Fun Las Vegas Itinerary – 3 Days in Las Vegas

Las Vegas strip with hotels and landmarks at night

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Elvis! Slots! Sin City! Looking for a fun Las Vegas itinerary? Look no further. This guide details how to spend a wild 3 days in Las Vegas, Nevada. Vegas is a magical mirage in the desert and a smorgasbord of activity, food, games, and entertainment.

So let’s check out the day-by-day blow for three days, plus budget advice and day trip tips to the epic Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam.

Vegas Itinerary – One Day in Vegas

Day 1 – The Strip + Bellagio Fountains + A Show

This one-day Vegas trip planner is all about getting a taste of Las Vegas. Expect to experience the Last Vegas big-hitting highlights!

Morning

If your hotel offers breakfast, eat up because you’ll need energy for the sheer scale of the Strip. Be very cautious of the price, though.

Gemma’s friends were stung $70 for a very basic breakfast at their hotel.

If not, dive into Denny’s for some country-fried steak and eggs.

Or hit up the hip EGGslut.

Make your way to the Strip, the famous 6.8km strip of kitsch and bawdy hotels that has become the symbol of Vegas.

Head to the north end of the Strip and explore places like The Venetian for mini canals and gondola rides. For shopping, visit the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace.

Just east of the Venetian resort is the 18,600-seat auditorium, which has a 580,000 sq ft (54,000 m2) LED display. 

Afternoon

Grab lunch at Hash House A Go Go at The LINQ casino and hotel for epic portions await and will keep you sated while you play the slots.

Hop on the High Roller Ferris wheel viewing platform.

Book this skip-the-line ticket to save time and bring a layer as the AC in the booth works!

Spend the afternoon trying a few different casinos – my favorites are Caesar’s Palace and Wynn.

All the casinos offer free drinks for gamblers but remember to tip your waiter.

For more newbie Vegas tips, check out my Las Vegas Beginner’s Guide.

Dusk

Head to the Bellagio to witness the famous fountains as it gets dark.

This Las Vegas landmark gets crowded around 5-10 minutes before each show, so grab your place and wait for the magic.

For a different viewpoint, check out the observation deck at the Eiffel Tower.

Night

You can’t visit Las Vegas for one day without catching one of the amazing stage shows.

From the fluid trapeze artistry of the Cirque du Soleil shows to the musical mastery of tribute acts and big-name residencies like Celine Dion (singing My Heart Will Go On Surrounded by Water, sublime), there is a show for every taste.

Visit the discount ticket booths along the Strip to grab a bargain on the day of the show, or book in advance if you have a particular show in mind.

Bellagio Hotel at night with light show in Vegas

Las Vegas Itinerary – 2 Days in Vegas

Day 2 – Bottomless Mimosas + The Mob Museum + The Fremont Experience

Morning

I will assume you have a late start due to a raucous night before.

Grab brunch at Alexxas Kitchen and Bar in Paris Las Vegas—they have 2-hour bottomless mimosas that are very convivial!

Afternoon

It’s time to head to downtown Vegas.

This area was where the original casinos were located, so it is a good place to see the original vibe of classic Vegas.

Before exploring Fremont Street in the evening, visit the Mob Museum.

Housed in a former courthouse, the National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement explores the dark underworld of the Mob in Vegas and beyond.

It is one of the lesser-known things to do in Las Vegas during the day.

Night

The Fremont Street Experience is one of my favorite areas in Las Vegas.

This is the down-to-earth end of the city, and a Vegas weekend isn’t complete without a visit.

This area is home to some of the oldest hotels in Vegas, such as The Golden Gate and The Golden Nugget.

These grand old ladies have been adorned with modern-day neon but still hark back to the heyday of Rat-Pack Vegas.

The floors are sticky, but the slots are cheap!

Fremont Street has a canopy over the pedestrianized area, a zip line that runs down the street, and a light show by night.

With outdoor bars and music stages dotted along the street, Fremont Street is a must-do activity on your Las Vegas itinerary.

Alternative Option – Helicopter Tour

One of the most popular tours in Vegas is the bird’s eye helicopter tour.

Take in panoramic views of Las Vegas at night with the spectacular Bellagio fountain below.

Can you spot the laser beam at the Luxor? Book here.

Las Vegas casino machines

Las Vegas Itinerary – 3 Days in Vegas

If you are lucky enough to have three days in Las Vegas, here are my suggestions.

Day 3

New York New York Roller Coaster + Neon Museum

Morning

There are two options for the morning of your third day in Las Vegas.

Option one is to take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon.

The details are in the day trip section below.

Option two, stay on the Vegas Strip but heading to the south end.

You will find the famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign here, so take the obligatory selfie.

Note: There aren’t any pedestrian crossings near the sign, so be careful accessing it. Expect to dodge lots of limos, too!

Afternoon

For lunch, dine at Mandalay Bay, where you can try the beautiful French fine dining at Fleur by Hubert Keller.

Alternatively, try some hearty pub grub at Rí Rá Irish Pub.

I don’t know how wise my following recommendation is if you’ve just eaten a big lunch but If you love roller coasters, there is one in Vegas that you can’t miss.

The New York New York roller coaster sweeps from the hotel and across the Las Vegas skyline.

