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• Last Updated On
• June 10, 2023

Las Vegas Visitor Statistics and Tourism Figures 2022

It’s little wonder that Las Vegas is a hub for tourists and visitors. Sin City is widely considered the entertainment capital of the world. And while it’s most known for its casinos and gambling, the city also plays host to world class singers and stars in residencies across its many phenomenal venues.

But just how huge is tourism in the city? We took a look at Las Vegas visitor statistics and travel demand and here’s all the facts and figures you need about the scale of Vegas tourism.

Key Vegas Visitor Statistics

Here for the quick version? Find out fast Vegas visitor stats below. If you want more detail, read on!

• A quarter of Brits named Vegas as one of the top 3 US cities they’d most like to visit (putting Vegas third behind New York City (41%) and Los Angeles (26%)
• In 2019, Las Vegas attracted a phenomenal 42.5 million tourists
• This dropped by more than half in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, with just 19 million visitors recorded that year
• Hotel room inventory in Las Vegas was a mere 25,430 in 1970. By 2019 this reached 150,259
• Incredibly, those rooms were 88.9% occupied on average throughout 2019 (that average rose to 95% on weekends)
• In 2019, 15% of the 42.5 million visitors attended a convention in the city while there

Las Vegas Tourism: How Many Brits Want to Visit?

Pre-pandemic and border closures, Brits were a huge source of tourism to the US with over 4.5 million visitors arriving from the UK annually according to statistics . 

But that figure only focuses on those who’ve made it here. What we wanted to find out is how many Brits want to visit the US and, more specifically, Las Vegas.

So we polled 2,000 Brits in November 2021 to ask them:

“Which of the following US cities would you most like to visit (pick up to 3)?”

We gave respondents a list of the top 25 largest US cities by population with the option to also specify others or that they don’t want to visit any.

Here’s what they told us:

• A quarter of Brits want to visit Las Vegas, according to our figures

The 25% of Brits who want to visit Las Vegas makes Sin City the third most popular choice behind New York (41%) and Los Angeles (26%).

There are some variations by age and gender too.

While movies like The Hangover may lead you to believe Vegas is a more popular choice amongst Bachelor parties and male groups, it’s actually women who are likeliest to say they want to visit (27% vs 23% of men).

The breakdown varies by age too.

Just under a third of Brits aged 25 to 44 name Vegas in their top 3 desirable US cities to visit. At the other end of that scale, just 17% of over 55s do the same.

Whether it’s for the shows, attractions, or the top restaurants in Las Vegas , what’s clear from our statistics is that far more than the 4.5 million Brits who make it to Vegas each year actually want to. Vegas is the third most popular city in the States as a desired tourist stop by Brits and as borders reopen, let’s hope the city is welcoming many of them.

Official Las Vegas Visitor Numbers Through History

Data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority goes back to 1970 and covers visitor statistics, those visiting for conventions and figures around hotel room inventory and occupancy.

We’ve pulled together data from the LVCVA to look at numbers over time.

• In 1970, there were 6.7 million visitors to Las Vegas
• In 2019, this had grown to 42.5 million
• In 2020, following the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, visitor numbers fell to just 19 million, the lowest number since 1989.
• In 2021, there were 32,230,600 visitors to Las Vegas, showing a stark recovery despite travel restrictions for overseas visitors still in place for much of the year.

Let’s cast the pandemic aside for one moment. What these Vegas visitor statistics show is that Las Vegas is a city whose popularity with tourists surges year after year after year. With few exceptions, tourism in the city grows consistently.

And even in the midst of a global pandemic, Vegas still attracted over 19 million visitors in 2020. The first 10 months of 2021 showed some recovery, with over 26 million visitors recorded with 2 months of the year to go.

How Many Hotel Rooms are There in Las Vegas?

The data from the LVCVA also goes into detail about hotel room inventory in the city and occupancy too.

So let’s see how that looks over time.

• In 1970, there were just over 25,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas
• Fast forward to 2021 and that number was 150,535

Unsurprisingly, as the city’s tourist numbers have risen, so too has the supply of hotel rooms. And Las Vegas now has over 150,000 rooms available.

That sounds like a lot of rooms, right? But the high occupancy rates of these hotel rooms (according to the figures) suggest they’re absolutely necessary.

• Between 1986 and 2019, hotel annual average occupancy never fell below 80%
• The Covid effect saw occupancy in 20% fall to an all time low of 42%
• 2021 averaged 68.8% – better than 2020 but still lower than occupancy in 1970

What’s clear is the astronomical impact that the pandemic has had on hotels and hospitality businesses. Signs of recovery are positive, but there’s some way to go before Vegas is back at those not-far-off 90% occupancy levels pre-pandemic.

Vegas Tourism Statistics in Search

We think a great indicator of demand and mood is Google! Whether it’s shopping for gifts, Googling healthcare symptoms or planning the trip of a lifetime, millions of us take to Google every single day.

So understanding how people are searching for things related to travel to Vegas gives us some really amazing insight. We used kwfinder.com to get estimates of the number of monthly searches made in the USA (and specific states within) for different words and phrases around Las Vegas travel.

Here’s what we found.

• Unsurprisingly, there was a significant dip in searches for flights, hotels and things to do in the aftermath of Covid-19 being declared a pandemic
• But things are starting to recover. Our data shows that demand in Google search was higher in October 2021 for hotels and things to do than in October 2019, pre-Pandemic
• Between October 2019 and October 2021 inclusive, there were 10,883,000 (almost 11 million!) searches in Google USA for “ Las Vegas hotels ”
• In the same timeframe, statistics from kwfinder.com show there were 2,207,000 searches for “ things to do in Las Vegas ”
• Over that period, Google USA saw 5,441,500 searches for “flights to Vegas”
• In February 2022, the statistics show that monthly searches in the USA for “Las Vegas hotels” his 1,000,000 for the first time

Post Pandemic Las Vegas Visitor Statistics – The Future is Bright?

The LVCVA figures show a marked recovery in the first 10 months of 2021. And search volume in Google is also recovering too, which includes family travel terms such as “ Las Vegas with kids “. Our statistics all point to the fact that once travel is as feasible as it once was Vegas will be back bigger and better than ever before.

Visitor Origin

To track where Las Vegas visitors come from, the LVCVA monitors and summarizes information from several data sources. Our most popular visitor origin reports are listed below.

Top Air Feeder Markets to Las Vegas

Top domestic and international origin markets of direct inbound air visitors arriving at Harry Reid International Airport based on data from the US Dept. of Transportation's Origination and Destination survey.

2022 Top Direct Air Markets

Las Vegas International Visitation Estimates

A multi-year look at international visitation estimates to Las Vegas by country.

2023 International Visitation by Country & World Region - Prelim

2019 International Visitor Characteristics by Select Country

Contact Our Research Team

Looking for additional data or resources? Get in touch with the LVCVA Research Center, and we can help provide you with reliable facts and insights to help gain a deeper understanding of Las Vegas tourism.

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Las Vegas tourism stats round-up post

Millions of tourists flock to the casino mecca every year in search of luxurious hotel experiences, high-stakes gambling, and family-friendly attractions. From live performances to nightclubs to museums to helicopter tours, Las Vegas is everyone’s playground.

Here are all the Las Vegas tourism statistics you need to know as an attraction or tour operator in Nevada’s most exciting city.

How many tourists visit Las Vegas each year? 

While Las Vegas became a ghost town at the start of the pandemic, it was one of the first U.S. cities to reopen hotels and casinos after the shutdown.

Its dozens of casino resorts began welcoming back guests in early June, which helped boost its visitor numbers in 2020. Still, only 19 million people traveled to Vegas in 2020. Tourism started to pick back up in 2021 and has continued to rebound in 2022.

Las Vegas Tourists in 2021

The tourism industry in Las Vegas began to recuperate in 2021. That year, the destination welcomed 32.2 million visitors . This represented a significant increase from the prior year — when only 19 million visitors came — yet still a ways away from the 42.5 million people that visited in 2019.

Las Vegas Tourists in 2020

During the pandemic, nearly all Las Vegas attractions and conventions were put on pause. This resulted in a steep drop in visitor numbers. Only 19 million people visited the destination in 2020. Visitor numbers hit historic lows at the onset of the pandemic: Less than 200,000 visitors traveled to Las Vegas in April and May 2020.

Las Vegas Tourists in 2019

In 2019, Las Vegas had a year in tourism. The buzzing destination welcomed 42.5 million visitors, up from 42.1 million in 2018.

There were several new venues, attractions, and events in the works for 2020, which promised to be a strong year up until the pandemic started.

Las Vegas Monthly Tourism Numbers

The average number of people visiting Las Vegas each month was 3.5 million in 2019.

July 2022 saw the highest monthly visitation since the start of the pandemic, reaching nearly 3.5 million visitors for the month, just 5.3% below the July 2019 tally.

Las Vegas Weekly Tourism Numbers

If there were 32.2 million visitors last year, that means Las Vegas saw over 600,000 visitors per week.

Las Vegas Daily Tourism Numbers

Las Vegas sees thousands of visitors per day. Last year, over 30 million people visited the destination or an average of 88,000 per day.

How much money does tourism bring to Las Vegas?

The economic impact of Las Vegas’ tourism industry is driven by visitor spending on accommodation, dining, shopping, local transportation, shows, and other activities.

In 2021, the total economic output related to visitor spending reached $60.6 billion , which represented about half of the region’s gross economic output. Of that, $36.1 billion was a result of direct visitor spending.

Meanwhile, Clark County secured $11.4 billion in gaming revenue in 2021, surpassing its 2019 revenue. The Las Vegas Strip itself brought in $7.1 billion in gaming revenue.

Which Demographics Want to Visit Las Vegas the Most?

In 2021, Las Vegas visitors were younger, more ethnically diverse, and more likely to be visiting from the Western U.S. than any other region. They were also more likely to be traveling with children than in previous years.

About 44% of Las Vegas visitors are millennials, and 54% are 40 years old or older. The average visitor’s age was 43.2 , which was down from 2016 to 2019.

More than half said they were visiting for leisure purposes . Most visitors had been to Las Vegas before: Only 20% said they were first-time visitors.

How many Americans visit Las Vegas each year?

The majority of Las Vegas visitors come from the U.S. In 2019, about 37 million domestic travelers made their way to Las Vegas for a visit, representing over 80% of all visitors.

In 2020, nearly 18 million Americans traveled there. Numbers started to pick up last year, when about 31 million domestic visitors traveled to Las Vegas, compared to just under 1 million international visitors.

Top states that have the most tourists that visit Las Vegas

About 60% of Las Vegas visitors came from the West Coast, with California leading the way.

About 30% of all visitors traveled over from California. Of that, 26% came from Southern California. Another 11% came from Arizona. The rest came from all over the U.S. : About 17% came from the South; 12% from the Midwest; and 8% from the East Coast.

How many international tourists visit Las Vegas each year?  

Only 3% of visitors were from foreign countries in 2021, down significantly from previous years. In 2019, the destination welcomed 5.7 million visitors from abroad, representing about 13% of all visitors.

Top countries that have the most tourists that visit Las Vegas

In 2019, Canada was the leading market with 1.5 million visitors , followed by Mexico with 1.1 million visitors. The U.K., Australia, and Japan rounded out the top five international markets for Las Vegas tourism.

International visitation numbers were still lower than usual in 2021. Mexico took the top spot with about half a million visitors , representing more than 50% of Las Vegas’ international visitors last year.

How Much Do Tourists Typically Spend in Las Vegas? 

Despite the decline in visitor numbers, visitor spending in 2021 rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

Visitors spent about $36 billion in Las Vegas last year — with the average visitor spending about $1,120 per trip .

Let’s take a look at a breakdown of their spending:

• Three-quarters of visitors said they gambled while in Las Vegas. The average visitor’s gambling budget per trip was $718 .
• The average visitor spent $462.37 on food.
• The average visitor spends $130.02 on transportation.
• Visitors shopped a lot, spending an average of $284.55, the highest total ever seen.
• The average visitor also spent $32.55 on shows and $51.28 on sightseeing

How Many Hotel Rooms Are In Las Vegas? 

Las Vegas has the most hotel rooms than any city in the U.S. There were over 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas as of July 2022. Hotel occupancy was ​​83.4% with an average daily rate of $160.43.

Before the pandemic, the destination was set to gain an additional 12,000 hotel rooms between 2020 and 2022. As the city’s tourism industry recovers, the hotel sector will likely pick back up where it left off.

How many tours and attractions are in Las Vegas? 

The Las Vegas Strip is home to 32 casinos, including The Cosmopolitan, Caesars Palace, and the Bellagio. These casinos are located within sprawling hotel properties that offer a range of non-gambling attractions like gondola rides at The Venetian and a shark aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

Other top attractions include the Neon Museum, which houses 250 neon signs from around Vegas; the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where you can go horse riding or rock climbing; and the High Roller, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world.

Live concerts and performances are another major attraction in Las Vegas, with Cirque du Soleil and the Blue Man Group being among the most popular.

Top 15 Las Vegas Tourism Attractions by the numbers 

• In 2021, three-quarters of visitors said they gambled while in Las Vegas, meaning over 24 million visited the destination’s many casinos during their visit.
• The bulk of Las Vegas’ 32 million visitors pays a visit to The Strip, the 2.5-mile-long central section of Las Vegas Boulevard known as The Strip.
• The Fremont Street Experience attracts 26 million visitors to downtown Las Vegas every year.
• The Bellagio Resort and its Fountain Show use up to 22 million gallons of water . The daily shows attract millions of tourists every year.
• The Hoover Dam, which spans the Arizona-Nevada border just 30 miles south of Las Vegas, is the most visited in the world. The dam attracts 7 million tourists per year.
• Since opening in 2003, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace has welcomed nearly 10 million fans for live music experiences on the Las Vegas Strip.
• The Stratosphere Tower welcomed its 40 millionth visitor in 2016. About 2 million people ascend the vertical adrenaline-pumping attraction every year
• Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium features more than a dozen shark species and attracts about 900,000 visitors every year.
• Over 600,000 guests fly over Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and the Hoover Dam with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter tours every year.
• The Mirage casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip is home to the Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, a wildlife attraction that receives 500,000 visitors every year.
• The outdoor Neon Museum attracted 85,000 visitors in 2015.
• Hotel staff estimate that 70,000 people pass through MGM Grand Hotel each day.
• The Venetian Hotel has over 4,000 hotel suites and attracts thousands of guests and visitors alike to its Gondola Rides.
• Paris Las Vegas is a massive casino resort with over 1,700 slot machines and 2,900 hotel rooms.
• The Mandalay Bay luxury resort and casino has a 12,000-seat sports and entertainment complex that attracts big performers from all over.

As the travel industry returns to normal, Las Vegas will continue to be one of the top tourism destinations in the U.S.

Writer Carla Vianna

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Number of visitors to las vegas in the united states from 2000 to 2021 (in millions).

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A first-timer's guide to Las Vegas

Feb 8, 2024 • 9 min read

First time going to Vegas? Don't miss these helpful tips © Johnny Greig / Getty Images

If there is any destination where its reputation precedes itself, it is probably the raucous one of fabulous Las Vegas , Nevada.

You likely already have an image in your head shaped by years of pop culture: flashing neon lights, dice rolling across a craps table, singing slot machines and the “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” ad campaign from the early 2000s. 

But what I love about Las Vegas is that it constantly reinvents itself, meaning your experience will be unique to that moment in time, your interests and the people you’re traveling with. Yes, it is Sin City, boasting gambling and strip clubs, but it is also more than that, catering to a ton of different sins too. 

Is yours gluttony? Because there are plenty of high-end restaurants and epic buffets serving up memorable meals. Is it greed? Beyond gambling, there is tons of great shopping. Is it sloth? There is no shortage of amazing spas and pools to visit once you have grown tired of the clattering noise of the casino. 

You can still find poker high rollers, Elvis impersonators and drive-thru wedding chapels, but the Vegas of today also hosts megastar residencies like Adele and U2 in spectacular, intimate theaters. It also stays at the edge of technology with novelties like robot room service, champagne vending machines and robo puppies. 

