Las Vegas in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Las Vegas is an amazing city and here are some ideas to help you organise your three-day itinerary to perfection in this Nevada city surrounded by glitz, glamour, giant neon signs and luxury hotels that won't leave you indifferent. Enjoy your holiday!

Although it may seem otherwise, waking up early in Las Vegas has its rewards. Especially if your goal is to get to know the city in all its facets.

That's why, on the morning of your first day, I suggest you explore The Strip, the name by which the city's most important and touristic avenue is known. I recommend starting your route in the northern part of the city, near Caesars Palace, and then slowly make your way down to the southern end of the boulevard.

See the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas

Start your tour early in the morning at what is arguably the most impressive themed hotel in Las Vegas. On the front concourse of the Paris Hotel and Casino Las Vegas you'll find your own version of the Eiffel Tower (which is half the size of the actual monument) and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The fun part is that you can book your tickets to the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas and go up, even if you're not a guest of the resort.

• Transportation or Travel: The hotel is located at 3655 Vegas Boulevard. The 202 bus line is an inexpensive transportation alternative to get to this part of town. The "Nb Las Vegas at Polo Towers" stop is minutes walk from the Hotel.
• More info: Check out this post on how to climb the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas.

Pay a visit to New York - New York, Hotel and Casino

Another must-see themed hotel on any Las Vegas Boulevard tour. On the front concourse you'll find representations of **New York'**s most important landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and the iconic Empire State Building.

The New York is also a favourite hotel for young souls visiting Las Vegas because of the party atmosphere at places like the Coyote Bar.

• Transportation or Tour: Following the walking route along the boulevard the New York - New York Hotel is approximately a 15 minute walk.

Attend the exhibitions at Hotel Luxor Hotel and Casino

The Luxor is a fantastic themed hotel made up of a 30-storey pyramid and a gigantic Egyptian-inspired Sphinx. When it was built in the 1990s it was the tallest building in the city.

My recommendation is to head to the Luxor Hotel and Casino to enjoy not only the fantastic architecture, but also two major themed exhibitions on the Atrium level:

• Book your ticket for Titanic the Artifact Exhibition: An immersive experience featuring real objects from Titanic passengers and many other surprises.
• Bodies The Exhibition: Through real stuffed bodies you will discover the most interesting aspects of human anatomy and functioning. Fascinating!

You may feel hungry after the exhibitions, so I recommend you take advantage of this stop to enjoy a delicious meal. On the same level of the Atrium, where the exhibits are located, there is a food court.

• Opening times: Both exhibitions open at 11am.
• Entry fee: Approximately €32 for an adult ticket for each exhibit.
• Duration of visit: You will need two hours to see Titanic the Artifact Exhibition: and one hour for the Bodies exhibition.
• Transport: From your location at the New York-New York Hotel the Luxor is less than a 15 minute walk.

Go to Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Mandala Bay is a hotel famous in the city for being a 100% real pool and sand paradise. You can opt to spend an afternoon of fun at the facility, especially if you're visiting the city during the hot summer months in Las Vegas.

But no matter what time of year you visit, a fabulous recommendation is to book tickets to the Shark Reef Aquarium to admire an exotic collection of fish, reptiles, endangered creatures and, of course, sharks!

The shark collection totals some 100 specimens of 30 different species swimming in a 1.3 million-gallon tunnel-style tank. This experience is especially fun if you are going to Las Vegas with children during the holidays.

• Hours: 10am to 6pm.
• Admission fee: Approximately €29 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of visit: The entire tour takes only an hour and a half to complete.
• Transport: From the Luxor, Mandala Bay is only a seven-minute walk away.
• More info: Tickets to the Shark Reef Aquarium.

Take the most iconic photo at the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas"

What would a visit to Las Vegas be without the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign? Unthinkable! Take advantage of this point on the tour and your exit from the Aquarium to go to the end of Las Vegas Boulevard, where the famous sign is located.

• Transportation or Tour: From your location at Mandalay Bay the sign is a 15 minute walk.

Take in a nighttime show on Las Vegas Boulevard

Another must-do activity on any trip to the city is to attend one of the world-famous shows in Las Vegas. The line-up is varied so it will be easy to find an activity that catches your eye.

I always recommend buying tickets in advance after checking the show calendar for the most popular choices. Here is a selection of my favourites:

• Vegas! The Show.
• Michael Jackson tribute concert.
• The Mentalist in Las Vegas.

On your second day of sightseeing I recommend getting to know Las Vegas beyond the Strip. For this we will visit highlights such as the old and famous Fremont Street, the Arts District and of course the American Mob Museum!

Arrive at the Mob Museum at opening time.

Whether you're doing a 2-day or 3-day Vegas itinerary, you need to book your tickets for the Las Vegas Mob Museum.

Housed in the former federal courthouse, in a three-story high structure, is one of the most unique museums in the American nation, considered by many to be one of the best museums in Las Vegas: The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, popularly known as the Mob Museum

. It is a very entertaining historical museum with several themed rooms on the involvement of the Mafia in all kinds of illegal activities, including prostitution and trafficking, smuggling, gambling and drug trafficking. In addition, it is also a space to commemorate certain special operations, as well as the titanic efforts of the forces of law and order to answer and eliminate these criminal organisations that took centre stage at different stages in the history of the United States.

