The Sierra Nevada and the surrounding desert Southwest have lured explorers for centuries—Hualapai lands at Grand Canyon West, ancient petroglyphs in Valley of Fire, and sandstone cathedrals in Zion and Bryce. Today, the smartest springboard is Las Vegas: world-class hotels, easy flights, and a web of expertly run day tours that reach the region’s most photogenic parks without the packing and unpacking.

This 7-day itinerary keeps you in one comfortable base while whisking you to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, Hoover Dam, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Antelope Canyon’s glowing slot walls. Between expeditions, savor the city’s coffee culture, chef-driven restaurants, and neon-soaked evenings—then rest well before the next sunrise.

Practical notes: desert heat can be extreme May–September—bring sun protection and refillable bottles; many tours include water and coolers. Antelope Canyon requires guided access (your tour handles this), and the Skywalk prohibits personal items on the glass (free lockers provided). Book marquee experiences a few weeks ahead for prime times.

Las Vegas

Beyond the Strip’s spectacle, Las Vegas is an unbeatable hub for the Sierra Nevada–adjacent parks and the Colorado Plateau. Mornings can start with award-winning coffee in the Arts District; afternoons might mean the Mob Museum or a pool cabana; nights glow from Fremont Street to the High Roller’s 550-foot views.

Top sights and neighborhood flavor:

• Downtown & Arts District: murals, indie galleries, breweries; close to Fremont Street’s vintage neon energy.
• The Strip: iconic resorts (Bellagio Conservatory, Fountains, Venetian canals), fine dining, and showstoppers.
• Nature within reach: Hoover Dam (45 minutes), Valley of Fire (1 hour), Zion (2.5 hours), Bryce (4 hours), Grand Canyon West (2.5 hours), Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend (4.5–5 hours).

Where to eat and drink (local-loved specifics):

• Breakfast/Coffee: Vesta Coffee Roasters (house-roasted pours, tahini banana toast), PublicUs (artisan pastries, seasonal toasts), Mothership at Ferguson’s (single-origin espresso, plant-forward bites).
• Lunch: Esther’s Kitchen (Arts District pasta made with desert sourdough; save room for the bread program), ShangHai Plaza food court (hand-pulled noodles, boba, izakaya plates), SoulBelly BBQ (Central Texas–style brisket in a lively smokehouse).
• Dinner: Lotus of Siam (Northern Thai—khao soi, crispy rice nam khao), Sparrow + Wolf (global wood-fired plates), Best Friend by Roy Choi at Park MGM (Korean-Mexican party vibes), Peppermill (retro lounge, late-night prime rib).
• Cocktails: The Chandelier at The Cosmopolitan (three-level crystal cocoon), Velveteen Rabbit (seasonal craft cocktails, local art), Downtown speakeasies and brewery taps along Main Street.

Where to stay: Choose the vibe you want—The Venetian/Palazzo for spacious suites, The Cosmopolitan for terrace views, Park MGM (smoke-free), Resorts World for new rooms and a stellar food hall, or Downtown’s Circa for adults-only pools and vintage Vegas proximity. Compare options on Hotels.com or browse condos and villas on VRBO.

How to get there: Fly into LAS (Harry Reid International). Check fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: LAX 1h10; SFO 1h35; NYC 5h15; Chicago 3h45; many late-night options keep prices competitive.

Top bookable experiences (easy hotel pickup):

• Las Vegas Helicopter Night Strip Flight Tour with Optional Dinner

  

• Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus

  

• Meow Wolf's Omega Mart at AREA15

  

Day 1: Arrival, Arts District bites, and a sky-high first look

Afternoon: Land at LAS and check in. Shake off the flight with espresso at Vesta Coffee Roasters or PublicUs. Stroll the Arts District’s murals on Main Street; pop into local breweries (Able Baker, Nevada Brew Works) if you fancy a flight.

Evening: Dinner in the Arts District—Esther’s Kitchen for handmade pastas (try the cacio e pepe or seasonal pappardelle) or Sparrow + Wolf for wood-fired small plates. Then rise above it all on the 550-foot wheel:

High Roller Wheel Admission Ticket at The LINQ

Night: If energy allows, walk The LINQ Promenade for gelato and buskers, or head Downtown for Fremont Street’s canopy light show and vintage neon.

Day 2: Grand Canyon West Rim and Hoover Dam (full-day tour)

Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam Stop, Breakfast, Lunch & Skywalk

Leave in the morning by luxury coach (about 2.5 hours to Grand Canyon West on Hualapai land). Enjoy panoramic windows, a narrated drive over the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Bridge, and stops at Eagle Point and Guano Point. The glass-bottom Skywalk peers 4,000 feet down—lockers provided for personal items; professional photos available. Expect to return early evening.

