96 Hours in Las Vegas
Is Las Vegas For You?
If you’re looking to have fun with your family & friends, or simply to get a break from your day-to-day grind, then Vegas is for you.
Heck, if you’re looking to get some me-time, Vegas might be the perfect place for you.
What’s the Nearest International Airport to the Las Vegas Strip?
The main airport in Las Vegas is the Harry Reid International Airport (Airport code: LAS).
How Can You Go from the LAS Airport to the Vegas Strip?
If it’s your first time in Vegas and you’re planning to stay in the Strip, then I don’t recommend renting a car immediately.
Public transportation is available - some paid, and some for free (e.g. monorails connecting casinos in the same family).
First-timers are better off “Uber-ing around Vegas” (or your preferred rideshare program).
But for returning visitors, I recommend that you consider renting a car so that you can venture off-strip.
Trust me, there’s more to Vegas than the Strip.
When is the Best Time to Visit Las Vegas with Friends?
For trips with friends, it’s best to visit Vegas between the months of May to early-September.
In terms of local US holidays, you’re looking at starting from Memorial Day weekend until Labour Day weekend.
And of course, New Year’s Eve!
For Family Travellers, When is the Best Time to Visit Vegas?
If you’re travelling with your family, then I recommend visiting in the off-peak seasons between February and April, or between September and December (before New Year’s Eve).
Which Hotel Should You Stay At in Las Vegas?
We’ve been to Vegas many times, so we’ll start by reviewing the hotels that we stayed at (in the order of our preference).
Aria
This is one of our top hotel choices on the Strip.
Aria boasts a modern curved glass facade which makes it stands out from the Strip.
It’s gaming floor is rather a simple, which has one-floor with limited game options.
Not a big deal for us non-gamblers. But what we look for is a well-ventilated gaming area that sucks the smoke out of the casino.
Vdara
Next up, this is the “sister hotel” adjacent to Aria with one big difference - Vdara has no casino; it’s strictly a hotel & suites accomodation.
This makes it perfect for those who don’t want to walk through a smokey gambling floor.
But that doesn’t make it impossible to reach a nearby casino.
From Vdara, you can easily walk to the Aria gaming floor in under 5 minutes.
Or if you’re feeling like Bellagio, then you’ll see a walkway towards the free ‘Aria Express Tram’ - which goes to Aria, Park MGM, and Bellagio.
Bellagio
Speaking of which, you can never go wrong with Bellagio, especially if you have a ‘fountain view’.
Look no further if you’re looking for a central luxury hotel & casino on the Vegas Strip.
It’s has been an iconic hotel, so that also means that Bellagio is aged to an extent (compared to Aria & Vdara).
Bellagio boasts plenty of walkable space indoors, especially their indoor conservatory & botanical garden - which features a new them as the seasons & holidays change.
Paris
Located directly across the Bellagio is Paris.
It stands out (literally) with a mini-version of the Eiffel tower and a “Paris” hot air balloon.
As you walk in, you will feel like you were transported into a cultural European city on the Vegas Strip (but not as luxurious as the Venetian).
This hotel & casino is certainly one of the busier ones since it’s easily accessible from the sidewalk, which might be something to consider for guests looking for some peace & quiet.
If you’re looking for an affordable hotel in the centre of the Vegas Strip, then Paris is something to consider.
TwoFoodies Tip: Looking for a brunch restaurant with a view on the Strip? Mon Ami Gabi at Paris is the place to be.
Every time we go to Vegas, we always make sure to have breakfast on their patio with a daytime view of the Fountains of Bellagio.
Bally’s / Harrah’s / Flamingo
For the most part, I see a lot of similarities between Bally’s, Harrah’s, and Flamingo for first-time guests.
These 3 hotels are convenient on-strip hotels & casinos that you can stay at without breaking the bank.
Their daily rates & resort fees are lower than the more flashy & famous hotels across the street.
TwoFoodies Insight: These hotels might also get a bad reputation, but they have actually been renovating their hotel rooms to keep up with the competition.
