Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas

Using this list

Ten of Las Vegas's landmark experiences as a checklist — the Strip, the shows, the old downtown, and the desert beyond it.

The Strip is much longer than it looks

The distances between resorts are deceptive: buildings are enormous, so what appears to be a short walk between two of them is regularly twenty or thirty minutes, much of it through casino floors designed to make leaving difficult. Wear proper shoes and plan fewer stops than the map suggests.

The free attractions — the Bellagio fountains, the Conservatory, the hotel interiors — are genuinely worth the walking.

Book shows before you arrive

The headline residencies and Cirque productions sell out, and the good seats go first. Decide what you want to see before the trip; browsing on the day means paying more for less.

Downtown is a different city

Fremont Street and the older casinos have a character the Strip doesn't, at noticeably lower prices. Worth an evening.

Get out to the desert

Red Rock Canyon is half an hour away, Valley of Fire about an hour, and the Grand Canyon's West Rim is a long day trip. Vegas sits in genuinely spectacular desert and most visitors never see any of it.

Practicalities

Summer heat is extreme — above 40°C is normal in July, and outdoor plans need to be early or late. Drink far more water than feels necessary; the dryness hides how much you're losing. Resort fees are added at checkout and are rarely included in advertised rates.

Timing

Run it plain, or add due dates from your arrival date.