4 Days in Las Vegas - Perfect Itinerary

Published: July 18, 2024
Panorama of the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, so believe us when we say you’ll have zero trouble filling four days with high-octane, dice-rolling, Strip-tastic fun. Your only difficulty will be deciding what to do first. And that's where we come in! Read on for our perfect 4-day Las Vegas itinerary, including:

  • High Roller Observation Wheel
  • Fremont Street Experience
  • Grand Canyon
  • Mandalay Bay Beach Club
  • Bellagio fountains, gallery and gardens
  • Colosseum theater
  • Las Vegas Arts District
  • Hoover Dam
  • Red Rock Canyon

Day 1: Viva Las Vegas!

Tourists pose in a soft-top in front of the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign

Kickstart your Sin City adventure by getting the lay of the land aboard the open-top hop-on hop-off bus. There’s really no better way to get an overview of this sizzling city’s must-see landmarks. Tick off the bucket-list classics, including that essential selfie stop at the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign, and marvel at how the Strip's flamboyant hotels vie for the tourist dollar with their increasingly outlandish gimmicks. 

We’re talking Paris’s replica Eiffel Tower, the Bellagio’s legendary dancing fountains, and the exploding volcano at The Mirage, to name just a few. You’ll also get to whiz around the OG downtown area, home of the glitzy Fremont Street Experience (of which more later). There’s even a nighttime version of the bus tour that gives you an opportunity to experience the Strip in all its neon glory, all without having to lift a finger (or indeed a foot).

Neon casino sign in downtown Las Vegas

Having experienced Vegas’s uniquely surreal atmosphere at arm’s length, it’s now time to go full immersion mode in the city’s legendary casinos. So put on your best poker face, cram your pockets full of dollar bills and get lucky. Take your pick from dozens of casinos, from old-school giants like Caesars Palace, the MGM Grand and the Bellagio to beloved downtown faves including the famous Golden Nugget. Expect hundreds of classic table games like like roulette, blackjack and Texas hold ‘em poker plus thousands of slot machines in these cavernous, money-guzzling twilight zones of capitalism.

Day 2: Strip Highlights

Tourist taking photographs on the Las Vegas Strip

Ok, day 2 of your awesome 4-day Vegas experience and it's time to get up close and personal with some of the Strip’s main attractions. And you really could fill a whole day or more exploring this vast thoroughfare, with its supersize hotels, monster malls and hundreds of bars and restaurants, from fast food to fine dining. Top tip: the Strip is much longer than it looks. Avoid aching calves and pesky blisters by taking full advantage of the Las Vegas Monorail, which connects a number of major hotels and casinos along the Strip’s eastern side, running for nearly four miles.

But what to see and do? Bit of an art fiend? Good news: Vegas does high culture every bit as well as it does low culture. Case in point: the ever-rotating exhibitions at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art have included works by household names including Warhol, Picasso and Lichtenstein; the horticultural marvel that is the resort’s botanical gardens is also something of a work of art in itself. Here during pool party season (March-October)? Hit up Mandalay Bay’s epic Daylight Beach Club, home to a ridiculously large pool (4,400 square feet, fact fans), a man-made beach and a seemingly endless lazy river.

Cocktail glass containing red dice in a Las Vegas casino

You could sip bubbly aboard the knee-knocking High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Hotel, which soars 550 feet over the Strip. Or catch a show at the legendary Colosseum theater at Caesars Palace – superstars from Sinatra to Madonna have graced the glittering stage here down the years. Ride the glass elevator up Paris’s replica Eiffel Tower or cruise the Venetian’s faithful replica of Venice’s Grand Canal in a gondola. The possibilities are almost literally endless.

Day 3: You can always go… Downtown!

Shoe-shaped exhibit at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas

It would be easy to overlook Las Vegas’s laidback downtown area for the considerable thrills and spills of the Strip, but that would be to miss out on Sin City most old-school enclave, home of the boho Arts District and terrific Neon Museum, a sort of retirement home for Vegas signage of yore. Best visited in early evening, this is the place to nab Insta-perfect selfies bathed in the neon glow of such iconic signs as the Stardust and Lucky Cuss Motel. Check out the nearby Arts District for the best of Vegas’s indie scene, including galleries, boutiques, vintage clothing emporia and hipper-than-thou craft breweries like Hop Nuts Brewing and the Nevada Brew Works.

