The Best Casino Hotels in Las Vegas

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Casino croupier shuffling cards

There are over 100 casinos in Las Vegas, from Downtown to the Sin City limits, with the majority (nearly 50 of ‘em) congregated in and around the mega-resorts that line Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the all-singing, all-dancing, all-neon Strip. Most visitors to Vegas will want to experience at least one of these glitzy gambling dens, with their cavernous interiors and enticing range of games that runs the gamut from 20c slots to significantly higher stakes at the blackjack, roulette and poker tables. But which are the best casino hotels in Las Vegas, and what sets them apart from the rest? We took a deep dive to find out…

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Beginners

Woman playing the slots in Las Vegas

Never played blackjack before? Fear not: many casinos in Las Vegas have tables for beginners, where the minimum stakes are lower (generally around $5) and staff are on hand to help you understand the rules of each game and provide tips and guidance on potentially winning strategies.

Medieval meets modern at Excalibur, located near Harry Reid Airport at the Strip’s southern end. Like many Sin City hotels, Excalibur is not without its gimmicks, in this case eye-catching technicolor turrets and an epic dinner show complete with knights, kings, horses and a medieval banquet. As well as having some of the most beginner-friendly casino tables in town (including free lessons), there are also – deep breath – four pools, a spa, several shows, and more bars and restaurants than you can shake a very large jousting lance at.

Honorable mention: Further into the heart of the Strip, the Bellagio mega-resort is a rather more glamorous and upscale cousin to Excalibur, and offers free lessons as well as other discounts and bonuses for novice players.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Old-School Charm

Statue at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Opened in the swinging sixties, Caesars Palace has been a Rat Pack haunt, a blockbuster boxing venue and a movie set in its time. In other words, you can expect some real old-school vibes here. And we mean really old-school: as the name suggests the theme is seriously Roman, all flamboyant Corinthian columns, winged cherubs and – yup – a 20-foot statue of Augustus Caesar. The Garden of the Gods pool complex is fit for an emperor; likewise the Qua Baths & Spa (24-karat gold collagen facial massage, anyone?). Guests can have a flutter at the Fortuna pool’s swim-up tables or make for the glitzy casino proper, where well over a thousand slot machines and nearly 200 tables await.

This is a resort that has hosted names including Sinatra, Liberace and Madonna down the years, so you just know the caliber of entertainment is going to be high. Dine in decadent restos including Gordon Ramsay and Nobu and decimate your blackjack winnings at the Forum shops, where over 200 luxury boutiques sport the kind of price tags that might make Caligula himself blush.

Honorable mention: The oldest continuously operating resort on the Strip, the Flamingo promises old-school charm by the bucketload, plus plenty of pink neon and real-live flamingoes.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Glamming it Up

Cocktail glass with red dice in it

Bellagio is where it's at if you want to go full Bond and sashay onto the floor in your finest designer three-piece suits and cocktail dresses. Steel your nerves over a classic martini in the plush Lily Lounge, with views of the gaming floor, then head down to hit the tables or – for seasoned high rollers only – make for the exclusive high-limit poker lounge.

Of course, the Bellagio is known as much for its spectacular fountain display as its poker tables. Get ringside seats for this epic show at Wolfgang Puck’s flagship Spago restaurant or head over to upscale PRIME for a perfectly seared wagyu filet.

And that’s not all. Of course it isn’t! Bellagio also counts a gallery of fine art, a botanical garden, five swimming pools, a Cirque du Soleil show and boutiques from the likes of Bulgari, Cartier and Dior among its many attractions. Glam or what?

Honorable mention: Mandalay Bay ain’t no slouch in the glamor stakes either, boasting 20+ ritzy restaurants and cocktail lounges, a nightclub, an 11-acre pool complex and – natch – a sprawling casino.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for the Pool Scene

Friends partying at the pool

Should you happen to be in Vegas during party season (March to October) – and, frankly, why wouldn’t you be? – you’ll likely want to spend at least some of your time lounging by the pool, pina colada in hand. Glitzy Mandalay Bay is the daddy when it comes to the Sin City pool scene. We’re talking a whopping 11-acre complex that includes a man-made beach, an absolutely enormous wave pool, the laziest of lazy rivers and oodles of private cabanas and gazebos to rent for your day out. A beach bar and grill and several cocktail bars mean you’ll never be far from your next burger or margarita, and the people-watching opportunities here are pretty much second-to-none.

Honorable mention: the legendary Golden Nugget. Sure, there are bigger and better pool complexes all over Vegas, but do any of them have a water slide that goes right through the middle of a 200,000-gallon shark tank? No, dear reader, they do not.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Entertainment

Gondolier at the Venetian in Las Vegas

Entertainment in Las Vegas often seems to be a supersized game of one-upmanship. Dancing fountains not spectacular enough for ya? Fear not: there’s an exploding volcano out front of the Mirage, a replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris, and a recreation of Venice’s Grand Canal – complete with singing gondoliers at The Venetian. It’s the last of these sprawling mega-resorts that nabs our entertainment crown, largely thanks to the 2023 addition of Sphere, an eye-popping globe-shaped venue that, with the ever-changing motion graphics that ripple across its facade, is a show all by itself. Sphere’s immersive experiences coupled with A-list names at Voltaire (Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Steely Dan and Kylie, to name just a few) make for quite the roster of top-flight entertainment.

