Las Vegas, Nevada, is simply like no other place on Earth. And yet, visitors can take a romantic Venetian gondola ride down a clear, turquoise canal, stroll through the Ancient Roman-inspired Forum at Caesars Palace for a luxury shopping experience, and catch one of the recurring light shows at the Eiffel Tower that dazzles onlookers every 30 minutes from sunset to midnight. Truly a surreal escape for those that want to get lost in this real-life desert mirage, Las Vegas welcomes more than 40 million visitors every year.
So how did the small, working-class community located on the stretch of railway track between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City more than 120 years ago transform into today’s Entertainment Capital of the World? The city was officially founded in 1905, but there were two instrumental things that happened in the next 30 years that would change everything: the construction of the Hoover Dam and the legalization of gambling.
The Hoover Dam brought thousands of newcomers—especially working men…and the Mafia. The Mafia capitalized on the city’s growth and opened bootleg casinos. After Nevada legalized gambling, more hotels and casinos were built, and eventually this playground in the Wild West turned into an elegant spot for those attracted to the glitz and glamor of it all. Modern and luxurious hotels and casinos, award-winning entertainment and dining experiences, and architecture ranging from the fantastical to uncanny replicas of iconic sites now attract guests from around the world.
When it comes to Las Vegas, this guide is going to sound very redundant. The hotels and resorts actually make up almost all of the highlights for visitors, simply because there is so much to do and see at these beautiful and now iconic sites. We’re going to list a couple of resorts that offer the largest number of must-do activities and must-see landmarks, but keep reading for the Where to Stay portion at the end of this guide.
The Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
The Bellagio is home to not only one of the best casinos in town but also one of the most iconic attractions on the Strip: The Fountains of Bellagio. Every 30 minutes, guests passing by can witness one of the most beautiful water shows set to music and lights that reaches 460 feet into the air. The show is free to watch, and some say you can’t visit Vegas without seeing it. Plus, there is quite a collection of restaurants with outdoor seating that lets you enjoy a delicious meal while viewing the show.
The hotel was themed after the village of Bellagio, close to Lake Como, and you’ll find Italian influences and a European-inspired retail arcade. Other attractions include the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the whimsical, 14,000-square-foot Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and the aquatic-themed “O” by Cirque du Soleil.
The Venetian Resort
Keeping with the Italian theme, let’s talk about The Venetian Resort. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy a romantic gondola ride through Grand Canal. Float past cafes and under bridges, while soaking up the uncanny historic Venetian architecture of the hotel that will transport you straight to Venice, Italy.
In addition to an impressive casino, The Venetian also offers attractions like Madame Tussauds Interactive Wax Museum and big-name artists performing at the prestigious onsite venue, Voltaire. Opened in 2023, the Sphere at the Venetian Resort has been quite the talk of the town, hosting a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.
Caesars Palace Resort and Casino
A name you might recognize, Caesars Palace is all about living like royalty, regardless if you’re actually staying at the hotel or not. The casino is stocked with table games, slot machines, and Caesars Race & Sportsbook. Need a laugh or to sing along to some tunes? Head to the Colosseum, known as being the “Home of the Greatest Entertainers in the World.” In addition to having various restaurants by world-famous chefs like Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay, Giada, Nobu Matsuhisa, and more, many visitors head straight to the Forum Shops for a lavish Las Vegas shopping extravaganza.
Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Just up the street from Caesars Palace (and owned by Caesars Entertainment, so you can redeem rewards credits here), Paris Las Vegas transports you to the City of Lights without ever needing a passport. It’s hard not to notice the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower when you visit town, and this is your chance to experience either the viewing tower, nightly recurring light show, or both! Other attractions include mini golf, arcade, Dino Safari, and live entertainment with a French flair, like Le Cabaret.
New York-New York Hotel and Casino
Another MGM Resort, get ready to hit the streets of New York-New York at this hotel and casino. The last highlight we’ll include that makes you feel like you’ve traveled somewhere other than Vegas, you’ll be transported to the Big Apple as soon as you see the scaled-down NYC skyline and especially when you’re inside the hotel and casino. A fun experience to enjoy, don’t forget the Big Apple Arcade where the Big Apple Coaster awaits.
