The ultimate way to spend 24 hours in Vegas

If you’ve booked a long Las Vegas layover, we have a hunch you’re already planning to sneak off to Sin City. And why wouldn’t you? This dazzling desert destination pulls out all the stops—it’s no wonder they call it the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

Even if your layover is during the wee hours of the morning, you can always escape to Las Vegas Boulevard, where the partying never stops. Time’s a-ticking, so hail a cab and hit the Strip!

How to get around

When you’ve booked flights to Las Vegas, McCarran International Airport is just a few miles east of the notorious boulevard, meaning you can arrive at the neon-lit Strip in less than 20 minutes. Although there are inter-city shuttles available, taxis offer the quickest and most direct way of getting around. Wave down a cab outside Terminal 1 at door exits 1-4, or outside Terminal 3 at Level Zero. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to be the driver’s seat, rent a car in Las Vegas at the airport rental counter.  

Where to go in Las Vegas

A day in Las Vegas will open the doors to some weird and wonderful sights—perhaps an Elvis impersonator jiving to “Jailhouse Rock” on one corner, and a sauntering Jack Sparrow lookalike on the next.

Flickr/Creative Commons/Anthony Quintano/Via/https://flic.kr/p/ramHRV

Rub shoulders with these eclectic, costumed entertainers, and then hotel hop to get a feel for Vegas in 24 hours or less. From their wild and sumptuous architecture to their splendid attractions and thrill rides, each hotel on the Strip works to outshine the others. Their towering structures scream, “Look at me!” while their bright lights promise entertainment around the clock. Step right up to the nation’s tallest freestanding observation tower at the Stratosphere, watch the fountains dance at the Bellagio, and forget about traveling to Egypt—you’ll find pyramids at the Luxor.

Don’t just stand outside gawking at the magnificent Las Vegas hotels. Venture into the grand lobbies and experience what makes people talk in Vegas. Many of the casinos flaunt massive game floors with chiming slot machines and enticing roulette tables. If gambling isn’t in the cards for you, eat your weight in shrimp cocktails at one of the buffets at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Caesars Las Vegas, or the Mirage.

Flickr/Creative Commons/Anthony Quintano/Via/https://flic.kr/p/ramHRV

Still have time to kill? Delve deeper into the enormous hotels to discover the spectacular showrooms with performances that will have you hanging off the edge of your seat. Risk-taking Cirque Du Soleil acrobats bring their performances to new heights at the theaters inside hotels such as the Mirage, Bellagio, and New York-New York. Meanwhile, illusionists David Copperfield, Jan Rouven, and Criss Angel, make crowds question reality at the MGM Grand, Luxor, and Doubletree Hilton theaters.

The beauty of a Las Vegas day trip is that all the entertainment is packed into this illuminated hub in the middle of the desert. You don’t have to venture far to experience the ritzy, saucy, and kooky flair of this sinful city. So as soon as your flight touches ground, go AWOL on the Strip for a while, and then return to the terminal just in time for boarding.

What other attractions belong on your 24-hour itinerary?

Viewfinder Tip: To get around faster, hop on the Las Vegas Monorail or ride in a tram around the Strip.