Planning a perfect road trip through Nevada? Make sure to put space in your schedule for one day in Las Vegas, Nevada. Known as the entertainment capital of the world and Sin City, Nevada’s most visited travel destination has plenty of fun activities to keep you busy.
Even if you only have 24 hours in Las Vegas, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience the city’s top landmarks and attractions. Start your day by visiting some of the top museums in the United States before grabbing a bite to eat at one of the city’s unique restaurants. End your evening by seeing a show, trying your luck in the casinos, or experiencing the city’s nightlife scene.
Not sure where to start your tour of Vegas in one day? Make the most out of your visit with this 24-hour Las Vegas itinerary.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other city itineraries and our Nevada Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
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Where to go in Las Vegas in one day: A complete itinerary
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant
No matter where you’re staying, you’ll want to start your day of sightseeing with a filling breakfast. And in these parts, there’s hardly a better choice for early-morning dining than Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant.
Although it’s a bit of a trek from the busy streets of the Strip, if you have your own transportation, it’ll be well worth the drive to fuel up at this family-friendly 24-hour restaurant. Indulge in a variety of American breakfast favorites like pancakes, buttercream waffles, and omelets. If you’ve got picky eaters in your midst, not to worry: The kids’ menu has plenty to keep little taste buds happy.
If you’re looking for something a little hipper, head to the Arts District to try out Makers & Finders. Grab a coffee and tackle your appetite with Latin-inspired breakfast bites like churro waffles and breakfast empanadas.
Check out the exhibits at Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Once you’ve filled up the tank, venture northward to check out the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Full of interactive exhibits and educational classes, the museum gives a different experience than what you might be used to from other natural history museums.
If you’re a lover of Egyptian history, you’ll find plenty of displays to keep you occupied for the better part of the morning. Explore a real replica of the entrance of Tutankhamun’s tomb or watch as historians use new technological advancements to scan mummies.
You can also see the Golden Shrine and King Tut’s sarcophagus. The natural history museum should definitely be added to your Las Vegas travel itinerary if you’re traveling with children. They’ll love the live displays and the kid’s area.
Learn some Nevada history at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Park
Located right next to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Park should be your next stop on your 1-day itinerary. The first non-native settlement in the Las Vegas Valley, the state park has a fort full of historical artifacts worth exploring.
The visitor center at the entrance of the park is full of photographs and exhibits to show you what life was like for the Mormon missionaries who built the fort in 1855. After the tour, you can enjoy the warm weather during the summer months by walking the grounds of the park.
Just a short distance from Downtown Las Vegas, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort is a quick stop on your way to explore more of the city’s top travel destinations.
Take a peek at the art at the Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is only about a 6-minute walk from the Mormon Fort. Most of the exhibits are outdoors in a sprawling courtyard full of artwork and antiques. If you don’t love the traditional vibe of indoor museums, the Neon Museum will give you a different way to explore the artwork.
Most of the vintage items and pieces are directly from the Las Vegas skyline. You’ll learn about Las Vegas’ history and how the city became one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Among the highlights here are the Hard Rock Cafe’s iconic Les Paul and the old “Welcome to Las Vegas” neon signs, dating all the way back to the 1930s. Be sure to snap a few photos here for your Instagram feed!
If you’re making good time, try to stop in at the Mob Museum. Just a short 3-minute drive south, the Mob Museum tells stories of America’s mafia history through a series of fun, interactive exhibits.
If you’re visiting without the kids, travel back to the Roaring Twenties at the on-site speakeasy. Entrance to the Prohibition-style bar is included with your Mob Museum admission. (Just don’t forget to memorize the password before entering!)
Have lunch at Taqueria Casa Del Sabor
After a full morning at the museums, eat your weight in tacos at Taqueria Casa Del Sabor. Just a few minutes walk from the Neon Museum on North Las Vegas Blvd, it’s just a small food truck and doesn’t look like much from the outside. It’s been continuously rated one of the best taco places in Las Vegas, though.
