Book Flights to Las Vegas (LAS)

The biggest city in the USA’s state of Nevada and often referred to as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, Las Vegas is famous for its lavish hotels and casinos, raucous nightlife and sense of pure hedonism. There are myriad experiences in Las Vegas, and you may be surprised by just how much diversity the city offers outside of the gambling hotspots. Plan the perfect trip with this Finnair travel guide to Las Vegas.

Sights in Las Vegas

In addition to the poker tables, roulette wheels and game machines, Las Vegas’s casinos and hotels have many other attractions and features to keep you in awe. For an adrenaline rush, ride the roller coaster at New York New York. Take a deep breath and do the Sky Jump at the Stratosphere Hotel after riding Insanity, Big Shot and X-Scream at the top. The Adventuredome at Circus Circus is one of the USA’s biggest indoor attraction parks, with roller coasters, spinning rides, bumper cars and more. For even more thrills, how about an indoor skydive, firing automatic weapons at one of the gun clubs or a helicopter flight? Drive a racing car, play pinball, take a stripper class ... life in Vegas is diverse! Snap pictures with the stars at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and experience Asian culture at Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza. The Mirage has a large aquarium and the famous nightly light show of the Volcano. Bellagio boasts the Gallery of Fine Art, gorgeous Botanical Gardens and the iconic fountain show.

Step back in time at Luxor, to an ancient Egypt when the pharaohs ruled supreme. You can also visit Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and one of the most unusual / macabre attractions in Vegas, BODIES ... The Exhibition, where you can see real corpses and dissected body parts. Other Vegas curiosities include the World's Largest Golden Nugget, the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum and the toilets mounted on a piece of the Berlin Wall at Main Street Station. From the Auto Collections at The Quad and the Flamingo Garden to shark tanks at Mandalay Bay and gondola rides at the Venetian, Las Vegas is filled with cool and unusual attractions. The city is also famous for its diverse programme of shows, with the incredible Cirque du Soleil among the highlights. Well-known singers and bands perform in concerts, and there are comedy shows, circus performances, variety shows, plays, burlesque cabarets, musicals, tribute acts, magicians, hypnotists and almost any form of entertainment that you can think of. And, if you’re still seeking more, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs too.                     

Things to See and Do Near Las Vegas

• Death Valley – Featuring unusual rock formations and geological features, like the Devil's Golf Course and Artist Drive, viewpoints that offer sweeping and striking vistas, natural stone bridges, canyons, dunes, salt flats and much more, this dramatic national park is also home to the lowest point in all of North America.
• Grand Canyon – A popular trip from Las Vegas, the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon offers trekking, rafting, climbing, camping and the chance to brave the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
• Valley of Fire State Park – Nevada’s biggest state park is home to stunning sandstone rock formations, scenic valleys, petrified trees and ancient rock carvings.

Shopping in Las Vegas

Most people visit Las Vegas for pleasures other than shopping; the local shopping scene is, therefore, fairly basic. There are convenience stores and pharmacies along the main Strip for essentials, and most hotels have gift shops and boutiques; though do keep in mind that the prices inside hotels are often a lot higher than if buying elsewhere. There are several independent malls in the area too.

• Town Square – Designed to look like a Mediterranean town, this open-air mall sells a variety of clothes, souvenirs and other items.
• Fashion Show Mall – You’ll find many chain stores here, as well as shops that sell goods by famous designers.
• Las Vegas Premium Outlets – There are two such outlets in Las Vegas; one on South Grand Central Parkway and the other on Las Vegas Boulevard South. Each has more than 100 shops filled with discount fashions. Well-known brands are sold at lower prices in the factory outlets, making them ideal for shoppers who like luxury for less.

Food and Drink

• Shrimp – As close as it comes to Las Vegas’s local food, people eat more shrimp here than anywhere else in the USA. Shrimp cocktails are especially popular.
• Buffets – There are many buffet restaurants around Las Vegas, letting diners chose from a wide array of dishes to suit their tastes and whims. Many operate on an all-you-can-eat basis too, ensuring that you’re full and satisfied after your meal.

Transport in Las Vegas

Walking in the scorching sun is often the least preferable way of moving along the Strip and exploring the city, though short distances on foot are usually tolerable. There is good public transportation in Las Vegas too.

• By foot – Walking from one casino or hotel to the next is generally reasonable, even given the heat, and many establishments have underground walkways or bridges connecting them to prevent people from having to step outside.
• Monorail – Running along the east side of the Strip, there are several stops along the Las Vegas Monorail. Single-journey tickets are available as well as day passes, and tickets can be bought at kiosks at the stations.
• Buses – Public buses travel along the Strip and connect the Strip with downtown and surrounding areas. Services are frequent and some lines operate all around the clock. Tickets can be bought from vending machines at the bus stops. Single-ride tickets are no longer available; two-hour passes are the cheapest and most basic ticketing type now available. Day passes are also available, and a 30-day pass can be economical if staying in Las Vegas for a longer period of time; you would need to use the ticket for eight days out of the 30 for it to be cost effective.
• Taxis – Taxis in Las Vegas are reasonably priced and they are one of the most popular local forms of transport. They operate with meters and there are many taxi queues along the Strip.