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Las Vegas is thrilling and fascinating in equal measure, and this 5 days in Vegas itinerary is the perfect way to cover off all of the city’s best bits on your trip.
There’s just something about Las Vegas. The flashing lights, the glitz, the glamour, and yes – even the tackiness. A trip here is the only way to find out for yourself what makes Las Vegas so special.
I recently spent six days in Las Vegas, but since one full day was spent sleeping off jet lag by the pool, I only really spent five days in the city. It was my second trip to Vegas, and boy, did it deliver!
This post is a labour of love – it’s taken me forever to plan and plot out the perfect 5 day Vegas itinerary for you, avoiding the mistakes that I made, so that you can have a hassle-free, unforgettable trip. And it’s been a joy.
I love writing about Las Vegas travel!
Table of Contents
5 Day Las Vegas Itinerary Overview
Here’s what to do in Vegas for 5 days:
Day 1: High Roller, Flamingo, Bellagio Fountains & Paris
Day 2: Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, Mob Museum, Neon Museum, Fremont Street & Arts District
Day 3: Grand Canyon Day Trip
Day 4: New York New York, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas Sign & A Show
Day 5: Venetian, Caesar’s Palace, National Atomic Testing Museum & Pool Time!
5 Days in Las Vegas Itinerary
Day 1
Stop 1: Check in and relax by the pool
Ideally, you’ll find a flight that lands in the morning so that you can hit the ground running with this five days in Las Vegas itinerary. If not, though, I recommend landing the night before so that you can fit in a full day of sightseeing.
It’ll take some time to get to your accommodation from the airport and check in (you can find out how to get to the Las Vegas hotels from the airport later in this post), so I’ve left your first morning free.
If you arrived in Las Vegas the previous night, this is the perfect time to recover from that flight by spending a couple of hours poolside at your hotel.
Stop 2: The High Roller
Once you’re ready to venture out, the first stop on your 5 day trip to Vegas should be the High Roller, the 550-foot Ferris Wheel overlooking the Las Vegas Strip. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of some of the city’s most famous landmarks from the top.
Vegas has a reputation for its nightlife, but there are actually more things to do in Las Vegas during the day than you could shake a stick at!
A ride on the High Roller is the ideal way to orientate yourself in Las Vegas and get excited for all of the incredible attractions you’re about to see on this five day itinerary! The ride lasts around 30 minutes.
Want to get the party started? There’s a bar you have access to during your journey if you want to grab a couple of drinks. Stops like this are what makes this such a good Vegas itinerary for couples.
You’ll need tickets to ride the High Roller. Tickets cost $26, and you can get yours here!
Stop 3: The Flamingo
With your feet back on the ground it’s time to make your way over to the Flamingo. It’s far from the glitziest hotel or casino in Las Vegas, but we’re here for one reason and one reason only – to see the cute flamingos!
That’s right – the Flamingo actually has its very own wildlife habitat, where you can see real flamingos for free.
As well as the flamingos, you’ll also come across beautiful streams, waterfalls and turtles in the wildlife habitat! This is one of the coolest free things to do in Las Vegas.
Stop 4: Bellagio Fountains
The Bellagio Fountains are one of the most iconic attractions in Las Vegas, and you can’t miss seeing one of the many fountain displays here during your five days in Las Vegas.
You’ll find the Bellagio Fountains outside the Bellagio Hotel, but unless there’s a display going on they just look like a fairly unassuming stretch of water.
You can visit during day or night, but there’s no doubt about it – this is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas at night.
The good news is, the Bellagio Water Show takes place frequently, so you’ll never have to wait too long. Show times vary, but in general they run daily every 30 minutes from 3pm until 6:30pm, and every 15 minutes after this until midnight.
There’s nothing like seeing the Bellagio Fountains in person – they’re breathtaking!
Stop 5: Paris & The Eiffel Tower
Next up is Las Vegas’ very own Eiffel Tower, which you’ll find at the Paris Hotel.
As well as a replica Eiffel Tower, which is approximately half the size of the real thing, you’ll find a replica Arc de Triomphe and the famous Paris balloon, which is one of the best Instagram spots in Las Vegas!
Once you’ve taken in the sights from the ground it’s time to head inside the Paris Hotel & Casino to take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower! You’ll need tickets to be able to do this, which you can purchase here, and it’s well worth it!
The views you get over Las Vegas from the top are spectacular, and you can even see the Bellagio Fountains show from up here!
