I had no idea what to expect during my first trip to Las Vegas. When traveling, I typically choose destinations well known for their historical sites or beautiful beaches, and I was not expecting to enjoy the gambling and party life that I had come to associate with Las Vegas.
However, Las Vegas exceeded all of my expectations and I soon learned that there is much more to this city than just casinos. From shows to ziplining to fine dining, there is something here for everyone. In addition, the themed hotels are super cute… In just one day you can visit “Paris”, “Venice”, “New York”, and “Rome”.
Below I have outlined my favorite activities in Vegas. These activities are perfect for a long weekend and can all easily be done during a four day trip to Las Vegas. If you have more time to travel, you can also explore some other cities on the west coast of the USA.
*Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you.
1. Go casino hopping on “The Strip”
“The Strip” refers to the area of upscale casinos located on Las Vegas Boulevard. The casinos on “The Strip” offer much more than just gambling, each with its own theme and its own attractions. Some highlights include the roman statues Caesars Palace, the Eiffel Tower at Paris Casino, and the Statue of Liberty at New York, New York. During a four day trip to Las Vegas I recommend spending your first night exploring the strip to get a feel for the area and the places that you might want to return to.
2. Wander around the Venetian
My #1 suggestion on this list is to go casino hopping on the strip, which includes the Venetian, but I had to give the Venetian it’s own bullet point because there is just so much to see at this casino and hotel. The Venetian is one of the world’s largest hotels and is inspired by Venice, Italy. You can take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, listen to live music at “Saint Marks Square”, and walk across the Rialto Bridge, all without leaving Las Vegas. Any trip to Las Vegas would be incomplete without leaving some time to wander the Venetian, sip an Aperol Spritz, and transport yourself to the streets of Venice.
3. Watch the fountain show at The Bellagio
The Bellagio Fountain show occurs every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes after 8 p.m. The fountain is located in front of The Bellagio Casino and the show is free for anyone who might be passing by (no tickets needed). I recommend stopping by the fountain once in the afternoon and then again once it gets dark so that you can enjoy the lights that are a part of the show. In addition, there are several restaurants that offer views of the fountain, such as The Mayfair Supper Club, Spago, and Lago by Julian Serrano
4. Eat
The restaurants in Las Vegas are AMAZING. There are a huge number of big-name chefs who have restaurants on the strip, and the possibilities are endless in terms of different cuisines to try. The top restaurants book up quickly so be sure to make reservations ahead of time. The prices at top Las Vegas restaurants are generally a little bit cheaper than their locations in other major cities, so this is a great chance to try out top restaurants for a slightly more reasonable price. I had a fantastic meal at Tao Las Vegas. Another popular dining option in Las Vegas is to visit an all-you-can-eat buffet, such as Wicked Spoon buffet, Bacchanal Buffet, or Bellagio Buffet.
5. Visit Fremont Street
Before “The Strip” was developed, Fremont Street was the original place to gamble and enjoy Las Vegas nightlife. Fremont street has a rich history and an old-school Las Vegas vibe. Some of their casinos still have vintage slot machines with pull handles, which I had much better luck on than the digital machines at casinos on “The Strip”. In addition to casinos, Fremont Street has attractions such as live music, light shows, and ziplining. Exploring Fremont Street is a completely different experience than exploring “The Strip”, and I recommend visiting both during a four day trip to Las Vegas.
6. Get a picture at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign
This iconic photo spot is located more than one mile below the central action on the Las Vegas Strip. If you are determined to snap a photo here, I recommend arriving very early in the morning to avoid the hour long lines that form later in the day. Since the sign is a bit isolated from the rest of the action on the strip, I recommend getting there by driving, taking the bus, or taking an uber.
7. Go to a club
Las Vegas clubs can be a really fun experience even if you are not a big “clubber”. The large clubs usually have really popular DJ’s performing. Tickets to clubs are expensive so I recommend getting free/discounted tickets from a reliable promoter beforehand. We did a four day trip to Las Vegas for my cousin’s bachelorette party, and were able to get free tickets to see The Chainsmokers at XS Nightclub through a promoter. Remember to be safe… research promoters and arrange your club tickets ahead of time.
8. See a show
There is much more to do in Las Vegas than just gamble. Las Vegas has a variety of shows available to see ranging from music to comedy to acrobatics. Some of the most popular shows in Las Vegas are The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and Chris Angel’s Mindfreak. During a four day trip to Vegas I recommend taking one night away from the excitement of the casinos and the strip to relax and enjoy a show.
Have you visited Las Vegas before? What was your favorite activity? Leave a comment below!
