Las Vegas
- Jun 24
- 10 min read
Just so you know, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book something through our link, it won't cost you any more, but we might get a small commission.
Las Vegas is one of those places that everyone thinks they know before visiting. The bright lights, huge casinos and famous hotels are exactly as you'd expect, but there's also much more to the city than the Strip.
One of the things that makes Las Vegas so unique is its themed hotels. You can walk from ancient Egypt at Luxor to the canals of Venice at The Venetian, before finding yourself beneath the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas or surrounded by Roman-inspired architecture at Caesars Palace. Even if you're not staying in these resorts, it's worth stepping inside them all as each one has its own atmosphere and attractions. It really is bizarre but it works so well. Each hotel is full of bars, restaurants and huge casinos. You can and probably will get lost!
Most people spend their time on Las Vegas Boulevard, known as "The Strip", home to many of the city's best-known hotels and attractions. Despite looking small on a map, the Strip is much bigger than it seems, so expect to do plenty of walking.
Starting at the southern end, you'll find the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign before getting to the resorts like Mandalay Bay and Luxor, known for its black pyramid and beam of light that can be seen across the city. Next comes Excalibur, one of the most recognisable hotels in Las Vegas with its castle-like exterior and medieval theme. Across the bridge is New York-New York, designed to look like the Manhattan skyline and even has the Big Apple Rollercoaster that wraps around the hotel.
MGM Grand is across the street, famous for its emerald-green exterior, enormous casino and long history of hosting major entertainment shows. Continuing north, you'll reach Park MGM, a more modern and relaxed resort, before arriving at Aria, one of the Strip's sleekest hotels with its contemporary design and impressive collection of restaurants. Next is The Cosmopolitan which is known for its stylish atmosphere and balconies (these are very rare in a Las Vegas hotel). Across is Planet Hollywood, which we thought had a really good selection of restaurants and bars like Flights Restaurant and Blondies.
Further along the strip is Bellagio, one of the highlights of the Strip. Its famous fountains perform throughout the day and evening and are well worth stopping for. Inside, the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are free to visit and change with the seasons. Across the road, Paris Las Vegas brings a taste of France to Nevada with its half-scale Eiffel Tower, Next door is The LINQ that has the the High Roller observation wheel and one of the liveliest entertainment districts on the Strip and the new Vanderpump Hotel.
Further north, Caesars Palace is instantly recognisable with its Roman-inspired architecture, luxury shopping, clubbing (We were lucky enough to see Tiësto at OMNIA Dayclub and thoroughly enjoyed it although we appreciate this may not be for everyone) The Flamingo, one of the oldest and most historic hotels in Las Vegas, still retains plenty of vintage Vegas charm. Then there's Harrah's and The Venetian. The Venetian is one of the city's most impressive themed resorts, complete with indoor canals, gondolas and detailed recreations of Venice's famous landmarks.
At the northern end of the Strip you'll find Wynn and Encore, often regarded as two of the most luxurious resorts in Las Vegas, known for their elegant interiors, high-end shopping and fine dining. Resorts World is one of the newest additions to the Strip, bringing together several hotel brands in one huge complex. Fontainebleau is another recent addition that has quickly become known for its bright blue exterior, luxury rooms and upscale dining. We thought this hotel was lovely.
Across is Circus Circus, a classic Las Vegas resort that has been entertaining families for decades with its indoor amusement park and circus acts and finally at the very northern end of the Strip is The Sahara and The STRAT which is the instantly recognisable observation tower, which dominates the Las Vegas skyline. Visitors can head to the top for incredible views across the city or try one of the thrill rides that sit high above the Strip.
The Strip really comes alive after dark when the lights switch on and the atmosphere changes completely. It's also one of the best places in the US for food, with everything from celebrity chef restaurants to casual spots and fast food.
Away from the Strip, downtown Las Vegas offers a different side to the city. Fremont Street is where Las Vegas began and still has much of its old charm. The pedestrian street is beneath a huge LED canopy and is packed with live music, street performers and historic casinos.
Just a short walk away is the fantastic Mob Museum, which explains Las Vegas' fascinating History, development and even has one of the best speakeasy bars (Just keep that bit to yourselves...)
Las Vegas is also a surprisingly good destination for shopping. Many of the major hotels have their own shopping areas, including the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, where you'll find everything from luxury brands to well-known high street shops. Along the Strip there are plenty of other shopping centres and boutiques, while bargain hunters should head to Las Vegas North or South Premium Outlets, both of which offer big discounts on designer and sportswear brands. Make sure you leave room in your case for your purchases!
Another area worth visiting is the Arts District, just south of downtown. This neighbourhood has become one of the city's most interesting areas, filled with street art, independent cafés, breweries and vintage shops. It feels completely different from the casinos and gives you a chance to see a more local side of Las Vegas. The Arts District is particularly good for brunch, our favourite was Makers & Finders cafe which had unreal food and drinks! The atmosphere was nice and chill, a stark difference to the busy and lively casinos just minutes away! Davys and ReBar are must go bars for quite honestly, brilliant drinks deals including $3 Mystery Beer/shots and their Dew and Brew deal where you get Irish Whisky and a light draft beer for just $7. We thought this was such a good deal. They also do Charitable cocktails where a portion of profit goes to local charities.
Sports fans should also consider a visit to Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Even if there's no game taking place during your visit, the stadium tours are excellent and give you behind-the-scenes access to areas including the locker rooms, premium suites and even on the pitch. It's one of the newest stadiums in the NFL and a great addition to any Las Vegas itinerary.
One of the best ways to break up a trip to Las Vegas is with a day trip to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. The Hoover Dam is around forty-five minutes from the Strip and remains one of America's greatest engineering achievements, with incredible views over Lake Mead and the Colorado River below. Many people, like us, combine this with a trip to the Grand Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world.
