Most people visit Las Vegas for a weekend or a 3-day getaway. But spending 5 days in Vegas allows you to get a taste of every type of experience in Sin City and the gorgeous Nevada scenery that surrounds it.
In my opinion, 5 days is the perfect amount of time for a Vegas vacation.
You’ll get to explore as much of the Strip as you want, enjoy pool time, see a couple shows, experience the downtown and Fremont Street areas as well as some off-strip activities and attractions.
In this 5 day Las Vegas itinerary, I’ve built in the top attractions and must-do activities, as well as a few hidden gems and off the beaten path adventures.
I’ve also curated it as a ‘choose your own adventure’ style.
Where possible, I’ve added an alternative activity (or two) if the first suggestion doesn’t work for your travel style or schedule.
Also, depending which hotel you’re staying at, you can move this itinerary around to make it work best for you.
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, as a family or on a group vacation in Vegas, this 5 day itinerary has something to do for everyone.
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Day 1: North Strip Sightseeing
Day 1 Overview
No matter how many (or how few) times you’ve been to Vegas, the first day excitement of hitting the Strip is so fun!
You’ll start your day with breakfast on one of the best patios in Vegas, wander a portion of the Strip, enjoy pool or shopping time, indulge at a celebrity-chef restaurant for dinner and then soak up the glitz and glamor at night.
Breakfast at: Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel
Sightseeing along the central and North part of the Strip.
At the Paris Hotel take cute photos with the Eiffel Tower, wander the casino floor and admire the French themed architecture and styling (this is one of my favorite hotels).
Head across the street to the Bellagio Hotel and visit the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the general grandeur of the hotel.
You can capture great photos of the Strip if you walk out directly from the Bellagio valet, or head to the elevated pedestrian walkway that connects to the Cosmopolitan.
Keep heading North to the Flamingo Hotel and check out the pink vintage vibe and take a stroll through the wildlife habitat and watch the Flamingos.
Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants along the LINQ promenade.
Tip – go for the frozen Baileys at O’Sheas for a sweet and boozy treat.
Tip – buy a pass for the hop-on-hop-off bus that travels up and down the Strip!
Get off your feet, enjoy panoramic views from the open-top, as well as an on board guide narrating and pointing out the highlights.
You can get on and off wherever you want!
Afternoon
Option 1: Hang out at the hotel pool
Option 2: More Strip sightseeing – stroll through Caesars Palace, the Venetian and the Mirage.
Option 3: shopping! Depending what your budget is, you can spend the afternoon visiting the high end shops in the Bellagio, the Forum Shops at Caesars, or the Grand Canal Shoppes in the Venetian. Or for a more casual afternoon of shopping, visit the Fashion Show Mall.
Option 4: (best for families with kids): Circus Circus Adventuredome Theme Park
This is an impressive indoor amusement park great for kids of all ages, complete with a rollercoaster, bumper cars, carnival games and more.
Read more: Best Places to Drink on the Las Vegas Strip: Views, Fancy Drinks & Deals
Dinner
Option 1: Your favorite celebrity chef restaurant. There are so many to choose from, some of the most popular choices are:
- Vanderpump a Paris
Option 2: Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. One of the top rated buffets in Vegas (it’s actually rated a lot higher than Hell’s Kitchen on Tripadvisor).
Evening Options
I recommend doing this on your first night in Vegas because you might want to do it a second time! The views are so impressive.
Plus, you can choose tickets for a pod that has an unlimited open bar for the entire ride.
Tip – buy your tickets ahead of time to save time from waiting in line.
For the rest of the evening, enjoy the free evening entertainment on the Strip. Catch the Bellagio fountains show, the Mirage Volcano, the Lake of Dreams at the Wynn and even the live music at Carnival Court near Harrah’s.
Optional:
Visit 3 different clubs, get VIP entry and unlimited drinks on your hop-on hop-off party bus!
Hint – you’ll stop at the Fountain Room for one of the most incredible night views of the Strip.
Day 2: South Strip Sightseeing
Day 2 Overview
On day 2, you’ll catch up on a portion of the Strip you haven’t visited yet. We’ll find some great photo opportunities, visit shops with tasty treats, sip some unique drinks and see an iconic show.
Breakfast
La Salsa Cantina for $6.99! This is one of the best value breakfasts you can get on the Strip.
After breakfast, tour around Planet Hollywood and visit the Miracle Mile Shops.
Sightseeing along the south end of the Strip.
Spend some time on each floor of the Cosmopolitan and don’t miss stopping for a drink at the 3-floor Chandelier bar.
Hint, order the secret drink off the menu called the Verbena.