Much like why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge a hotel by its facade.
Budget-friendly travellers looking for a convenient hotel should consider Bally’s, Harrah’s, or Flamingo.
New York, New York
We only stayed here for a night as a comp stay before our flight back home, so I’ll cover what I observed in those few hours.
If you’re travelling to watch a concert, or a Vegas game, or a UFC fight, then New York New York should be your top option.
There happened to be a UFC fight that weekend and it was quite a scene at the hotel - full of stars, crew, and fans.
Certain elevator entrances were guarded with security because of fan excited to get autographs from their favourite fighters.
At dinner, the restaurants hosted big tables of UFC staff and training crew.
We dined at Chin Chin in New York New York (yes, I’m serious) and it seemed to be a UFC-favourite.
To wrap up, concert-goers, hockey fans, and UFC-fight attendees should consider New York New York. With only a 7-minute walk, you’ll get from your hotel room to the T-Mobile in under 10 minutes.
Treasure Island
Lastly, also known as T.I. (like the rapper), this hotel & casino offers even lower prices but it’s located so far up of the Strip.
When I was in Vegas in 2012 & 2013, their Kahunaville was my personal favorite - which has since closed.
They had an awesome bar and brunch restaurant. Better yet, their signature drink souvenir cup was the Big Kahuna.
Yes - they serve your coloured drink bubbling with dry ice in a mini-toilet (either plastic or ceramic-esque)
It’s nostalgic and I wish they brought it back.
Outside of T.I., they used to have an outdoor performance but what’s unique is that they have live stunt actors & actresses.
This was known as the Sirens of T.I., but sadly, this was also discontinued in 2013.
Best Brunch Restaurant with a View on the Vegas Strip
Hands down, Mon Ami Gabi is our go-to restaurant on the Vegas Strip to have breakfast with a view of the Bellagio
TwoFoodies Brunch Picks (at Mon Ami Gabi):
Savoury - Corned Beef Hash or Spicy Andouille Sausage Benedict
Sweet - Skinny Crepe du Jour (Banana Foster or Berries)
Drink - Gabi’s House Blend Coffee (P.S. Ask your server if you wish to buy a pack of their house blend coffee beans)
How Much Does It Cost to Eat at Gordon Ramsay’s Vegas Restaurants?
We dined at most of Gordon’s restaurants in Vegas, so we’ll go over how much you should expect for a dinner for two.
Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen (by the Strip)
Expensiveness: $$$$$
Hell’s Kitchen (in Vegas) is a must-try restaurant for couples looking for a fancy night out.
Needless to say, this restaurant fills up fast so reserve your table at Hell’s Kitchen (Vegas) in advance.
Book your table as soon as you booked your flights & hotel.
Yes - that early.
TwoFoodies Recommendation (at Hell’s Kitchen Vegas):
Signature Prix Fixe (3 course) x 2 person
Wine Pairing x 2 person
Cost of dinner for two: ~$330 USD + taxes + tip
TwoFoodies Experience (at Hell’s Kitchen Vegas):
When we visited Hell’s Kitchen in 2021, we got super lucky because we didn’t reserve a table in advance.
In fact, we just casually walked in during our afternoon walk and asked to be on the wait list for a last-minute cancellation in the next 2-3 days.
Sure enough, someone cancelled and that’s how we got in! (but you have to be flexible, if you don’t plan ahead)
Gordon Ramsey’s Steak (Inside Paris - Vegas)
Expensiveness: $$$$
Looking for a menu similar to Hell’s Kitchen, but without paying top dollar, then Gordon’s Steak in Paris is your next-best option.
You should reserve a table at Steak (Paris in Vegas) if you lucked out of Hell’s Kitchen.
Steak doesn’t fill up as fast as Hell’s Kitchen. Rest-assured that those who couldn’t find tables across the street will come running here!
The ambience at Steak is cozy with the dim-lighting reflecting off the glossy red decors. Fiery & firey.
But once you get in, there’s not a lot of good seats - especially if you’re not special or lucky enough to get the main floor seats.