Day 2
Stop 1: Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
You have time this morning to have a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast before heading out to explore. Today, we’re heading north of the Las Vegas Strip.
To break up the journey, I have a suggestion – the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop! If you’ve ever seen the show Pawn Stars, this is the shop where the show is filmed.
I’ve included this as a stop on your Las Vegas 5 day itinerary because it’s always cool to visit a place you’ve seen on TV! Obviously, though, if you haven’t seen the TV show you probably won’t care and can just skip this stop.
Want to know more about visiting the Pawn Stars Shop? Great – I have a full guide on what to expect when visiting!
Stop 2: Mob Museum
As a museum person, let me tell you – this is one of the best museums ever. Period. It’s SO fascinating, and incredibly informative. There are some wild artefacts and exhibitions here.
If you’re interested in learning about the shady origins of Las Vegas, and how the mob, as well as other organised crime groups, formed and operated (and still operate…), you really can’t miss this.
It’s kitschy, sure. You’ll be greeted at the door by a guy muttering “hey, how ya doin’” in a classic New York mobster accent, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun, and educational!
We spent around three hours here, but we really took our time. For an average visit, you need to spend around two hours in the Mob Museum.
If you have extra time to spare or feel like taking a break, I recommend the Mob Museum’s underground speakeasy bar. The drinks here are great, the theme is on point, and it’s the perfect way to extend your mobster experience.
Click here to get your Mob Museum tickets!
Stop 3: Neon Museum
Every day from 2pm the iconic Neon Museum opens its doors to visitors. This nonprofit organisation is home to over 200 rescued neon signs from some of Las Vegas’ most memorable properties and events.
The Neon Museum’s goal is to collect and preserve the neon signs of Las Vegas once they’re decommissioned. It’s one of the best places to visit in Las Vegas for awesome photos. It’s more of a great photo opportunity than an actual museum.
You need to book your tickets to the Neon Museum as early as you can – at least a few days, but ideally a few weeks! This is one of the attractions in Las Vegas that does get booked up, so you need to book in advance.
Stop 4: Fremont Street Experience
Just a short walk away from the Mob Museum is the Fremont Street Experience, which is, ahem… certainly an experience. Fremont Street is the wild, unruly cousin of the Las Vegas Strip, where there are pretty much no rules and everybody is out to have a good time.
Despite being one of the top party destinations in Las Vegas, you definitely don’t need to be partying to explore Fremont Street.
In fact, I’d say that exploring Fremont Street sober is even more fun because you’ll hardly believe all of the craziness you’re witnessing!
The huge pedestrian mall of the Fremont Street Experience is underneath a canopy that, from dusk every night, is lit up with over 12.5 million LED lights to project different shows onto the ceiling.
You’ll also notice people soaring through the air on the Fremont Street Zipline, which is a great thing to do if you’re feeling adventurous.
Stop 5: Arts District
The Arts District is the hipster area of Las Vegas, and it’s one of the most fun places to eat, drink and be merry!
There’s no need for a dress and heels here. In fact, you can come exactly as you are after a full day of sightseeing. Jeans and trainers are the outfit of choice here.
Craft Breweries are absolutely everywhere in the Arts District, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. They’re amazing, and the beer here is much cheaper than the beer on the Las Vegas Strip!
The Arts District is where the locals go to hang out and party in Las Vegas, so the vibe is far more chill than on the Strip or Fremont Street.
The Arts District is also a great place to visit in Las Vegas for foodies. From sushi, to BBQ, to Mexican food, you’ll find an independent restaurant serving it in the Arts District, and it’ll taste epic. You’re welcome.
Day 3
Day Trip to Grand Canyon West
Las Vegas’ proximity to so many beautiful natural landmarks is something you should take advantage of during your trip!
To do this, I recommend adding a day trip to the Grand Canyon to your 5 days in Las Vegas itinerary.
Even if you’ve already visited the Grand Canyon, it’s worth another visit since it’s just so awesome (I’ve been twice now!). If you’re looking for something different, though, check out this day tour to Bryce and Zion National Parks or this tour to Death Valley.
Anyway, back to the Grand Canyon. You’ll notice that there are a few different options for Grand Canyon Tours – the Grand Canyon West Rim or the Grand Canyon South Rim.
I recommend visiting the Grand Canyon West Rim, which is what I did, and I went on this amazing tour. I HIGHLY recommend it!
