Cabaret, casinos and a night on the town – nowhere does it quite like Las Vegas. A neon-hued oasis against a desert backdrop, Vegas offers entertainment and indulgence at every turn.
Sin City is one of a kind, a place of bright lights and excesses, of grand hotels battling to outdo each other in terms of scale and glamour. The huge casinos are vast playgrounds for visitors, twinkling through the night. A-list names play around the clock, walking in the footsteps of the Rat Pack, while the food on offer ranges from groaning buffets to haute cuisine at gastro-temples.
There’s life beyond the strip though - and with car rental you can leave the bright lights behind to explore some of Nevada’s sensational landscape. Explore it all with our essential insider’s guide to the very best things to see and do when you’re in Las Vegas.
Cruising the Las Vegas strip
‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ says the famous sign that adorns the Strip. Once you’ve seen that, you’ve arrived in the heart of Vegas – an 8km-long stretch of bright lights and palaces dedicated solely to all things fun.
Electric at night, it’s different by day, when a gentler pace of life temporarily takes over. Either way, the scale of things can be jaw dropping. Replicas of Venetian canals, the Eiffel Tower, pyramids and more are one side of the coin. But there’s also natural beauty to be discovered. The Bellagio, for example, has some wonderfully ostentatious fountains sat side by side with a more sedate and utterly beautiful conservatory and botanical gardens.
The casinos and hotels are all competing for customers, with offerings that are increasingly elaborate. The Mandalay Bay has built a beach with a lazy river and wave pool, plus an aquarium complete with shark reef. Over at Caesar’s Palace, big names like Elton John and Celine Dion pack in visitors nightly at the Colosseum Theatre.
The choice is endless for food – casino buffet towers of shrimp while there are Vegas outposts for dozens of celebrity chefs.
Reach for the sky
Scared of heights? Skip Stratosphere. For those in search of white-knuckle thrills, however, it’s a must.
It’s a hotel and casino too, with a wonderful 25th-floor pool that affords great views of Vegas. But the main attraction is at the top of its tower – over 330 metres in the air, high above the strip, sits a revolving restaurant and viewing deck, hosting the most vertiginous rides in the whole country.
Big Shot, Insanity and X-Scream are strictly for adrenaline junkies, dangling you over the edge of the tower, high above the city. For the true thrill-seekers, make a beeline for Sky Jump, an open-air plunge from over 240 metres.
The Mirage is no illusion
A hotel with a Polynesian theme, The Mirage is where many people come to gape and gawk, even if they’re not staying on site.
Built in the late 80s, it was the most expensive hotel and casino in the world at the time. The gold dust used to tint the windows a sign of its elaborate excess. It set a new standard that others rushed to follow, setting the scene for the out of this world opulence in Vegas.
Siegfried and Roy used to perform here with tigers, although Cirque du Soleil are in residency now, putting on a brilliant show. There’s a wealth of things to see here – the dolphin habitat, saltwater aquarium in the lobby and, perhaps best of all, an artificial volcano that erupts three times a night. Recognise that smell? The gas that bubbles out is scented with Pina Colada – it’s so Las Vegas.
All of the lights
The Vegas Strip is awash with neon signs that give the city its signature glow. But one of the most unsung attractions preserves Vegas’ long history, collecting the signs of the past.
Take a trip to the Neon Museum, a boneyard of iconic signs telling the story of Vegas as it used to be. Places that have been renamed, glorious failures, long-forgotten gems – they’re all here at this marvellous not-for-profit venture.
Fremont Street Experience
There’s life beyond the Strip in Las Vegas - and the Fremont Street Experience has played a large part in that, rejuvenating five blocks of Downtown.
It’s a huge pedestrian mall covered with a steel arch projecting a stunning light show for those below. It’s a treat for the senses as the millions of LEDs combine with an amazing sound system to put on a vibrant show – there’s never a quiet moment here.
There’s also a constant mix of concerts, plus the SlotZilla Zip Line, inspired by slot machines, and a new immersive experience based on the Fear the Walking Dead TV show.
Springs Preserve
West of the Strip, Springs Preserve is a great family-friendly attraction. The natural springs that were once here may have run dry, but this complex brings to life the past of the valley. Waltz through the centuries to discover Vegas in all its incarnations - from the arrival of the Spanish settlers to the Mormons and the pioneers who came here in search of riches.
There’s lots to see and do, with a botanical garden, butterfly habitat, state museum and the superb Origen Museum combining traditional exhibitions with multimedia and interactive elements. Sustainability is the watchword here, hence the solar-powered home you can tour, while the animals on site include some lovable desert tortoises.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Car rental in Las Vegas is essential to see the last on our list of must-do’s - the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
A marked contrast to Vegas, moving from man-made fun to one of nature’s great accidents. A history of tectonic activity has delivered some breathtaking sandstone peaks and red rock towers.
Park up if you love to hike or rock climb – it’s a very popular destination for both. Alternatively, drive the loop road in your rental car, starting at the visitor centre – this contains all the main sights and stunning vistas you’ll want to stop and drink in. It took millions of years for this landscape to form – don’t waste the chance to see it.
With car rental in Las Vegas you can cruise the strip by night and explore the stunning desert landscape during the day.