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your first visit.

When to go to Las Vegas

In most destinations you’re probably trying to avoid the crowds, but you just may want to schedule your Vegas trip to coincide with popular days when the city is buzzing with excitement. Any sporting event (Super Bowl weekend, NCAA college basketball tournament, NBA finals) will see droves of visitors, and federal holidays (Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day) will attract travelers from across the country looking for a fun four-day weekend.  You’ll see soaring prices for accommodations, but that may be worth it if you want to be in Vegas when the city is electric.

Another busy time to flag: the Consumer Electronics Show brings people from around the world, with the airport often adding international flights to accommodate the passenger traffic. 

Still, there’s no bad time to visit this dynamic city, and if you want to shoot for a period with fewer crowds, you will be rewarded. There's still a party nearly every day of the week, all times of the day. If you head to Vegas mid-week in the summer months, the excruciating summer desert sun (upwards of 104 ° F/40 ° C) will drive down resort prices, but you’ll still be able to keep cool with air conditioning everywhere (you’ll likely need a sweater inside) and enjoy the day club/pool party season.

How long do I need in Vegas?

I have visited Vegas too many times to count over the last two decades, and as much as I adore this saucy city, I cannot remember a single time when I was not really ready to go home on day four. There is no quieter flight than the return flight home from Vegas. Build in a day for rest after – trust me. 

Getting around Las Vegas

The main thing to remember about getting around is that objects are farther away than they appear. The casino resorts are huge, and that makes distance really hard to judge visually. A resort that may look just three doors down may actually be more than a mile (1.6 km) away, so keep that in mind when you decide to walk between destinations. 

Still, there are a variety of options for travel between resorts other than on foot. Some resorts offer trams and shuttle services to get you between their properties. Uber and Lyft are common – but beware most resorts have designated pick-up and drop-off points. Read more about transportation around Vegas.  

Where to stay

Keeping in mind what I said about distances, you may want to stay close to where most of your plans are taking you, especially if you’re attending a big event and don’t want to fight for an Uber after. Vegas caters to a lot of conventions and large events, so there is a variety of hotels and amenities available. 

You'll always find a new resort in Vegas and this year the newest on the block is Fontainebleau , which recently opened its doors with a concert featuring Justin Timberlake. 

I personally love a location in the middle of the Strip near the Cosmopolitan and Aria as well as the iconic Caesars Palace . For those seeking an Oceans Eleven-themed trip, the Bellagio recently refreshed its fountain view rooms. (Pro tip: Turn on your room TV to the dedicated fountain channel so you hear the music while you watch the show from your window.) 

On the other end of the Strip, Resorts World has several hotels (Hilton, Conrad and Crockfords) in one. This is a new, sleek resort but you can often find great deals to stay here. At some there is a “boutique hotel” within the larger property that provides a more elevated experience. 

For a quieter visit, look for what’s called a “non-gaming” hotel. These hotels don’t have a casino on the property and tend to be a bit more tranquil – by Vegas standards. The Waldorf Astoria , Four Seasons and Vdara all fall in this category, and Marriott and Hilton both have some non-gaming properties just off the strip. 

When booking your stay, heads up: the price you see is not the price you pay. Nearly every resort charges what they call a “resort fee'' which ranges from USD$35–50 a night plus tax. So it's not uncommon for that $30/night bargain to be more like $100/night when the bill is settled. Make sure to check the resort fee on the hotel website and do the math before you book.

Top things to do in Vegas

It’s worth walking through different resorts to see all their unique personalities, from replicating Paris and Venice, to wowing audiences with fountains and conservatories of fresh blooms. Part of the Vegas experience is to appreciate the eclectic decor and themes, often a reflection of Vegas’ personality in the year they were built. Get your 10K steps while walking the Strip the Lonely Planet way. 

At night, grab a ticket to a show. The ticket price may seem expensive, but you’re usually seeing the artist in a more intimate venue than you would elsewhere, and since the production doesn't move daily like on a tour, you'll experience a pretty spectacular performance. Having a hard time deciding which show is right for you? Let us help you choose. 

If you need a break from the buzz of the Strip, don’t forget Vegas has a lot of great outdoor activities too. Red Rock Canyon Recreation Area and the newly opened Ice Age Fossils State Park are great places to get outside.

Don’t forget to check out Fremont Street as well. Along with giving you the feel of classic Rat Pack Vegas, this part of the city is in the middle of a renaissance with hot restaurants with less expensive prices than the Strip and new hotels like the Circa , which boasts Stadium Swim, a huge rooftop pool with a 40ft HD-screen TV. 

If the Vegas Golden Knights are playing, snag a ticket to experience hockey as only Vegas can do it. It’s almost like attending a show where a hockey game breaks out. The successful franchise is beloved by locals, so go early for a drink in the nearby Park MGM complex and enjoy the city’s spirited support of its team. 

My favorite thing to do in Las Vegas

I rarely gamble when I’m in Vegas these days. When I go, I’m there for the chance to experience its spectacular entertainment options and its ever-changing culinary scene, which draws chefs from around the world. 

Some restaurants, like supper clubs The Mayfair and Delilah , offer those two experiences together. 

There’s always a new restaurant to try here, so by all means, look up what the hot new thing is. But the one restaurant I cannot resist coming back to over and over is Roy Choi’s Best Friend . Based on the chef’s beloved LA food truck, you’ll walk through a faux bodega to get to the dining room where a DJ is spinning while you share Korean BBQ with your friends. Make a reservation in advance – this place books up. (A side note: Roy Choi and actor/director Jon Favreau just teamed up to bring a real-life version of the food truck from the 2014 movie Chef into the Park MGM!)

I’m also a big fan of checking out restaurants off the strip, like Esther’s Kitchen and Carson's Kitchen in Downtown Las Vegas . The Neon Museum , a bit north of there, is also a great off-the-beaten-path thing to do that allows you to experience Vegas’ sparkle of previous decades. 

Finally, for a splash of nostalgia, I love to take friends for a cocktail at the Peppermill ; with its sunken living room-esque booths and moody neon lighting, this place feels like a time warp into 1970s Las Vegas. It’s a vibe. 

Average costs in Las Vegas

Let me set some expectations: long gone are the days of the dollar buffet and the cheap Vegas stay. You’ll still find some bargains here and there – but expect a mid-range (to expensive) weekend depending on the sins you choose to indulge in.

Tipping in the US is the norm, and in Las Vegas you may see a service charge already included in a bill. Still, there are some instances, like for large parties, where the service charge may not be included so always double check. 

Even with service fees, there are still some instances where tipping is expected: when the door attendant brings your bags to the room, when a staff member has gone above and beyond (like snagging you a last-minute reservation), or when servers provide bottle service at the club. Also, when you’re gambling, drinks are often free but you’re expected to tip the waiting staff at some point. (Expect your drink to take some time to be delivered, as they hope you spend a little more money gambling.) 

• Mid-range hotel off-peak, midweek summer: $60–100
• Mid-range hotel on peak weekend: $200+ 
• Daily resort fees: $30–50
• Service fee: 20%  
• Bottle service at a club: $1000–1200 (plus tax and tip)
• Monorail day pass: $13.45 online
• Sandwich: $12–20
• Dinner for two: $100–200 (or more)
• Beer/pint at the bar: $6–10
• Cocktail: $15–20

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Las Vegas Tourism Statistics

Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Each year, millions of people visit the city to enjoy its casinos, hotels, and other attractions.

What are the Las Vegas tourism statistics? How many people visit Las Vegas each year? What are the most popular tourist attractions in Las Vegas?

According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), 42.9 million people visited Las Vegas in 2016. This was a slight increase from the 42.3 million people who visited in 2015.

The LVCVA also reports that the average visitor to Las Vegas spends around $470 per visit. This adds up to a total of $20.5 billion in visitor spending each year.

Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Las Vegas

The most popular tourist attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos. The Las Vegas Strip is home to some of the most famous casinos in the world, including the Bellagio, the Venetian, and the MGM Grand.

Other popular tourist attractions in Las Vegas include the Hoover Dam, the Fremont Street Experience, and the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

• 1 How many tourists visit Vegas each year?
• 2 What percentage of Las Vegas economy is tourism?
• 3 How many tourists visit Las Vegas each day?
• 4 Is tourism up in Las Vegas?
• 5 What is the most visited city in the US?
• 6 What state visits Vegas the most?
• 7 Does Las Vegas rely on tourism?

How many tourists visit Vegas each year?

Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Millions of people visit each year to experience the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip. How many people actually visit Las Vegas each year, though?

According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 43 million people visited Las Vegas in 2017. This was a 1.5% increase from the previous year and makes Las Vegas the most visited city in the United States. The vast majority of tourists who visit Las Vegas are from the United States, but the city also attracts a large number of international visitors.

Most of the tourists who visit Las Vegas each year come for the gambling, nightlife, and shows. However, the city also has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty and outdoor activities. There are numerous golf courses, hiking trails, and other outdoor attractions in and around Las Vegas.

If you’re planning on visiting Las Vegas in the near future, be sure to book your trip well in advance. The city is extremely popular and it can be difficult to find a hotel room or a spot on the Las Vegas Strip during peak tourist season.

What percentage of Las Vegas economy is tourism?

Tourism is a huge part of the Las Vegas economy. In fact, it is estimated that tourism accounts for more than 30% of the city’s GDP. This is largely due to the fact that Las Vegas is a popular tourist destination. People come from all over the world to visit the city’s world-famous casinos and resorts.

The tourism industry in Las Vegas is also responsible for creating a lot of jobs. It is estimated that the industry employs more than 300,000 people. This accounts for more than one-fifth of the city’s workforce.

The tourism industry in Las Vegas continues to grow. In 2015, it was estimated that 44.2 million people visited the city. This was an increase of 3.5% from the year before.

The tourism industry is a major contributor to the Las Vegas economy. It is responsible for creating a lot of jobs and generating a lot of revenue. Las Vegas is a popular tourist destination for a reason – it has something for everyone.

How many tourists visit Las Vegas each day?

Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Millions of people visit the city each year, and the number of tourists continues to grow. So, how many people visit Las Vegas each day?

The answer to that question is difficult to determine. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) estimated that in 2016, over 42 million people visited Las Vegas. However, that number does not include people who only spent a day in the city or who visited for less than 24 hours. In fact, the LVCVA estimates that the number of people who visit Las Vegas each day is closer to 150,000.

Of course, that number varies depending on the time of year. In the summer, the number of tourists is much higher than in the winter. In addition, the number of tourists changes depending on the availability of hotel rooms and other attractions.

Regardless of the exact number, it is clear that Las Vegas is a very popular destination and that the number of tourists continues to grow. If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, be sure to book your hotel room well in advance!

Is tourism up in Las Vegas?

In the wake of the global recession, Sin City was one of the hardest hit cities in the United States. Tourists avoided the flashy and expensive destination in droves, and businesses in the city suffered. However, it seems that Las Vegas is making a comeback. Recent reports indicate that tourism is up in the city, with more people visiting than in previous years.

There are a few reasons for this resurgence. The weak American dollar is making Las Vegas a more affordable destination for tourists from other countries. In addition, the city has been working hard to market itself as a family-friendly destination, with new attractions and activities geared towards people of all ages. The hotels in Las Vegas are also offering more affordable rates, and the city’s restaurants are becoming more diverse and affordable.

While it is still too early to say for certain, it appears that Las Vegas is bouncing back from the recession. This is good news for the city’s businesses and residents, and it is sure to bring a boost to the local economy.

What is the most visited city in the US?

There is no one definitive answer to the question of what is the most visited city in the United States. The answer instead depends on how the question is defined. Different measures of visitation would produce different results.

One way to measure the most visited city is to look at the total number of visitors to a city. In this case, New York City would be the clear winner. More than 60 million people visit the city every year. This is significantly more than any other city in the United States.

Another way to measure the most visited city is to look at the number of tourists who visit a city. In this case, Orlando would be the winner. More than 72 million people visit the city every year, mostly to visit the many theme parks in the area.

So, which is the most visited city in the United States? It depends on how you measure it.

What state visits Vegas the most?

Las Vegas is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. However, some states visit Las Vegas more often than others.

According to a study by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the most states that visit Las Vegas are California, Texas, and Florida. These three states account for more than 45% of all visitors to Las Vegas.

Other states that visit Las Vegas often include New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. These states account for more than 20% of all visitors to the city.

Why do these states visit Las Vegas more often than others?

There are a number of reasons why these states visit Las Vegas more often than others.

For one, these states are all close to Las Vegas, making it a convenient destination for people in the area.

Additionally, these states have large populations, and Las Vegas is a popular destination for people looking to have a good time.

Finally, these states have strong economies, and people in these states have the disposable income to spend on vacations.

What are the consequences of these states visiting Las Vegas so often?

There are a number of consequences of these states visiting Las Vegas so often.

For one, Las Vegas is becoming increasingly crowded, and it is becoming more difficult to find a hotel room or a spot at a casino table.

Additionally, the infrastructure in Las Vegas is struggling to keep up with the demand, and the city is facing some challenges in terms of transportation and public safety.

Finally, the economy of Las Vegas is largely dependent on tourism, and so the city is susceptible to downturns in the economy.

All in all, the states that visit Las Vegas the most are having a significant impact on the city. While the consequences of this are not all negative, it is something to consider when planning a trip to Las Vegas.

Does Las Vegas rely on tourism?

Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city is known for its extravagant hotels, casinos and nightlife. But does Las Vegas rely on tourism? And if so, how much?

To answer these questions, we need to take a closer look at the city’s economy. The tourism industry is a major part of Las Vegas’ economy, accounting for about one-third of the city’s GDP. In fact, the city’s tourism industry is the largest in the world.

So, does Las Vegas rely on tourism? The answer is yes. The city’s economy would be quite different without the tourism industry.

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Which State You Live in Says a Lot About Where You Like to Travel

New yorkers prefer florida, californians are all about vegas (baby), and delawarians love dublin..

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Americans are primarily domestic travelers, but where they choose to go in the United States ranges considerably.

Illustration by Emily Blevins; HARRIS.news; David Maiolo/Wikipedia; Jonathan Silverberg/FlickrWikimedia

When it comes to where Americans choose to travel, tastes vary widely depending on where travelers reside.

We asked Expedia to compiled some data for us about where people from each state travel to the most. The travel-booking site analyzed flight demand from July 2017 through June 2018, and the results showed that regardless of which state we live in, we are primarily domestic travelers, and we often stay close to home, traveling within our own state or to a nearby one.

But that was where a lot of the similarities ended; there were some notably different results by state and region. For instance, a couple of international destinations did make the list—Mexico was a top-three destination among North Dakotans and New Jersey residents, and Ireland was the leading destination for travelers from Delaware.

And there were some other interesting findings as well. Florida revealed itself to be very popular among those who live on the East Coast—it made it in the top-three destinations in 10 out of 11 East Coast states. Los Angeles and Las Vegas were the dominant destinations among western states. Southerners seem to have a thing for big cities, including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. And, in the Midwest, warm weather and mountain destinations reigned supreme. Below, we compiled the top three destinations by state, based on the Expedia findings.

Seattle, Las Vegas, Denver, and Los Angeles are all popular destinations with West Coast travelers.

Illustration by Emily Blevins, Kory Westerhold/Flickr, William Creswell/Flickr, Jeff Turner/Flickr

The West sticks to the West

In the western states, there were a few notable top spots farther afield, including New York and Chicago, but the vast majority of the preferred destinations were located in the West. Some may say that given the good weather, bounty of beaches, and great ski resorts, it’s with good reason, while others may think westerners could stand to expand their boundaries a bit.

Alaska – Seattle, Anchorage, Portland Arizona – Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles California – Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York Colorado – Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York Hawaii – Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco Idaho – Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix Montana – Denver, Portland, Seattle Nevada – Los Angeles, New York, Chicago New Mexico – Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle Oregon – Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas Utah – San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas Washington – Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas Wyoming – Denver, Dallas, Seattle

Major metropolises reign supreme among southerners.

