10 essentials: what to see and do in Las Vegas in 1 or 2 days

Un trip along the west coast of the United States It will not be complete if you do not have the possibility of visit las vegas, riding a Nevada.

And yes to this great Theme Park is Las Vegas If you do not find it attractive enough to visit it, I will remind you that this city becomes an intermediate stage in which it must be an essential visit: the Grand Canyon of the Colorado.

Located in the middle Nevada desert, riding a Las Vegas Don't expect to see buildings, historical monuments or beautiful natural landscapes in its surroundings.

In reality this city is the world's largest leisure and entertainment center, and from our tourist perspective, a great and incredible Theme Park.

You may be tempted not to approach Las Vegas, given its null cultural value, and I understand it because that's what happened to me in my first trip through the western United States.

Las Vegas, attractions in a theme park

But honestly, after finally visiting Las Vegas, I think it was well worth it, although it is possible that it is greatest museum of extravagance that you can see in the world and, in short, a whole Show to the American.

Taking this into account, from my point of view you have to approach your visit as when you go to a Theme Park where you go through a succession of attractions.

The truth is that on one of my trips, in which we left Los Angeles late and crossed the Mojave desert at night, the arrival at Las Vegas It was brutal.

After many kilometers where you only see the classic North American caravans in the middle of the desert in complete darkness, suddenly you begin to see a light source on the horizon that almost dazzles, and right there, in the middle of the desert is Las Vegas.

If you travel in summer, the Las Vegas sightseeing tour It is very conditioned by the temperature that you are going to find, since it is stiflingly hot during the day.

At night the temperature drops a little, not much, but it is the perfect time to tour the casinos; In winter it is something else, since it can get quite cold at night.

La founding of the city of las vegas It dates back to 1905, its fame as a leisure center comes from 1941, when after the legalization of gambling, hotels and casinos began to be built, the first of them, the flamingo.

Since then, numerous hotels have been built, each more spectacular.

And all the leisure activity of the city has been linked to the casinos and to musical shows and performances by the biggest music stars.

The best things to see on a Las Vegas sightseeing visit

Below I will give you some tips for visiting Las Vegas.

To begin with, to plan your trip you should know the Driving distances to Las Vegas from major cities on the west coast.

Thus, this city of State of Nevada is located at 446 kilometers from Los Angeles, which means just over four hours on a highway with very long straight lines, but with a lot of traffic, not only during the day, but also at night.

This means that on specific days and times, the trip can take up to six hours.

And, on the other hand, the distance from San Francisco to Las Vegas It is 925 kilometers, nine hours if you face the direct trip in one go.

Casino Hotels on Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas It is a relatively small city, very easy to get around.

Your visit will focus on the long avenue known as las vegas boulevard, and its main attraction is knowing the succession of spectacular luxury casino hotels that are concentrated at the southern entrance of the city.

This route is known as Las Vegas Strip.

Best hotels to see and visit in Las Vegas

Each of the Las Vegas hotels It offers numerous attractions for visitors, but I will highlight the following hotels as must-sees, from south to north.

Luxor Hotel, Egyptian pyramid in Las Vegas

First, the Luxor Hotel with its amazing egyptian pyramid shape, the emulation of the famous Sphinx of Gizeh, and with the arrangement of its rooms on the interior sides of said pyramid.

Excalibur Hotel, children's story decoration in Las Vegas

El Hotel Excalibur, for its part, is ideal especially if you travel with children, with a story-like decoration, quite childish.

Hotel New York, skyscraper in Las Vegas

El Hotel New York Due to its exterior design, it will lead you to think that you are staying in one of the Manhattan skyscraper.

Paris Hotel, Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas

At Hotel Paris You will find on the outside the emulation of the most famous Parisian monuments, and on the inside, an accomplished decoration that will give you the feeling of walking through the most charming streets and corners of the French capital.

