No matter why you’re visiting Las Vegas, you’re likely to want to take some memorable photos of your trip! Of course, as the Entertainment Capital of the World, this destination offers all sorts of exciting Instagram spots. Nonetheless, depending on how much time you have in downtown Vegas, you may not be able to see them all in one trip!
With this in mind, we’ve created this list of the best places to take pictures in Las Vegas, Nevada. You’ll also find a map at the bottom of this article to help you find these picturesque locations. Are there any amazing Las Vegas photo spots you think we left out? Leave us a comment at the bottom of this post, and we will add them!
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsored my trip to Las Vegas. Nonetheless, I chose to write this article as an additional resource for my readers and all opinions are my own. As a Get Your Guide Partner, I may earn a commission if you book tours through the links in this article.
The Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
No vacation to Vegas is complete without an Instagram photo in front of this iconic sign! You can find the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign south of the Strip, located in the median at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South. In fact, Western Neon built and installed it back in 1959, making this sign a classic attraction in Vegas!
Depending on where you’re staying, I’d recommend walking, driving (there is a parking lot), or taking rideshare to this photo spot. For example, if you’re staying on the south end of the Strip (MGM Grand, New York, Luxor, etc.), it’ll take between 20-30 minutes walking to reach the sign. However, I’d generally suggest taking an Uber or Lyft to save time. Due to the sign’s location near the McCarran International Airport, you could also stop by to snap a photo on your way in or out of Las Vegas.
Pro tip: there’s almost always a line to take a picture at the Las Vegas sign. For this reason, and less harsh lighting, I recommend arriving at this place early in the morning. Besides avoiding the crowds, you’ll also avoid the heat! Plus, the fewer people there are at this attraction, the easier it is to get the perfect shot.
There were only maybe five people in line when I arrived at 8 a.m., so we waited, took our picture, and then stepped to the side to review the photos. If we felt like we needed to try again, we just got back in line and waited! Especially if you’re in Vegas during high season, you may also want to bring a light snack in case you get hungry while waiting.
The Eiffel Tower
The best spot for a view of the Bellagio Water Show also happens to be an amazing place to take pictures of Paris Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower. You can snap photos of both of the angles shown above by walking up Bellagio Drive. We took the first photo directly in front of the Bellagio entrance and valet. This spot is great because it’s at an angle where it’s easy to snap a photo with no people in the background!
Meanwhile, the second photo was taken towards the bottom of Bellagio Drive, heading towards the Strip. If you’d like to capture the Bellagio Fountains in action, you’ll need to time your arrival based on the Water Show times. In general, the show occurs every 15-30 minutes, featuring more than 1,000 fountains and music and lights. You can find the exact times for the display here.
Fun fact: Paris Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower is a half-scale replica, reaching 540 feet (164.6 m) high. Moreover, you can actually visit the top of this attraction as part of the Eiffel Tower Experience. This panoramic viewing deck offers you the opportunity to see Vegas from 46 stories up!
I’d particularly recommend this experience at night when you can view the sparkling city lights and the Bellagio fountain show from above. If you’d like to see more of Paris Las Vegas, don’t miss the two-thirds size Arc de Triomphe.
The Venetian
For more of Europe in Las Vegas, you’ll definitely want to stop by the Venetian. The Venetian Casino’s main entrance is surrounded by gorgeous paintings and details, making it a top Las Vegas Instagram spot. Take your time to explore the entire property, as there’s so much to see within this resort!
For example, you’ll find full replicas of Venetian canals both inside and outside the main building. Additionally, the resort features reproductions of the Palazzo Ducale, St Mark’s Campanile, and the Rialto Bridge.
Photography tip: if you stand inside the gazebo next to Bouchon Bakery, this spot offers a picturesque perspective of the tower and bridge. Plus, this angle captures the red and white gondola poles as well! If you plan to appear in the photo, it might be fun to wear red to pop against the backdrop and match these classic gondola poles.
As with many of the best Instagram spots in Las Vegas, the best time to take pictures at the Venetian is early in the morning. At this time of day, you won’t have to combat the crowds to snap your photo. Plus, the lighting is softer for the outdoor canal photos.