Illustration by Emily Blevins, Raymonst/Wikimedia, Ian D. Keating/Flickr, Michael Kranewitter/Wikimedia

The South loves the big cities

Who knew that southerners were such city-loving folk? But truly, when you look at the list below, it is dominated by the country’s major urban hubs.

Alabama – New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. Florida – Newark, New York, Boston Georgia – New York, Chicago, Los Angeles Kentucky – Washington, D.C., New York, Denver Louisiana – Los Angeles, New York, Chicago Mississippi – Washington, D.C., Dallas, Denver North Carolina – New York, Boston, Newark South Carolina – Washington, D.C., Newark, New York Tennessee – New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas Texas – Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago Virginia – Orlando, New York, Chicago West Virginia – Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, New York

In the Midwest, travelers flock to the sun.

Illustration by Emily Blevins, Kory Westerhold/Flickr, Derek Jensen/Wikimedia, Max Pixel

The Midwest seeks out warmer climes

Given the notoriously brutal Midwest winters, it perhaps comes as little suprise to see destinations such as Orlando, Phoenix, Miami, Vegas, and Cancun cropping up on this list. Midwesterners are known for flocking to the sun, and who could blame them? And there also may be some avid skiers and snowboarders in the bunch, with Denver having made the top three for several Midwestern states.

Arkansas – New York, Chicago, Las Vegas Illinois – New York, Los Angeles, Orlando Indiana – Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco Iowa – Phoenix, Orlando, Denver Kansas – Orlando, Dallas, Seattle Michigan – Orlando, New York, Miami Minnesota – Phoenix, Orlando, Las Vegas Missouri – Denver, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles Nebraska – Chicago, Orlando, Los Angeles North Dakota – Denver, Las Vegas, Cancun Ohio – Orlando, Las Vegas, New York Oklahoma – Orlando, Los Angeles, Seattle South Dakota – Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego Wisconsin – Orlando, Phoenix, Las Vegas

People on the East Coast like to shoot down the coast to Florida, among other locales.

Illustration by Emily Blevins, m01229/Flickr, Max Pixel

Easterners are partial to Florida Are people on the East Coast a hardcore, theme park–loving bunch? The data showed them flocking to Orlando en masse. Sure, they are hitting up Miami, Tampa, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Atlanta, too, but Orlando was the top destination in seven out of 11 East Coast states.

Connecticut – Orlando, Tampa, Washington, D.C. Delaware – Dublin, Boston, Raleigh Maine – New York, Orlando, Washington, D.C. Maryland – Orlando, Atlanta, Los Angeles Massachusetts – Orlando, Los Angeles, Chicago New Hampshire – Washington, D.C., Fort Myers, Orlando New Jersey – Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Cancun New York – Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles Pennsylvania – Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta Rhode Island – Orlando, Washington, D.C., Fort Lauderdale Vermont – New York, Washington, D.C., Tampa

>> Next: Can Taking the Myers-Briggs Personality Test Help You Figure out How to Travel?

24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Las Vegas, NV

Written by Lana Law Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

This city in the desert is known around the world for fun and excitement. The Strip, Las Vegas' famous resort-lined street, sparkles with lights and recreated glamorous sites from cities around the world.

Many of the hotels are attractions in and of themselves and feature free streetside shows, from dancing fountains to erupting volcanoes. You'll also find interesting museums, an always impressive list of shows, and countless other things to do.

The Grand Canyon is just a short helicopter ride away, and the hills and mountains surrounding Las Vegas are home to all kinds of recreational opportunities, from hiking and camping to boating and skiing.

Las Vegas is a great place to visit year-round. The cooler winter temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing, and in summer, when the temperature can rise above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the hotel pools become an important part of the daytime activities.

Plan your visit and make the most of your time with our list of the top attractions in Las Vegas.

1. The Strip

2. fremont street experience, 3. helicopter rides over las vegas and the grand canyon, 4. venetian hotel and gondola rides, 5. paris hotel and the eiffel tower, 6. bellagio resort and fountain show, 7. mirage hotel: erupting volcano and siegfried & roy's secret garden, 8. high roller las vegas strip observation wheel, 9. new york-new york hotel, 10. caesar's palace and the colosseum, 11. the mob museum, 12. mandalay bay and the shark reef aquarium, 13. neon museum, 14. luxor hotel, 15. the strat tower, 16. mgm grand hotel, 17. vegas indoor skydiving, 18. madame tussaud's, 19. las vegas motor speedway, 20. excalibur hotel, 21. welcome to fabulous las vegas sign, 22. pinball hall of fame, 23. carol shelby heritage center, 24. downtown container park, where to stay in las vegas for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions in las vegas, nv, las vegas, nv - climate chart, day trips and tours from las vegas.

The 2.5-mile-long central section of Las Vegas Boulevard, which runs through the city from northeast to southwest, known as the Strip, is where the action is. Lined with huge entertainment palaces, many built with a defining theme, and home to performance venues, luxury hotel rooms, and fine dining , this is what most people think of when they picture Las Vegas.

One of the must-do's in Las Vegas is walking along the Strip and soaking up the sights. It's particularly impressive at night, when the city is illuminated by an endless succession of glittering neon signs. This area is a never-ending feast for the senses.

Generally speaking, the Las Vegas Strip runs from the Mandalay Bay Hotel to Treasure Island Hotel. To truly experience Las Vegas, stay on The Strip, preferably at one of the major resorts. For a look at some of the best accommodation options in a variety of price ranges, see our recommended hotels .

In old downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street is a pedestrian-only area with all kinds of unique sites. A five-block section of Fremont Street is covered over with a canopy of LED lights that illuminate the sky in a spectacle of different colors and designs as you walk below.

Known as the Fremont Street Experience, each night a fantastic music and visual show takes place overhead. Street performers and special entertainment acts often perform outdoors in this area. Fremont Street is in downtown Las Vegas, a few kilometers from the Strip.

It is best to take a taxi to reach this area. Or, if you want to truly experience the city at night, take a Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Night Flight ride above the city. Note that hotel pickup is optional on this tour.

Official site: www.vegasexperience.com

For a great aerial view over Las Vegas, or even the Grand Canyon , visitors may want to take a helicopter ride. Las Vegas has a number of companies providing helicopter tours that take visitors over Las Vegas and the Strip, or as far away as the Grand Canyon.

This is a great opportunity for anyone with limited time to see not only Vegas, but the surrounding landscape and one of America's most impressive and famous natural attractions.

If you have a full day for exploring, try a Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour . The tour takes approximately three hours, and you'll see the Strip, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the West Rim area of the Grand Canyon.

The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas is located on the Strip, across from Treasure Island. It is one of the city's finest resorts and has many interesting tourist attractions. Inside is a themed shopping arcade built to resemble the city of Venice, complete with blue skies, canals, and gondoliers. The hotel also features recreations of the main attractions found in Venice, such as the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, along with many others.

The Venetian Gondola Rides are a fun way to see the complex. Situated out in front of the Venetian Hotel, near the sidewalk, boats await passengers who are then taken on a ride by their personable gondolier who sings as they take you through the shopping arcade inside the hotel.

Address: 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: https://www.venetian.com/

Located on the Strip, Paris Las Vegas is one of the most easily recognized resorts in the city. Out front is a scale model of the Eiffel Tower, and down the way is a recreation of the Paris Opera House. Forty-six stories above the city streets, the Eiffel Tower Experience is an observation deck with incredible 360-degree views.

One story below this is posh and romantic Eiffel Tower Restaurant, with fine views out over the Strip and across to the dancing fountains of Bellagio. Also on the property is a mock hot air balloon festooned with neon and flashing lights.

Official site: https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-vegas

The Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas is a massive, high-end hotel complex, with a wide variety of attractions, including the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a spa and salon, and some of the finest restaurants in Las Vegas.

Beyond the lobby is a showroom area with changing themes that range from spring botanical displays to fascinating shows of art. The most impressive and famous feature is the fountain show.

In front of the Bellagio, along the Strip, the dancing fountains perform a beautiful display of water set to music. From the sidewalk, visitors have a ringside view. This is often described as the best free attraction in Las Vegas.

Address: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: https://www.bellagio.com/en.html

The Mirage Hotel is easy to identify while walking along the Strip. In front of the resort is a volcano, which erupts at regular intervals. At night, the glowing red fire and explosions shooting out of the volcano are some of the most unique sites visible from the sidewalk.

Inside the Mirage is Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Although Siegfried & Roy have both died and no longer perform, you can still see a wide variety of exotic animals, including white lions and tigers. The Dolphin Habitat contains a large number of trained dolphins in its 2.5-million-gallon pools.

Address: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada

Official site: https://www.mirage.com/en.html

The High Roller Las Vegas Strip Observation Wheel is the largest observation wheel in North America, topping out at an impressive 550 feet high. A single rotation takes 30 minutes. This will give you plenty of time to soak up the outstanding views over the Strip and surrounding area, especially at night.

Each cabin holds up to 40 people and is climate controlled. The High Roller is located at the bottom end of the Linq Lane - if you aren't sure where that is, just look up!

Official site: https://www.caesars.com/linq/high-roller

The New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas is across the street from both the MGM Grand Hotel and the Excalibur Resort Hotel . Visually stunning, the hotel is designed to appear like New York's skyline, complete with the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. A huge roller coaster, called the Big Apple Coaster, circles in and around the hotel.

Should you work up an appetite while staying at the hotel, seven different restaurants offer up everything from sushi through to steaks.

Address: 3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: https://www.newyorknewyork.com/en.html

Perhaps one of the best known of all the Las Vegas hotel resorts, Caesar's Palace continues to evolve. Currently Caesar's Palace is a massive complex in the middle of the Strip, complete with every imaginable entertainment option.

The hotel is closely associated with shows held in its huge concert venue known as "The Colosseum." Top performers (which have included Celine Dion and Elton John) perform here for extended periods, and shows are often booked out well in advance. Visitors planning a trip and hoping to see a performance here will want to check out dates and ticket availability as early as possible.

Address: 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace

The Mob Museum, or the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement as it is officially named, is a truly unique and standout museum in Nevada.

The museum is housed in a 1933 Neoclassical building, formerly the US Post Office and Courthouse, that has its own history. It was one of the locations for the famous Kefauver Committee hearings in 1950, which revealed some ugly truths about organized crime in Las Vegas and across the US.

The museum tells the unvarnished history of the Mob in America through engaging, interactive displays and video clips. Exhibits deal with everything from the individual characters and events to the culture and fashion associated with the times.

Address: 300 Stewart Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada

Official site: https://themobmuseum.org/

Mandalay Bay Resort is at the southwest end of the Strip, near the Luxor hotel. One of the key highlights at this complex is the Shark Reef Aquarium. The massive 1,300,000-gallon tank holds a wide variety of sharks, fish, rays, reptiles, marine invertebrates, green sea turtles, and even a Komodo dragon.

Just over 100 sharks from 15 different species and more than 2,000 animals in all are on display. The Shark Tunnel is the most impressive feature. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Shark Reef works with wildlife biologists to preserve endangered lake and marine populations as well as rehabilitate injured animals.

Address: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: http://www.sharkreef.com/

The bright and colorful neon signs of Las Vegas have been one of the city's most memorable sights for countless visitors throughout the years. These multi-story advertising beacons became one of the city's claims to fame.

Today, the Neon Museum is working hard to preserve some of the city's history by purchasing, storing, and in some cases, refurbishing the historic neon signs that have gone by the wayside as businesses have faded or new signs have taken the place of older icons.

You can see many of these signs by taking a guided tour at the Neon Museum, where old neon signs are stored outside in a large compound. Guides provide the history of the signs and designs, which have evolved over the years.

Efforts at the museum are ongoing, and signs stand in varying conditions. In some cases, only a portion was saved or found, while others have been restored to their former glory. This contrast makes the museum that much more interesting and gives visitors insight into how much work and upkeep is required with these giant signs.

Address: 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, Nevada

Official site: http://www.neonmuseum.org/

Another distinctive theme hotel, at the far southwest end of the Strip, is the Luxor Hotel. Designed in an ancient Egyptian theme, the hotel is shaped like a pyramid, with a sphinx proudly gazing out over the street. The Luxor, like all the major resorts, offers a wide variety of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

One of the more unique Las Vegas attractions is the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Over 250 items recovered from one of the most famous maritime disasters are on display.

One of the standout features of this hotel is the beam of light that projects from the highest point of the pyramid and shoots up into the night sky. It can be seen from almost anywhere in Las Vegas.

Address: 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: https://www.luxor.com/en.html

The STRAT Tower is an unmistakable sight on the Las Vegas skyline. The tower rises up 1,149 feet, and at the very top is the Skypod, the real attraction for visitors.

From the various levels of the Skypod, you'll find a whole host of things to do. These include a variety of heart-pounding thrill rides, including the SkyJump, Big Shot, X Scream, and Insanity.

For those looking for a little less drama, check out the indoor and outdoor observation decks with great views over the city. The Top of the World Restaurant is a great place to grab an excellent meal while soaking up the views of the Las Vegas Strip off in the distance.

Considering getting married? A fully outfitted chapel is available for you to tie the knot in the sky.

The STRAT Tower claims the "tallest freestanding observation tower in the USA."

Address: 2000 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: http://www.stratospherehotel.com/

The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas is across the street from the New York-New York Hotel and kitty corner to the Excalibur Resort Hotel. The MGM Grand Hotel has all the amenities visitors would expect to find at a luxury hotel including above average accommodations, a multitude of restaurants, and plenty of entertainment options.

One of the highlights of a stay at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas is a visit to the pool area. Spread out over 6.5 acres, the water fun includes four pools, a waterfall, a Lazy River, and three whirlpools.

Address: 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: https://www.mgmgrand.com/en.html

Vegas Indoor Skydiving offers a truly unique experience. Here, visitors will get to experience what actual skydiving is like, without an airplane or parachute. Qualified instructors escort participants to a vertical wind tunnel where they are suited up in special gear. Once the fan is turned on, anyone can float effortlessly in the air. No experience is necessary.

It's a perfect thing to do as a group or family; no matter your age or fitness, you'll be flying high in no time.

Address: 200 Convention Center Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada

Official site: http://www.vegasindoorskydiving.com/

Madame Tussaud's in Las Vegas is near the escalators leading up to the Venetian Hotel on the Strip. Here, visitors can see their favorite stars preserved forever in wax. In many cases, the figures are so lifelike it is almost eerie.

Figures range from Elvis to Bradley Cooper and Sofia Vergara right though to musical acts like Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus. The overall focus or theme of Madame Tussaud's is on people who are associated with Las Vegas or in show business.

Address: 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada

Official site: https://www.madametussauds.com/las-vegas/en/

Fans of fast cars will want to head over to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Located in Clark County 15 miles northeast of the Strip, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a 1,200-acre complex of multiple automobile racing tracks just right for the speed-freak in you.

Ever imagined what it would be like to drive a Lamborghini or Ferrari? Dream no longer. These cars are available to be driven at high speeds around the race track if you've got the cash to spare.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is home to NASCAR races, as well as a number of other racing events. Several speed records have been set at the track. The Speedway features multiple restaurants, and for those wishing to stay overnight, RV camping is available. Check the website for the latest upcoming events and pricing.

Address: 700 North Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: http://www.lvms.com/

The Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas is another theme hotel on the Strip. Decked out in medieval character, the hotel features some wild architecture, complete with turrets. The hotel has all the amenities a visitor could possibly imagine, with varied entertainment, a huge pool area, and a good assortment of restaurants serving a variety of food from around the world.

Generally considered one of the cheapest places to stay on the Strip, the Excalibur frequently offers incredible deals on their website.

Address: 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Official site: https://www.excalibur.com/en.html

If you are searching for that iconic photo of you and your friends in front of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, just head south down the strip about a block past West Russell Road. A large parking lot is located just to the south of the sign, and a winding walkway with trees and greenery takes you to the sign itself.

