Las Vegas is one of the hottest places to visit in the world, and for good reasons. It’s an adult playground where gambling, shopping, partying, and feasting make up a vacation. But there’s more to Las Vegas than that – it’s also home to sports teams, festivals, the great outdoors, shows, and much more.
The two major tourist corridors are the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, which are loaded with things to do and feature the city's largest concentration of hotels. Attractions range from experiences like the Bellagio fountains to a bevy of Cirque du Soliel shows and world-class dining, casinos, spas, and art.
Where to stay for the first time in Las Vegas: The Strip
If you truly want to take in the Las Vegas experience—easy access to the casinos, celebrity chef restaurants, high-end shopping, shows, and nightlife—then The Strip is where to stay for your first visit to Sin City. It also is the most popular destination for tourists, thanks to its iconic hotels and seemingly never-ending things to do, even if you aren’t a gambler.
The Strip is a 4.2-mile swath of Las Vegas Boulevard lined with mega-resorts that house everything you’ll likely want to experience on a first-time visit to the city.
Staying on The Strip gives you immediate access to:
- Landmarks like the world-famous Bellagio Fountains
- High-end shopping courtesy of City Center, Wynn Las Vegas Esplanade, The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, and Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian
- Celeb chef restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay’s numerous ventures, Emeril Lagasse, Michael Mina, and more
- Art galleries, including the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
- Strip shows including Cirque du Soliel’s LOVE, the edgy Absinthe, and the Adele residency at Caesars
- Casinos
When it comes to hotels to stay at for first-timers, there’s something for everyone and most budgets. The classic Caesars Palace is home to plenty of restaurants, a buffet, spa, Absinthe, the mega nightclub Omnia, shopping, and The Forum with resident acts, including Adele. It’s near the heart of The Strip, with easy access to the other resorts nearby, including Bellagio, Wynn, and Venetian. The average price per night is around $200.
Another option for first-timers is Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This hip hotel includes the Miracle Mile shops loaded with stores and restaurants, and the Bakkt Theater, which features acts like Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban. Rooms here go for around $180 nightly. It’s south of Caesars but still centrally located.
Finally, there’s ARIA Resort & Casino. This high-end resort can set you back more than $500 a night, but you’re surrounded by luxury. The resort is adjacent to the luxury City Center shopping and T-Mobile Arena. It also includes hot restaurants like CATCH, Carbon and nightlife.
Caesars Palace
Opened in 1966, Caesars Palace is one of the longest-standing hotels on The Strip. Don’t let that fool you, though. It’s gone through numerous renovations and additions in its years and is now a luxury hotel with multiple high-rise wings. It’s home to world-famous restaurants like Nobu, Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, and The Forum Shops, and The Forum performance venue.
- Price: $150 - $500 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: upscale, classic with a touch of Las Vegas kitsch
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - Fall of Atlantis animatronic show, swimming pools with fountains, Jupiter Pool for families
- Amenities: World-famous restaurants, full-service spa, fitness center, multiple pools, arcade
- Website
Planet Hollywood
The lively Planet Hollywood Resort underwent significant renovations in the late 2000s and is popular with people of all ages. The high-rise hotel is focused on Hollywood, and each renovated room is themed after an actor or film. It’s got the Bakkt Theater which features residencies from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, and Miranda Lambert. Attached to the resort are the Miracle Mile shops, which are packed with stores for some shopping. Restaurants include Gordon Ramsey Burger, the glam Strip House Steak, and PF Chang’s.
- Price: $100 - $500 + $37 resort fee per night
- Vibe: fun
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - Scene Pool Deck with FlowRider, a free-standing wave attraction, Miracle Mile shops with live street performances
- Amenities: fitness center, full-service spa, pool deck with the only free-standing wave in town, numerous restaurants, performance venue, Miracle Mile shops
- Website
ARIA Resort & Casino
Opened in 2009, ARIA Resort & Casino is a sleek, contemporary, high-rise, high-end resort that attracts a gorgeous crowd. The sustainable hotel (it’s earned six distinct Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certifications from the US Green Building Council) offers magnificent views of The Strip. It is in a central location near T-Mobile Arena, shopping, and all the action.
- Price: $150 - $1,000 + $51.02 resort fee per night
- Vibe: high-end luxury
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - swimming pools, arcade, free walking tour of Aria’s fine art collection
- Amenities: fitness center, full-service spa, pool, numerous restaurants, night club, access to City Center
- Website
Where to stay with kids in Las Vegas: The Strip
While the casinos are a big draw on The Strip, there are also plenty of kid-friendly options from exhibits to dining, like at Rainforest Cafe.
