Ultimate Edition

Las Vegas, Nevada

Published for the Valley and the desert around it
US Monday, October 12, 2026 Vol. CXXI · Est. 1905
Guides › Nevada › Las Vegas, Nevada

A city that built its own reasons to exist

Las Vegas had no river, no port and no industry — just a railroad water stop in the Mojave. Everything since has been invented on purpose, and the invention is the attraction.

Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada — Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page

The town was auctioned into existence in 1905 as a railroad stop with a spring. Nevada legalised gambling in 1931, the same year the Hoover Dam brought thousands of workers to the valley, and the two facts made the place. Fremont Street downtown was the first casino district; the Strip — technically outside the city limits, in unincorporated Clark County — grew up along the highway from Los Angeles from the 1940s, mob money first, then corporate, then the mega-resorts of the 1990s that turned it into the world's most concentrated entertainment district.

The Strip is a four-mile machine, and it is best understood as one. The resorts are cities in themselves — casino, hotel, theatre, mall, pool, a dozen restaurants — designed so that you never need to leave and lose track of time when you stay. The famous chefs are here because the resorts pay them to be; the shows are here because forty million visitors a year fill them; the sphere, the sports arenas and the F1 circuit are the latest additions to a skyline that rebuilds itself every decade. It is spectacular and exhausting, and walking it is further than it looks.

There is another Las Vegas, and 2.3 million people live in it. Downtown has revived around Fremont East, the Arts District and a real local bar and restaurant scene. Summerlin and Henderson are the vast suburbs where residents actually are — planned, air-conditioned and, by American standards, affordable. And the desert is the other half of the story: Red Rock Canyon is twenty minutes west, Lake Mead and the dam an hour east, Death Valley and Zion a few hours further. The city is a base for the Southwest as much as a destination.

Living here means the heat — summer days over 40°C are normal and everything runs on air-conditioning — and an economy that rises and falls with the visitor count. There is no state income tax, housing is cheaper than California's, and the service industry is the great employer. The city is also drier than it looks: water comes from a shrinking Lake Mead, and the fountains are recycled. It is a place that has always bet on its own future, and so far the bet has paid.

Where People Live

The neighbourhoods

The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard)

The mega-resorts from Mandalay Bay north to the Sahara — casinos, shows, restaurants and the Bellagio fountains. Not technically in the city, and not where anyone lives.

Downtown & Fremont Street

The original casino district under the Fremont Street canopy, plus Fremont East's bars and the Arts District's galleries, breweries and antique shops. The locals' Vegas.

Arts District (18b)

Just south of downtown — warehouses turned galleries, coffee, craft breweries and the First Friday street festival. The neighbourhood most changed in the last decade.

Summerlin

The master-planned western suburb against the Red Rock escarpment — parks, trails, good restaurants and the Golden Knights' practice rink. Where families settle.

Henderson

The separate city to the south-east, Nevada's second largest — suburban, quieter and with Lake Las Vegas and the Green Valley district. The other place residents choose.

Chinatown (Spring Mountain Road)

West of the Strip: a corridor of Asian restaurants that is the best cheap eating in the valley, open late for the hospitality workers coming off shift.

Must-see attractions

National Atomic Testing Museum

755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Seven Magic Mountains

S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054

Speed Vegas

14200 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054

Freemont Street (Old Las Vegas)

E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Hand of Faith (Golden Nugget)

129 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

KISS by Monster Mini Golf

3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Princess Diana Tribute Exhibition, Las Vegas

3720 S Las Vegas Blvd 3rd Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89158

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161

T-Mobile Arena

3780 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89158

Where to stay

Golden Nugget Las Vegas

129 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Indoors

Alexis Park All Suite Resort, Las Vegas

375 E Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169

Indoors

Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Paradise, NV 89109

Indoors

Encore Resort at the Wynn, Las Vegas

3121 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Indoors

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Indoors

OYO Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

115 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Indoors

Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Indoors

Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa

11011 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135

Indoors

Eat & drink

China Poblano

Restaurant

Indoors

Evel Pie

Restaurant — 508 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Indoors

Ghostbar Las Vegas

Restaurant

Indoors

Little Darlings Las Vegas

Restaurant

Indoors

Papi Steak Las Vegas

Restaurant

Indoors

Sapphire Las Vegas

Restaurant

Indoors

Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse

Restaurant

Indoors

Frankie's Tiki Room

Restaurant — 1712 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Indoors

Restaurants & places to go

TAO Asian Bistro & Nightclub, The Venetian Resort

Las Vegas Asian restaurants, fine dining, Asia bistros, nightclubs, Buddhism, Buddha bars, Buddha lounges, Asian lounges, The Venetian Resort bars, The… · taogroup.com

