If you’re looking to plan the best weekend in Las Vegas, then you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been to Las Vegas several times, and it’s a fun city to explore. There is always something happening, day or night, and it truly is a city that has something for everyone.
For this Las Vegas itinerary, I’m focusing on top things to do in Las Vegas for first time visitors. So that means it’s full of all the ‘classic’ Las Vegas weekend trip stops. But, even if you’ve visited Las Vegas several times, you may find something new to check out!
Of course, feel free to add things or change stops to personalize your Las Vegas weekend itinerary to your needs or interests. Because there are so attractions in Vegas, and it’s a city that truly never sleeps, there is an endless amount of things to do in Las Vegas in a weekend.
While there are tons of things to do, you can easily see the main highlights if you spend 3 days in Las Vegas. Most people go to Las Vegas Nevada for a long weekend, so just 3 or 4 days at a time. So don’t feel like you’ll miss out on anything if you only have a weekend to spend in Las Vegas.
With all that in mind, let’s dive into the epic Las Vegas weekend itinerary, and all of our top tips to make your trip super memorable and tons of fun!
The Perfect 3 Day Weekend In Las Vegas Itinerary
Day 1: Old Meets New On The Vegas Strip
For your first day in Las Vegas, I’ve planned a packed day full of highlights on the downtown area of Las Vegas Blvd, aka, the Vegas Strip. You’ll get a taste of some of Vega’s older, iconic attractions, and the new attractions that are making their mark on the city.
Stop 1: The Pepper Club For Breakfast
Just off the strip, you’ll find The Pepper Club, a restaurant in the English Hotel. The Pepper Club is a fairly new restaurant in the Vegas foodie scene. But it’s already become extremely popular. Especially for breakfast and brunch lovers.
They serve brunch daily from 7am to 3pm. So no matter what time you decide to start your first day, you can stop at the Pepper Club. On their menu, you’ll find classics like stuffed French toast, avocado toast, and a wide variety of pastries.
Stop 2: See The Famous The Little White Wedding Chapel
After you’ve had breakfast, you’ll take a short 15-minute walk to the first stop of the day. The Little White Wedding Chapel is one of many, many, wedding chapels in Las Vegas. Wedding chapels are one of the things that make Vegas for couples a top destination.
But what makes the Little White Wedding Chapel so famous is its long history of being the wedding chapel of the rich and famous. In fact, it’s considered the most famous wedding chapel in Vegas! Some of the chapel’s most famous couples include Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.
Other celebrities who exchanged nuptials at the chapel include Britney Spears, Michael Jordan, Judy Garland, Sylvester Stalone, and so many others. Part of the chapel’s fame is due to the “Tunnel of Love”, which is the world’s first drive-thru wedding venue.
You can’t spend 3 days in Las Vegas without at least checking out one of the famous chapels – even if you don’t plan on getting married. So we suggest a quick look around the Little White Wedding Chapel.
Stop 3: Get Scared At The Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum
After you’ve seen an old, yet iconic piece of Las Vegas, why not head to a mixture of old and new? Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum is quickly becoming one of the most popular newer attractions in Las Vegas. You may recognize the name from the Travel Channel show, Ghost Adventures, which has been airing for over 15 years. So Bagan’s and his crew of ghost hunters have gained quite the following.
The museum is housed in a historic Vegas mansion, from 1938. Inside, you’ll find Bagan’s private collection of supposedly haunted objects. Since its opening, the museum has frequently won awards for being the ‘Best Museum in Las Vegas’, the ‘Best Attraction in Las Vegas’, and tons more. So while it might not be a topic that interests everyone, it’s an incredibly popular thing to do in Las Vegas in a weekend.
If you want to continue exploring the haunted side of Las Vegas, you can also book your ticket for a haunted Las Vegas ghost tour!
Book Your Ghost Tour Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 4: Visit Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
Just a short five-minute walk away from Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum, you’ll find another Las Vegas location that was made famous on TV. The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop gained fame after starring in the History Channel show, Pawn Stars! It’s a real pawn shop that has a constantly rotating inventory.
If you’ve seen the show, you’ll also know that it often features famous artifacts relating to Las Vegas history. Because it’s a real shop, you can just walk in and purchase something if you want. There is also a guided tour you can take that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the pawn shop.
