Las Vegas is built for gambling, but most of what makes a trip memorable happens away from the tables: world-class shows, resort dining, spas and the desert just beyond the Strip.
1. Watch the Fountains of Bellagio
The fountain show on the lake in front of Bellagio runs from afternoon into the night, choreographed to music. It's free to watch from the Strip-side promenade, and several restaurants at Bellagio and across the street have terrace or window seating that faces the lake. Book a table timed for after dark.
2. See a Cirque du Soleil show
Cirque du Soleil runs several resident productions on the Strip, each in a theater built for it:
- "O" at Bellagio, performed in and above a pool of water
- Mystère at Treasure Island, Cirque's longest-running Las Vegas show
- KÀ at MGM Grand, built around a moving, tilting stage
- Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay
Lineups change, so check Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas listings for current shows and dates.
3. Make the resort the destination
The major Strip resorts each have their own spas, pools, shopping and restaurants from well-known chefs. Moving between two or three of them over a weekend gives you a very different trip from one that stays in a single property. Pool season generally runs spring through early fall; spas are open year-round.
4. If you do play, play somewhere comfortable
Every major resort has a casino floor, and most have high-limit rooms that are quieter and more private than the main floor. Ask your hotel's host team what's available before you arrive.
5. Get out of town
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is about 30 minutes west of the Strip, with a scenic drive and hiking trails. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are a similar drive southeast. Helicopter tours from Las Vegas also cover the Strip at night and the Grand Canyon.
Flying privately to Las Vegas
Private flights into Las Vegas commonly use:
- Harry Reid International (LAS): closest to the Strip, with several private terminals
- Henderson Executive (HND): south of the city, a convenient option for the south Strip and Henderson
- North Las Vegas (VGT): northwest of downtown, often used by smaller aircraft
Your advisor will suggest the best fit for your aircraft and where you're staying. From Southern California, a light jet or turboprop usually suits the trip; from the East Coast, a super midsize jet or larger. Our advisors can also arrange ground transportation. Learn how on-demand charter works, or contact our team to plan a trip.
