Everyone knows the City of Lights, but ultimately, if you don’t play at the casino, what can you do in Las Vegas? Stop wondering if it’s worth staying a night in Las Vegas ! I assure you, it’s impossible to miss this city if you’re traveling to Nevada. Let’s get down to business: I’ll explain what to see and how to visit Las Vegas in 6 activities for a successful trip.
1 Visit Las Vegas at night: discover the Strip
At night, Vegas is completely transformed, but the heat remains scorching even without the sun. It’s as if all that asphalt stores the 50 degrees of the day like a big oven. You always have to look on the bright side, it allows you to dress lightly, to wear an eccentric dress or a Hawaiian shirt. And here, more than anywhere else, you can do anything . You’ll meet leopard women, princesses in tulle, and Elvises galore. Nuns with bare breasts and Satan’s assistants will satisfy your need for spanking. Or, you’ll go to that unusual restaurant where you walk around in hospital gowns with a nurse at your disposal. Las Vegas is a raw and unequivocal city where Man shamelessly displays his vices. It’s extremely disturbing, both derogatory and fascinating.
The Las Vegas Strip: The World’s Craziest Boulevard
And if you think you’re taking a visual break after wandering through your hotel casino, think again. Outside, you’re guaranteed retinal detachment! Styles blend and clash in a sort of endless battle. A roller coaster that passes between the towers of New York dominated by the Statue of Liberty, which seems to triumph over immense hotels with colored lasers. Further on, Paris rubs shoulders with ancient Egypt while the Bellagio fountains rival the gondolas in Venice . And everywhere, large billboards light up the streets and display the latest effigy of a trendy brand.
Things to do in Las Vegas:
2 See a show in Las Vegas: Cirque du Soleil
Las Vegas is already a non-stop show that we experience at night. Casinos open 24/7, entertainment around reproductions of famous monuments, a whole effervescence orchestrated in the middle of the Mojave Desert. So, of course, the real shows, the ones on stage, have to be exceptional. Cirque du Soleil offers entertainment for all audiences all year round in Las Vegas in various large hotels in the city center. It is worth noting that these luxurious establishments have a large dedicated concert hall .
The MGM Grand presents Ka , a grandiose production of sound and light, acrobatics and martial arts . You’re thinking, locking myself away in front of a music hall while Vegas shines brightly outside would be a waste of vacation time. Think again! Cirque du Soleil lives up to its name. The dancers and actors burn the boards and split the sky. An explosion of poetry in music and color. The acting is perfectly mastered and the choreography is perfectly timed. It almost seems as if the stage is flying away, taking us with it into this phantasmagorical universe . If you want dreams and glitter, go see the show Kà at the MGM Grand ! This is truly the most valuable advice I can offer you for visiting Las Vegas.
Practical tips for seeing a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas:
- You can book your tickets in advance from 63 euros per person. Because I assure you, it’s worth it; you’re about to experience a magnificent evening .
- There are naughtier shows where you won’t see children like Zumanity in Hotel New York New York .
- Remember to eat beforehand because it’s very difficult to find a proper restaurant open after 11 p.m. Some hotels offer buffets until late, so check with your hotel before the show.
After that, you’ll only have convenience stores, Starbucks, or fast food restaurants left. - Do not bring a handbag or even a tiny clutch or you will not get through security at the entrance to the show .
- Cell phones are prohibited, but you can have them on you, turned off. However, no cameras are allowed in the performance hall .
3. Do downtown Las Vegas at sunset
You absolutely must walk the main street of Downtown Las Vegas at the end of the day: Freemont Street . It is located at the end of the Strip opposite the MGM Grand Hotel and the New York New York.
Authentic Downtown Las Vegas
As is often the case at this time of day, the sunset light is soft and warm, which enhances the bright colors of the facades. We forget the often-mentioned cardboard atmosphere for a much more cinematic atmosphere . The essence of the city is really felt on this section of Downtown street. I could almost talk about authenticity if a few meters further, there were not this crowd of onlookers laughing in front of half-naked bodies. Vegas remains Vegas and your modesty will take a hit . We talk about the city of all sins or the city that never sleeps and I imagine that it is not for nothing. But it is also what makes Las Vegas so intriguing.
The Freemont Street Experience attraction
The Freemont Street Experience is a pedestrian street partially covered in canvas where colorful lights and projections awaken your senses. They call it a digital roof , and Americans love it. I recommend going at night (7 p.m. to 1 a.m. to see the sound and light show), it’s much more impressive.
And for a thrill under the electric sky of Street Freemont with a crowd of spectators watching you, why not try the Las Vegas Downtown zip line : the SlotZilla Slip Line ? You’ll launch yourself flying from a giant slot machine above the most famous street in Las Vegas. You won’t be looking ridiculous since everything is to be taken lightly in this metropolis of eccentricity .
Tips for Visiting Downtown Las Vegas
To see the oldest casinos in Las Vegas , leave the covered street and the hustle and bustle behind and head to the gleaming Golden Nugget Hotel . In this area you can discover famous places like the Four Queens Hotel and Casino , the Fremont Hotel and Casino , Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel … And further down, opposite the Golden on Freemont Street, don’t miss one of the oldest establishments, the Cortez Hotel . This is a part that I really liked during my visit to Las Vegas.
At 5 p.m., it’s still very hot, depending on the season. Plan to take breaks during your visit to enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the bars. It won’t be a luxury, but rather a survival skill.
If you wanted to visit the Neon Museum , you could combine the museum visit with a visit to Downtown . A taxi can take you from one point to another quickly, for example.
4 Visit the Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is a small open-air park where a large quantity of illuminated signs of all kinds are stored . They bear witness to Sin City’s past, an idea of volunteers in search of history.
