Explore Las Vegas
Plan Your Trip to Las Vegas: Best of Las Vegas Tourism
Essential Las Vegas
Our LGBTQ guide to the best of Las Vegas
RuPaul's Drag Race LIVE! at the Flamingo Las Vegas81Witness the potential of high-production drag up close, but get ready for something more buttoned up than RuPaul’s MTV show. The line starts about an hour before the show, and sometimes the queens say hello on their way in! Drinks inside the show are pricey, so arrive early and sashay over to the Count Room for a cocktail.
Senor Frog's Las Vegas5,675If you love dive bars and drag queens, this is your sanctuary of sequins, shots, and bottomless mimosas. Expect to pay more than a Drag Race Live! ticket, but you’ll experience top local queens and a few Ru girls at their rowdiest. Besides, if you want to forget how much it costs—well, you know what to do. Book a few weeks in advance for the best seating.
The Garden Las Vegas5Looking for drag with a touch of glamour? Here, the refillable bevies come with the ability upgrade, the menu is à la carte, and the backdrop matches the price tag, which is higher than most. But, you’re guaranteed Ru girls in addition to other show stopping queens. Reserve early.
Vanderpump à Paris144It’s not the only French fine dining in Vegas, but it’s the only one that comes with potential Lisa and Ken Vanderpump sightings. Plus, it’s ideal for making special memories–you can’t take a bad photo inside. Reservations are highly suggested, but spontaneous couples might sneak in at the bar, which is open seating.
Vanderpump Cocktail Garden At Caesars Palace281Wondering if other LGBTQ+ people are flocking to Lisa’s original Vegas bar and restaurant? They are, and the hype about the espresso martinis and goat cheese balls is true, but it’s almost always packed. You can’t make reservations, but you can go when it’s less busy—after lunch, early dinner, or right when it opens at 10 a.m. Hair of the dog?
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton733I like to recommend this place because it’s comfortable whether you’re in Vegas to party or you just want a home base where you let your hair down. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Fruit Loop and less than 10-minutes by car to the Strip. There’s a gay-ish nightclub on the 4th floor, and you will wake up each morning (or afternoon) to all the rejuvenating rooftop pool vibes.
Atomic Saloon Show177Sexy dinner theater is a revered tradition in Vegas, and this Western-themed fantasy with openly queer characters keeps it LGBTQ cute.
The Neon Museum5,407This hour or so walk through the final resting place of the most famous neon lights in Vegas history is an Instagrammer’s paradise. The museum recently installed a permanent LGBTQ exhibit, featuring the same glowing signs that lit the first gay spaces. For the best photos, come at sunset, but buy your ticket early—it sells out.
Luxor Hotel & Casino59,772Wanna soak up the sun with the beautiful people? Book your Sunday afternoon at this laid-back but popular LGBTQ pool party on the Strip. Get on the get list and arrive by 1 p.m. to skip the cover. Not all seating has shade, and the good chairs go fast, but groups and couples can reserve a cabana, which includes recliners with umbrellas.
The Liberace Museum Collection162Calling all Liberace fans. Honor the most famous LGBTQ showman to call Vegas home with a pilgrimage to Thriller Villa for the private tour of treasures from the now defunct Liberace Museum. If you’re just looking to live vicariously through this eccentric performer’s legendary car collection (including the most bedazzled models), snap photos, and take home a quirky souvenir, the Liberace Garage is a no-brainer.
Browse collections
Top spots for kidsYes, you can bring ‘em along for the ride
Vegas on a dimeEats and activities that won’t break the bank
If you're feeling fancy-ishLuxury experiences that are totally worth it
Off the StripHidden gems just beyond the main drag
When in Vegas…Thrills and experiences you can only get here
Two thumbs way upConcerts, shows, and spectacles that wow
Stay up to all hoursLate night bites, clubs, and more 24-hour fun
Top chefsSnag a res at restaurants run by A-listers
Take a dipThe best hotel pools and poolside hangs
Adventure’s callingDay trips that'll get your adrenaline pumping
More places to let the good times roll
Las Vegas Travel Guide
Travelers' pro tips or experiencing Las Vegas
Whitlam H
Make sure you wear comfortable footwear and its worn in as you will be walking a great deal … keep small dollar bills handy for tips … Don't overplan too much the first time — make a small list of your absolute "must dos" but take some time just to wander and soak up the atmosphere.
