Fountains of Bellagio
Free choreographed water show on Bellagio's 8-acre lake, with more than 1,200 jets set to music and light; one of the Strip's defining sights.
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About Las Vegas
Las Vegas sits in a Mojave Desert valley ringed by the Spring Mountains and Sunrise Mountain. Most of the famous Strip, a 4.2-mile run of Las Vegas Boulevard from Mandalay Bay to the STRAT, actually lies in unincorporated Paradise and Winchester, while the city proper holds Downtown, the Fremont Street Experience, the 18b Arts District and the Neon Museum. Beyond the casinos, the city is a base for desert hiking at Red Rock Canyon, boating at Lake Mead and drives to Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam and even Zion and the Grand Canyon West Rim.
- Capital
- Las Vegas (seat of Clark County; the Nevada state capital is Carson City)
- Largest city
- Las Vegas
- Population
- About 679,000 (2024 Census Bureau estimate; 641,903 at the 2020 census); about 2.4 million in Clark County
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Currency
- US Dollar
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (PT): PST UTC-8 in winter, PDT UTC-7 from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November
Explore Las Vegas by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Las Vegas
The 24 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Glass-roofed indoor garden off the Bellagio lobby, replanted five times a year with themed seasonal displays created by Bellagio's in-house horticulture team.
Sphere
The 366-foot-high LED-covered spherical venue east of the Strip, opened in 2023; its Exosphere can be seen free from outside, while 'The Wizard of Oz at Sphere' and residencies play on the 160,000-square-foot interior screen.
High Roller Observation Wheel
A 550-foot observation wheel at The LINQ Promenade with 28 glass cabins; one rotation takes about 30 minutes and offers views over the whole Strip.
Fremont Street Experience
Five pedestrianized downtown blocks under the Viva Vision LED canopy, lined with vintage casinos, free live music stages and street performers.
SlotZilla Zip Line
A zip line launched from a giant slot-machine tower that sends riders along the length of the Fremont Street canopy, seated (Zipline) or flying horizontally (Zoomline).
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Las Vegas Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Las Vegas, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Las Vegas
- Days 1-2Las Vegas city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Las Vegas
- Days 1-3Las Vegas comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Las Vegas, departure
Where to stay in Las Vegas
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget $110-150 per person
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range $280-400 per person
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury $900+ per person
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Bellagio
Lakefront Italian-themed resort famous for its free fountain show and the seasonal Conservatory and Botanical Gardens; part of MGM Resorts.
Check rates on Booking.comCaesars Palace
Roman-themed flagship of Caesars Entertainment with six hotel towers, the Garden of the Gods pools, the Colosseum theatre and Restaurant Guy Savoy.
Check rates on Booking.comNobu Hotel at Caesars Palace
Hotel-within-a-hotel in a Caesars Palace tower, with Japanese-inspired rooms and in-room dining from the Nobu restaurant downstairs.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Design-led high-rise between Bellagio and Aria, known for balconied rooms (rare on the Strip), the three-storey Chandelier bar and a strong restaurant collection.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Las Vegas
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Lotus of Siam
Raku
Esther's Kitchen
Carson Kitchen
Peppermill Restaurant & Fireside Lounge
Tacos El Gordo (Strip)
Book a food tour in Las Vegas We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Las Vegas
Las Vegas is compact along the 4-mile Strip but spread out beyond it. The 24-hour Deuce bus, the Monorail, free resort trams, taxis and rideshare cover the tourist core, and Harry Reid International Airport is only about 10-20 minutes from most Strip hotels. A rental car is the practical way to reach Red Rock, Hoover Dam and the national parks.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in USD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $50-90 per night for a Downtown or off-Strip room including the resort fee, midweek | $150-260 per night on the Strip including resort fee ($40-62 per night at most major resorts) | $500+ per night for suites at Wynn, ARIA, Bellagio, the Venetian or Fontainebleau |
| Food (per day) | $30-45 (tacos, food halls, happy hours, Chinatown noodles) | $80-130 (sit-down restaurants, one buffet, drinks) | $250-500+ (tasting menus at Joel Robuchon, e by Jose Andres, steakhouses) |
| Transportation | $8-15 (RTC 24-hour pass $8 or 3-day pass $20) | $25-50 (Monorail 24-hour pass $15, occasional rideshare) | $100-300 (limousine or chauffeured SUV transfers, valet at $40-50 per day) |
| Activities | $0-30 (free fountains, Fremont Street shows, Red Rock Canyon $20 per vehicle) | $60-180 (one show or Sphere ticket, an observation wheel or museum) | $300+ (premium show seats, private cabanas, helicopter flights over the Strip or Grand Canyon) |
| Daily total | $110-150 per person | $280-400 per person | $900+ per person |
Best time to visit Las Vegas
Weather through the year in Las Vegas
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Spring and autumn bring warm, dry days (70s-80sF / 21-30C) ideal for both the Strip and desert hiking; summer is dangerously hot and winter is mild by day but chilly at night.