The reason I recommend the West Rim is because it’s the closest to Las Vegas, which means less time spent on the road and more time exploring the Grand Canyon.
It’s also much quieter than the South Rim since the West Rim isn’t technically inside the National Park area. It’s still unbelievably beautiful, but you get to enjoy its beauty with far fewer crowds.
The Grand Canyon North Rim is around 5 hours away from Las Vegas, so that’s too far to visit on a day trip. The South Rim is around 4 hours away, making for a very long day of travel, and the West Rim is just 2 hours away from Las Vegas.
There’s an obvious winner!
Click here to book your tour to Grand Canyon West Rim from Las Vegas!
Day 4
Stop 1: New York New York Hotel
The first stop on day 4 of this Las Vegas itinerary is one of the most famous hotels in Vegas – New York New York! This epic hotel, which has an exterior that looks like the New York Skyline, is a whole lot of fun to walk around and explore.
As well as taking your photo in front of the Statue of Liberty outside the hotel, it’s worth heading inside.
Here, you’ll find shops and restaurants in recreated versions of New York streets. Wandering around here is like exploring a Disneyland version of New York, without the awful weather!
Once you’ve explored the New York sights, head to the Big Apple Arcade. If you’re a thrill-seeker, take a ride on the Big Apple Coaster, which loops through the mock skyscrapers high up in the sky.
A ride on the coaster costs $28, and you can get your tickets here.
Stop 2: Excalibur
Just next door to New York New York is the mediaeval-themed Excalibur hotel, which looks like a fairytale castle! Complete with brightly-coloured towers and a drawbridge, Excalibur perfectly encapsulates the fun tackiness of Las Vegas.
Once you’ve snapped some photos of the outside, it’s time to head in to check out Excalibur’s Fun Dungeon. Here, you’ll find over 200 old-school fun park games such as skeeball.
If you’re visiting Vegas with kids, Excalibur’s Fun Dungeon is the perfect addition to your 5 days in Las Vegas itinerary.
Stop 3: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor
Next door to the Excalibur is the Egyptian-themed Luxor hotel, which is the shape of a pyramid! To enter, you’ll need to walk past the sphynx and huge sandstone obelisk, engraved with hieroglyphics. Cool!
Once inside, you’re greeted with a fairly normal-feeling (for Vegas, at least) hotel and casino floor. The reason a trip to the Luxor Hotel is on this itinerary, though, is for the world-class exhibits held here.
There are a few different exhibitions to choose from, including Bodies…The Exhibition and the Discovering King Tut’s Tomb Exhibition, but the most famous by far is Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.
If you have even a passing interest in the Titanic I highly recommend visiting here to see some of the incredible artefacts brought up from the wreck site!
The exhibition is home to over 250 artefacts and a few recreations of the rooms in the Titanic. This includes a recreation of the iconic Titanic staircase where Jack and Rose reunite at the end of the Titanic movie.
There’s no doubt about it – this is one of the coolest places to visit in Las Vegas.
Click here to get your tickets to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition!
Stop 4: Mandalay Bay Hotel
The golden and glistening Mandalay Bay Hotel exudes luxury, with its lush tropical gardens and water features just adding to the allure.
Inside, you’ll find one of the most peaceful and spacious casinos in Las Vegas, but the main reason you should come here is for the famous Shark Reef Aquarium.
The immersive, overhead tanks here are some of the largest in the USA, and you’ll find all manner of exotic sharks and fish here. There’s even a section where you’re allowed to dip your hand into the tank to touch a stingray, and a massive shipwreck!
If that wasn’t enough, entry to the Shark Reef Aquarium also includes a VR swim with sharks experience. Get your tickets here!
Stop 5: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
Visiting the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign is one of the best things to do in Vegas besides casinos! This iconic sign, which was erected in 1959, has become a symbol of the city.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Getting a photo at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign is a must-do for your trip to the city, but you may have to queue for a while to get that photo.
Some people recommend getting there super early, at around 6am, to get a shot without other people in the background, but that really isn’t necessary.
Since most people abide by the queue system you can get a photo of yourself with the Las Vegas sign no matter what time of day you visit it.
For more info, read my top tips for visiting the Las Vegas Sign!
Stop 6: A Las Vegas Show
Las Vegas is famous the world over for its mind-blowing array of epic shows, and tonight’s the night to check one out!