There’s nothing old school about the Fremont Street Experience. Easily Vegas’s most popular attraction outside the Strip, this huge complex features a video-screen canopy the length of five football pitches, beneath which tourists and locals browse stores galore and sip colorful cocktails in the chi-chi bars. Eye-popping hourly light shows and live music across three stages every evening means there’s never a dull moment here in Glitter Gulch.

Day 4: The Great Outdoors

Las Vegas skyline at dusk

Sure, Las Vegas is terrific fun, but three sinful days of sensory saturnalia can be more than enough for most people. What better way then to round out your perfect 4-day Las Vegas itinerary than swapping the noise, neon lights and general chaos of the Strip for the wide open spaces of the Nevada and Arizona deserts? You can take a helicopter ride over the awe-inspiring Hoover Dam to the enchanting South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where a restorative stroll among rust-red rocks and vibrant wildflowers is pure manna for the soul. Opt for an afternoon trip that will time your return descent along the Strip around sundown, for some of the most spectacular skies and Sin City views you’re likely to find.

Seven Magic Mountains art installation in the Mojave Desert near Las Vegas

Helicopters not your bag? Rent a soft-top instead and strike out south along Interstate 15 to Red Rock Canyon deep in the Mojave Desert. This relatively diminutive sibling of the Grand Canyon promises equally otherworldly landscapes, characterized by soaring sandstone crags and towering cacti. Don’t miss sculptor Ugo Rondinone’s hallucinatory art installation on the way there. Seven Magic Mountains is a series of gravity-defying boulder stacks painted in a kaleidoscope of vivid colors – essential eye candy for any Insta addict worthy of the name.

