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100 years ago, Las Vegas was little more than a railroad junction. Even when Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, Vegas was slow to grow. Who would want to invest in a small desert town beside the tracks of the Union Pacific?
But then, Vegas struck gold. Whilst the rest of the U.S. was in the grips of the Great Depression, Las Vegas’s residents were kept gainfully employed in the construction of the Hoover Dam. When the Second World War drew to a close and America, and the world, started to rebuild, this little Nevada town had no need to rebuild. Instead, it started to build.
Today, home to over half a million people, Vegas is Nevada’s largest and most-visited city. From lavish casino resorts to budget motels, high end steakhouses to 24-hour diners and late-night strip tease to world class acrobatics, Las Vegas is whatever you want it to be. And whatever that is, one fact always remains the same: one day in Las Vegas will leave you crying out for more.
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Is one day in Las Vegas enough?
You only need to have heard of Vegas to know that there’s no end of things to do here. With that in mind, it goes without saying that it’s impossible to see it all with one day in Las Vegas. But in reality, you could spend an entire month in Vegas without seeing it all. Unless you’re very lucky, the chances are you don’t have a month to spare.
That said, you can see and a surprising amount of the city with just one day in Las Vegas. With many casinos, bars, shows and shops open 24 hours, you’ll be able to do a lot more in one day in Las Vegas than in many other cities.
How to get the most from One Day in Las Vegas
To maximize the amount you can see and do in one day in Las Vegas, plan for an early start and late finish. If you’re spending the night here, book a hotel on the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard). Whilst the prices are higher than those downtown or further out, the time saved traveling is well worth the cost. Plus, if this is your first visit to Sin City, it’s the best way to live the true Vegas experience.
When it comes to getting around, remember Vegas traffic is notorious. Wherever possible, walk shorter distances or hop on the monorail which has several stops along the Strip. If you need to travel by road, the Deuce bus is cheaper and often just as quick as a taxi.
Finally, plan your day before you arrive and buy entrance tickets in advance to save time waiting in line. With so much to see and do in Vegas, it can be easy to get side-tracked. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with that, if you have specific sights on your one day in Las Vegas bucket list, it’s a good idea to check them off early in the day because Vegas waits for no-one.
One Day in Las Vegas
8 am: Breakfast, Vegas-style
There’s nothing like kicking off your one day in Las Vegas with breakfast at one of Sin City’s famous buffets. Whilst many never reopened after the pandemic, the best and most famous survived and are back bigger and better than ever.
Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan is our top pick. The selection is endless and no matter how hard you try, you’d need to stop by for brunch every day for a month to even scratch the surface. For the full experience, add on a bottomless drinks package and whatever you do, don’t miss their award winning dessert selection. Never listen to anyone who tells you cheesecake and ice cream aren’t breakfast foods.
9:30 am: Take a trip to New York
There are few cities in the world which transport you across the globe, but in one day in Las Vegas, you can travel across continents. One of the Strip’s most famous hotels, New York New York will plonk you in the heart of Manhattan.
Complete with replicas of NYC’s most iconic buildings, the highlight has to be the Big Apple Coaster. Buckle up and take an exhilarating 70 mph ride through the New York skyline. Book tickets in advance to save time.
11 am: Ride the Canals of Venice
Hop aboard the Deuce and in less than 15 minutes you’ll have left New York behind and arrived in the Floating City. The Venetian, Vegas’s take on 15th-century Venice, boasts replicas of the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s Basilica and the Grand Canal.
When in Venice, there really is only one way to travel. Book a gondola tour with a singing gondolier and take in the sights.
12:30 pm: Fremont Street
Downtown’s most revered street, the trek out to northern end of the Strip is well worth the effort even when you have only one day in Las Vegas. In truth, no visit to Sin City would be complete without it. Hunt for curios in the antique shops, take in free shows from countless street performers and, if you’re in need of an adrenaline rush, fly through the air on the SlotZilla Zipline.
Travel tip: To experience all Fremont Street has to offer, join a walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide.
If you can tear yourself away from people watching, try to make time to check out the Mob Museum. This award winning interactive museum tells the fascinating story of how Prohibition led Chicago’s most notorious criminals to become millionaire bootleggers. Experience an authentic speakeasy and sample moonshine from an original copper still.
3 pm: Casino time
You don’t need to be a high-stakes gambler to have fun in Vegas’s casinos. Whether you’re a novice or know your way around a deck of cards, no day in Las Vegas would be complete without a little flutter.
Travel tip: If this is your first time at the table, many casinos offer gaming lessons. Circus Circus, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, The Palazzo, The Venetian and Luxor all offer free sessions every day.
There are dozens of casinos along the strip open to non-residents so take your pick and indulge in the pastime which made Vegas Vegas. The majority offer free drinks to gamers, just remember to tip your waitress if you want another.
5 pm: Grab an early dinner
With over 2,500 restaurants to choose from, you’ll never struggle to find something to suit your taste and budget. Despite the number of places to eat during your one day in Las Vegas, many restaurants get booked up well in advance. Dining earlier (or very late) in the evening increases your chances of getting a table without a reservation.
With just one day in Las Vegas, the best option to maximise your time is to dine in one of the Strip resorts. Trattoria Reggiano at The Venetian is the place to go for authentic Italian; if you’re craving Mexican, head to Cabo Cabo at Planet Hollywood. Wazuzu at the Wynn is great for Asian fusion, whilst Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Caesar’s Palace is ideal for elevated comfort food.
7 pm: An evening at the Circus
Almost as famous as its casinos, Las Vegas’s shows are a highlight of every visit. With more variety than you could watch in a lifetime, whether you fancy live music, an immersive magic show, cabaret or something a little seedier, there’s a Vegas show for you.
Our top pick is Cirque du Soleil. Every night, they put on two performances of their award-winning aquatic show “O” at the Bellagio with highlights including acrobatics, divers and synchronized swimmers in a pool filled with 1.5 million gallons of water. Tickets do sell out, so book yours in advance.
9:30 pm: Take a helicopter tour
The neon lights of the Strip always look better from above. Seeing them all in one day in Las Vegas isn’t an easy task, unless you have a little help. Thankfully, that help is on hand in the form of a helicopter. In just ten minutes, this helicopter tour, with several departures every night, lets you marvel down upon the Strip from ahigh.
Tours depart from the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard, close to the airport. The quickest way to reach the heliport is by rideshare, although you can opt to be picked up from your hotel for an additional fee when booking.
11 pm: Marvel at the Bellagio’s Fountain
Just like the lights, the Bellagio fountain is best viewed after dark. Built at a cost of $40 million, this musical wonder is one of the most expensive fountains ever to be built, having been completed to coincide with the opening of the Bellagio resort in 1998.
Performances take place every fifteen minutes in the evening, with the final show at midnight. For the best view, head to the top of the Eiffel Tower viewing deck at Paris Las Vegas, directly opposite the Bellagio.
11:30 pm: Sample Vegas Nightlife
Las Vegas isn’t called Sin City for nothing; no visit would be complete without a taster of Vegas’ all night party scene. With no time restrictions on the sale of alcohol, many bars are open 24 hours, so starting your night out late in the evening is no bad thing.
All the major Strip hotels have all night bars open to non-residents, whilst many also host lively nightclubs. But to experience the best of Vegas’ buzzing nightlife scene, you’ll want to head off-strip. The Charleston Tavern, Berlin and Jive Turkey are our favorite spots in Downtown, but the list is endless.
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