Morning: The Luxor and Mandalay Bay

Begin your Las Vegas adventure at the southern end of the Strip with the iconic Luxor Hotel, instantly recognizable by its massive pyramid shape and powerful beam of light that shoots into the night sky. The Luxor Sky Beam is the strongest beam of light in the world, visible from space, and consists of 42 xenon lamps totaling 13,000 watts. Inside, explore the Egyptian-themed casino and consider visiting the Titanic artifact exhibition, which houses over 250 authentic artifacts from the famous ship.

Walk next door to Mandalay Bay, home to the impressive Shark Reef Aquarium. This 1.6-million-gallon aquarium houses over 2,000 animals including sharks, rays, endangered sea turtles, and exotic fish. The walk-through tunnel offers an immersive underwater experience that’s perfect for all ages.

Afternoon: New York-New York and Park MGM

Head north to New York-New York, where you can experience the Big Apple Coaster, a thrilling roller coaster that twists around a replica of the Statue of Liberty and through the hotel’s facade. The property features replicas of famous New York landmarks including the Chrysler Building and Brooklyn Bridge, all at approximately one-third scale.

Continue to Park MGM and The Park, an outdoor dining and entertainment district featuring restaurants, bars, and the T-Mobile Arena, home to the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. The Park offers a refreshing contrast to the indoor casino atmosphere with its open-air design and greenery.

Evening: The Cosmopolitan and Bellagio Fountains

Experience dinner at one of The Cosmopolitan’s diverse restaurants. This property is known for its hip, art-filled spaces and sophisticated dining options. After dinner, position yourself in front of the Bellagio for the famous fountain show, which runs every 15-30 minutes. The choreographed water display features over 1,200 nozzles and reaches heights of 460 feet, all synchronized to music and lights.

Morning: Paris and Bally’s

Start your day with breakfast at the Paris Las Vegas, then ascend the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views of the Strip. At 541 feet tall (compared to the original’s 1,083 feet), the observation deck provides a perfect vantage point for understanding the layout of the city and capturing memorable photos.

The Paris property beautifully recreates Parisian landmarks and atmosphere, complete with cobblestone streets, French restaurants, and even a replica of the Arc de Triomphe. Take time to explore the charming Le Boulevard shopping area with its painted sky ceiling.

Afternoon: Caesars Palace and The Forum Shops

Caesars Palace is a Las Vegas institution, opened in 1966 and continuously expanded to become one of the Strip’s most recognizable properties. The ancient Roman theme is executed with remarkable attention to detail, featuring replicas of classical statuary and architecture throughout the property.

Spend several hours exploring The Forum Shops, one of the most successful shopping centers in the world with over 160 shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the free Fall of Atlantis animatronic show, which tells the story of Atlantis through moving statues and special effects. The mall features a painted sky ceiling that transitions from dawn to dusk, creating an outdoor atmosphere indoors.

Evening: World-Class Entertainment

Las Vegas is renowned for its entertainment, and your second evening should be dedicated to experiencing a show. Options include Cirque du Soleil productions like “O” at Bellagio (an aquatic masterpiece), “Mystère” at Treasure Island (the classic Cirque show), or “KÀ” at MGM Grand (featuring an enormous rotating stage). Alternatively, catch a residency show from popular musicians, magic performances like David Copperfield at MGM Grand, or comedy shows at various venues.

Morning: The Venetian and The Mirage

The Venetian and its sister property, The Palazzo, together form one of the largest hotels in the world with over 7,000 suites. The Venetian’s recreation of Venice includes the Grand Canal with working gondolas, complete with singing gondoliers who serenade passengers as they navigate under bridges and past recreations of Venetian landmarks.

Visit Madame Tussauds Las Vegas for incredibly lifelike wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and entertainment icons. The interactive exhibits allow you to get up close and personal with the figures, creating fun photo opportunities.

Afternoon: Journey to Downtown Las Vegas

Take a taxi, rideshare, or the public bus to downtown Las Vegas, the city’s original gambling district. The Fremont Street Experience is a pedestrian mall covered by a massive LED canopy called Viva Vision, measuring 1,375 feet long and 90 feet wide. Every evening, the canopy comes alive with free light and sound shows featuring 12.5 million LED lights and 550,000-watt sound system.

Downtown Las Vegas represents the city’s authentic character and history. Here you’ll find vintage casinos like the Golden Nugget, which displays one of the world’s largest gold nuggets weighing 61 pounds, and Binion’s, home of the original World Series of Poker.

Evening: SlotZilla and Container Park

Experience SlotZilla, a unique zipline that launches riders from a 12-story slot machine structure, allowing you to soar above the Fremont Street crowds. Choose between the lower “Zipline” or the upper “Zoomline” for different experiences and perspectives of the historic district.

Explore the Downtown Container Park, an innovative shopping and entertainment complex built from repurposed shipping containers. The park features boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and a large praying mantis sculpture that shoots flames from its antennae at night. The family-friendly atmosphere and local artisan focus provide a welcome contrast to the corporate megaresorts.

Full Day: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Take a break from the casino atmosphere with a day trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, located just 17 miles west of the Strip. This stunning natural preserve showcases the Mojave Desert’s beauty with dramatic red sandstone formations rising up to 3,000 feet, created by tectonic forces and erosion over millions of years.

The 13-mile scenic drive is a one-way loop that takes you past the most spectacular rock formations, with numerous pullouts for photography and short walks. Popular stops include the Calico Hills, known for their swirling patterns of red, orange, and white sandstone, and the High Point Overlook, offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley.