Save on attractions in Las Vegas 

Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

Continue reading

Blog

Off the Strip - Container Park in Las Vegas

Don't make the mistake of visiting Las Vegas and never venturing beyond the Strip! Downtown Las Vegas, just north of the Strip, is a vibrant community with lots of fun areas and hidden gem establishments to discover and explore, including Downtown Container Park. Downtown Container Park, "DCP", is an open-air shopping and entertainment complex with lots of shops, restaurants, and bars right in downtown Las Vegas. The innovative entertainment complex concept is an attraction itself built from 43 re-purposed shipping containers and 41 locally manufactured Xtreme cubes. The complex features a grassy area with string lights for outdoor activities, an interactive "Treehouse" play area designed for children and adults, a stage for presentations and performances, a larger-than-life praying mantis sculpture that shoots fire, and more. Things to Do in Container Park In addition to all of the shopping and dining destinations, check out Container Park's Entertainment Schedule to see what events they're hosting during your trip to Las Vegas. Past events have included outdoor family movie nights, yoga in the park, doggie date night, "open container" beer tastings, and more. Container Park features family-friendly fun for everyone, from toddlers to adults. The eye-catching Treehouse structure provides jungle-gym fun for kids and adults alike with a must-do 3-story slide. When the sun goes down, DCP turns into a one-stop entertainment complex for adults (except on weekly Family Movie Nights!). After 9:00 pm, it's 21+ throughout DCP, even the playground. There's often live music, a DJ spinning, and more to keep it festive and fun. Restaurant Highlights Pinches Tacos is hands-down the most popular crowd favorite in Container Park. Serving simple-concept tacos with fresh-picked garden vegetables, high quality meats and seafood, and hand made tortillas, this family-run taco spot serves up delicious, authentic bites. "Real Mexican Food by Real Mexicans." For some "real deal" barbecue, head to Big Ern's BBQ. Here, you'll be able to get some classic BBQ fare along with recipes unique to Las Vegas where the owner-chef, Big Ern Loya, has developed his own flavors and techniques with the goal of bringing good BBQ to a this traditionally non BBQ town. Wine on tap. Need we say more? Check out bin 702's comprehensive selection of wine on tap and sample their selection of artisan cheese, meat plates, salads, and paninis. For casual, creative-yet-unpretentious-fare, Cheffini's serves up hot dogs with flavor combinations that are so good, you'll wish you could box up, ship home, and enjoy whenever you want. Simply Pure is a must for vegans in Las Vegas (or just those who are curious about the food offerings!). This gourmet vegan and raw food restaurant is committed to serving up flavor that satisfy, energize, revitalize, and refresh. Head to Perch for "fabulous, not fussy" fare at this casual, family-friendly establishment. Featuring a sharing menu, this place the perfect spot for dining with a group. Things to Do Nearby The Mob Museum (our Las Vegas Regional Director's top pick!) is located within a 10 minute walk from Downtown Container Park. The museum provides visitors with an entertaining and interactive experience where they'll learn stories from both sides of the famous back-and-forth between the Mob and the law enforcement that fought it. Just try not to learn too much while you're there... Get above it all for awesome views from the Stratosphere Observation Deck, an easy, 20+ minute trip on the DEUCE bus. The Stratosphere is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the U.S., standing at 1,149 feet tall and features both indoor and outdoor decks for the best views. Just north of downtown is the Las Vegas Cultural Corridor, home to lots of establishments that features art, science, history, education, and family fun. Points of interest include: the Neon Museum, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Cashman Center, Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, Las Vegas Library, Burlesque Hall of Fame, and more. Head to the Discovery Children's Museum for all things science, nature, art, and culture geared towards keeping kids entertained with interactive, hands-on exhibits and activities. Fans of the arts won't want to miss 18b, the arts district which is named for the 18 blocks of city land it used to take up. 18b is now a vibrant community known for being always-hip and home to galleries, office buildings, condos, and more. Location 707 Fremont Street Las Vegas, NV 89101 Hours Retail Monday-Thursday: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Sunday: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Restaurants & Bars Monday-Thursday: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Friday-Saturday: 11:00 am to 1:00 am Sunday: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Be sure to explore the Strip and check out some of the attractions downtown. Save on combined admission to lots of Las Vegas attractions (on the Strip, and off) including museums, shows, day trips, and more with the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
Casey Makovich
vegas eiffel tower from the ground
Blog

Vegas High Roller or Eiffel Tower: Which Experience Shines?

