Las Vegas, Nevada-7-day-itinerary

A full week gives you enough runway to actually pace yourself through this city instead of collapsing by day three, and I’ve built this one to reward that patience.

Day 1: Arrival and the Strip

Morning

Check in at the Cosmopolitan, a genuinely great mid-Strip base, and start with Eggslut for breakfast, creative and consistently good. You’ll land at Harry Reid International, not McCarran; the airport name changed back in 2021.

Afternoon

Walk the Strip and hit the Bellagio Fountains, free and choreographed every 15-30 minutes. The Forum Shops at Caesars are worth an hour even if you’re not buying anything.

Evening

Le Reve at Wynn is an aquatic spectacle that earns full price, and Carbone at Aria delivers real old-school Italian-American energy with the theatrics to match.

Day 2: Nature and Adventure

Morning

Red Rock Canyon is the move, but you need a $2 timed-entry reservation running February through November plus a roughly $20 vehicle fee, so book it before you leave. If a hike isn’t your speed, the High Roller wheel gives you real panoramic Strip views instead.

Afternoon

Fremont Street Experience downtown gives you a free nightly light show and a rougher, more honest slice of the city than the polished Strip sells. The Neon Museum’s Boneyard next door is genuinely one of the best-value stops in Vegas.

Evening

Eat at Downtown Container Park delivers creative, farm-to-table plates in a fun setting, and Downtown’s nightlife has its own distinct, less corporate energy worth exploring.

Day 3: Relaxation and Leisure

Morning

Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars is a proper reset with real Roman baths and steam rooms. Mandalay Bay Beach is the better call if you want sand and a lazy river instead.

Afternoon

The LINQ Promenade covers shopping and people-watching well, and a gondola ride at the Venetian is a genuinely fun, slightly absurd Vegas experience that’s worth doing once.

Evening

Wing Lei at Wynn is Forbes Five-Star Chinese food that lives up to the accolade, and The Colosseum at Caesars regularly books top-tier performers worth checking the schedule for.

Day 4: Culture and History

Morning

The Mob Museum is dense and worth a full morning; don’t rush it. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum is a great add if you’ve got kids.

Afternoon

The Fall of Atlantis fountain show at Caesars is free and genuinely spectacular with its fire effects. The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens round out the afternoon with seasonal displays that change throughout the year.

Evening

Old Homestead Steakhouse is a classic, top-quality Vegas steak dinner. A stroll through the Bellagio afterward, admiring the decor and gardens, is a genuinely lovely way to close the day.

Day 5: Adventure and Thrills

Morning

The STRAT Tower, formerly known as the Stratosphere, is still the tallest freestanding observation tower in the country and its thrill rides at the top are not for the faint of heart. A helicopter tour is a strong add here too, just know your rim: Grand Canyon West is a realistic 2-2.5 hour trip each way, while the South Rim is a full 4.5-5 hour drive one-way and not a casual day-trip add-on.

Afternoon

The Adventuredome at Circus Circus covers indoor thrills well, and Topgolf Las Vegas is a genuinely fun, low-stakes way to spend an afternoon even if you’ve never golfed.

Evening

Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen delivers on the hype for dinner, and KA by Cirque du Soleil at MGM Grand is one of the most physically intense shows in the whole Cirque catalog.

Day 6: Shopping and Leisure

Morning

Crystals at CityCenter and the Fashion Show Mall cover the upscale-to-mainstream shopping spectrum well between them.

Afternoon

Take a real pool day or book a spa treatment; you’ve earned the slowdown by day six. T-Mobile Arena often has concerts or sporting events worth checking the calendar for.

Evening

Estiatorio Milos at the Cosmopolitan is an upscale Greek spot with genuinely excellent seafood, then take one more slow walk down the Strip to soak in the lights before your last full day winds down.

Day 7: Departure

Morning

Use the morning for souvenirs or one last attraction, then check out and head to the airport.

Things to Know

Stay hydrated constantly in the desert heat, especially June through August when it regularly tops 110F. Crowds and lines are the norm at big attractions, so build in slack. Parking is not the citywide freebie it once was; expect to pay $15-25 for self-park at most Strip resorts. Tip generously and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.

Transportation

Harry Reid International sits about five miles from the Strip. The RTC bus system, including the Strip & Downtown Express, covers the wider area well. Rideshare pickup happens inside the parking garage now, not curbside, with a flat $4.50 surcharge tacked on regardless. Consider a rental car or private car service for day trips outside the city.

Tips

Book shows, restaurants, and attractions well in advance; sold-out situations are common on weekends. Take advantage of hotel loyalty programs and package deals where you can. Explore off-Strip dining and entertainment for a break from the crowds and markup. Weather can swing hard, from extreme heat to sudden rain, so pack accordingly no matter the season.