Fabulous Las Vegas is a non-stop whirlwind of neon lights, statement resorts, flamboyant shows and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This isolated Nevada desert town is an unashamedly kitsch grown-up playground – but it has a few hidden depths, too.
When to go to Las Vegas
Las Vegas is worth a gamble at any time of year. It’s one of the world’s sunniest cities, so the odds are good that you’ll see clear blue skies on most days (if you’re awake during the day and venture outside of the window-less, clock-less casinos). Vegas has a dry desert climate: mild with cold nights in winter and hot, hot, hot in summer. Thanks to the air-con in pretty much every indoor space, there’s no bad time to visit.
If Vegas is your starting point for a USA road trip then be sure to check out the weather in the national parks that you plan to visit, too. Death Valley is the hottest place on earth and it can be scorching, while temperatures in Zion National Park can dip below freezing even when it’s warm in Vegas. Find your perfect Las Vegas vacation weather on the Vacay Weather app.
Spring in Las Vegas March to April is sunny and warm, reaching hot temperatures in May. March is spring break season so there’s even more of a party atmosphere, but April is one of the quieter months.
Summer in Las Vegas
June to August is seriously hot, with temperatures regularly soaring above 40 degrees. Naturally, pool parties reach their peak.
Autumn in Las Vegas
September to November is mild, with the nights starting to get cool. There are big displays and celebrations for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Winter in Las Vegas December to February has sunny and mild days followed by cold nights. Rain and snow are rare, even in winter. Christmas and New Year are particularly busy, as is Super Bowl weekend (a great time to spot A-list celebs). Outside of these times, there are some great deals to be found.
What to do in Las Vegas
There’s wild and wacky if you want it, but Vegas also has charm, class and history – if you know where to look.
Hit The Strip
The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) is a four-mile road at the centre of the city. The architecture along The Strip ranges from gaudy to ground-breaking – hotels are attractions in their own right, jam-packed with over-the-top casinos, glitzy malls and a full spectrum of bars and restaurants. It’s a world in miniature; you can dine at the top of the Eiffel Tower, see a light show at Egypt’s Pyramid, take a gondola cruise in Venice and ride a rollercoaster at the Empire State Building. If that all seems a bit bonkers, check out the fairy-tale flower displays at The Wynn and Bellagio, dine at Michelin-star restaurants and watch the blazing Nevada sunsets.
Head Downtown
Downtown is all about old-school Vegas charm; think classic American dive bars, lounge bars where Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr used to hang out, and characterful pre-Strip hotels. Fremont Street is a big part of the Vegas experience – it’s a pedestrianised promenade where local singers play cool covers, street performers conjure up tricks and a huge LED canopy blasts out music videos overhead.
Visit curious museums
You won’t be surprised to hear that the museums in Vegas aren’t exactly bog-standard. The super-cool Neon Museum can be found in an old boneyard and pays homage to the city’s neon signs throughout the years. Discover the Vegas of old with a throwback to the days of Liberace, the Rat Pack and the Atomic Bomb. If organised crime is more your scene, the Mob Museum (officially the National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement) houses FBI equipment and mob-related artefacts in a grand federal courthouse where mobsters once sat for federal hearings.
Take a helicopter ride
For the best views, jump on board a helicopter. There are lots of different trips on offer – fly over The Strip on a 10-minute journey, or take a longer helicopter adventure out to the Grand Canyon, where you’ll fly over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before landing inside the canyon.
Where to stay in Las Vegas
There are hundreds of hotels, motels and apartments to choose from on a Vegas vacay. It’s best to stay on The Strip so that you can walk to most of the attractions. Bear in mind that hotels are cheaper mid-week. From sleek retreats to classic icons, here’s our team’s pick of the best luxury Las Vegas hotels.
Bellagio
For the classic all-out Las Vegas experience, stay at its most famous hotel: the Italian-inspired Bellagio. Rooms are a little dated, but you won’t find better fountain views.
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas
The Wynn’s younger sister is a sleek and stylish all-suite hotel. Even from the outside it screams high-end design and its casino is one of the most upmarket that you’ll find in Vegas. It’s Wynn-win with a stay here.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Popular for girly holidays and hen parties, The Cosmopolitan has giant lavish chandeliers, playful modern art and top-end bars that range from opulent speakeasies to day-to-night clubs.
Caesars Palace
Caesars is bang in the centre of the Las Vegas action. Its Greco-Roman statues and huge pillars are ridiculously over the top and yet somehow it feels like a classic landmark.
Vdara Hotel & Spa
The Vdara is one of the most tasteful hotels on The Strip – there’s no smoking and, astonishingly, no casino. All rooms have incredible views of the fountains or the Nevada mountains. Our founder Sara stayed here and rates it as one of her top hotel stays ever!
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