The sign is actually quite a bit smaller than you would expect. The best photos are taken from the south, with the palm trees framing the sign with the Mandalay Bay Hotel glittering in the background.

Las Vegas is a place where your wallet can certainly take a beating. One place that's easy on the pocket book and still a ton of fun is the Pinball Hall of Fame. An unbelievable number of pinball machines are spread out across 25,000 square feet of space. This brand-new facility recently opened in April 2021 and has become one of the top things to do in town for pinball aficionados.

Wander through the Hall of Fame, and find a machine you like. Just pop in a quarter, and away you go. Vintage machines right through to modern and technologically advanced ones are all available. The Pinball Hall of Fame is easy to locate, just look for the enormous sign just north of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

Official site: http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

Gearheads from around the world will want to make a beeline to the Shelby America Heritage Center. On display are over 30 classic cars designed and built by Carol Shelby over the years, along with assorted memorabilia. It's also one of the best free attractions in Las Vegas.

However, the more in-depth behind-the-scenes tour is well worth the modest investment. This guided tour takes you beyond the showroom onto the factory floor to see these muscle cars being hand made by skilled technicians.

Official site: https://www.shelby.com/en-us/Shelby-Las-Vegas/Shelby-Heritage-Center-Home

For something off the Strip that combines food, fun, and entertainment at a low cost, head to the Downtown Container Park. Here, you'll find nearly 40 shipping containers repurposed into restaurants, shops, and other venues. No matter what you crave, whether it's food, a new outfit, or the latest thing you never knew you needed, there's a good chance you'll find it here.

The Downtown Container Park frequently hosts evening entertainment featuring an ever-changing cast of performers. One of the most exciting things that happens each evening is the awakening of the giant Praying Mantis. Frequently accompanied by a drum circle, this metal insect shoots flames from its antennae as it comes to life.

The Downtown Container Park is located a short distance east of the Fremont Street Experience.

Official site: https://downtowncontainerpark.com/

Since most of the action in Las Vegas is focused around a portion of South Las Vegas Boulevard knowns as The Strip, staying on or close to this area is the best option. This is also where most of the huge, themed resort hotels are found. The price of hotels can vary greatly from one week to the next, with rates skyrocketing around big conventions and great discounts available at slower times. Below is a selection of highly rated hotels in good locations .

Luxury Hotels:

• The Italian-themed Bellagio , easily recognizable by the lake and dancing fountain show in front of the resort, and the Venetian , a recreated Venice-themed complex complete with a canal and gondolas, are both luxury resort hotels in prime locations along the Strip.
• Caesars Palace , also with a great location along the Strip, is a long time classic in Vegas, and home to the famous Colosseum entertainment venue. All of these resorts have wonderful pools, shopping, and entertainment on site.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• At the north end of the Strip is Treasure Island , with a nice pool area and a good location within walking distance of the major sites. This is an upper mid-range option that often has reasonable prices.
• Also in this category is the Park MGM Las Vegas , a quality hotel in a great location that also frequently offers reasonable rates.
• The Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on the Las Vegas Strip is another quality hotel but it lies a little too far north to walk to the main section of The Strip.

Budget Hotels:

• The Excalibur is a formerly grand but now somewhat dated resort hotel that often offers good deals. It has a nice pool area and a great location at the south end of the Strip, near the New York, New York.
• Across the street from the Excalibur, but just off the Strip on Tropicana Avenue, is the Motel 6 Tropicana . This is a basic motel with a pool and an excellent location.
• The Travelodge by Wyndam Las Vegas Center Strip is another decent budget option, with a good central location slightly off The Strip.

Just beyond the lights and electric vibe of Las Vegas is a spectacular landscape of gorges, red rocks, mountains, and desert scenery. If you have time, be sure to get out and see the sites beyond the city limits.

• Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam : The two biggest attractions in the Las Vegas surrounding area are these two fantastic sites: one natural, and the other, man-made. The Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam Day Trip from Las Vegas takes visitors, by coach, to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon for three hours of free time. This allows plenty of time to walk along the rim and gaze out from the viewing areas. A short stop at Hoover Dam along the way is also included. Add on a helicopter and boat ride or a stroll on the Grand Canyon Skywalk as optional extras.
• Red Rock Canyon : Take a four- or six-hour guided Red Rock Canyon Tour to see some of the spectacular red rock scenery and views out over the desert and mountains. This tour offers hotel pickup and drop-off, a tour of the canyon along the 13-mile scenic loop road with stops at the lookout points for the best views, and a boxed lunch.
• Hiking and Camping: You can find some great hiking trails in the surrounding desert and mountains. For some unique experiences see our articles on the best hiking trails in Valley of Fire State Park and best hikes near Las Vegas . If you are interested in spending a night or two under the stars, and you haven't brought your own camping equipment, you might want to consider a fabulous 3-Day 2-Night Camping Tour from Las Vegas to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon . This fully escorted camping trip takes you to the major highlights of the Southwest and includes Jeep tours, and the option for a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. If you have your own camping equipment and are trying to figure out the best places to set up camp, see our list of the best campgrounds near Las Vegas .
• Self Drive Excursions: Explore nearby towns and incredible natural areas with our Top-Rated Day Trips from Las Vegas article.

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The Most Visited States In The United States

Every U.S. state has many and various tourist attractions . However, specific U.S. states have become more popular traveler destinations. The following ten states are the most visited in the United States: California, Florida, Nevada, Texas, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii. These U.S. states are some of their particular attractions, and their features are accented below.

1. California

California is the country’s most populated state and is a significant agricultural state, providing about 99% of some crops. 

About 50% of the state’s area is government-owned and committed to the conservation of nature. Millions of travelers crowd to California to visit the national monuments, historical places, parks, and beaches. California’s most popular tourist destinations are Disneyland, which is visited by almost 15 million people annually. Other popular attractions in the state are:

• Yosemite National park.
• Death Valley.
• Disneyland.
• The Golden Gate Bridge.
• The Hollywood sign.

Disney World is the most-visited theme park globally, so it isn’t unexpected that Florida would stand so high. There’s so much else to view in Florida, including great beach cities along the Mexican Gulf and Atlantic shores. Florida is scattered with traveler attractions and historical places, recreational facilities, and excellent picturesque spots for travelers to visit.

Nevada is the place to one of the most visiting and entertaining centers globally, Las Vegas. In the city are located gambling and entertainment spots as well as the outstanding clubs in the U.S. Other famous attraction places include Lake Tahoe, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park.

Texas is the second-largest after Alaska state in the U.S. This state is genuinely distinct in all ways, shapes, and forms. Texas’s landscape varies from sands to stunning shores to mountain areas to dense woods.

5. New York

We are pretty astonished to observe New York come in as the 5th most visited state in the U.S., given how well-known its famous traveler attraction sites are. The most visited attractions of the world’s financial capital are the Empire State Building, Times Square, the National Monument of the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

6. Virginia

From its gorgeous rolling hills to its vibrant colonial past, Virginia has much to offer everyone passing through. Virginia stretched from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mounts. Whether you are a beach person or mount person, Virginia is your best choice.

Famous vacationist attractions include Busch Gardens, Luray Caverns, the Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah Valley, and different historical monuments, including preserved colonies.

7. South Carolina

South Carolina is a U.S. state of forests, beaches, and beautiful parks and gardens. If you want a pleasant, quiet holiday, think of visiting the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Joe Riley Waterfront ParkSkywheel Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach, the Congaree, and Brookgreen Gardens.

Arizona waterfalls are at #8 in our listing of the most visited U.S states. One of the most famous tourist attraction scenes worldwide – Grand Canyon National Park, located in Arizona. Millions of tourists make their route to the state to tour this incredible natural formation. Other astonishing places such as Petrified Forest National Park, Antelope Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Monument Valley, and Petrified Forest bring millions of travelers worldwide.

Visitors to Georgia adore many tourist attractions, including Lookout Mountain, Atlanta Botanical and Rock City Gardens, Carter Presidential Library, National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Moreover, Georgia is perceived as a peach state and is essential for being the prime raiser of pecans, peanuts, and Vidalia onions.

Hawaii is a unique U.S. state located in the tropics. The state is called by many a paradise on Earth because of the picturesque landscapes, lush rainforests, waterfalls, and world-class hotels dispersed throughout the islands. Besides the forests and beaches you can visit, a dormant volcano, and an iconic landmark, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waimea Canyon State, and Na Pali Coast State Park.

The Most Visited U.S. States

The least visited u.s. states.

Now that we know which U.S. states do the most visiting, it is interesting to find out which states did the least traveling. Whether they don’t have any promoted attractions or they favor spending their money on other tasks, or don’t have as much access to huge airports, these are the states who travel the least in America. Coming in at #51 is West Virginia, which is followed on the list by Vermont, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and rounding out the below five is Rhode Island. At #46, we have Kansas, then Arkansas at #44, preceded by Maine, North Dakota, and Connecticut.

Want to learn more about unique landmarks and various tourist attractions in every U.S. state? Then have a look at the following books:

• National Geographic Road Atlas
• Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA

How about the most visited states by their size or population? This basically reads as a list of states ordered by how many people live in them.

Not even close Austin

California (Population: 39,613,493) Texas (Population: 29,730,311) Florida (Population: 21,944,577) New York (Population: 19,299,981) Pennsylvania (Population: 12,804,123) Illinois (Population: 12,569,321) Ohio (Population: 11714618

Georgia (Population: 10,830,007) North Carolina (Population: 10,701,022) Michigan (Population: 9,992,427

Isn’t Michigan’s population 10 million?

This is completely incorrect information. This is a list based on population not on how many people travel there every year. Sorry but Maine is in the top ten for destination hot spots for vacationers. To be honest I wish it was closer to 44.

not even close Justin

California (Population: 39,613,493) Texas (Population: 29,730,311) Florida (Population: 21,944,577) New York (Population: 19,299,981) Pennsylvania (Population: 12,804,123) Illinois (Population: 12,569,321) Ohio (Population: 11,714,618) Georgia (Population: 10,830,007) North Carolina (Population: 10,701,022) Michigan (Population: 9,992,427

Lmfao clearly you’ve never been here during flat lander season.

so basically you read the first part about California, just the first paragraph, and called it a day?

Source or methodology please?

thats crazy

man thas crazy. va is small. i live there id know lmaoo

9 mil is small to you? also lots of tourism

Leave Las Vegas to See the Most Beautiful Places in Nevada

Life Magazine famously called the stretch of U.S. Route 50 between Fallon and Ely the "loneliest road in America" more than 30 years ago. Little has changed since then, which is good news if you're craving an off-the-grid road trip adventure. The highway slows down when it hits Austin, turning into Main Street for this old Pony Express hub with less than 200 people and four churches–a notable ratio for sure. St. George's Episcopal Church, built in 1878, is an especially striking example of Gothic-Revival-style architecture. Overall, the tiny Old West town has 11 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the three-story ruins of Stokes Castle and an old hotel now known as the International Cafe & Bar . For added weirdness, spend the night at Paradise Ranch Castle , a bizarre bed and breakfast built to look like an Old Word fortress with suits of armor and a "dungeon" that doubles as a game room and lounge. It overlooks the picturesque Reese River Valley for an extra dose of peace and serenity.

Bonsai Rock

The eastern edge of Lake Tahoe is a quick drive from the dull government dealings of Carson City, and one of its best kept secrets is the quiet beauty of Bonsai Rock, just south of Sand Harbor. A photographer's dream, it creeps out of the water, topped by just four petite trees that will never grow taller due to their barren location. The best vantage point is about a five-minute walk from the main road. Take your time, relax, and enjoy the journey. Don’t forget your camera.

Cathedral Gorge State Park

Just off State Route 93, a visit to Cathedral Gorge State Park is the perfect way to break up a road trip between Las Vegas and Ely. It's named after the towering spires and jagged rock formations created by volcanic activity over millions of years. The park is also one of the few places you'll see slot canyons in Nevada. Cathedral Gorge hosted plays and other entertainment against its majestic backdrop in the 1920s when road trips suddenly spiked in popularity due to America's growing highway systems. An abandoned stone water tower is a popular photo spot, providing a dramatic contrast to the surrounding natural beauty. If you're short on time, drive around to the north entrance, which provides immediate access to the highest elevation and best views.

Fly Geyser was a drilling site in the 1960s, but some kind of mishap caused minerals to dissolve and accumulate into a spectacle of a structure you could say is both natural and man-made. A form of algae in the hot springs gives the landmark a colorful red and green appearance, making it an enticing stop for hikers and photographers. However, not only is the northwest location remote, it's on Fly Ranch, which is private property. Avoid trespassing and sign up for one of the official ticketed Saturday nature walks , which resume for a new season on April 6.

Grapevine Canyon

Laughlin is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Las Vegas , tucked away in its own corner of southeast Nevada. If the stress of the slot machines becomes too much, look for Christmas Tree Pass, an old gravel road a few miles outside of town. It leads to Grapevine Canyon, which has a concentrated amount of petroglyphs by its entrance. Some like to take a few photos and drive away. Others continue on hiking trails, where you can spot an active spring if you listen for the flow of water. On a good day, you may even spot a bighorn sheep. A dry river bed with steep edges lies between the parking area and the canyon. Whether you walk along the side or across the bottom itself, you'll have no choice but to imagine what the rushing waters were like hundreds of years ago.

Great Basin National Park

As far as national parks go, this is one of the least visited, making it a dream come true for those eager to experience nature without the nuisance of other tourists. Hikers swear by the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail , which passes two different alpine lakes and offers killer views of Wheeler Peak, the second-tallest mountain in Nevada. Yet the park is perhaps best enjoyed after dark. The stargazing is next level, especially with a new astronomy amphitheater now in place. It's equipped with red lights that actually enhance the viewing experience. If that's not enough darkness, venture deep inside the Lehman Caves, where stalactites and other sinister rock formations await. A choice of four tours are available with a reservation .

Incline Village

Visit the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and spend a few nights in the north end at Incline Village, which is more upscale and less tourist-driven than Stateline in the hotel-dominated south end. It's a serene environment to soak in the bright blue alpine waters and miles of pine trees. Book a night at the Hyatt Regency and have access to a private beach. You can also overlook the lake while munching on steaks at the Lone Eagle Grille . Bicycling is the preferred mode of transportation here (with rentals easily available), whether you want to trek the paved Tahoe East Shore Trail to Sand Harbor State Park or zip down a stretch of Lakeshore Boulevard known as Billionaire's Row, due to the high-priced real estate. It's a quick way to see why the locals call the town "Income Village." The views are even better from ski resorts like Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose.

The water levels may be dwindling due to drought, but Lake Mead remains a beautiful spot for boating, kayaking, and taking a swim in the middle of the desert. The 250-square-mile reservoir was created by the Hoover Dam back in 1935 and tours of the modern marvel are a must when visiting Boulder City . You can also take a cruise for an up-close look at the dam . Remnants of the old Hoover Dam Railroad system have been repurposed as the Historic Railroad Trail , with walking paths stretching through five mountain-carved tunnels where tracks once stood. Park at either the Lake Mead Visitors Center or Hoover Dam Lodge to access the trail and get in some exercise while soaking in the sweeping views of Lake Mead. A bike tour through the tunnels is highly recommended.

Massacre Rim

Much like a Spinal Tap album cover, Massacre Rim is an experience best described as “ none more black .” More than an hour north of Reno, it's one of the darkest and most remote locations on Earth—and one of just a few dark sky sanctuaries certified by the International Dark Sky Association . That means it's virtually free of light pollution. On a clear night without moonlight, not only is the Milky Way visible to the naked eye, but also the neighboring Andromeda galaxy. The stars are so bright, they can even cast shadows on Earth. Massacre Rim is about 80,000 acres in size and 100 miles north of Gerlach (dubbed the darkest town in America ). This isn't a place you just plug into the GPS and go check out on a whim. It requires lots of planning—and an off-road vehicle if you dare to leave the security of desolate Route 8A.

