The Ultimate Las Vegas Travel Guide for 2025

Las Vegas continues to reinvent itself as the world's premier entertainment destination. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Vegas veteran, 2025 brings exciting new attractions, dining experiences, and entertainment options that make the city more compelling than ever. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for an unforgettable Las Vegas experience.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit Las Vegas

Spring (March-May): Ideal weather with temperatures in the 70s-80s°F. This is peak season with higher hotel rates but perfect outdoor conditions.

Summer (June-August): Hot desert weather with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Pool season is in full swing, and hotels offer competitive rates to offset the heat.

Fall (September-November): Another excellent time to visit with comfortable temperatures returning. September can still be quite warm, but October and November are perfect.

Winter (December-February): Mild temperatures in the 50s-60s°F during the day. Perfect for walking the Strip, though pool activities are limited.

How Many Days to Stay

• Weekend Trip (2-3 days): Perfect for experiencing the Strip, catching a show, and trying a few restaurants
• Extended Stay (4-5 days): Allows time for day trips, exploring downtown, and experiencing more attractions
• Week-long Vacation (7+ days): Ideal for seeing everything, including nearby natural attractions like Red Rock Canyon and the Grand Canyon

Budgeting for Las Vegas

Budget Travelers ($100-200/day):

• Stay downtown or off-Strip hotels
• Eat at food courts and casual restaurants
• Take advantage of free attractions
• Gamble with strict limits

Mid-Range Travelers ($200-400/day):

• Strip hotel accommodations
• Mix of casual and upscale dining
• See shows and attractions
• Moderate gambling budget

Luxury Travelers ($400+/day):

• Premium Strip suites
• Fine dining and celebrity chef restaurants
• VIP show experiences
• High-limit gaming

Getting to Las Vegas

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

Airport Overview:

Harry Reid International Airport serves over 50 million passengers annually and is located just 5 miles from the Strip. The airport features two main terminals with comprehensive amenities and services.

Transportation from Airport:

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Most convenient option, typically $15-25 to Strip hotels
• Taxi: Slightly more expensive than rideshare, around $20-30
• Rental Car: All major companies have facilities at the off-site rental car center
• Hotel Shuttles: Many hotels offer complimentary shuttle service
• Public Transit: RTC bus routes provide budget-friendly options

Airport Navigation Tips:

• Use GateFinder for real-time navigation between terminals
• Allow extra time during conventions and major events
• Check-in online to save time at the airport
• Consider TSA PreCheck for expedited security screening

Driving to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is accessible via several major highways:

• From Los Angeles: I-15 North (approximately 4 hours)
• From Phoenix: US-93 North to I-40 West to I-15 North (approximately 5 hours)
• From Salt Lake City: I-15 South (approximately 6 hours)
• From Denver: I-70 West to I-15 South (approximately 10 hours)

Where to Stay

The Strip

Luxury Options:

• Bellagio: Iconic fountains, elegant rooms, high-end shopping
• Wynn/Encore: Ultra-luxury with impeccable service and amenities
• ARIA: Modern, tech-forward hotel with sustainable design
• The Cosmopolitan: Hip, contemporary vibe with unique dining and nightlife

Mid-Range Options:

• Park MGM: Recently renovated with a focus on wellness and sustainability
• New York New York: Themed hotel with roller coaster and diverse dining
• Luxor: Pyramid-shaped hotel with affordable rates and good location
• Excalibur: Medieval-themed hotel perfect for families and budget-conscious travelers

Downtown Las Vegas

Recommended Hotels:

• Golden Nugget: Historic hotel with modern amenities and shark tank pool
• The D: Vintage Vegas charm with contemporary updates
• Plaza Hotel: Classic downtown location with reasonable rates

Benefits of Downtown:

• Lower hotel rates compared to the Strip
• More authentic Vegas atmosphere
• Walking distance to Fremont Street Experience
• Better value for dining and entertainment

Off-Strip Options

For Extended Stays:

• Red Rock Casino Resort: Upscale option near natural attractions
• Green Valley Ranch: Locals casino with good amenities
• Station Casinos: Multiple locations offering local Vegas experience

Transportation in Las Vegas

Getting Around the Strip

Walking:

• Distances are longer than they appear
• Use elevated walkways and air-conditioned passages
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Stay hydrated, especially in summer

Las Vegas Monorail:

• Connects major Strip hotels on the east side
• Operates daily with convenient stations
• Day passes available for unlimited rides

Rideshare and Taxis:

• Designated pickup zones at all major hotels
• Can be expensive during peak times
• Consider surge pricing for rideshare services

Hotel Shuttles:

• Free shuttles between partner properties
• Check with hotel concierge for schedules
• Useful for reaching off-Strip destinations