Indoors

Peppermint Hippo, Las Vegas

Las Vegas nightclubs, sportsbars, cocktail lounges, Las Vegas hotties, Hippo hotties, gentlemens clubs, breastaurants · 1531 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV… · thepepperminthippo.com

Indoors

Topgolf (MGM Grand), Las Vegas

MGM Grand golf ranges, golf driving ranges, golfing, golf restaurants · 4627 Koval Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · topgolf.com

Indoors

Toca Madera, Las Vegas

Mexican restaurants, steaks, Las Vegas fine dining, Mexican steakhouses, Mexican steak house · tocamadera.com

Indoors

Hakkasan Nightclub (MGM Grand)

Hakkasan Nightclub Las Vegas nightclubs, Hakkasan Las Vegas Nightclub, Las Vegas night clubs, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Hakkasan MGM Grand nightclubs · .… · hakkasannightclub.com

Indoors

XS (Encore at The Wynn)

Wynn nightclubs, Wynn Las Vegas nightclubs, Wynn Las Vegas bars, Wynn bars, Wynn lounges, Wynn XS nightclubs · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir"… · xslasvegas.com

Indoors

Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub (The Cosmopolitan)

The Cosmopolitan nightclubs, Cosmo nightclubs, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas nightclubs, las vegas dayclubs, las vegas day clubs, The Cosmo Las Vegas nightclubs… · taogroup.com

Indoors

Wet Republic Ultra Pool (MGM Grand)

MGM Grand swimming pools, dayclubs, day clubs, beach clubs, beachclubs, outdoor pools, outdoor swimming pools · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir"… · wetrepublic.com

Indoors

Larry Flynt's Hustler Club - Las Vegas

Hustler Vegas stripclubs, Hustler Club Vegas, stripclubs, strip clubs, strippers, exotic dancers · . Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club is the #1 Strip Club in Las… · vegashustlerclub.com

Indoors

The LIGHT Nightclub, Vegas

Bellagio nightclubs, defunct nightclubs · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir" dir="ltr">LIGHT is an exceptional nightlife experience hinging on… · thelightvegas.com

Indoors

Liquid Pool Lounge

ARIA Las Vegas, Hakkassan Group · . The ultimate in poolside opulence, contemporary ambiance and ultra VIP service @arialv · liquidpoollv.com

Indoors

House of Blues Las Vegas

VIP clubs, VIP rooms, Foundation Room Las Vegas, Foundation Room Cocktail Lounges · . House of Blues Restaurant and Bar is NOW OPEN for dine-in, takeout and… · houseofblues.com

Indoors

DAYLIGHT Beach Club (Mandalay Bay)

Mandalay Bay pools, Mandalay Bay swimming pools · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir" dir="ltr">Life&#39;s a Beach... Club <img class="Emoji… · daylightvegas.com

Indoors

Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge

restaurants, lounges · . ✨ As Vegas as Vegas gets. ✨ Coffee shop and home to the Fireside Lounge since 1972. 🍴🍹🔥 📞 For reservations, call… · peppermilllasvegas.com

Indoors

Crazy Girls Las Vegas

burlesque shows, exotic dancers · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir" dir="ltr">America&#39;s Longest Running Burlesque Show! <a href="/PHVegas"… · crazygirlslv.com

Indoors

Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris Hotel, Las Vegas

Paris Las Vegas hotels, Paris nightclubs, Paris Las Vegas nightclubs, Chateau Paris Las Vegas, Paris Chateau Las Vegas · . Rooftop of @parisvegas under the… · chateaunights.com

Indoors

Andiamo Italian Steakhouse

. Las Vegas' #1 restaurant on Trip Advisor for over a year straight.

