5 Days in Las Vegas

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
The Seven Magic Mountains art installation in the Mojave Desert south of Las Vegas

Metropolises the world over dub themselves ‘the city that never sleeps’ on a near-daily basis. But none have turned that tired old cliché into a neon-lit reality with quite the show-stopping aplomb of Las Vegas, where the entertainment – regardless of what time of year you visit – stays turned up to eleven 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Five days in Las Vegas is just about enough time to get a taste of this unique desert city’s hedonistic lifestyle and visit some of its most memorable attractions: the Strip’s mega-hotels, the laidback downtown neighborhood and the Grand Canyon being among the most essential. We’ve put together a suggested 5-day itinerary to help guide and inspire you on your Sin City adventure. So put on your best poker face, cram your pockets full of dollar bills and dive in! Viva Las Vegas! And may lady luck smile upon you...

Day 1: Vegas in a Nutshell

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Kick off your Vegas experience with a spin aboard the hop-on hop-off bus tour. It’s a great introduction to the city’s many pleasures and, best of all, requires minimal effort from you. The tour calls at iconic landmarks along the Strip and Downtown, including the famous ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign, the Strat’s skyscraping SkyPod observation tower and Fremont Street. You can hop off anywhere you like to start filling your Instagram feed with classic Vegas selfies, or stay on for the full two-hour loop to get a proper introduction to Sin City – there’s no better way for a newbie to experience the Strip than from the comfort of an open-top bus, as the supersize hotels and neon-lit casinos roll past.

Book a private pod with a decadent glass of bubbles aboard the High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Hotel and watch the sun go down over the Strip and surrounding desert from a sweaty-palmed 550 feet up. Then, suitably emboldened, it’s time to hit the blackjack and roulette tables and one-armed bandits in your first (of what will no doubt be many) Vegas casino experiences. We favor the old-school glitz of Caesars Palace for first-timers – movie mavens may even recognize its cavernous interiors from the likes of The Hangover and Dream Girls. Stick around for a show at its Colosseum theater, which has hosted megastars including Madonna, Elton and Sinatra in its time, or head to the Bellagio, Mirage or MGM Grand for one of Vegas’s ever-popular Cirque du Soleil spectaculars.

Day 2: A Spot of Culture

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Anyone who tells you Vegas is purely about high rolling and horrific hangovers is missing a trick. Did you know, for example, that Sin City also boasts some pretty great galleries and museums? Fill your pockets with quarters and get down to the Pinball Hall of Fame, where you can try your luck on over 150 antique machines. Or don a fedora, pinstripe and your best Al Capone face and get yourself made at The Mob Museum, a fascinating journey into the US’s history of organized crime, with interactive exhibits that include a rogues’ gallery of gangsters and a shooting range simulator. There’s even a working distillery and Prohibition-style speakeasy tucked away in the basement. Meanwhile, the National Atomic Testing Museum explores Nevada’s explosive past when, in the 1950s, atomic weapons were detonated out in the desert here with alarming frequency.

Check out the ever-changing program at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, which has hosted exhibitions focusing on the work of Warhol, Picasso, Lichtenstein and others. And step inside the mind of a Dutch master at The Immersive Van Gogh experience, where spectacular set designs by Tony-nominated David Korins of Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton fame make you feel like you’re walking through his best-loved paintings, including Starry Night and Sunflowers. Spend your evening in the neon boneyard at the excellent Neon Museum. Here, retired Vegas signs of yore including iconic examples from the Stardust and Lucky Cuss Motel are given a second lease of life.

Day 3: Downtown!

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Often overlooked by visitors here for the higher octane thrills and spills of the Strip, Vegas’s laidback Downtown has many charms of its own. Get yourself down to the Fremont Street Experience, where an arched canopy over the mall area doubles as a giant video screen. And when we say giant we mean length-of-five-football-pitches giant. Expect spectacular hourly light shows as you browse the shops and sip cocktails in the bars below. Stick around for live music across three stages, kicking off at 6pm every evening.

