Las Vegas: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Las Vegas Travel Guide

Las Vegas rose out of the Mojave Desert as a railroad stop and became the world's most theatrical resort city. The Strip is a four-mile parade of themed mega-resorts, each with casinos, pools, celebrity restaurants and stage shows. Yet Vegas is more than gambling: it is a base for some of the most spectacular desert landscapes in the American West, from Red Rock Canyon on the city's edge to the Grand Canyon and Zion within a long day's drive. Plan for both the neon and the nature, and you will get far more out of a trip.

Seasons in the Desert

• Spring (March–May): Warm, sunny and ideal for hiking and pool days. Pool parties start up around Easter.
• Summer (June–August): Extremely hot, with daytime temperatures that make outdoor hiking dangerous. Hotel rates can drop on weekdays, and life moves to pools and air-conditioned casinos.
• Autumn (September–November): Another excellent window for weather and outdoor trips.
• Winter (December–February): Cool days and cold nights, occasionally even snow on nearby mountains. New Year's Eve is huge and expensive; other winter weeks can be good value.

Big conventions and fight nights cause room rates to spike, so check event calendars before you book.

Top Attractions

1. The Strip – Walk from the Luxor's pyramid past New York-New York, Paris Las Vegas, Caesars Palace and The Venetian's indoor canals.
2. Fountains of Bellagio – A free choreographed water show set to music, running frequently from afternoon until late evening.
3. Fremont Street Experience – Downtown's pedestrian mall under a giant LED canopy, with zip lines, street performers and classic casinos.
4. Red Rock Canyon – A scenic loop drive and hiking trails through red sandstone cliffs about 30 minutes from the Strip; timed-entry reservations may be required in busy seasons.
5. Shows – Cirque du Soleil productions, magicians, comedians and headline residencies.
6. The Sphere – A giant spherical venue east of the Strip hosting immersive films and concerts.
7. Hoover Dam – An engineering landmark on the Colorado River, under an hour away, often combined with Lake Mead.
8. Grand Canyon day trip – The West Rim (with the Skywalk) is the closest; the South Rim is further but offers the classic views.

Eating and Drinking

Vegas has outstanding dining from world-famous chefs, but also legendary buffets, 24-hour diners and steakhouses. Try a classic shrimp cocktail downtown, a weekend brunch, and the food halls inside resorts for quicker, cheaper meals. Spring Mountain Road's Chinatown is one of the best places in the city for Asian food, including Thai, Japanese and Chinese. Indian restaurants are scattered around the Strip and off-Strip areas, and vegetarian options are easy to find at buffets and food halls.

Getting There and Getting Around

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is just minutes from the southern end of the Strip. Taxis, rideshare pickups and shuttles serve both terminals. Distances on the Strip are deceptive: resorts look close but can be a long walk apart in the heat. The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip, free trams link some resorts, and the Deuce bus runs along the Strip and to downtown 24 hours. For Red Rock, Hoover Dam or the national parks, renting a car or joining a tour is the practical choice.

Where to Stay

• Center Strip: Caesars Palace, Bellagio and The Venetian area, the most central and walkable.
• South Strip: Mandalay Bay, Luxor and MGM Grand, often slightly cheaper and close to the airport.
• North Strip: Newer resorts such as Resorts World and Fontainebleau.
• Downtown (Fremont Street): Vintage Vegas atmosphere and usually lower room rates.
• Off-Strip and Henderson: Quieter, local-style resorts and good value for drivers.

Budget Tips

• Watch for resort fees, which are added to most room rates; compare the total price, not just the headline rate.
• Sunday-to-Thursday stays are often much cheaper than weekends.
• Enjoy free sights: the Bellagio fountains and Conservatory, the Mirage-area attractions, Fremont Street's light shows and resort lobbies.
• Look for discount show tickets at official booths or the day before.
• Set a firm gambling budget and treat it as entertainment spending.
• Drink plenty of water and bring refillable bottles for desert trips.

Practical Information

• Visa: Most visitors need a US visa; Visa Waiver Program travellers need an ESTA. Indian passport holders need a B1/B2 visa. Check travel.state.gov.
• Currency: US dollar (USD). Tipping is customary in restaurants, bars and for hotel staff.
• Language: English, with Spanish widely spoken.
• Safety: The main tourist areas are busy and well patrolled, but keep an eye on belongings, use licensed taxis or rideshare, and be cautious with heat on outdoor excursions. The legal age for gambling and drinking is 21.

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