Indoors

Gilley's Las Vegas

breastaurants, titty bars, gilley girls, cowgirls, hooters restaurants · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir" dir="ltr">The only country rock saloon on the… · gilleyslasvegas.com

Indoors

Lily Bar & Lounge

Bellagio Las Vegas, MGM Resorts · . Lily Bar & Lounge is an MGM Resorts destination located inside @Bellagio Las Vegas. Live Music, Sporting Events and…

Indoors

Beer Park (Paris Hotel)

bars, outdoor patios, Paris Las Vegas Hotel · <p class="ProfileHeaderCard-bio u-dir" dir="ltr">10,000-square-foot deck overlooking the world famous Las Vegas… · beerpark.com

Indoors

Mohegan Casino Las Vegas

Las Vegas casinos, Vanity Nightclub · https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYQywwCq-HQ · moheganlasvegas.com

Indoors

Alien Cathouse, Las Vegas

brothels, hookers, prostitutes · aliencathouse.com

Indoors

Crazy Horse III, Las Vegas

strip clubs, stripclubs, gentlemens clubs, strippers, exotic dancers · 3525 W Russell Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118 · crazyhorse3.com

Indoors

OMNIA Nightclub (Caesars Palace)

Las Vegas nightclubs, Caesars nightclubs, Caesars Palace nightclubs · caesars.com

Indoors

Tipsy Robot Las Vegas

robotics, cocktail lounges, bars, cocktails · 3663 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 130 Las Vegas NV, 89109 · thetipsyrobot.com

Indoors

Treasures Gentlemen's Club & Steakhouse, Las Vegas

strip clubs, stripclubs, strippers, gentlemens clubs · treasureslasvegas.com

Indoors

Bazaar Meat by José Andrés

wagyu kobe beef · slslasvegas.com

Indoors

Big Chicken Shaq

chicken restaurants · 4480 Paradise Road, Suite 1200, Las Vegas, NV 89169 · bigchicken.com

Indoors

Blue Moon Bar, Planet Hollywood

bars, Blue Moon beers, nightlife · caesars.com

Indoors

Cabo Wabo Cantina

restaurants, bars · cabowabocantina.com

Indoors

Casbar Lounge (SAHARA Las Vegas)

Casbar Lounge Las Vegas, Sahara Las Vegas bars, cocktail lounges, Club 101 lounge bars, Club101 lounges, Club101 bars · saharalasvegas.com

Indoors

Catch Las Vegas

Catch steakhouses, Catch restaurants, Catch steak restaurants · catchrestaurants.com

Indoors

Celebrity Cars

exotic cars, exotic car rentals · celebritycars.com

Indoors

Centerfolds Cabaret Strip Club Las Vegas

Club Paradise Las Vegas, adult entertainment, strip clubs, strippers, stripclubs, gentlemens clubs · centerfoldslasvegas.com

Indoors

Chickie's & Pete's, SAHARA Las Vegas

Las Vegas seafood restaurants · saharalasvegas.com

Indoors

City Athletic Club

7980 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117, USA · cityathleticclub.com

Indoors

Coyote Ugly Saloon (at New York New York)

Coyote Ugly Las Vegas country bars, Las Vegas bars, Coyote Ugly nightclubs, Coyote Ugly bars · newyorknewyork.mgmresorts.com

Indoors

Deja Vu Las Vegas

adult entertainment, strip clubs, strippers, stripclubs, gentlemens clubs · dejavuvegas.com

Indoors

Diplomat Exotic Car Rental

exotic cars, car rentals · diplomatrentals.com

Indoors

Drai's Beach Club, Nightclub & After Hours (The Cromwell)

Drais afterhours clubs, Las Vegas after hours nightclubs, Las Vegas afterhours nightclubs, afterhours Las Vegas, Drais after hours Las Vegas, las vegas… · draisgroup.com

Indoors

Dream Exotics

exotic cars, car rentals, no security deposits · dreamexoticrentalcars.com

Indoors

Edge Steakhouse (at Westgate)

steakhouses, Waygu beef, steak restaurants · westgateresorts.com

Indoors

Encore Beach Club (at the Wynn)

Wynn Las Vegas, patios, pool bars, outdoor swimming pools, outdoor pools, EDM, dance music · 3131 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · wynnlasvegas.com

Indoors

Eureka Casino

casinos · eurekalasvegas.com

Indoors

Exotic Cars Vegas

exotic cars, car rentals · exoticcarsvegas.com

Indoors

Exotic Driving Experiences

exotic cars, car rentals · exoticdrivingexperiences.com

Indoors

Foundation Room (63rd Floor, Mandalay Bay)

