Las Vegas days start late and end very late. This plan balances the Strip with the desert, and keeps the hottest hours for pools and air-conditioned resorts.
Day 1: Center Strip
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Late morning | Brunch, then the Bellagio Conservatory and the Cosmopolitan. |
| Afternoon | Caesars’ Forum Shops and the Venetian canals. |
| Sunset | The High Roller at the LINQ, or the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck. |
| Evening | Dinner on the Strip, then the Bellagio fountains and the Sphere’s outdoor light shows. |
Day 2: Pools, South Strip and a show
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | An early photo at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. |
| Midday | Pool time, or the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay in cooler months. |
| Evening | A Cirque du Soleil show, a residency or the Sphere. |
Day 3: The Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam
Take a full-day tour to the Grand Canyon West Rim and Skywalk (about 2.5 hours each way), or drive yourself. If you’re short on time, a helicopter tour makes it a half-day trip. For something easier, do the Hoover Dam (about 45 minutes away) and Boulder City. See Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
Day 4: Red Rock and downtown
Drive or tour Red Rock Canyon in the morning, before the heat. In the afternoon, visit the Arts District or the Mob Museum. At sunset, take a Neon Museum night tour, then spend the night on Fremont Street.
Itinerary tips
- Book shows and day trips ahead for weekends and holidays.
- Check whether Red Rock Canyon’s scenic drive needs a timed reservation for your dates.
- Pick your hotel by area. See where to stay in Las Vegas.
- Compare Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam tours.
More Las Vegas guides
- Las Vegas travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Las Vegas
- Free things to do in Las Vegas
- Where to stay in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas resort fees and how to save
- Grand Canyon from Las Vegas
- Las Vegas Airport to the Strip
- Best time to visit Las Vegas
FAQ: Las Vegas itinerary
Is 2 days enough in Las Vegas?
Two days covers the Strip, a show and Fremont Street. Add a third day for a Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam trip.
What should I not miss on a first trip to Las Vegas?
The Bellagio fountains at night, a big show, the High Roller or another Strip view, Fremont Street, and at least one desert excursion.
Do I need a car in Las Vegas?
Not for the Strip, where rideshares, trams, the monorail and the Deuce cover it. A car is useful for Red Rock, Valley of Fire and self-drive canyon trips.
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