Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world, offering endless possibilities for fun and wonder. Las Vegas isn’t just casinos and hotels, it’s also a gateway to many natural wonders and incredible excursions in the American West. There’s so much to see and do that organizing a four-day trip can seem insurmountable.
Here’s a detailed itinerary to help you make the most of your stay in Las Vegas, combining the city with a nature getaway for a short break.
The Las Vegas Strip is the city’s most famous attraction, and for good reason. The Strip is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and casinos, as well as renowned restaurants and attractions.
Start your day with breakfast in one of the hotel’s many cafés and restaurants. Afterwards, take a stroll along the Strip and admire the many well-known landmarks.
The Venetian is a glamorous hotel that reproduces the romantic canals and architecture of Venice, Italy. You can opt for a gondola ride through the inland canals and admire the superb works of art, stores and restaurants along the way.
The Bellagio fountains are one of the most iconic attractions on the Las Vegas Strip. These water fountains dance to the rhythm of music and lights, creating a spellbinding spectacle that’s free to all. Fountain shows take place every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at night.
The Mirage volcano, which erupts every night with flames and smoke, is another site not to be missed. You can also stroll through the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, home to over 160 designer and specialty boutiques. Be sure to stop for a photo with the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
In the evening, enjoy a show or try your luck in one of the city’s many casinos.
The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most astonishing natural wonders, and it’s only a few hours’ drive from Las Vegas. Indeed, Las Vegas is often the starting point for hikes to the Grand Canyon and other wonders such as Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park. If you want to explore the region in depth, you’ll need much more than four days!
While there are many ways to visit the Grand Canyon, a guided tour of the West Rim, including a visit to the famous Skywalk Bridge, or a private tour is the best way to see the most breathtaking views.
For those who don’t have much time, you can also book a flight by helicopter or tourist plane.
The South Rim is the most popular part of the Grand Canyon and offers the most impressive panoramas. You can book a sightseeing plane tour the Grand Canyon National Park, including a visit in a Hummer.
If you prefer to explore on your own, you can rent a car and drive to the South Rim. There are many viewpoints and hiking trails to discover, so don’t forget to bring plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes.
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a 30-minute drive from the Strip and offers magnificent views of the Mojave Desert.
You can book a private tour of Red Rock Canyon, including other places like Death Valley. Or rent a car and explore on your own.
After visiting Red Rock Canyon, head for Hoover Dam, one of the world’s engineering marvels. Hoover Dam is a short drive from Las Vegas and a popular tourist destination. You can take a guided tour of the dam or explore it on your own.
Fremont Street is located in downtown Las Vegas and has a vintage feel. You can attend the famous Viva Vision show, a spectacular display of lights and music every evening. You can also zip-line above the crowds on the SlotZilla zipline or ride the High Roller observation wheel, which offers a breathtaking view of the city.
If you’re in the mood for some shopping, head to the Fashion Show Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in Las Vegas. The center boasts over 250 stores and restaurants, including high-end brands such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Louis Vuitton. You can also visit the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, with over 170 stores and restaurants.
If you’re interested in art and culture, head to the Art District, just a few minutes from the Strip. The arts district is home to galleries, boutiques and restaurants, as well as First Friday’s, a monthly arts and culture festival held on the first Friday of every month.
In the evening, head back to the Strip for another show or try your luck in one of the many casinos. You can also visit the nightclubs, bars and lounges that line the Strip.
Among other activities, you could also skydive at SkyJump at The Strat, book a luxury gourmet tour or seal your love with Elvis at Graceland.
Las Vegas is renowned for its diverse culinary scene, with options ranging from affordable dining to gourmet experiences. Here are some of the must-visit restaurants:
Las Vegas is known for its spectacular entertainment, including a wide variety of shows featuring world-class performers, dazzling productions and breathtaking stunts. Here are some of the best shows in Las Vegas:
In addition to the shows I mentioned above, Las Vegas also offers several residencies for popular musical artists, including Bruno Mars at the Park Theater at Park MGM.
These are just a few of the many incredible shows Las Vegas has to offer. Be sure to inquire and reserve your tickets in advance, as shows can sell out quickly.
Mastercard holders can take advantage of attractive discounts on various Las Vegas shows.
As the official partner of Cirque du Soleil in Canada, Mastercard® is proud to offer its cardholders access to preferred seating and other special offers for Cirque du Soleil touring shows in Canada and resident shows in Las Vegas.
While not the most affordable in Las Vegas, these hotels are famous and iconic, so it’s understandable that you’d want to stay at one.
To offset the costs, you’ll need to use travel points. A good strategy would be to use a no-exchange-fee card with a generous welcome bonus like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card.
In Las Vegas, you could redeem your certificate for a free night’s stay at any Marriott Bonvoy hotel.
It’s easy enough to accumulate enough points for a short getaway to Las Vegas, as the Marriott BonvoyMD American ExpressMD* Card and the Marriott BonvoyMD Business American ExpressMD* Card offer generous welcome bonuses, which can cover a few nights’ accommodation.
Here are some of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels:
How many Aeroplan points do you need for a one-way economy flight from Montreal? According to Air Canada’s points predictor, you’ll need at least 12,500 points to reach Las Vegas.
Aeroplan credit cards are known for offering generous welcome bonuses. In fact, depending on the number of people in your group, you can earn enough points to travel to Las Vegas with just one of these credit cards.
In addition, all the credit cards listed below come with various benefits, such as free baggage allowance for yourself and up to eight people on the same booking.
When using Aeroplan, we always suggest aiming for a valuation of 2¢ per point. While it’s not difficult to achieve this goal for travel in North America, it will depend on the price of the flight in cash, which varies greatly depending on the itinerary and the season.
Do your search on Google Flights, for example. If you come across a relatively low price, with a stopover in Toronto, using Aeroplan doesn’t make much sense, unless you want to avoid a connection.
Therefore, travel points would be the best type of points to use. Book the cheapest flight you can find and redeem the points for an account credit. For example, you can use Aventura points to get a free flight to Las Vegas.
Fixed premiums can also be attractive for flights within North America. Some programs offer them, such as American Express, CIBC Aventura, RBC Avion Rewards, etc.
Getting around Las Vegas is relatively easy, thanks to the various means of transport available. Here are some of the best ways:
Staying off the Strip and using Uber can save you a lot of money, even when you factor in transportation costs!
Whether you want to explore the natural beauty of nearby national parks, take in a show or try your luck in the casinos, this four-day itinerary will help you make the most of your stay in Sin City.
A trip to Las Vegas can be expensive, especially if you love gambling! However, there are many ways to make travel more affordable with points and miles.
Autumn is a great time to visit Las Vegas. It’s not advisable to leave in summer, as the climate is extremely hot and dry.
The hotels, which are located close to the famous Strip, are expensive. You could earn free nights with reward points, linked to a loyalty program such as Marriott Bonvoy. As for flights, here again, your points can help you save on ticket prices, which vary according to the season.
Savings are here:
