One Day in Las Vegas Itinerary - Experience Vegas in a Day for Under $100

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024

Heading to Las Vegas with limited time to explore and wondering what to do? You’re in luck, because we have some great advice for where to go and what to see if you have only one day in Las Vegas. We put together a sample one day itinerary designed to showcase a few of the best Las Vegas highlights with limited time. This one day itinerary includes:

  • Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Las Vegas Sightseeing Tour
  • High Roller Observation Deck at the LINQ
  • Fountains at Bellagio (free!)
  • Show at V Theater

Spending more time in Sin City? Then take a peek at one of our weekend in Las Vegas or popular 3 day itineraries.

Save on Attraction Admission

With a 3-Choice Las Vegas Explorer Pass you can visit these great attractions all while saving on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. Remember, this one day itinerary is just one of many ways to experience Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Explorer Pass gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests.

Stop #1: Big Bus Las Vegas Sightseeing Tour

speeding-bus-blurred-motion-las-vegas

This Hop-On Hop-Off bus is the perfect introduction to Las Vegas. More than a city bus tour, it will take you up and down the Strip past all the most iconic landmarks and provides a convenient way to get around and see lots of places along the Strip quickly. Your guide will provide fun facts about the city's history and culture and give you some insider insights and suggested points of interest along the way. Tip: Check out our guide for getting around Las Vegas with Big Bus before your visit. Bus tour highlights include the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign, the Golden Nugget, and Fremont Street. Passengers will see lots of legendary hotels and casinos, Miracle Mile, the malls, museum, monuments, and more along the Strip. Getting In: Big Bus Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Day Tour tickets are available as an option on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.

Stop #2: High Roller Observation Deck

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One of the other top ways to see the fabulous Las Vegas is from a great height. Get stunning aerial views from the High Roller Observation Deck at the LINQ. This is actually the world's tallest observation wheel -- standing at 550 feet above ground level. Enjoy a 30-minute ride with phenomenal, 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip and beyond. The LINQ itself is an exciting outdoor shopping and dining destination, so you'll have plenty to explore after your 30 minute ride. Grab a drink, some snacks, or indulge in some shopping afterwards and enjoy a delightful afternoon! Getting In: High Roller Observation Deck tickets are available as an option on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.

Stop #3: Fountains at Bellagio (free!)

bellagio-fountains-las-vegas

After lunch, take a short stroll over to the Fountains of Bellagio, one of the most popular things to do in Las Vegas, for a mesmerizing musical water show. The stunning fountains are choreographed in time to famous musical numbers. Shows feature a variety of recognizable music, from concert opera and classical to Broadway tunes, for an always entertaining (and always free) show.

Stop #4: Show at V Theater

Take advantage of being in the “Entertainment Capital of the World” and catch one of the amusing and engaging shows Las Vegas is famous for. Choose from the huge variety of shows at the V Theater, located right on the Strip. Owned by the famed Las Vegas producer David Saxe, the V Theater is home to some of the most entertaining, award-winning performances on the Strip. Shows you can choose from include:

  • V - The Ultimate Variety Show: A little bit of everything Vegas packed into one, award-winning show featuring some of the best talent for a fun and memorable experience.
  • VEGAS! THE SHOW: Experience all of the glitz, glamour, and extravagant costumes that make Vegas the 'Entertainment Capital of the World' - a must-see show for all ages.
  • The Mentalist: This show features mind-blowing magic, mind-reading, and comedy from the TV show phenomenon, Gerry McCambridge.
  • and more!

Each show creatively pays tribute to the spectacle that is Las Vegas’ unique entertainment culture. No reservations required. A Go Las Vegas Explorer Pass grants you general admission seating only. Located inside Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Getting In: Vegas Shows at the V Theater are available as an option on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.