The neon lights are placed directly on the ground and it becomes really photogenic after sunset. It is also one of the most Instagrammable places in Las Vegas . Victim of its success with influencers and fashion bloggers, the museum has recently banned the use of cameras, which considerably reduces the presence of professional Instagrammers .
On the other hand, what is surprising is that you can still use your phone there. I admit to being disappointed by this nonsensical regulation that penalizes photographers. As a matter of principle, I therefore did not visit the Neon Museum, which is also very expensive (more than 20 euros per person). There are guided tours that include entry to the Neon Museum, but we’ll see if the camera is allowed in this case…
770 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101
5 Visit casinos and luxury hotels day and night
The hardest thing about Las Vegas is the heat, at least in June it was barely bearable. During the day, you won’t be able to walk the streets without taking breaks in the air-conditioned establishments . This is an opportunity to discover the various spectacular hotels in the city . There are also bars and restaurants, here everything is excessively air-conditioned so even bring a little sweater (I’m not kidding).
Experience the sounds and lights of Las Vegas Casino Hotels
Some iconic casino hotels put on a show with their fountains and rides. There’s something spectacular around every corner, so enjoy! Plus, it’s free!
Watching others play at the Casino
There are so many casinos in Las Vegas that it’s impossible not to pass through one. In fact, if you land in Las Vegas , right from the airport you’ll see the first slot machines. Flashing colors, buzzing sounds and you find yourself propelled into the Candy Crush universe without the candy. And there’s no difference between day and night, the casino has no windows, here we forget about time. I don’t gamble and I didn’t even bet a euro in Vegas but I enjoyed watching others struggle to win. And then it’s the whole cinematic culture that resurfaces in a casino, you can find all the codes of the best American films there . I was expecting at any moment to see George Clooney turn up at a poker table.
Ride the High Roller Ferris wheel at the Link Hotel
A beautiful attraction where you can enjoy the panorama of Las Vegas from the heights of the High Roller Ferris wheel . It is located between The Venetian, the little artificial Venice and the Flamingo, in the heart of Las Vegas.
6 Enjoy the pool between 2 visits to Las Vegas
If you’re jet-lagged or have been partying all night, the pool is your safe haven. With the sweltering heat of the day, it’s best not to push yourself too hard and just lie down on a lounge chair until the warmer weather sets in. And Las Vegas pools are all breathtaking
Ultimate Tips for Visiting Las Vegas in 2-5 Days
Las Vegas is a hub of activities and shows. I recommend getting the Las Vegas City Pass to combine your visits without breaking the bank. You can visit the High Roller, the Eiffel Tower, Madame Tussauds, the Rockstar Pool Party Club, the LINQ zip line, the Erotic Heritage Museum, see the endless Strip on an open-top bus… and many other Las Vegas attractions.
What to do around Las Vegas?
There are many must-do excursions and activities around Las Vegas. You can take a helicopter tour, see the Grand Canyon, the Valley of Fire, the Hoover Dam, or even desert masterpieces like the Seven Magic Mountains. I’ll tell you more about them in a future article.
As you can see, I haven’t mentioned the idea of getting married in Las Vegas like in True Romance, which is my favorite movie. This city is like a mirage in the Nevada desert. As appetizing as it is elusive. It’s no wonder it’s featured in so many other legendary films that have made and still make its reputation.
Where to stay in Las Vegas to treat yourself?
To make your visit to Las Vegas a success, you need to sleep right in the center, where the casino lights shine in all directions and the show is non-stop. And there are more hotels than you could want. So, the choice becomes almost complicated. That’s why I advise you to rely on references in the field. The luxurious establishments, which contribute to the fame of this unusual city, are spread along Las Vegas Boulevard .
I can tell you about the hotel I stayed at in Las Vegas during my road trip to Nevada. I stayed at the MGM Grand Hotel on the way there, after arriving late in the evening at the Vegas airport. Then, I slept again in a luxurious room at the MGM on the last night before flying back to France.
The MGM Grand Hotel Casino in Las Vegas
The MGM Grand offers good value for money , with sublime rooms for just under 100 euros and offers on booking platforms offering discounts depending on the date.
What you need to know is that it enjoys an ideal location . The luxurious building is located at the end of Las Vegas Boulevard . This means that on foot, you can walk part of the way there in one direction and return by taxi or bus for example. Because be careful, the Las Vegas strip is about 6 kilometers . Walking it in its entire length there and back is a real hike of 12 kilometers. Rest assured, you can go from the MGM Grand to Treasure Island and The Palazzo. It is quite feasible because the time flies as the senses are constantly stimulated. Thus, you will have already seen some of the biggest hotels in the city and certainly the craziest .
Good to know: Right across from the MGM is the Statue of Liberty, which is a great way to find your way around, and the other major hotels toward the middle of the Strip are located around the Eiffel Tower.
MGM Grand Hotel
Book at MGM Grand Hotel
3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Strip,
Las Vegas, NV 89109,
United States
Recognize the advantages of a hotel in Las Vegas to choose the right one
Here are the highlights of a Las Vegas hotel, taking the MGM Grand as an example:
- have a huge pool that winds around islands of palm trees. Really refreshing in the sweltering heat of the day.
- own a casino and gambling for the bling bling look
- have a monumental performance hall
- be equipped with several bars and restaurants including French cuisine with Joël Robuchon (be careful, restaurants close between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., after which you will have to settle for a meal in a grill bar or snack bar which are often crowded).
- offer a Starbucks Coffee
- Enjoy superb rooms with classic American design that will make you feel like you’re in a movie.
Many Las Vegas hotels meet these requirements, so you’ll be spoiled for choice for your nights on the wild Strip.
See where to stay in Las Vegas >
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