Rising up from the Mojave Desert, the Las Vegas Strip is built for nonstop entertainment. Casinos, shows, restaurants, pools, nightlife, shopping, and strange one-off experiences are packed into a four-mile stretch that never really shuts down.
This guide focuses on what the Las Vegas Strip is actually like to visit, what is worth your time, and how to decide what belongs on your itinerary.
Quick Takeaways
- The Strip is built around casinos and entertainment with shows, food, nightlife, and pools.
- Distances are deceptive. Two hotels that look close on a map can take 20 minutes to walk once you factor in resort layouts and crowds.
- Summer heat can feel intolerable. From late May through September, daytime temperatures routinely make outdoor walking uncomfortable.
- Prices swing wildly. Hotel rates, resort fees, and show tickets fluctuate by day of week, convention schedules, and special events.
- You can do a lot without a car if you stay central, but leaving the Strip almost always requires one.
- The Strip does not reflect the rest of Las Vegas. Locals rarely spend time here, and most outdoor adventure and everyday life happens well off-strip.
Related: The Strip is only a small part of Las Vegas. If you want outdoor access and the places locals actually spend time, see our guide to Vegas off the Strip.
First time on the Las Vegas Strip?
There are a handful of things that are not obvious until you learn them the hard way, from shoe choice and resort layouts to common money traps. We put everything we wish we knew before our first visit in a separate guide here: —> First-Time Vegas Guide.
Who Will Love the Las Vegas Strip
- You enjoy high-energy destinations with constant activity and people-watching
- You are unfazed by party culture, visible drinking, gambling, and the anything-goes atmosphere that comes with a city built around nightlife.
- You like having lots of choices for food, shows, nightlife, and pools in one area
- You are comfortable with crowds and busy spaces
- You want entertainment on demand rather than planning days around nature or long drives
Who May Be Frustrated on the Las Vegas Strip
- You want quiet mornings, dark skies, or a slower pace
- You expect to casually walk between activities without heat, noise, or long indoor routes
- You dislike heavy crowds and loud environments
- You are expecting cheap buffets, unlimited free drinks, or budget entertainment and will be surprised by how quickly costs add up
- You are traveling mainly for outdoor scenery or hiking
- You are sensitive to smoke, flashing lights, or constant background noise
Interactive Map of Things to Do in Las Vegas
Top Attractions in Vegas
Welcome to Las Vegas
A classic photo stop at the south end of the Strip. Most visitors spend 5 to 10 minutes here for photos, usually early in the morning or late at night to avoid lines and heat.
Bellagio Fountains
A free outdoor fountain show set to music, running every 30 minutes in the afternoon and more frequently at night. Easy to watch while passing through the central Strip, especially after dark.
Madame Tussuads
An indoor wax museum with celebrity, sports, and pop culture displays. Works best as a short, air-conditioned stop rather than a destination you plan half a day around.
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Aqaurium
A walk-through aquarium featuring sharks, rays, and tropical fish. A good break from the casino environment, and a fun activity to fill day time hours.
Mob Museum
An in-depth museum focused on organized crime, law enforcement, and Las Vegas history.
Twilight Mini Golf
A glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf course themed around The Twilight Zone. Best for groups looking for alternatives to non-stop slot machines and strip-walking.
Venetian Gondola Ride
A short boat ride through the Venetian’s indoor or outdoor canals. It is polished, heavily themed, and expensive for the time involved, so it works best as a novelty experience rather than a must-do. Even then, we recommend skipping. Read why in the link below.
Entertainment
From headliner concerts to magic, comedy, and long-running productions, live entertainment is one of the Strip’s strongest draws. Shows range from intimate theaters to massive venues, so planning around specific dates and performers matters.
Paris Las Vegas Observation Deck
An elevator ride to the top of the half-scale Eiffel Tower with panoramic views of the central Strip. Best after dark when the city lights take over and the desert heat fades.
How to Navigate the Strip
- Resorts are designed to keep you inside. Expect long indoor routes and extensive walking between nearby hotels.
- Walking is practical only early morning and after dark during summer – and even then bring comfortable shoes.
- Rideshare works well within the Strip, but pickup zones are limited to certain spot within hotels.
- You can take the monorail in limited locations, but it runs at the back of the casinos and doesn’t traverse the entirety of the strip.
When to Visit the Las Vegas Strip
The Strip runs year-round, but the experience changes dramatically by season. Summer is dominated by extreme heat and indoor activities, while winter brings cooler weather and heavier convention traffic. We tend to prefer spring and fall when walking outside is realistic again and the pools are less likely to need a cabana for comfort.
| Season | What It’s Like | Crowd Levels | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (March–April) | Mild daytime temperatures, pools reopening, comfortable evenings | Moderate | One of the best times to walk the Strip. Prices rise around major events and spring break. |
| Early Summer (May–June) | Hotter afternoons, long daylight, full pool season | Moderate to busy | Outdoor walking becomes harder as summer heat sets in. Hydration and shade planning matter. |
| Peak Summer (July–early September) | Extremely hot days, nightlife shifts later, heavy reliance on indoor spaces | Busy | Midday heat often limits outdoor sightseeing. Hotel deals can look good, but comfort drops fast. |
| Fall (October) | Cooler days, pleasant evenings, pool season tapering | Moderate | Another strong window for walking and exploring without constant heat stress. |
| Winter (November–February) | Cool to mild days, chilly nights, fewer pool options | Moderate to busy | Large conventions and holiday travel drive prices. Weather is ideal for walking, but shows and hotels book early. |
Where to Stay on the Las Vegas Strip
Where you stay on the Strip shapes your entire trip more than almost any attraction. Hotels that look close on a map can be separated by long indoor walks, crowded pedestrian bridges, and long casino crossings.
If your plans center on shows, dining, and walking between resorts, staying in the central Strip saves time and energy. South Strip resorts tend to be quieter and cheaper but add friction to almost every activity. North Strip properties offer larger rooms and newer hotels, but you will spend more time in taxis or rideshares.
If this is your first visit, we strongly recommend choosing location over room size or price. A cheaper hotel at the edge of the Strip often costs you more in time, energy, and transportation than it saves in dollars.
If you’re looking to get off the strip, there’s plenty of day trips nearby or you can check out our off-strip guides.
Nearby Day Trips from Las Vegas
