It’s summer in Los Angeles, meaning it’s weekends in Las Vegas season for most people here, and road trip through the Southwest season for people all across the US. So I thought I’d take this opportunity to introduce first-timers to some of the Vegas must-sees, especially if you only have a short amount of time to explore the city.
Las Vegas is one of the most visited cities in the US, and as such it has plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained for days, or even weeks. You can also find dining, entertainment, and Las Vegas hotels to suit any price range, so the city is popular with visitors of all budgets.
No matter how much time you have in Vegas, whether it’s 24 hours or 10 days, there are a few activities you absolutely can’t miss in Sin City.
Photo by Esther Levy via Trover.com
See a Cirque du Soleil Show
Cirque du Soleil has shows all over the world these days, but the biggest and best are still the ones at the heart of Vegas. The O Show at the Bellagio has gotten some of the best reviews city-wide, and features very talented performers doing everything from beautiful water choreography to literally death-defying stunts.
There are plenty of options, so if you want something more dream-like head to Le Reve (The Dream) at the Wynn, or if you’re feeling some Beatles nostalgia you can always check out Love.
Try Your Hand at the Table Games
Las Vegas casinos might seem like an impossible maze for gambling newbies, so many visitors head to the slot machines which seem the easiest to play and understand. However, you really can’t say you’ve gambled in Vegas until you’ve tried one of the table games, whether it’s poker, blackjack, roulette, or craps.
You will find plenty of high-rollers and excited crowds at Vegas table games on a Friday or Saturday night, but if you’re on a budget you can also find tables with lower stakes and buy-ins. So go ahead and match yourself against other Vegas players for a chance to make some extra money!
Party at XS
Club XS at the Wynn is one of the premier party venues in all of Las Vegas. Famous international DJs come through the club almost every weekend to play a set, so don’t be surprised if you check out the venue Friday night just to see Zedd, Skrillex, or Avicii behind the DJ booth.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights are the best nights to attend, but make sure you either sign up on the guest list beforehand, get to the club early, or have a great girl to guy ratio in your group. The line outside forms pretty quickly, and if you haven’t planned your entrance ahead of time you could end up waiting a long time.
Stroll Down the Strip at Night
Even though it’s one of the most classic Las Vegas activities, a stroll down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip is still a must. No matter how many photos you’ve seen of the strip lit up at night with partygoers, families, businessmen, and gamblers all mixing together in a giant crowd on its sidewalks, you still need to experience this scene firsthand.
So take a slow walk down Las Vegas Boulevard at night and soak in all the sights and sounds of America’s Playground.
You can do these four must-do activities in a day or a week, so make sure you experience them before you leave Las Vegas!