TwoFoodies Recommendations (at Steak in Paris - Vegas):
24 oz Bone-In Ribeye with a side of roasted mushrooms (more meat for your money); or,
One of the 8 oz American Wagyu Rib Cap/Skirt/Filet (smaller portion, so you’re paying for the meat quality)
Roasted Beef Wellington (yes, it’s available here too!)
Paired with a red wine from their selection
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Cost of dinner for two: ~$270 USD + taxes + tip
TwoFoodies Experience (at Steak in Paris - Vegas):
When we visited Steak in 2022, we booked a reservation on OpenTable for a set time.
Problem was, Gordon’s Steak still made us wait another 45 minutes after our reservation!
Once we got in, we were seated at the top floor - with poor lighting and next to a corner.
It felt like dining in a cave, sadly. The lighting was so dim light that I couldn’t tell the difference between my ribeye and my roasted mushrooms.
Gordon Ramsey’s Pub & Grill (inside the Caesar’s Forum Shops)
Expensiveness: $$$
Next up is when you’re looking for pub food after shopping at the Caesar’s Forum - welcome to Gordon’s Pub & Grill.
Getting here is a bit tricky since it’s hidden inside the Caesar’s Forum, which you cannot easily access from the Strip.
If you’re already in there to do some window shopping (or actual shopping; good for you!), then it’s easier to find this Pub & Grill.
But if you’re visiting from another casino, just be prepared to walk or even get lost for a bit.
Anyways, the menu at Gordon’s Pub & Grill in Vegas offers more affordable signature meals at a discount in a casual English pub-like ambiance.
TwoFoodies Picks (at Gordon’s Pub & Grill in Caesars):
Gordon’s 3-Course Dinner x 2 people
Signature cocktails x 2
Cost of dinner for two: ~$180 USD + taxes + tip
TwoFoodies Experience:
When we visited in March 2023, we dined at Gordon’s Pub & Grill for a casual dinner.
We weren’t looking for anything fancy, but here, we could still order the signature Beef Wellington for a discounted price (compared to Hell’s Kitchen & Steak).
Since we were more casual, we opted for their signature cocktails and beer instead of a wine pairing.
Personally, I enjoy making us homemade old fashioned with a Spanish twist.
So I had to try their Barrel Aged Old Fashioned - and it was good & highly recommended.
Gordon Ramsay Burger (inside Planet Hollywood)
Expensiveness: $$
Craving a high-end juicy burger after a long day of walking on the Strip, then queue up next to the flaming grill of Gordon’s Burger.
I should warn you now that this Gordon restaurant usually has a long line (next to the flaming grill within a protectice glass, of course).
Burger is perfect for burger-lovers & hotdog-lovers with a side of crispy fries, or upgrade to their tasty Truffle Parmesan fries.
Sometimes in Vegas, you just need a low-key high-quality American lunch.
The menu at Gordon’s Burger in Vegas will have you drooling!
TwoFoodies Picks (at Gordon’s Burger in Planet Hollywood):
24 Hour Burger or Truffle Burger (for meat lovers); or,
Hellfire Chicken Burger (for chicken lovers); or,
Farmhouse Burger (for hangovers)
Truffle Parmesan Fries or Beer Battered Onion Rings (as a premium side)
2 Fountain drinks
Cost of dinner for two: ~$90 USD + taxes + tip
TwoFoodies Experience:
We dined at Burger in January 2022 after wrapping up at the CES.
It was our late-lunch after an evening of partying with friends Zouk, featuring Zedd.
Needless to say, the perfect remedy was a Farmhouse Burger, a glass of orange juice, and a side of Truffle Parm fries.
One thing that we’ll have to say is...the price of the burgers & the hotdogs are the same.
But there’s something about the menu where I couldn’t justify paying ~$27 for a hot dog, compared to a juicy burger.
To each their own, but if you’re craving high-quality burgers or hot dogs while in Vegas, your next stop is Gordon’s Burger in Planet Hollywood.
Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips (in the LINQ quad)*
Expensiveness: $$
Full disclosure, this is the only Gordon restaurant that we haven’t been to yet.
We do see it all the time in the LINQ’s quad, but by the time we see it, we’re already full.
Gordon’s Fish & Chips is really hard to miss with its British-themed red phone booth entrance & exit doors.
If you happened to be in the area for the High Roller Ferris Wheel, consider grabbing some Fish & Chips.
Though if you’re not a big fan of heights, it must be best to get it after the High Roller,
TwoFoodies Picks (at Gordon’s Fish & Chips):
The Classic - Fish box including 3-pieces of Crispy Cod, 2 sauce on the side & fries; or,
The Luxury - Lobster & shrimp box includes 2-pieces of each, 2 sauce on the side & fries; or,
Build-your-own box
Two cold beers
Cost of a meal for two = ~$70 USD + taxes + tip
Which Cirque du Soleil Show to Watch for Vegas First-Timers
We’ve seen all, but one, of the active Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas.
To keep things simple, we’ll rank the Vegas Cirques based on their “wow” factor & what we would recommend first.
You will also find the trailer for each performance. Then you can be the judge on which show to watch for your Vegas trip.
“Michael Jackson ONE” at Mandalay Bay
“O” at Bellagio
“KA” at MGM
“Mystère” at Treasure Island
“The Beatles LOVE” formerly at the Mirage (No longer active 😢)
The “Big Apple” at New York New York is the Vegas Cirque that we haven’t seen yet. Until recently, they hosted “Zumanity” at NY-NY.
Short Half-Day Trips from Las Vegas by Car (For Families)
Many Vegas travellers rent a vehicle after coming back for a second, third, or even tenth time.
For first-time Vegas travellers, again, I would recommend just “Ubering” around and get to know the Vegas strip.
When you come back, then it’s time to start exploring the off-strip destinations.
Be it a 1-hour road trip, or an overnight stay at a neighbouring state - there’s much more to Vegas than the casinos & hotels.
But why would anyone do a road trip when they are flying to Vegas?
Well, it’s cheaper to fly to Vegas & drive, than to fly to a smaller regional airport with a layover in Vegas or Phoenix,
Hoover Dam
Located ~35 minutes southeast of Las Vegas is the Hoover Dam.
For Transformers movie fans, you make recall it as the home of Megatron (but not in real-life, sorry to burst your bubble).
Once you get here, there’s a multi-storey parking deck on the Nevada-side.
Then you can walk along the rim of the Hoover Dam towards the Nevada-Arizona border.
Yep, you can straddle the state line and stand in two states here - or even in two time zones (depending on when you visit).
Red Rock Canyon
Next up, located ~30 minutes west of Las Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon.
For an entrance fee of $20 USD per vehicle (as of March 2025), you get to drive along the one-way loop through this National Conservation Area.
There are several viewpoints where you can park your vehicle, snap some photos, or even go for a short hike.
Our favourite stop were the Calico Hills & Calico Tanks Trail, which is one of the first viewpoints with dedicated parking.
It is one of the most scenic places with access to a ~2 mile moderate-difficulty hiking trail.
Interested in exploring the Red Rock Canyon? Download this visitor guide & map.
Valley of Fire State Park
Now, here’s a must-visit destination if you’re looking for a short day-trip from Vegas - it’s the Valley of Fire State Park.
Located ~55 minutes away from Vegas, you will be surprised at the bacon-like roads & the Mars-like red rocks here at the Valley of Fire.
For only an entrance fee of $15 USD for non-Nevada vehicles (or a discounted rate of $10 USD for Nevada vehicles), you’ll get to see one of the coolest scenic desert drives.
Here’s the best way to describe it.
Remember those cartoon roads where the Coyote is chasing the Road Runner through the winding desert roads that swirls left & right, and dips up & down?
Yep, that’s one of the many things that you’ll witness.
Interested in hiking?
We recommend trying the Fire Wave trail and the White Domes Loop trail.