If you’re not up for a drink, try the cereal milk-flavored soft serve at Milk Bar.
Stop in at Sugar Factory for great selfie spots.
Visit the Coca Cola store and try a flight tasting of 16 different coca cola products from around the world.
Make your way to the New York New Hotel, another one of the best-themed hotels on the Strip.
Visit the replica of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Big Apple roller coaster, visit the M&M store and have a martini at the Chocolate Bar.
Take a taxi or rideshare to get photos at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign.
You can also walk from the Mandalay Bay, but expect it to take about 20 to 30 minutes.
Afternoon:
Option 1: Pool time at the hotel – great for relaxing and sunshine!
Option 2: Top Golf at MGM – great for a group trip!
Option 3: Afternoon trip – great choice if you’re looking for something new to do in Vegas!
- ATV Tour in the Sand Dunes for those who want a rugged and adventurous experience! About 3 hours.
- Horseback Ride through Red Rock Canyon. After a short drive from the Strip, take a guided horseback tour through the rugged landscape that surrounds Las Vegas.
- Outdoor Shooting Experience at Adrenaline Mountain. One of the highest rate ranges in Vegas.
Option 4: Pinball Hall of Fame – fun, low cost choice for all ages
This place is packed full of pinball machines and retro arcade games.
The machines take quarters, and you can go for quite a while on about $20 per person.
Dinner:
Option 1: Mayfair Supper Club. Upscale, vintage Las Vegas with a speakeasy prohibition theme. So elegant and lots of fun!
Option 2: Eiffel Tower restaurant for an ultra romantic dining experience, and mouth-watering beef wellington.
Option 3: Ellis Island for a $15 steak dinner, and even several dollars cheaper if you sign up for the players card (also rated higher than Hell’s Kitchen on Tripadvisor)!
Evening
Experience an iconic Vegas show and have a nightcap at a hidden speakeasy.
Show Options:
- Absinthe: a vintage-style half cabaret half circus, that’s extremely raunchy and highly immersive. It’s my favorite show in Vegas.
- Carrot Top is the best rated comedy show in Vegas.
- V- The Ultimate Variety Show has something for everyone.
- For Families, the Blue Man Group.
- And for a dinner and a show combo – the Tournament of Kings is a medieval celebration complete with jousting and turkey legs for dinner.
If you have time, seek out a drink at a speakeasy bar.
There are tons hidden around the Strip.
A popular spot is Ghost Donkey, at the back of the 3rd floor food court of the Cosmopolitan.
Day 3 – Off Strip Day Trip Adventure
After 2 full days exploring every inch of Las Vegas boulevard, you’ll be ready for a different change of pace.
I recommend getting out of the city – and there are tons of great tours you can take.
- Emerald Cove Kayak Tour. Can you believe there are gorgeous emerald rivers not far from the city? On this tour, you’ll get picked up at your hotel, and then kayak the clear waters of the Colorado River with stops at scenic spots along the way for swimming or hiking.
- Canyon ATV and Abandoned Gold Mine tour. After your hotel pickup, cruise through the desert and cactus forests on your ATV before arriving at an abandoned and rumored haunted gold mine. You’ll get a walking tour and learn all kinds of history. Lunch is included!
- Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam Tour. This is a full day tour, but you will get to see some of the most iconic places in the USA! After pick up in a modern bus (with washrooms on board), you’ll stop for hot breakfast, visit Hoover Dam and then arrive at Grand Canyon West Rim. Here you can do the optional skywalk platform – a glass bridge suspended 400 feet above the canyon floor!
Day 4: Arts District and Fremont Street Experience
Day 4 Overview
We’re kickin’ it old school for some classic Las Vegas vibes.
Start with a hidden gem breakfast spot and then make your day downtown to experience the funky Arts District and Fremont East neighborhoods.
As the day turns to evening, make your way to the Fremont Street Experience for an incredible evening of lights, live music and street entertainment.
Breakfast
Option 1: Vickie’s Diner. An all pink, 1950s-themed diner. Great prices!
Option 2: Peppermill for a vintage vibe that hasn’t changed since the 1970s.
Post Breakfast/Afternoon
After breakfast, make your way to the Arts District and stroll around looking at all the murals, vintage shops and tons of craft breweries.
Tip – you can take the Downtown Loop bus for free! Catch it at the STRAT hotel (where the rideshare pickup is) and there are stops within the Arts District and Fremont Street.
Optional activity: stop at the North Premium Outlets, which is only a few minutes away.
Since it’s still early in the day, start with a historic walking tour of the Fremont area.
On this tour, you’ll learn about how it all began with stories from the golden age of Vegas and stop for great photo opportunities along the way.