You’ll get your food in just a few minutes, leaving you plenty of time to explore the rest of the city. If you’re not a huge fan of tacos, they also have tortas and burritos. Make sure to try one of the unique options like the pork belly or campechano. Get a horchata to go as you head to the next place on your walking tour.
Roam around Fremont Street
Fremont Street is about a 30-minute walk from the taco food truck. If you don’t feel like walking, you can use public transportation to get here. Grab bus 113 at the Cashman stop heading towards Carson. Buses come every 15 minutes. The Fremont Street Experience has endless things to explore and is a great stop before reaching the heart of downtown.
At the beginning of the street, you’ll find Downtown Container Park. Each shipping container is a boutique, art gallery, or small food shop. In the center of the shipping containers, there’s a children’s playground and a large courtyard perfect for relaxing and taking some time off your feet.
If you want to get your energy and adrenaline pumping, stop at the Slotzilla Zipline. Whiz through the air at this popular indoor ziplining attraction, choosing between the 77-foot-high Zip-Zilla or 114-foot-high Super-Hero Zoom.
As you get to the end of the Fremont Street Experience, you’ll find live music performances and street performers at all hours of the day and evening.
Try your luck at Caesars Palace
A trip to Las Vegas isn’t complete without some light-hearted gambling at Caesars Palace. One of the city’s most famous casinos, it’s at the beginning of the Las Vegas Strip, making it a perfect first stop before exploring the rest of the area. Try your hand at the slot machines or make bets at one of the playing tables.
The Las Vegas Strip is closer to downtown, while the Fremont area is towards the east side of Las Vegas. The bus system from the suburbs into the city can get confusing. Your best option is to grab an Uber or Lyft. You’ll reach Caesars Palace in about 15 minutes.
Whether you’re experienced or amateur, there are table games for all skill levels at the casino in Caesars Palace. If you happen to be in Las Vegas during a major football game day, the casino has special games for betting money on who will win. You can also enjoy the extra parties and events for sports days.
Take a stroll down the Las Vegas strip
After playing at Caesars Palace, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the famous Las Vegas Strip. The Strip runs down the main part of Las Vegas Boulevard for about 2.5 miles. Lined with many of the major tourist attractions in Las Vegas and performance venues, the Strip is easy to walk up and down. (Don’t forget to wear some comfortable shoes!)
Not far from Caesar’s Palace, escape the streets and go high above the city in the High Roller. Enjoy dramatic skyline views as you roll through the sky on the 550-foot-tall Ferris wheel.
If you’re visiting after the sun goes down, don’t miss the opportunity to catch a fountain show at the iconic Bellagio Fountains. Every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening, the fountains spray water up to 460 feet in the air, timed with music and lights.
Further down the Strip, you can also explore the history of the Titanic at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Or, if you’re visiting with kids, you can drop by the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay to check out its colorful marine life.
At the southern end of the Strip, make sure to check out the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign. Bring your camera for the obligatory photos of the sign.
Along the way, shopaholics will find plenty to keep their attention along the Strip, too. There’s a large selection of boutiques and shops in the area, offering everything from souvenirs to high-street fashion.
PRO TIP: Want to save your feet? Explore the Strip using the convenient Las Vegas Monorail! A day pass for the monorail is just $15, allowing for unlimited rides.
Grab dinner on the strip
By now, the lunch street tacos have probably been fully digested, and you’re likely feeling hungry again. The Strip has plenty of restaurants to choose from, suitable for all diets and cravings.
If you’re craving steak, try Edge Steakhouse or the Primal Steakhouse. For sushi lovers, the Strip has many places to choose from including Chin Chin and Kabuto.
The Strip also has endless choices for Southeast Asian cuisine and Japanese food. Roam around the strip until you find something that looks appetizing, or you can make reservations at a place ahead of time.
Fuel up at one of the famous Las Vegas strip restaurants before heading out to enjoy the rest of the evening and night. Many of the luxury hotels also have specialty restaurants for nonguests and have some of the best food in the city. Choices include Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas and the Grand Lux Café at The Venetian.
PRO TIP: If you grab dinner at Mon Ami Gabi, be sure to save time to grab a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the city skyline from the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck. Also known as the Eiffel Tower Experience, the observation deck opens at 2 pm daily.