Welcome to the View-Off: High Roller Wheel vs. Eiffel Tower Experience!  So you’re making tracks to Las Vegas, and the city’s views are calling your name. Now you face the real challenge—should you hop aboard the High Roller Observation Wheel, or will the Eiffel Tower Experience win your heart? We’re breaking down both iconic attractions so you’ll know exactly which sky-high adventure matches your Vegas mood. From dizzying heights and Insta-worthy photo ops to which family member is likely to have the most fun, we’re dishing up the details as only Vegas can.  The lowdown  High Roller Observation Wheel:  Stands 550 feet tall on the LINQ Promenade, dazzling the Strip with its colorful lights.  30-minute rides with 360-degree enclosed cabins (perfect for all weather).  Views of the entire Strip, distant desert skyline and mountains.  “Happy Half Hour” cabins with open bar.  Family-friendly in the daytime, party energy at night.  Eiffel Tower Experience:  Half-scale replica at Paris Las Vegas, 46 stories above the Strip (about 460 feet tall).  Glass elevator and open-air viewing deck for panoramic photos.  Romantic nighttime ambiance with twinkling lights and Bellagio Fountain views.  Parisian feel with French-themed décor throughout.  Sounds good, tell me more...  Okay, so which one is most impressive?  It all comes down to what “impressive” means to you. The High Roller pulls out all the stops with its towering height and futuristic pods, dominating the skyline and lighting up the night like a Ferris wheel from the future. Its sheer size blows minds and makes heads turn, especially when the full-color light show kicks into gear at sunset.  The Eiffel Tower Experience wins points for history, detail, and ambiance. The latticework is true to Parisian engineering and the ambiance delivers Paris-in-the-desert vibes; nothing in Vegas comes close for pure old-world charm. Watching the Strip from above through crisscrossed steel, with the Bellagio Fountains bursting below, is like stepping into a movie scene.  Vegas loves drama, and both attractions deliver, but in different flavors: the High Roller impresses with scale and spectacle; the Eiffel Tower charms with ambiance, romance, and that unbeatable Parisian twist.  Which one is more fun?  Fun in Vegas comes in many forms. The High Roller is built for a good time, especially with those “Happy Half Hour” cabins. Imagine riding above the strip, drink in hand, surrounded by a group of new friends—or your own crew—sharing jokes while gazing at the endless parade of neon lights. Families and friends can sprawl out in climate-controlled cabins, with everyone glued to the glass walls, spotting landmarks from all angles.  Eiffel Tower Experience leans into a different kind of fun. Here, it’s about the shared “wow” moment as you step onto the open-air deck. With fewer crowds than the High Roller, it’s perfect for those loving a slower pace. Grabbing a selfie with the Strip or the Bellagio Fountains in the background is a memory in itself. For couples, it’s pure romance; for solo travelers, the sense of adventure is just as real.  If your idea of fun leans towards lively crowds, cocktails, and a party vibe, the High Roller is your spot. If you’re after European romance and a dash of classic elegance, Eiffel Tower Experience takes the prize.  Which is more beautiful?  Beauty is subjective, but let’s dish out the facts. The High Roller Observation Wheel delivers city-wide views from a cozy, glass-walled pod, while the ever-changing LED lights outside turn the wheel itself into a feast for the eyes. The sight of the Strip’s lights sprawling in every direction—plus distant mountain silhouettes—makes every spin a visual treat.  Meanwhile, the Eiffel Tower’s open-air deck gives you more than views, it frames your photos with unmistakable steelwork and Parisian details. The sense of height is a bit more real here, thanks to the wind on your face and the city sounds far below. The best part? Looking westward for front-row seats to the Bellagio’s water show, fountains firing under the desert sky.  Both attractions know how to show off, but if you love polished, high-tech beauty, High Roller shines. For moody, romantic, and delightfully atmospheric, Eiffel Tower wins.  Which has the better view?  Choosing the “best” view depends on what you want to see.  High Roller: Here, you’re fully surrounded by Vegas. Each pod moves with a slow, steady grace, never rushed. You see up and down the Strip, the mountains, the nearby airport with its glimmering runways, and a cross-section of hotels and people below. Come at dusk for golden hour magic, or later for endless city lights.  