Are you planning to travel to Vegas for a weekend soon? Well then, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re sharing the perfect weekend in Las Vegas itinerary. This article will walk you through the ideal things to do in Vegas during the morning, afternoon, and evening over the course of three days.
We’ll cover brunch spots, other exciting places to eat, and attractions you won’t want to miss on your trip. However, please feel free to pick and choose your favorite items listed here if you don’t have time for everything on your trip!
That’s the great thing about this itinerary–we’ve covered the best of everything in Vegas. So, you can mix and match fun activities until you’ve created your personal Las Vegas bucket list. Without further ado, let’s get started! Here’s how to spend an action-packed weekend in Vegas.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsored my trip to Las Vegas. Nonetheless, 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.
First day in Vegas
The view of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas from Bellagio Drive.
Morning
After checking into your hotel, let’s start our three days in Las Vegas with a yummy breakfast. Eggslut at The Cosmopolitan is my top choice for a quick and budget-friendly spot that will suit everyone’s palate. Especially on the weekends, you may have to wait in a line to be able to eat at Eggslut. However, we think it’s well worth the wait! Order the Fairfax Sandwich and pair it with freshly-squeezed orange juice–you won’t be disappointed. Other popular options for breakfast include HEXX Kitchen + Bar, Bouchon at the Venetian, and Hash House A Go Go at The LINQ.
Post breakfast, get a feel for Las Vegas by walking its most famous road: the Strip! One of the most exciting parts about visiting Vegas has to be the themed hotels, which are mainly concentrated in this area. For example, there are the Venetian, Caesars Palace, the Luxor, the Excalibur, and New York Hotel & Casino, just to name a few. Plus, you don’t have to be a guest at these hotels to explore the properties! In Vegas, you can “travel the world” by hopping hotels.
Just a quick note: Vegas is very flat; therefore, certain destinations may appear nearby but are actually quite far away. I recommend using Google Maps to chart out your morning walk and to estimate times. Sometimes, you may just want to grab a cab or an Uber/Lyft.
Another tip: most hotels have separate areas for taxi pick-up vs. ridesharing, so make sure you’re in the right place when you’re waiting for your car!
Early afternoon
During your Vegas weekend, you have to watch the Bellagio Fountain show at least once. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, it begins at noon and runs every 30 minutes until 8 PM. Then, at 8, the show runs every 15 minutes until midnight. The Bellagio Fountains reach amazing heights and are a fun experience for any age (not to mention, free!). Plus, this location is one of the best places to take pictures in Las Vegas! The Bellagio is relatively central on the Strip, so try to catch the fountain show once during the day and once at night to see the lights.
While you’re by the Bellagio, take the opportunity to walk inside and check out its Conservatory & Botanical Gardens! This 14,000-square-foot Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places in Las Vegas. Moreover, the display changes with the seasons, so you’ll get to see something new each time you visit. In fact, the property maintains a horticulture staff of 120 to keep the garden looking its finest! Therefore, it’s no wonder that visitors consistently rate the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens as one of the best things to do in Vegas.
Late afternoon
After your peaceful walk through the Bellagio, we recommend grabbing lunch before heading to The High Roller Observation Wheel at the Linq. Easy stops along your route include Mon Ami Gabi or Yard House. You could also go slightly out of your way to check out the popular Asian eatery Momofuku. Nonetheless, there are a variety of restaurants on the walk from the Bellagio to the High Roller. So, don’t feel like you have to plan out lunch in advance! There are even some fast-food restaurants if you’re visiting Vegas on a budget; for example, Istanbul Mediterranean or In-N-Out Burger.
The High Roller is currently the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, reaching 550 feet above the Vegas Strip. From this incredible height, even Caesars Palace (located across the street) starts to look small! Each cabin on the wheel can accommodate up to 40 guests. Plus, for visitors aged 21+, there’s also an option for a “Happy Hour,” which features an open bar during your 30-minute ride. You can click this link to book tickets for the High Roller.