Las Vegas nightclubs, scenic restaurants, scenic views, rooftop restaurants, rooftop patios, rooftops, rooftop nightclubs · mandalaybay.mgmresorts.com

Indoors

Fuso Nightclub

las vegas nightclubs · fusovegas.com

Indoors

Get Air Las Vegas

trampolines · getairlasvegas.com

Indoors

Gold & Silver Pawn Shop

Pawn Stars · gspawn.com

Indoors

Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas

German restaurants, Bavarian foods, Bavarian restaurants, Octoberfest, Oktoberfest, Munich restaurants · hofbrauhauslasvegas.com

Indoors

Hooters (OYO Hotel & Casino), Las Vegas

OYO Hooters restaurants, Hooters wings, chicken wings, Hooters OYO restaurants · oyolasvegas.com

Indoors

Jewel Nightclub (ARIA Hotel & Casino)

Jewel Nightclub Las Vegas nightclubs, Aria Las Vegas night clubs, Aria nightclubs · taogroup.com

Indoors

Joël Robuchon

French restaurants at MGM Grand · mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com

Indoors

Kaos at Palms

las vegas Cardi B, dayclubs, day clubs, nightclubs, The Palms Casino Resort · kaos.palms.com

Indoors

The Mayfair Supper Club at The Bellagio

fine dining restaurants · themayfairlv.com

Indoors

Medizin Las Vegas

cannabis retailers · medizinlv.com

Indoors

Nusr-Et Steak, Las Vegas

Salt Bae steakhouses, Nusr steaks, Las Vegas steakhouses, Las Vegas steak restaurants · nusr-et.com.tr

Indoors

On the Record (Park MGM)

Park MGM nightclubs · parkmgm.mgmresorts.com

Indoors

Piranha Nightclub

gay nightclubs, gay clubs, LGBTQ, lesbians, gay men · piranhavegas.com

Indoors

PKWY Tavern

bars, pubs, craft beers · pkwytavern.com

Indoors

Planet 13 Las Vegas

cannabis retailers · planet13lasvegas.com

Indoors

Royalty Exotic Cars

exotic cars, car rentals · royaltyexoticcars.com

Indoors

SEA The Thai Experience

Bally's Las Vegas, Ballys Las Vegas · caesars.com

Indoors

Sky Zone Las Vegas

trampolines, trampoline parks · skyzone.com

Indoors

Spearmint Rhino Las Vegas

strip clubs, stripclubs, gentlemens clubs, strippers, exotic dancers · spearmintrhinolv.com

Indoors

Stadium Swim

Circa Las Vegas, sporting events, sports TV, outdoor TV sports, outdoor swimming pools, outdoor pools · circalasvegas.com

Indoors

Superfrico

Cosmopolitan hotel restaurants · superfrico.com

Indoors

Superfrico Las Vegas

cocktail lounges, birthday parties, birthday party, bars, nightclubs, restaurants · superfrico.com

Indoors

The LIGHT Vegas

las vegas nightclubs · thelightvegas.com

Indoors

Gordon Ramsey Steak

wagyu kobe beef

Indoors

Moon Nightclub

Palms Casino resorts, defunct nightclubs

Indoors

SW Steakhouse

wagyu kobe beef

Indoors

Zouk (Resorts World)