Downtown is also where you’ll find the Las Vegas Arts District aka the 18b. Soak up the boho vibe and shop 18 blocks of art galleries, unique independent stores, vintage clothing boutiques and craft breweries. An arts walk on the first Friday of every month showcases eclectic local art and features live music, fire breathers, fortune tellers and other such Vegas entertainments. Afterwards head over to the nearby Strat, where the Skypod and its utterly terrifying 108th floor thrill rides await nearly 1,000 feet above the Strip.

Day 4: Get Outta Town!

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We get it: the constant noise, bright lights and general chaos of the Strip can get a little overwhelming. We recommend a relatively soothing day out to the Grand Canyon. Charter a helicopter to the South Rim in the afternoon. You’ll soar over the epic Hoover Dam en route and get the opportunity to take a short hike among the wildflowers and rust-red rocks before returning along the Strip at sundown, as the desert skies turn a bruised purple and the Neon City is at its picture-perfect best.

Or rent a Cadillac, put the top down and cruise south along Interstate 15 to the wildly incongruous Mojave Desert art installation that is Swiss sculptor Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains. These gravity-defying tall stacks of boulders – some as high as 35 feet – are painted in a rainbow of trippy colors. Then make for the nearby Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon’s diminutive sibling which, at a mere 200,000 acres, still offers plenty of hiking opportunities. Look out for hidden waterfalls and ancient Native American petroglyphs among its towering sandstone crags and deep, cacti-filled valleys.

Day 5: Go Hotel-Hopping

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Vegas’s mega resorts are attractions all of their own, and no Vegas vacation would be complete without spending a day wandering the Strip and taking in essential attractions like the dancing fountains outside the Bellagio, or the Mirage’s exploding volcano. If you’re here during pool party season (March to October), get yourself along to Mandalay Bay’s sprawling Daylight Beach Club with its enormo 4,400 square foot pool, massive man-made beach and winding lazy river. Dive in, or grab a cabana and pina colada and people-watch the day away.

Major exhibitions at the Luxor are always worth a couple of hours of anyone’s time and the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are a horticultural marvel, with exhibits that change with the seasons and culminate in a hugely over-the-top festive display at year’s end. You’ll also want to ride the gondolas at the Venetian, with its faithful replica of Venice’s Grand Canal, and ride the glass elevator in the Paris hotel’s glitzy half-size Eiffel Tower facsimile. While you’re there you might as well stop to gorge on caviar, steak tartare and escargots in the panoramic restaurant 100 feet above the Strip. Bon appetit!

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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.

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The Grand Canyon
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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
cirque du soleil performer
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Las Vegas in February: Fun Escapes to Beat the Winter Blues