Evening
For a classic Vegas night out on the town, make sure to grab pre-dinner drinks at The Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan. This visually pleasing bar is surrounded by thousands of crystals, making you feel like you’re having drinks inside an actual chandelier. Besides being a perfect spot to take an Instagram photo, this bar is also known for its delicious craft cocktails. For example, the Verbena is a favorite among guests. If you’d like to continue exploring the Strip, take a quick taxi ride to the Wynn. Here, you’ll find the charming sister bars of Parasol Up and Parasol Down–another beautiful place for cocktails.
While you’re at the Wynn, take a walk through the lobby and atrium, where you can see some of Preston Bailey’s famous floral installations. Looking to do a little shopping on your trip? Head over to the Wynn & Encore Esplanades and the Wynn Plaza Shoppes, where you’ll find some of the best luxury shopping in Vegas. Note that most stores close at 7 p.m., so you’ll have to make your purchases before dinner.
Speaking of dinner, make a late reservation for Lakeside, Wynn’s award-winning seafood restaurant. If you’re wondering what to order, you can’t go wrong with the Hawaiian Mahi Mahi, Snapper, or Swordfish–all of which are flown in from Hana. Apart from incredible fresh seafood, Lakeside also offers a direct view of the Lake of Dreams multimedia show. As far as which drink to choose at this locale, we suggest the Lakeside Smash–a guest favorite. This specialty cocktail includes Maker’s Mark 46 Bourbon, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, housemade hibiscus grenadine, watermelon and lemon juices, and mint.
Pro tip: when making a reservation, request an outdoor table with an unhindered view of the lake!
Second day in Vegas
The painted totems at Seven Magic Mountains.
You may want to consider using your second day in Vegas as an opportunity to take a day trip or check out the area surrounding Vegas. If you enjoy art, spend the morning visiting the Seven Magic Mountains exhibit. If you’d like to spend time outside of the city exploring nature, don’t miss the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. This incredible park is only about 30 minutes from the Strip! Another popular option is Valley of Fire State Park, which is approximately an hour’s drive from downtown Las Vegas. For a quick and easy road trip from Vegas, many people choose to take a thirty-minute drive to the impressive Hoover Dam.
As far as outdoor adventures, there are also multiple national parks within driving distance from Vegas. For example, it takes two hours to reach Death Valley National Park or two and a half hours to reach Zion National Park. Additionally, many visitors like to squeeze in day trips to the Grand Canyon while in the area. Just be aware that this tour takes a full day, so you may prefer to wait until you have more than just a weekend in Vegas! For those who would prefer to stay in downtown Las Vegas for their second day, the itinerary continues below:
Morning
For your second morning in Las Vegas, we’ll stick to a light breakfast since we’ll be having afternoon tea time with pastries, sandwiches, and more later in the day. We suggest grabbing something small from Bouchon Bakery in the Venetian or splitting an entree at Tableau at the Wynn. Trust me when I say you’ll want to save room for the full afternoon tea time spread.
If you’re traveling with kids, we’ve got the perfect option for you! Start your second day in Vegas off with a visit to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. This public aquarium opens at 10 AM, so it’s always a good idea to visit early and beat the crowds. Here, you’ll find one of the largest main tanks in the world (1.3 million U.S. gallons) as well as a shark tunnel, rays, endangered green sea turtles, a komodo dragon, and more! Shark Reef is extremely popular, so make sure to secure tickets online in advance. Walking through all of the exhibits should take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour.
For couples, one of the best ways to begin your second day in Las Vegas is with a spa treatment. We recommend either the Waldorf Astoria Spa Las Vegas, the Qua Baths and Spa at Caesars, or the Spa at Aria. If you want to make things easy, book a treatment at the Waldorf Astoria since your next activity is also at this property! However, many visitors choose the Qua Baths for the unique experience of the Roman baths. Make a reservation here for the Qua Baths, here for the Spa at Aria, or call 1-702-590-8886 for the Spa at the Waldorf Astoria.
Early afternoon
The afternoon tea time spread at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.