You’ll also stop by other famous Vegas shops featured on the History Channel, like Counts Kustoms and Shelby American. This tour is likely to sell out, so we suggest booking your ticket online! But you can also just pop into the shop to take a look around and then head to your next destination.
Book Your Tour Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 5: Lunch
After touring the world-famous Gold & Silver Pawn, you’ll probably be ready for lunch. There are a ton of different options in this area. But right across the street from the pawn shop, you’ll find Rick’s Rollin Smoke BBQ. The restaurant is owned and operated by Rick Harrison, one of the stars of Pawn Stars. It’s got tons of great reviews on Google, so if you like BBQ, this is a great stop for lunch.
There are also a few smaller restaurants in the area. In particular, you’ll find quite a few small family-owned Mexican restaurants, an Italian restaurant, a pizza shop, and even a healthy whole foods café. So I suggest just stopping for a bite to eat at whatever restaurant sounds the best to you!
Stop 6: Enjoy The Fremont Street Experience
Depending on where you’ve stopped for lunch, your next stop is only about a 15 to 20-minute walk away. Fremont Street is a giant 24-hour mall full of both high-end and ‘budget’, casinos, and entertainment venues stores for you to explore.
But the big attraction to this mall is the Fremont Street Experience. The entire ceiling of the mall is a huge LED canopy. Throughout the day and night, the huge LED canopy puts on a brilliant light display. Honestly, you could hang out there for quite a while just watching the unique and massive display change.
It’s such a pretty light display that just enhances the shopping experience. If you’re not up for shopping or hitting the casinos, you can take a walking tour of the famous mall and enjoy the show!
Book Your Walking Tour Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 7: Learn About Famous Mobsters At The Mob Museum
The next stop on your Las Vegas itinerary is just a five-minute walk away, and it’s the Mob Museum. When most people think of the notorious ‘Mob Era’ in American history, they probably think of cities like Chicago and NYC. But Las Vegas was also a popular hot spot of mob activity. So, in 2012 Las Vegas became the home of the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, aka, the Mob Museum.
The museum focuses on not just Las Vegas organized crime history. Because it’s the national museum on the subject, it features mob history from all over the country. It’s an immersive museum, so it’s not like your typical quiet museum environment.
You’ll head into the crime lab to use forensics to solve crimes, sample moonshine during the distillery tour, and step into a prohibition-era speakeasy in the basement of the museum. If you’re looking for a unique museum experience in Las Vegas, make sure you book your tickets to explore the Mob Museum!
Get Your Entry Ticket Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 8: Explore The Neon Museum
The last stop on your first day of your 3 days in Las Vegas is another unique museum experience. Just a 15-minute walk away from the Mob Museum, you’ll find the Neon Museum. The Neon Museum is another thing to do in Las Vegas in a weekend that combines old and new Vegas.
You can book a tour of the Neon Museum, from 3 to 11 pm. The museum is open later, and throughout the night, so that you can experience the signs all lit up. Not all of the neon signs in the museum still work, but the ones that do are so cool to see turned on at night.
In the museum, you’ll find iconic neon lights that once added to the Vegas skyline, dating all the way back to the 1930s! You’ll also learn about the history of the lights, how neon lights were made, and what made them so unique. It’s a super cool way to end the first day of your Las Vegas weekend trip!
Book Your Helicopter And Neon Museum At Night Tour Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 9: Dinner
There aren’t a ton of dining options right by the Neon Museum. So you may have to head back farther into the main area of the Las Vegas strip to grab something to eat. However, if that’s not an option for you, there are a few restaurants nearby. You’ll have to walk a few blocks, but there is a sports bar, a Salvadorian restaurant, and a taqueria near the museum.
The museum is near a few public transportation stops though. So you can easily head back into the heart of Las Vegas if you’d like more options for dinner. Especially if your hotel is farther down the strip! A lot of hotels in Las Vegas also have massive buffets that you can enjoy for dinner.
Day 2: Explore Classic Las Vegas
For the second day of your 3 days in Las Vegas itinerary, I’m taking you to all of the Las Vegas classics! These are the activities and attractions that everyone should see and do at least once when visiting Vegas.
Stop 1: Zeppola Café For Breakfast
For breakfast, I suggest starting your day at the Zeppola Café. The Zeppola Café is located in the Venetian Resort, which is where you’ll be spending the first part of day 2. They only have two locations, one in NYC, and then this location in Las Vegas.