Mt. Charleston

It's national news when it snows in Las Vegas but really, it's not that big of a deal. Mt. Charleston is just a quick drive northwest of Sin City and the mountain peak is covered with snow during much of the year. Lee Canyon has skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in the winter months, and hiking, archery, and disc golf during the summer months with a downhill biking trail. No matter when you visit, the high elevation and miles of pine trees are a welcome change of pace from the brittle desert air in the Las Vegas Valley below. The area lost the beloved Mt. Charleston Lodge in a 2021 fire, but newly released renderings of its replacement look promising.

Red Rock Canyon

Clark County

Red Rock Canyon is usually the place Las Vegans go first when they want to escape city life. Located just west of Summerlin, the protected National Conservation Area is known for its colorful sandstone peaks and canyons, drawing hikers, rock climbers, and those who just want to enjoy the 13-mile scenic loop from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. More ambitious visitors will prefer to book a reservation for the official campground , which stays busy between fall and spring. The sprawling Cottonwood Valley Trail System is popular with bikers who can have the mountains of Red Rock Canyon as their backdrop while enjoying the fresh air and exercise.

Rhyolite Ghost Town

Back in the early 20th century, Rhyolite was a booming mining destination. The economy was so good, the town even had its own stock exchange, not to mention a thriving red light district. But everything changed when the market tanked in 1907. Within five years, the population dwindled and the electricity was shut off. More than a century later, you can still find remnants of the old town near the edge of Death Valley, including ruins of a bank, jail, and train depot. It's also near the Goldwell Open Air Museum , an eclectic outdoor collection of art pieces.

Ruby Mountains

The Ruby Mountains are among the best reasons to visit Northeast Nevada—and where the state suddenly gets a lot more green. Hikers can't get enough of the "Rubies," especially Lamoille Canyon, where streams, lakes, and wooden bridges add charm and character to the trees and lush vegetation. Known as the "Alps of Nevada," the mountains provide a wide variety of slopes and snow-covered terrain throughout winter. And why worry about a chair lift when you can have a helicopter drop you off at the top? A big part of the appeal is the solitude, although you're not far from the civilization of Elko (and its Basque dining scene ). Drivers can get a taste of what the area is all about with a detour through the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway.

Valley of Fire State Park

Mojave Desert

Dedicated in 1935, Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. The name comes from the bright-red sand dunes that appear to be on fire when hit by the sun at just the right angle, but the real beauty is in the Aztec sandstone formations that twist and bend into loops, arches, and cubby hole-like caves. Pull over at Rainbow Vista for the most Mars-like terrain. About 3,000 years ago, Native Americans left behind petroglyphs that can still be seen today. The park is just an hour outside of Vegas and makes for a great scenic road trip .

Virginia City

Storey County

There's rugged charm—and yes, beauty—in the Old West spirit that helped shape Nevada. The best example is Virginia City, an old mining hub in the mountains southeast of Reno that's done an impressive job preserving its Victorian architecture from the late 1800s. Walk the boardwalks that frame C Street and explore saloons, shops, and museums that feel like a trip back in time. Despite the touristy appeal, Virginia City is all authentic and original. No Disney-esque recreations here. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad travels from the heart of Virginia City to Gold Hill for an instant history lesson on how mining turned Nevada into a hot destination more than a hundred years ago.

Rob Kachelriess  is a full-time freelance writer who covers travel, dining, entertainment, and other fun stuff for Thrillist. He's based in Las Vegas but enjoys exploring destinations throughout the world, especially in the Southwest United States. Otherwise, he's happy to hang out at home with his wife Mary and their family of doggies. Follow him  @rkachelriess .

The Most Iconic Places to Visit in Las Vegas

The City That Never Sleeps is called the American entertainment capital. Everything feels crazy and grandiose in this insane city.

At The Las Vegas Strip hotels are competing at being the most spectacular spot and in the other parts of town, you can find other special Vegas experiences.

If you want to ensure that your trip to Vegas is the best it can be, make sure to add these places to visit in Las Vegas to your itinerary! Including all of the most iconic places in Vegas!

Iconic Places to visit in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is famous for its casinos and wild nightlife. So, if you’re heading to the city, make sure to pack your party shoes! The cosmopolitan city is packed with things to do and places to visit, including endless restaurants, shops, casinos and adventures. Plus, there’s many great outdoor activities in Las Vegas !

If you want to tick off the iconic Las Vegas attractions, here’s where to go:

The Las Vegas Strip

Even though there are many exciting places to visit in the Las Vegas area, there’s no way around the famous Las Vegas Strip, when you are visiting the world-famous city.

You will start with the legendary sign saying, “ Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada ”. All the most famous spots of the city are placed on this street. Take a long walk to get a sense of the Vegas feeling. Then you can later investigate the individual places after you’ve taken the grand walk into true American entertainment culture.  

Bellagio fountain

If you have ever seen a movie shot in Las Vegas, you have seen the massive fountain in front of the Bellagio resort hotel. It was built as the world’s largest fountain show , and the water sprays breathtakingly 460 feet up in the air. It is choreographed into detail, so spectators call it a fountain ballet.

During the day it repeats the routine, so you can catch it all day. The show will run every 30 minutes in the daytime and every 15 minutes at nighttime. So, it will be difficult to miss this true highlight of the city. 

Golden Nugget

No, this is not a fast-food restaurant. It is one of Las Vegas’s oldest casinos. Built shortly after gambling was legalized in Las Vegas, Golden Nugget opened in 1946. You might have seen it in either the Elvis Presley movie Viva Las Vegas or the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever .

True to the name you can also find the world’s largest gold nugget at the casino resort. It’s called the Hand of Faith and was found in 1980 in Australia. A year later the 27,21-kilo nugget was sold to the casino.

You can have your stay at one of the 2.419 hotel rooms! The hotel and casino have been renovated multiple times, and every renovation is making the resort even more breathtaking. And at The Showroom, you can watch classic artists like Blue Öyster Cult, The Yardbirds, Don McLean, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Sheena Easton, and Herman’s Hermits.

Experience Las Vegas at home

If you want to get the Las Vegas feeling at home, you should check out some of the online casino games. There are plenty of options that might seem a little overwhelming to check out. Therefore, it can be a good idea to check out an online casino game guide . Here you can get an overview of some of the best licensed online casinos and see their exclusive bonuses. 

If you don’t know a lot about online gambling, a guide is a place where you will find the most essential information that you should be aware of. You can also find the best gambling tips and read the latest gambling news.

I'm sure you've had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You're in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.

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13 Best National & State Parks Near Las Vegas (AWESOME!)

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Visitors flock to Las Vegas for the casinos, shows, restaurants, and attractions but did you know that the city is surrounded by some of the best State and National Parks in the country?

Take a drive out of Las Vegas in literally any direction and you’ll be headed toward some of the most beautiful scenic locations found anywhere in the American Southwest and it’s all quite close to Las Vegas.

These are some of the best State and National Parks near Las Vegas:

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Spring mountain ranch state park, tule springs fossil beds national monument.

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Valley of Fire State Park

Death valley national park, cathedral gorge state park, zion national park, joshua tree national park, bryce canyon national park, grand canyon national park (south rim), great basin national park, mojave national preserve.

Keep reading and I’ll tell you about the best parks for short day trips, longer full-day trips, and overnights near Las Vegas. I’m going to break down what you need to know about these scenic parks, how to get to them, and the best times of year to visit.

When spending time in Las Vegas, you should definitely consider taking advantage of these nearby state and national parks.

There are thirteen state and national parks I recommend going to near the Las Vegas area. There are actually quite a few more than that if you’re willing to range further afield, but I wanted this article to focus on those that are closest to the city.

As such, the furthest parks from Las Vegas that I’ve recommended in this article are no more than 4.5 hours away by car.

• Red = The best parks near Las Vegas featured in this article
• Blue = More National Parks and recreation areas further away but still close enough to Las Vegas to visit.

Amazingly, there are some really cool National Recreation areas and State Parks found quite close to the Strip, making them easy short trips if you don’t want to be away from the Las Vegas action for too long. Then there are some State and National Parks nearby that will either require a longer day trip or an overnighter. So let’s get started!

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Red Rock Canyon is only located about 18 miles west of Las Vegas and is easily accessible by car. You can also take a guided tour from Las Vegas to get you there. The major draw of Red Rock Canyon is in the name.

The rocks here are rich in red hues, offering great photo opportunities against the backdrop of the desert and sky. The conservation area is part of the Mohave Desert and covers just under 200,000 acres of land.

There are multiple things to do within the area:

• Take a 13-mile scenic drive where you can pull off for photos, hiking, and biking.
• The area offers 26 different trails for you to hike and some that are designated for biking.
• You can also consider camping on the grounds or taking advantage of the rock climbing areas that are growing in popularity.
• It’s also the only park on this list that expressly allows drones to be flown within its boundaries.

See our full article about rules for flying drones in Las Vegas and where you can fly them here .

You’ll see some beautiful Nevada desert views, and experience slightly cooler temperatures than you’ll find on the Strip, it’s a comfortable place to spend a day in a relaxed and natural setting. I still recommend bringing plenty of water and preparing accordingly, as you are in the desert.

With this ‘attraction’ so close to Vegas, it is definitely worth the short drive.

Be sure to check out our in-depth article about visiting Red Rock Canyon .

Entrance fees will vary by vehicle and number of people but run between $10-15 per vehicle. Staff in the conservation area also host events throughout the year, including guided hikes, tours on different topics, and artist demonstrations. Pets are also allowed in the park if they are kept on a leash.

• Distance: 18 miles from the Strip (25 min)
• Address: 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: Year-round except for June, July & August (too hot)

Located not far from Red Rock Canyon, you can also check out Spring Mountain Ranch State Park that once served as a working ranch and at one time was owned by eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes.

• You can visit the buildings that were used on the ranch, including some of the oldest buildings still standing in Nevada. They offer guided tours to learn more about the history of the property, or you can explore it yourself.
• The park features hiking trails throughout the property that will give you great views of different rock formations and wildlife found in the area. There are five trail loops to choose from, all varying in length and difficulty that take you through canyons, and groves, as well as to various lookout points.

This is more of a relaxed and manicured setting as the park also has grassy areas with picnic tables that are perfect for lunch. Its greenness creates an interesting contrast with the surrounding desert.

One of the coolest parts about this park is it hosts concerts and theater performances throughout the summer. These events will typically run from May through September.

More information about directions and entrance to the park can be found on the Spring Mountain Ranch website . It costs $10 per vehicle to enter the park and pets are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash.

• Distance: 24 miles from the Strip (40 min)
• Address: 6375 NV-159, Blue Diamond, NV 89004 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: Year-round

Unlike many of the other locations in this article, where you can enjoy the massive rust-colored rocks and desert, the Tule Springs Fossil Beds takes you back to the Ice Age and reveals the remainders of a prehistoric past just thirty minutes from Las Vegas.

Home to plenty of fossils, excavations began in 1962 and have revealed prehistoric animals including mastodons, saber-tooth tigers, and even American lions that once roamed the area. You can now explore this prehistoric wonder yourself!

There is a hike that brings you close to the historic dig spots and trenches, where you might be able to find a few fossils yourself. You’ll be able to enjoy the Nevada desert while searching for remnants of the past. The most popular activities in the park include hiking, horseback riding , and photography.

This national monument has only been open a short period of time, making it one of the newest parks to explore near Las Vegas. It still remains an area of scientific study, serving as a space for continued discovery and paleontological research, so you may even see a dig in progress. The park is open during daylight hours almost every day of the year.

It is currently free to visit the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, and leashed pets are allowed in the park.

• Distance: 22 miles from the Strip (30 min)
• Address: Las Vegas, NV 89124 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: Spring (March-May) and Fall (October-November)

Lake Mead National Recreation Area & Hoover Dam

Run by the National Park Service, Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a popular outdoor destination that lies just 29 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. The lake was created as a result of the Hoover Dam, which you can also visit nearby.

Find out what you need to know about visiting Hoover Dam in our article here .

There are plenty of activities you can partake in at Lake Mead, including:

• Boating: You can launch a boat from Lake Mead Marina to fish and explore the surrounding shoreline. You can even rent a houseboat and spend the night on the lake.
• Kayaking: This can be a great workout and water activity to explore areas that are unreachable by foot, car, or even larger boats.
• Fishing: Fishing is a popular activity from both boats and miles of shoreline throughout the park.
• Swimming: You can access the lake for a swim from different beach areas or from the miles of hiking trails surrounding the lake.
• Hiking: Hiking is one of the largest draws to the lake, there are nine different designated wilderness areas you can explore on foot.
• Camping: Offering opportunities for both backcountry camping as well as at several official campgrounds, you can spend the night at the lake.
• Driving : There is still plenty to see if you prefer to just drive through the Lake Mead area, including scenic routes, bridges, and lookout points.

Another option available is to take a Lake Mead cruise on an authentic Mississippi paddle wheeler. This cruise will provide wonderful views of Lake Mead with options of dinner or even a champagne brunch.

Of all the parks on our list, Lake Mead offers one of the largest ranges of activities you can participate in. I recommend taking advantage of the park as a day trip from Las Vegas at the very least, or you can choose to stay at one of the many campgrounds.

Lake Mead can be an enjoyable destination throughout the year (however, it does get very hot in the summertime, so plan accordingly).

You can learn more about various entrance fees, directions, and logistics of visiting Lake Mead here . The lake is open almost every day of the year, including most major holidays.

Pets are allowed in the developed areas of the park, including trails and campgrounds, as long as they are kept on a leash and not left alone.

• Distance: 29 miles from the Strip
• Address: 10 Lakeshore Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005 ( google maps )

Valley of Fire State Park is located about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. It gets its name from the red sandstone rock formations and canyons that form the park.

The park features 11 distinct hiking trails of varying lengths and grades, including caves and overhangs on the Rainbow Vista Trail and canyon corridors on the Prospect Trail.

These are some of the activities you can enjoy at the Valley of Fire State Park:

• Camping: This includes two campsites for traditional camping as well as RV sites.  You will need to purchase passes that are first-come, first-serve, and there are 72 spots available. 
• Hiking: Check out one of many trails (downloadable .pdf) in the park. You can even take your dogs as long as they’re leashed. There are also separate trails permitted for biking. 
• Picnics: There are picnic tables located on multiple trails so you can bring a lunch and relax. Make sure to carry your trash out and leave the area as you found it.

The park charges a $10 entrance fee per vehicle and is open from sunrise to sunset almost every day of the year.

A unique event they hold annually is the World Atlatl Association Competition, where people compete by throwing an ancient spear called an Atlatl. This event is typically held at the end of March each year.

Consider stopping by the visitor center to learn more about these events and the history of the park.

Full-day guided tours are also available to Valley of Fire from Las Vegas. You’ll see all the important sights without having to lift a finger.

• Distance: 52 miles from the Strip (1 hour)
• Address: 29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, NV 89040 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: October – April

I’ve included some parks a little further out from Las Vegas because if you are visiting, this may be the best opportunity you have to visit these world-renowned national parks.

Death Valley National Park is located a little under two hours west of Las Vegas, close to the California-Nevada border. It is known for having the lowest point (below sea level) in North America.

There is plenty to do in Death Valley, including numerous hiking trails, salt flats, ghost towns, sand dunes, camping, mountain biking, off-roading, scenic drives, and various lookout points for great photo opportunities. Death Valley covers 3.4 million acres of space, giving you more than enough room to explore.

These are the top things you should check out in Death Valley when you visit:

• Badwater Basin: Here, you’ll find the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet below sea level.
• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Miles and miles of sand dunes are surrounded by mountain ranges, making this a unique geological landscape. Hiking along the tops of the dunes is a really cool activity.
• Zabriskie Point: This is a popular hiking area in Death Valley as it offers amazing views and plenty of trails to hike along.
• Rhyolite Ghost Town : There are a couple of ghost towns near Death Valley, but this one is the closest and most popular. When we say popular, you still won’t find crowds of people there. There are also some cool art installations nearby.
• Artist’s Drive : Accessible by car (or hiking if you want to venture into the hills), you can see a variety of mountain and canyon colors. This has given the area its name with the natural rock varieties appearing almost rainbow-like. 