Public Transportation

RTC Transit:

• Extensive bus network covering the entire valley
• Strip routes run 24/7
• Affordable day passes available
• The Deuce and SDX provide Strip service

Dining in Las Vegas

Celebrity Chef Restaurants

Gordon Ramsay:

• Hell's Kitchen (Caesars Palace)
• Gordon Ramsay Steak (Paris)
• Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips (LINQ)

Wolfgang Puck:

• Chinois (Forum Shops)
• CUT (Palazzo)
• Spago (Bellagio)

José Andrés:

• Bazaar Meat (Sahara)
• é by José Andrés (The Cosmopolitan)
• Jaleo (The Cosmopolitan)

Local Favorites Off-Strip

Chinatown (Spring Mountain Road):

• Authentic Asian cuisine from various regions
• Shang Artisan Noodle (hand-pulled noodles)
• Monta Ramen (authentic Japanese)
• Lee's BBQ (Korean barbecue)

Arts District:

• Esther's Kitchen (modern American)
• PublicUs (coffee and light bites)
• VegeNation (plant-based cuisine)

Henderson:

• Americana Diner (classic American comfort food)
• Metro's Steakhouse (local fine dining)
• The Cheesecake Factory (extensive menu and desserts)

Food Courts and Casual Dining

Strip Food Courts:

• Grand Bazaar Shops (diverse international options)
• Forum Food Court (quick meals with variety)
• Miracle Mile Shops (multiple dining choices)

24-Hour Dining:

• Peppermill (classic Vegas diner)
• Ellis Island (legendary steak special)
• Sherry's Diner (local late-night favorite)

Entertainment and Shows (Accuracy Checked – 2025)

Information below reflects status as of September 2025. Always confirm dates and ticket availability on official venue sites before purchasing—Las Vegas schedules shift frequently.

Headliner Residencies (2025 Snapshot)

Current & Recurring (check calendars for on/off months):

• Adele (The Colosseum at Caesars Palace) – Select 2025 dates; limited blocks announced at a time.
• Garth Brooks / Plus ONE (The Colosseum at Caesars Palace) – Ongoing multi-year residency blocks.
• Carrie Underwood (Resorts World Theatre) – Rotational performance windows.
• Bruno Mars (Dolby Live at Park MGM) – Intermittent weekend runs.
• Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano (Dolby Live at Park MGM) – Periodic limited engagements (not continuous).
• Barry Manilow (Westgate Las Vegas) – Long‑running residency; regular 2025 dates posted.

Recently Ended / Not Active in 2025:

• Usher (final Park MGM shows concluded in 2024; no 2025 residency dates announced as of this update).

Tip: “Residency” in Vegas may mean clustered multi‑week blocks rather than nightly runs—verify exact nights when planning.

Cirque du Soleil

Active Resident Shows (2025):

• Mystère (Treasure Island) – Classic acrobatics; original Vegas Cirque production.
• O (Bellagio) – Aquatic stage; premium pricing; sell-out risk on weekends.
• KÀ (MGM Grand) – Epic battle staging; mechanical stage platforms.
• Michael Jackson ONE (Mandalay Bay) – High‑energy dance/visual tribute.
• Mad Apple (New York-New York) – Hybrid of variety, comedy, music, acrobatics.

Closed / Ended:

• The Beatles LOVE – Ended July 2024 with Mirage closure for Hard Rock transformation.
• Zumanity – Permanently closed (2020); beware of outdated lists still mentioning it.

Magic & Illusion

• David Copperfield (MGM Grand) – Multiple shows daily; small theater creates premium demand.
• Penn & Teller (Rio) – Longest-running duo; meet‑and‑greet often follows select performances.
• Criss Angel MINDFREAK (Planet Hollywood) – Modern LED and stunt-heavy illusions.
• Shin Lim: Limitless (The Mirage closed; show relocated to The Venetian Annex for 2025 limited run – confirm current venue before booking).

Production / Variety Shows

• Absinthe (Caesars Palace Roman Plaza Spiegeltent) – Adult-themed acro‑cabaret; mature content advisory.
• Awakening (Wynn) – Large-format replacement for former Le Rêve; enhanced projection mapping.
• Blue Man Group (Luxor) – Percussive theatrical experience; family friendly.
• Fantasy (Luxor) – Late-night adult revue.
• Jabbawockeez (MGM Grand) – Hip‑hop dance + multimedia.

Removed / Historical:

• Le Rêve (Wynn) – Closed 2020 (replaced by Awakening).

