Anyone who pictures Las Vegas purely as a casino town misses half of it. The city was built in the middle of the desert, and an hour or two away are some of the most striking landscapes in the world. For someone who does not gamble, Las Vegas is both a cheap hotel base and the door to the Grand Canyon. Below I have written a four-day plan.
The Strip and the free shows
The main boulevard, called the Strip, is more than six kilometres long, and every hotel is a spectacle in itself. The Bellagio fountains run to music every half hour, every day, and the show is free. Inside the Venetian there is a canal with gondolas, and outside the Paris stands a copy of the Eiffel Tower.
Distances deceive: there can be a kilometre between two hotels, because the buildings are enormous. There is a monorail and free trams between hotels. Fremont Street is in the old town, and the canopy of lights above it is a show of its own.
The Grand Canyon and the desert parks
The west rim of the Grand Canyon is a two-hour drive, the south rim four. The south rim is more impressive and gives you the real canyon view; the glass bridge on the west rim is more of a tourist attraction. The helicopter tours also go to the west rim.
Zion and Bryce Canyon are to the north, three to four hours away, and some people find them finer than the Grand Canyon. The Valley of Fire is only an hour off and, with its red rock, is an ideal choice for half a day. Taking these tours in advance is the easiest way if you are not going to rent a car.
Read more: A United States travel guide: which city to start from, transport, budget and the unwritten rules
Hotels and hidden costs in Las Vegas
Hotel prices here are among the lowest in America, because the hotels make their money from gambling. A five-star hotel can come down to 60–120 dollars on a weekday. But there is a trap: almost every hotel charges a daily resort fee, and it is not included in the price shown when you book. Expect thirty to forty dollars on top.
At the weekend prices go up two or three times over, so come midweek. Compare the hotel options by their position on the Strip — the central section is within walking distance of everything. Buffets are 30–60 dollars, and lunch in an ordinary restaurant 15–25.
The season in Las Vegas
March–May and October–November are the best months, with 20–30 degrees. June to August climbs to 42; it is a dry heat and walking outside during the day is not possible. Winter is cool and sunny, dropping to zero at night. Spring and autumn are the most suitable period for the desert parks. Official information is on the Visit Las Vegas site.
In one sentence
Las Vegas works for someone who does not gamble too, because the free shows and cheap hotels turn it into the base for a nature route. Come midweek, put the resort fee into the budget, and choose the south rim of the Grand Canyon. For a visa and a route, fill in the application form.
Note: the prices in this article are those at the time of publication and may change with the season.
