Las Vegas at a glance:
- Travel time: 10hrs 30mins direct flight from London.
- Vibe: Maximalist, high-energy, whimsical.
- Top must-see: Fremont Street to see where Vegas originated.
- Best for: Party lovers, foodies (the celebrity chef density is higher here than anywhere else), shoppers.
Las Vegas is like nowhere else on earth. It’s called Sin City for a reason! With 24 hour casinos, hotels big enough to house their own shopping centres, and dazzling lights everywhere you look – a trip to this city is something you’ll never forget. This itinerary for 3 days in Las Vegas covers all the key sights that you’d be silly to miss.
Day 1: Iconic Vegas Experience
Morning: Get a photo at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
Start your first day in Las Vegas with a visit to the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. Located at the south end of the Strip, this landmark is somewhere you have to get a photo. Have you even been to Las Vegas if you don’t get a photo with the sign?! Arriving early (if the jet lag isn’t breaking you!) will help you beat the crowds as a queue can often form.
Afternoon: Explore the Southern part of the Strip
Once you’ve got your Las Vegas sign photos, take a leisurely stroll along the southern part of the Strip. Take in the grandeur of the resorts in this area like Luxor, inspired by Egypt with a golden pyramid for a hotel and a massive Pharaoh at the entrance! This is the hotel where you can watch ‘O’ a Cirque du Soleil show (although you would need to book tickets for this in advance).
Evening: Head to the Bellagio
In the evening, head to the Bellagio, one of Las Vegas’s most luxurious and well-known hotels. Inside, you can explore the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. It features beautiful displays of flowers, plants, and trees with a theme that changes every season. Afterwards, take in the stunning Bellagio Fountain show. This iconic water show outside is set to music and lights and is a quintessential Vegas experience that you shouldn’t miss.
Day 2: More of the Strip plus Downtown Vegas
Morning: Visit Caesar’s Palace
Begin your second day with a visit to the incredible Caesar’s Palace. This hotel has its own shopping centre with over 150 shops inside. Take a look at what you can get that you wouldn’t find back home, and pick up souvenirs for loved ones. The inside (unsurprisingly) has a Roman theme to it so there’s plenty of cool architecture and statues to see as you walk around, including a life-sized replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Afternoon: Explore the Venetian
Continue your exploration of Las Vegas’s hotels by visiting the Venetian, less than 15 minutes away from Caesar’s Palace. Take an indoor gondola ride along the quarter-mile-long ‘Grand Canal’ (there’s an outdoor gondola option to choose from too, as pictured). Twice a day, the gondoliers sing in unison as they march along the canal during this special tradition! You can also enjoy the cobblestone walkways and illuminated painted sky ceilings, bordered by over 160 shops. If you enjoy museums, you won’t want to miss the world’s greatest wax museum here, Madame Tussauds.
Evening: Experience Fremont Street
As night falls, make your way to Fremont Street for a different kind of Vegas experience. Known as “Old Vegas,” this is the birthplace of the city and home to some of the most historic casinos and beautiful vintage signs. It is one of the most memorable experiences I had during my time in Las Vegas. The entire street is covered by a massive LED canopy, which displays dazzling light shows set to music. You can even try out the SlotZilla zip line, so you can fly along the street over the crowds below.
Day 3: Adventure and Play including the Grand Canyon
Morning: See the Grand Canyon
For a truly unforgettable experience, head to the Grand Canyon in the neighbouring state of Arizona. Several companies offer tours that depart from Las Vegas by coach or helicopter. Or if you’re doing a road trip, like me and my family did, then you can drive there yourself. The Grand Canyon is a magnificent natural sight, pretty much the opposite of Las Vegas, and gives you time to unwind away from the noise and crowds.
Afternoon: See The Hoover Dam
Stop by the Hoover Dam on the way back to Vegas, which is located on the border between Nevada and Arizona. The dam impounds the Colorado River, creating Lake Mead – the largest reservoir in the United States. Built over 5 years in the 1930s, it is deemed one of the greatest engineering feats in U.S. history and is hard to gauge just how big it is until you see it in person.
