Las Vegas Itinerary

Las Vegas, Nevada has long been known as an adult playground of the U.S. I have been there numerous times, for various occasions, and can vouch that it most definitely is! It can be overwhelming knowing where to start so I’ve put together this Las Vegas itinerary to help plan your first trip.

Ultimately, Vegas will be what you make of it. If you want a sleepless trip filled with debauchery and nights you won’t forget, you can have that. If you want pure relaxation with the most memorable meals, you can also have that. I’ve been to bachelorette parties, birthdays, work events, and romantic long weekends. I’ve even been there for a wedding! My last trip, and what this 3-day itinerary is based on, was a balance of activity and relaxation without being overly scheduled.

Before we jump in, let’s review some of the things Veags is known for since they will be sprinkled throughout. If you go somewhere and they are known for something, you should have that thing. I learned this lesson the hard way when I went to a gelateria in Venice and had the worst sandwich of my life. That’s a story for a different day.

• The Strip – The Las Vegas Strip is like small-town USA main street on steroids! Las Vegas Boulevard, the official name, is four miles long. The majority of major hotels, shopping, and restaurants are located directly on it.
• Gambling – There are over 100 casinos in Las Vegas and they never close! While I’m not a big gambler, I like to see what a few bucks can do. For me, it’s strictly entertainment.
• Dining – What’s great about Las Vegas is that the best restaurants from the best cities in the country inevitably open locations there. So you can be in one location and try restaurants from all over! Many times a celebrity chef is also tied to the restaurants, which is always fun!

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Where is Las Vegas?

Las Vegas is in the Southwestern portion of the United States and it is in the Mojave Desert. Vegas is 270 miles southeast of LA and its elevation is around 2,000 feet. It is located in Pacific Standard Time Zone.

When to Visit Las Vegas?

As noted above, Vegas is in the literal desert. The temperature may be over 100 degrees in the summer and 20 degrees in the winter. The best time is Spring and Fall, when there is a slight briskness in the morning and late at night, but sunshine and warmth during the day.

These seasons are especially great if you are coming from an area with four distinct seasons since it may not be the ideal temperature there. When I went in April the weather was gorgeous, high 70s, and it was still cold back in Chicago.

Can’t Miss Things To Do (aka Very Obsessed!)

Top three things from this Itinerary:

• Fountains of Bellagio Water Show
• Dinner at Superfrico
• Slip a $20 in a Slot Machine

Itinerary Overview

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

During the course of the 20+ years I’ve been visiting Vegas, I’ve stayed in my fair share of hotels and they have run the gamut of every price range. These days my favorite place to stay is Aria. Below I’ve noted a few of my Aria highlights!

Aria is a 5-star hotel that is located on the south end of The Strip. Not only is it a must that the hotel is on The Strip for ease of walking, but the south end is my favorite area with its close proximity to Cosmopolitan and Bellagio. Aria is part of MGM, so you’re eligible to earn rewards, as well as Marriott Bonvoy, so you can earn points. Not only do they have excellent dining options, but they are also home to the largest Forbes Five-Star Spa in the world. It’s the Goldilocks of vibes, not too young (no day parties) and not too old (plenty of young-ish people).

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Day One | South End of The Strip

Day

This is either your travel day or you traveled yesterday. Either way something not too fussy for breakfast is what is on the agenda. Just because it’s not fussy though doesn’t mean it’s not amazing! Eggslut is an LA-based breakfast sandwich fast-casual spot that has fresh ingredients and is made to order. It’s on the Mezzanine level of Cosmopolitan, about a 6-minute walk from Aria, and the line is long. It goes fast though so don’t let that deter you, maybe just plan on going 30 minutes before you are ravenous, haha.

After you’ve filled your belly it’s time to walk the Las Vegas Strip. I love to wander the strip with no exact destination in mind, and let it speak to me. Along the strip, you will find most hotels, so you can always pop in and grab a cocktail, snack, or gamble for a bit. There is also a TON of shopping to be had, I can’t even count the amount of Louis Vuitton or Hermès stores I’ve seen. These shops will be connected to the casinos or in Fashion Show Mall, on the north end of the strip. Lastly, there are just random places, a particular favorite is the Coke Store where you can get a flight of sodas from all over the world.