Dinner back in town: Lotus of Siam (reserve ahead) or Best Friend for a fun, high-energy feast. Nightcap at The Chandelier.

Day 3: Valley of Fire, pool time, and a Strip helicopter

Morning: Head for Nevada’s oldest state park (about 60 minutes from the Strip) on a small-group outing that hits fire-red Aztec sandstone, petroglyphs, and the famous Fire Wave.

Small Group Max 12: Valley of Fire Half Day Tour from Las Vegas

Afternoon: Refuel at SoulBelly BBQ or hit ShangHai Plaza for hand-pulled noodles and tea. Cool off with a pool session or visit the Neon Museum/Mob Museum for a dose of local history.

Evening: Soar over the Strip’s icons—Bellagio Fountains, Sphere, Eiffel Tower replica—on a 10–12 minute flight (hotel transfers available):

Las Vegas Helicopter Night Strip Flight Tour with Optional Dinner

Pre- or post-flight eats: Momofuku (pork belly buns, ssam) at The Cosmopolitan or Sparrow + Wolf off-Strip. Late-night slice at Secret Pizza if the cravings strike.

Day 4: Hoover Dam engineering + Emerald Cave kayaking + immersive art

Morning: Dive into 1930s megaproject history with a quick, award-winning guided run that includes Boulder City, Lake Mead overlooks, and the dam’s best viewpoints (about 3 hours door-to-door).

Award Winning 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour from Vegas

Afternoon: Swap concrete for emerald water on the Colorado River near Black Canyon. The guide-led paddle to the glowing Emerald Cave is beginner-friendly and stunning in midday light.

Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup

Evening: Step into an art-sci fever dream at AREA15’s anchor experience, an interactive “supermarket” that rewards curiosity and hidden doors.

Meow Wolf's Omega Mart at AREA15

Dinner nearby: hit Resorts World’s Famous Foods Street Eats for hawker-style options (Hainanese chicken rice, satay, ramen) or the retro Peppermill Lounge for towering sundaes and booths.

Day 5: Zion and Bryce Canyon in one unforgettable day (full-day tour)

Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks from Las Vegas with Lunch, WiFi

Morning pickup takes you 2.5 hours to Zion’s sandstone cliffs and checkerboard mesas, then on to Bryce’s hoodoo amphitheaters—some of the most surreal geology in the American West. Expect curated viewpoints and short walks, narration, and a picnic or cafe lunch. Return late evening; grab an easy bite at ShangHai Plaza or In-N-Out near your hotel if you arrive hungry.

Day 6: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (full-day tour)

Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend from Vegas, Lunch, Free WiFi

Photographers, this is your day. Guided access to Antelope Canyon means timed entry, Navajo-led interpretation, and tips for catching those silky beams and curves. Pair it with the sweeping overlook of Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. It’s a long but rewarding day (about 4.5–5 hours each way with scenic stops). Back in Vegas, celebrate with late-night tacos at Tacos El Gordo or a quiet glass of wine at Ada’s Wine Bar.

Day 7: Optional adrenaline, brunch, and departure

Morning: Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely coffee, or go big with an off-road blast through historic mining country on private trails—hotel transfers and safety gear make it easy.

Off Road UTV Adrenaline Experience in Las Vegas

Afternoon: Brunch before you go: Bouchon Bistro (classic French), Sadelle’s at Bellagio (bagels, bright salads, fountain views), or the Peppermill (over-the-top portions, vintage neon). Depart mid-afternoon with a camera roll full of canyons, dams, and desert sunsets.

Evening (if you fly late): One last pass down the Strip on an open-top bus—easy, breezy, and photogenic: Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus

Getting around and timing:

• Hotel pickups on the listed tours keep logistics simple—expect departures between 6:00–7:30 AM for the long park days.
• Self-drive alternatives: Hoover Dam (45 minutes), Valley of Fire (1 hour), Red Rock Canyon (25 minutes). If you drive, carry extra water and check park conditions.
• Flights: Compare on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com—midweek departures and late-night returns often price best.
• Hotels: Check availability and deals over your dates on Hotels.com or browse whole-home stays on VRBO.

In one week, you’ll have traced a breathtaking arc from neon nights to cathedral canyons—Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and beyond—without ever repacking your suitcase. Las Vegas is the perfect Sierra Nevada–gateway hub: easy flights, effortless tours, and endless food and fun when you’re back from the trail.