Of course, if this is what you’re into, you’ll definitely have time during a 5 day trip to Las Vegas to see more than one show. That said, tickets are very expensive, so unless you’re a “show” person, just stick to one.
Most Las Vegas shows rotate, so it’s hard to make specific recommendations, but The Blue Man Group have been a Las Vegas staple for years, and there’s always at least one Cirque du Soleil performance going on in Vegas.
Day 5
Stop 1: The Venetian
Wah! Unfortunately, it’s the final day on this 5 days in Las Vegas itinerary. Before you go, though, there are just a few more things to do and see to round off your trip.
The first stop should be The Venetian hotel. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see gondolas riding down canals, and some replica Venetian towers.
Inside, explore one of the best malls in Las Vegas, the Grand Canal Shoppes, and marvel at the replica Venetian squares.
If you’re willing to queue and have cash to splash, you’re even able to get on board a gondola to take a ride through the hotel’s canals.
It’s such a Vegas experience.
Stop 2: Caesar’s Palace
Much like The Venetian, Caesar’s Palace is also a huge hotel home to a massive luxury mall, but here it’s decorated in an ancient Roman theme.
The Forum mall is a fabulous place to splash some cash whilst enjoying the air conditioning, but even if you’re travelling to Las Vegas on a budget it’s worth visiting. Exploring the forum is one of the best affordable things to do in Vegas.
You can wander around for free marvelling at the marble statues and water features. It almost feels like Rome!
Stop 3: National Atomic Testing Museum
The final stop on this 5 days in Las Vegas itinerary is one of the city’s best museums – the National Atomic Testing Museum.
Las Vegas is full of unique and fascinating museums, and the National Atomic Testing Museum is no exception. Here, you’ll learn all about the Atomic Age, which took place from WW2 until the 1992 international ban on atomic testing.
The museum delves deep into Nevada’s role in atomic testing and the past, present and future of nuclear weapons. Inside, you’ll get to experience a terrifying simulation of what it is like to witness an atomic test.
You’ll also check out thought-provoking artefacts such as a personal atomic weapon, which is designed to fit inside a backpack, and two pieces of the World Trade Center.
Entry costs $29 and you can buy your tickets on the museum’s website or at the door.
Stop 4: Pool Time!
Since we don’t know what time your flight will depart, I’ve put in an afternoon of pool time to round off your 5 days in Las Vegas. It’s time to get some relaxation in before you return home.
If you follow this itinerary, I’m confident that you’ll have an unforgettable 5 days in Las Vegas, and you’ll be planning your next trip here before you even step on the plane home!
With the itinerary section of this post complete, here is some additional information that will help you to plan your trip.
Extra Travel Information For Your 5 Days in Las Vegas Itinerary
Where to Stay in Las Vegas
Vegas isn’t just a playground for the rich – anybody can have a great time in the city of sin. Yes, even budget travellers! Here are my recommendations of where to stay in Vegas for those of us who aren’t millionaires.
Hostel
If you’re on an extreme budget, or travelling solo and want to meet others, there’s no better place to stay than Vegas’ top-rated hostel.
Located just minutes away from Fremont Street and the hipster Arts District, this is an awesome spot to base yourself for sightseeing.
The hostel runs numerous social events each week so that everybody gets to know each other, and a bed in a dorm room costs just $29!
Click here to check availability & latest prices!
Budget Hotel
If you’re looking for that iconic Las Vegas experience, there are a few famous hotels on the Las Vegas Strip that have surprisingly good deals. I recommend checking out The Luxor and The Excalibur.
These are themed hotels in Vegas that often have rooms available for under $100 per night!
If neither of these hotels have good deals for your dates, try this budget hotel just off the Strip. It’s usually one of the most affordable (whilst still being decent) hotels in Vegas and has a pool!
Word of warning – Circus Circus also has a cool theme and very low prices, so it’s tempting to stay there if you’re on a budget.
However I, personally, haven’t heard a single good thing about it from people who have stayed there.
Complaints include a lack of hot water, dirty rooms, broken elevators and rude staff. That’s just what I’ve heard, though…
Mid-Range Hotel
In my opinion, a trip to Las Vegas without pool time is nothing short of a sin! If you’re looking for a good-quality hotel with a pool that doesn’t hold wild parties, look no further than the great hotel I stayed at.
This is where I stayed, and it was absolutely perfect, located right between Fremont Street and the Vegas Strip.