Kid-friendly activities on the Las Vegas Strip include:
- The Titanic exhibition, M&M’s World, Hershey’s Chocolate, Madame Tussauds, Shark Reef
- Adventuredome indoor amusement park at Circus Circus
- Circus at Circus Circus
- Wave pool at Mandalay Bay
- Arcades
- Movie theaters
- Kid-friendly shows like Nathan Burton's Magic Show, ILuminate at The STRAT, Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur, and Mat Franco’s Magic Reinvented Nightly at The Linq
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
One of the best resorts to stay at on The Strip with kids is the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, thanks to its family-friendly options. The largest hotel on the Strip, it’s got a large pool complete with a lazy river, waterfalls, and a play area. In addition, there’s also an arcade on-site, Rainforest Cafe, and other restaurants with kid's menus and activities, including CSI: The Experience, Cirque’s KÀ, and David Copperfield’s Magic Show.
- Price: $70 - $500 + $39 resort fee per night
- Vibe: party
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes
- Amenities: pool with lazy river, waterfalls, and play area, full-service spa and salon, restaurants, performance arena, fitness center
- Website
Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park
While the property is dated, Circus Circus is another kid-friendly, budget-friendly resort. Featuring both high-rise towers and older inn-style wings, here you’ll find Adventuredome with its indoor amusement park complete with a roller coaster, carnival games, and rides, as well as a midway with games and free circus performances.
- Price: $30 - $150 + $39.68 resort fee per night
- Vibe: vintage kid fun
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes
- Amenities: midway with games, free circus performances, restaurants, indoor amusement park, pool with splash zone
- Website
Where to stay near attractions in Las Vegas: The Strip or Downtown Las Vegas
There are two main tourist corridors in Las Vegas: The Strip and Downtown Las Vegas. Downtown Las Vegas is home to the old school casinos like Four Queens and Golden Nugget, as well as the new adults-only Circa Las Vegas.
Highlights in Downtown Las Vegas include:
- The Smith Center performance hall
- Arts District with art galleries, breweries, restaurants, and vintage shops
- Neon Museum and Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
- Food and street art tours
- Mob Museum
- Fremont East shopping district
Bellagio Las Vegas
If you’re looking for a central resort on the Las Vegas Strip, check out Bellagio. It’s home to some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Bellagio Fountains, and Bellagio Conservatory & Gardens. It’s also nearby the High Roller Observation Wheel and numerous performance venues. The elegant, high-rise hotel offers numerous high-end restaurants, including The Mayfair Supper Club and Le Cirque.
- Price: $150 - $500 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: elegant luxury
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - Bellagio Fountains, Bellagio Conservatory & Gardens, pool, fine art gallery, world’s largest chocolate fountain at Jean Phillipe,
- Amenities: Bellagio Fountains, Bellagio Conservatory & Gardens, restaurants, pool, full-service spa, fine art gallery, fitness center
- Website
Golden Nugget
For those who want to check out Downtown Las Vegas, stay at the Golden Nugget. The high-rise hotel is close to the Fremont Street Experience, a massive canopy with a spectacular light show, the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum, and the dining and shops of Fremont East. The hotel ranges from $100 - $300 a night, and amenities include a pool with a shark tank and water slide, a full-service spa, and plenty of dining options.
- Price: $100 - $300 + $36 resort fee per night
- Vibe: vintage
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - three-story water slide, close to Fremont Street Experience and other Downtown attractions
- Amenities: pool with a shark tank and water slide, full-service spa, restaurants, fitness center
- Website
Where to stay with family in Las Vegas: The Strip or Lake Las Vegas
Depending on what you want from a family vacation, the two best areas to stay in Las Vegas with family are The Strip or Lake Las Vegas.
Lake Las Vegas offers year-round outdoor activities, including:
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Pools
- Plus, it’s closer to other outdoor adventures, including Boulder City and the Hoover Dam
The Venetian Las Vegas
An all-suite luxury high-rise hotel inspired by Venice, The Venetian is a great place for families with rooms that can sleep up to six. It includes pools, gondola rides in its canals, shopping, and more. Plus, its location in the heart of The Strip makes it easy to access plenty of other activities in Las Vegas.