Night

You will have walked many steps by evening so you may want to go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. Superfrico is located inside the Cosmopolitan and is described as an ‘American Italian Psychedelic’ restaurant. Without giving anything away, the cocktails are fun, the food is great, and the entertainment is amazing! I suggest making a reservation for 7:00 or later. When dinner is over, head next door for the 9:00 pm show at OPM. It is from the same group as Superfrico and will not disappoint! If you want a little sweet treat before you walk back to Aria, stop by Milk Bar on the Mezzanine level at the Cosmopolitan and try the cereal milk ice cream or grab a cookie for the road.

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Day Two | North End of The Strip

Day

After last night’s festivities, you may want to sleep in and that’s great because we don’t have anything on the agenda until brunch! Since Mon Ami Gabi has an outdoor patio and is situated directly across the street from the Bellagio fountain, make your brunch reservations at noon or later. The Bellagio Water Show is not to be missed and starts at noon on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, meaning you’ll have prime viewing!

Next, we’ll wander north to see that side of the strip. Feel free to stop in any casinos or stores you’d like. One notable casino to check out is The Venetian where you can ride a gondola on canals inside and outside of the casino, just like you’re in Venice! Like many casinos, they also have a ton of stores to shop to your heart’s content.

While you’re in the area, check out The High Roller, the Ferris Wheel at The Linq. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of Vegas in a comfortable, and oversized cabin. They often offer special events as well. A few years ago I did a yoga class, in the Ferris Wheel, and it was amazing!

Night

As a Vanderpump Rules fan (and most things Bravo) I would be remiss if I did not include one of Lisa Vanderpumps Restaurants in this Las Vegas itinerary. Although I understand it’s not for all. Of the two spots, I suggest Vanderpump à Paris on the ground floor of Paris. The decor is like a sophisticated Moulin Rouge and the drink presentation is outstanding!

If LVP is not your vibe, then I recommend Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan. This is a spot that started in NYC (on Essex Street) and has made its way to Sin City. In the NYC location, you enter through what looks like a pawn shop and there is champagne poured in the bathroom. The Las Vegas location is located on the mezzanine level of The Cosmopolitan, so it doesn’t quite have the same speakeasy vibes, but the food and drinks are just as good. If you are looking for imaginative small plates to share, this is for you!

If Beauty & Essex sounds like something you want to try, but also want to check out LVP, you can always have a drink at Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesar’s Palace before dinner. The bonus if you go this route is that you can stop by Dominque Ansel at Caesar’s and pick up some pastries. Yes, he’s known as the inventor of the Cronut, but actually, his Kouign Amann is amazing! Probably the best I’ve had, and I’ve had a few in my day.

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Day Three | Back to the South End

Day

After two days of walking the strip, it’s time to take a little break. We’ll have breakfast at Salt & Ivy at the hotel, which has a beautiful outdoor patio, great food, and amazing drinks. Seriously, I ate here twice on my last trip and loved everything. Then, because the pool at Bellagio is a little more relaxed, we’ll head there for a pool day. If you reserve a chair in advance you don’t need to be a guest at the hotel and you’ll have food and beverage service. It’s delightful! Before settling in make sure you check out the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens which is beautiful and changes seasonally.

Night

After the pool, you’ll want to go back to the hotel and shower, which works out great because that’s where dinner is as well! Bring your appetite to Din Tai Fung, a Chinese chain that has won Michelin stars in Hong Kong. The food is fresh (you can see them making it in the window) and everything is amazing. Seriously, it’s hard to pick a favorite thing. Your belly will be full so, if you’d like, spend your last evening trying your hand with lady luck and checking out what the casino has in store.

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Transportation

How to Get There

Las Vegas has a pretty large airport with most major cities offering direct flights which is the way I always get there. Since it is part of the 48 states, you can also drive which can be convenient depending on where you are coming from. It’s about a four-hour drive from Los Angeles.