Because its name points to the hot, dry, and barren nature of the park, I highly recommend visiting in the spring and wintertime when the weather is more manageable. Even at these times of the year, temperatures can still be quite warm. 

You can check out the various entrance fee levels here . Leashed pets are welcome on roads, campgrounds, and picnic areas but are not permitted on trails or in the wilderness area. We don’t recommend bringing your pets if you plan to do a lot of hiking and exploring, as they will not be allowed to join and shouldn’t be left alone. These rules are put in place to protect your animals and the park’s wildlife.

A guided tour from Las Vegas is also a great way to see Death Valley. On a tour, you won’t miss any of the most important spots and you can enjoy the views instead of watching the road.

• Distance: 106 miles from Strip (2 hours)
• Address: ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: Mid-October – Mid-May

Found a little over 2 hours north of Las Vegas, Cathedral Gorge is one of the coolest state parks in Nevada. The park is known for its unique rock formations that have been created from the erosion of the clay material it’s comprised of.

The park is named for the natural spires that look similar to those found on church cathedrals.

These impressive formations have attracted visitors to Cathedral Gorge campsites and hiking trails for decades. You can take a longer trail to explore narrow passageways or take a shorter trek to a lookout point.

There are five total trails to check out, all varying in distance and grade. You can also bring a lunch as there are picnic tables located throughout the park.

The state park is open every day of the year, and dogs are allowed with the usual caveat of being on a leash. The entrance fee is $5 per vehicle.

I recommend this park because it is definitely one of the most unique you will find in Nevada, with interesting clay formations. They date back millions of years ago, and it is impressive to see them still intact today.

• Distance: 170 miles from the Strip (2.5 hours)
• Address: 111 Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Panaca, NV 89042 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: Spring & Fall

If you want to get out of the desert for a bit, head to Zion National Park . You’ll find Zion about 3 hours north of Las Vegas. It’s one of the most impressive national parks in the United States.

Zion offers amazing mountain views, as well as some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets anywhere. It’s a photographer’s paradise! Zion combines mountains, cliffs, forests, and scenic water features to create a stunning landscape you won’t soon forget.

There are a lot of things you can do while visiting Zion National Park:

• Backpacking: While this will require a permit, you can camp throughout the backcountry of the park for a cool overnight adventure. Because there are limited spots available on a daily basis, you should try and reserve your permit in advance.
• Biking: A few trails in the park are accessible by bike, including the Pa’rus and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
• Camping: You can spend the night at Zion in a campground. There are three campgrounds inside the park with different levels of amenities.
• Climbing: With a proper permit, you can climb a bunch of the park’s massive rock formations.
• Hiking: One of the most popular activities at Zion, there are hikes for every level of difficulty. You can hike through Zion Canyon, Kolob Canyon, or take longer treks through the Zion wilderness.
• Horseback Riding: The park offers guided horseback trips that’ll take you to scenic areas you wouldn’t normally see.
• Birdwatching: There is an incredibly high number of bird species, as well as other wildlife within the park, making it a great place to see animals.

Each private vehicle that enters the park is charged $35 for a pass that’s good for seven days. You can see a list of all the current fees here , depending on the size of your group and vehicle. Pets are allowed on some specific trails and not others, so you should check with a ranger for trail information.

Because the park is a bit further from Las Vegas and there is so much to do and see, I strongly recommend spending at the very least one night. It will give you the time you need to check out more of the park’s offerings.

Another option would be to take a tour to Zion National Park from Las Vegas. It’ll be a long day trip but you’ll see everything and won’t have to do any of the driving.

• Distance: 164 miles from the Strip (2.6 hours)
• Address: Zion national park, 1101 Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy, Hurricane, UT 84737 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: May – November

One of the country’s newer national parks is Joshua Tree National Park . Located southwest of Las Vegas in southern California, the park is about a 3 and a half-hour drive from the Strip.

Joshua Tree has an amazing variety of plants and animals that make their homes here. The reason for this is that Joshua Tree NP is made up of two different desert ecosystems, the Colorado Desert and the Mohave Desert. These two deserts intersect in the park creating a large convergence of plant and animal species.

Here are some of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park:

• Birding: A large number of bird species can be found in the park including roadrunner, quail, cedar waxwing, hermit thrush, kestrel, hawks, warblers, osprey, turkey vultures, and many more.
• Hiking: With over 300 miles of trails you’ll never be far from a good hike. From short walks to multi-day hikes, there is a trail for every visitor.
• Camping: The park hosts nine developed campgrounds with a total of 500 campsites. It’s a good idea to make campground reservations ahead of time between September and May.
• Photography: Between the photogenic Joshua Trees and the stunning rock formations, the park is high on the list of locations for photographers.
• Rock Climbing: With nearly 8,000 established climbing routes, Joshua Tree National Park is a premier climbing destination.
• Stargazing: Due to its remote location, the park is very dark at night and is an excellent spot for stargazing.

Interested in stargazing closer to Las Vegas? Check out our article Best Places for Stargazing Near Las Vegas for some great locations very close to Vegas.

Entrance fees for the park run $30 per vehicle for a week-long pass. You can find more information about fees and passes here . Pets are not allowed on trails or the park buildings but are allowed on unpaved roads (of which there are many) as long as they’re leased.

Joshua Tree National Park provides a beautiful desert landscape not too far from Las Vegas and I highly recommend a visit if you have the opportunity. It’s a bit far for a day trip but you’ll want to spend at least one night anyway to see the stars at night. Wow!

• Distance: 194 miles from the Strip (3.25 hours)
• Address: 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: March – May & October – November

The surreal landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park is its main attraction. A four and a half-hour drive north from Las Vegas, the park is a study of the effects of erosion. Over time, water and ice have eroded away much of the topsoil leaving a canyon full of towering hoodoos and spires.

In fact, it’s the largest concentration of hoodoos found anywhere in the world!

The park ranges in elevation from 6,620 feet to over 9,100 feet above sea level. As such, it’s a good place to visit during the warmer months of the year. I was here once in November and I’ve never felt a cutting wind so cold in my life 🥶

Hiking down into the main canyon (Bryce Amphitheater) and walking among the base of the hoodoos is something everyone should experience at least once.

These are the things that should not be missed in Bryce Canyon:

• Viewpoints: The park has four main viewing areas where you can get an excellent view of the canyon from different angles. These viewpoints are Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Sunrise Point, and Sunset Point.
• Hiking: You’ll want to take an easy walk along the rim trail for an amazing view for sure but the park has miles of hiking trails of different levels to enjoy. Check out the Navajo Trail!
• Visitor Center: Stop by the visitor center and park museum for exhibits, information, and maps.
• Driving: Take the 18-mile drive (one way) on the main park road where you can stop at several viewpoints overlooking other areas of the park along the way.
• Horseback: An optional but fun way to spend a day is to take a horseback ride into the park to see the sights from an entirely different perspective.

Entrance fees are $35 per private vehicle and all occupants for up to seven days. Additional pass and fee information is located here . Like most national parks pets are allowed on leash in the park and are permitted in campgrounds and other paved areas but cannot be taken on trails.

While Bryce Canyon is a bit of a distance from Las Vegas it’s actually quite close to Zion National Park, so combining the two parks into one trip would be an excellent idea!

If you’re short on time but really want to see both Zion and Bryce Canyon, here is a tour from Las Vegas that will get you to both parks and back home to Vegas in a single day!

• Distance: 264 miles from the Strip (4.5 hours)
• Address: Utah ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: May – September

When it comes to visiting national parks near Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon is the undisputed king! Nearly a million Las Vegas visitors each year find time to take a side trip to the Grand Canyon.

The truth, however, is that the majority of these tourists visit Grand Canyon West .

Grand Canyon West (owned by the Hualapai Tribe) may be the closest section of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, but it’s not actually part of the national park system.

To visit Grand Canyon National Park you’ll want to visit either the north or south rim. I’m going to talk about the South Rim of Grand Canyon National park here as it’s the place most people picture when talking about the Grand Canyon.

To find out about visiting any one of the three rims of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, check out our in-depth article here where we give distances, directions, and let you know about points of interest along the way.

The view from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is the stuff of legends. You can read about it or look at pictures but it isn’t until your standing at a viewpoint overlooking the canyon that you can truly understand the magnificence of the Grand Canyon!

Things to check out at Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim):

• West Rim Drive: This is where you’ll find all of the viewpoints that overlook the canyon. From March 1 until November 30 this road is closed to private vehicles. There is a free, hop-on-hop-off shuttle service, however, that will conveniently take you to all of the viewpoints.
• Visitor Center: Part visitor center, part museum you can find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Grand Canyon here.
• Walking or Hiking: You can easily take a walk on the Rim Trail that connects the viewpoints for many spectacular views. There are also many other opportunities to hike around or even into the canyon.
• Desert View Drive: A 25 mile road that takes you out to Desert View. There are six more canyon viewpoints along the way you can stop at. From Desert View you can get a great view of the Colorado River cutting its way through the canyon floor and get a panoramic view from the top of the Watchtower (a stone tower that replicates the prehistoric towers that have been found in the area).
• Mule Trip: Ride a sure-footed donkey down a twisting trail to the canyon floor.
• Rafting Trips: Take a whitewater rafting trip through the canyon on the Colorado River.

A $35 entrance fee per vehicle will cover up to seven days of park access. For more information about fees head here . On the South Rim, leashed pets are allowed on trails that are above the rim of the canyon.

Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is an experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime. This is not a trip that you’ll want to rush, so plan on spending a night or two either camping or at the lodge. If you’re driving your own vehicle, this is a great trip to take on your way to or from Las Vegas.

If you’re visiting Las Vegas without a car, you can also take a tour to the South Rim from the Strip.

• Distance: 278 miles from the Strip (4.5 hours)
• Address: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona 86023 ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: March – May & September – November

Traveling to or from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas? You’ll want to be sure to drive along this section of historic Route 66.

The only national park found in Nevada is Great Basin National Park . Located about a four-and-a-half-hour drive north of the Strip, Great Basin is located at the base of Wheeler Peak (13,063 ft.).

While part of the park is desert, a big part of the park includes the mountainous foothills surrounding Wheeler Peak. Take a walk through ancient bristlecone pines and quaking aspens to get a sense of this remote wilderness.

Things to do in Great Basin National Park:

• Cave Tour: Join a ranger-led tour through Lehman Caves. This is an actively growing cave full of stalactites and stalagmites! The cave tour lasts about 60 minutes, is easy to navigate and is perfect for families with children.
• Scenic Drive: Take the 12 mile Wheeler Peak scenic drive for excellent views of the mountains and valleys that comprise the park.
• Island Forest Trail: A short (1/4 mile) walk through the Great Basin mountains.
• Mountain View Nature Trail: A self-guided tour through a forest of pinyon and juniper.
• Picnic: Have a picnic at the Pole Canyon Picnic Area
• Bristlecone Pine Trail: Head up this trail to get a close-up view of some of the oldest living organisms in the world. Keep heading up the trail to see the remnants of the only glacier in Nevada near the base of Wheeler Peak.
• Stargazing: This is another park that gets very dark at night. You’ll see more stars than you’ll ever imagine.
• Fishing: Spend an afternoon fishing for trout on Baker, Lehman or Snake creek.

Great Basin National Park is a refreshing combination of high desert and mountain terrain. It’s a great place to beat the summer heat found in Las Vegas.

Again, I’d recommend spending at least a night or two or more to fully get a chance to appreciate this scenic gem.

• Distance: 300 miles from the Strip (4.5 hours)
• Address: Nevada ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: Summer months & September – October

Even though the Mojave Desert is the smallest of the four deserts found in the United States, the Mojave National Preserve contains an expansive 1.6 million acres of unspoiled desert views.

The park, although found in southern California, is located just 63 miles from Las Vegas.

The park features several different landscapes including giant sand dunes, a Joshua Tree forest, mountains, canyons, abandoned mines, and historic homesteads.

Hiking, off-roading, and camping are the biggest activities found in the park, along with extensive wildflower blooms in the spring if weather conditions are right.

To say that Mojave National Preserve is near civilization but out in the middle of nowhere at the same time wouldn’t be an understatement. It’s located just off Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

• Distance: 63 miles from the Strip (1 hour)
• Address: California ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: February – April & October – November

Bonus Destinations: Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend

I also wanted to add a couple of spectacular bonus destinations. Neither one of these spots is actually in a state or national park system, but are truly worthwhile nature and scenic travel destinations.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a remarkable slot canyon and is a southwestern icon. Even if you’ve never heard of it before, I’m sure you’ve seen pictures. The slot canyons are located on Navajo Nation land near Page Arizona.

The slot canyons are divided into Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon and the only way to explore these beautiful slot canyons is to be part of a Navajo Nation guided tour. It’s well worth it, however.

• Distance: 283 miles from the Strip (4.5 hours)
• Address: Arizona ( google maps )
• Best Time of Year to Visit: Mid-March to Mid-October (when the sun is overhead, producing the beams of light)

Horseshoe Bend

Not too far from Antelope Canyon is where you’ll find Horseshoe Bend . Sometimes referred to as Grand Canyon east, Horseshoe Bend is where you’ll see the Colorado River make a huge horseshoe-shaped turn in the river.

You’ll be able to drink in the amazing scenic landscape from a cliffside viewpoint far above the river. Sunset here is not to be missed!

• Distance: 279 miles from the Strip (4.5 hours)
• Best Time of Year to Visit: February – April & October – November (for the cooler weather)

You’ll also want to be sure to check out our favorite day trips from Las Vegas .

More National Parks & Natural Areas Near Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a great jumping-off point for even more National Parks and recreation areas nearby. These National Parks are a little further afield and so may require an overnight or several overnights to fully explore.

If you have the time, you won’t want to miss these areas.

Utah National Parks

• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Canyonlands National Park
• Arches National Park

Arizona National Parks

• Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
• Saguaro National Park
• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

California National Parks

• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Click here to find the Best Car Rental Deals for Your Las Vegas Adventure!

Which State and National Parks Near Las Vegas Should You Visit?

I’ve shown you a wide range of state and national park offerings that you can check out close to Las Vegas. Some are quite close and are just a short trip away from the Strip, while others really require an overnight or two in order to fully experience what they have to offer.

If you’re looking for a quick day trip near Las Vegas, I’d recommend heading to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

It’s a beautiful representation of Nevada and offers great hiking trails with impressive photo opportunities. For a trip a little further out (and my personal favorite national park in the area) Death Valley National Park is just a couple of hours away with sights that you won’t see anywhere else.

All the state and national parks I’ve talked about in this article showcase the natural beauty that surrounds Las Vegas. My top recommendation is that when you come to Las Vegas, set some time aside on your trip to check out at least one of these areas.

Bryan is a Las Vegas local who has spent years exploring the city's vibrant culture and entertainment scene. With his extensive knowledge of the best attractions and hidden gems, he has become an expert on all things Las Vegas. He regularly shares his insider tips with people looking to visit Las Vegas and make the most of their trip. More about Bryan.

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Travelers who like visiting the cultural landmarks listed among the bevy of UNESCO World Heritage sites can see more here than in any other U.S. state. In order to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status , a place must be a work of human genius, contain superlative natural phenomena, or any of the eight other requirements on the qualifications list. The sites located in New Mexico, such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and Taos Pueblo all manage to fit the criteria!

#21. Missouri (tie)

While Missouri may be most well known for the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, many are unaware upon first glance that the museum housed beneath the landmark is full of history about the "Show Me State" including how it got the nickname. Don't be fooled though, Missouri offers so much more. Branson, for example, is known as the " Live Entertainment Capital of the World " per their tourism site because of the amount of entertainment that is accessible at any given time, and the state has six national parks you can visit .

#21. Michigan (tie)

Michigan offers a mixture of natural beauty, history, and culture all wrapped up in one state. Visitors often make their way to Detroit to visit the Motown Museum , where curators pay homage to a form of music that, in essence, created the blueprint for all other music to follow. Home to four of the Great Lakes (Erie, Superior, Huron, and Michigan) travelers can also enjoy a car-free adventure—including a side trip to Mackinac Island , home to Arch Rock. On top of that, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor offers a huge list of attractions from the University of Michigan Museum of Arts, to the Museum of Natural History Planetarium.