- Price: $100 - $500 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: opulent European luxury
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - gondola rides and Grand Cancel Shoppes modeled after Venice complete with canals, splash pad, and pool, Madame Tussad’s wax museum, rock wall at Canyon Ranch
- Amenities: restaurants, Grand Canal Shoppes, full-service spa courtesy of Canyon Ranch, fitness center, pools, night club, gondola
- Website
The Westin at Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa
Located at Lake Las Vegas, approximately 30 minutes outside of The Strip, the sprawling resort has large rooms that can accommodate families. In addition, it has a two-level pool and a private beach, as well as water sports like kayaking. Set on Lake Las Vegas, it also is next to championship golf courses plus Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
- Price: $150 - $400 + $32.77 resort fee per night
- Vibe: peaceful luxury
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes, with a pool and beach, water sports, Westin Kids Club
- Amenities: two-level pool, private sandy beach, full-service spa, fitness center, golf
- Website
Where to stay for one night in Las Vegas: The Strip
If you’ve only got one night in Las Vegas, stick to The Strip for access to all that Las Vegas has to offer. Hotels on the South Strip are closer to the airport if you need easy access for early or late flights.
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
The tropical-themed high-rise luxury property is a quick drive from the airport and is connected via tram to Luxor and Excalibur. It offers plenty to do, including Shark Reef, catching a show, high-end dining options, and The Shoppes at Mandalay Place with even more eats. Atop the resort is the stunning Foundation Room that offers sweeping views of the Las Vegas skyline.
- Price: $100 - $300 + $39 resort fee per night
- Vibe: tropical
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes with amenities include Shark Reef, pool with beach and lazy river, wave pool
- Amenities: Shark Reef aquarium, events center, Cirque du Soliel’s Michael Jackson’s ONE, House of Blues, shopping, restaurants, pool with beach, lazy river and wave pool, full-service spa, fitness center
- Website
Cosmopolitan
For a buzzy, trendy resort that gives you a taste of Las Vegas, check out The Cosmopolitan. Located in the heart of The Strip, the two-tower property boasts both a day club and nightclub, hot dining venues like Momofuku, a stunning bar where you can sip cocktails inside of a massive multiple-story chandelier, as well as a large casino floor. It also focuses on art, with art vending machines to take home little pieces and installations like a giant high heel shoe.
- Price: $150 - $500 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: hip
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - pool, art, family game area
- Amenities: restaurants, day club, nightclub, rooftop pool, art installations, full-service spa, fitness center
- Website
Where to stay for 3 days in Las Vegas: The Strip
Thanks to most of the action being on The Strip, the best place to stay for the quintessential Las Vegas vacation is there, too. From here, you can indulge in some of the city’s best dining, shopping, and nightlife, plus easily hop on tours for day trips from the Strip’s resorts.
Vdara Hotel & Spa
There is such a thing as getting casino’d out, so if that could be you, opt for the modern Vdara Hotel & Spa. A non-gaming, all-suite high-rise hotel located in City Center, this property is close to it all but still relaxing. This is more of a place to unwind than explore, so use it as your base to hit up everything that’s nearby, like ARIA, Cosmo, and shopping, before even hitting a crosswalk.
- Price: $100 - $300 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: relaxing
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - pool, no smoking, no casino
- Amenities: casino-free, all-suite, rooftop pool, full-service spa, fitness center
- Website
Palazzo Las Vegas
Sister hotels with Venetian, the all-suite Palazzo offers the same access and amenities as Venetian but is newer. Opened in 2007, Palazzo is central to most of The Strip’s main attractions and far enough north to get you closer to the Downtown area than other spots on The Strip.
- Price: $100 - $500 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: opulent European luxury
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - shares with The Venetian
- Amenities: restaurants, Grand Canal Shoppes, full-service spa courtesy fitness center, pools
- Website
Where to stay for a romantic trip to Las Vegas: The Strip or Summerlin
The Strip can be romantic, especially with its stunning skyline views, intimate dining and shows, and adults-only pools.
There’s also Summerlin. Unlike The Strip, Summerlin is a master-planned community overlooking the beauty of Red Rock. With more of a local feel, there’s plenty to do in this neighborhood, including:
- Exploring Downtown Summerlin with its shopping and events
- Check out a Las Vegas Aviators baseball game
- Watch the Las Vegas Golden Knights practice
- Hike in Red Rock
Waldorf Astoria
This sophisticated and posh hotel on The Strip features plush beds, marble bathrooms with plunge tubs, and expansive city views. In addition, it’s got dining like the Michelin-starred Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, a magnificent spa with more breathtaking views, and a rooftop pool.