Let’s Recap

This One Day in Las Vegas Itinerary features the perfect selection of activities and attractions to experience some of the best Las Vegas has to offer in a limited amount of time. Saving on things to do in one day in Las Vegas is easy. If you visit the stops mentioned in this Las Vegas itinerary you can save up to 55% off combined admission prices with a 3-Choice Go Las Vegas Explorer Pass. The pass offers flexibility to pick attractions you want to visit from over 10 choices, making it the perfect way to explore Las Vegas for any length of stay.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Bright red baubles hanging from a cactus in the Mojave Desert near Las Vegas
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Christmas in Las Vegas

Towering fir trees festooned with tinsel and shiny baubles, magical festive scenes and nearly as many fairy lights as there are stars in the sky. Christmas in Las Vegas is every bit as flamboyant and OTT as you’d expect from the neon capital of the world. And here, as every day in Sin City, you’ll find everything (and we mean everything) open as usual: that includes all shops, restaurants, bars, casinos and thrill rides. As the song says: ‘Christmas in Las Vegas, it’s a trip!’ So dive in and check out our guide to some of the best things to do in Vegas during holiday season, including: Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Ice skating at The Cosmopolitan Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Speedway Flamingo and LINQ Promenade Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden The Magical Forest The Great Santa Run The Bellagio at Christmas The Bellagio’s dazzling dancing fountains are a spectacle at any time of year, but be sure to catch them during December when the huge water plumes soar and sway to Mariah, Bing, Wham! and other Christmas party bangers. Inside, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens gets a marvelous festive makeover, with decorations made from plants and flowers and supersize displays featuring sparkly polar bears, massive Christmas baubles, thousands of lights, and that all-important skyscraping Christmas tree. Best of all, it’s completely free and – unlike elsewhere in the Bellagio – children are welcome. Ice Skating at the Cosmopolitan High above the Strip lies a winter wonderland par excellence in the shape of the Cosmopolitan’s rooftop which – glitzy enough at the best of times – really ramps up the tinsel factor in December. Expect cozy Christmas vibes aplenty thanks to sparkling trees, blazing firepits, gooey s’mores, festive cocktails (snowball, anyone?) and romantic views of the neon-lit Eiffel Tower over at Paris Las Vegas. Better yet, a 4,200 square foot ice rink replaces the pool up here during the holiday season, complete with fake snowflakes. So pull on your mittens, wrap your scarf tight, strap on your skates, hit the ice and let it snow! Drive-Through Light Show Rev up your engine and hit the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Glittering Lights, one of the biggest and best light shows in the country. Every December, the 2-5-mile course is festooned with somewhere in the region of five million – yep, that’s five MILLION – lights, each contributing to spectacular festive scenes and other Vegas-themed displays, meaning you’re as likely to see a hip-wiggling house-sized Elvis as a jolly Santa Claus. Pile the family into the car (with a hot chocolate each), tune into the custom radio station that plays carols and other Christmas favorites, and brace yourselves for the light show of a lifetime. Winter Parq Have you been dreaming of a... pink Christmas? Look