You can get to both in just a few minutes but the resort is away from the Vegas madness and the perfect place to relax and recover from the crazy pace of a trip to the city!
Click here to check availability & latest prices!
How to Get to Las Vegas From Las Vegas Airport
To get to your hotel in Las Vegas, whether that be on the Strip or Fremont Street, the most convenient way by far is by taking a taxi. If you have a travel companion it’s also not too expensive.
Uber and Lyft are the cheapest if surge pricing isn’t on, and we got from our hotel to the airport for around $13.
However, we landed at night, and surge pricing was on, meaning that it was going to cost us around $60 to get from the airport to our hotel with a rideshare app! If you’re in a similar situation, fear not.
The airport has fixed rates with the airport taxis. Depending on where your hotel is located, you’ll pay either $19, $23, or $27. Take this option if the rideshare apps are quoting extortionate prices!
There is a public bus from Las Vegas airport, the 109, which departs from Terminal 1. If you land at a different terminal there is a free shuttle to take you to Terminal 1.
The 109 will take you to the South Strip Transfer Station, where you’ll then catch the Deuce Bus which runs up and down the strip. The journey will cost you $6.
Getting Around Las Vegas
I’ve read so many different blog posts that say you need to hire a car in Las Vegas, but that’s simply not true. It’s actually very easy to get around Las Vegas without a car using public transport!
The Deuce Bus runs up and down the Strip to Fremont Street and the Arts District 24 hours a day. The buses are pretty frequent (around every 10 minutes).
It costs $20 for a three-day pass and $8 for a 24-hour pass, which is great value considering how much you’ll use it. You can buy tickets on the bus but, for ease, I recommend downloading the RTC App and purchasing your ticket on that.
When is the Best Time to Visit Las Vegas?
In terms of weather, the best time to visit Las Vegas is from March until early June, and from September until November.
In these months the weather will be mostly warm without getting unbearably hot or too cold to enjoy some of the most iconic Vegas attractions.
If you’re visiting Las Vegas in summer, it’ll be very hot, but provided you’re prepared for that and build time into your itinerary to rest and recover from the heat you’ll still have a great trip!
How Many Days in Las Vegas is Enough?
If you’re wondering how many days you’ll need in Las Vegas, you’re not alone. This totally depends on what you’re looking for, whether or not it’s your first time in Las Vegas, and how much relaxing you want to do.
For first-timers, five days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Las Vegas.
With five days in Vegas, you have enough time to explore the city and its main attractions, go on a day trip, relax by the pool, and, of course, do some partying!
If you’re crunched for time, you could probably squeeze all the highlights into a three day Vegas itinerary, but you’d have to skip taking a day trip, lounging by the pool and partying.
It would be a very busy three days in Vegas!
Is Las Vegas Worth Visiting?
Las Vegas is definitely worth visiting – there’s nowhere else on Earth quite like it.
Even if you think Las Vegas is definitely not for you, you’ll probably be surprised when you get there. Las Vegas is for everybody!
Whether you’re looking to spend a fortune and party the night away, or just enjoy relaxing by the pool and checking out a few world-class museums, Vegas will deliver.
FAQs About Spending 5 Days in Las Vegas
What is the Most Beautiful Casino in Las Vegas?
Many of Las Vegas’ casinos are beautiful, but Caesar’s Palace probably has to take the top spot. There’s a reason that tonnes of celebrities such as Elton John and Celine Dion play here when they’re in town!
My personal favourite was Mandalay Bay because it was so quiet and calm.
What is the Cheapest Time to Go to Las Vegas?
The weeks leading up to Christmas are almost always the cheapest time to go to Las Vegas. Flights, hotels and activities during this period have some of the cheapest rates of the year. That’s because many people view Christmas as “family time” and Las Vegas, on the whole, isn’t really a “family destination”.
Can you Do a Day Drip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon?
Absolutely! The Grand Canyon National Park itself is slightly too far to visit on a day trip from Las Vegas, but you can easily visit the Grand Canyon West Rim, slightly outside the National Park, on a day trip from Vegas. It’s beautiful!
What is the Best Location to Stay in Las Vegas?
The best place to stay in Las Vegas is on the Las Vegas Strip, ideally at the Hilton Grand Vacations on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s on the northern end of the Strip, in a fairly safe area but away from the chaos, and it’s roughly halfway between Fremont Street and the main part of the Strip.