Hotel prices are driven more by conventions and weekends than by weather: a midweek stay can cost a third of the same room on a Saturday or during a large trade show, so check the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority calendar (lvcva.com) before booking. Pools at most resorts run at full schedule only from about March to October. Summer monsoon storms (July-September) can bring sudden flash floods to washes and trails.
Essential travel tips
- Compare total room prices including the mandatory resort fee (about $40-62 per night at major Strip resorts) and parking; midweek stays are often far cheaper than weekends.
- Buy RTC passes in the rideRTC app and Monorail tickets online at lvmonorail.com to save versus station prices.
- Tip as locals do: $1-2 per drink to bartenders, 18-22% at restaurants, $2-5 per bag to bell staff, $3-5 per night for housekeeping and $5-20 to valet on pickup.
- Book Red Rock Canyon's Scenic Drive timed-entry reservation at recreation.gov for visits between 1 October and 31 May (8am-5pm), on top of the $20 per vehicle fee.
- Discount same-day show tickets are sold at Tix4Tonight booths on the Strip and online; the best seats for top shows still need advance booking.
- Carry a refillable bottle; most resort food courts and fitness areas have water fountains and the desert air dehydrates fast even in winter.
- The legal gambling and drinking age is 21; under-21s may walk through casino floors but may not linger at tables or machines.
Safety information
Carry a valid government photo ID at all times: the legal age for gambling, drinking and entering most clubs and casino bars is 21, and casinos, bars and stores check ID rigorously, often for anyone who looks under 40.
Drink far more water than feels necessary: summer highs regularly exceed 105°F (41°C) and the dry air hides dehydration. Carry a refillable bottle, wear a hat and sunscreen, and limit walking between resorts at midday from June to September.
Distances on the Strip are deceptive: resorts that look next door can be a 15-20 minute walk apart in the heat. Use the RTC Deuce bus, the Las Vegas Monorail or free resort trams for longer hops.
Never hike desert trails in summer afternoons. At Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, finish hikes by about 10 am from June to September, carry at least 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person per day, and tell someone the route.
Respect flash-flood warnings, especially during the July-September monsoon: never drive or walk through flooded roads, washes or underpasses. Six inches of moving water can knock an adult over and 12 inches can float a car.
Keep wallets in front pockets and bags zipped on crowded casino floors, at the Fremont Street Experience and on pedestrian bridges, where pickpockets and distraction thieves operate.
Do not leave chips, phones or cash unattended at slot machines or table games; casino security handles thefts, but recovering property is rare.
Do not stop, stand or perform on Strip pedestrian bridges: a Clark County ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to obstruct pedestrian flow on the bridges and their stairways and escalators.
Open alcohol is allowed on the Strip sidewalks in plastic cups or cans, but glass containers are prohibited at the Fremont Street Experience and during major Strip events such as New Year's Eve, and drinking near schools or churches or while visibly intoxicated can lead to citations.
Use only marked taxis at official taxi stands or app-based rideshare from designated pickup zones; unlicensed drivers soliciting fares are illegal and unsafe.
Keep drinks in sight in clubs and bars and never accept drinks from strangers; drink spiking is reported in nightlife venues.
Recreational cannabis is legal for adults 21+ only from licensed dispensaries, but consuming it in public, in hotel rooms, in casinos or in cars is illegal, and it cannot be taken across state lines or onto federal land such as Red Rock Canyon or Lake Mead.
Frequently asked questions
Is Las Vegas safe for tourists?
Generally yes on the busy Strip and Fremont Street, which are heavily policed and monitored. The real risks are summer heat, traffic when crossing Las Vegas Boulevard, pickpockets in crowds and drink spiking in clubs; dial 911 in any emergency.
Do I need a car in Las Vegas?
Not for the Strip or Downtown: the 24-hour Deuce bus ($8 for 24 hours), the Monorail, free resort trams, taxis and Uber/Lyft cover them. Rent a car only for day trips to Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire or Hoover Dam.
What is the best time to visit Las Vegas?
March-May and late September-November bring warm, dry weather. June-August regularly tops 100F (38C), and big events like CES (early January) and the Formula 1 Grand Prix (November) push hotel prices up sharply.
What are resort fees in Las Vegas?
Most Strip resorts add a mandatory nightly resort fee, roughly $40-62 per night at major properties, plus tax. Compare the total price including the fee, and budget separately for parking ($20-25 self-park, $40-50 valet per day).
How do I get from the airport to the Strip?
Harry Reid International Airport is 2-5 miles from most resorts. A taxi costs about $21-30 on flat zone fares plus a $3 card fee and tip; Uber/Lyft usually runs $15-35; RTC buses 108 and 109 leave from Terminal 1 for a few dollars.
What time zone is Las Vegas in?
Pacific Time (PT): UTC-8 in winter and UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November, the same as Los Angeles.