Eiffel Tower: You get a slightly lower perch but a unique angle. The west-facing deck means the Bellagio Fountains are the view’s main event, especially at night when the show pairs with music and lights. You’ll see the Strip in all directions, framed by a classic Paris tower, with a lighter breeze and a bit more open air.  If you want to see all of Vegas, go High Roller. If your dream shot is the Bellagio Fountains from above, Eiffel Tower it is.  How do I get there?  High Roller:  Located at The LINQ Promenade, center Strip.  By monorail: Disembark at the Harrah’s/The LINQ station.  By bus: Strip & Spring Mountain bus stop, then a quick walk.  By car: Paid parking available at The LINQ.  On foot: It’s an easy walk from the Flamingo, Harrah’s, or Caesars Palace.  Eiffel Tower Experience:  Situated within Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, mid-Strip.  By monorail: Paris/Bally’s station is the closest—exit and follow signs through the casino.  By bus: Belt out at the Paris stop; the Eiffel Tower is impossible to miss.  On foot: Beautiful stroll from Bellagio, Planet Hollywood, or Bally’s, with plenty of sidewalk excitement.  Best choice for families, couples or friends  Traveling with kids in tow, on a romantic getaway, or celebrating with your best friends? Both High Roller and the Eiffel Tower Experience shine, but deliver different flavors for each group.  Families:  We find the High Roller fits families perfectly. The roomy pods invite everyone to spread out, move around, and spot their favorite landmarks. It’s stroller-friendly and offers a smooth ride without sudden scares or vertigo—ideal for the younger crew or grandparents. Bonus: kids get wide-eyed seeing their hotel below, and everyone gets a new perspective of the city.  Couples:  Date night alert! The Eiffel Tower positively oozes romance. Couples love the twinkling Parisian lights, the gentle breeze on the open-air deck, and the opportunity to watch the Bellagio Fountains put on a show just below. Take in a dreamy sunset here, especially if you’ve got something special to celebrate.  Friends:  For groups, the High Roller easily wins for social energy. Book an entire cabin for your mates or join a Happy Half Hour to make new pals. There’s music, laughter, and plenty of room to roam—from selfies at every angle to impromptu dance parties as the Strip glows below. The Eiffel Tower is more suited to friends who want memorable views without the party vibe.  I’ve got fidgety kids to entertain – which has more ‘hands on’ activities?  While neither attraction is a traditional hands-on activity center, there are still ways for curious kids (and grown-ups) to keep busy.  High Roller: The journey is interactive by nature—watch little ones scurry from one window to the next, spotting roller coasters, hotels, and even planes taking off at McCarran Airport. In-cabin screens offer fun facts for trivia-minded youngsters, and the ride length keeps the experience engaging without being tiresome.  Eiffel Tower Experience: There’s genuine excitement climbing up the glass elevator and walking beneath the intricate steel design. The open deck lets adventurous types peer through the mesh for bird’s-eye people-watching and fountain spotting. However, interactivity is more about the scenery, so especially energetic kids might spend less time here than on the wheel.  For busy hands, the High Roller just edges it, especially with the space and interesting camera angles for budding photographers.  What’s the accessibility like?  Both attractions work hard to ensure everyone can enjoy the view.  High Roller: Fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps, elevators, and staff assistance as needed. Pods have space for wheelchairs and strollers, so no one misses out on the experience.  Eiffel Tower Experience: Wheelchair-accessible elevators take you straight up. The deck is level and navigable, though some areas can get busy when crowds gather for the fountains. Team members are always nearby to offer a helping hand.  You can feel at ease with both options—just let a staff member know your needs when you arrive, and relaxation awaits above the Strip.  Best lunch spots nearby?  High Roller / The LINQ Promenade:  Yard House: Famous for an impressive list of draft beers—over 100 on tap—alongside street tacos, burgers, and their signature poke nachos. The lively patio seating sets the scene for casual people-watching and pre-wheel snacks.  in-N-Out Burger: For the West Coast classic—order your burger “Animal Style” for extra sauce and grilled onions. This is Vegas’ most wallet-friendly, filling meal, just steps from the High Roller’s entrance.  Virgil’s Real Barbecue: Southern hospitality, big helpings of smoked brisket, and sweet tea. Try the mac-and-cheese or their award-winning Banana Pudding, all served in comfortable, rustic surrounds.  