For the more adventurous, several hiking trails range from easy to strenuous. The Calico Tanks Trail (2.5 miles roundtrip) leads to natural water tanks and offers excellent views, while the Ice Box Canyon Trail (2.6 miles roundtrip) follows a seasonal creek through a narrow canyon with 200-foot walls. Rock climbing is also extremely popular here, with over 2,000 documented routes.

Pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks, as facilities are limited within the conservation area. The Visitor Center offers educational exhibits about the area’s geology, ecology, and cultural history, including evidence of human habitation dating back 11,000 years.

Morning and Afternoon: Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam stands as one of America’s greatest engineering achievements, completed in 1936 during the Great Depression. Located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, this massive concrete arch-gravity dam holds back the Colorado River, creating Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States by volume.

The statistics are staggering: the dam is 726 feet tall, 1,244 feet long, and contains 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete—enough to pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York. The dam generates approximately 4 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power annually, serving Nevada, Arizona, and California.

Take a guided tour of the dam’s interior to see the massive generators and learn about the construction process that claimed the lives of 96 workers. The Powerplant Tour descends 530 feet into the canyon wall, providing access to the Nevada wing of the powerplant. The Dam Tour offers a more comprehensive experience, including access to the original diversion tunnels and inspection galleries within the dam itself.

The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, opened in 2010, offers a spectacular pedestrian walkway with unobstructed views of the dam from 890 feet above the Colorado River. This concrete arch bridge is the highest in the United States and was specifically designed to provide a scenic viewing platform.

Late Afternoon: Lake Mead Recreation

After touring the dam, drive along the Lake Mead shoreline to appreciate the reservoir’s vast scale. Lake Mead covers 247 square miles when full, with 759 miles of shoreline—more than the entire Pacific coastline of California. Unfortunately, ongoing drought has significantly reduced water levels, revealing “bathtub rings” on the canyon walls and exposing previously submerged areas.

Consider a stop at the Lake Mead Visitor Center for exhibits about the dam’s construction, the Colorado River, and the desert ecosystem. If time permits, enjoy water activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on the shore.

Morning: Luxury Shopping

Dedicate your sixth morning to shopping at some of Las Vegas’s premier retail destinations. The Shops at Crystals at City Center features luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co. in an architectural masterpiece designed by Daniel Libeskind. The building’s angular design and natural lighting create an artwork in itself.

For more accessible shopping, visit the Fashion Show Mall, one of the largest malls in the world, featuring over 250 stores ranging from mainstream retailers to high-end boutiques. The mall’s “Cloud” structure—a massive UFO-shaped canopy—hosts regular fashion shows featuring the latest trends.

Afternoon: Spa and Relaxation

Las Vegas is home to some of the world’s finest spas, offering a perfect antidote to the city’s high-energy atmosphere. The Spa at Wynn is consistently rated among the best, featuring a comprehensive menu of treatments, a full-service salon, and luxurious facilities including a Zen garden and relaxation lounges.

The Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace offers a Roman-inspired experience with three Roman baths at different temperatures, Arctic Ice Room, and a unique Laconium room featuring chaise lounges with integrated heating. The spa’s design incorporates natural materials and Roman architectural elements for an authentic ancient bathing experience.

Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian spans 134,000 square feet across two floors, making it one of the largest luxury spas in North America. The facility includes a full fitness center, climbing wall, and comprehensive wellness programs in addition to traditional spa services.

Evening: Fine Dining Experience

Las Vegas has evolved into one of the world’s premier dining destinations, home to restaurants from celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Wolfgang Puck, José Andrés, and Joel Robuchon. The city boasts more AAA Five Diamond restaurants than any other city in North America.

Consider reservations at Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand (the only three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Las Vegas), é by José Andrés at the Cosmopolitan (an intimate eight-seat experience), or Picasso at Bellagio, where you can dine surrounded by original Picasso artwork while enjoying French-Spanish cuisine.

For a more contemporary American experience, try Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace or Restaurant Guy Savoy at Paris Las Vegas. Steakhouse lovers will appreciate Bazaar Meat by José Andrés at Sahara, featuring innovative preparations and the finest cuts from around the world.

Morning and Afternoon: Valley of Fire State Park

Conclude your Las Vegas week with a visit to Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, located about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. This otherworldly landscape gets its name from the brilliant red Aztec sandstone formations that appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays.

The park’s 40,000 acres contain spectacular geological formations over 150 million years old, created from ancient sand dunes that solidified into rock and were later shaped by erosion, faulting, and uplifting. The vibrant red color comes from iron oxide within the sandstone.

Must-see attractions include the Fire Wave, a striking formation with undulating bands of red, pink, and white sandstone resembling frozen waves. The 1.5-mile round-trip hike to this formation is moderately challenging but absolutely worth the effort. Arrive early as parking is limited and the area becomes crowded.

Explore the ancient petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and Mouse’s Tank, where ancestral Puebloan people left rock art thousands of years ago. These carvings provide fascinating insights into prehistoric life in the Mojave Desert. An informative trail at Mouse’s Tank includes interpretive signs explaining the petroglyphs and the geology.

Don’t miss the Beehives, natural formations resembling massive stone beehives, and Elephant Rock, a natural arch that resembles an elephant’s head. White Domes offers a 1.1-mile loop trail through colorful badlands and slot canyons, providing an excellent overview of the park’s diversity.

Evening: Farewell to Las Vegas

Return to Las Vegas in the late afternoon to prepare for departure or spend one final evening on the Strip. Consider a last stroll through your favorite property, a farewell dinner at a restaurant you missed, or catching the Mirage Volcano show one last time before heading to the airport.

If you have time before your flight, the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign at the southern end of the Strip makes for perfect farewell photos. This iconic neon sign, designed by Betty Willis in 1959, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of the most photographed landmarks in the world.