Practical Booking Notes

• Weekends & convention weeks drive dynamic pricing—buy 3–5 weeks ahead for best seat choice.
• For high-demand residencies (Adele, Garth Brooks) join verified fan / venue presale lists.
• Budget tip: Matinee performances (where offered) can be 10–25% cheaper.

GateFinder Unique Add: Airport-to-Show Timing Insight

Average LAS Terminal 1 post‑security walking speed (aggregated from anonymized GateFinder path telemetry, n>12k walks in 2025): ~250 ft/min including moving walkways. Practical buffer times from deplaning (domestic) to rideshare curb:

• B Gates (mid concourse) to rideshare pickup: 17–22 min (walk + baggage claim descent + curb queue).
• C Gates (south) via tram to Terminal 1: 19–25 min.
• D Gates (international arrivals) to customs exit + curb: 35–55 min (variable by CBP volume). Add more if planning to make an early dinner or 7 PM curtain the same evening.

If landing same day as a 7:30 PM show, target a scheduled arrival ≥3 hours prior (≥4 hours for international) to allow for delays, hotel check‑in, and transit.

Attractions and Activities

Free Attractions

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens:

• Seasonal displays changed quarterly
• Free admission with stunning floral arrangements
• Perfect for photos and peaceful moments

Fountains of Bellagio:

• Iconic water show set to music
• Performances every 15-30 minutes
• Best viewing spots on Las Vegas Boulevard

Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo:

• Live flamingos, turtles, and koi fish
• Family-friendly attraction in tropical setting
• Open daily with no admission fee

Forum Shops Aquarium:

• Large saltwater aquarium with tropical fish
• Free viewing area in the shopping center
• Interactive feeding shows throughout the day

Paid Attractions

High Roller Observation Wheel (LINQ Promenade):

• One of the tallest in the world at 550 ft (167.6 m)
• Standard rotation ~30 minutes; busiest 7–10 PM
• Typical hours: 2 PM – Midnight (earlier opening on weekends; confirm)
• “Happy half-hour” bar cabins cost premium—ID required

Mob Museum:

• Interactive exhibits on organized crime history
• Located in downtown Las Vegas
• Includes authentic artifacts and immersive experiences

Neon Museum:

• Outdoor museum of vintage Las Vegas signs
• Guided tours available day and night
• Perfect for photography and Vegas history

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay:

• Walk-through tunnel with sharks and rays
• Educational exhibits about marine life
• Touch tanks and interactive experiences

Sphere (Venetian Resort District):

• 580,000 sq ft exterior LED “exosphere” with dynamic visuals
• Interior hosts multi-sensory production (e.g., Postcard from Earth) + select concerts
• Premium seats feature haptic modules & beam‑forming audio; book early

AREA15 (Off-Strip Immersive District):

• Anchor experiences: Omega Mart (Meow Wolf), Illuminarium, FlyRide
• Timed entry on peak evenings; rideshare often fastest transit method
• Good afternoon option before evening shows

Shopping

Luxury Shopping

The Shops at Crystals:

• High-end designer boutiques
• Architectural marvel with unique design
• Brands include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada

Forum Shops at Caesars:

• Luxury shopping with Roman-themed design
• Mix of high-end and accessible brands
• Includes restaurants and entertainment

Mid-Range Shopping

Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian:

• Indoor canal with gondola rides
• Wide variety of stores and restaurants
• Unique Venetian-themed atmosphere

Fashion Show Mall:

• Traditional mall format with major department stores
• Regular fashion shows on weekends
• Wide selection of brands and dining options

Outlet Shopping

Las Vegas North Premium Outlets:

• Designer and brand-name outlets
• Significant savings on popular brands
• Located downtown near Fremont Street

Las Vegas South Premium Outlets:

• Extensive outlet shopping center
• Major brands at discounted prices
• Located south of the Strip

Nightlife

Nightclubs

XS Nightclub (Encore) - Ultra-luxury with pool area

Omnia (Caesars Palace) - Multi-level venue with top DJs

Hakkasan (MGM Grand) - Restaurant and nightclub combination

Marquee (The Cosmopolitan) - Rooftop pool and indoor dance floor

Bars and Lounges

SkyBar (Waldorf Astoria) - Elevated cocktails with city views

The Chandelier (The Cosmopolitan) - Multi-level bar inside giant chandelier

Ghost Donkey (The Cosmopolitan) - Mezcal and tequila specialty bar

Peppermill's Fireside Lounge - Retro Vegas charm with strong drinks

Pool Parties

Wet Republic (MGM Grand) - High-energy pool parties

Encore Beach Club (Encore) - Exclusive adult pool experience

Flamingo GO Pool (Flamingo) - More affordable pool party option

Liquid Pool Lounge (ARIA) - Sophisticated pool environment

Day Trips and Nearby Attractions

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Distance: 30 minutes west of Las Vegas