Take a romantic gondola ride at the Venetian
After filling up at one of the Strip’s most famous restaurants, take your loved ones for a moonlit gondola ride. You’ll feel like you’re straight out of Venice, Italy, when you’re finished. The Gondola rides start from The Venetian hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.
You’ll stream down real canals with an expert gondolier. The gondola rides are much better at night than during the daytime. You’ll be able to see the city light up and teem with people and street performers. After your ride, you can explore the famed hotel.
The Venetian has luxury-themed shopping and a famous replica of the Rialto Bridge. You can also stop for some gelato or chocolate.
End the day with a Las Vegas night show
After being on your feet for most of the day, you’ll probably be ready to sit down and relax. Seeing a night show or concert is a perfect way to end your 24 hours in Las Vegas. While Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, and Cirque du Soleil might come to mind when you think of Las Vegas night shows, there are plenty of other shows and performances in the city.
Many of the performances, concerts, and comedy shows take the stage in hotels, resorts, or venues on the Strip. If you’re traveling solo or without children, check out X Rocks at the Bally Hotel and Casino or the X Burlesque at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.
If you aren’t tired from walking all day, you can also hit up one of the city’s nightclubs instead of sitting down for a show. Omnia at Caesar’s Palace, Hakkasan at MGM Grand, and Lily Bar & Lounge at the Bellagio Hotel all have night events full of drinking and dancing. The Venetian also has the Asian-inspired Tao nightclub. You can slide right in after your gondola ride.
Where to stay with 24 hours in Las Vegas
If you’ve only got a day in Vegas, the best areas to stay in Las Vegas are around Downtown, the Strip, and Fremont Street. The areas are home to many of the city’s top hotels and resorts. Accommodations range anywhere from bargain-basement hotels to palatial 5-star luxury lodgings. Outside of the city center, you’ll find a good selection of owner vacation rentals, too.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort
Looking to stay in Vegas in style without breaking the bank? Lay down your head at this budget-friendly hotel. Rooms are delightful and guests will be treated to several outdoor pools, hot tubs, and an on-site bar & grill.
The Palazzo at The Venetian
An attraction in its own right, The Palazzo at The Venetian is a solid choice for any Vegas travel plan. Suites are spacious and amenities are plentiful, including an on-site spa, pool deck, and over 80 on-site restaurants.
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas
Another classic Las Vegas Strip hotel, the Encore at Wynn offers roomy suites, featuring contemporary decor and floor-to-ceiling windows with wonderful city views. Amenities at this luxurious hotel include an award-winning spa, outdoor pools, a fitness center, several restaurants, and two on-site nightclubs.
More Las Vegas itinerary ideas
Hoover Dam
Located about 45 minutes from Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a must-see if you’ve got extra time in Sin City. Dating back to 1936, the dam remains one of the most impressive engineering marvels in the United States.
At the time of writing, tours to Hoover Dam are on pause due to the pandemic. Travelers can, however, visit the Visitor Center to learn more about the spectacular dam. Tickets are only sold in person on a first-come-first-serve basis.
High Roller at the LINQ
Want to see the city from above? Carve out time on your Vegas trip for the High Roller at the LINQ. Sitting at 550 feet tall, it’s the world’s tallest observation wheel.
The best time to visit the High Roller is at night when the bright lights of the strip illuminate the night sky.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Looking to escape the buzz of the city? Pencil in a day trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Located just 17 miles west of the Strip, it’s one of the top-rated day trips from Las Vegas and a must-see for outdoor adventurers.
At over 195,000 acres, there’s plenty to explore at Red Rock, including 30 miles of hiking trails, a scenic 13-mile drive, and opportunities for horseback riding, rock climbing, and picnics.
Zion National Park
Extending your itinerary a few days? Scoot over to Zion National Park. Located 2.5 hours from Vegas in Utah, the national park is one of the most popular in the United States.
Although Zion National Park is open year-round, the best time to visit is between April and October. As there’s an almost endless array of trails, carve out a couple of days to not rush the magic.