- Price: $200 - $700 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: sophisticated
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: there's a pool, it's smoke-free, and there's no casino
- Amenities: a full-service spa, rooftop pool, restaurants, fitness center, no casino
- Website
Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
One of the few hotels in Las Vegas with balconies, Red Rock’s views are where it’s at. Opt for a western-facing view to watch the sun sink behind the mountains and Red Rock Canyon glow. Private balconies aside, the Summerlin resort is near Downtown Summerlin, which boasts shopping, entertainment, and more dining, plus sports complexes to catch the Aviators playing or Knights practicing and feel like a local.
- Price: $100 - $300 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: earthy luxury
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - IMAX movie theater, bowling, Kid Quest, arcade, pool
- Amenities: a full-service spa, balconies, pool, restaurants, nearby Downtown Summerlin
- Website
Where to stay on a budget in Las Vegas: The Strip
Generally speaking, the north and south ends of Las Vegas Blvd. are less expensive than staying in the heart of The Strip’s action. In addition, staying Off-Strip also will cost you less money than staying at the mega-resorts on the Boulevard.
Best Western Casino Royale
If you want to stay on The Strip, check out the low-rise three-star Best Western Casino Royale. There aren’t resort fees here, which means you get Wifi, access to the pool, and parking for free. It’s a basic hotel with restaurants and a casino, and its prime location puts you in the middle of the action.t.
- Price: $100 - $300
- Vibe: no frills
- Wifi: free
- Kid-Friendly: yes - pool
- Amenities: pool, free parking, on-site restaurant and bar, fitness center, smoke-free
- Website
South Point Hotel & Casino
South Point Hotel & Casino is on Las Vegas Blvd., but a few miles south of the action. The resort features numerous restaurants, including the famous Steak ‘N Shake, a large pool, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and a casino.
- Price: $70 - $200 + $27 resort fee per night
- Vibe: low-key luxury
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - bowling alley, movie theater, pool, arcade
- Amenities: pool, bowling alley, movie theater, restaurants, full-service spa, fitness center, arcade, barber shop
- Website
Where to stay in the city center of Las Vegas: Downtown Las Vegas
Downtown Las Vegas is the cultural and business center of the city. There are plenty of things to enjoy in Downtown Las Vegas.
- Check out local theater
- Explore the vintage shops
- Antique and drink at ReBar
- Catch a free concert at the Fremont Street Experience stage
The ENGLISH Hotel
A designer boutique hotel created by Chef Todd English, the new 21+ adults-only hotel is located in the Arts District. It’s a quick walk to the shops, restaurants, bars, and breweries that make this area popular and about 15 minutes from the historic Fremont neighborhood.
- Price: $200 - $500
- Vibe: trendy
- Wifi: free
- Kid-Friendly: no
- Amenities: restaurant, pool, smoke-free
- Website
The D Hotel
Located in Downtown’s Fremont area, The D Hotel is another option in Downtown Las Vegas. Recently renovated, the lively, budget-friendly, high-rise hotel is near Fremont’s major attractions like the Mob Museum and Fremont Street Experience.
- Price: $40 - $200 + $30 resort fee
- Vibe: classic Vegas
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - pool
- Amenities: rooftop pool and bar, fitness center, restaurants,
- Website
Where to stay for nightlife in Las Vegas: The Strip
Las Vegas is a hotbed for nightlife, and The Strip is where to stay if you want to be close to all the mega clubs like Omnia, Hakkasan, Marquis, XS, and more. It’s also not too far from LGBTQ+ clubs like Piranha or the hip bars dotting The Arts District.
Wynn/Encore
For a luxury experience complete with nightlife, stay at Wynn or Encore. The sister hotels include cocktail bars, the lavish and relatively intimate XS nightclub, and Encore Beach Club at Night. It’s considered the poshest hotel on The Strip and has numerous high-end dining experiences, the Wynn Esplanade shopping, pools, and performance venues.
- Price: $200 - $500 + $45 resort fee per night
- Vibe: whimsical
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes - pools
- Amenities: restaurants, fitness center, full-service spa, shopping, pools, day club, night club, performance venue, shopping
- Website
The Cosmopolitan
If you prefer to stick to one property for everything, make it The Cosmopolitan. The nightlife at the hotel is stellar, with Marquis, numerous cocktail bars, and Secret Pizza to grab a late-night snack before you do it all again tomorrow.
- Price: $150 - $500
- Vibe: hip
- Wifi: included in the resort fee
- Kid-Friendly: yes
- Amenities: restaurants, day club, nightclub, rooftop pool, art installations, full-service spa, fitness center
- Website
