Planning Our Trip To Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada, bills itself as the Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous for its luxurious casino hotels, sports venues, music and entertainment as well as the world’s largest interactive Sphere. With over 3 million annual visitors, it is a top-three destination for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry.
While we’ve been to Las Vegas a few times, our most recent trip was especially memorable as part of a Hilton Signature Vacation 4-night stay at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in the heart of Las Vegas. Hilton has several HGV locations in and around the metropolitan area, most notably Elara, a Hilton Club, Polo Towers, a Hilton Vacation Club and Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club located at the center of the city around the Las Vegas Strip and Formula 1® Track. During peak season and popular events, these locations can fill up quickly, so it is advisable to book a few months in advance or take advantage of promotional discounted rates that fit your vacation plan.
When booking a few months in advance, we planned to make the most of our trip by enjoying attractions both within the city and within a 30-minute drive. Our itinerary included the Venetian Resort, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Sphere, Hoover Dam, Red Rocks Canyon National Conservation Area and
Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Arriving In Las Vegas
When flying into Las Vegas from the East Coast, as we did from Atlanta, remember to consider the time difference. Flying in, we gained about four hours that we lose on the return flight. The airport is just outside the city, with shuttles available to the hotels and resorts. In our case, we opted for a rental car from the airport since we planned to venture outside the city. The drive from the airport to the resort is typically under 15 minutes, even with regular traffic.
Staying On The Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is a 4-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard at the heart of the city. Its hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, entertainment offerings and skyline have established the Las Vegas Strip as one of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations in the world.
Staying at Elara meant that most of the attractions were within easy walking distance. Planet Hollywood has a direct entrance from Elara, with easy access to dining and entertainment options. We had a direct view of MGM Grand from our dining room.
The Las Vegas Sphere
The Sphere is connected to The Venetian, providing access on foot to downtown Las Vegas. Additionally, the Las Vegas Monorail transit system allows easy access to attractions around town. The music and entertainment arena has an 18,600-seat auditorium and is notably visible from afar due to its massive size that dwarfs other tall buildings.
Entry into the Sphere is ticket-based and has limited hourly capacity. Booking online before visiting the Sphere is recommended, as space may be limited during popular shows. Check with your resort’s concierge for discount tickets. The interior exhibits are known for their immersive video and audio capabilities. Exhibits and cafes are spread around the interior leading up to the multilevel entrance to the auditorium at the top.
The main attraction of the Sphere is typically a live music event or 4-D show at the auditorium. We watched the documentary film “Postcard From Earth” with a unique surround sound for an auditorium of this size. The 16K resolution video demonstrated the fine detail of live frames at a small and large scale as seen in pictures taken on a standard smartphone from 30 rows back in the auditorium.
Hoover Dam And Other Nearby Attractions
Prominent national parks and popular attractions are a short drive from downtown Las Vegas. Heading east, visitors can access Hoover Dam and Lake Meade within 20–45 minutes. Heading west, Red Rock offers one of the most scenic drives in the western U.S. and is just 30 minutes away.
Hoover Dam, located about 30 minutes from Las Vegas, is one of the world’s top engineering marvels. We first drove over the bridge to the dam and parked at an upper level to get a great view, then walked back down to the bridge to experience the dam from various angles and locations.
There are multiple guided tours available when exploring the Hoover Dam. We chose a hydroelectric plant tour, which took us down to the belly of the dam. Our expert guide showed us the various intricacies of this massive station that provides water to seven states and dozens of large metropolitan cities in the southwestern United States.
Lake Mead, formed by the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s, is the largest reservoir and one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers amazing scenic views, rock formations and picturesque trails. A popular spot is the Sunset View Trail, located about 11 miles and approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the Hoover Dam Visitor Center.
Red Rock Canyon is a canyon, nature park and mountain trail that attracts visitors from all over the world to see its towering red sandstone cliffs, unique geological formations and diverse wildlife. Famous for its quiet, natural beauty, the canyon is surprisingly close to Las Vegas. You can buy the entrance ticket for Loop Drive online. The ticket gives you timed access to a scenic loop road around the canyon with ample parking and trail access to major sites.
Final Thoughts About Our Las Vegas Vacation
Las Vegas is a world-class tourist destination offering many modern and classic entertainment options, as well as natural attractions, for visitors of all ages. Staying on the Las Vegas Strip offers easy access to all the dining, entertainment and shopping options. We highly recommend Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club for a few days or longer stay when visiting this exciting city.
Key Takeaways
Booking Your Stay: Securing your stay at popular Hilton Grand Vacations locations, such as Elara, well in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons and major events.
Central Location: The Las Vegas Strip puts you close to iconic resorts, casinos and entertainment venues, with easy access to attractions on foot or via public transit.
The Sphere: The Sphere offers immersive video and live entertainment experiences. Book tickets in advance and check with your hotel concierge for any discounts.
Top Area Attractions: Top attractions include Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Red Rock Canyon. All are within a 30- to 45-minute drive.
Getting Around: Renting a car from the airport is convenient for exploring both the city and nearby natural wonders.
FAQs
Q: When is the best time of year to visit Las Vegas?
A: The best time to visit Las Vegas is during the spring and fall when the weather is pleasant and the city hosts numerous events.
Q: How should you plan your stay when attending major events in Las Vegas?
A: If you plan to attend major concerts, conventions or special attractions in Las Vegas, it's wise to book accommodations several months in advance.
Q: Is staying right on the Las Vegas Strip recommended?
A: Yes, staying on the Las Vegas Strip puts you within easy walking distance of major casinos, shows, dining and entertainment venues.
Q: What’s the best way to get around Las Vegas and nearby attractions?
A: It's easy to explore Las Vegas on foot or by using public transit, including the monorail system that connects key attractions. Renting a car from the airport is also recommended.