Eiffel Tower / Paris Las Vegas:  Eiffel Tower Restaurant: For a splurge, book a table at this fine dining spot perched halfway up the tower. Signature dishes include the delicate lobster bisque and their Grand Marnier soufflé. Floor-to-ceiling windows mean the Strip is always in view.  Mon Ami Gabi: Parisian bistro vibes with striped awnings and prime patio seating facing the Bellagio Fountains. The steak frites and French onion soup are the stuff of legend here.  La Creperie: Need something quick and sweet? Hit this counter-service gem for fresh Nutella-banana crepes, or keep it savory with a classic ham and cheese.  Nearby Food Markets:  Block 16 Urban Food Hall (just across at The Cosmopolitan): Sample everything from gourmet doughnuts to Nashville hot chicken at this buzzing food market, all moments from the Eiffel Tower.  Where are the best photo opportunities?  High Roller:  Inside the pod, the glass panels ensure photo ops from every angle—point east at sunrise or west for sunset shots. At night, the glow of the wheel and city below makes for unforgettable group selfies.  Ground-level shots are magic too—snap the wheel fully lit up against the night sky. Stand underneath for a dramatic shot of its structural design.  Eiffel Tower Experience:  Snap down at the Bellagio Fountains mid-show; the jets look like glimmering lace from above.  Sunset is perfect here, with the Strip in golden tones—plus, the tower itself looks brilliant as dusk falls and its lights switch on.  Don’t leave without a classic upward-looking shot from the base, framing the intricate latticework skywards.  Photo Tips:  Sunset ("golden hour") is perfect for both attractions—think fewer shadows, softer light, and the start of Vegas’s evening buzz.  For night owls, late evening delivers the Strip’s crackling neon energy.  We’re finished and thirsty – is there a decent bar in the area?  Near High Roller:  SkyLounge at High Roller: Ride the Happy Half Hour for a built-in bar with your view, or pop into SkyLounge’s bar nearby for cocktails with a view of the wheel itself.  O’Sheas Irish Pub: Go casual with cheap beers, live music, and a lively pub atmosphere. The frozen Irish coffee here is a cult hit on a hot Vegas day.  Near Eiffel Tower:  Baccarat Bar (in Paris Las Vegas): Opulent, quiet, and a great spot to sip a Champagne cocktail beneath glittering chandeliers.  Beer Park: Just outside Paris Las Vegas, this rooftop bar serves a lineup of draft beers and spiked lemonades, with prime patio views of the Bellagio Fountains.  Signature Drink Picks:  At Beer Park, their spiked strawberry lemonade is a refreshing Strip staple.  Order the "Tower Spritz" at Eiffel Tower Restaurant—Cointreau, sparkling wine, and a bright dash of orange bitters.  Any other good stuff nearby?  High Roller / LINQ Promenade:  Fly LINQ Zipline: Launch yourself from the top of the LINQ promenade for a thrilling trip above the crowds—perfect for adrenaline junkies.  Brooklyn Bowl: Laugh, eat, and bowl a few frames at this music venue-bar-bowling alley mashup.  Free fun: Marvel at street performers or giant outdoor art installations that line the walkway.  Near Eiffel Tower Experience:  Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: Just across the street, stroll the ever-changing floral displays, all for free.  Fountains of Bellagio: Don’t miss the water and music show from ground level for a totally new perspective—shows run every half-hour in the evenings.  The Shops at Crystals: Step into air-conditioned luxury next door—window shop or real shop at brands like Gucci, Prada, or browse art galleries.  Local tip: Mon Ami Gabi's patio fills fast for good reason—arrive slightly before noon or sunset to score a prime fountain-facing seat.  Let’s Wrap it Up  Vegas is never short on dazzling experiences, but both the High Roller Observation Wheel and the Eiffel Tower Experience promise memories that’ll last way beyond your checkout date. Looking for a family-friendly vibe, high-energy fun, and panoramic Strip views? The High Roller spins its magic every time. Do you dream of Parisian elegance, jaw-dropping views over the fountains, or a romantic escape above the noise? The Eiffel Tower Experience romances every visitor.  Whichever you choose, you’ll get more from Vegas with Go City®. Save money, skip ticket lines, and bundle even more adventures into your trip—because in Vegas, there’s always one more story to be told.  Ready to see Vegas from above, for less? Buy your Go City® pass and start planning those sky-high memories!    Enjoyed this? Check out which tourist traps to avoid, and how to make the most of your evenings on the Strip. 
The Grand Canyon
Blog

