Las Vegas holidays

Opulent casinos, glitzy shows and glam pool parties: holidays to Las Vegas are all about indulgence. While much of the action is centred around the Strip, you won’t have to go far from here to discover another side to this glittering oasis in the desert. Venture beyond the neon signs for offbeat museums, outdoor adventures and family-friendly activities.

Las Vegas holiday highlights

Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street Experience
Burk Frey

Casinos royale

It wouldn’t be a trip to Sin City without a roll of the dice. Swing by one of Las Vegas’ mega-casinos and enter a world of slot machines and roulette wheels. Hours can slip into days inside these windowless caverns. A cheaper way to pass the time? The world-class art collections displayed around resorts like Encore at Wynn, Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan are a sure bet.

Spectacular shows

A Las Vegas holiday is all about the spectacle. Whether U2 is playing at Sphere or Christina Aguilera is stealing the show at The Venetian, the performances in Vegas are legendary. Beyond the big-name artists in residence, there is further drama to be found in Bellagio’s dancing fountains and gravity-defying Cirque du Soleil acts.

Pool parties galore

There’s no need to wait for the sun to set to party in Vegas. The city’s epic pool parties continue from day to night, often to a soundtrack of world-class DJs. On your holiday to Las Vegas, try to catch a party at MGM Grand’s Wet Republic Ultra Pool or Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace.

Las Vegas: Know before you go

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

UTC-8 (PST) and UTC-7 (PDT)

High season

June – October

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Las Vegas

Weather in Las Vegas

March – May: Comfortable daytime temperatures make this an ideal time for outdoor activities. Pack layers for cooler evenings.

June – August: Be preparedfor it to hit over38°C. While it may not be the best time to walk the Strip, there are plenty of air-conditioned restaurants, shops and attractions to escape the heat.

September – November: Daytime temperatures usually fall between 18°C and 35°C. Nights can get chilly, though, especially if you’re out exploring the surrounding desert.

December – February: Cooler weather and Christmas parties bring winter travellers to town. Evening temps hover just above freezing, and many hotels close their outdoor pools for the season.

Events in Las Vegas

The Mint 400 (March): Held in the Las Vegas foothills, this is America’s oldest and most prestigious off-road race. Festivities include a vehicle parade down the Las Vegas Strip and post-race parties on historic Fremont Street.

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend (April): Lock into the city’s longest-running music festival and the country’s largest rockabilly event. Along with bands playing 1950s-style music, expect vintage car shows, burlesque competitions and vendors selling old-school memorabilia.

Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival (September): This Downtown Las Vegas festival celebrates art, music, food and local culture. In addition to headlining bands and emerging artists, the event features food vendors, art installations and exhibits.

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The best neighbourhoods in Las Vegas

Paradise

With the international airport and many of the top hotels located here, Paradise is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Las Vegas. Take a selfie at the iconic ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, then stroll along the Strip for an intro to Vegas extravagance. A half-size Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and replica Egyptian pyramids at the Luxor are just a few highlights.

Good for: Nightlife, hotels, entertainment

Downtown

The original gambling district, Downtown Vegas is peppered with old-school casinos, such as Golden Nugget and El Cortez. Fremont Street, illuminated by vintage neon signs, has the city’s oldest bar, Atomic Liquors (established 1952). The Container Park has boutiques, pop-up shops, food stalls and live entertainment. If your Las Vegas holiday falls on the First Friday festival, don’t miss the huge street party.

Good for: Nightlife, festivals, street food

Arts District

Beyond the casinos and the bright lights of the Strip are residential neighbourhoods rich in community. The Arts District is one of the best areas to stay in Las Vegas for a slice of local life. Spend a morning browsing its funky boutiques and vintage stores, but don’t leave hungry. This neighbourhood houses some of the best independent restaurants in the city.

Good for: Culture, shopping, breweries

Things to do in Las Vegas

The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum
Burk Frey

Family friendly things to do

Las Vegas has a jackpot of family-friendly things to do. For indoor entertainment, there are arcade games at the Fun Dungeon, interactive exhibits at DISCOVERY Children’s Museum and two hectares of activities at Adventuredome theme park. Not afraid of heights? Scope out the city from the world’s second-largest Ferris wheel, the High Roller.