AprilfromRocky
Don't forget, there's the Deuce transit bus that goes up and down the strip, all the way to Fremont. Make sure to buy at least the 24 hr pass so you can get off and on whenever.
TCO_TX
If you're trying to learn the table games, check out the lessons most casinos offer in the morning. You'll learn the basic rules and etiquette and avoid being a nuisance when the tables are packed at night.
momlovesvegas
Vegas is anything you make it. From restful to exciting. From budget conscious to extravagant. There is something for everyone here!
louise G
Disneyland for adults!
PlatinumPaul
Vegas is one of the most unique places in the US. Despite other cities having casinos, nothing comes close to the awe of Vegas.
tommyt1869
Vegas is one-stop shopping for vacationers. Great Hotels, great food, great shows, gambling, nature. There is something for everyone here.
KatiJuice
An escape from the real world.
What is the best way to get there?
flying
McCarran International Airport is the main commercial airport servicing Las Vegas. Shuttle buses run from the airport to Strip hotels, Downtown Las Vegas and off-strip hotels.
bus
Greyhound offers bus services to Las Vegas with a terminal in Downtown Las Vegas.
driving
Travelers driving to Las Vegas usually approach the Strip off the I-15 Fwy.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Las Vegas from overseas, use the State Department’s Visa Wizard to see if you need a visa.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (February to April): It's in summer that you’ll find Vegas’ hottest pool parties but to avoid the suntanned throngs of international party-goers, plan a visit in late spring when the pools are open, spring break is over, and the crowds are relatively thin.
However, travelers looking to snag a deal can do so in chilly December, before the holiday season kicks in.
Get around
bus
RTC buses operate daily with popular Strip and Downtown routes running 24/7 every 15 to 20 minutes.
shuttles
Many off-Strip casino hotels offer limited shuttle buses to and from the Strip for free.
monorail
The Las Vegas Monorail operates daily along the Strip with trains every 4-8 minutes.
taxis and rideshare
Local safety laws prohibit hailing a cab on the street. Instead, taxi stands can be found at almost every casino hotel and shopping mall. Uber and Lyft rideshare services are also readily available.
driving
Parking is available in hotel and shopping mall garages for a fee. There is also some free and paid Strip parking available.
Find more information about parking options and prices here.
On the ground
What is the timezone?
Pacific Time Zone
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in the United States is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. The plug has two flat parallel pins.
What is the currency?
The U.S. Dollar
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
How much do I tip?
Bartender
$1 a drink or $2 for a more labor-intensive cocktail
Restaurant
15-20%
Buffet
$1-$2 per person
Dealer
$1-$5 per session or 2-5% of your winnings
Bellman
$1 to 3 per bag
Housekeeper
$2-$3 per night
Taxi/Rideshare
15-20%
Shuttle Driver
$1-$2 per person
Tour guide
10-20%
Are there local customs I should know?
Drinking
The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21 years old.
Gambling
Learn the basic rules of the games you are interested in playing before you participate.
Walking
Walk to the right of the sidewalk and step off to the side of the sidewalk if you want to stop to check your phone, look up directions, or want to take in a view.
Public transport
Allow others to disembark before boarding, don’t take up more than one seat, and stand to offer seating to pregnant women or someone with a disability.
Spitting
Spitting is considered rude in any public setting.
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Las Vegas, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Las Vegas include:
- Las Vegas is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Las Vegas:
- Grand Canyon West with Lunch, Hoover Dam Stop & Optional Skywalk
- Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop with Optional Skywalk
- Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam Stop and Skywalk Upgrade with Lunch
- Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight with Optional VIP Transportation
- Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pick up
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Las Vegas between June and August, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between March and May.