no further than the Winter Parq – the promenade connecting the Flamingo and LINQ hotels where, by the Flamingo at least, bright pink decorations are de rigueur. Take in the glittering lights, giant snow globe and kitschy Christmas ornaments at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat before strolling to the LINQ for live entertainment and Christmassy cocktails under the towering tree. Afterwards, warm up and take in panoramic views of the Neon City aboard the High Roller Observation Wheel which (you’ll be unsurprised to learn) is, at 550 feet, one of the tallest on the planet (second only to the Ain Dubai). Those who suffer from vertigo need not apply. Ethel M Cactus Garden If there’s anything more ubiquitous than Christmas trees in Vegas in December, it’s Christmas cacti. You’ll see these bristly beauties bedecked with festive baubles nearly everywhere you go, but nowhere more so than in the grounds of the legendary Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Here, the three-acre cactus garden receives an annual festive revamp that incorporates hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, Christmassy scenes aplenty, and even a family of animated reindeer. We recommend visiting in the evening when the garden's at its most magical and, of course, combining your visit with a chocolate-tasting experience. It would be almost rude not to! Take in a Show There can be few quicker ways of getting right into the Christmas spirit than an evening spent watching classic Las Vegas shows that have been tweaked for the holiday season. Think classic Christmas rock and pop hits (as well as a few carols) from the Legends in Concert, immersive performances of The Nutcracker, and Christmas-themed magic and comedy shows. As Christmassy as your dad’s Rudolph sweater. Christmas Tree Trail December in Las Vegas sees Christmas trees sprouting up here, there and everywhere, each more fantastically bejeweled than the last. Take advantage of this free spectacle by visiting some of the major hotels to see how many stops have been pulled out to get one up on their neighbors. At over 40 feet, the Bellagio’s is inevitably among the most spectacular but the trees at Wynn’s Winter Wonderland, the Fashion Show Mall and the Venetian are no slouches either. Take a tour with your camera and make your Instagram feed the envy of all your Christmas-loving buddies back home. The Magical Forest A stalwart of the Vegas Christmas scene, the Magical Forest is just that: a woodland wonderland crammed with twinkling lights and festive decorations. This one is a must-do if you’re traveling with kids: they’re going to absolutely love the carousel, giant slide and cute train rides on the Forest Express. Plenty of live performances, food trucks and funnel cakes should keep the grown-ups happy too. Santa Claus! A visit to Las Vegas in December might almost make you believe there's more than one Father Christmas. He certainly gets around. Meet him at the aforementioned Magical Forest or head to Tivoli Village for a few memorable family snaps in his beautifully decorated grotto. You can even see the man in red swimming with sharks at the Mandalay Bay Shipwreck! If that’s not enough for you, go all in and dress up as Santa yourself: the Great Santa Run takes place in downtown Vegas and sees thousands of wannabe Santas take to the streets for a 5k fun run (or walk, if you prefer) every December. Ho ho ho and viva Las Vegas! Save on attractions in Las Vegas Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Casino croupier taking bets at the roulette wheel
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Las Vegas in March