On their menu, you’ll find plenty of delicious options that are a slight twist on breakfast classics. They have menu items like white chocolate ricotta pancakes, lobster roll brioche, and salmon and avocado croissants. They also have more traditional breakfast dishes like omelets, brioche French toast, and pancakes.
Stop 2: Visit The Grand Canal Shoppes At The Venetian Resort
Since you’re already at the Venetian Resort for breakfast, you’ll want to take some time to explore the Grand Canal Shoppes. You can explore the huge mall yourself, or book a walking tour from the Venetian to the Bellagio. It’s a great option if you want to see the shoppes, but don’t care about actually shopping. There are also restaurants and performance venues in the mall.
Whatever option you choose, you could easily spend a few hours exploring the Grand Canal Shoppes. There are tons and tons of stores, ranging from designer fashion, tech, and huge toy stores. But what makes this mall so unique is that you will literally ride on gondolas, like you’re in Venice, to get around large parts of the mall.
Book Your Walking Tour Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 3: Ride The High Roller
Just a five-minute walk away you’ll find the High Roller. The High Roller is a huge Ferris wheel that measures over 550-feet tall! You’ll find it attached to the LINQ Hotel. It’s very similar to the London Eye, not only because of its height but also because of the size of the ‘cabins’.
The ‘cabins’ are massive and can hold up to 40 people inside! While you go up and around the Ferris wheel, you’ll get to experience 360-degree views of the Las Vegas skyline. To skip the line, I suggest booking an entry ticket in advance. It’s not a super long ride, but it’s definitely worth it for the views alone!
Get Your Entry Ticket Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 4: Lunch At Maxie’s Of Las Vegas
After riding the High Roller, you’ll start making your way to the Bellagio Resort. On the way, I suggest stopping for lunch at Maxie’s of Las Vegas. It is located in the LINQ Hotel, which is also where the High Roller is. Maxie’s is a casual diner that has hearty entrees as well as classic diner sandwiches.
The restaurant is probably best known for its ‘novelty’ menu items. These include dishes like a cube of jalapeno mac and cheese, fruity pebbles french toast, cotton candy pancakes, and their ‘World Famous’ benedict boxes. But they also have very normal diner menus items, like burgers, chicken tenders, and omelets.
Stop 5: Explore The Grounds Of The Bellagio
From Maxie’s, you’ll take a short 15-minute walk to the Bellagio Resort. Keep in mind that you can book a walking tour from the Venetian to the Bellagio if you want to skip the High Roller and lunch at Maxie’s!
The Bellagio is easily one of the most famous and popular resorts in Las Vegas. It is meant to resemble a quaint European village, but more luxurious. The hotel itself overlooks a bright blue lake where you’ll find the famous Bellagio fountain show.
Even if you aren’t staying at this resort, I highly suggest exploring the grounds. Along with the casino, the resort is full of amenities and things to do. There is a fine art gallery, a conservatory and botanical garden, a fountain show, and even a late-night lounge.
Book Your Walking Tour Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 6: Dinner At Chin Chin Las Vegas
After exploring the Bellagio Resort, I suggest getting dinner at Chin Chin Las Vegas. Chin Chin Las Vegas is one of the most popular restaurants in the city, and for good reason. It’s an upscale Chinese restaurant in the New York – New York Hotel and Casino, with over 2,000 4 star reviews on Google.
There are a few Chin Chin locations in the US, and the Las Vegas location is one of the most popular. I highly suggest booking a reservation ahead of time if you can. Their menu item is full of ‘modern’ takes on Chinese and Asian classic dishes.
You can try their crispy spicy honey chicken, tangerine beef, mapo tofu, and more. They also have classic favorites like lo mein, fried rice, dumplings, wontons, and dim sum. With plenty of vegetarian options, it’s easy for just about everyone in the group to find an amazing meal for dinner.
Stop 7: See A Show
Las Vegas is known for hosting some of the most famous musicians in the world for their ‘residencies’. A Las Vegas residency for an artist can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few years. It’s where you can go to see many artists that aren’t really touring anymore. Like Cher, Celine Dion, U2, Lady Gaga, Garth Brooks, and Carrie Underwood.