Located on the main avenue of the city, Las Vegas StripBetween the Flamingo Street and hamon avenue, Hotel Paris It is easily recognizable as it presents us with a 165 meter high replica of the Torre Eiffel.

But the emulation of the French capital does not stop there, as it also shows replicas of the Arch of Triumph, of the façade of Louvre Museum and the Concordia square.

At the main entrance you will have the feeling of being in the Paris Opera.

El Paris hotel It was inaugurated in September 1999, and the guest star at the inauguration was the actress Catherine Deneuve.

Inside, as happens in the Venice Hotel, the shopping center and the casino area are arranged in «streets» (you will have the feeling that you are outside!!) with a totally Parisian atmosphere thanks to the incredible decoration of the «buildings«.

Thus, in addition to the boutiques and shops of remembrances, you will be able to see «creperies» or typical «boulangeries«.

You will also find one of the legs of the Torre Eiffel or the reproduction of one of the Paris bridges.

In short, you walk through the interior of the Paris hotel It will be like attending a show.

Bellagio Hotel. water, light and sound show in Las Vegas

For his part, Hotel Bellagio is famous for water, light and sound show from its external sources, and you will recognize him as the protagonist of the film Ocean's Eleven.

Venice Hotel, canals with gondolas in Las Vegas

El Venice Hotel will surprise you with the emulation of the Campanile Tower in St. Mark's Square and its spectacular streets interiors that emulate the Italian city, including a canal with gondolas.

Hotel Circus Circus, big top circus in Las Vegas

In turn, the Circus Hotel Circus It appears like a big circus tent.

Stratosphere Hotel, large tower in Las Vegas

And finally the Stratosphere Hotel It is famous for its very tall tower topped with a small “amusement park.”

La visit to hotels located further south of Las Vegas Strip you can do it using a monorail train that unites some of them,

This way you will avoid having to walk long distances under a sun that, especially in summer, is really hellish.

Best things to do in Las Vegas: attractions, activities and casinos

At night in Las Vegas it is a must to go to the fremont street, to the north of the city.

Freemont Street Experience in Las Vegas

Specifically you must go to the area known as Fremont street experience, and this way you can enjoy the audiovisual show Live Vision.

If you are passionate about the strongest attractions of a typical theme park, you cannot miss the opportunity to go to the tower of the aforementioned Stratosphere Hotel where you will find the tallest attraction in the world, the Big shot.

Meanwhile, in the Hotel New York you can enjoy its impressive roller coaster.

Other types of attractions that you will find in different hotels are, for example, the Mandalay Hotel shark aquarium, Mirage Hotel volcano, different attractions of the Circus Circus Hotel, or the wild Fauna, including lions, Hotel Tropicana.

How to see shows in Las Vegas

The great shows They share the spotlight with hotels and casinos, with performances by the most famous world artists of music, magic, etc.

To highlight the permanent spectacle that the famous Circus of the Sun represents throughout the year in Las Vegas, a city that has become one of its permanent headquarters in the world.

Here you can consult and buy tickets for the Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas.

As I have commented, from las vegas you will have the opportunity to do an essential excursion to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado.

If you have enough time on your trip, you can dedicate two or, better, three days, to Take a trip to the Grand Canyon by car.

If you are tight on your schedule, you have the alternative of plane excursion, which is then combined with the Grand Canyon helicopter flyover.

This excursion is done in a single day, yes, with a good early rise, and with the exception that you visit the west rim of the Grand Canyon, which is not the main area where the most spectacular landscapes are.

If you take the Grand Canyon excursion, you will have the opportunity to see the Great Hoover Dam, either from the road, as well as from the air if you opt for the plane.

Spanish Tours in Las Vegas

Instead of visiting it on your own, you may want to join an organized group to get to know it, or go on excursions around the area.

If so, here is information about Spanish tours in Las Vegas, with numerous and varied proposals.

Among these proposals you have to sign up for one elvis wedding, tours to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, night walks, shopping tours at an outlet or tickets to the most notable shows.