Things to do Outside Las Vegas City

No-one ever said that someone who is tired of Las Vegas is tired of life. And that’s because, quite frankly, Sin City can be *exhausting*: the 24-hour hustle and bustle; that constant neon glare; all those glitzy casinos, shows, restaurants, pools and rooftop bars vying for your attention; the overwhelming chaos of the Strip. It’s no surprise that, after a couple of days of high rolling, frazzled travelers often find themselves ready to recharge. The good news is that there are plenty of great things to do outside Las Vegas city. Hey, just because it’s in the middle of a desert doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of eye-popping natural (oh ok, and man-made) attractions to discover, many within an hour of the Strip. Indeed, its desert location is what makes it such a fine destination for out-of-town excursions. The best of both worlds, if you will. So saddle up and join us on our rundown of some of the best day trips from Las Vegas, including: The Grand Canyon Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Seven Magic Mountains Red Rock Canyon Mount Charleston The Grand Canyon There are a number of ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Indeed, you may well be able to pap it from your flight into town (assuming you’re sat on the right side of the plane, that is). But can you really say you’ve ‘done’ the Grand Canyon if you haven’t set foot in it? No, dear reader, you cannot. So go on: book yourself a thrilling helicopter ride for spectacular (and close-up) aerial views as you cruise over the south or west rims of this epic natural wonder, before touching down among its iconic rust-red rocks and hardy desert wildflowers. You’ll have plenty of time for a wander and/or to stuff your camera roll full with enough selfies to fill your Insta feed for a year. Many operators also offer bolt-on experiences like champagne picnics and birthday celebrations for those ultimate #humblebrag souvenir snaps. The sunset ride back into Vegas ain’t too shabby either, as you soar over the neon-lit Strip against a backdrop of blazing desert skies. Magical. Seven Magic Mountains You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve been hitting the mescal too hard when you first lay eyes on the Seven Magic Mountains, a trippy Mojave Desert art installation by Swiss sculptor Ugo Rondinone, around 30 minutes south of Las Vegas. The sculpture consists of seven gravity-defying towers of boulders, some teetering as high as 35 feet tall! But that’s not all: these desert totems are painted in a kaleidoscope of colors – sky blue, mint green, flamingo pink – making for quite the eye-popping sight against those big azure desert skies. The installation is visible from Interstate 15, but is far more impressive up close. Take a good pair of walking boots and get there early to beat the crowds. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area You probably didn’t come to Las Vegas expecting snow. But snow is what you can have on a trip out to the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, or simply Mount Charleston as the locals know it. This is one of the (ahem) coolest things to do outside Las Vegas city limits, and is only about an hour north of the Strip. Temperatures here tend to run around 20-30 degrees lower than the city, making this fine natural wonder and Mount Charleston, its frequently snow-capped star, an excellent choice for escaping the Las Vegas heat. The scenic drive out of town is impressive enough in its own right, as the landscape transforms from those heat-hazed Martian reds to a coole, greener alpine environment. But the park’s lush wilderness, all pine forests and crashing waterfalls, is nothing short of spectacular.  There’s a vast variety of hiking opportunities here, and it’s also where you can spot gnarly bristlecone pines, among the most ancient living trees on the planet, some of them many thousands of years old. Take the relatively unchallenging Bristlecone Loop, or steel yourself for a 16-hour round-trip ramble to Charleston Peak, nearly 12,000 feet up in the clouds, where views, on clear days, of Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada, and Las Vegas, provide quite the stunning reward. Red Rock Canyon There’s a variety of ways you can enjoy the epic natural wonder that is Red Rock Canyon: 200,000 prehistoric acres of rust-colored sandstone stacks and cacti-crammed valleys. The canyon’s location just a few miles west of downtown makes it one of the easiest things to do outside Las Vegas. Rent a pink Cadillac and cruise there in less than half an hour (top down and ‘Viva Las Vegas’ blasting out at maximum volume, natch). There’s a scenic 13-mile driving loop, from which it's possible to access most of the hiking trails, from short casual rambles to steep, glute-straining ascents. You can even book guided half- or full-day horseback hacks through this extraordinary wild landscape, keeping peepers peeled (and camera at the ready) for hidden waterfalls, ancient Native American petroglyphs, and the twitching ears of curious jackrabbits along the way. Check out some of the hiking trails here. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead The Hoover Dam is one of those feats of early 20th-century engineering and ingenuity that will leave your jaw on the floor from the moment you set eyes on it. The dam’s shapely curves aren’t just there to look good either: it’s an arch-gravity dam, which means the pressure of the water against its specific curvature actually makes it stronger. Impressive. As with most out-of-town Vegas attractions, there’s a whole menu of ways to visit the Hoover Dam and its reservoir (the biggest in the United States, fact fans), Lake Mead, where its possible to go boating, swimming, water skiing and more. You could take a helicopter ride for aerial views, or get there by coach and set foot on the thing, taking in panoramic views from the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge some 905 feet above the Colorado River. The latter is available with the Go City Las Vegas attractions pass, which includes access to dozens more Sin City bucket-listers for one money-saving price. Check it out here. Save on Tours, Attractions and Activities in Las Vegas  Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.