Musicians of all genres have residencies in Vegas, so you’re sure to see an artist that you like on the list of current residencies. You’ll also find a ton of Cirque Du Soleil troops performing at different venues, magicians, mentalists like Criss Angel, and so much more. So I suggest planning ahead and booking tickets for one of the many shows available every night in Las Vegas!
Book Your Show Tickets Here: Getyourguide.com
Stop 8: Take A Picture With The Iconic Las Vegas Sign
If you haven’t yet, make sure to take a picture with the iconic Las Vegas sign on your last night in the city! The sign is actually a lot smaller than most people realize, and there is plenty of room in front of it to get your picture taken. You can even book a photographer and have a professional photo shoot with your group in front of the sign!
When you go to take your picture, please remember to take your picture and then move out of the way. It’s a really popular photo stop for everyone visiting Las Vegas. So make sure to not hog the sign too much, so that everyone can get their picture at the famous sign. Just remember to be kind and courteous at this popular photo stop!
Book Your Photoshoot Here: Getyourguide.com
Day 3: Head To The Desert
For your third day of this 3 days in Las Vegas itinerary, I suggest heading out to the desert. There are a few popular options, but I’ve picked my personal favorite day trips from Vegas for you to explore.
Now, if you only have 2 days in Vegas, you may want to skip these and just focus on the suggestions above! Or choose only one and remix the suggestions above!
Stop 1: Breakfast At Mr. Mamas
Before you head out to the desert for the last day of your weekend getaway to Las Vegas, I suggest stopping for breakfast at Mr. Mamas. Mr. Mamas is slightly off-the-beaten path since it’s not right on the Vegas strip. However, it’s a super popular place for breakfast in Vegas.
It’s a classic diner serving breakfast and lunch daily. They are known for their ‘famous’ cinnamon roll, but they also have breakfast menu items like omelets, french toast, pancakes, and full breakfast spreads. With almost 3.5k 4-star reviews on Google, this is one breakfast spot that you can’t miss when you visit Vegas.
Stop 2: Valley Of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is one of my favorite State Parks in the Western US. It’s absolutely beautiful and always worth a visit. If you have your own car or want to rent a car while you’re in Vegas, you can easily get to Valley of Fire. It’s just an hour and a half drive away from the heart of Las Vegas.
However, if you don’t have access to a car, don’t worry. There are tons of companies that offer tours to Valley of Fire, and other desert attractions near Las Vegas. You can book a day trip tour to Valley of Fire State Park or even overnight trips. All of the guided tours give you plenty of time to explore the park for yourself. But you’ll also learn about the park’s history from a knowledgeable guide.
Book Your Day Trip To Valley Of Fire State Park Here: Getyourguide.com
Optional Additional Stop: The Hoover Dam
If you have your own car, you can also add the Hoover Dam to your day trip to the desert. It’s not necessarily on the way to Valley of Fire State Park, so keep that in mind. If you’d rather see the Hoover Dam instead of Valley of Fire State Park, you can do that.
Like the state park, there are tons of tour companies that offer day trips to the Hoover Dam that you can book. Just choose whatever is the most interesting option for you, and book your tour! No matter which option you pick, make sure to book your tickets ahead of time, to make sure your choice doesn’t sell out.
Book Your Day Trip To The Hoover Dam Here: Getyourguide.com
Where To Stay During Your Weekend In Las Vegas
The Venetian Resort
One of the most popular resorts in Las Vegas is the Venetian Resort. Not only is it full of cool amenities, but it’s also practically right in the middle of all the popular things to do and see in Vegas. The Venetian is a 5-star resort, so it is on the more expensive side.
However, if it works within your budget, you’ll be glad you booked your Las Vegas weekend getaway there. Inside you’ll find over 40 international restaurants, a huge shopping mall (that is an itinerary stop!), and a state-of-the-art casino.
Book Your Stay Here: Booking.com
The Mandalay Bay Resort
The Mandalay Bay Resort is a more budget-friendly option that is still located on the Vegas Strip. It is towards the middle of the range for price points of hotels in Vegas. So you’ll get to stay around all the top spots but without the nightly price of somewhere like the Venetian. The resort has some really great amenities too. Like their lazy river, floor-to-ceiling windows in every room so you can enjoy the view, and a huge casino.
One of the downsides of Mandalay Bay is that it is a pretty popular location for conferences. They have a huge conference center, which is booked pretty frequently for events where people travel to Las Vegas. So during certain times of the year, your room selection may be a bit more limited to accommodate travelers for conferences.