#21. Indiana (tie)

Indiana's White River State Park includes many attractions for sports fans, history buffs, and fans of the outdoors—such as the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art . The Indiana Dunes National and State Parks offer outdoor fun on the southern shore of Lake Michigan with everything from campsites to bike trails, to an interactive geocaching hunt.

#20. Louisiana

Percentage of US adults who have been: 31%

There are some places that make you feel like you've stepped back in time and Louisiana is one of them. It is known for having a multitude of plantations , with at least 14 still open to visit, but they also represent a painful chapter of enslaved people in the state's history. New Orleans is home to the French Quarter, known for jazz on Bourbon Street, shimmery beads during Mardi Gras, and some of the best beignets you can find. Grand Isle is known as a " sportsman's paradise " with amazing fishing spots that offer unencumbered views of the Gulf of Mexico. Plus, if you've always wanted to delve a little deeper into understanding Voodoo, an African diasporic religion, there are plenty of places to dive in.

#18. Kentucky (tie)

Percentage of US adults who have been: 34%

Travelers can walk through part of the world's longest-known cave system in Mammoth Cave National Park . With more than 400 miles of explored caves and nearly 53,000 acres of land to explore, you can spend a whole day there and not even notice. If you're in more of a sporty mood, you can head north to Louisville for river cruises, horse racing at Churchill Downs, and baseball nostalgia at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.

#18. Massachusetts (tie)

Massachusetts is the kind of state where the kid in you can come out and play! Baseball fans will feel right at home in Boston's Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox and the oldest ballpark of any Major League Baseball team. Fans can surround themselves with the peanuts and Cracker Jacks as the stadium is open for tours all year round . In the fall, Salem, Massachusetts, becomes the state's focal point as a popular destination to celebrate Halloween—and no wonder, considering the town's history! The infamous Salem Witch Trials took place in the state, a time when religious persecution and fear allowed women to be burned at the stake if they were found to be witches. Speaking of American history, you can also visit Plymouth Rock , known as the landing spot of the Mayflower.

#17. Colorado

Percentage of US adults who have been: 36%

Winter sports are definitely the draw when it comes to the popularity of Colorado, or at least one of the big ones thanks to the Rocky Mountains as the state's backdrop. Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge are some of the most well-known ski towns in the country. Colorado is also home to one of the most amazing outdoor amphitheaters, Red Rocks , which gets world-class musical acts on a constant basis and is housed within a natural rock formation. For history fans, the Chicano Movement was a heavy influence on the landscape of the state, and you can visit the Chicano Humanities and Art Council Gallery to learn about the rich history of the 60s and 70s.

#15. South Carolina (tie)

Percentage of US adults who have been: 38%

When you think of white sand beaches you might not necessarily think of anywhere stateside—but that's where South Carolina comes in to prove you wrong. The state has a bevy of beaches, including the popular family tourist attraction Myrtle Beach, which offers 60 miles of white sand and a fantastic boardwalk full of carnival rides, games, and delicious food. Speaking of the cuisine, culinary tourists can head to Charleston, which is known for making a killer bowl of shrimp and grits. For a sweet treat, the brown sugar and butter explosion known as Charleston chewies is the local favorite. Both of these borrow heavily from the influence of the Gullah Geechee , descendants of West and Central Africa forced upon the lands during the trade of enslaved people, and who have been well known for preserving and maintaining their cultural heritage.

#15. Maryland (tie)

Maryland is another state well-loved for its seafood dishes, but here crab is king. Travelers will find plenty of unique local dishes, including Maryland Crab Soup, Smith Island Cake, and stuffed ham. Travelers can also make their way to Baltimore, where you can find everything from the National Aquarium, to the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Oriole Park to spend a day traversing.

#13. Nevada (tie)

Percentage of US adults who have been: 39%

Lucky be a lady in Nevada, or at least she does in its most famous city, "Sin City" Las Vegas, Known as the kind of destination where what happens there, stays there, you can hit the Strip for gambling, fine dining and residency shows that alternate throughout the season. If the bright lights of the big city aren't your thing, Nevada also has spectacular natural attractions like Red Rock Canyon and Lake Tahoe.

#13. Ohio (tie)

Ohio is full of family-friendly stops, like Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center and the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Tourists can head out of town to learn about a different way of life with a visit to Amish country, where you can learn about what life is like without technology.

#11. Tennessee (tie)

Percentage of US adults who have been: 40%

Nashville, Tennessee, is where country music and bachelorette parties meet in the lively downtown honky-tonks. Head west to Memphis for the soulful sounds of blues music on Beale Street. If you're looking for a strong drink, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail is home to at least 30 distilleries open for a visit.

#11. New Jersey (tie)

Boardwalk and beach lovers get both along the Jersey Shore, which is far more entertaining than what the MTV series made it seem like. In fact, it's known for being a well-loved family destination, especially in Ocean City, which is known as an alcohol-free city . Gamblers can try their luck by heading north to the casinos in Atlantic City, home to the first boardwalk built in the world.

#10. Arizona

Percentage of US adults who have been: 41%

The natural red-rock formation known as the Grand Canyon may be Arizona's top stop, but Arizona has many natural feats to admire. Saguaro National Park protects the state's majestic cacti, as well as the petroglyphs left behind by the Hohokam tribe. Guided tours in Antelope Canyon can feel like hiking through another world, with canyons and formations that look more like they belong on Mars than in America.

#8. North Carolina (tie)

Percentage of US adults who have been: 42%

North Carolina is a regular pit stop for racing fans. Charlotte's NASCAR Hall of Fame not only tells the history of the sport but puts visitors in the driver's seat in its racing simulators. Those who want off the roads and into the great outdoors can make their way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , full of lush forests, wildflowers, and waterfalls as far as the eye can see.

#8. Virginia (tie)

Outdoor lovers have plenty to choose from between Virginia's Atlantic Ocean beaches and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Literary fans can enjoy the Poe Museum in Richmond , dedicated to one of the United States' most famous writers and a tragic tale in literary history, Edgar Allen Poe. Fans of history can visit the sites for the Battle of Yorktown, the last battle of the Revolutionary War, as well as the colonial town of Williamsburg known as the world's largest living history museum .

#7. Illinois

Percentage of US adults who have been: 43%

Foodies have many options in Illinois' biggest city, Chicago, from the city's deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs to upscale dining from award-winning chefs. Tourists and locals alike flock to the lakefront in the summer, when the weather is ideal. The state is also known for playing a heavy role in the Underground Railroad , and in Alton, you can partake in either driving or walking tours that guide you along some of the most important landmarks.

#6. Georgia

Percentage of US adults who have been: 46%

Atlanta's film and music industries make Georgia's capital city an entertainment hub. You can take a tour of Tyler Perry's massive production studio , or catch a glimpse of The Dungeon , the studio where Outkast recorded their albums. Tourists who want a more relaxing pace choose Savannah's historic downtown and coastal living.

#5. Pennsylvania

Percentage of U.S. adults who have been: 48%

Head to Philadelphia to bring a U.S. history lesson to life, with visits to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum . Art lovers can hop over to Pittsburgh to The Andy Warhol Museum, home to the largest collection of Warhol art and archives. You can also get your fill of chocolate as Pennsylvania is the home of Hershey's Chocolate World .

Percentage of US adults who have been: 52%

Trips to Texas leave a lot of ground to cover, from Space Center Houston for NASA lovers, to the Alamo in San Antonio for history buffs, and Big Bend National Park's limestone cliffs in the western part of the state. Fans of live entertainment can also make their way to Austin for SXSW every March for a week-long festival and conference centering around music, arts, technology, and culture.

#3. California

Percentage of US adults who have been: 54%

Considering this state can take nearly 12 hours to drive the full length of it, it comes as no surprise that there are tons of sights to see in California. Los Angeles is known as the home of Hollywood, the rich and famous, and of course the neighbor to Anaheim's Disneyland. San Francisco offers a wealth of culture with the de Young Museum , Museum of the African Diaspora , and the Mission Cultural Center of Latino Arts . Sacramento, the state's capital, is a burgeoning city recently voted by Forbes as the top place to live in the state and is home to the California State Fair. That doesn't include the nine state parks like Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and more.

#2. New York

Percentage of US adults who have been: 55%

The city that never sleeps is also the city that brings the most visitors to the state of New York. First-time U.S. and international tourists love to visit Times Square, catch a Broadway show, and eat a New York slice of pizza. Music lovers can take walking tours that show you the birthplace of punk in Greenwich Village and the East Village or the birthplace of hip-hop in Harlem . Not to mention the city's countless museums, galleries, live music venues, and more.

#1. Florida

Percentage of US adults who have been: 61%

For countless families, a visit to Orlando's Disney World makes a childhood, or adulthood, dream come true. Florida's pristine beaches also make it the top-ranked state for a trip in the U.S. Everglades National Park offers a great day trip for families, and if you happen to have a birdwatcher in your family, the wetlands in the park are home to the largest breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America .

Data reporting by Lucas Hicks. Story editing by Olivia Monahan. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

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10 Best Las Vegas Casinos, According to Travel Experts

Try your luck at one of these Las Vegas casinos, both on and off the Strip.

Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Las Vegas is home to dozens of dazzling casinos that attract millions of travelers hoping to win big. But with so many options, narrowing down the crème de la crème of casinos is no easy feat. In addition to offering a wide array of slots and table games, the best casinos are those that go out of their way to make guests feel like ultimate VIPs, explains Fora travel advisor Celine Mahdavi . For example, she says, “They should be greeted immediately once they are seated at a table or machine.”

Addie Bell, founder and CEO of Jetset & Travel , an independent affiliate of SmartFlyer , echoes these sentiments, telling Travel + Leisure , “Friendly and attentive service is paramount.” Similarly, choosing a casino “that instills comfort and confidence during your gaming experience” is a must. 

With this in mind, we’ve rounded up the 10 best casinos in Las Vegas, both on and off the famous Strip. 

Wynn Las Vegas

Courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas

Spanning approximately 110,000 square feet, the casino at Wynn Las Vegas comes highly recommended by Mahdavi. “From high-limit salons to its variety of 1,800-plus slot machines, this casino has so much to offer players,” she says. Additionally, “Guests can enjoy a state-of-the-art race and sportsbook as well as poolside gaming.” The stylish decor is equally spectacular, with beautiful blooms and artwork setting the scene for an upscale gaming experience. Beyond the casino, this World’s Best Award-winning hotel offers world-class entertainment and nightlife , designer shops, an array of gourmet eats (including Wing Lei, the first Chinese restaurant in the U.S. to earn a Michelin star), and more than 2,700 luxury rooms and suites.

Encore Las Vegas

Joe Buglewicz/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Adjacent to the Wynn Las Vegas, Encore Las Vegas has its own casino spanning more than 70,000 square feet. The elegant space features 95 table games and 860 slot machines. High rollers can head up to the Sky Casino for sweeping views of the Sin City skyline — keep in mind you’ll need at least $300,000 to bet here. Another World’s Best Award winner, this expansive property also houses 2,000-plus rooms and suites (each one more than 700 square feet). For the ultimate splurge, Bell recommends staying in a Tower Suite, which comes with “private entrances and dedicated concierges who deliver exceptional experiences.”

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Courtesy of MGM Resorts

With floor-to-ceiling glass walls and postcard-worthy Strip views, the 100,000-square-foot casino at this swanky World's Best Award-winning hotel is a favorite of Las Vegas local Stefanie Van Aken of RSMLVTravel , an independent affiliate of Montecito Village Travel . She describes the vibes here as “always good and exciting.” She adds, “You can walk through the casino floor and feel like you are a part of the action.” In addition to classic table games, there are more than 1,000 slot machines, including an exclusive High Limit Slot Lounge. The sleek BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge, complete with its own sports bar, massive LED video walls, dozens of TVs, and 20-plus poker machines, is also noteworthy. Don’t leave without grabbing a drink at the always-buzzing, multistory Chandelier, a bar with prime people-watching. Before or after gambling, have a bite at one of the on-site restaurants. Per Van Aken, the hotel offers “a great dining program, with Zuma, STK, and the new La Petite Maison being the livelier of the group.”

Bellagio Las Vegas

George Rose/Getty Images

According to Fora travel advisor Jane Henzerling , the Bellagio Las Vegas casino is "elegance personified." She notes, "There's usually a good range of table minimums, the craps table is almost always lively, and if you're near the Petrossian Bar, you can hear strains of the wonderful piano music there."

Meanwhile, Mahdavi says, "The casino has one of the most opulent baccarat areas that Las Vegas has to offer, and the Club Privé high-limit lounge offers guests a rich whiskey program and fine cigar selection for the ultimate experience." 

The World's Best Award-winning property is also renowned for its entertainment — including "O" by Cirque du Soleil, which Van Aken describes as "the grand dame of shows in Vegas" — and restaurant offerings. "One of my favorite things to share with my clients is dinner at Picasso or Prime Steakhouse and then a glass of wine or dessert on the patio overlooking the fountain," says the travel pro.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Located on the north end of the Strip, the ultra-luxe Fontainebleau Las Vegas finally opened its doors this past December after years of construction. The stunning casino, which offers 42-foot-high ceilings and lots of natural light — a welcome change from the city’s many dimly lit spaces — spans a whopping 150,000 square feet. In addition to table games and a swanky sportsbook (a.k.a. The Tavern), there are 105 high-limit slots and video poker machines. At the center of it all is a massive chandelier comprising 1,200 bowtie-shaped glass columns. This isn’t the only work of art that’s sure to wow: Van Aken is quick to highlight the resort’s “impressive and interesting” collection of works, including specially curated murals and sculptures.

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Courtesy of The Venetian

“The Venetian is home to one of my favorite casino bars — a shiny round confection in the center of the action with great video poker machines and some of the friendliest bartenders on the Strip,” says Henzerling. But that’s not all: The 200,000-plus-square-foot casino also houses a poker room, a 15,000-square-foot high-limits gaming lounge, 225 table games, and a sportsbook. And while you may be tempted to spend the majority of your time here trying your luck in the casino, don’t sleep on the resort’s other amenities, including three expansive pool decks, 40-plus restaurants, eight distinct nightlife venues, and the 134,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch spa, where treatments run the gamut from candle massages to reiki.

Ellis Island

“If you want to get off the Strip and find a place with cheap tables, Ellis Island is a fun choice,” says Henzerling of this casino-slash-hotel-slash brewery. Dating back to 1968, this family-owned haunt — one of the few casinos actually frequented by locals — is just a block away from the glimmering Strip, yet its intimate, old-school vibes make it feel worlds away. “There's always a hilarious scene at the $5 blackjack tables, and the 24-hour cafe serves up delicious breakfasts 24 hours a day,” says Henzerling. Take your pick of 250 slots; alternatively, try your luck at table games like blackjack, roulette, or craps.

Durango Casino & Resort

Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal via Getty Images

About 10 miles off the Strip, Durango Casino & Resort made its debut in December 2023. The $750 million property features 83,000 square feet of gaming space — with more than 2,300 slots and 60-plus table games — as well as a race and sportsbook. Durango also boasts a 25,000-square-foot food and drink hall, aptly called Eat Your Heart Out, which is home to an outpost of New York City’s beloved Prince Street Pizza. In addition to the 11 dining outlets here, there are seven bars, restaurants, and lounges, along with 209 contemporary rooms and suites that provide a calming reprieve from the bustling casino.

Aria Resort & Casino

The 150,000-square-foot casino at this World’s Best Award-winning resort features a 24-table poker room, approximately 2,000 slots, and an abundance of table games ranging from roulette and baccarat to Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em. Go big or go home at the High Limit Lounge, where you can sip cocktails while playing. Afterward, retreat to the 80,000-square-foot spa for some pampering, soak up the sun by one of the sparkling swimming pools, or sit down for a celebratory meal at one of several popular eateries like Carbone or Catch. For the ultimate splurge, reserve one of the highly coveted Sky Suites, which offer VIP perks like a private concierge plus exclusive access to a private lounge and pool.

