After a long flight and a few timezone changes, I landed and was quickly reminded of how unique the city is. Vegas sees an average of 40 million tourists a year, and I think everyone should visit at least once.
Throughout my 48 hours in Sin City, there were attractions worth checking out and a few things I'd skip in the future.
I recommend enjoying at least one of the city's many incredible shows.
I went to the U2 concert in Las Vegas.
Carly Neil
Las Vegas is a magnet for entertainment. From popular musical artists and bands in residency to Cirque du Soleil's acrobatic spectacles, no trip is complete without a night out enjoying a show.
Some shows even have multiple performance times each night, so you can be flexible with your schedule.
It's worth taking a trip by the Sphere.
The Sphere is a new venue in Las Vegas.
Carly Neil
The Sphere is a performing-arts venue in Las Vegas that doubles as a stunning lights display.
The structure is a sight to see in its own right, and you don't have to buy a ticket to whatever performance is happening inside to appreciate the engineering and technology.
However, if you can get inside, it's pretty incredible.
I had a blast scoping out the best restaurants.
Las Vegas is a great city for foodies.
Carly Neil
The city is home to some of the best restaurants in the country, many of which are led by world-renowned chefs like Bobby Flay, Guy Savoy, and Masaharu Morimoto.
It's easy enough to find your favorite chain restaurant in Las Vegas, but I recommend filling your itinerary with exceptional, one-of-a-kind eateries.
Walking around all of the resorts was a fun, free activity.
The Venetian has actual canals inside.
Carly Neil
The resorts found up and down the Strip, the iconic stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard, are all open to the public. You don't have to be an overnight guest to enjoy the ambiance.
Many of the hotels in Las Vegas have beautiful artwork, shopping, dining, and attractions throughout, like St. Mark's Square at the Venetian.
Even if the hotel you're staying in has everything you need, it was a lot of fun to check out the other properties (and maybe even scope out a hotel for my next visit).
On the other hand, I wasn't really into the gambling.
I'm not a huge fan of slot machines or card tables.
Carly Neil
I can justify throwing $20 into a machine just for the experience, but I don't want to blow all my hard-earned spending money in less than 10 minutes.
I underestimated how expensive the short trip would be, and I'd cut down on excess spending next time.
Some of the treats I found in Vegas were fun, but they were really expensive.
Carly Neil
Like any major city in America, there's an added cost when enjoying Las Vegas. There are tourist traps and overpriced souvenirs galore.
I was tempted by some of the fun treats along the Strip, but I don't think I'd pay $6 for one doughnut again — especially if I'm trying to stick to my budget.
Waiting until the last minute to decide where to eat made me waste a ton of time.
There are so many food options in Vegas that it can become overwhelming.
Carly Neil
If you're a foodie who wants to check out as many restaurants as possible, it's important to book reservations in advance.
I definitely spent a little too much time on my phone looking for available dinner reservations. Every minute counted, especially since I was only in town for 48 hours.
I wish I hadn't spent the whole weekend in the city.
There are fun things to see outside of the Strip.
Carly Neil
My time constraints got in the way a little bit during this trip, but I wish I'd trekked outside the city to find some of the country's most stunning landscapes.
Las Vegas is only a 30-minute drive from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and two hours from Death Valley National Park.
I was basically on the Strip the whole weekend, but it would've been cool to explore more.
This story was originally published in October 2023 and most recently updated on October 24, 2024.