More Fun for Your Itinerary
It’s easy to confuse The Strip (on Las Vegas Boulevard) with Downtown Las Vegas. While you can remain on The Strip for your entire stay and still feel like you have so much to explore, you’ll want to spend some time on Fremont Street in Downtown. This is where you’ll find the classic casinos and neon signs, with plenty of Vegas’ best restaurants and bars. There are plenty of shows, free concerts, and attractions like the SlotZilla Zipline and Viva Vision Light Show. Keep an eye out for tours through Downtown!
There are some pretty amazing museums that you might be interested in, like the outdoor The Neon Museum where you can see many of the retired neon signs of the casinos downtown. Another must-see museum is the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, but it’s typically called the Mob Museum. Learn about the stories of Mob Bosses, see artifacts, and experience interactive exhibits.
For a desert location, you’d be shocked at how many aquariums you’ll find when you’re in town. Various casinos have impressive tanks, like the Shark Tank at the Golden Nugget (that you can actually ride through on the pool’s three-story water slide), the Aquarium at Silverton Casino that’s free to visit and features mermaid appearances, and the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay where you can feed stingrays, sharks, and even sea turtles. Don’t forget the Aquarium at the Mirage and SeaQuest, an aquarium that lets you interact with other animals like otters, wallabies, and other feathered friends.
For those who are up to explore the area with a day trip or two, there are a few places that you’ll definitely want to consider for your itinerary. Nearby Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is about a 20-minute drive away and is great for hiking, rock climbing, or a perfect destination for a scenic drive.
In the other direction, visit the Hoover Dam and take a tour of the highest dam in the world that accounted for so much of Las Vegas’ history. You can take guided tours or you can walk across for free! You’ll also be able to go on a kayaking tour at the Hoover Dam, but if getting out on the water is a priority of yours, take a trip to Lake Mead.
Activities found on Quest Travel Club. Prices subject to change.
The best time to visit the city of Las Vegas coincides with when the weather is most mild. From March to May, there’s a steady warming that goes from an average high of 72 degrees to 90. May is your last chance to visit early on in the year before highs reach the 100s in the summer months. September sees a slight drop with average highs in the high 90s, but for milder weather, stick to October and November.
The winter months of December, January, and February have pretty mild highs in the low 60s and upper 50s, but remember that because you’re in the desert, lows can drastically drop to the 20s or colder. New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day are two of the most popular times to visit Vegas, so keep that in mind if you don’t want to deal with larger crowds.
Even if you’re visiting in the summer, remember that humidity levels are almost nonexistent and it does significantly cool off in the evenings. So, if your plans are strictly sleeping in, sticking to nightlife, and activities that soak up the AC, you’ll have no trouble at all visiting in the summer months.
There’s always something going on in Las Vegas, from scheduled live entertainment in venues throughout town or events and conventions coming to town. Conventions bring a ton of people to town, so make sure to check the schedule, especially when these events are held at certain hotels instead of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
If you haven’t noticed by now, Las Vegas is basically made up of impressive hotels and resorts that are constantly trying to push the limits of relaxation, luxury, and beauty. With every activity and experience you have on your to-do list, there’s a 90% chance, it’s going to be located on a hotel’s property.
With that being said, our advice for first-time visitors is to stay where all the action is—on The Strip. Chances are, that’s where you’ll spend most of your time, and you won’t need a car. Short walks between hotels and casinos are doable—but we mean it when we say short. The desert heat can catch up to you quickly, so don’t be scared to take a cab or rideshare to different locations. Similarly, staying Downtown where it all started is just as fun as an experience.
As a Palmera Vacation Club member, you can use your points to book amazing stays in Vegas through the RCI Exchange. Here are a few options that we found that only start at 750 points:
Point Ranges are subject to change. Resorts chosen at random.
If you’d rather use cash to book a stay, find great deals on accommodations using Quest Travel Club. Once you book your stay, don’t forget to find other deals on flights and activities too!
Prices and discounts are subject to change. Resorts chosen at random.
