People often associate Las Vegas, Nevada, either with groups of singles looking to have some fun or as a place for couples. But the world famous Strip in Las Vegas can be the ideal destination for the solo traveler, if you know where to go and what to do. The beauty of Las Vegas for the solo traveler is that many of the most popular sights and attractions can be easily seen without you feeling like the odd man out.
If you only have a weekend to spend in Las Vegas this easy to follow travel itinerary will help keep you on track so you don’t miss any of the major attractions. You may want to begin your adventure by booking your air travel, lodging, or a combination package. Keep in mind that, in general, the earlier you book your reservations the less expensive your trip will be and the better your chances of getting a room at your preferred hotel.
To avoid getting lost you may want to bring a copy of a map of the Strip with you. This is also a useful map when planning your trip as you can strategically book your hotel to be near the hotels you are most interested in visiting. Don’t be fooled into thinking the hotels are all so close together that visiting all of them may be done in a weekend. Unless you are planning on just walking or driving past the Strip without going inside of any of the casinos the chances are good that even with this weekend guide, you won’t be able to see everything you want to see. The larger hotels take up a city block or two and they are so large that people have been known to get lost inside the hotels.
Theatrical Productions
If you have any interest in theater shows at all a show in Las Vegas is a must. The theatrical productions in Las Vegas are world renown with good reason. If you decide to take in an iconic theater production or two you will have to do some investigating as there are a great many shows from which you can choose. For the weekend traveler you should probably only book one show per day, unless the shows are all you are interested in seeing. If this is the case for you book away but be sure to leave yourself at least an hour between shows to get from one location to another.
If you would like to see a show but have absolutely no idea where to start suggested shows would include the multi-Tony award winning Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. This amazing play is the world’s number one musical, has played on Broadway for more than 14 years and has, so far, been seen by a total of about 60 million people. The extraordinarily talented actors, singers, and puppeteers will simply amaze you.
Another excellent choice would be Mystere Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island. This is a visually stunning gravity-defying show. You will be in awe of the seemingly impossible things the acrobats are capable of doing throughout the production. While shows may change without notice trapeze acts, high wire acts, and mind boggling displays of near physical impossibilities are the usual fare for this show. There is never a dull moment and the performers, in top physical condition, put on a show you will never forget.
While the admission prices for the shows may seem costly they are well worth the money, especially if you have never been to a show at the caliber of a Broadway play. In addition it may be possible to obtain a ticket for a show you want to see once you get to Las Vegas, but to ensure that you are able to see the show(s) you feel you absolutely must see be sure to book your reservations before you leave on your trip. For current show information and for more information on the different shows see Best Selling Las Vegas Shows.
Overview of this travel guide
This weekend itinerary guide is designed with flexibility in mind. The time estimates listed will help you plan your tour and will allow you to have as long or as short of a day as you want. The hotels are generally listed from South to North. If you end up using the easy to access public bus system this will allow you to catch the buses where they tend to be less crowded.
People who stay in downtown Las Vegas often catch the buses to and from there and they tend to work their way from North to South so following this guide will help you to avoid these crowds. If you intend to catch the bus to travel between casinos allow yourself at least one hour travel time. If you intend to walk between casinos allow yourself at least 30 minutes to get from one place to another.
As you get ready to begin your adventure be sure to carry water, wear very comfortable walking shoes and a hat, put on some sunscreen, and bring a light jacket. Even if you’re touring around in the summer you should carry a jacket. The casinos tend to have their thermostats set low so it can get chilly especially once the sun goes down.
Day One (South)
(1-3 hours) The Mandalay Bay is a wonderful hotel for anyone who loves the ocean. Several beautifully displayed saltwater aquarium tanks are scattered throughout the resort. A special walk through tank at the Shark Reef Aquarium is available for visitors for an extra fee and is generally open from 10 am to 8 pm, with longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
(1-3 hours, may be longer if you decide to see the Titanic exhibit) The Luxor is easily identified by its pyramid shape. If you end up staying at this hotel you will be able to experience the slightly disorienting elevators that move up and down at an angle. This hotel is a dream come true for anyone who loves all things Egyptian. In addition if you are interested in the history of the Titanic you are in for a special treat since the Luxor houses the Titanic artifact exhibition for an additional fee. The exhibit is usually open from 10 am to 10 pm.
(1-2 hours, may be longer if you decide to see the Tournament of Kings dinner show) If you are a fan of the medieval time period the Excalibur will be the hotel for you. Lords, Ladies, and Knights of the Round Table will feel right at home here. If you want to experience the most popular dinner show in Las Vegas then you will want to see the Tournament of Kings.
(1-2 hours, may be longer if you decide to do the CSI experience) The MGM Grand is designed for the movie buff. But for a unique television show based experience consider booking CSI the experience. You become part of a crime solving team in order to solve a crime. The hours for the experience are generally from 9 am to 9 pm.
(1-2 hours) The New York New York is the Las Vegas representation of the Big Apple. If you have ever wanted to visit New York this is the hotel for you. If you are a fan of thrill rides you will want to ride The Roller Coaster. For a fee you will be able to ride this coaster that will take you over 200 feet above the ground. The size, shape, and speed of this coaster will allow you to feel what it would be like to ride in a fighter jet as the pilot does a barrel roll.
Day Two (North)
(1-3 hours) The Bellagio is home to two free attractions that you will definitely want to make time to see. In addition to the two major attractions you can ride the famed escalator from the movie “Ocean’s Eleven” since part of the movie was filmed here. The Fountains of Bellagio is one of the world’s largest water shows. The shows run consistently every 15-30 minutes from about 3 pm until midnight. While the show is impressive in the day time it is even more so at night when lights are a part of the show.
The other free exhibit at the Bellagio is the conservatory and botanical garden. The garden is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. The theme in the garden changes depending on the time of the year. The first thing you will notice as you approach the atrium is the floral scent that wafts into the hallways around the area. The intricate and detailed topiaries often have moving elements to them and there are usually water elements, such as fountains, scattered throughout the exhibit area.
(2-4 hours, may be longer if you decide to take in a show) You will definitely want to make time to tour around world famous Caesar’s Palace. Along with everything else associated with Caesar’s the shopping is legendary, literally. If you have ever wanted to browse amongst Jimmy Choo shoes, Louis Vuitton, Harry Winston, or the like you are going to love shopping at the 100+ stores located in Caesar’s Forum Shops and Appian Way Shops.
Almost every entertainer has the goal of being a headliner at the iconic Caesar’s in Las Vegas and when you consider past headliners you understand why. Previous headliners include Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, and Shania Twain. To see who may be playing there when you are there check here.
(1-2 hours) For a taste of Italy you must visit the Venetian. From the canals that you can walk along as you head towards the hotel entrance to the gondolas inside of the hotel the whole area is infused with all things Italian. More great shopping abounds at the Grand Canal Shoppes; the stores are generally open from 10 am until 10 pm. For a truly unique experience buy your ticket for a gondola ride. You can choose the ride either via the canal inside the hotel or via the canal outside of the hotel. The hours of operation are generally the same as for the Grand Canal Shoppes.
Whatever you decide to do during your visit to Las Vegas your time there is going to be full of great food, great fun, and probably several once in a lifetime experiences. If you want to be sure you have more than enough to do while you are there click here for more information on other free attractions.