Or if you’re ready for lunch, join this walking food tour of downtown Las Vegas.
You’ll learn lots of history while eating your way through the downtown at 5 unique and off the beaten path eateries.
Make your way to Ferguson’s Downtown, which is in the Fremont East neighborhood.
This is an old motel that has been converted to artisan shops.
If you’re so inclined, stop at Atomic Liquors across the street for a drink at the oldest bar in Las Vegas.
The Mob Museum is another great stop to learn about some of the more scandalous history of this city and all the mobsters who ran it.
Don’t forget to drop into the hidden speakeasy bar at the end.
Evening on Fremont Street
As the sun sets and the glittering lights shine, the Fremont Street Experience becomes an entirely different area!
Walk around, hit the old casinos, listen to the free live concerts, watch the street buskers, anything!
Dinner
I recommend a choice of two great Mexican restaurants.
La Comida offers a hip warehouse vibe, yet still a very authentic Mexican feel. Amazing tacos here.
Nacho Daddy for more casual Mexican food with fun drinks.
Day 5: Las Vegas Strip and Hidden Gems
Day 5 Overview
Your last full day in Vegas includes visiting any last spots you haven’t been to on the Strip and a few hidden gems places if you’re “stripped out”.
Now that you’ve have 4 full days in Vegas, it’s your chance to hit anything you haven’t been able to do on this list so far.
Enjoy some last minute pool time, or explore your favorite areas on the Strip.
If you want some unique places to explore, here are my top recommendations.
A hidden gem greenhouse within a warehouse vibe that serves the prettiest cakes, pastries, coffees and teas.
Want something a little more wild for breakfast?
Hit up Drag Brunch at Señor Frog’s. Get your tickets in advance, because these shows sell out.
Visit the Lion Habitat Ranch, about 20 minutes south of the Strip and visit the rescued lions and watch Ozzie the giraffe paint pictures.
You can even feed the giraffe and lions.
Tip – if you’re headed to the Lion Ranch, stop for breakfast on the way at Crepe Expectations. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Try the Elvis crepe with peanut butter, banana and bacon. Lots of gluten free options, too.
I also recommend Squeeze In, which has a massive omelet menu served among funky décor – they encourage guests to draw on the walls!
How Many Days are Enough in Vegas?
3 to 5 days are enough to visit Vegas, whether it’s your first time or your 10th time! On the shorter side, you’ll be limited to the top attractions and experiences on the Strip and Fremont.
But if you stay for up to 5 days, you have more time to explore a couple off hidden gems spots off strip, as well as a tour or two out in the rugged (but scenic) Nevada landscape.
As you can see, there is more than enough to do in Vegas for 5 days to a week.
Vegas can become overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time.
There’s so much walking, so many crowds, lots of loud much and of course lots of money that gets spent. It’s easy to overdo it.
If it’s your first time visiting Vegas, 3 days might feel a little rushed. I recommend 4 or 5 days!
It’s not an inexpensive city to visit, so even though you might be able to handle more time, your wallet might not.
You Might Like: 19 Las Vegas Tips for First Timers | How to Visit Vegas Like A Pro
Is 5 days too Long in Vegas?
If you want to experience the entire Strip, the Fremont Street area, lounge poolside, do some shopping, see a show or two, try adventurous off-Strip activities and visit some hidden gem restaurants, 5 days is not too long in Vegas.
If you are only planning to explore up and down the Strip and mostly stay nearby the hotel you’re staying at, 5 days is probably a little too long.
How Much Spending Money Do You Need for 5 days in Vegas?
Based on the typical meal prices in Las Vegas, you will need to budget an average of $40 to $180 per day for food.
Of course, you can spend less if you budget and plan for it, and much more if you eat at high end restaurants for every meal.
You’ll also want to factor in drinks, which will set you back about $10 – 20 each, unless you’re gambling.
Read more about getting free drinks in Vegas while gambling (and what you can order).
- Breakfast: $5 – 30
- Lunch: $10 – 50
- Dinner: $25 – 100+
In addition to your meal costs, activities range widely in prices. The good news is that you can spend an entire day on the Strip and not spend a dime on all the free attractions.
If you do want to spend some money on tours, I recommend researching online first. This is going to give you an idea of what your budget will have to be.
For that reason, I recommend using Viator to book tours because they allow free cancellation and don’t charge you until 2 days prior.
I haven’t included gambling money in this daily budget because it’s different for everyone.
If you’re looking to do Vegas on a budget, read my entire guide about where to eat, stay, play and spend less in Vegas.
More Las Vegas Blog Posts
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