Las Vegas is a city of reinvention—a place where neon nostalgia meets cutting-edge cool, and where every visit can feel like a completely different trip. Whether you’re drawn to the spectacle of the Strip or the soul of its offbeat neighborhoods, Sin City lets you choose your own adventure. Want to lean into classic Vegas glitz with fountains, gondolas, and five-star flair? Or are you craving a deeper dive into the local scene, with art-filled alleys, desert escapes, and hidden cocktail dens?
Whatever your vibe, this two-day itinerary splits the difference: Day one is all about iconic sights and indulgent fun, while day two ventures beyond the expected to uncover the creative heart of Las Vegas. One place, two unforgettable ways to explore it.
Day 1 – Iconic Tourist Attractions & Vegas Icons
Morning
Start your day with brunch at Mon Ami Gabi, a charming French bistro with front‑row seats to the Las Vegas Strip. Snag a patio table to sip espresso while street performers—and the occasional Elvis impersonator—pass by. Order the Smoked Salmon Platter or go heartier with the Corned Beef Hash and “Gabi’s Bloody Mary,” a fan‑favorite. Patio tables are first‑come, first‑served, so arrive early.
Stroll across the street to the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, home to thousands of fresh flowers transformed into extravagant art displays that change every season. Expect larger‑than‑life floral sculptures—fairytale gazebos, hot‑air balloons, blooming peacocks—some of which move in sync with music.
Head outside to watch the Fountains of Bellagio steal the show. Thousands of water jets leap and spin to everything from Frank Sinatra to EDM. Shows run every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening (starting at 3 p.m. Mon–Fri and noon Sat–Sun). Climb the Bellagio entrance bridge for a bird’s‑eye view without the crowds.
Midday
Make your way to The Venetian for a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Float indoors beneath a painted sky or cruise outside for Strip views while a singing gondolier serenades you in Italian. Afterward, wander the cobblestone walkways of the Grand Canal Shoppes. Window‑shop designer boutiques and gelato stands, then grab a margarita—or a cafecito—from Cañonita’s walk‑up Street Taqueria window. Gondola rides sell out fast during peak hours; book online before your visit.
Walk to Eataly inside Park MGM, a lively Italian marketplace that feels lifted from Rome. Enjoy house‑made pasta and Neapolitan pizza at La Pizza e La Pasta, or build your own meal from six open kitchens at La Cucina del Mercato. Indulge in buttery ravioli, spicy roasted chicken, and fresh mozzarella di bufala.
No first‑timer’s trip is complete without snapping photos at the legendary “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. Marvel at the retro Googie‑style landmark, don silly props, and enjoy free parking in the small lot right next to the sign (lines are shortest early in the morning or mid‑week).
Afternoon
Ride the 550‑foot‑tall High Roller at The LINQ for panoramic views of the Strip. Each air‑conditioned pod completes a slow, 30‑minute rotation. Time your ride for golden hour to watch the city shift from day to night. Want to level up? Book the Happy Half Hour cabin for an open bar or reserve a private pod for your crew.
Ready to party? Embrace full Vegas glam at Encore Beach Club—champagne showers and celebrity DJs like The Chainsmokers—or grab a cabana at Stadium Swim to watch sports poolside on a colossal HD screen. For laid‑back rooftop vibes, head to Beer Park to play giant Jenga or cornhole over craft beers and nachos.
Evening
For dinner, slip through what looks like a pawn shop and emerge inside the glitzy world of Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan. Sink into a velvet booth surrounded by vintage décor and feast on shareable bites like Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings, empanadas, and roasted bone marrow. Finish with the “Les, NYC” doughnuts.
No night on the Strip is complete without a show: marvel at divers in Cirque du Soleil’s “O” at Bellagio, laugh through the raunchy cabaret Absinthe at Caesars Palace, be astonished by David Copperfield at MGM Grand, or dance your heart out at Michael Jackson ONE inside the dedicated theater at Mandalay Bay Resort.
Cap the evening 64 stories up at Skyfall Lounge in Delano. Enjoy sweeping skyline views with a Basil Cucumber Gimlet or Spicy Paloma. Craving a late‑night bite? Walk to Citizens Kitchen & Bar for a crispy chicken sandwich or cheese quesadilla—open into the wee hours.
Day 2 – Local Vibes & Off‑the‑Strip Adventures
Morning
Kickstart your day at Vesta Coffee Roasters, a bright neighborhood café roasting its own beans. Sip a Hazelnut‑Maple Latte or an Espresso Tonic, and dig into avocado toast with chili oil or a truffle‑croissant sandwich. Pick up a bag of seasonal beans as a souvenir.
Stroll the 18b Arts District to admire massive murals, offbeat sculptures, and indie galleries. Pop into Graffiti Alley, explore The Arts Factory, or time your visit for First Friday when the district turns into a block party with live music, vendors, and food trucks.
Hunt for quirky treasures at vintage hotspots: pick through designer denim and sequined jackets at Buffalo Exchange, find atomic‑era furniture at Retro Vegas, and score neon signs or Elvis memorabilia at Main Street Peddlers Antique Mall (mid‑week shopping yields the best finds).
Midday
Dig into Italian soul food at Esther’s Kitchen, beloved for its house‑fermented sourdough—pair it with anchovy butter or basil ricotta. Favorites include the meatball sub, cacio e pepe, and roasted mushroom pizza. Book ahead, even for lunch.
Next, tour The Neon Museum. Wander the outdoor Boneyard among vintage casino and motel signs, then return at night for the Brilliant! light show.
Continue to Downtown Container Park, an open‑air hub of boutiques, eateries, and entertainment housed in repurposed shipping containers. A 40‑foot, fire‑breathing praying mantis sculpture guards the entrance; families can unwind on The Lawn’s games and stage.
Afternoon
Craving fresh air? Choose between Springs Preserve—with desert gardens, sustainability exhibits, and the Boomtown 1905 replica street—or Red Rock Canyon for sweeping sandstone vistas and hikes. If you opt for Red Rock, secure a timed‑entry reservation online from October 1 through May 31 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. before you drive the 13‑mile scenic loop. Favorite trails include Calico Tanks and Ice Box Canyon. Rock climbers consider the area bucket‑list territory.
Evening
Head to Summerlin for dinner at La Strega, where contemporary Italian cuisine meets classic Vegas flair—minus Strip chaos. Splurge on the Chef’s Seasonal Tasting Menu or try the squid‑ink bucatini or rigatoni with wild‑boar Bolognese. Specialty cocktails like the Marinelli Martini and Nora Negroni keep locals coming back, so reserve ahead.
End your Las Vegas adventure with a nightcap at Velveteen Rabbit, a whimsical Arts District lounge that feels straight out of a Wes Anderson set. Sink into a velvet sofa beneath mismatched wallpaper and sip seasonal concoctions like The Faceless Old Woman (strawberry mezcal, rhubarb, matcha bubble‑tea foam). Expect anything from vinyl DJ sets to immersive art pop‑ups on any given night.
Know Before You Go
- Taxi and rideshare lines at the airport are often longest 10 p.m.–1 a.m.; plan pickups accordingly.
- Resorts charge daily parking fees unless noted (the Las Vegas sign lot is free).
- Hydrate constantly—desert air is deceptively dry, even in winter.
- For popular restaurants and attractions, booking 2‑4 weeks out yields the best time slots, especially on weekends.