If you plan to take photos inside the Venetian, you may want to stop by at night after the shops close. Although I haven’t visited during this time of day, a Venetian staff member informed me that the Grand Canal Shoppes area empties between 9-11 p.m.
Venetian Gondola Ride
Taking a gondola ride at the Venetian is considered one of the most romantic activities in Las Vegas. Moreover, it’s a wonderful opportunity for a fun Vegas photoshoot! There are both indoor and outdoor gondola rides, and each offers a slightly different experience.
The upside of choosing an indoor gondola ride is that the weather will always be ideal inside! For example, Las Vegas can be pretty windy. Plus, there are more bridges and canals in the indoor section.
Nonetheless, the outdoor gondola ride has the advantage of beautiful lighting at sunset! Both experiences feature live Italian music and last approximately 10-15 minutes. It is a requirement to wear a seatbelt while on the gondola.
Be aware that you have to purchase tickets for the gondola ride at the Venetian in-person at Emporio D’Gondola or one of the ticket booths. Prices start at $39.00 per person. Although this activity is a little pricey, I think it’s something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime! Photo tip: if you want to take a photo similar to mine, you’ll need to have your photographer sit on the opposite side of the gondola.
Read More: The Perfect Weekend in Las Vegas Itinerary
The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan
The Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan is undoubtedly one of the most visually appealing bars in Vegas! Additionally, it’s an ideal spot for drinks on a girls trip to Vegas. To arrive at the Chandelier, we entered Boulevard Tower from the bridge over Harmon Avenue. You can see the crystals hanging all around the Chandelier almost immediately once you walk into the building.
As far as photo ops at this place, we took the first picture shown above outside the bar near the top of the Chandelier entrance. However, we requested to sit in level 1.5, where I took the second photo. I liked being in this more secluded area, where we weren’t so surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the shopping mall!
Besides the stunning crystal decor, another highlight of this lounge is the delicious hand-crafted cocktails. I chose one of the signature drinks: the “We’re All Mad Here.” This Alice in Wonderland-inspired cocktail is gin-based and actually changes from blue to purple when you mix all of its components. Furthermore, it includes an edible tag that will make your tongue tingle!
Note that each floor of the Chandelier offers a unique selection of cocktails. So, for the full experience, you’ll want to try a different level each time you come! The drinks are well worth the price (approximately $15-20). One of my best tips is to request the secret cocktail on floor 1.5, called the “Verbena.”
The Atrium at the Wynn
The Wynn is home to one of the prettiest lobbies in Las Vegas, making it a top Instagram spot in this destination. As soon as you enter the hotel, you’re greeted with an explosion of color and floral decorations. This whole ambiance is thanks to talented event designer, Preston Bailey, who designed incredible floral installations for the property.
You can find his hot air balloon creation by the Wynn main gate as well as the blossoming carousel towards the south gate. As you make your way through the hotel, I also recommend stopping by Parasol Up and Parasol Down! These vibrant sister lounges are another wonderful place to take a picture in Las Vegas.
The best time to take photos at this Vegas Instagram spot is when the lobby isn’t busy. With this in mind, I would suggest popping in early in the morning. As you can imagine, the Wynn Atrium is a popular place for foot traffic!
So, the morning is the easiest time to have a photoshoot without capturing other guests in the background of your pictures. I also recommend wearing bright colors and avoiding wearing green as you’ll blend in with the surroundings!
The Tea Lounge at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Did you know that you can have a British afternoon tea while checking out awesome views of Vegas? Neither did I until this last trip! The Tea Lounge, located on the 23rd floor at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, is definitely an activity to add to your bucket list.
Enjoy delicious miniature sandwiches, desserts, and freshly-baked scones as well as warm loose leaf tea. In fact, this lounge offers a huge tea selection, including black, green, oolong, artisan blend, and herbal teas. One of the most popular choices is the Mad Hatters Tea Party artisan blend tea, which combines Ceylon with passionfruit, pomegranate, and vanilla.
You can read the full Tea Lounge menu here. My husband and I each enjoyed the set afternoon tea menu, which left us both satisfied. Moreover, the pots of tea we each received were larger than we expected (to our delight!).
