Destination: Las Vegas
Come for the spectacle. Stay for everything beyond it.
Las Vegas may be famous for casinos, nightlife, and neon, but that version of the city only scratches the surface. Look beyond the casino floor and you will find one of the country’s most ambitious dining scenes, extraordinary cocktail bars, destination spas, immersive entertainment, and easy access to some of the Southwest’s most dramatic landscapes.
It is also a city that rewards choosing your own version of Vegas. Spend the morning kayaking the Colorado River, the afternoon at the spa, and the evening working your way through a tasting menu. Trade the Strip for the Arts District for an afternoon, make a day trip into the desert, or build an entire weekend around restaurants and cocktails. Vegas can be indulgent, adventurous, restorative, delightfully over-the-top…or some combination of all four.
Thoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
Getting There
Fly
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the primary airport serving Las Vegas and sits just minutes from the Strip. Its extensive domestic service makes Vegas particularly convenient for a long weekend, while international flights and connections make it an easy starting or ending point for a larger Southwest itinerary.
One of the advantages of LAS is proximity: you can land, collect your luggage, and be at many Strip resorts relatively quickly. Taxis and rideshares are readily available, although travel times can increase significantly during major conventions, sporting events, and Formula 1 weekend.
Drive
Las Vegas is also an easy road-trip destination from much of the Southwest. Los Angeles is roughly four to five hours away under normal conditions, while St. George and Southern Utah are approximately two hours away. That makes Vegas easy to combine with destinations such as Zion National Park, Valley of Fire, the Grand Canyon, and the wider desert Southwest.
Weekend traffic—particularly between Las Vegas and Southern California—can add substantial time, so build some flexibility into your schedule.
Getting Around
Rideshare & Taxis
For most Strip-focused trips, Uber, Lyft, and taxis are the easiest options. One important Vegas quirk: resorts generally have designated rideshare pickup areas, and they are not always directly outside the main entrance. Give yourself extra time when heading to dinner, a show, the airport, or a game.
Walking the Strip
Walking is often the best way to explore smaller sections of the Strip, but distances are deceptive. A resort that appears to be “next door” can involve a surprisingly long walk through casinos, pedestrian bridges, shopping complexes, and resort corridors.
Rather than trying to walk the entire Strip, explore it in sections and use rideshare, taxis, or public transportation to cover longer distances—especially during the hottest months.
Las Vegas Monorail
The Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip and can be useful for moving between major resorts and the Las Vegas Convention Center without dealing with road traffic. It is particularly helpful during conventions and other large events, although its route will not work equally well for every hotel.
Where you stay can significantly shape your Las Vegas experience. The Strip puts restaurants and entertainment at your doorstep, while Summerlin and other off-Strip locations offer a quieter retreat. There are also increasingly good options for travelers who want Vegas without the traditional casino-resort experience.
Vdara Hotel & Spa
A non-smoking, non-gaming hotel connected to the Aria complex, Vdara is one of my favorite options for travelers who want the convenience of the Strip without feeling as though they are constantly inside a casino. The all-suite accommodations and excellent spa make it particularly well suited to longer stays and wellness-focused trips.
Park MGM
Another excellent choice for travelers who prefer a smoke-free environment, Park MGM is the Strip’s fully non-smoking casino resort. Its central location also puts you close to T-Mobile Arena and a strong collection of restaurants and bars (and you can avoid Starbucks by grabbing coffee in Eataly). The Park MGM is often my go-to place stay in Vegas.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
For something a little removed from the Strip, Virgin offers a more relaxed atmosphere, generally approachable pricing, free parking, and convenient access to the rest of Las Vegas. It is also home to one of the Nobu restaurants in town.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
A contemporary luxury option on the northern end of the Strip, Fontainebleau combines sophisticated rooms with an extensive collection of restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and wellness experiences.
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa
Head west to Summerlin for a completely different side of Las Vegas. The JW Marriott provides a quieter resort experience away from the Strip while putting you closer to Red Rock Canyon and some of the area’s outdoor attractions.
Wynn Las Vegas
For classic Las Vegas luxury, Wynn remains difficult to beat. Exceptional service, sophisticated accommodations, excellent restaurants, beautiful public spaces, and a strong spa and wellness program make it a destination in itself. Casa Playa recently earned a James Beard Award.
The Palazzo
The Palazzo’s spacious all-suite accommodations are particularly appealing when you want a little more room. Staying here also gives you easy access to the enormous collection of restaurants, shops, and entertainment throughout The Venetian Resort.
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
Tucked within Mandalay Bay but operating as a separate luxury hotel, Four Seasons provides an oasis from the energy of the Strip. There is no casino within the hotel itself, and the service, quieter atmosphere, and spa make it especially appealing for travelers seeking understated luxury.
The ENGLISH Hotel
For a completely different experience, stay in the Arts District. This adults-only boutique hotel offers a more intimate base for exploring the neighborhood’s galleries, restaurants, breweries, vintage stores, and cocktail bars.
If I’m being asked why I keep going back to Las Vegas, the answer is usually food, with Las Vegas Aces games running a very close second. Vegas has become one of my favorite culinary destinations because there is always something new to try, while the restaurants that I already love give me plenty of reasons to return.
The dining scene also extends well beyond celebrity chefs and elaborate tasting menus. You can plan an entire trip around exceptional restaurants, moving between French fine dining, Japanese cuisine, steakhouses, contemporary Indian cooking, neighborhood favorites, and the wonderfully over-the-top experiences that could only really exist in Vegas.
There are far too many excellent restaurants for a truly comprehensive list, so consider these some of my favorites.
On the Strip
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (MGM Grand): Refined French cuisine presented in an intimate counter setting where the open kitchen becomes part of the experience.
Casa Playa (Encore): Coastal Mexican cuisine from Executive Chef Sarah Thompson, whose thoughtful, layered cooking earned her the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest.
The Mayfair Supper Club (Bellagio): Dinner, cocktails, live performance, and Bellagio fountain views combine for an unapologetically glamorous Vegas evening.
Best Friend (Park MGM): Roy Choi’s energetic Korean-inspired restaurant at Park MGM is colorful, casual, loud, and fun, with food that matches the atmosphere.
Bouchon — Thomas Keller’s French bistro at The Venetian is an enduring favorite, particularly for brunch.
Bazaar Meat — José Andrés reimagines the steakhouse around fire, technique, and an expansive celebration of meat.
Morimoto — Masaharu Morimoto’s contemporary Japanese restaurant at MGM Grand combines sushi, seafood, and modern interpretations of Japanese cuisine.
China Poblano — José Andrés brings Chinese and Mexican culinary traditions together in one of the Strip’s more unusual restaurant concepts.
Bardot Brasserie — Michael Mina’s polished take on a French brasserie, with classic dishes and an elegant but approachable atmosphere.
Jasmine — Cantonese cuisine accompanied by one of the best dining-room views of the Bellagio fountains.
Gymkhana — A sophisticated choice for Indian cuisine and an excellent addition to the Strip’s increasingly global fine-dining landscape.
Giada — Italian-inspired cooking with California influences and sweeping views over the Strip.
Caramá — Wolfgang Puck’s Italian restaurant at Mandalay Bay celebrates regional Italian cooking in an elegant setting.
Michael Mina — A refined seafood-focused dining experience at Bellagio.
CHICA — Bold Latin American flavors and a lively atmosphere make this a particularly good choice for brunch or dinner with friends.
é by José Andrés — For something truly special, this intimate tasting-menu experience offers one of the most exclusive reservations in Las Vegas.
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