March marks the start of spring and kicks off Sin City’s popular shoulder season in earnest. Neither as chilly as deepest, darkest winter nor as intolerably sweaty as June and July, it’s a fine time to vacation here. Read on for our expert guide to visiting Las Vegas in March. Visiting Las Vegas in March Average Temperature: 57°F • Average Rainfall: 5 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day The period between March and May is among the very best times of year to visit Vegas, thanks to increasingly summery days and balmy evenings, though perhaps 'balmy' is a little optimistic for March. Still, what you can expect from a March Vegas vacation is highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s and clear blue skies stretching all the way to the horizon; cloud and rain at this time of year is rare, if not entirely unheard of. But hey, there’s plenty to keep you entertained indoors in this huge desert playground in the unlikely event you’re dealt a poor hand with the weather. Milder weather does of course go hand in hand with rising hotel prices though there are bargains to be had if you're willing to shop around. Vegas is traditionally a weekend destination but, frankly, the party here doesn’t stop just because it's Tuesday, so it’s worth considering a mid-week trip if you want to bag the best room rates. Prices also tend to start rising mid-month due to upcoming Easter holidays and increasingly pleasant temperatures. It’s also a good idea to do some research to find out about any major conventions taking place in or around specific hotels that might be pushing prices up. Things to do in March March means one thing in Vegas: it’s time for pool season, baby! Sure, the weather may still be a little too chilly for some. Nevertheless, March is when the vast majority of pools that closed down for winter begin to reopen again. You know what to do: claim your cabana, order a pina colada and peer over the tops of your dark glasses as the beautiful people emerge butterfly-like from hibernation and the pool decks of Sin City begin to throng with party people once again. Among the first to open will be Mandalay Bay’s sprawling Daylight Beach Club with its enormo 4,400 square foot pool, Wet Republic at the MGM Grand, and Flamingo’s Go Pool Dayclub. Dive in! (Or use the steps if the signs say ‘no diving’, obvs). If you prefer your entertainment a little... weirder, try Area15. The play on ‘Area51’ is deliberate as what goes on inside this massive warehouse is kept largely under wraps until after you’ve entered. What we do know is you can expect supersize art installations, VR experiences, altered universes, thrill rides and fantastical immersive experiences like the Illuminarium, an epic out-of-this-world space adventure where you can cruise through technicolor nebulae and asteroid belts to infinity (and beyond!). March is also prime time to visit the Neon Museum, an organization dedicated to preserving and exhibiting that most Vegas of art forms: the neon sign. Because the whole thing is outdoors it becomes somewhat less enjoyable to visit when temperatures start to soar, so March’s milder temperatures are ideal for wandering among these hulking relics that so deftly evoke Sin City’s gaudy history. Visit at night to enjoy the full impact and to feel like you’ve walked straight into a scene from Blade Runner. Las Vegas (or, at least, the mountains and canyons that surround it) are an absolute paradise for hikers. You can (and must) take a trip out to the Grand Canyon, whether by helicopter (spectacular) or coach (long). There are many variations of tours that depart Vegas for the West and South rims, but most include a bit of rambling among the wildflowers and distinctive red rocks. Bolt on posh picnics, champagne lunches and Hoover Dam excursions at your leisure. Or why not hire a car yourself and swing by the Red Rock Canyon? Much closer to Vegas – just a few miles west in the Mojave Desert, in fact – it offers many attractions along well-worn trails that weave past towering sandstone stacks, rushing waterfalls and caves daubed with Native American petroglyphs. You can find a comprehensive guide to the canyon’s marked hikes and trails here. Finally, in March as in every month in Vegas, you’ll find casinos that are open 24/7 and more magnificent magic shows, comedy acts, visual spectaculars and music concerts than you can shake a very large stick at. Take in a classic Cirque du Soleil performance or check listings at the MGM, Colosseum and T-Mobile Arena for some of the biggest names in rock and pop. What’s on in March? St Patrick’s Day Paint the town green on this special day, when revelers the world over honor the world’s most celebrated saint in the traditional manner: by dressing up as leprechauns, downing pint after pint of Guinness, attempting a dodgy Irish accent, then falling over. Vegas is no different, with major landmarks including the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and the High Roller lit up in bright green and Patrick-lovin’ parties running the length and breadth of the Strip. Head to O’Sheas at the LINQ for the ultimate St Paddy’s party pub. Here, lurid green drinks accompany high-energy beer pong and classic casino table games including blackjack and roulette. Don’t forget your novelty green hat! March Madness March Madness is the nickname given to the fantastically popular NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament that sees cavernous Vegas sports bars full to bursting for much of the second half of the month. Sports fans and gamblers alike pour into town for a piece of the action, with giant screens showing the games in many of the major casinos, including the Venetian, MGM Grand and Caesars Palace. Difficult to avoid completely and occasionally overwhelming, it can feel like the whole town’s gone, well, basketball crazy. Head to the relative calm of downtown if you fancy a bit of respite away from the fanatics. Boulder City Beerfest A mere 20-odd miles south of Vegas is where you’ll find this annual mecca for beer lovers. Ok ok, so it’s a little out of town, but you managed to make it all the way out to the Grand Canyon, didn’t you? And that’s in Arizona! Expect award-winning ales and more from dozens of top Nevada brewers, soaked up with hearty fare from local food trucks. Save on attractions in Las Vegas Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
zipline
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Fly LINQ and Beyond: 10 Free Spots to Explore Nearby