But be very careful when hiking here, especially during the summer months. There isn’t a lot of shade, so plan to hike on a slightly cooler or overcast day.
Bring lots of water (& snacks) to stay hydrated & satiated.
Remember - you’re in the middle of a desert after all.
If you’re new to hiking, we recommend downloading the AllTrails app for Valley of Fire trail maps and reviews from other hikers.
Is a Day Trip from Vegas to the Grand Canyon Worth It?
After visiting Grand Canyon on two separate multi-day trips, one from Phoenix, and another one from Vegas, a day trip to the Grand Canyon is not worth it.
Instead, plan to stay at least 1-2 nights in Tusayan (small tourist town outside of the park) to see the beauty of the enormous Grand Canyon.
Why? Because the Grand Canyon is, well…GRAND!
If you’re travelling between March 1 and November 30, here’s what we recommend:
For Day 1, go West to the Hermit Point by bus. You would need to take the ‘blue’ bus and then transfer to the ‘red’ bus at the “Village Route / Hermit’s Rest” station, and vice versa on the way back.
For Day 2, go East to the Yaki Point by bus, which is a picture-perfect spot for sunset. Just make sure to catch one of the final buses back to the Visitor’s centre.
To get inside the park using the bus, you must purchase a Park Entrance Pass at one of these locations.
TwoFoodies Tip: If you’re travelling as a couple or as a family, we recommend buying the 7-day vehicle pass for $35 USD (to cover multiple guests). Otherwise, you will pay $20 USD per person, which gets expensive really fast.
TwoFoodies Insight: You might see some info stating that Tusayan’s ‘purple’ bus route offers free rides into the park, but it’s confusing, right?
While it’s true, you do still need to show your Park Entrance Pass (vehicle or individual) when boarding the bus.
So, it’s not a necessarily free ride, you do need to buy a Park Entrance Pass regardless.
Can You Do a Day Trip from Vegas to the Zion National Park?
Yes you can, but we also wouldn’t recommend it if you want to experience the beauty of Zion National Park.
If time is tight and you just want to get some pictures in Zion, then by all means, go for it.
From Vegas, Zion National Park is a ~3 hour drive by car.
For a one-day trip, you would have to leave Vegas super early (say 5-6 AM) to make it to Zion by 8-9 AM (before the park entrance gets busy), and then head back to Vegas after sunset.
Planning to stay overnight? We recommend staying at Springdale, Utah.
Located ~2.5 hours away from Vegas & 30 minutes from the Zion’s South Entrance, it’s a scenic valley town that spans one long main road with free buses, and offers many selections for hotels & restaurants.
TwoFoodies Insight: When we went to the Zion National Park from Vegas in 2024, we stayed a night at the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale, Utah - the nearest town to the South Entrance.
Springdale is a tourist town that spans one long street with many affordable hotel options & foodie options for hungry visitors.
Similar to the Tusayan-to-Grand-Canyon story, you still need to buy a park pass in person (at any park entrance station).
The free Springdale shuttle gets you from the town to the Zion Visitor Center, but you need the entrance pass to use the shuttles within the Zion National Park.
Can You Do a Day Trip from Vegas to Death Valley?
It’s possible, but similar to visiting Zion, you have to plan for an early morning of driving & an evening drive.
That’s what we did. And we managed to pull it off.
First things first, Death Valley is a place unlike any other national or state park. Here, you are way below sea level and it can get hella-hot!
Located northwest of the Strip, there are 4 recommended routes (by the National Park Service) from Vegas to the Death Valley National Park:
Shortest Route (120 miles. Approx. 2 hours)
Easiest Route (145 miles. Approx. 2.5 hours)
Ghost Town Route (160 miles. Approx. 3 hours)
Most Scenic Route (172 miles. 3.5 hours)
Visit this NPS brochure for details on their recommended routes to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Inside the park, you should be ready to drive for another 1 to 2 hours going viewpoint to viewpoint, so make sure to grab a map at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Don’t forget to get a picture in front of their Visitor Center’s scorching iconic thermometer.