How to Get Around

Las Vegas is very driveable so renting a car is always an option. I generally use Uber and Lyft when I’m there because then I don’t have to mess around with parking and there are always tons of cars available. The one thing to note in the casinos is there are usually designated pick-up spots that might be a little walk away so make sure to look for signs.

What to Pack

Bring layers! Which layers to bring will depend on which season you are visiting. Don’t forget that Vegas is in the desert so night will be considerably cooler than the day.

Since everything is on the strip you may find yourself hopping from one location to the next and before you know it you’ve walked 10,000 steps. Bring comfortable, but cute, shoes.

SPF, and I cannot stress this enough especially if you haven’t seen the sun in many months. The last time I was there I used 50 and was good, never got burnt, but it was so hot I did get a heat rash. The sun is no joke.

Tips for Visiting

• Stop by CVS and pick up some bottles of water and snacks for the hotel room. The mini-bar pricing is no joke! I have no problem paying more for delicious, quality food, but paying $7 for a bottle of water is just paying for convenience. Do yourself a favor, make a CVS stop on your first day there, and thank me later.
• If you will be gambling I suggest you stop by the casino desk and get a loyalty card to put in the machine. Yes, it’s basically so the casino can track your spending and what you are doing, but you can receive perks like being first in line for dinner or even free hotel stays

Other Recommendations

The above Las Vegas itinerary is what I suggest if you want to have an enjoyable time that is balanced with exploring the strip and relaxing but feel free to adjust as needed. Below are a couple of things that I also recommend, but just didn’t make it into the three-day itinerary.

• Spa Day | I love a spa day and on the off chance you are there when it’s raining (or maybe it’s too hot for the pool) the Aria spa is amazing!
• Las Vegas Sign | In all the many times I’ve visited I’ve never seen the sign. It is iconic and signifies the beginning of The Strip, but in the age of social media, there is usually a line to take a photo. If you want to do this the best bet is to go early, when the people who stayed out all night are sleeping in. If you are coming from the East and have the advantage of the time change on your side, take an Uber the second morning there and grab yourself a picture!
• Neon Museum (at night!) | Vegas has a ton of Neon signage and the Neon Museum is where those signs go when they retire.
• Buffets | I’m not a buffet girlie but if you are, Vegas is the place for it! Bellagio and Cosmopolitan are known to have two of the best buffets on the strip.
• Pinball Hall of Fame | Part museum, part arcade, you can take an Uber and find tons of pinball games to play!
• If you don’t live near an In-N-Out Burger or have never had it, there is one on The Linq Promenade. You might love it or not, but you should at least try it since so many people say it’s their favorite fast casual burger. Take it from me and get the fries well done.

FAQ

• Is it worth going to Vegas for three days?
  • Yes! Vegas can be sensory overload from all the people, the variety of noises, and the neon lights. It can be relaxing if you do it a certain way, but the stereotypical Vegas experience is best in small doses.
• Are three nights in Vegas enough?
  • Yes! 4 days and three nights are enough. If the first and last days are travel days then you have two full, non-travel days and nights. Take in a show, do a little gambling, make some dinner reservations, walk the strip, get a massage, or lay by the pool. All the details are in the above post but you can experience an amazing time in Vegas in three nights.
• How many days are sufficient in Las Vegas?
  • Have you seen The Hangover? I kid, I kid. TBH for me it kind of depends on the flight time. If you are nearby and travel time is short and can spend three days and two nights, you’ll have a fun time in Vegas. If you are like me and it’s a four-hour flight, you may want to extend it to four days and three nights. If you find yourself with more time you may want to take a day trip to the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park. Alternatively, you can stay in Las Vegas proper but spend a day in old Vegas which has a completely different vibe than The Strip.
• How much is a trip to Vegas for three days?
  • The age-old question of how much travel costs. The great thing about Vegas is that it caters to every type of traveler. You can fly an ultra-low-cost airline and stay in a basic hotel room and it can be quite affordable, eating In & Out to your heart’s desire. On the other hand, you can fly business class, stay in a five-star hotel and make fancy reservations. How you choose to travel is up to you!

Book a Trip to Las Vegas!

I typically book directly with the airline and hotel, but sites like skyscanner.com and booking.com are great for comparing options. Click the links below to book now!

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