Book Your Stay Here: Booking.com
Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas Strip South
The best budget-friendly option for a hotel in Las Vegas, that keeps you on the Strip, is the Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas Strip South. The hotel averages around $150-$200 a night, which is fairly inexpensive for hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. So you won’t break the bank if you stay here.
One of the reasons it’s so budget-friendly is because it’s not packed with amenities like other hotels on the Strip. They offer free transport to the airport, an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner, and a fitness center.
They do have a small pool, but nothing like some of the other hotel pools in Vegas. So if you want to spend the day by the pool or hitting the casino, you’ll have to do so at another hotel.
Book Your Stay Here: Booking.com
Top Restaurants To Try In Vegas In 3 Days
Top Of The World
If you’re looking for an upscale steakhouse with epic views of Las Vegas, then check out the Top of the World restaurant. The Top of the World is located in the STRAT Hotel and Casino, at the very top of the hotel. This is definitely a pricey restaurant and they have a strict ‘upscale dress code’. So keep that in mind!
It’s an especially popular restaurant in Vegas for couples looking for a romantic evening. Their menu is a classic steakhouse menu, but they do have a few options for vegetarians. It’s a super popular restaurant in Vegas, so I highly suggest making a reservation ahead of time!
Esther’s Kitchen
Esther’s Kitchen is a mid-range restaurant close to downtown Las Vegas, in the Las Vegas Arts District. It’s a seasonal Italian restaurant that is cozy, like stepping into a village restaurant in Italy.
Because they are a seasonal restaurant, their menu changes with the seasons. This means they are always serving dishes made with fresh, seasonal produce and ingredients.
They serve lunch Monday through Friday, brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and dinner daily. They do take reservations, which I always suggest booking ahead of time. If you’re in the mood for classic, freshly made, Italian dishes, then head to Esther’s Kitchen!
Evel Pie
If you’re in the mood for pizza, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Evel Pie. Named after famous dare-devil, Evel Knievel, the pizza joint is a nod to the dare-devil and the classic 1970’s American culture of pizza and punk. It is New York style pizza with only a few classic toppings.
Those include cheese, peperoni, BBQ chicken, their take on a Hawaiian pizza, and a few others. They also have a few vegetarian pizza flavors on their menu too. If you have time, they will also make you your own vegan pizza. But they don’t typically have slices of vegan pizza ready to go.
Getting Around During Your Weekend In Vegas
There are a ton of different options for getting around during your weekend in Vegas. Most of the top attractions are located right on Las Vegas Blvd, aka, the Strip. So it’s very easy to walk to pretty much everything. If you’re planning to drive to Las Vegas, it’s a very car friendly city.
There are plenty of parking lots, street parking, and parking garages. But keep in mind it is a city, so the traffic can be a bit rough at times. Las Vegas also has public transportation options, which include the Monorail, taxis, ride share programs, and the city bus.
Insider Tips For A Weekend Trip To Las Vegas
Sin City is a really popular tourist destination in the US. So for this Las Vegas trip planner, I’m including some of my favorite insider tips to get the most out of your 3 days in Vegas. The best time to visit Las Vegas is definitely in the late winter and early spring if you want to avoid the heat. So I suggest planning your trip for sometime between February and April.
Because it’s such a popular travel destination, you’ll want to book everything well in advance. Even tickets to the museums and shows can sell out if you wait until the last minute to book them! So book everything as far in advance as possible to ensure you get to see and do everything you want.
If you don’t need to plan to spend an actual weekend in Vegas, but have some flexibility in what days of the week you can stay in Las Vegas for 3 days, you have a few options for flying in. The cheapest days to fly into Las Vegas are typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday.
They are also typically the less busy options. Friday and Saturday are super popular travel days for Las Vegas, so if you want to avoid the crowds, try skipping Friday or Saturday flights!
There are so many things to see in Las Vegas in 3 days, and it’s truly an epic long weekend vacation! I hope this Las Vegas trip itinerary, my travel tips, and suggestions for hotels and restaurants help you plan your next trip to Las Vegas! Do you have any suggestions for first time visitors to Vegas? If so, I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!
15 Best Airbnbs In Tucson, AZ (Cabins, Adobes And More!)