Honorable mention: Wynn Encore. Superb theatrical performances, legendary musicians, celebrity DJs, and direct access to the Las Vegas High Roller for the win/Wynn.

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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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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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Things to Do in Las Vegas in August 2018

There’s fun for everyone in Las Vegas! Whether you’re traveling with kids in tow, planning a romantic getaway, celebrating with friends, or going solo, there is a huge variety of different things to do in Vegas. If you’re looking for things to do in Las Vegas in August 2018, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including... High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Hoover Dam Tour Stratosphere Observation Deck Plus VIP Access Rockstar Pool Party Tour and more... Save on Attraction Admission Regular admission to a number of these popular Las Vegas attractions are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 60% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Please note, the seasonal events taking place at these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go Las Vegas Card. If you want a bigger list of seasonal events, then check out our suggested things to do in Las Vegas in the summer. High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ: Daytime Pass Take a spin on the world's largest observation wheel! The ride is 30 minutes long and will provide you with 360 degree views of Las Vegas. There is also an outdoor dining, shopping, and entertainment outside at the LINQ, which is a great destination for all visitors. Getting In: Las Vegas High Roller Daytime tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Hoover Dam Tour The Hoover Dam is one of the most famous American landmarks. It's also a testament to those who came to a harsh, barren land and built the structure to sustain themselves. At the Dam, visitors will have two hours to explore at their leisure. Upgrade to enjoy time in the Visitor's Center and/or a range-guided tour of the Dam. This is for sure one of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas in August (or really anytime of year). Getting In: Hoover Dam Tour tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Stratosphere Observation Deck Plus VIP Access This iconic fixture in the Las Vegas skyline offers both indoor and outdoor observation decks for stunning 360-degree views of the city and beyond. The Stratosphere Observation Deck is the tallest freestanding tower in the United States. Getting In: Stratosphere Tower Las Vegas tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Rockstar Pool Party Tour Party like a rock star at some of the best pool clubs in Las Vegas. Plus, you'll enjoy premium transportation on luxury party buses. On this tour, you will get to go from a pool party, to a limo party bus, then end at another pool party. Pool clubs are a distinctively Las Vegas thing, and are a great way to enjoy Vegas culture as you cool off! Getting In: Rockstar Pool Party Tour tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Big Bus Las Vegas Tour Explore the sights of the Las Vegas strip on this double decker hop-on hop-off bus tour, narrated by knowledgeable and entertaining guides. It's a great way to get around, especially since you definitely do not want to be dealing with their notorious traffic! Getting In: Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Las Vegas tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Downtown Las Vegas / Fremont Street Walking Tour By Antoine Taveneaux (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsTake a tour of downtown Las Vegas and the famed Fremont Street area to fully appreciate the cultural side of this eclectic city. It's a two-hour walking tour that escorts you past some of the most famous casinos, hotels, restaurants, and much more. You'll get to see the newly revitalized area of Fremont East, too, as well as the delightful Downtown Container Park (a good place to come back to later to visit on your own time). If you do decide to enjoy this tour, keep in mind that in the summer you'll for sure need a hat, sunblock, and sunglasses to protect you from the heat and sun! Getting In: Downtown Las Vegas / Fremont Street Walking Tour tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Local Sporting Events If you're a sports fan, you're in luck! Las Vegas has slowly but sure amassed a bunch of professional sports teams for you to cheer on during your visit. For starters, there's the USL team, Las Vegas Lights FC, who play in America's second tier of professional soccer. Their season includes matches in August. There's also the WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, who play at the Mandalay Bay Events Center through August. And while their season won't have started in August, the instantly-famous Las Vegas Golden Knights NHL team is one to watch out for if you're visiting in the fall or winter! Getting In: All local sporting events are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go Las Vegas Card. M&Ms World Las Vegas "My Color" Wall inside M&M'S WORLD® Las Vegas (Photo credit: M&M's WORLD® Las Vegas) Come to this monument of of colorful fun, the four-level M&Ms World Las Vegas is one of the sweetest retail-entertainment attractions around. You can get different things printed on M&Ms, pick up some cool merchandise and check out some cool exhibits. Getting In: Admission to the M&Ms World Las Vegas is free. Remember to Save on Attraction Admission There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in Las Vegas in August. Remember, many of these great attraction options are included on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the seasonal events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Las Vegas Explorer Pass. Consider adding a few of these fun options to your August vacation itinerary.
Lindsay Eagan
The 'Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas' sign at night
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Things to do in Downtown Las Vegas