Evening: Dine and play on the Strip
For your final night in Las Vegas, relax and enjoy a nice meal, and have a flutter at the casino! There’s plenty to choose from, but The Cosmopolitan has a sleek glitzy vibe. It is also home to The Chandelier, a stunning multi-level bar that’s encased in a massive crystal, yep you guessed it, chandelier.
Tips for maximising your 3 days in Las Vegas
- Visit during the week: Weekday visits often come with lower hotel rates. There can also be smaller crowds, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
- Stay hydrated: The desert climate can be dry and humid, so be sure to drink plenty of water, especially if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors or drinking alcohol.
- Plan ahead: Many of Las Vegas’ shows require advance reservations, so if you want to see one whilst you’re there, you’ll need to research this and book in advance.
- Eating out: There’s so many places to eat in Las Vegas and they’re changing all the time. However, if there are particular restaurants you want to try whilst out there, it’s worth checking how far in advance you need to book a table.
3 Days in Las Vegas FAQs (2026)
March to May, and September to November, are best for the weather where the desert heat is manageable and the evenings are pleasant. Most major resort pools are officially open by mid-March. If budget is your main priority, then July and August are the cheapest as hotel rates plummet due to high temperatures (highs regularly exceed 40°C). Everywhere inside is air-conditioned though.
There are a lot of casinos to choose from in Las Vegas. Here’s some of the best:
– The Bellagio: One of the most iconic and recently completed a massive room renovation in late 2025.
– El Cortez: If you want authentic history, this is one of the oldest casinos in Vegas.
– Golden Nugget: The most upscale option on Fremont Street, famous for the shark tank in the middle of the pool.
– Wynn & Encore: Consistently rated the #1 casino resort for service.
– The Venetian / Palazzo: Massive gaming floors and the Grand Canal Shoppes offer an “indoor Venice” experience.
Similar to the casinos, there are so many options for shopping it is almost overwhelming! Here’s some of the best options:
– Caesars Palace: Features over 160 stores under a Mediterranean sky that changes from dawn to dusk, this was my favourite shopping spot on the Strip.
– Fashion Show: This is the largest and oldest mall in the city and has all the famous American department stores (Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s).
– Las Vegas North Premium Outlets: Outdoor mall with 175+ designer outlets. It typically has better high-end brands and deeper discounts than its counterpart, South Premium. I loved this mall, it had a really nice vibe to it walking round. It isn’t on the Strip so you’ll need to get a ride or drive there.
– The Venetian: You can shop while people literally float by in gondolas. I didn’t love the shops in this mall as much personally, but the atmosphere is amazing and should be visited for that alone.
Absolutely! Here’s a few:
– Bellagio Conservatory: Incredible seasonal floral displays (24/7).
– The Sphere: Enjoy the “Exosphere” light shows from the street.
– Flamingo Wildlife Habitat: See real flamingos and koi fish for free in the heart of the Strip.
– The Fountains of Bellagio: Every 30 minutes (daily) and every 15 minutes (nightly).
In Vegas, it’s culturally expected to tip everyone. Approximately 15–20% is standard for dining, $1–$2 per drink at bars to the waitress, $1–$2 per bag for hotel porters, and $5+ daily for housekeeping.
Staying on the Strip comes with extra resort fees that are mandatory daily charges. These are typically $35–$55+ per night (plus tax), added ON TOP of your room rate. These charges cover amenities like Wi-Fi, gym access, and pool usage – which you have to pay even if you don’t intend to use any of them.
Most resorts charge $18–$25 per day for car parking too even if you’re a guest at the hotel. Be mindful not to move items in your hotel minibar to “make room” for your own water as well. Most are weight-sensored and you’ll be charged for this too! There are plenty of hotels and apartments off the Strip if preferred – as we were doing a road trip and had a car anyway we stayed off the Strip and would drive in, parking in one of the hotel car parks for $20 a day.
Sophie is a freelance writer and editor, and the founder of Britain and Beyond.