One of my best Las Vegas travel tips is to reserve a spot for afternoon tea at the Waldorf Astoria. There are three rounds of tea seatings, beginning at 11:45 AM and ending at 4:15 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so you’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time (you can do so here!). The best part about the Tea Lounge is that it’s located on the 23rd floor; therefore, you’ll enjoy an amazing view of the Las Vegas strip while having your tea. Moreover, the Tea Lounge is kid-friendly and offers an option for children’s tea. You can view the full menu here.
Pro tip: call ahead of time and see if you can request one of the three tables directly in front of the window.
If high tea isn’t really your vibe and you’re looking to experience the party scene, spend the afternoon at a day club (also called beach clubs). Many of these venues open as early as 11 AM! Essentially, day clubs are an upgraded way to visit hotel pools in Vegas. They involve cocktails, sunny weather, pool parties, and DJs spinning upbeat tracks. Some of the most popular day clubs in Las Vegas are Wet Republic at the MGM Grand, Encore Beach Club at the Wynn, Marquee Day Club at The Cosmopolitan, and Drai’s at The Cromwell.
Late afternoon
After eating your fill of scones and pastries–or maybe hanging by the pool–take a short taxi ride to the Neon Museum. This attraction is undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in Vegas! Why? Well, you can see all sorts of vintage neon signs from old casinos and other businesses in the Neon Museum’s Boneyard. For example, check out The Hard Rock Café guitar, Binion’s Horseshoe H-Wall, the Chief Hotel Court sign, and more! Some signs even date back to the 1940s. For this reason, the Neon Museum is considered meaningful to both Las Vegas’ history and culture (art).
There are three different tickets to the Neon Museum: general admission, guided tours, and the Brilliant! light show. General Admission runs from 3-6 PM and involves a self-guided tour of the Boneyard. If you’d like to know more about the history of the sign, I recommend booking a 45-minute guided tour. These tours are available from 7-10 PM, and children under the age of six enter free. If you visit the Neon Museum at night, you can see all of the lights come alive! The Brilliant! light show runs for 25 minutes and has start times between 8-10:30 PM. You can learn more about the Neon Museum here. Note that tickets are limited, and they go on sale approximately one month in advance.
Evening
From the Neon Museum, head to the Mob Museum and then spend at least one evening exploring Fremont Street. Depending on your interest in the mob, allot a minimum of an hour for the museum–you’ll need 2-3 hours if you’d like to see this attraction in its entirety. It features three floors filled with mob memorabilia and history as well as interactive activities. Some of the biggest draws include the crime lab and the training simulator on the first floor. Additionally, the speakeasy in the basement is a big hit among visitors.
You can reserve tickets for the Mob Museum here. Tickets may seem a bit pricey–$30 for general admission–but we promise this museum is worth the money!
Pro tip: if you’re a Nevada local, the Mob Museum offers free admission on two days each year: Kefauver Day (November 15) and Valentine’s Day.
After the Mob Museum, take a short six-minute walk to The Fremont Street Experience. This large pedestrian mall takes up five blocks of the actual Fremont Street and contains many shops, casinos, and attractions. However, some of the most popular things to do/see in this area are the exciting SlotZilla zip line and the Viva Vision Light Show. Apart from the Strip, Fremont Street is the next most famous spot in Vegas! Another fun and affordable option is to take a walking tour of Fremont Street. For example, Las Vegas Walking Tours offers a Fremont After Dark (21+) Tour on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 7 PM.
Regarding where to grab dinner in this area, there are food options for every budget near Fremont Street! For example, you can have a fancy steak dinner at Hugo’s Cellar at the Four Queens Hotel-Casino. For a more affordable jaunt, drop by Project BBQ, Pizza Rock, or Nacho Daddy.
Last day in Vegas
The indoor gondola ride at the Venetian Resort.
Morning
For your last day itinerary, we’ll try to fit in as much as possible before you have to head home. If you’re willing to leave the Strip, you can plan to visit the most instagrammable cafés in Las Vegas for breakfast: Café Lola or MRS COCO (in Henderson). It should take about 20 minutes to reach the former or just over 30 minutes to reach the latter. Both of these pinks cafés are huge hits on social media! If you’d like to stay near your hotel, head to Mon Ami Gabi in Paris Las Vegas, Grand Lux Café in The Venetian, or Peppermill Las Vegas.