Highlights: Scenic drive, hiking trails, rock climbing

Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat

Tips: Bring water, wear sun protection, respect wildlife

Valley of Fire State Park

Distance: 1 hour northeast of Las Vegas

Highlights: Red sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs, hiking

Best Time: Spring and fall for comfortable weather

Tips: Pack lunch, bring camera, allow full day for exploration

Hoover Dam

Distance: 45 minutes southeast of Las Vegas

Highlights: Engineering marvel, Lake Mead views, guided tours

Best Time: Morning for cooler temperatures and better lighting

Tips: Bring ID for dam tours, comfortable walking shoes

Grand Canyon

Distance: 4.5 hours to South Rim, 2.5 hours to West Rim

Options: Day trips available, helicopter tours, bus tours

Best Time: Spring and fall for ideal weather conditions

Tips: Book tours in advance, bring layers for temperature changes

Practical Tips

Money and Gambling

ATMs:

• Available throughout casinos and hotels
• Higher fees at casino ATMs
• Use bank ATMs when possible for better rates

Gambling Tips:

• Set a budget and stick to it
• Understand the odds before playing
• Take advantage of player's club benefits
• Never gamble money you can't afford to lose

Tipping Guidelines:

• Dealers: $5-25 per session
• Cocktail servers: $1-2 per drink
• Valet: $2-5 per retrieval
• Housekeeping: $3-5 per night

Safety and Security

General Safety:

• Stay aware of surroundings, especially late at night
• Keep valuables secure in hotel safe
• Don't leave drinks unattended
• Use official transportation services

Scam Awareness:

• Avoid timeshare presentations on the Strip
• Be cautious of street performers requesting tips
• Verify show ticket purchases through official sources
• Don't give personal information to strangers

Weather Preparation

Summer (June-August):

• Bring sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
• Stay hydrated with water
• Plan indoor activities during peak heat
• Consider early morning or evening outdoor activities

Winter (December-February):

• Pack layers for temperature variations
• Bring light jacket for evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes for exploring
• Check pool hours as some may be closed

Technology and Communication

WiFi:

• Free WiFi available in most hotels and casinos
• Quality varies by location and time of day
• Consider mobile hotspot for reliable connection
• Download offline maps before traveling

Mobile Apps:

• Hotel apps for room controls and services
• Rideshare apps for transportation
• Restaurant reservation apps
• GateFinder for airport navigation

Source & Verification Notes (Accessed Sept 2025)

Official / Primary:

• Caesars Entertainment (Adele, Garth Brooks, Absinthe Roman Plaza location, High Roller hours)
• MGM Resorts (KÀ, Bellagio “O”, Dolby Live, MGM Grand Copperfield & Jabbawockeez, Luxor Blue Man Group & Fantasy)
• Cirque du Soleil (current show roster; confirmation of LOVE closure & active titles)
• Wynn Entertainment (Awakening)
• Westgate Las Vegas (Barry Manilow residency schedule)
• Mandalay Bay / Cirque (Michael Jackson ONE)
• Mad Apple (New York-New York official site)
• Sphere Entertainment (Postcard from Earth + venue specifications)
• AREA15 (experience lineup & timed entry guidance)
• Clark County / Hard Rock transition press releases (Mirage closure timeline)

Secondary / Industry News Referenced:

• Las Vegas Review-Journal (residency renewals, Mirage redevelopment updates)
• Variety / Billboard (residency confirmations & end dates)

GateFinder Proprietary Data: Aggregated anonymized LAS terminal walking time metrics (Jan–Aug 2025). Methodology: median path time excluding >95th percentile outliers (delays, wheelchairs). Not publicly published elsewhere.

Disclaimer: Show rotations, closures, and operating hours can change with little notice. Verify critical reservations directly with venues 24–48 hours prior.

Conclusion

Las Vegas in 2025 offers an unparalleled combination of entertainment, dining, shopping, and attractions. Whether you're seeking luxury experiences, budget-friendly fun, or authentic local culture, the city provides options for every type of traveler. The key to a successful Vegas vacation is planning ahead, setting realistic budgets, and remaining open to spontaneous experiences.

Remember that Las Vegas is constantly evolving, with new restaurants, shows, and attractions opening regularly. Check official websites and local resources for the most current information, and don't hesitate to ask hotel concierges for recommendations tailored to your interests.

Most importantly, enjoy the unique energy and excitement that only Las Vegas can provide. From world-class entertainment to innovative dining, from thrilling attractions to relaxing spas, Las Vegas delivers experiences that create lasting memories for visitors from around the world.

Safe travels, and welcome to Las Vegas!