24 hours.

    Tip The Fireside Lounge next door does classic cocktails by the fire pit.

    • North Strip
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Late night

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Las Vegas across Fremont East and West Sahara.

  • Atomic Liquors in Las VegasPhoto: Missvain · CC BY 4.0
    Drink

    Atomic Liquors

    Las Vegas's oldest freestanding bar (1952), once a spot for watching atomic tests.

    • Fremont East
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Evening
  • Herbs & Rye in Las VegasPhoto: Herbs and Rye · Google
    Drink

    Herbs & Rye

    Off-Strip cocktail bar with a history-organized drinks menu and half-price steaks at happy hour.

    Tip Happy hour runs late at night too.

    • West Sahara
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

How to fit Las Vegas into a trip

Las Vegas is stop 1 of 3 on our Las Vegas & National Parks route. Follow it as-is or lift Las Vegas into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Las Vegas month by month

Average daily highs run from 14°C / 56°F in December to 42°C / 107°F in July. February is the wettest month, with about 23 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Las Vegas weather and the best time to visit →

Near Las Vegas

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Las Vegas questions, answered

How many days do you need in Las Vegas?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Las Vegas. On our Las Vegas & National Parks route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 18 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Las Vegas best known for?

Two nights covers the Strip, downtown neon and a half-day in Red Rock before heading to the parks. Standouts on our list: Hoover Dam (1930s concrete giant on the Colorado River; walk the top and the bypass bridge for the full view); The Neon Museum (Boneyard of retired casino signs with guided tours on the history of Las Vegas); The Mob Museum (Organized crime history in the old federal courthouse, with a speakeasy and distillery in the basement).

When is the best time to visit Las Vegas?

Our Las Vegas & National Parks route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (42°C / 107°F), the coolest in December (14°C / 56°F) and the most rain in February (about 23 mm).

What are the best things to do in Las Vegas?

Start with Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Hoover Dam, The Neon Museum, The Mob Museum and Fremont Street Experience. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 2 bars & cafés.

Where should a group eat in Las Vegas?

Our picks: Lotus of Siam (East of the Strip); Peppermill Restaurant & Fireside Lounge (North Strip). Order khao soi and the crispy rice salad; reserve ahead (Lotus of Siam).

What is near Las Vegas?

The closest destinations in our guides are The Strip (about 7 km / 4 mi), Red Rock Canyon (about 26 km / 16 mi) and Zion (about 226 km / 141 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Las Vegas with your crew

Open the Las Vegas & National Parks route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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