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission fee: Approximately €29 for an adult ticket.
• Length of visit: I recommend setting aside about three hours of the itinerary to tour the museum in its entirety.
• Transport: You can take The Deuce Bus to get to this part of the city. The nearest stop is "Eb Stewart After 4th" located a three minute walk from the museum entrance.
• More info: Mob Museum of Las Vegas.

Stroll and lunch in the Las Vegas Art District

Take a leisurely stroll through the Las Vegas Art District, a space dedicated to independent art and culture filled with great places to eat and drink, as well as a large collection of independent art galleries.

Street art is present in the beautiful murals and graffiti; make sure to take some fun photos! Some recommendations for good places to eat in the area include:

• Esther's Kitchen: The best rotisserie chicken in the area, as well as a wide collection of classic dishes and beer of all kinds.
• The Garden Las Vegas: Primarily gay bar serving casual snacks and delicious cocktails, the garden tables offer a unique atmosphere.
• Makers & Finders: Specialises in Latin food and premium coffee. Served in an elegant setting with tables and chairs outside.
• ReBAR: Sandwiches, light snacks and cocktails are the speciality of this place. Open from morning until late at night.

Transportation: You can walk to the Art District from the Mob Museum, but the walk will take about 20 minutes. Alternatively, take the DVX Bus, a 5-minute ride that will drop you off just one street away from the Art District's northwest boundary.

Get to the Stratosphere Tower

The Stratosphere Tower is one of the most visited attractions in the city and is ideal if you're visiting the city with children or if you're simply an adrenaline junkie.

When you arrive you will find a space made up of several elements. I recommend booking tickets for Stratosphere Tower, the tallest building in Las Vegas and a perfect vantage point from which you can admire the whole city and take pictures of the Strip and the Fremont area.

In addition, you'll find a variety of mechanical rides such as shuttles, roller coasters and a merry-go-round.

• Opening hours: Open to the public daily from 10am until after midnight.
• Entry fee: From €20 if you intend to go up to the viewing platform. If you want to go on the attractions the price increases.
• Duration of the visit: As long as you want. It only takes 30 seconds to get to the top of the tower in the elevator.
• Transport: From your location in the Art District the Stratosphere Tower is a 15 minute walk. If you don't want to walk, I recommend taking The Deuce Bus which stops just a few metres from the entrance.
• More info: Stratosphere Tower.

Take the Fremont Street Night Tour

To end your second day on a high note I recommend you to take a night tour to get to know one of the most iconic areas of Las Vegas: Fremont Street.

The tour is known as the Fremont Street Experience. It's a fun group tour that takes you to see the oldest and most historic area of the city, its neon lights, bars, old hotels and street art displays.

• Hours: Varies depending on the company you hire, but usually starts after 8pm.
• Entry fee: From €29 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of tour: You should set aside a full two hours of your itinerary for this experience.

Finally, I recommend taking the last day to see some of the many wonders beyond the glitz and splendour of the iconic city of Las Vegas. Both the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam are considered among the best tours from Las Vegas.

There are many tour companies in the city that offer both individual excursions to each of these destinations and companies that offer combination tours. Whichever alternative you choose, it's an experience you'll enjoy.

Be dazzled at the Grand Canyon

But the must-do is to book your trip to the Grand Canyon, a national park that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an impressive natural plateau formed by the Colorado River over millions of years of interaction.

Considered one of the must-visits on any trip to Las Vegas, a trip to the Grand Canyon is ideal for appreciating one of the world's most famous natural wonders.

With an elevation of some 2,483 metres, archaeological experts place the Grand Canyon's origin at around 5 to 6 million years ago. Believe me when I tell you that photos and videos do not do it justice - you have to see it with your own eyes! Plus, there are several plans available:

Meet the Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is considered one of the most impressive engineering feats of the last century and booking a tour of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam is also a must.

From an impressive height of 220 metres high and a length at its base of 200 metres, it still holds the title of the largest dam in the world to this day, despite being nearly 100 years old since its construction began. A trip to the Hoover Dam is an ideal way to see the natural scenery and admire the skill of human genius.

• Time: Although it may vary depending on the company you hire, these types of tours usually leave Las Vegas first thing in the morning, between approximately 7am and 8am.
• Price: Adult admission tickets are available from €175 per traveller.
• Duration of tour: You will need to book a full day for this experience. The tour can last between 09-12 hours on average.

Get out and enjoy one last night in Las Vegas

If you have enough energy left after your tour to continue discovering all there is to see and do in Las Vegas, go out and enjoy one last meal in Las Vegas.

Although the city is famous for its extremely vibrant nightlife scene; for its big parties and dance clubs, there are also options for those looking for a more relaxed plan. Here are some of the most iconic restaurants in Las Vegas, all located on the Strip:

• Eiffel Tower Restaurant: Located in the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, the speciality is French food, of course.
• Rivea: Extremely elegant restaurant, ideal for romantic dinners. The gastronomic offer includes French and Italian food.
• Parasol Down: Located in the New York Hotel, New York, this is another elegant restaurant option with an amazing collection of chandeliers on the ceiling. The speciality is American food.

And to end your trip, check out the different transfer options to and from the airport. But if you have the chance to stay an extra day, be sure to check out the following 4-day Las Vegas itinerary.