Resorts World bars, Resorts World lounges, Resorts World nightclubs

Indoors

108 Eats

Indoors

1228 Main

Indoors

5 Dollar Cafe

Indoors

7th & Carson

Indoors

8 East

Indoors

911 Taco Bar

Indoors

Ada's

Indoors

America

Indoors

Aqua

Indoors

Atomic Liquors

917 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Indoors

Bacon Nation

Indoors

BESO Restaurant

Indoors

Bjork Caviar

Indoors

Bonefish Grill

Indoors

Brezza

Indoors

Carson Kitchen

Indoors

Carversteak

Indoors

Chart House

Indoors

Chick-fil-A

Indoors

Coffee Pub

Indoors

Da Peppino

Indoors

Del Taco

Indoors

El Bolero

Indoors

EL Taco Rico

Indoors

Freedom Beat

Indoors

Gianna's Pizza

Indoors

Good Pie

Indoors

IHOP

Indoors

IKEA Restaurant

Indoors

Jack in the Box

Indoors

Jason's Deli

Indoors

Kabob 'N More

Indoors

LA VECINDAD®

Indoors

Le Thai

Indoors

Los Huicholes

Indoors

Lotus of Siam

Indoors

Lucky 3 Food Co

Indoors

McDonald's

Indoors

Panda Express

Indoors

Panera Bread

Indoors

Park On Fremont

Indoors

Peyote

Indoors

Ping Pang Pong

Indoors

Port of Subs

Indoors

Airports

McCarran International Airport (LAS) 5 mi to the centre

Las Vegas, NV, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 34 airlines (Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, AirTran Airways, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 133 destinations incl. Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Denver, London… (OpenFlights route data).

Indoor
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 34 airlines, 133 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Boulder City Municipal Airport (BLD) 22 mi to the centre

Boulder City, NV, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. GCW (OpenFlights route data).

Indoor | Outdoor
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters HI (BH2) · 1 route: GCW

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) 4.5 mi to the centre

Las Vegas, NV, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.

Indoor | Outdoor

Desert Rock Airport (DRA) 59 mi to the centre

Mercury, NV, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.

Indoor | Outdoor

Henderson Executive Airport (HSH) 13 mi to the centre

Las Vegas, NV, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.

Indoor | Outdoor

Caas Airport 42 mi to the centre

Pahrump, NV, US

Outdoor

Local transit

RTC

Bus · The Deuce and other buses along the Strip and across the valley. · Fares: rideRTC app · Airport: Route CX Centennial Express and WAX airport buses

City of Las Vegas

Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nev

Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

Amtrak

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

FlixBus ← Los Angeles, California

Five to six hours across the desert, several departures a day. · Los Angeles, California guide →

Greyhound

Intercity coach

Jefferson Lines

Intercity coach

MegaBus

Intercity coach

Trailways

Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Airshare

Fractional, jet card · Embraer Phenom 300, Challenger 350 · Fractional and jet card programme centred on the US Midwest and East.

XO

Charter, shared flights · Light to large-cabin via partner fleet · Vista Global's on-demand charter and by-the-seat shared flights, app-based.

JSX

Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135/145, 30 seats · Scheduled "hop-on" jet service from private terminals in the western US and Texas — no TSA lines.

NetJets

Fractional, jet card · Cessna Citation, Embraer Phenom, Bombardier Challenger & Global · The largest private-jet operator in the world; fractional shares and the NetJets card, US and Europe.

Flexjet

Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.

Tours & experiences

Living Here

Practical notes for residents

Getting about

  • The Strip is walkable in stretches but long; the Deuce bus runs its length 24 hours, and the monorail links several resorts on the east side. Between resorts, footbridges and the tram links save the crossings.
  • Rideshare and taxis are the practical way around; distances beyond the Strip are suburban and a car is normal for residents. Traffic on the Strip itself is slow — walk or take the bus for short hops.
  • Harry Reid International (LAS) is right beside the Strip — ten minutes to most resorts. No passenger rail; Los Angeles is four hours by road, and a high-speed line to Southern California is under construction.
  • Parking at the resorts, once free, is now mostly charged.

Health

  • University Medical Center is the county's public hospital and the state's only Level I trauma centre; Sunrise, Summerlin and Henderson hospitals serve the suburbs.
  • Dial 911. Pharmacies are everywhere and many are 24-hour. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are the real hazards — drink water constantly in summer.
  • As anywhere in the US, carry insurance; resort-district urgent-care clinics are convenient and priced for visitors.

Work & study

  • Hospitality and gaming employ a large share of the valley — the resorts are among the biggest private employers in the country, and the Culinary Union is powerful. Tips are the economy.
  • UNLV is the university, with a strong hospitality school; Nevada State University and the College of Southern Nevada cover the rest.
  • Sports have arrived — the Raiders, the Golden Knights, the Aces and Formula 1 — along with conventions (CES, the largest) that fill the city each January. No state income tax draws remote workers and retirees.

Money & manners

  • US dollars; tip 20% in restaurants, a dollar or two per drink, and tip dealers and valets. Resort fees are added to hotel bills and are not optional.
  • Gambling is legal at 21; alcohol may be carried openly on the Strip. Casinos have no clocks and few windows by design.
  • Everything runs late and cold — bring a layer for the air-conditioning even in July.

Sources

Everything above is checkable