Winter might put half the world into hibernation mode, but not Las Vegas. February here always buzzes with action, offering sunlit adventures, dazzling shows, outdoor thrills and unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s—or Mardi Gras—Vegas-style. Get ready to swap snow boots for sneakers and discover a side of Sin City beyond the casinos. We’ve rounded up the best February experiences to help you fill your days (and nights) with excitement, romance and a little extra Vegas sparkle.  Our favorite things to do in Las Vegas in February include:  The High Roller Observation Wheel  Las Vegas Hiking Adventures by Love Hikes  The Mob Museum  The Big Apple Roller Coaster  Strip Highlights Night Flight on Papillon Helicopter  Madame Tussauds  minus5˚ Ice Experience at Venetian Canal Shoppes  Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Classic Daytime Tour  Catching a Cirque du Soleil show  Dining at Sweet Sin Bakery & Cafe at the LINQ Promenade  The High Roller Observation Wheel: Sky-High Views with a Valentine’s Vibe  Come February, Vegas skies are clear and temperatures are just right for soaring high above the Strip. Step into one of the High Roller’s spacious pods and prepare for a slow, smooth rotation that gifts you 360-degree views of neon lights, desert mountains and city landmarks. By day, you’ll spot the Red Rock cliffs and see the Strip in all its sun-drenched glory; come nightfall, Vegas sparkles below like a planet of its own.  The energy inside these glass capsules is always fun—especially if you time your visit for sunset cocktails, or in the mood for romance around Valentine’s Day. Some pods even feature bartenders, so you can toast to love or adventure as the city twinkles beneath you. It’s the perfect place to kick off an evening, snap bucket-list photos, or simply take in the wildness that is Vegas.  The Mob Museum: Secrets, Scandals and Speakeasies  On cool February days, step inside the Mob Museum for a blast of Las Vegas history with a twist. Housed in a former courthouse downtown, this interactive museum plunges you into the world of organized crime and law enforcement. The exhibits cover everything from infamous gangsters and dramatic FBI busts to vintage artifacts and real-life stories.  If you love a little theatrical flair to your museum experience, you’re in luck. Explore re-creations of old-time speakeasies (don’t miss the basement bar), check out crime scene evidence, and even test your skills in a police training simulator. The mood is immersive but playful—think Prohibition cocktails, surprising trivia and a sense that you’ve stepped behind the velvet curtain of Vegas’ wildest years.  The Big Apple Roller Coaster: Thrills Over the Strip  Who needs summertime to chase an adrenaline rush? The Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York-New York Hotel zips and dips along the outside of a mini Manhattan skyline, delivering heart-pounding excitement whatever the weather. February’s cool breezes only add to the sensation as you twist through loops, drops and over-the-Strip stretches at more than 60mph.  This isn’t just any roller coaster—it’s a classic Vegas experience. The street-level station puts you in the middle of all the action, and moments later you’re hundreds of feet above, shrieking (nicely) as the lights of Las Vegas blur beneath you. Grab a photo as proof: the view—and your triumphant grin—will be memorable.  Strip Highlights Night Flight on Papillon Helicopter: The Ultimate Vegas Wow  For those best-in-show, shout-it-from-the-rooftops Vegas vibes, nothing beats a helicopter ride over the Strip. Papillon’s night flights lift off at sunset, swoop around dazzling landmarks and offer a perspective most only dream about. In February, the nighttime air feels fresh and invigorating, and you’ll catch all the glitz with minimal crowds.  Inside the chopper, it’s surprisingly cozy, the mood cinematic as you glide above Bellagio fountains, the glowing Eiffel Tower and neon-drenched casinos. Don’t forget your camera—this is the kind of experience you’ll want to relive. Whether you’re in town for romance, a celebration, or pure adventure, this is the experience that says: “We did Vegas right.”  Madame Tussauds: Selfies with the Stars  If your February plans include rubbing elbows with celebrities (the wax kind!), Madame Tussauds at the Venetian is your go-to. The mood inside is part party, part pop-culture playground; you’ll wander from the Marvel Superheroes to classic Rat Pack legends, striking armor-clad poses with sports heroes or pretending to croon with Elvis.  The real charm? You’re encouraged to touch, pose and fully ham it up in themed sets—be it the Viva Las Vegas wedding chapel, a Marvel Avengers headquarters, or the hottest TikTok backdrop. Friendly staff are always ready to offer photo tips and fun props, making sure your celebrity moments are Instagram-ready.  Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Classic Daytime Tour: See it All—Your Way  Sometimes you want the sights without the sprint. Hop onto the Big Bus Classic Daytime Tour and let the double-decker coach do all the work while you’re treated to fun commentary about must-see spots and Vegas stories. February keeps the weather sunny and the open-air top deck breezy and comfortable.  