Caesars Palace

With 185 table games, 1,324 slots, a sportsbook, and a 4,500-square-foot poker room, the casino at Caesars Palace clocks in at 124,000 square feet. Much like the rest of the property, it features striking Roman-inspired design elements, including a domed ceiling with a jaw-dropping crystal chandelier and a 15-foot-tall statue of Augustus Caesar at the front entrance. Additional resort highlights include 10 bars and lounges, 22 restaurants, seven pools, a 50,000-square-foot spa complete with three Roman baths, dozens of shops, the massive Colosseum theater, and more than 3,500 rooms and suites.

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Which Las Vegas Valley resort has the biggest casino?

See which hotel-casinos have the biggest gaming footprint based on square footage and game count.

First-time visitors to Las Vegas can be surprised by how large many casinos are. The Strip is packed with resorts bigger than city blocks centered around filled gaming floors.

But which one is the biggest? It depends on how you measure it.

Going off square footage dedicated to gaming, Wynn has the largest casino with roughly 191,400 square feet, according to a 2023 annual report from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. That’s almost 17 percent larger than the next biggest — but it includes sister property, Encore.

Here are the 10 largest casinos in Clark County based on square footage allotted to gaming, as of December 2023, according to a Nevada Gaming Control Board report.

Wynn Las Vegas (including Encore): 191,424

Sunset Station: 163,951

MGM Grand: 156,524

Bellagio: 156,000

Aria: 152,550

Mandalay Bay: 152,000

Santa Fe Station: 151,001

South Point: 146,002

Green Valley Ranch: 143,890

The Orleans: 137,000

But it’s not always about size. Slot players looking for a massive selection should venture off Strip. Las Vegas-area casinos with the highest number of slot machines tend to be locals properties, according to the state data.

Here are the Clark County casinos with the most slot machines, as of 2023:

Red Rock: 2,645

Durango: 2,330

Venetian (including Palazzo): 2,300

Boulder Station: 2,273

Green Valley Ranch: 2,200

South Point: 2,135

Santa Fe Station : 2,132

Sunset Station: 2,050

The Orleans: 1,890

Wynn (including Encore): 1,700

Players who love the energy of a crowded, large casino pit should stay on the Strip. Gaming floors with the most licensed tables are all there.

Here are the top 10 casinos in Clark County based on their table game count :

Venetian (including Palazzo): 251

Wynn (including Encore): 245

Caesars Palace: 172

Bellagio: 165

Resorts World: 140

MGM Grand: 136

Fontainebleau: 125

Cosmopolitan: 109

McKenna Ross is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. Contact her at [email protected] . Follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.

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Decades after his death, the legend and legacy of ‘Mr. Las Vegas’ and his southern Utah mobster hideaway live on

From the desert inn to the d.i. ranch, moe dalitz lived large, long and prospered. it is said the bootlegger-turned-business-tycoon beat every rap — save for his checkered past..

(The Mob Museum) Moe Dalitz with a mountain lion he killed while hunting at the D.I. Ranch.

St. George • Southern Utah’s D.I. Ranch, tucked away in a rugged desert valley 25 miles west of St. George, hardly seems like an alluring hangout for a mobster whom Sin City denizens once dubbed “Mr. Las Vegas.”

But Morris Barney Dalitz — called “Moe” by those who knew him best — was no ordinary criminal. By all appearances, he was a gentleman with old-school manners who was popular, polite and eschewed violence.

Ditto for the remote D.I. Ranch, which The Salt Lake Tribune profiled earlier this month . When Dalitz bought it in 1954, it looked nothing like its namesake: the famed Desert Inn luxury resort the gangster owned on the Las Vegas Strip.

Appearances, as the maxim suggests, are often deceiving — as author Michael Newton related in his book “ Mr Mob: The Life and Crimes of Moe Dalitz .”

“America’s most secretive and most successful gangster never spent a night in jail, or even went to trial, despite a life of crime that spanned three-quarters of a century.” He was, Newton and others state, someone who preferred brain over brawn and knew how to keep his hands clean but was not above enlisting mob muscle to do the dirty work.

As for his 831-acre desert haven in southwestern Utah’s backcountry, the D.I. Ranch reputedly became a hideaway for mobsters on the lam and a discreet retreat for prostitutes, showgirls, gamblers and celebrities, like Elizabeth Taylor, on occasion.

(Mark Eddington | The Salt Lake Tribune) This building exists on the site of the D.I. Ranch, 25 miles west of St. George, where reputed Las Vegas mobster Moe Dalitz once lived.

The D.I., cowboy old-timers have attested, was a place patrolled by Uzi-toting guards in pickups and where dead bodies and vehicles were deep-sixed beneath mounds of earth or creek beds.

So who was Moe Dalitz? The answer, it seems, depends on who is asked?

There’s little dispute about his mobster beginnings. Born in Boston, Dalitz later moved to Michigan with his family and went into the laundry business. During Prohibition, he supplemented his laundry income as a bootlegger, ferrying illegal Canadian booze across Lake Erie to the U.S. Soon, Dalitz was linked to the criminal Purple Gang, the Mayfield Road Mob and what some federal officials dubbed “the Cleveland Syndicate.”

He also ran a string of illegal casinos in Ohio, Kentucky and Florida along with a legal one in Havana, which he fortuitously sold before Fidel Castro seized power. As one Cleveland law enforcement officer told members of a congressional committee on organized crime at the time, “ruthless beatings, unsolved murders and shakedowns, threats and bribery came to this community as a result of gangsters’ rise to power. Dalitz was considered part of that rise,” according to a 1999 Las Vegas-Review Journal article.

Too legit to quit

(Las Vegas News Agency via Wikimedia Commons) The Desert Inn hotel and casino in Las Vegas, pictured June 12, 1969. Moe Dalitz owned this longtime resort.

When Congress turned up the heat on organized crime after World War II, Dalitz made a momentous decision. Rather than quit, he would go legit by diversifying his businesses into mostly legal enterprises, shunning the spotlight and steering clear — at least publicly — of notorious ventures.

In 1949, Dalitz and partners Sam Tucker, Morris Kleinman and Louie Rothkopf — known collectively as the “Cleveland Four” — surfaced in Las Vegas, where they took over construction of the Desert Inn that developer Wilbur Clark had started but was too cash-strapped to finish.

Clark stayed on as the affable frontman for the hotel and casino, while Dalitz and his partners were the power behind the throne. Soon, people from across the country flocked to the Desert Inn to carouse, play craps or slots, lounge poolside with cocktails in hand or cluster behind giant windows in the resort’s swanky Sky Room to watch atomic bomb blasts from the nearby Nevada Test Site .

Dalitz pumped $2.7 million into entertainment during the Desert Inn’s first three years to lure top-flight entertainers like Frank Sinatra, who made his Vegas debut at the resort in 1951.

“For six bucks, you got a filet mignon dinner,” Sinatra said, “and me.”

[Read more about southern Utah’s D.I. Ranch , including fringe religious beliefs that it was once home to Adam and Eve and Book of Mormon bandits.]

Buoyed by the resort’s buoyant bottom line, Newton and other historians say, Dalitz parlayed his profits — along with cash infusions from International Brotherhood of Teamsters pension fund loans — into mostly legitimate investments that transformed the Vegas landscape and burnished his tarnished reputation.

(AP Photo, File) Frank Sinatra, in this 1990 photo, made his Las Vegas debut in 1951 at the Desert Inn.

For example, Dalitz invested in the Stardust and Flamingo casinos. He helped build the Las Vegas Country Club , created the PGA Tournament of Champions tour event in Las Vegas and tapped his financial backing and Teamster contacts to help construct Sunrise Hospital , Boulevard Mall , the Las Vegas Convention Center and the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

He also donated generously to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a variety of charities.

“People started seeing Moe as a civic and business leader in Las Vegas rather than a mobster,” said historian Geoff Schumacher, vice president of exhibits and programs for The Mob Museum in Las Vegas. “It got to the point in the 1970s and ‘80s where he was being honored by different organizations as the ‘man of the year’ for his philanthropy and involvement in different causes.”

Dalitz does Muhammad Ali one better

(John Rooney | AP) Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston in their 1965 bout. Dalitz and Liston once went the rounds, so to speak, during an encounter in Hollywood.

Notwithstanding Dalitz’s suave and civilized veneer, he was not above showing some syndicate steel. Dining in Hollywood, Dalitz was once accosted by heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston who told him, “You ain’t such a tough guy away from Las Vegas” and raised his hand as if to strike him.

“If you hit me … you’d better kill me,” Newton quotes Dalitz as replying. “Because if you don’t, I’ll make a phone call and you’ll be dead in 24 hours.

“...Liston couldn’t have been more stunned if he’d been hit over the head with a crowbar,” Newton wrote in “Mr. Mob.” “... Forget Cassius Clay’s ‘phantom punch.’ Moe Dalitz knocked out Sonny Liston with no punch at all.”

(Mark Eddington) Michael Newton's biography of Moe Dalitz, titled “Mr Mob: The Life and Crimes of Moe Dalitz.”

Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, ostensibly knocked out Liston with the invisible “phantom punch” in their 1965 title tilt, causing some to speculate the fight was rigged.

Despite such incidents, as well as periodic unwelcome bouts of publicity over his mob ties and alleged skimming from casinos, Dalitz stayed largely above the fray. Even when reporters and investigators landed a stinging blow, civic and elected leaders often rushed to his corner.

On one such occasion, Dalitz approached Clark County Commissioner Thalia Dondero during her Las Vegas mayoral campaign and told her that he would understand if she would rather not be seen with him.

“If I can’t be friends with you, Moe,” Dondero reportedly replied, “I don’t want to be the mayor.”

D.I. days: Holing up and hiding out

(Suzanne Dalitz via The Moe Dalitz Archive) Joe and Averill Dalitz and their daughter, Suzanne, on a visit to the Grand Canyon.

Dalitz’s life in the sunshine and the shadows defy easy description.

“It’s complicated,” Suzanne Dalitz Gollin , a writer who lives in New Mexico, said about her late father and his legacy. “You can sympathize with the plight of a young girl when they told her that her father was a mobster, or with the young woman trying to form an independent identity while being called a mob daughter and having to endure everyone’s ‘Godfather’ movie references.”

Some of Suzanne’s fondest childhood memories are the times she spent with her father and mother, Averill, at the D.I. Ranch, riding her ill-tempered Shetland pony, romping around the grounds or relaxing at the house.

Even though she was just a little girl, Suzanne has vivid memories about the D.I. and how it differed from her Vegas home. Instead of maids and nannies, she remembers, there were cowboys and Paiutes.

She once spotted a rattlesnake on the bunkhouse steps and ran to tell her father, who was skeptical but grabbed his pistol and sauntered outside “like a real gunslinger, moving slowly until he saw the rattler.”

“Whaddya know, you’re right,” Suzanne recalled him saying. “Then he shot the snake dead and made me and my friend Judy hold it up like a trophy for a photograph, even though its guts were getting all over our hands.”

By the time Dalitz bought and built the ranch house, Suzanne explained during a 2016 presentation to the Washington County Historical Society, he had largely left behind his lawbreaking past.

“Dad didn’t want to be a mobster,” she said. “He wanted to be a lion-hunting, cattle-wrangling cowboy and a respected Las Vegas city father.

“...I never did see a single high-rolling customer, prostitute or bodyguard there, which isn’t to say that kind of thing didn’t happen,” added Suzanne, who was 6 years old when her parents divorced.

(Suzanne Dalitz via The Moe Dalitz Archive) Moe Dalitz on horseback at the D.I. Ranch.

Jay Leavitt, who lives in nearby Gunlock, was a boy when his father, Rodney, was Dalitz’s partner and helped manage the D.I. While he doesn’t discount Dalitz’s mobster past, he believes some of the tales spun about him and the ranch are a bit taller than the truth.

“When I was a little boy, we called him ‘Uncle Moe,” Leavitt recalled. “He would send truckloads of toys to kids in Gunlock.”

Jay said his father ran a telephone line all the way from the family’s Gunlock home to the D.I. Both dwellings had old-style crank phones Dalitz and his dad used to keep in touch.

He remembers Dalitz, upon learning he was about to be indicted, bringing his male German shepherd to the Leavitt home and asking his father to look after the dog while he went into hiding.

“He called my dad later,” Jay said, “and asked him to get his dog a girlfriend so he wouldn’t be lonely.”

Larry Shurtleff, who managed the ranch for subsequent D.I. owners Hyrum and Gail Smith in the 1990s, said Rodney Leavitt once told him about the time he was warned by Dalitz that federal agents would be coming to the D.I. in two days.

Facing possible arrest, Dalitz told his partner that he was leaving the country. Sure enough, “the feds” arrived as scheduled, only to find the ranch owner had vamoosed.

“[Dalitz] was always two steps ahead of everybody,” Rodney reported, “because he had moles everywhere and knew exactly what would happen two or three days before anything ever happened.”

Beating the rap, burying the past

In 1967, Dalitz sold the Desert Inn to billionaire recluse Howard Hughes and found a buyer for the D.I. Ranch two years later. He also hobnobbed with celebrities like Sinatra, Bob Hope and Lee Majors and rubbed shoulders with then-Nevada Gov. Paul Laxalt and other prominent politicians, many of whom hailed him as “Mr. Las Vegas” for his philanthropy and business acumen.

Still, his mob roots and relationships loomed too large for some to ignore. By the time of his death at age 89 in 1989 , Dalitz was said to have beaten every rap except his checkered past.

Suzanne recalls watching a home movie a few years ago of a mountain lion her dad caught and caged in an enclosure at the D.I. that he dubbed the “Lion Hilton.” She remembers her father posing by the cage, looking at the lion as it looked back at him.

“In that lion’s plight,” she said, “I could see my dad’s own dilemma, captured as he was by old stories and bad choices, a man destined to be hunted by the press and government for the rest of his years. I see a man on the outside of a lion’s cage [who] was once a mighty predator but now dreamed of a different life, one out on the open range where the past was past and there were no limits to a cowboy’s horizons.”

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Report Confirms Jayden Daniels' Interest in the Las Vegas Raiders

Could reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels reunite with Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce?

• Author: Aidan Champion

In this story:

We have made it known throughout this offseason that there is mutual interest between 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and the Las Vegas Raiders.

While appearing on Sports Center on Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirmed Daniels' interest in the Silver and Black.

Fowler started by discussing what he is hearing regarding Daniels and the Washington Commanders, who hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

"It does feel like that there is some smoke here, that's sort of undeniable at this point," Fowler said . "I spoke to somebody who's involved in Daniels' process who does openly wonder: Is Daniels looking at his options right now? Now, he has had interest in playing for the Raiders, that is real. Staying on the West Coast, reuniting with Antonio Pierce from their Arizona State days. But they pick 13; it's going to be hard to sort of make that sort of trade happen.

"Intrigue in Minnesota as well. That's not to say that he doesn't have interest in playing for Washington eventually. I cannot confirm that that's any different, but as was told to me, this has not gone as smoothly as it should for a player who's a viable candidate for the No. 2 overall pick. It should be sort of pretty clear at this point."

As Fowler mentioned, Daniels played under Pierce while at Arizona State. In fact, Pierce even recruited him.

"I mean, I thought he'd win the Heisman -- that was my recruiting pitch," Pierce said at the NFL Combine on Feb. 28. " ... Man, I'm just proud of him, when I was recruiting Jayden, 150 pounds weight. Everybody [was] like: 'Where you getting this little skinny dude from San Bernardino?'

"But what I saw was a winner. I saw a guy who was really competitive, always out to prove people wrong, been doubted his whole life because of size or certain attributes about him -- physically or mentally. And I think all he's done is prove people wrong.

"And it was good to watch him do it at the highest level of college football -- the SEC -- and dominate. It was impressive."

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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