Since afternoon tea is so popular, be sure to make a reservation in advance via OpenTable or the Waldorf Astoria website. Currently, the Tea Lounge is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with seatings from 11:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. If you’d like to take your tea time to the next level, you can also add enhancements such as Sparkling Wine or bottomless mimosas. Are you traveling with kids? Don’t worry, the Tea Lounge has a children’s tea menu too!
Seven Magic Mountains
It’s easy to see why Seven Magic Mountains is one of the most instagrammable places in Las Vegas! This famous art installation in the middle of the desert was created by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone in 2016. It features seven painted totems made out of colorful boulders.
Although the installation was originally set to be on view for two years, its momentous popularity led to an extension. Seven Magic Mountains is approximately 20 miles from the Vegas Strip, meaning you’ll either need to rent a car or take Uber or Lyft to visit. Additionally, entrance to this exhibit and parking are free.
Note that there is no option for public transportation between Las Vegas and Seven Magic Mountains. Personally, I’d suggest renting a car for the day and making the most of it by visiting other attractions outside of the city.
For example, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a can’t-miss scenic spot in Nevada’s Mojave Desert. You could also head to Valley of Fire State Park! Although this park is in the opposite direction of Seven Magic Mountains, it’s still just over an hour’s drive.
Depending on where you’re staying in Vegas and the rideshare prices, renting a car may even be the cheaper option. Taking Uber or Lyft from the Vegas Strip to Seven Magic Mountains can cost anywhere between $30-50 each way. Nonetheless, if you don’t have much time, ridesharing is the quickest choice.
Photography tip: As with other Vegas Instagram spots in this article, the best time to take pictures at Seven Magic Mountains is early in the morning. We arrived at about 8:30 in the morning on a Saturday and were happy to see that there were only maybe 15 other people. The time of day made it simple to capture images without tons of other visitors in the background. Plus, the lighting was less harsh than later in the day. So, my photos weren’t too bright and didn’t include too many pesky shadows.
The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to preserving vintage neon signs. As you can imagine, Las Vegas has plenty of these amazing pieces of art! The museum is approximately a 10 minutes drive from the Strip and offers both tours and general admission tickets.
With a regular ticket (price between $16-20), you can peruse the Boneyard at your own pace during your time slot. If I were to visit again, I think I would opt for the evening tickets to see The Brilliant! Experience. If you visit during the day, you miss seeing the neon signs light up in their full splendor.
Moreover, it’s important to mention that the Neon Museum does not allow cameras or video or audio recording. However, you can take photos on your phone! Large bags and backpacks are also not permitted and have to be left at security.
After visiting the Neon Museum, you may also want to check out more of the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) while you’re in the area. Fremont Street is actually the second most famous road in the city after the Vegas Strip. Historically, this street has been home to many well-known casinos.
Tourists visit this district for the full Fremont Street Experience, including casinos, clubs, rooftop bars, and even a zipline! If you’re traveling with kids, you may want to pass by the neighboring DISCOVERY Children’s Museum at Symphony Park.
Black Tap Restaurant
Black Tap, located inside of the Venetian, is a trendy burger joint with one-of-a-kind milkshakes. For example, you’ll find gourmet burgers like The Truffle Burger, The Bison Burger, The Mulberry Street Burger, and more! Black Tap Las Vegas also features a CrazyShake® bar, where you can order one of their famous gargantuan milkshakes.
I ordered the Brooklyn Blackout, which is a chocolate shake with a chocolate-chip frosted rim topped with brownies, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle. While the food may be a little pricey, the portion sizes and overall quality make up for it! You can check out the full Black Tap menu here.
The reason I’ve listed Black Tap as a top photo spot in Las Vegas is that people love to take photos with their Crazyshakes. I mean, who wouldn’t? They’re very instagrammable. If you plan to snap some pictures at Black Tap, I would suggest asking to sit on the patio. From this outdoor area, you’ll have an awesome view of the Venetian’s famous canals.
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Portia Olaughlin
Monday 12th of July 2021
Loved this post, glad I found it! These spots are exactly what I'm looking for during my upcoming trip. I'm definitely looking forward to tea time. Thanks!
patience
Thursday 27th of January 2022
@Portia Olaughlin, i like these places im in vegas in 2 week so i will definitly go there .but the waldorf look like it's so expensive to go there.