Shopping

For casino winners looking to splurge, shopping in Las Vegas starts in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Here, you can pick up designer clothes, jewellery or even a first edition at Bauman Rare Books. For more affordable pickings, head to Fergusons Downtown for locally made clothes, art and crafts. Or hit the Las Vegas Premium Outlets for discounted brand names.

Take in the culture

When you think of Vegas holidays, museums aren’t the first thing that spring to mind. But the city has some interesting offerings to keep you occupied. Stop by the Neon Museum downtown to see vintage signs from Sin City’s heyday. At the Mob Museum, housed in a former federal courthouse, learn how New York City gangsters shaped the city into the tourism hub it is today.

Nightlife

Las Vegas tops the polls of epic dance-party destinations in the United States. The city is almost a second home for super-DJs like Calvin Harris, Tiesto and Steve Aoki, who perform frequently here. Among the best clubs in Las Vegas are Hakkasan and Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub. Then there are the hundreds of shows — from magic to musicals — that make this city the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Places to eat

Vegas abounds with celebrity chef restaurants, such as CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Keller’s Bouchon. For late-night restaurants, Las Vegas’ Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road is your best bet. Standouts include Raku and Honey Pig. On the Strip, Famous Foods Street Eats is a market hall serving everything from fried chicken to Southeast Asian noodles.

Free things to do

Las Vegas might be known for luxury hotels and expensive restaurants, but Sin City isn’t just for the wealthy. Free things to do in Las Vegas include Bellagio’s Fountains and the Fremont Street Experience light show. Aria’s free exhibition features art by Jenny Holzer, Henry Moore and Maya Lin. Outdoorsy types can hike among the pink-streaked hills at Red Rock Canyon.

Plan your holiday to Las Vegas

Budget

Expenses can add up quickly in Sin City. But with some planning, a cheap holiday in Las Vegas is possible. Book your stay midweek when room rates are cheaper. And seek out quality eats off the Strip, where a simple meal can cost as little as 25 US dollars ($). Need a taxi? A short ride should set you back less than $10.

Day trips from Las Vegas

Under an hour away, Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s first state park. Spend an afternoon surrounded by red sandstone formations, petrified trees and ancient Native American rock carvings. The city is also an hour’s drive from Hoover Dam. Built during the Great Depression, it’s the largest concrete dam in the US, providing power to millions of people.

Getting around Las Vegas

Some of the city’s top sights are best explored on foot, from the Strip to Fremont Street. The monorail is a great option for getting up and down the Strip quickly. Rideshare services are big here, but check with your provider about designated pick-up spots. To take day trips to places like Cathedral Gorge State Park, hire a car or sign up for a guided tour.

FAQs about Las Vegas holidays

English is the language you'll encounter most often while on your city break in Las Vegas.
The United States dollar (USD) is what you'll be using for general expenses and excursions during your trip to Las Vegas.
January brings the coldest days of the year. Organise your Las Vegas trip then and you can anticipate lows of -1ºC (30ºF).
July is the hottest month in Las Vegas, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 42ºC (108ºF).
While this city is typically seen as safe for visitors, the best way to have a carefree holiday to Las Vegas is to take a few basic precautions. Before going out, plan your route so you're not caught off guard in unfamiliar areas. Be aware of your surroundings as you wander, and keep a friend or family member updated on your travel plans.
Three to four days is enough for a Las Vegas holiday taking in the best of the city. However, you could easily spend up to a week here for a more relaxed experience and the chance to venture beyond the centre.
The airline you pick, where you leave from, and when you go can impact the cost of a city break in Las Vegas. Prices for Las Vegas flights and hotels can differ greatly, but planning ahead and being flexible with travel dates can help you save.
For warm days and cool nights, the best time to go to Las Vegas is March to May or September to November. March is the busiest (and priciest) month. June to August is sweltering but is the cheapest time for Las Vegas holidays. Excellent deals to Las Vegas can be snapped up from December to February.
With an average rainfall of 0.8 inch, December is the rainiest month to go on a Las Vegas holiday. When the weather turns, venture indoors and enjoy the city's art exhibits, cafes, shopping centres and more.
With plenty of things to do in Las Vegas, this city will keep you coming back for more. Start your sightseeing at must-see attractions like Las Vegas Strip and Fountains of Bellagio.
If you like fast-paced holidays, Las Vegas is the place for you. It has all the ingredients for a good city break: nightlife, entertainment, restaurants and culture, with amazing outdoor adventures on the city’s doorstep if you need them.

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