Seeking a little respite from the non-stop sensory assault that is the Las Vegas Strip? Then Downtown may be for you. The city’s historic heart promises much the same in terms of top-flight dining, high-stakes casinos and flashing neon signs, but is a much more laid back affair, with street eats, free live shows and an artsy enclave that feels more NYC than Vegas Strip. There are stacks of things of things to do in Downtown Las Vegas, too, and we’ve put together a few of our favorites below, including: Fremont Street Experience Golden Nugget casino Mob Museum Container Park SlotZilla Zipline Neon Museum Las Vegas Arts District Fremont Street Tour A tour of historic Fremont Street is hands-down the best way to find your bearings on your first visit to Downtown Las Vegas (and a great way to discover things to do on Fremont Street once the tour is over). During the tour you’ll follow in the footsteps of the first settlers, see where the Rat Pack used to hang out and learn about Sin City’s past links to organized crime. Your guide will also point out old-school Downtown icons like the Golden Nugget casino and Neonopolis wedding chapel, where you can – should you so desire – be married by Elvis and Gene Simmons impersonators. You’ll also discover the iconic Main Street Station hotel and casino which promises, among its many treasures, chandeliers from the Coca-Cola building in Texas and the Figaro Opera House in Paris, and a section of the Berlin Wall in the, um, gentlemen’s conveniences. Fremont Street Experience The undisputed highlight of the Fremont Street Experience is its absolutely humongous vaulted canopy. At 1,500 feet in length (that’s about four blocks or five football pitches, fact fans) and containing nearly 50 million LED lights, this unashamedly decadent wraparound video screen is the world’s largest. Grab a drink at one of the many bars in this (mostly) pedestrianized part of town and settle in for the mesmerizing light shows that burst out of the big screen every hour. There’s also free live music across three stages here, starting at 6pm every single evening. The Golden Nugget You’ll recognize The Golden Nugget from its cameos in dozens of Hollywood flicks down the years, perhaps most notably Bond classic Diamonds are Forever and Elvis fave (yup, you guessed it) Viva Las Vegas. Enter beneath the iconic neon sign and check out the huge Hand of Faith nugget on display in the lobby before trying your luck at the roulette and blackjack tables or just grabbing a cocktail and soaking up the distinctly old-school vibes of this, Las Vegas’s oldest large casino. SlotZilla Zipline From high stakes to high wires, the SlotZilla Zipline is pure Vegas, with an 11-story launch deck that’s designed to look like a giant slot machine, complete with cascading coins and a pair of 35-foot showgirls. Incurable thrill-seekers can fly, Superman-style, along the epic (and appropriately named) Superhero-Zoom, which traverses the length of the Fremont Street Experience. The Zip-Zilla is a somewhat less frightening half-length option that flies a little lower and allows you to travel in an upright seated position, for those not feeling quite so dare-devilish. The Mob Museum Practise your best Al Capone impersonations on a visit to the quite excellent Mob Museum, with its plethora of interactive exhibits that chart the history of organized crime in the US, with a focus on mob activity in Las Vegas. See if you can hit the target in the firearms training simulator and visit the rogues’ gallery charting over a century of made men. There’s even an underground speakeasy here serving Prohibition-inspired cocktails to thirsty visitors. Enter via the secret door by the parking lot, but watch out for shady-looking gentlemen in fedoras and pinstripe suits! Container Park A giant metal mantis with flaming antennae and an ear-shattering sound system marks the somewhat apocalyptic entrance to the Container Park, a Downtown shopping and entertainment mecca built out of old shipping containers. It’s a pretty cool hangout, with a little something for people of old ages: there are independent boutiques, bars and live music for the grown-ups, while a huge slide and water-play area in the central courtyard keeps the kids happy. The Neon Museum This huge outdoor museum preserves and exhibits that most Las Vegas of art forms: the neon sign. It’s a kind of retirement home for neon signs, giving these masterpieces of the Nevada skyline a second lease of life as part of a major tourist attraction. This is where you’ll find classic old-school signage including sparkling examples from the Stardust, Sassy Sally’s, Lucky Cuss Motel and the Hard Rock Cafe. We recommend visiting the Neon Boneyard at sundown for the most Instagrammable photo opportunities, when the signs are lit up against the fiery desert sky in all their technicolor glory. SkyPod at the Strat Ok ok, so it’s not strictly part of Downtown, but it does command some of the best views of Fremont Street you’ll find anywhere in the city, so we say it counts! Another bonus is that this is one attraction you really can’t miss: just look for the skyscraping observation tower south of Downtown in the direction of the Strip; it's only the second-tallest of its kind in the entire Western Hemisphere! And, should your nerves be able to withstand the head-spinning super-speed elevator ride up to the 108th floor, there are plenty of attractions up here, nearly 1,000 feet above the Strip, to keep adrenaline-seekers occupied for hours. Board the aptly-named Insanity ride, a giant metal claw that dangles (and spins) its victims passengers over the edge of the building and into thin air. Or get even higher on the Big Shot, the vertical drop ride that goes up (and down) the tower’s needle, reaching a gut-churning height of 1,081 feet. Eek, eek and, furthermore, eeeeeeeeeek! 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

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