There’s so many things to do in vegas for first timers that just figuring out a game plan can be completely overwhelming. that is why i’ve pulled together all of my vegas favorites into a 3-day las vegas itinerary for first timers.
Day 1: The Whistlestop Tour
If it’s your first time in vegas, you’re probably itching to see the strip! so once you arrive, head out on foot to stroll the strip. Bonus points if you decide to take a 3-foot-tall frozen drink with you. check out some of the more interesting theme hotels on the strip – either the new york new york, the bellagio, the cosmopolitan, or the pirate show at the treasure island.
A must do in vegas for first timers: view the las vegas strip from above
Grab pre-dinner drinks at the high roller ferris wheel at the linq for an amazing view of the strip as the night lights come on. having your own bartender will make for a pretty fun ferris wheel ride!
For dinner, head to the nearby paris hotel to hit up mon ami gabi – my favorite restaurant in all of las vegas! If you can, try to sit outside so that you have a perfect view of the fountains at the bellagio hotel. After dinner, hit up a show (make sure you buy your tickets in advance)
DAY 2: Poolside shenanigans, shopping and skydiving
Grab room service or a quick coffee breakfast so you have time to enjoy the entire day! Head out to the pool early to snag a pool chair and soak up the sun for a few hours. And i mean early. Some of the pool chairs will get claimed with towels starting as early as 7am! As long as you’re out to claim a chair by around 10am – you should be fine.
Las vegas pool options
When it comes to pools in vegas, there’s two options: chill or party. Almost all resorts have a “chill” pool option. If it’s in your budget, consider renting a poolside cabana where you’ll have a dedicated space for your group to gather, as well as plenty of shade.
If you’re looking for more of a poolside party scene, las vegas has some pretty incredible daytime pool parties that are more like clubs than they are pools – and they’re worth experiencing at least once – and more than that, if it’s your thing. If nothing else, the people-watching will be amazing.
Day 2: afternoon
For the afternoon, stroll through the shops in the grand canal and grab some gelato while you’re at it. The whole scene looks so much like venice that you may feel like you can check that city off your bucket list! You can even take a gondola ride through the canal, complete with your very own singing gondolier (be on the lookout for marriage proposals!). If you’re still hungry post-gelato, a pizza at otto’s is about as close as you can get to italy without actually going there.
Zipline through las vegas
If shopping isn’t your thing, spend the afternoon doing an activity that you can only do in vegas. A few of my favorites are indoor skydiving or ziplining through freemont street. Head back to your hotel to put on your saturday-night-finest, and then head out for the evening!
First time in vegas? Check out the secret cocktail at the chandelier bar
If it’s your first time in vegas, you can’t miss the cosmopolitan hotel. Start your night with drinks at the chandelier bar at the cosmopolitan, a 3-story bar where you’re literally having drinks inside a chandelier. While you’re there, you have to try the secret cocktail that you won’t find on the menu.
Day 3: Burn off a buffet breakfast
This morning is the perfect time to indulge in one of vega’s famous buffets. The buffets are everywhere – but there’s only a few that are worth the price tag. My favorites are the buffet at the bellagio, the buffet at the wynn, and the bacchanal buffet at ceasar’s palace.
Hiking at red rock canyon
If you’re game post-breakfast, I highly recommend checking out the natural beauty in and around las vegas. The scenery is just stunning, even though it tends to be overshadowed by the strip, which is why i recommend it to first time visitors to las vegas. Try either a helicopter tour over the grand canyon and hoover dam, or if you’d rather burn off that buffet, the hiking trails at red rock canyon are unbelievably beautiful.
