Las Vegas rose from a railroad stop in 1905 to a global entertainment capital after Nevada legalized gaming in 1931. The postwar neon boom and the megaresort era of the 1990s shaped today’s skyline—part fantasy, part theater, and entirely unforgettable.

Fun fact: most of “The Strip” sits outside the City of Las Vegas in an area called Paradise. With more than 150,000 hotel rooms, world-class restaurants, and blockbuster shows, you could spend a week on one boulevard and still be surprised every night.

Practical notes: the Mojave Desert climate means dry heat in summer and crisp evenings in winter—hydrate, wear sunscreen, and bring comfortable shoes. Expect nightly resort fees at many hotels, ride-hailing is plentiful, and taxis from the airport use flat-rate zones to the Strip. Shows book up; reserve in advance.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is equal parts spectacle and story. Beyond the glittering marquees are chefs elevating Strip dining, artists revitalizing Downtown, and hiking trails 30 minutes from baccarat tables. This itinerary blends the can’t-miss icons with locals’ favorites.

Top sights include the Bellagio Conservatory, the Fountains of Bellagio, the High Roller, the Neon Museum, and the immersive Sphere Experience. For flavor, venture to Spring Mountain Road (Vegas “Chinatown”) for sake bars and charcoal-grilled skewers at late-night izakayas.

• Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO): Browse hotel deals for Las Vegas or compare condo-style stays on VRBO.
• Specific hotel picks (affiliate): For all-suite elegance and canal-side ambiance, consider The Venetian Resort. For a value-center Strip base with the High Roller next door, try The LINQ Hotel + Experience. Traveling with kids? The Adventuredome and budget-friendly rooms make Circus Circus Hotel & Casino convenient. Love a tropical pool scene and easy arena access? Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino delivers.
• How to get here: Search flights to LAS on Trip.com or compare on Kiwi.com. From West Coast hubs, nonstop flights are ~1–2 hours; from NYC/Chicago, ~4–5 hours. Roundtrip fares often run $120–$350, higher on weekends and holidays.

Coffee and bites to bookmark: PublicUs (Downtown) for artisan pastries; Vesta Coffee Roasters (Arts District) for single-origin pours; Peppermill for a classic Vegas coffee shop vibe and big breakfasts; Eggslut (The Cosmopolitan) for brioche-encased egg sandwiches; Tacos El Gordo for Baja-style adobada sliced off the trompo.

Show and museum highlights: Cirque du Soleil’s “O” (Bellagio), “KA” (MGM Grand), “Michael Jackson ONE” (Mandalay Bay), “Mystère” (TI), the irreverent “Absinthe” at Caesars, the Mob Museum, Neon Museum, and the Sphere Experience (Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard from Earth”).

Day 1: Arrival, The Strip’s First Glow

Morning: Fly into Harry Reid International (LAS). Check flight deals on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxis have flat-rate zones to the Strip (roughly $19–$27 depending on zone); ride-hailing is similarly priced off-peak.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel. Grab a late lunch: Secret Pizza’s no-sign slice joint inside The Cosmopolitan, or Din Tai Fung at ARIA for soup dumplings and garlic green beans. Stroll the Bellagio Conservatory’s seasonal floral displays, then peek at the world-class art in the Bellagio Gallery.

Evening: Catch the Fountains of Bellagio (shows every 15–30 minutes), then dinner at Lago by Julian Serrano for fountain-view small plates, or head to Lotus of Siam (book ahead) for northern Thai khao soi and crispy garlic prawns. Nightcap at SkyBar (Waldorf Astoria) with panoramic Strip views or The Chandelier at The Cosmopolitan for a sparkling, three-level cocktail temple.

Day 2: South Strip Classics and a Cirque Night

Morning: Breakfast at Peppermill—go for the gaudy neon, bottomless coffee, and the fruit plate that’s a local legend. Walk to Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium to see Komodo dragons and a shipwreck tunnel (plan ~60–90 minutes).

Afternoon: Wander north along themed resorts: Luxor’s pyramid and sphinx, New York-New York’s Brooklyn Bridge and Big Apple Coaster, then Eataly at Park MGM for a prosciutto-and-burrata board or a wood-fired margherita. If it’s pool season, spend a couple hours at Mandalay Bay Beach’s wave pool and lazy river.

Evening: Choose a show: “Michael Jackson ONE” (high-energy acrobatics set to MJ) or “KA” (aerial stagecraft with martial-arts choreography). Pre-theater dinner at Best Friend (Park MGM)—Roy Choi’s Korean-American menu shines with short rib and kimchi fried rice. Post-show, ascend to Skyfall Lounge (Delano) for sunset-to-starlight views south over the Strip.

Day 3: Downtown, Mob Stories, and Neon Nights

Morning: Coffee at PublicUs—try the honey-lavender latte and kouign-amann. Tour the Mob Museum to trace how organized crime shaped Vegas; the speakeasy-style Distillery Bar in the basement offers Prohibition-era cocktails (open later morning/early afternoon).