We did an incredible day trip with MaxTour to visit the Seven Magic Mountains, Hoover Dam and West Rim of the Grand canyon where (if you are brave enough like us) you can complete a skywalk on a glass bridge extending 70 feet out over the rim of the Grand Canyon. You’ll see breathtaking views 4,000 feet to the Canyon floor below. The views from the Grand Canyon from Eagle and Guano Point are breathtaking. Our tour included lunch at the restaurant (for a small extra fee) and we were provided with drinks and snacks all day long. Our brilliant guide, Bobby, also included some extra stops along the way to see the Joshua Trees and the Horned sheep in Boulder City! It really is a day you'll remember long after you've left Nevada.
Summarising a place like Las Vegas is incredibly difficult. It can be loud, busy and expensive, but that's part of its appeal. Spend time on the Strip, explore Fremont Street, visit the Arts District and take at least one day to see what's beyond the city. Together they show a side of Las Vegas that goes far beyond the casinos and make it one of the most varied destinations in the United States. It really is a place like nowhere else!
Here’s some more practical information to help you on your Las Vegas trip:
How do I get to Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is easily accessible by air, as the airport is close to the city and there are direct flights from many major cities around the UK. It's easy to search for flights on Flightseekr.
The flight time from the UK varies, but is normally within the region of 10 hours. We flew with Virgin Atlantic (as part of a Virgin Atlantic Holiday) from London Heathrow and recommend them. We had a comfortable flight with lots of food and drink although there was less service on the return flight. Once you land, you can easily get to the city by taxi which have set fares to the strip.
Where should I stay in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas has countless hotels and apartments. Location is really important. You can choose to stay on the strip, but it may cost more and you could experience loud music and busy hotels or stay off strip for cheaper but do budget for taxis to/from the strip, especially at night.
Hotels in Vegas do charge a security deposit at Check in to be put on a credit card if possible and also a Resort Fee. The resort fee does vary by hotel but make sure you budget for this as it can be up to $50 per room, per night.
We chose to stay off strip at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Curio Collection by Hilton which was lovely. The rooms were really spacious and comfortable and check in was easy. The hotel has decent food options, a shop and coffee places. The pool was incredible, just check for opening times. Our room did not have a view of the strip, but it did have a view of the airport, which we didn't mind. We did not find the aircraft noise an issue. The hotel is about a 20 minute walk to the Strip however at night we do recommend getting a lyft/uber as the area isn't as busy as the strip and may make you feel uncomfortable.
If you don't fancy this one, don't worry, there are plenty of other options for accommodation in Las Vegas Have a look for something that will suit your group size and budget on booking.com.
Or Sometimes booking everything in a package, like we did, works out cheaper and better for you.
Do I need a visa to visit Las Vegas?
Citizens with a British Passport must have the correct approval prior to travel. This will be either a valid US visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), depending on your personal circumstances and purpose of travel. A valid ESTA or visa does not guarantee you will be allowed to enter the US.
Always check the FCDO Travel Advice page for the most up to date information.
What's the currency in Las Vegas?
The currency of the United States is the US Dollar.
You can change money when you arrive or withdraw from ATMs, but be aware of high conversion fees! Some ATMs may charge you to withdraw money, even if your bank doesn't.
It's always best to pay in local currency when you can. We had no issues paying by card in Las Vegas, it's a major city and popular tourist destination so almost everywhere accepts card payments.
What languages are spoken in Las Vegas?
The official language of the United States is English but it is a very multicultural place so expect to hear a good mix of languages.
What's the weather like in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas can get very hot throughout the year. In the US, they use Fahrenheit for the temperature. There is no major quick way to convert them, so you may need to use google.
Always check the forecast before you visit for the most accurate information.
Here's the current weather in Las Vegas:
What's the time zone in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is in the Pacific Time Zone Time Zone. Las Vegas is always 8 hours behind the UK. Because both regions observe Daylight Saving Time on slightly different schedules, there can occasionally be a 7-hour difference for a brief period in the spring.
What are the best things to do in Las Vegas?
There is a huge range of things to do beyond just walking the Strip. The Sphere is one of the newest attractions and has become a landmark in its own right, for its huge LED exterior and immersive shows inside. Cartzilla is such a good experience where you get to ride up and down the strip in a giant shopping trolley - we LOVED it!
Gambling of course remains central to the city, with casinos in almost every major hotel offering everything from slot machines to poker tables. Remember the gambling and drinking age is 21 in the United States.
You can also find live shows, rooftop bars, observation decks and themed rides throughout the Strip, meaning there is always something happening at any time of day.
We hope we've given you plenty of inspiration in this post, but if not, you can have a fully planned itinerary created just for your trip, packed full of hidden gems and the best food and drink recommendations. Enquire about our personalised travel planning service today.
Our Las Vegas Travel Toolkit is already in the works, so keep an eye out for it soon.
.
If you're looking to fill your itinerary even more, have a look for the best activities, excursions and other things to do in Las Vegas on GetYourGuide here.
How long should I spend in Las Vegas?
Honestly, no amount of time feels like enough in this incredible city. To see the main sights, we'd say 7 days is plenty of time, the city isn't too spread out and you can walk between all the major attractions.
Is Las Vegas Safe?
Las Vegas is generally safe for visitors, especially along the Strip, which is heavily policed and designed around tourism. Like most major US cities, you should stay aware of your surroundings, particularly at night or when moving away from busy areas. Pickpocketing and petty theft can happen in crowded spaces, but violent crime involving tourists is uncommon in main visitor zones though can happen in the outskirts of Las Vegas. Overall, it feels pretty safe as long as you use the same common sense you would in any large city.