With stops at famous hotels, Fremont Street, artsy districts and more, you set the pace—hop off for a closer look, then catch the next bus when you’re ready. It’s the easiest way to discover hidden gems, try spontaneous snacks, or just let yourself be amazed by Vegas’ larger-than-life atmosphere without missing a beat.  Catch a Cirque du Soleil Show: Mind-Bending Spectacle  February nights demand something extraordinary, and Cirque du Soleil’s Vegas shows deliver high drama, laughs and visual wonder in equal measure. Whether you grab tickets for KA, where martial arts and pyrotechnics light up the stage, or Mad Apple at New York-New York, which blends acrobatics with a tribute to New York nightlife, you’ll leave energized.  These productions unfold in grand theaters with custom-built sets, live music and stunts that seem to defy gravity. The crowd’s energy is contagious and there’s no such thing as a bad seat—a true Vegas experience that makes any winter night unforgettable.  Sweet Sin Bakery & Cafe at the LINQ Promenade: A February Treat  No adventure is complete without a snack stop, and Sweet Sin Bakery & Cafe serves irresistible pastries and drinks with a side of sunny terrace seating. Set in the lively LINQ Promenade, it’s the perfect pause between attractions. The cafe’s signature dessert—the Rainbow Crepe Cake—layers delicate crepes with silky cream, while the house croissants and creative coffee drinks keep the vibe fun and indulgent.  The interior bubbles with color, playful décor and a welcome escape from the hustle outside. February mornings are blissful here, with quietly buzzing crowds and plenty of time to plot your next move with friends. For a little pick-me-up before more exploring, try the matcha latte or a caramel macchiato—made all the better paired with a pistachio eclair or the decadent chocolate mousse domes. Whether you’re after a sweet start to your day or an afternoon treat, Sweet Sin offers a cozy spot to soak up Vegas’ energy while taking a breather.  See Downtown on a Fremont Street Walking Tour  If you want to dive deep into Las Vegas history and get a taste of local life, take a walking tour around Fremont Street. February’s mild temperatures mean you can wander comfortably among dazzling neon lights, retro casinos, and street performers galore. Guides are big on storytelling—you’ll hear wild tales from the city’s early days and discover secret murals and iconic locations that most tourists miss.  The downtown vibe is electric: zipliners soar above, music pours from open-air stages, and vintage lights blink in every direction. Along the way, you might pop into classic haunts like the Golden Nugget or grab a souvenir at a quirky local shop. Feeling peckish? Downtown’s food scene has exploded, from gourmet tacos to craft breweries—ask your guide for recs. This tour is part time machine, part people-watching adventure, and all-around fun.  Try a GoCar Tour of the Las Vegas Strip  Ready to zip around town without worrying about traffic or navigation? Hop into a GoCar—a pint-sized, GPS-guided yellow ride that narrates Vegas’ sights as you go. These little vehicles are a blast and super simple to drive. In February, the cooler weather means you’ll feel the breeze as you cruise past mega-resorts, art installations, and cheeky roadside attractions.  The GoCar’s GPS provides a real-time audio tour, so you can learn about everything from Mafia history to behind-the-scenes Vegas trivia. Pause whenever something catches your eye—your ride waits for you. It’s a combination of adventure and sightseeing that makes you feel a bit like a celebrity, with plenty of opportunities for quirky photo ops along the way.  Celebrate Festivals and Special Events  February brings plenty of festivities to the Strip and beyond. If you’re in town for Valentine’s Day, expect themed restaurant menus, special performances, and creative ways to say “I love you”—Vegas style. For sports fans, Super Bowl Sunday always turns local bars, lounges, and sportsbooks into lively destinations filled with big screens, bonus deals, and game-day snacks.  Some years, Chinese New Year also falls in February, bringing elaborate dragon parades and lavish floral displays to hotels like The Venetian and Bellagio. Don’t miss the chance to snap pictures of massive lanterns, swirling dancers, and indoor “good luck” gardens that change each year.  Ready for Your Las Vegas February Adventure?  Swap winter chills for sun, stories, and serious fun. Whether you want to soar above the Strip, try something delicious, catch a world-class show, or explore natural wonders, Las Vegas in February delivers unforgettable moments at every turn. And hey, if you spot Elvis in a parka—just go with it. That’s #VegasLife for you!    Enjoyed this? Check out our picks of the best casino hotels to call home on your Vegas adventure, and discover which tourist traps to miss.  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! 
Sunset over the Las Vegas skyline, with the replica Eiffel Tower in the foreground
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Las Vegas in November

November sees a marked change in the Nevada climate as winter approaches and temperatures begin to drop rapidly, but you can still expect pleasantly mild days, particularly at the beginning of the month. Read on for our guide to visiting Las Vegas in November. 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. So grab a Las Vegas pass and save while you sightsee this November!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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