Afternoon: Lunch at Le Thai for spicy waterfall beef or pad see ew. Visit the Neon Museum’s outdoor “Boneyard” to admire restored signs from defunct casinos—go by day for details or at dusk when select signs glow. Swing through the 18b Arts District: browse Antique Alley and pop into local breweries like Able Baker and Nevada Brew Works.

Evening: Dinner at Esther’s Kitchen (Arts District)—house-made pastas, seasonal vegetables, and famous sourdough with cultured butter. Head to Fremont Street Experience for the LED canopy show, buskers, and vintage casinos. For cocktails, the reservation-only Laundry Room inside Commonwealth mixes meticulous classics; otherwise, the rooftop bar offers great people-watching. Cap the night with skyline views at Legacy Club atop Circa.

Day 4: Red Rock Canyon and Spring Mountain Dining

Morning: Pick up a rental car or rideshare to Red Rock Canyon (about 25–35 minutes from the Strip). Drive the 13-mile Scenic Loop (vehicle fee ~$20) and hike Calico Tanks (2.2 miles roundtrip, light scrambling) for views of the Strip framed by sandstone.

Afternoon: Stop by Downtown Summerlin for a casual lunch at Mizumi Ramen & Poke or JING’s lunch specials, then return to the Strip for spa time or a pool break. If you prefer a culture stop, the Springs Preserve offers desert botany, trails, and the Nevada State Museum.

Evening: Explore Spring Mountain Road (Vegas “Chinatown”) for dinner at Raku—order the foie gras egg custard, Kurobuta pork cheek, and house-made tofu—or try Sparrow + Wolf for modern American with global twists. After, duck into The Golden Tiki for kitsch, rum-forward cocktails, and a playlist that leans surf and exotica.

Day 5: Dayclub Vibes, The Sphere, and Gondolas

Morning: Coffee at Urth Caffé (Wynn Plaza) for matcha lattes and flaky croissants. If you’re feeling festive, reserve a cabana at Encore Beach Club (seasonal) for DJ-driven daytime fun; a more relaxed option is Circa’s Stadium Swim downtown with giant screens and tiered pools.

Afternoon: Refuel at Tacos El Gordo (order the adobada with pineapple and a side of guacamole). Experience the Sphere—either the immersive “Postcard from Earth” film or check the calendar for concerts and productions. Budget 90–120 minutes; tickets typically range from ~$79–$179.

Evening: Stroll the Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes and take a gondola ride (indoor or outdoor). Dinner at Bouchon for bistro classics like roast chicken and steak frites, or Yardbird for fried chicken with honey hot sauce and cheddar waffles. Late-night cocktails at The Dorsey (Wynn) or subterranean mezcal at Ghost Donkey inside The Cosmopolitan.

Day 6: AREA15, Museums, and a Steakhouse Finish

Morning: Start with a pour-over at Vesta Coffee Roasters (Arts District). Head to AREA15 for interactive art—Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart is a surreal “supermarket” with portal-laden backrooms; other attractions include Wink World’s neon infinity rooms. Book time slots in advance, especially on weekends.

Afternoon: Grab lunch at The Beast by Todd English inside AREA15—think brisket burgers and shareable wood-fired plates. If you have a sweet tooth, detour to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson, then stroll the cactus garden. Otherwise, return to the Strip for retail at the Forum Shops or a quiet hour at the Wynn Atrium.

Evening: Splurge dinner at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés (Sahara) for inventive cuts—try the cotton candy foie gras, jamón ibérico tastings, and ribeye flight. Prefer Japanese fine dining? Mizumi (Wynn) pairs pristine sushi with garden views. Finish with a nighttime spin on the High Roller; sunset and after-dark tickets run a bit higher but the sea of lights is worth it.

Day 7: Hoover Dam, a Grand Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Drive or rideshare ~45 minutes to Hoover Dam. Walk the top of the dam, then step onto the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for sweeping views (parking at the bridge lot is convenient). Guided dam tours typically cost ~$30–$45; allow 2–3 hours.

Afternoon: Return for a celebratory buffet: Bacchanal Buffet (Caesars) is the city’s blockbuster with everything from king crab to Roman-style pizza; Wynn’s buffet excels at seafood towers and made-to-order pastas. Pack, check out, and grab last-minute souvenirs.

Evening: If your flight is later, squeeze in one last spectacle—“Mystère” at Treasure Island or the cheeky “Absinthe” near Caesars. Otherwise, head to the airport; compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Leave a little time—security lines can swell before evening departures.

Extra tips: The Las Vegas Monorail runs behind the east side of the Strip with passes that can save you steps; the Deuce bus connects the Strip and Downtown 24/7. Show tickets, top restaurants, and dayclubs are busiest Thu–Sun—book early. If you’re visiting in summer, plan outdoor hikes before 10 a.m. and carry more water than you think you’ll need.

Seven days in Las Vegas lets you taste it all: the glitter of the Strip, the grit and creativity of Downtown, and the quiet of the desert just beyond. With smart planning, this itinerary balances late nights with restorative mornings—and a few jaw-dropping views you’ll remember long after the neon fades.