If you haven’t already taken the time to explore The Venetian, plan to do so after breakfast. This Italian-inspired themed hotel is a must-see spot! Peruse the Grand Canal Shops, where you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Europe. Especially if you’re traveling with your partner, we suggest booking either an indoor or outdoor gondola ride while here. In fact, the gondola rides at The Venetian are consistently ranked as the most romantic activity in Las Vegas!
This attraction tends to be busier in the evenings. Therefore, we recommend taking a gondola ride in the morning. Luckily, indoor gondola rides begin as early as 10 AM, and outdoor rides begin at 11 AM. You can read more about the gondola rides, times, and prices here.
Early afternoon
After your gondola ride, you may want to squeeze in more afternoon activities before pausing for lunch. Since I’m recommending Black Tap for lunch, your most convenient option is to stay near the Venetian. For this reason, we recommend buying tickets for the minus5º Ice Experience! Located on the second level of the Grand Canal Shoppes, this winter wonderland is a truly unique activity in Vegas.
Essentially, you’ll get to try awesome ice cocktails while interacting with gigantic ice sculptures! The venue provides you with gloves and a parka to keep you warm during the whole experience. If you’re traveling with kids, know that the minus5º Ice Experience is family-friendly. Children are welcome, and there are two different kids’ ice experiences available: the Kids Cool Experience and the Kids V-ICE-P Experience. Click here for more information on the minus5º Ice Experience at The Venetian.
If an ice bar doesn’t sound up your alley, Madame Tussauds is another popular attraction within walking distance. In fact, you’ll find it just under The Venetian’s bell tower. If you haven’t been to a wax museum before, know that the photo opportunities make it truly worth the visit! Whether you’re traveling with adults or kids, visitors of all ages enjoy seeing the lifelike “celebrities.” Depending on how often you stop to take photos, walking through this museum can take between 35-60 minutes. As with all Vegas attractions, we urge you to buy tickets ahead of time! You can do so here.
Late afternoon
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Black Tap for the best burgers in Las Vegas! This restaurant is trendy; so, it always helps to call ahead and make a reservation. If not, you may end up with quite the wait to be seated. Black Tap is famous not only for its mouthwatering burgers but also for its insta-worthy CrazyShakes! These one-of-a-kind milkshakes are gigantic, so make sure to split one with a friend. I recommend the Brooklyn Blackout if you’re a fan of chocolate. As far as the burgers, the Greg Norman is a popular choice–it’s also a 3x People’s Choice Award Winner from the NYC Wine & Food Festival’s “Burger Bash.”
After eating your fill of burgers and milkshakes, we’ll try to squeeze in one more activity before you grab your luggage and head home. The Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at Paris Las Vegas opens at 2 PM and is one of the best places for a 360° view of the Strip. If you haven’t had time yet to see the Bellagio Fountain Show, this is also an enjoyable opportunity to do so–from 46 stories above! Purchase tickets before your trip to ensure that you can visit on a particular day. Tickets are for any time on the day that you choose, so it is common to have to wait if you arrive during a busy time.
Evening
The famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” retro neon sign.
Unfortunately, your time in Vegas is coming to an end. Drop by your hotel to grab your belongings and grab a taxi or your rental car. As you leave this destination, we’re actually going to fit one more stop into the itinerary! In fact, the Welcome to Las Vegas sign is actually on your way to the airport. Although it may seem funny to go to the “welcome” sign at the end of your trip, it’s often the easiest way to do it! This iconic Vegas photo spot is right next to the airport, so why not snap a quick photo on your way out of town?
Just a heads up: you’ll most likely have to wait in line to take a picture at this location, so make sure you plan accordingly. We wouldn’t want you to run late for your flight back home! We hope you have a wonderful weekend in Las Vegas and that this itinerary helps to make it memorable.
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