It is one of the most thrilling roller coasters I have ever been on.

The views of Vegas are excellent, although you’ll be too busy screaming to pay attention.

Night

Neon is the color of Las Vegas, making The Neon Museum a fascinating place to visit.

This museum is a giant neon graveyard where the old casino signs go to die.

A night tour of the Neon Museum’s boneyard will enlighten you (pun intended).

This is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas at night.

Day Trips From Las Vegas

If you can stay 4 days in Las Vegas, why not include some day trips too?

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is a feat of engineering.

Built during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the dam crosses the Colorado River on the Arizona-Nevada border.

Only 45 minutes from Las Vegas, you can visit the Hoover Dam in half a day.

Hoover Dam USA

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon is only 20 minutes from Las Vegas by car.

If you aren’t planning on exploring more of the surrounding area, Red Rock Canyon is a great half-day trip from Vegas.

There is a 13-mile scenic drive, a visitor center, and hiking options to suit all abilities.

Red Rock is also featured in our guide to the best National Parks in March.

Day Tour to Grand Canyon

If you’re a little tighter on the budget and don’t want to splurge on the famous helicopter ride, visiting the Grand Canyon’s West Rim viewing platform is still well worth it.

This 10-12 hour tour takes you from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, stopping at Hover Dam and driving through Joshua Tree National Park.

This way, you can tick off three massive USA bucket list items!

Helicopter Flight Over Grand Canyon

Many companies offer helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon.

It takes about 45 minutes to reach the Grand Canyon by helicopter, much faster than by bus or car!

Most companies will pick you up from your hotel and provide snacks and even champagne on the trip. You can also get tours that land on the canyon floor.

This is a pricey half-day tour, but the alternative is a 10-hour return bus excursion.

Flying over the Grand Canyon is definitely a bucket list activity.

See reviews here.

Helicopter Ride Grand Canyon_

Budget Ideas – Cheap Las Vegas

Cheap Vegas does exist, and if you research in advance, you can actually find many discounts and savings to be had.

  • Join Groupon and get the deals for the local Las Vegas area. We got great deals on mini-golf and other activities through this.
  • Ask your hotel for any discounts they offer for shows and attractions onsite.
  • Take advantage of the free drinks at casinos. Play the penny slots so you don’t spend much, and only pay a $1 tip for each drink.
  • Visit the discount ticket booths around Vegas to see what last-minute deals can be had.

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

Most visitors stay in famous Vegas hotels such as Caesars Palace Hotel or The Venetian Resort, which ensures they are smack bang in the middle of the Vegas madness.

Las Vegas sign blue skies

Quick Las Vegas Packing List

Your Vegas packing list really depends on what season you go to Las Vegas.

It can reach around 45 degrees Celsius during the summer, which is quite uncomfortable.

During winter, the nights can be chilly.

  • Take layers – all the casinos are air-conditioned and can be cold if you don’t have a cardigan.
  • Shades – whether sunny or not, you might need them for the hangovers.
  • Hydration tablets US / UK – bottomless mimosas, enough said!
  • Good walking shoes or sandals—Las Vegas is huge, and you will walk a lot. Due to their size, even just walking through hotels can be a hike. Take comfy shoes like Skechers Memory Foam trainers or Ecco sandals.
  • Refillable water bottle US / UK – If you visit Las Vegas in the summer, it is important to keep hydrated. A refillable water bottle is a must in hot climates.
  • Glad rags – Las Vegas is the land of bling, and it is fun to dress up in the evenings to attend a show or drink cocktails. Bring your little black dress/jacket.
  • Battery pack – recharges phones and GoPros on the go. We love the Anker US / UK battery packs.
Las Vegas strip with hotels and landmarks at night

Vegas FAQs

How much does a trip to Vegas cost?

It really depends on your travel style and the duration of your trip.

If you book in advance, stay in a hostel, use public transport, and eat from supermarkets, you could spend as little as $120 per day.

We spent around $350 daily staying in a mid-range hotel, eating out for two meals, and doing some activities.

At the upper end of the spectrum, there are no limits. Excess is a Las Vegas specialty.

How often do the Bellagio fountains run?

  • Monday to Friday: every 30 minutes from 3 to 6:30 p.m., every 15 minutes from 7 to midnight.
  • Saturday, Sundays, and holidays: every 30 minutes from midday to 6:30 p.m., every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to midnight.
  • For more information, visit the Fountains of Bellagio website.

Final Words

I hope this 1, 2 or 3 day Las Vegas itinerary gives you a good jumping-off point for your visit to Vegas.

3 – 4 days in Vegas is actually a perfect timeframe to explore the madness and chaos of Vegas, along with some day trips.  

Any longer and you may not survive the pace.

Let me know the highlights from your trips to Las Vegas or what you look forward to in the comments below.

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About the Author

Hannah Henderson is a travel writer and photographer. She was raised in New Zealand and now lives in France. An avid foodie and photographer, Hannah’s travels usually involve large doses of art, culture, and people-watching from cafés.

2 thoughts on “Fun Las Vegas Itinerary – 3 Days in Las Vegas

  1. Ayisha says:

    This has really inspired me to plan my trip!!
    Helpful food recommendations and a snapshot of what to pack! Thank you!

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