You’ve just soared above Sin City on the Fly LINQ Zipline—and the buzz hasn’t worn off yet. Now what? Well, good news: you’re smack in the center of all the Las Vegas action, surrounded by a surprising amount of free entertainment, quirkiness, and classic Vegas flair. Whether you’re hoping to stretch your legs, soak up some neon, or snap those envy-inducing photos, you don’t need to keep reaching for your wallet. Let us lead the way to the best zero-cost attractions within strolling distance of Fly LINQ—so you can keep your Vegas adventure rolling, and your budget intact.  Our favorite free things to do near Fly LINQ include:  LINQ Promenade Stroll & Photo Ops  Flamingo Wildlife Habitat  Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens  Bellagio Fountains Show  Caesars Palace Forum Shops  Street Performers on the Strip  The Mirage Volcano  The Cosmopolitan Art Program  Welcome to Las Vegas Sign  The Park Las Vegas  LINQ Promenade Stroll & Photo Ops  Start your post-zipline adventure right on the LINQ Promenade. This lively pedestrian mall offers a fun, immersive Vegas experience—no ticket required. It’s packed with public art, fabulous light installations, and people-watching opportunities galore. Pose for a snap under the vibrant High Roller observation wheel, or dig into the interactive mural featuring Vegas icons. At night, festival-style string lights and LED displays bring a party vibe that’s pure Strip magic.  The Promenade pulses with street performers, live music, and (if your timing’s lucky) spontaneous dance-offs or magic tricks. Local shops and pop-ups line the walkway, primed for browsing—or simply window-shopping. With energetic crowds, top-notch selfie spots, and the thrill of being in the very thick of Vegas, you’ll savor the buzz without spending a dime.  Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens  Step into a wonderland of themed blooms, whimsical topiary, and intricate floral displays in the Bellagio’s Conservatory, just a quick stroll down the Strip. This sunny glass atrium transforms with the seasons—think Chinese New Year dragons, cherry blossom trees, or autumn harvest festivals—each display more jaw-dropping than the last.  What’s the vibe? Think fairytale meets art installation, with creative arrangements that beg for photos. Crowds mingle in awe, craning necks to spot hidden details—a fairy here, a surprise waterfall there. Green-thumbed staff work tirelessly to dream up new creations, so you can visit every few months and always catch something new. The price for all this fragrant, floral joy? Zero.  Bellagio Fountains Show  Stay outside after touring the Conservatory, because the Bellagio Fountains are one of Vegas’ most mesmerizing freebies. Every half-hour (or more often in the evenings), jets of water leap, sway, and twirl in a perfectly choreographed ‘dance’ to music—from Sinatra classics to Broadway showstoppers.  There’s a reason crowds always gather along the lakeside railings, phones held high: the spectacle is hypnotic. The atmosphere is joyful—every show, from afternoon sunlight to nighttime luminosity, offers something a little different. The gentle mist, thunderous crescendos, and sparkling lights make it a mood-lifter and memory-maker. Even if you’ve seen it before, you’ll want to stay for one more song.  Caesars Palace Forum Shops  You don’t need a credit card to explore the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Highlights inside this “shopping mall meets Roman fantasyland” include free animatronic shows at the Fall of Atlantis (expect fire effects, talking statues, and mythological drama) and photo ops galore—think grand fountains, marble columns, and painted blue skies above.  The ambiance is grand and slightly surreal; you’ll find yourself wandering winding avenues flanked by marble gods and goddesses. Window-shopping here feels like touring a palatial film set. Keep an eye out for pop-up art installations and free samples from gourmet vendors.  Street Performers on the Strip  Looking for unpredictable antics, music, and laughs? The Strip between Flamingo Road and Caesars Palace bursts alive with street performers. Catch everything from dazzling magicians to costumed superheroes ready for photos, all for the price of a smile (tips appreciated, but never required to watch).  Each night, new acts shuffle in, keeping the entertainment fresh—sometimes you’ll spot dance troupes with boom boxes, other times you’ll find living statues or circus-style stilt walkers. The vibe is playful and wacky, true to the anything-can-happen ethos of Vegas.  The Mirage Volcano  When the sun sets, make your way to The Mirage front entrance for the free volcano show. Plumes of real fire, rumbling bass, and brightly-lit fountains combine for a thrilling mini-spectacle, with eruptions happening several times nightly.  Watching the faux-lava rage against the backdrop of glamorous hotels is uniquely Vegas. Crowds gather early for the best views, and the show’s special effects produce both warmth and a rush few free attractions can match.  The Cosmopolitan Art Program  For a dose of high-concept creativity, pop into The Cosmopolitan’s lobby and public spaces to experience their rotating art exhibitions. Larger-than-life digital installations, interactive sculptures, and modern design pieces fill the halls—and all are free to explore.  What sets this apart? You’ll stumble upon unexpected artistic gems: digital columns that shift and change, giant installations by world-class creatives, even quirky touches in the parking garage (keep your eyes peeled for the famous Art-o-mat vending machine). It’s an artsy escape from the rush outside and proves Vegas is just as creative as it is glittery.  The Park Las Vegas  Last but not least, take a scenic stroll down The Park, a landscaped promenade stretching between New York-New York and Park MGM. Desert-inspired gardens, art installations, and shaded swings make for a chill hangout, while interactive water features add a splash of fun (quite literally, if you venture close).  Live music events fill the schedule, especially in the evenings—check local listings or just see who’s strumming on the next corner. Grab a spot under the trees, enjoy a free light show when the sun dips, and revel in the fact that some of the best moments in Vegas come without a price tag.    Strapped for cash but rich in curiosity? The area around Fly LINQ proves no city does free fun quite like Las Vegas. From fiery spectacles and tranquil gardens to world-class art and classic street scenes, your Strip adventure starts here—no wallet required.    Enjoyed this? Check out our guide to beating the Vegas heat, and what to do when the sun goes down.  Step up your sightseeing with Go City®  We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®– just choose a pass to get started! 

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